Because it was late and quiet, Lin Qingge didn't think much of it at first.
However, when she completely fell into a slumber, she found herself utterly unable to make a sound.
Before losing consciousness entirely, she vaguely heard a voice tinged with three parts helplessness and seven parts guilt:
"My lord, I'm sorry..."
But if apologies were useful, what need would there be for police?
Lin Qingge didn't retort this thought, and instead plunged into an endless darkness.
She didn't know how long she had slept. When she slowly opened her eyes again, she found herself back in her boudoir in Da Lin Village?!
This was quite magical, to say the least!!!
Lin Qingge was so startled that she performed a "dying patient startled upright" move.
Unfortunately, her body was too weak. The sudden起身 caused her to feel dizzy, and she fell back onto the bed.
Just then, the door creaked open from the outside.
Lin Qingge turned her head towards the sound. The dizziness and the sunlight streaming in forced her to squint slightly.
But upon clearly seeing the person who entered, her face showed no great surprise. Instead, she said with certainty:
"It was you, as expected."
The person walked into the room, poured a cup of warm water at the table, then slowly approached the bedside and said gently:
"You've been unconscious for two days and a night. Do you feel any discomfort?
Here, drink some water to moisten your throat."
Lin Qingge did not reach out to take the cup of water offered, but instead stated a self-evident fact with a cold expression:
"Qin Han is also your man?"
"To be precise, the Tang Sect was founded by the former subordinates of my Lin family."
Upon hearing the words 'Tang Sect,' Lin Qingge's expression changed drastically.
If she remembered correctly, Qin Ming and Leng Shuang had stayed at Changshou Palace to protect Lin Zimo's safety.
Wait!
Changshou Palace?
"The Empress Dowager's inexplicable coma was also your doing?"
Instantly having a suspicion, Lin Qingge blurted out her thoughts. kuAiδugg
The person readily nodded and admitted:
"Yes, it was Qin Ming who did it under my instruction.
There was no choice. So many people were surrounding you that I couldn't find an opportunity to act.
Thus, when I had no opportunity, I had to create one myself.
Bai Yichen and his son possessed exceptional medical skills and were adept at the art of medicine.
If they had stayed, it would have been inconvenient for Qin Han to act, so I devised this plan to lure the tiger away from its den.
It's a shame that Hua Jinrong, that troublesome fellow, didn't return with them.
But it doesn't matter. With a little manipulation, I could create some minor trouble within Wolong Villa to keep him occupied.
However, fortunately, the most troublesome and difficult Shangguan Wan'er suddenly fell into an inexplicable coma.
With such a heaven-sent opportunity, how could I possibly miss it?
After all, you are already suspicious of me, aren't you?"
Speaking of this, the person lowered the corners of their lips and feigned sadness:
"Qingge, you won't even drink the water I'm offering you.
Are you perhaps afraid I've drugged it?"
But Lin Qingge seemed not to be listening carefully. Having confirmed that Qin Ming was also the other party's spy, she glared at him and said:
"Lin Yan, if you dare to lay a hand on Mo'er, I will absolutely not forgive you!"
Lin Yan, who was addressed by name, suddenly chuckled:
"Not forgive me? How exactly will you not forgive me?
In fact, you don't need to lift a finger. If you just beckon, I will gladly walk to your side.
Who wouldn't when I adore you so."
Meeting those icy eyes, which were almost identical to Shangguan Wan'er's, Lin Yan patiently explained:
"Rest assured, Lin Moyuan has been in my sight for so long, and I haven't made a move against him. Naturally, I wouldn't do anything to a five-year-old child.
However, to be honest, Qin Han was a pawn that played out unexpectedly well.
Back when Qin Han took over the Tang Sect, he was severely punished by my men to break free from my control.
By chance, Murong Bai saved him, and he has been by Murong Bai's side ever since.
He thought that by not returning to the Tang Sect, he could detach the Tang Sect from my control.
But he doesn't know that if our Lin family had the ability to establish the Tang Sect, we also have the ability to destroy it.
For the sake of the entire Tang Sect, and also for his beloved brother Qin Ming, he agreed to my terms.
As long as he helps me this once, from now on, the Tang Sect will no longer be subservient to the Lin family.
As for Qin Ming, since only the sect leader of the Tang Sect is qualified to know of my existence, he is unaware of the relationship between me and the Tang Sect.
However, someone like Qin Ming, with his straightforward nature, is the easiest to manipulate.
Since Qin Han, this piece on the board, has been exposed.
To utilize his remaining value, I sent people to find Qin Ming.
I proactively revealed that the Tang Sect served the former imperial family.
At the same time, I also told him that the reason Qin Han hadn't returned to the Tang Sect all these years was mainly to avoid implicating him.
But if he were willing to help with a small favor, I wouldn't mind granting freedom to the Tang Sect and Qin Han.
He agreed without a second thought.
However, he did have one condition.
He would act against the Empress Dowager as instructed, but he would not harm her life.
At most, he would merely cause her to fall into a coma.
But that would be enough."
Looking at the man with a refined smile before her, Lin Qingge felt a chill pervade her entire being.
At the same time, the numerous strange occurrences from the past finally had answers.
"Qingge, why are you looking at me with such suspicion?"
After speaking, Lin Yan stubbornly pushed the cup of water forward again.
Lin Qingge remained unmoved and said:
"Lin Yan, how many people have you exploited?
It was you who colluded with the Eighth Prince to aid Fu Xun in his crime!
It was also you who incited the Fourth Prince to launch a rebellion, causing the Fengtian camp to defect!
Even the current underhanded actions of the King of Wu Cheng in Wolong Villa have your fingerprints on them!
Qi Huanquan is also your man, isn't he?
The螳螂捕蝉，黄雀在后 (mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind).
Saying that feels somewhat unfair to the oriole.
You are like a venomous snake lurking in wait.
You yourself never appear in public, instead instigating those greedy for power to fight and compete.
If they fail, it has nothing to do with you.
But if they happen to win, you will bare your fangs, bite them back, and then reap the fruits of their victory."
"As expected of Qingge, you understand me very well."
Lin Yan's lips curved into a faint smile, implicitly admitting Lin Qingge's words.
"No, if I had a choice, I wouldn't want to understand you at all."
After sleeping for two days, Lin Qingge's throat was very dry.
Despite this, she stubbornly refused to take the cup of water.
As if sensing her thoughts, Lin Yan forcefully placed the cup into her hand.
"Qingge, if you don't want to drink, I don't mind feeding you myself in my own way."
???
Hearing that suggestive, domineering statement, Lin Qingge, who felt that the person before her was not quite right, suddenly had a string of inappropriate images flash through her mind.
"Oh, right, I'm a bit curious, Qingge, when did you start suspecting me?"