Seeing Li Chengqian's agreement, Lin Qingya sneered. She knew that Li Chengqian's compromise was only temporary, but now she had temporarily gained the initiative in this palace struggle. She turned around, looked around, and said to Li Chengqian: "Brother Chengqian, since you have agreed, then hurry up and act. Time is precious, and I don't have much time to play with you."

Li Chengqian followed Lin Qingya tremblingly. He secretly raised his head to observe her expression, feeling uneasy. Lin Qingya walked steadily, and seemed not to worry that Li Chengqian would regret it. The two of them walked through the palace and the garden, and finally came to a secluded side hall.

"No one should disturb us here." Lin Qingya said lightly. She pointed to an exquisitely carved eight-immortal table in the hall and motioned Li Chengqian to sit down.

Li Chengqian sat in front of the eight-immortal table. He looked at the exquisite tea sets on the table and couldn't help but feel a little absent-minded. He kept rubbing his hands, trying to ease his tension.

"Brother Chengqian, don't be nervous. We are just talking about how to cooperate." Lin Qingya said, and then sat down opposite Li Chengqian. She gently picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian looked at Lin Qingya's actions, a trace of panic flashed in his eyes. He pretended to be calm, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and tried to cover up the fear in his heart.

Lin Qingya put down the teapot and looked directly at Li Chengqian with a meaningful smile on her face. She said slowly, "Brother Chengqian, do you really think you are out of danger?"

"You...what do you mean?" Li Chengqian was frightened by Lin Qingya's tone, and he subconsciously shrank back.

Lin Qingya smiled softly, pointed to her chest, and said in a low voice: "My reading skills can not only read your thoughts, but also sense your inner self."

"What did you say?" Li Chengqian stood up suddenly, his face pale, his eyes full of fear, he staggered backwards, bumping into the bookshelf behind him with a loud "bang".

"Brother Chengqian, do you really think you hid it well?" Lin Qingya stood up, her voice became even colder, "You are filled with fear and hatred. You want to take revenge on me. You want to stop me from ascending the throne, right?"

Li Chengqian was forced into a corner by Lin Qingya's words. He could only slump in the chair helplessly, lowering his head, not daring to look directly into Lin Qingya's eyes.

Lin Qingya looked down at Li Chengqian, a sneer flashed across her lips, and she said, "Brother Chengqian, I have seen through you. All your schemes are meaningless. You only have two choices, either continue to oppose me, or choose to cooperate and ascend the throne together."

Li Chengqian remained silent. He was shocked by Lin Qingya's fierce eyes. He knew that Lin Qingya had completely grasped his weakness. He just watched Lin Qingya approaching step by step with his eyes wide open. He was filled with helplessness and despair.

"Let go, I won't hurt you. As long as you cooperate with me, I guarantee your safety." Lin Qingya smiled slightly, her voice full of temptation. She knew that Li Chengqian had no way to retreat at this time.

"I..." Li Chengqian finally agreed in a low voice.

Li Rui returned to his residence outside the palace, sat alone by the window, and looked at the peonies blooming in the yard, but his thoughts drifted far away. He couldn't help but think of the past with Qingya, her clear smile, her firm eyes, and her selfless dedication to him.

"Tell me, if I had let go of the obsession earlier, would I not have let her be dragged into the vortex of imperial power?" Li Rui whispered to himself, his voice full of sadness and helplessness.

"Your Highness, what are you talking about?" asked the chief guard at the side, with a hint of doubt in his tone.

Li Rui shook his head and did not answer the captain of the guards' question. He closed his eyes and recalled every moment he had spent with Qingya.

"Qingya, why are you always so stubborn? You know very well that this palace is a den of dragons and tigers, and you know very well that this struggle for imperial power will put you in danger. Why do you still want to give up your own self for Li Heng, for the throne, for this illusory power?" Li Rui said silently in his heart, his voice full of bitterness and helplessness.

Qingya's answer seemed to still echo in my ears: "Brother Rui, I know you care about me, but have you forgotten what you once said? You said that you hope I can do what I want to do freely, you said that you hope I can have a happy life, you said that you hope I can always smile so happily, you said..."

Li Rui's thoughts were interrupted. He suddenly opened his eyes, his eyes full of pain and struggle. He took a deep breath and tried to calm his emotions. He knew that Qingya's stubbornness came from her kindness. She couldn't bear to see Li Heng fall ill, nor could she bear to see her family fall into crisis. She wanted to use her strength to protect them.

"Qingya, I know you are doing this for my own good, for Li Heng's good, and for the good of your family, but have you ever thought that by doing this, you are risking your own happiness?" Li Rui's voice was trembling. He could not understand Qingya's persistence, and he could not accept that she paid such a heavy price for someone who was not worthy.

"Brother Rui, thank you for taking care of me. I know you have always loved me, but..." Qingya's voice became low and she lowered her head, seemingly unwilling to face Li Rui's deep affection. She knew that their love was destined to be a tragedy.

"But what?" Li Rui wanted to know Qingya's answer urgently. He wanted to know what she was thinking and who she still loved.

"Nothing..." Qingya raised her head and said with a forced smile, her eyes revealing helplessness and confusion.

"Qingya, do you really not want to leave this palace? Do you really not want to have your own life? Are you really willing to give up your own happiness for Li Heng?" Li Rui's voice was full of pleading. He hoped that Qingya could understand his intentions and that she could choose her own happiness.

"Brother Rui, I know you want me to leave the palace, but I can't. I have to stay here. I have to help Li Heng, I have to protect my family, I have to..."

"Qingya!" Li Rui interrupted Qingya. He stood up, walked to her side, and held her hand tightly. He pleaded, "Qingya, don't you really understand? Don't you really know that you are playing with your life by doing this? I would rather you be happy forever than live in such pain for someone who doesn't love you."

Li Rui's words made Qingya silent. She looked into Li Rui's eyes, saw the affection in his eyes, saw his love for her, and felt his deep concern for her. A warm current surged in her heart, and she realized that Li Rui had been silently protecting her, he had been paying for her, and he had been waiting for her.

"Brother Rui, please let me go. I won't put myself in danger. I will protect myself." Qingya said softly, her tone full of determination.

"Qingya, you must promise me that you will take good care of yourself and put your own safety first. If you don't want to worry me, don't do such risky things again. Do you understand?" Li Rui held Qingya's hand tightly, his voice full of worry.

Qingya nodded. She understood Li Rui's worries. She also knew that she couldn't go on like this. She had to protect herself and be responsible for her own happiness.

"Brother Rui, I promise you that I will protect myself and take good care of myself." Qingya looked into Li Rui's eyes, her tone firm and gentle.

Li Rui nodded gently, and a smile finally appeared on his face. He knew that Qingya finally understood his intentions, and she was finally willing to work hard for her own happiness.

"Qingya, let's work hard together, and we will create our own future together." Li Rui held Qingya's hand, his eyes full of determination and hope.

Li Rui and Qingya held each other tightly, they looked at each other, their eyes full of love and hope. They knew that their love path was full of thorns and challenges, but they believed that as long as they loved each other, they could overcome all difficulties and create their own happiness.

Li Rui and Bai Qingya snuggled up to each other, and in the afterglow of the setting sun, they silently made a promise to each other that they would face the future storms together and create their own happiness together.