The cold north wind was still raging, picking up the broken snow and slapping it on Lin Qingya's thin clothes. She staggered. Although she had easily won the previous fierce fight, the continuous dodging and attacking had consumed a lot of her physical strength. She covered her chest, which was slightly painful. The previous assassin's sneak attack, although it did not hit the vital parts, left bruises. She quickened her pace, but found a man in black in front of her. The man in black had a cold light flashing in his face, and a dagger went straight for his throat. Lin Qingya had no time to dodge, and closed her eyes in despair.

However, the expected severe pain did not come. She slowly opened her eyes and saw a familiar face - Li Rui. He stood in front of her, and the dagger stabbed his shoulder, and the blood stained his clothes red. "Brother Rui!" Lin Qingya exclaimed, with a tone of panic that was difficult to conceal. She quickly supported Li Rui's shaky body, with tears in her eyes. In the cold night wind, there were only the two of them, and the rest of the assassins had already been found. Li Rui exuded a faint smell of blood, which was particularly pungent in the night.

Li Rui forced a smile, trying to ease Lin Qingya's worries, "It's okay, Qingya, it's just a minor injury." His voice was a little weak, but his eyes were still firm and affectionate. More blood seeped out of his injured shoulder, staining his clothes red, which looked particularly shocking under the moonlight. He endured the pain and protected Lin Qingya behind him, "Don't be afraid, I have arranged people, they will be here soon."

Lin Qingya's heart warmed up. She was not simply afraid, but more of a fear. She felt that the target of this assassination was not just her. She found that the assassins did not surround her in one fell swoop, but deliberately lured her here. This place was remote and easy to defend but difficult to attack. Obviously, another part of their plan had begun to be implemented.

Li Rui supported Lin Qingya and walked slowly in one direction. When they passed an alley, they saw several imperial guards rushing over. "Prince Rui!" The soldiers knelt on one knee, "We have received orders to protect Miss Lin." Li Rui nodded lightly and signaled the soldiers to leave first.

Under Li Rui's escort, Lin Qingya returned to the mansion. She carefully treated the wounds on her body, but she did not let down her guard. She knew that this was just the beginning of Zhao Sisi's conspiracy, and greater dangers were still to come.

After treating the wound, Li Rui came to Lin Qingya's room and poured her a glass of warm water. "Qingya, I'm sorry for scaring you." His tone was gentle, and his eyes were full of apology and heartache. He gently held Lin Qingya's body and felt the trembling in her palm. The room was very quiet, and only the crackling sound of burning charcoal could be heard.

"It's your fault." Lin Qingya held Li Rui's hand tightly, her tone firm. She looked at Li Rui with gratitude and determination in her eyes. She knew very well that Li Rui felt for her, which was not only pity, but also a deep love.

"This assassination is just the beginning." Lin Qingya whispered, "The person behind Zhao Sisi... is definitely not as simple as he seems." She handed the magnolia hairpin to Li Rui, a cold light flashing in her eyes.

Lin Qingya placed the magnolia hairpin on the table with a resolute look.

The autumn wind blew, and the fallen leaves fluttered in Jinling City. When Li Chengqian learned that Lin Qingya was pressing forward and preparing to challenge his position as the Queen Mother, he was furious. He threw the memorial in his hand on the table, "This Lin Qingya! How dare she be so arrogant!" A vicious light flashed in his eyes, and then he sneered, "Since she wants to play, this Queen Mother will play with her!" The eunuch Wang Zhong beside him carefully advised: "Your Highness, Your Majesty, calm down. Prime Minister Lin is now in power. How about... "Wang Zhong finished speaking and was interrupted by Li Chengqian: "Shut up! How could this madam be afraid of her? Pass the order down and spread the rumor that Lin Qingya and Prince Rui are secretly in collusion and plotting!" Wang Zhong bowed and accepted the order, and left the madam's study. The golden sunlight shone through the window, but could not illuminate Li Chengqian's gloomy face.

Lin Qingya was reading the memorial in her study. The cold wind was howling outside the window, but she felt a chill. Her slender fingers tapped the table lightly, making a crisp sound, as if responding to the calmness and confidence in her heart. Suddenly, a sneer appeared on her lips, "Here it comes." She put down the memorial in her hand, her eyes were as sharp as an eagle, and she had used her mind reading to spy on Li Chengqian's plan. The rumors about her and Li Rui's affair spread quickly in the palace. She made a big move and asked her maids to find out the source of the rumors and collect evidence.

The atmosphere in the court was solemn. Li Chengqian seemed to be sitting calmly on the throne, but there was a sense of pride and sinisterness in his eyes. He watched Lin Qingya walking slowly towards him, with her sleeves fluttering and her graceful demeanor, but an inexplicable anger rose in his heart. Lin Qingya stood still, and her cold voice echoed from the Jinluan Palace: "Your Highness, where do the recent rumors about me and Prince Rui come from? Does Your Highness believe this nonsense?" She glanced at the ministers who were whispering, and her tone was sharp, "Where is the evidence? Which witness dares to stand up and testify?" Li Chengqian's face changed, and those ministers who originally supported him lowered their heads, not daring to look her in the eye.

Li Rui stood aside, his gentle eyes flashing with worry. He wanted to stand up to defend Lin Qingya, but was stopped by her light look. He clenched his fists, took a deep breath, prepared secretly, and guarded against any surprises. Emperor Li Heng was furious and slapped the armrest of the dragon chair heavily, "How dare you, Li Chengqian! How dare you slander loyal people in the court!" The guards immediately stepped forward and took Li Chengqian away. Li Chengqian struggled and roared but in vain. He stared at Lin Qingya with tears in his eyes, full of resentment and hatred. Emperor Li Heng turned his gaze to Lin Qingya, with a glimmer of admiration in his eyes, "Lin Qing, thank you for your hard work." Lin Qingya bowed slightly, "I obey your order." Her eyes moved and the corners of her mouth rose slightly. Everything was under her control.

After Li Chengqian was detained, his accomplices panicked and were ready to rescue Tai. At the same time, Li Chengze noticed the change in the wind. He seemed stable, but he was secretly adjusting his sphere of influence. Lin Qingya and Li Rui discussed countermeasures late at night. The flickering candlelight in the room reflected their serious and solemn faces. Li Rui looked at Lin Qingya with a firm look, "I will always stand by your side." Lin Qingya held Li Rui's hand, and the two looked at each other, with trust and tacit understanding in their eyes.