I held my breath, my heart pounding. Could it be that Li Chengqian changed his mind and came back to kill me to silence me? Come to think of it, the soundproofing effect of this carriage is really good. If he really wants to do something to me...

Just as I was daydreaming, that person spoke, his voice was deep and magnetic, with a hint of smile: "Why? Are you so scared of seeing me?"

Xiao Rui?! I looked up suddenly, and sure enough, it was him!

In the dim light, I saw that he was dressed in black clothes, with a sword at his waist, which made him look tall and slender. How did he suddenly appear in Li Chengqian's carriage?

"What are you doing..." I was about to ask, but suddenly realized something and quickly shut up.

Xiao Rui seemed to see through my thoughts. He chuckled and sat down next to me, saying with a hint of teasing, "Why don't you ask? Hmm? Miss Lin?"

I rolled my eyes and said unhappily, "Your Majesty, you have great powers. How could I hide my little trick from you?"

He laughed softly, stretched out his hand and gently rubbed the tip of my nose, and said lovingly: "You are getting smarter and smarter."

His sudden affectionate gesture made my cheeks flushed. I could only turn my face away awkwardly and pretend to look at the scenery out the window.

"Why, are you shy now?" Xiao Rui's voice was full of teasing, "I thought Miss Lin was not afraid of anything."

"Your Highness must be joking," I said calmly, "I'm just curious, why is Your Highness here?"

Xiao Rui put away his smile, his eyes became deep, he looked at me and said seriously: "Qingya, there are some things I have to tell you..."

My heart tightened. Was he going to tell me his hidden secret?

Just as I pricked up my ears, ready to listen to his revelations, a loud noise suddenly came from the carriage, like... a fighting sound?

Before I could react, I felt the carriage suddenly shaken, as if it was forcibly stopped from the front.

"What's going on?!" I shouted in surprise. Before Xiao Rui could answer, I heard a sharp voice from the other side:

"Your Highness, order all suspicious vehicles to be searched, and no one is allowed to stop us!"

Li Chengqian? What is he doing?

Before I could think about it carefully, I heard Xiao Rui curse in a low voice: "Damn it, I've been discovered!"

He grabbed my hand and said hastily, "No time to explain, just follow me!"

Before I could figure out what was going on, he pulled me out of the carriage.

As soon as I got off the car, I was stunned by the scene in front of me.

I saw that the originally wide official road was now surrounded by a group of people in black. There were flashes of swords and shadows, shouts of killing, and the air was filled with a strong smell of blood.

I recognized them at a glance. They were Li Chengqian's secret guards in black!

The target of their siege was... a group of soldiers in armor. Judging from their attire, they should be the imperial guards!

What on earth is going on? Why did Li Chengqian attack the imperial guards? Is he going to rebel?!

My mind was in a mess, and before I could react, I felt a strong force pulling me over, and I stumbled into a warm embrace.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here." Xiao Rui's voice rang in my ears, with a hint of comfort.

I looked up and saw that he had a determined look in his eyes and the long sword in his hand was shining coldly as he was fending off the attacks of those men in black.

"Xiao Rui, what's going on?" I grabbed his sleeve and asked anxiously, "Li Chengqian... is he crazy?"

While fending off the attack, Xiao Rui whispered, "He had wanted to do this a long time ago. This time, he just... did it in advance."

"Ahead of schedule?" I was even more confused. "What do you mean?"

Xiao Rui looked at me deeply and said in a heavy tone: "Qingya, listen to me, Li Chengqian... is not a real prince!"

What?! My eyes widened and I looked at him in disbelief.

Li Chengqian is not a prince? Then who is he?

Before I could ask, I saw a carriage approaching slowly in the distance. The curtain opened and a man in a dragon robe and a crown stepped out.

The Emperor! Why is he here?

I was wondering when I saw another man coming down from behind the emperor. He was wearing bright yellow prince's uniform and a jade crown on his head. He had a handsome face, but a hint of viciousness.

It turned out to be... Lee Seung-taek?!

"Brother, I hope you are alright." Li Chengze looked at the emperor with a sneer on his face. "It seems that you are still one step behind!"

The emperor's face turned pale and he shouted angrily: "Li Chengze, you rebellious son! I have treated you well, but you dare to..."

"Shut up!" Li Chengze interrupted him, his eyes cold, "You don't love my father at all! You are just a... despicable usurper!"

"You...you are talking nonsense!" The emperor's face changed drastically.

"I'm talking nonsense?" Li Chengze sneered, pointed at the emperor's nose, and said loudly: "Two years ago, in order to seize the throne, you killed my father, forced my mother to death, and also..."

Having said this, he suddenly stopped, his eyes fell on me, and a complicated look flashed in his eyes.

"Lin Qingya..." He looked at me with a meaningful tone, "We... meet again."

My heart was shocked and a bad premonition arose.

What the hell is going on?