Lin Qingya returned to the palace, and the moonlight was about to set. She carefully sorted out the evidence provided by the tutor. Those secret letters and account books clearly pointed to the fact that Li Chengze colluded with ministers to plot. She knocked gently on the door of the imperial study. After the guards informed her, she was summoned by Emperor Li Heng.
In the imperial study, sandalwood was burning, and Li Heng was crouching over his desk reviewing memorials. Lin Qingya walked in with light steps, bowed, and said in a clear voice: "Father." Li Heng raised his eyes, his expression was a little tired, but when he saw Lin Qingya, a complex light flashed in his eyes. He put down the red brush in his hand and motioned her to sit down.
Lin Qingya presented the evidence she had sorted out, her tone calm but she said: "Father, these evidences show that the Third Emperor Li Chengze secretly colluded with important officials in the court to plot, intending to..." She paused for a moment and looked directly at Li Heng, "intending to rebel." As she spoke, she spread out a secret letter, which was a detailed secret plan written by Li Chengze himself. Li Heng's face gradually became solemn. He picked up the secret letter and read the contents carefully, his brows furrowed. There was silence in the imperial study, with only the sound of the pen tip gently scratching the paper.
After reading it, Li Heng slammed the secret letter on the table. "What a jerk Li Chengze! How dare you be so audacious!" His voice was low and angry, and his eyes were flashing with anger. Lin Qingya's action not only exposed Li Chengze's conspiracy, but more importantly, this action dispelled Li Heng's long-standing doubts about her. He originally had hidden concerns about Lin Qingya's overly outstanding ability and strong rise.
Lin Qingya stood quietly by the side, watching Li Heng's emotions gradually calm down. She knew that she had won the bet. Li Heng took a deep breath and turned his eyes to Lin Qingya, with a little appreciation and gratitude in his eyes. He slowly said, "Ya'er, you did a good job." There was a hint of relief in his tone. Lin Qingya leaned back slightly, without saying anything, but her eyes showed a determined light.
When the news reached the East Palace, Li Chengqian was furious. He had never thought that Lin Qingya was so cruel that she would present the evidence directly to his father. He threw the teacup on the table to the ground, and the porcelain fragments scattered all over the floor. He roared: "Lin Qingya! How dare you do this to me!" The angry Li Chengqian seemed helpless and could only watch his power being gradually disintegrated.
At the same time, after Li Rui got the news, a subtle smile appeared on his lips. He secretly arranged people to take advantage of Li Chengqian's mistake to collect more evidence to further prove Li Chengqian's crime, so that Li Heng would be determined to put him in prison. Li Chengqian was escorted away by the guards, and his desperate shouts echoed in the palace corridor. He was quickly imprisoned in the prison, with no chance of turning over. Lin Qingya stood by the palace wall, watching the sunset, her expression calm. She had just started this power struggle. The corners of her mouth were slightly raised.
The celebration banquet was held in the Imperial Garden. Lanterns were lit, ribbons were flying, and toasts were clinking, but there was a hidden murderous plot. Lin Qingya, wearing a light and elegant dress, sat dignifiedly beside the main seat, sipping her tea, but her eyes wandered among the crowd. She keenly noticed several vague glances, with malicious intent and calculation. Eunuch Li, who was serving by her side, was keeping an eye on all directions and noticed that several women dressed as palace maids were sneaking up on Lin Qingya, with a hint of ruthlessness in their eyes. He moved closer to Lin Qingya and whispered, "My queen, be careful!" Lin Qingya nodded slightly and moved, her slender fingers brushed the edge of the teacup, and a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Zhao Sisi hid behind the rockery, looking at everything in the imperial garden coldly. She secretly met with the leader of Li Chengze's old subordinates, whispering in a low voice, planning to seize power in the chaos. The leader looked solemn. Although he had doubts about Zhao Sisi's plan, he had no choice but to give it a try. "After the success, the position of prime minister will be yours!" Zhao Sisi said firmly, with ambition burning in her eyes. The leader nodded hesitantly, holding the dagger in his hand tightly, ready to act, and silently observed the situation at the banquet through the gaps in the bushes.
In the shadows, another pair of eyes was fixed on Lin Qingya. It was Li Chengze's confidant, the leader of the dark guards. His eyes were fierce, and he held a silver needle coated with poison in his hand, ready to strike in the chaos. The leader of the dark guards tightened the silver needle in his hand, his eyes were full of ruthlessness and determination, and the cold wind messed up the loose hair in front of his forehead.
Li Heng sat in the main seat, his complexion became increasingly haggard, his eyes revealed deep fatigue, he subconsciously supported his forehead and sighed deeply, the noise of the banquet seemed far away from him. He sensed the undercurrent, but it was unable to stop the storm that was about to break out, he held himself up, and scanned the people present, trying to discern something.
Lin Qingya sensed the crisis, and she signaled Li Rui with a trembling voice. Li Rui understood, and suddenly announced loudly that the assassin had been found. The guards immediately rushed forward and captured the women pretending to be palace maids and the leader of the secret guards. Zhao Sisi's plan was completely destroyed. She was panicked and captured by the guards. Her face was full of disbelief. She understood how her carefully planned plan was exposed.
Lin Qingya looked at the escorted assassin and Zhao Sisi with a calm expression. She turned to Li Heng and said softly but firmly: "Father, these people intended to assassinate me and took the opportunity to stir up trouble in order to deceive me." She presented the evidence she had prepared in advance, and all the doubts pointed to the remaining power of Li Chengze. Although Li Heng was weak, his eyes were sharp again, and he trusted Lin Qingya's ability even more. Lin Qingya lowered her eyes and raised the corners of her lips slightly.