In the hall, Li Heng leaned weakly on the dragon chair, coughing like intermittent thunder. Lin Qingya knelt on the ground, her slender fingers tightly grasping the corner of her clothes. She reported the news that Li Chengqian had been captured: "Father, the traitor Li Chengqian has been captured, and all the officials who participated in the rebellion have also been captured." She lowered her head, her tone was respectful and calm, but there was a trace of imperceptible fatigue hidden in her eyes. The sunlight in the hall was projected through the carved window frames, forming mottled light and shadows on the ground.

Li Heng slowly opened his eyes, his weathered face was filled with deep fatigue. After a while, he spoke in a hoarse voice: "Qingya... you have worked hard." He stretched out his skinny hand and gently stroked the armrest of the dragon chair, with a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. Lin Qingya slowly raised her head and looked into the emperor's eyes. She smiled slightly, gentle but firm, "Father, this is what I should do." She presented an exquisite jade box and whispered, "This is the new prescription prepared by the imperial physician. Please take it on time." Li Heng took the jade box, and there was a little comfort in his eyes.

However, under the seemingly peaceful court, undercurrents were surging. Zhao Sisi, dressed in gorgeous clothes, could not hide the haze in her eyes. She secretly observed Lin Qingya's every move, with a sneer on her lips. In the palace, her trusted maid quietly handed her a golden box containing secret reports. When she opened it, it recorded in detail how Lin Qingya secretly deployed troops and used Li Rui. She looked at the evidence, and a smug smile appeared on her cold lips. Zhao Sisi gently put away the golden box, with a ruthless look in her eyes: Now, it's time.

In another side hall, Li Rui sat alone, looking at the densely written memorial in his hand, with a worried look on his face. This memorial was a report he submitted to Li Heng, revealing the truth that Lin Qingya was behind the coup. He stroked the tabletop, tapping it with his fingers, making a subtle sound. This was a difficult decision made by a soul struggling for love. He sighed and murmured to himself, "Aya, forgive me." His eyes were full of contradictions and pain.

Lin Qingya returned to the mansion, took off her disguise, and felt tired instantly. She told the maid to prepare hot water for a bath and change of clothes. The hot water poured down, washing away the fatigue on her body, but it could not wash away the pressure in her heart. She gently fiddled with the lotus in the basin, thinking secretly in her heart: Li Heng's health is getting worse, Li Rui's ambition is becoming more and more obvious, and Zhao Sisi is watching closely. This seemingly calm situation is actually full of crises. She gently wiped the water droplets on her face, with a determined light in her eyes: "This game has just begun."

Lin Qingya put on her clothes and called the maid. "Have there been any unusual movements in the city recently?" The maid bowed her head and replied, "Miss, recently there are often ministers who privately lobby various forces, and they seem to have some ulterior motives." Lin Qingya's eyes turned cold, "Continue to investigate, and report any abnormalities immediately." She knew that the current political situation was complicated and she must be vigilant at all times. At this time, a guard hurried over and presented a secret letter. Lin Qingya opened the envelope and her face changed drastically after reading it. The letter said that the spy she had planted next to Zhao Sisi was discovered and killed. Lin Qingya held the letter tightly and gritted her teeth and said, "What a Zhao Sisi, she is so fast." It seems that she must speed up.

Lin Qingya returned to the study and quickly drafted a harshly worded memorial, in which she cleverly linked Li Rui's forged evidence of "treason" with the evidence collected earlier that Li Chengqian had secretly colluded with Zhao Sisi, and added the explanation that she had to use Li Rui to divert attention "out of helplessness". She deliberately left key information blank, leaving room for Li Heng's suspicion. This memorial not only proved Zhao Sisi's conspiracy, but also hinted that Li Rui was forced to be involved. She sealed the memorial, handed it to her trusted guard, and ordered it to be presented to the emperor immediately. The study was filled with the fragrance of ink, and the cold wind was still howling outside the window, rolling up a few dead leaves and sticking them to the carved window frames.

The next morning, Lin Qingya stood calmly in front of the military officials and presented the memorial to Li Heng. Li Heng opened it and looked at it, his brows knitted, sometimes frowning, sometimes deep in thought, tapping the dragon table with his fingertips. The atmosphere in the hall was solemn and silent, only his low breathing could be heard. The military officials whispered to each other, guessing the content of the memorial and the mystery contained in it. After reading it, Li Heng looked at everyone with sharp eyes and said loudly: "Zhao Sisi, do you plead guilty?" Zhao Sisi's face was pale, her body was shaking, and she explained in panic: "I am innocent! I have been... " However, Li Heng no longer listened to her explanation. He was furious and stood up, "Come on, take Zhao Sisi to the cold palace!" The guards quickly stepped forward and forcibly took Zhao Sisi away from the hall. She struggled and cried desperately, but no one paid attention. The web she carefully woven eventually trapped her.

In the afternoon, Lin Qingya sat alone in the garden. The breeze blew by, bringing bursts of floral fragrance, but she had no intention of appreciating it. Li Rui quietly came to her side and whispered, "Aya, I'm sorry, I've implicated you." His tone was filled with deep self-blame and his eyes were full of guilt. Lin Qingya smiled lightly and held his hand, "Silly, what are you talking about? This whole thing is part of the plan." The light of wisdom flashed in her eyes, allowing Li Rui to see the facts and understand her difficulties. He was relieved, and a relieved smile appeared on the corners of his mouth. The sunlight in the garden shone through the leaves, casting a little golden light, falling on the hands of the two people holding each other. Their eyes revealed deep love and trust for each other.

Meanwhile, Li Chengze secretly observed the changes in the situation in the palace. Lin Qingya sensed his intentions through mind reading, and sent someone to deliver a secret letter, which vaguely mentioned that she had some leverage over Li Chengqian and could help him consolidate his position. Li Chengze pondered and read the letter again, stroking the paper with his fingers, his eyes deep and complicated. He called the guards and whispered, "Prepare the carriage, I'm going to see Lin Qingya." He was thinking about how to use Lin Qingya to consolidate his power, and at the same time he felt uneasy. This daughter of the prime minister was far more unpredictable than he had imagined.