I was still in shock, and before I could react, Li Heng pulled me deeper into the shadows. I almost fell into 놛's arms, but luckily I reacted quickly and stopped in time. It was dark, and I couldn't see 놛's expression clearly. I could only feel the hot air from 놛's breath spraying on my ears, causing goose bumps.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong with you?" I lowered my voice, trying to sound calmer, but my heartbeat accelerated uncontrollably.

"Hmm..." Li Heng put his index finger on my lips, "Someone is coming."

I immediately shut up, not daring to breathe, and listened carefully to the movements around me. The rustling sound of footsteps came from far away and my throat rose to my throat.

"Your servant pays respect to His Majesty!"

The eunuch's shrill voice was particularly piercing in the silent night. I cursed him inwardly, asking why he was wandering around in the middle of the night instead of sleeping!

"Yeah." Li Heng replied calmly, "Is the Queen Mother okay?"

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is fine, except..." The eunuch lowered his voice a little, "It's just that the Crown Prince passed away, and the Empress Dowager was too injured and has been in a coma..."

"Ah..." Li Heng sighed, his tone carrying a hint of sadness, "I understand, you can go down now."

"Bye, I'll take my leave."

The eunuch's footsteps gradually faded away, and Li Heng finally let go of the hand that was covering my mouth.

"Huh..." I let out a long sigh and patted my chest with my hands, "I was scared to death, who did I think it was!"

"Why, are you scared?" Li Heng's voice contained a hint of smile.

"Nonsense!" I rolled my eyes. "It's the dead of night. If someone finds you, Your Majesty, hiding in this dark corner, do I still want to live?"

"I'm not afraid that you'll be scared by that kid Li Rui." Li Heng said, reaching out to tuck the strands of hair behind my ears.

I jumped and took a step back inconspicuously to avoid his touch.

"Your Majesty is joking. Your Highness is also concerned about the cause of death of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. I understand." I said with a fake smile.

"Understand?" Li Heng suddenly approached me, trapping me between the walls. "Do you really understand?"

I was startled by his sudden action, and then I jumped even harder. The faint smell of ambergris on his body mixed with the cool night air went straight into my nose, making me a little dizzy.

"Your Majesty, you..." I was a little flustered and tried to push him away, but he grabbed my wrist.

"Lin Qingya," Li Heng's voice was low and dangerous, "You'd better figure out who you are talking to now!"

I was aroused by the overbearing tone, and I could no longer care about being afraid. I stiffened my neck and said, "What does Your Majesty want me to say? That I had something to do with the prince's death? That I am a murderer?"

"Isn't it true?" Li Heng's eyes flashed faintly in the darkness, which made me feel creepy.

"Your Majesty!" I took a deep breath and tried to suppress the anger in my head. "Although I, Lin Qingya, was born in an official family, my father is a man of integrity, and I have never done anything that is against the will of heaven and earth! I am also very sad about the death of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, but I have no grudges against His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, so why would I harm him?"

"No grudges?" Li Heng sneered, "Lin Qingya, do you dare to say that you really have no feelings for the prince?"

I was shocked and looked at him in disbelief. What did he mean by that? Did he think that I liked Li Chengqian, so he...

"Your Majesty, you think too highly of me!" I gritted my teeth and said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince is of noble status, I cannot reach your level!"

"Too high to reach?" Li Heng suddenly stretched out his hand, pinched my chin, and forced me to look up and look at him. "Then tell me, why did you reject the prince's advances again and again? And why are you so special to me?"

I was stunned by this sudden question and didn't know how to answer for a moment.

"What? You can't answer?" Li Heng saw that I didn't say anything, and his tone became more aggressive, "Lin Qingya, what are you hiding?"

I was even more confused by 놛's sudden questioning of English words. When did Li Heng learn to speak English? And why did 놛 ask me in this language? Could it be that...

I raised my head suddenly and met Li Heng's deep black eyes. A bold idea emerged in my mind -

Could it be that 놛 also...