Lin Qingya's sword, like a spirit snake, swam among the assassins, and every swing was extremely accurate. She used mind reading to predict the enemy's moves, cleverly avoided fatal attacks, and counterattacked at the same time, knocking down the assassins one by one with lightning speed. In the imperial garden, the rockery and flowers and trees became her best cover. She used the force of the assassin to lead the assassin into the trap set in advance, but the assassin was tripped and fell into a ball. Li Rui leaned against an ancient tree, covering the wound on his chest that was still gushing with blood, his face as pale as paper. He looked at Lin Qingya as brave and strong as a female warrior, his eyes full of admiration and worry.
The last assassin, Zhang Biao, wielded a long sword and rushed towards Lin Qingya fiercely. "Go to hell!" he roared, the blade flashing coldly. Lin Qingya dodged the fatal attack with a flash, and then with a beautiful backhand, she knocked Zhang Biao's long sword to the ground. She quickly subdued Zhang Biao, and the remaining assassins were all captured. The breeze blew, the petals fell, and the air was filled with a faint smell of blood. Lin Qingya put away her sword and stood there quietly.
"Brother Rui!" Lin Qingya quickly ran to Li Rui's side and checked his injuries. Li Rui's breathing was rapid and weak. Lin Qingya trembled as she unbuttoned his clothes, revealing the deep wound that was visible to the bone. She looked solemn, took out a delicate small porcelain bottle from her pocket, poured medicine powder, carefully applied it to the wound, and bandaged it carefully with the bandage she carried with her. "Fortunately, I brought the hemostatic powder with me." She whispered to herself, her movements gentle but firm. At the same time, she quietly took out a small jade whistle from her sleeve and blew it gently. The melodious and crisp whistle echoed in the Imperial Garden and soon disappeared in the wind.
Li Chengze's conspiracy was completely exposed. It was Li Rui who secretly delivered the evidence that Li Chengze had hidden to Lin Qingya while he was poisoned. After Lin Qingya sorted out the information, she went to the imperial study to meet the emperor. Li Heng remained silent after listening to Lin Qingya's statement. After a while, he slowly said, "It's approved." His tone was calm, but he could not be questioned. However, his eyes could detect a complicated thought. He waved his hand lightly, and the attendant beside him immediately took the evidence to deal with it.
Lin Qingya got the emperor's permission, and with a slight smile on her face, she presented the evidence she had collected one by one, incriminating the crimes of Li Chengze and Crown Prince Li Chengqian. All the evidence was clear and powerful, leaving Li Heng unable to refute it. Crown Prince Li Chengqian tried to defend himself, but was silenced by Lin Qingya with more conclusive evidence. Li Chengze's conspiracy completely failed, and he was taken to Tianlao. Emperor Li Heng looked at Lin Qingya with admiration and gratitude, and he ordered a reward for Lin Qingya.
Lin Qingya stood by the palace wall, looking at the stars in the night sky. Li Rui was hurt but still followed her. She held everything in her hands, but there was no joy in her heart. She gently held all the chips in her hands.
In the Imperial Garden, the assassins had been subdued, and they fell to the ground groaning, with wails coming one after another. Lin Qingya's clothes were slightly messy, and her hair was messy, but she had an inviolable aura. She sheathed her long sword, and her cold eyes swept around. The bloodstained long sword reflected the afterglow of the setting sun, illuminating her resolute face. The air was filled with the smell of blood and dust, and withered flowers were scattered on the bluestone road. After the jade whistle sounded, the world returned to peace, and only the smell of blood left in the wind told of the fierce fight just now.
"Brother Rui!" Lin Qingya ran to Li Rui's side, moving quickly and gently. Li Rui leaned against an old tree, his face pale, blood soaked through his clothes, staining his collar red. He forced a smile, "Don't worry, this little injury..." Before he finished speaking, his eyes went black and he paralyzed. Lin Qingya quickly supported him and stabilized his body before he fell. She clearly felt the temperature from Li Rui's palm gradually getting colder, her heart was extremely anxious, but her face remained calm. She took out an exquisite porcelain bottle from her arms and skillfully applied medicine and bandaged Li Rui. After bandaging, Lin Qingya raised her head with a firm look in her eyes, "Every day will be fine." She whispered to comfort him, but a barely perceptible tear welled up in the corner of her eyes. In this imperial garden, the sunset dyed the sky red, but it made Li Rui's face look even paler.
The sentry responded faster than expected. In less than half an hour, a man in black quietly appeared in the corner of the Imperial Garden, quickly took away the unconscious assassin on the ground, and cleaned up the scene. This was done neatly and quickly, like a ghost.
Back in the study, Lin Qingya quickly sorted out the evidence she had found on Li Chengze. It was a secret letter and an account book, which was enough to prove that the Grand Duke Li Chengqian and Li Chengze had conspired to rebel. She checked the evidence over and over again, the candlelight reflecting her focused expression, and the only sound in the room was the rustling of the pen tip rubbing against the paper. The corners of her lips slightly raised, revealing a meaningful smile, and her eyes were cold and resolute.
The next morning, Lin Qingya dressed in plain court clothes and went to the imperial study. When she reached the door of the imperial study, she stopped, adjusted her breathing, made herself appear calm and respectful, and then pushed the door open. In the imperial study, Li Heng sat on the dragon chair, his face was tired, but he still had the majesty of an emperor, his eyes were deep, as if he could see through everything.
"Father, I have something important to report." Lin Qingya knelt down and presented the evidence in her hand. Her tone was calm, neither humble nor arrogant, and her eyes were firm and confident. She described the cause and effect of the incident in detail, with a tone that was neither hurried nor slow, and clear and logical, and added some details about Li Chengqian and Li Chengze's attempt to assassinate her, and this evidence came from Li Chengze's letter. With every word she spoke, she observed the changes in Li Heng's expression and understood every subtle expression in him. The air froze, and only Lin Qingya's voice echoed in the magnificent imperial study.
Li Heng took the memorial, and his eyes lingered on it for a long time. Finally, he slowly said, "It's approved." His tone was calm, but it was full of unquestionable majesty. Lin Qingya had already seen through the complicated emotions in his eyes. He was silent for a moment, and then he spoke again, "Leave."
Lin Qingya received the order and stood up, slowly retreating from the imperial study, with an imperceptible smile on the corner of her mouth.