I was so moved by the emperor's logic that I almost cried. Did I save his life but end up being an accomplice in the assassination? This old man must have gone insane. I shouldn't have meddled in other people's business!

"Your Majesty, I am innocent!" I cried out at the top of my lungs, but in my heart I was thinking about how to get out of this situation.

"Unjust? Then tell me, why did the assassin want to kill me, and why did you collude with the assassin?" The emperor pressed on, his eyes seemed to want to eat me alive.

I thought to myself, how would I know who the assassin is? He came here to assassinate me after having a full meal, and I bumped into him. What is going on?

"Your servant...your servant..." I stammered and couldn't utter a word for a long time.

"Father," Li Chengqian suddenly spoke, his gentle tone concealing a sharp edge, "I believe in Miss Lin's character. She would never do anything to harm you, Father."

I looked at him with gratitude. Although the Crown Prince appeared harmless on the surface, he was quite reliable at critical moments.

"Hmph, you can't judge a person by his appearance. Prince, you are still too young!" The emperor snorted coldly, obviously not believing my lies.

"Brother, Cheng Qian is right. Qingya clearly wanted to save you just now. How could you..." Li Rui wanted to speak for me, but was interrupted by the emperor impatiently.

"Enough! I have made up my mind. Lin Qingya has committed a crime and intended to murder me. Someone, throw her into the Sky Prison and wait for her punishment!"

My heart skipped a beat. This old emperor was determined to punish me. I finally understood what it meant to live with a tiger as if he were serving the emperor.

"Wait a minute!" Li Rui stood in front of me, staring at the emperor fiercely, "If my royal brother insists on punishing me, then arrest me as well!"

"Are you planning a rebellion?!" The emperor flew into a rage and pointed at Li Rui's nose and cursed.

"I dare not. I just believe Qingya is innocent!" Li Rui did not give in and spoke in a firm tone.

I stood behind Li Rui, looking at his tall back, feeling mixed emotions.

This ancient man was really manly. He dared to challenge the emperor at the slightest disagreement. I don't know whether to say he was brave or impulsive.

"Good! Good! Good!" The emperor was so angry that he was shaking all over. He pointed at me and Li Rui and said angrily, "You two dogs, do you really think I'm old and confused? Come on, take them both down!"

I cursed in my heart, "You old fool!" It seemed that I couldn't escape from the prison today.

The guards rushed over and were about to capture Li Rui and me. At this moment, a cry of surprise suddenly came from the crowd:

"Your Majesty! The Queen has fainted!"

Everyone was shocked. The emperor no longer cared about Li Rui and me, and hurried to Kunning Palace with his concubines and imperial doctors.

I took advantage of the chaos to break free from the guards, hid behind Li Rui, and asked in a low voice, "Prince, what should we do now?"

Li Rui frowned, pondered for a moment, and said, "Let's wait and see how things develop."

I nodded, but I was unsure.

In this palace, every step is thrilling. If you are not careful, you will be doomed.

I looked up at the towering palace wall, and suddenly an inexplicable chill rose in my heart.

This deep palace is like a gorgeous prison cage, and I am nothing more than a helpless bird in the cage, at the mercy of others.

At this moment, Li Rui suddenly took my hand and whispered, "Come with me!"

Before I could react, he pulled me along, and we turned around and around to a secluded palace.

"This is..." I looked at him puzzledly.

"My bedroom." Li Rui said lightly, and then pulled me in.

I was shocked. How could a single man and a single woman come to his bedroom?

Just when I was about to open my mouth to refuse, Li Rui suddenly stopped, turned around and looked at me, with a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

"Qingya, do you believe me?" he asked seriously.

I was stunned for a moment, and looking into his deep eyes, my heart inexplicably calmed down.

"I believe you." I nodded. I don't know why, at this moment, I chose to believe him.

The corners of Li Rui's mouth slightly raised, revealing a faint smile. That smile, like the warm sun in winter, instantly melted the ice in my heart.

"That's good." He said, and suddenly hugged me into his arms...