After all, the Star - Picking Pavilion was a place for historical record - keeping. Although it had a large collection of books, its structure was simple. The only place to hide someone was behind the screen.
Song Jiaye walked towards the screen and peeked behind it. Zhou Donglin, who was hiding there, was extremely nervous. He clenched his fists tightly.
It seemed that Song Jiaye was almost at the screen. Just one more step inside and he would discover Zhou Donglin. Zhou Donglin tightened his grip on his fists. He had already made up his mind that as long as Song Jiaye dared to come, he would settle all old and new scores with him.
Just then, the official in charge of historical records suddenly shouted, "The Empress Dowager has moved!"
Hearing this, Song Jiaye rushed to Li Qiyu's side at once. In fact, Li Qiyu hadn't moved at all. That shout was just a ruse by the official to divert Song Jiaye's attention. Song Jiaye was indeed deceived. He ran to Li Qiyu's side but didn't see any sign of her waking up. However, it was as if Li Qiyu was saving them in some mysterious way. A tear slid down from the corner of her eye and happened to fall into Song Jiaye's palm.
Song Jiaye immediately believed what the official said. He quickly ordered someone to call the imperial physician. After the imperial physician felt Li Qiyu's pulse, he was also quite surprised. The pulse did seem to show signs of improvement, and even the heartbeat was a bit stronger. The imperial physicians were puzzled but quickly congratulated Song Jiaye.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty. The Empress Dowager's condition has indeed improved. With a little time, she will surely recover."
Hearing this, Song Jiaye finally felt relieved. At the same time, Zhou Donglin, who was hiding behind the screen, quietly let out a sigh of relief. It seemed that it was right for him to tell Li Qiyu that Li Yu was still alive in this world.
When people have hope, they will want to live.
Come on, Qiyu.
Zhou Donglin cheered for Li Qiyu in his heart and watched as Song Jiaye and his entourage carried Li Qiyu downstairs. At that moment, Li Qiyu, who was still in a coma, had no idea what was going on outside. She only heard the words, "I like you."
She thought it was Song Jiaye saying this to her. She thought Song Jiaye had turned over a new leaf and was willing to spare the Li family.
Song Jiaye still cared about her. As long as she opened her eyes, life would return to the way it used to be.
She had to survive for the Li family.
Soon, the news that Li Qiyu had woken up spread throughout the streets and alleys. Since the official in charge of historical records had made great contributions in this matter, Song Jiaye agreed that the official could fully participate in the subsequent treatment of Li Qiyu. This also gave Zhou Donglin the opportunity to hear the news about Li Qiyu first - hand.
Li Qiyu had indeed woken up, but her condition was not good. After learning that the entire Li family had been executed, Li Qiyu had a big fight with the emperor and once again tried to kill herself by hitting the pillar, but the prepared emperor stopped her.
Although she was still alive, her heart was dead.
At first, she cried every day until her eyes were blurred. Later, she ran out of tears and stopped crying. But she became a living dead, neither happy nor sad. She didn't leave the palace gate all day. The emperor probably went to see her twice out of guilt, but each time he was driven out by Li Qiyu.
Every piece of news brought by the official made Zhou Donglin's heart ache. He suddenly regretted his decision in the Star - Picking Pavilion.
Why did he wake Li Qiyu up?
Maybe it would have been the best ending for her to stay in a coma at that time and not know this cruel truth.
Zhou Donglin wanted to do something, but he couldn't see Li Qiyu. He once tried to find Song Jiaye, but since Li Qiyu was Song Jiaye's wife and the empress of the country, Song Jiaye wouldn't let him see her, and Zhou Donglin had no choice.
If it were an ordinary family, Zhou Donglin would have rushed in long ago.
But this was the imperial palace. It wasn't a place he could just break into alone.
Zhou Donglin took out a well - wrapped item and asked the official to give it to Li Qiyu.
The official's face turned pale when he saw it.
"Hey, little brother. I've been helping you pass on messages out of admiration for your devotion. That's already quite difficult. Now you want me to take something into the palace. This is private communication. If I'm caught, I'll lose my head several times over."
"Don't worry," Zhou Donglin said. Since he dared to give it, he naturally wouldn't harm the official.
"If the emperor asks, just say that this is an old item of the Li family you've collected to relieve the empress's longing."
Hearing that it was an old item of the Li family, the official asked half - doubtfully, "Can I take a look?"
Zhou Donglin nodded.
The official unwrapped it and saw that it was a wooden sword. He looked at it from all angles but didn't find any hidden mechanisms. It was indeed an ordinary wooden sword, a bit old with smooth edges and even some pitted marks on the blade. It was truly an old item.
Seeing this, the official felt relieved. He put the item away and asked, "If the empress asks, should I tell the truth?"
Zhou Donglin paused. In the past, he would never have let the official tell the truth, because it would only burden Li Qiyu and bring no benefits.
But now, thinking about Li Qiyu's situation.
She must be very scared and helpless. If he still hid behind, she would have no one to rely on.
So Zhou Donglin nodded and said, "If she asks, please pass on a message for me. She still has family."
Not only Li Yu but also him.
The official sighed. During this period, as a messenger for Zhou Donglin, he had observed and gradually began to admire Li Qiyu, this upright and extraordinary woman. If she hadn't become the empress, she might have had a good ending.
The wooden sword was soon delivered to Li Qiyu's hands.
Li Qiyu's vision was not good now, and she couldn't bear strong light. So when the sun was strong outside, she basically didn't go out. After she felt the sword, she stroked it reluctantly and finally started to dance with it in the room.
The maids saw that the empress finally had the interest to move, so no one dared to disturb her. They just silently moved some fragile items like porcelain vases away to avoid hurting the empress.
Li Qiyu held the sword. Although she was ill, her sword - dance was still full of energy. Even the official couldn't help but sigh that it was really beautiful.
Different from the soft dances of the concubines, even the sick Li Qiyu was full of vitality when she danced, and people couldn't help but follow her with their eyes.
The official remembered Zhou Donglin's words.
She was a wild goose, not a canary.
The last thing she should have done was to be the empress.