My heart sank. Li Rui's eyes made my back cold. This man usually looked gentle and polite, but I didn't expect him to be so murderous when he got angry. I suppressed the panic in my heart, rolled my eyes, and came up with a plan.

"Your Highness, you must be joking. Why would I hide from you? You are your Highness, and I am just a humble servant. When I see you, I will naturally stay away from you to avoid offending you, which would be a crime of disrespect!" I deliberately pretended to be timid and my voice was trembling a little when I spoke.

Li Rui obviously didn't buy my trick. His sharp eyes seemed to be able to see through my disguise. He stared at me straight, which made me feel creepy.

"Lin Qingya, don't play dumb with me," Li Rui's voice was low and dangerous, "Why did you appear here before the prince passed away?"

My heart skipped a beat and I thought to myself, this is not good, it seems that Li Rui suspects me of something. My eyes rolled around and my brain raced, thinking of a response strategy.

"Prince, why don't I understand what you are saying?" I pretended to be innocent, "I am very sad about the death of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, but I am just a woman, how dare I get involved in such things? I went to the palace the other day just to pay my respects to the Queen Mother, and passed by here, who knew..."

I deliberately didn't finish what I was saying. I just covered my mouth with my handkerchief and pretended to be heartbroken.

Li Rui looked at me coldly while I was acting. He didn't expose me, but the look in his eyes made me feel guilty.

"Really?" Li Rui suddenly reached out and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look up and look at him. "You'd better pray that the prince's death has nothing to do with you, otherwise..."

He didn't say the rest, but the cold look in his eyes gave me chills. I knew that if I was really related to the death of the crown prince, Li Rui would never let me go.

I tried hard to control my emotions and not let my fear show. I endured the pain in my jaw and forced a smile: "You are joking, my lord. How can a weak woman like me have anything to do with the life and death of the prince?"

Li Rui didn't say anything, just looked at me coldly, and then loosened his hand. I rubbed my chin which was pinched so hard that it hurt, and cursed in my heart, this man is really cruel!

"Your Highness, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave now." I lowered my head, not daring to look at him again, for fear that he would notice something wrong.

I turned around and tried to leave, but Li Rui grabbed me.

"Wait," Li Rui's voice rang out behind me, "The Crown Prince is dead, and there are many doubts. I will definitely get to the bottom of it. During this period, you'd better stay calm and don't act rashly, otherwise..."

There was a warning in his voice that gave me chills.

I took a deep breath and tried to sound calm: "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I understand."

After I finished speaking, I left without looking back.

I walked quickly along the palace corridor, my heart pounding. Li Rui's eyes, like a knife, scraped across my body, making me feel cold.

No, I have to leave this troubled place as soon as possible!

As I was thinking, suddenly, a hand covered my mouth from behind and dragged me into the alley next to me.

"Mmmmm..." I struggled desperately, but to no avail.

"Hush, it's me!" A familiar voice sounded in my ears.

I was stunned. This voice was... Li Heng? !