Li Rui's footsteps echoed in the empty room. I stared at his back and felt the air was filled with the smell of medicine. This is a drama of seizing the heir, which is much more exciting than the palace fighting dramas I usually watch. Li Chengqian, this idiot, must be scared out of his wits at this moment. He deserves it. Who let him hook up with Zhao Sisi behind my back and even got her pregnant? Now it's over, he's done for!

"Sister-in-law, you seem to be in a good mood?" Li Rui suddenly turned around and looked at me with a smile, as if he could see through my thoughts.

My heart skipped a beat. Could it be that he saw something? Don't panic, stay calm!

I coughed lightly, pretended to be calm, walked to the table, poured myself a cup of tea, took a sip slowly, and said, "My royal brother, you are joking. I just think that today's play is really wonderful."

"Exciting? Which scene does the Empress's sister-in-law mean?" Li Rui walked over to sit opposite me, picked up the teapot on the table, and poured himself a cup.

"Of course it's the Empress's fault. How could she be poisoned suddenly? There really are murderous plots lurking everywhere in the harem." As I spoke, I observed Li Rui's reaction out of the corner of my eye.

"What the Empress's sister-in-law said is right. The harem is a place where people eat meat without spitting out bones. If you are not careful, you will be doomed." Li Rui's tone did not reveal whether he was happy or angry, but his hand holding the teacup tightened slightly, and his knuckles turned white.

I sneered in my heart. It seemed that the Queen's poisoning was indeed related to him.

"Your Majesty is right. It's better not to stay in the harem for too long. I'm tired now and will go back first. Please do as you please, Your Majesty." I put down the teacup and stood up to leave.

"Please stay, sister-in-law." Li Rui suddenly stopped me, with a complicated look in his eyes, "My brother has not been in good health recently. There are many things going on in the government. I am afraid..."

He deliberately didn't finish his words, but I understood what he meant. Li Heng was in trouble, and as his younger brother, he began to plan for his own future.

"What does your Royal Brother mean?" I stopped and turned to look at him, deliberately showing a puzzled look on my face.

"Sister-in-law, you are smart and should understand what I mean." Li Rui stood up, walked in front of me, and said in a low voice, "As long as you are willing to help me, in the future..."

He reached out to hold my hand, but I stepped back, avoiding his touch.

"Royal brother, it's better for you and me to keep a distance. Otherwise, it will be bad if the emperor hears it." I looked at him coldly, with a hint of warning in my tone.

Li Rui's hands froze in mid-air, his face looking somewhat ugly.

"What does this mean, sister-in-law?"

"What do you mean? Don't you understand, brother?" I sneered, "You and I are both smart, so let's not say these hypocritical words. What you want and what I want, we both know each other, don't we?"

Li Rui was silent. He looked at me with a hint of struggle in his eyes.

I turned and walked away without even looking at him.

I know these princes too well. For the sake of power, they can sacrifice everything, including love, family, and even conscience.

And I will never be a victim of their struggle for power.

I walked out of Prince Rui's Mansion quickly, and just as I was about to get on the carriage, I saw a familiar figure standing not far away, staring at me intently.

It’s Li Heng!

Why is he here?!

I was startled, but before I could react, I saw him striding towards me, with a look in his eyes that looked like he wanted to eat me alive.

"Lin Qingya, you are so brave!" He grabbed my wrist and said with gritted teeth.

I frowned in pain and tried hard not to cry out.

"Your Majesty, what are you doing? I don't understand what you mean." I said calmly, but my heart began to beat.

"Don't understand? Let me ask you, what is the relationship between you and the third brother?!" Li Heng suddenly pulled me in front of him and stared at me with red eyes. It seemed as if he wanted to see through me.

My heart was shocked. It seemed that Li Heng suspected that Li Rui and I had an affair.

What can I do?