He didn't turn around, but his back was like a stone sculpture, stiff and cold. I suddenly regretted asking such a question. Wasn't that pushing him away? But the feeling of grievance in my heart was like a flood that had been opened, and I couldn't control it.

"Xiao Rui, say something!" My voice unconsciously rose a few notches, and even I was startled by the sharp tone.

He finally turned around, but I wished he hadn't. The pain and struggle in his eyes were like sharp blades that stabbed my heart and made me bleed.

"Qingya," his voice was extremely hoarse, as if he was holding a handful of coarse sand, "Do you really want to know?"

I felt uneasy at the look in his eyes and subconsciously tried to escape, but my feet seemed to be rooted and I couldn't move at all.

"I don't know..." I heard myself saying in a mosquito-like voice, with a hint of pleading in my tone that I didn't even notice.

He smiled bitterly and walked towards me step by step. Every step seemed to step on the tip of my heart. I could not help wanting to escape, but the sadness in his eyes firmly nailed me to the spot.

"Qingya, I admit that I did have a purpose when I first approached you," he stopped in front of me, looked down at me, and spoke as gently as if he was coaxing a child, "I wanted to use your abilities to help my brother consolidate his kingdom, and I also wanted to use your wealth to strengthen my own power."

I closed my eyes, trying to hold back the sadness in my eyes and forcing myself not to look at him.

"But, before I knew it, I have fallen in love with you," he said, caressing my cheek gently, his fingertips trembling a little. "Your intelligence, your humor, your kindness and courage have deeply attracted me and made me unable to extricate myself."

I suddenly opened my eyes and looked at him in disbelief. His eyes were full of affection, not hypocritical.

"Qingya, believe me, I am sincere to you," he held my face in his hands and looked at me with burning eyes, "I love you more than anything else, including the throne and my life."

As he spoke, he lowered his head and kissed me on the lips. His kiss was gentle but domineering, carrying a hint of suppressed desire. I felt like I was caught in a huge whirlpool, unable to breathe or think.

“Ahem…”

At this moment, a light cough suddenly sounded. I came to my senses abruptly, pushed Xiao Rui away, turned around, and saw that Li Chengze had put down the sword in his hand at some point, and was looking at us with a gloomy face, as if he wanted to eat us alive.

My heart skipped a beat and I thought to myself, this is bad. I was so focused on arguing with Xiao Rui that I forgot about this!

"Brother, you came at the right time," Li Chengze said with gritted teeth, his voice full of resentment, "Look at your good brother, who actually seduced your concubine behind your back. He is so bold!"

I cursed in my heart, what a stupid teammate!

Xiao Rui seemed to realize something, his face changed, and he was about to explain, but Li Chengze said first: "Brother, don't listen to his excuses. He just covets Qingya's beauty and elegance, and wants to snatch her away from me!"

"You are talking nonsense!" Xiao Rui shouted angrily, and suddenly drew the sword at his waist, pointing it directly at Li Chengze, "Li Chengze, don't spit blood at me, there is nothing wrong between Qingya and me, don't slander us!"

"Clear and innocent?" Li Chengze seemed to have heard a big joke and suddenly laughed out loud, "Xiao Rui, do you still have shame? Do you dare to say that you don't have any improper thoughts about Qingya?"

I secretly thought that this Li Chengze was clearly going to pour this basin of dirty water on Xiao Rui. Even if I jumped into the Yellow River, I couldn't wash myself clean.

"I..." Xiao Rui opened his mouth and wanted to explain, but under Li Chengze's aggressive gaze, he couldn't say anything.

"What, you have nothing to say?" Li Chengze sneered, his eyes full of complacency, "Xiao Rui, you are nothing more than a fake king!"

"Shut up!" I couldn't bear it any longer, so I stood up abruptly, pointed at Li Chengze's nose and cursed, "Li Chengze, don't think I don't know what you're thinking. You just can't stand the closeness between me and the prince, so you want to take this opportunity to sow discord between us, so that you can reap the benefits!"

Li Chengze's face turned pale and blue after hearing what I said, and he couldn't speak for a long time.

I sneered and continued, "Li Chengze, I tell you, don't be so wishful thinking. Even if I die, I will never marry you!"

"You..." Li Chengze was furious and pointed at me. He kept saying "you" for a long time without saying a complete sentence.

"Enough!" At this moment, the emperor, who had been silent all the time, suddenly spoke. Although his voice was not loud, it carried an unquestionable majesty, which instantly shocked everyone present.

"Li Chengze, have you made enough trouble?!" The emperor looked at Li Chengze coldly, his eyes full of disappointment and disgust.