Chapter IX - The Hidden Order
Snow fell heavier through the night.
The lanterns outside Shen Manor flickered weakly beneath the storm while Prince Rui stood motionless beside the carriage, black robes blending into the winter darkness.
Only the terrifying stillness around him revealed danger.
The guard lowered his head further before continuing carefully: “The order came from someone inside Consort Xu’s palace.”
Shen Li felt a chill creep down her spine.
Prince Rui’s expression remained unreadable. “What order?”
The guard hesitated.
Then answered quietly:
“Someone intends to disrupt the wedding procession.”
The air froze completely.
Even the surrounding guards stiffened.
Imperial weddings followed strict ceremonial routes through the capital before entering the prince’s estate. Thousands would witness the procession.
If something happened publicly—
the humiliation alone could destroy Shen Li’s reputation forever.
Prince Rui’s gaze darkened slowly.
“How?”
“We are still investigating. But several unfamiliar servants have already infiltrated the ceremonial preparation teams.”
Shen Li’s fingers tightened around the cloak draped over her shoulders.
This was no random jealousy anymore.
Someone was planning carefully.
Deliberately.
Prince Rui noticed the slight movement immediately.
He turned toward her.
“Do not be afraid.”
His voice was low.
Steady.
As though danger itself meant nothing before him.
Shen Li met his eyes quietly. “I am not afraid.”
And strangely—
it was true.
Because Prince Rui stood beside her.
The realization startled her more than the conspiracy itself.
Prince Rui studied her for a long moment before finally speaking to the guard again.
“Seal the wedding route tomorrow morning. Replace every servant assigned through palace channels with my own people.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“And investigate Consort Xu’s palace thoroughly.”
The guard hesitated. “Openly?”
Prince Rui’s expression became ice cold.
“No.
I want them unaware we already know.”
The guard bowed immediately before disappearing back into the snow.
Silence returned.
Shen Li finally asked softly: “Your Highness believes Consort Xu is behind this?”
“Yes.”
No hesitation.
“She wanted Lady Xu to marry into Prince Rui’s estate.”
Shen Li lowered her eyes slightly.
That much she had already guessed.
But another question lingered.
“If this is discovered,” she asked quietly, “will it create problems for Your Highness politically?”
Prince Rui looked at her.
Then suddenly stepped closer.
Snowflakes drifted silently between them while his shadow shielded her from the wind.
“Shen Li.”
It was the first time he had spoken her name directly.
No titles. No distance.
Just Shen Li.
Her heartbeat stumbled unexpectedly.
Prince Rui’s voice lowered further.
“You are about to become my wife.
That is more important.”
The warmth that rushed through her chest felt almost dangerous.
Because he spoke as though protecting her was obvious.
Natural.
Necessary.
No hesitation.
For years Shen Li had grown accustomed to being the one yielding first.
The one understanding first.
The one waiting first.
Prince Rui overturned that balance effortlessly.
And the terrifying part was—
he probably did not even realize it.
A sudden gust of wind swept through the courtyard, scattering snow across the stone paths.
Prince Rui frowned immediately upon seeing snow gather against her hair and shoulders again.
Without warning, he reached up and brushed the flakes away carefully.
His gloved fingers lingered briefly near her temple.
Too close.
Shen Li’s breath softened faintly.
Prince Rui seemed to notice the silence between them only afterward.
His hand paused.
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Warmer.
Dangerously intimate.
The lantern light reflected softly within Shen Li’s eyes while Prince Rui stared at her in unusual stillness.
For one suspended second—
it almost felt as though he might lean closer.
Then distant footsteps interrupted everything again.
Qingyu rushed toward the courtyard looking horrified.
“Miss!”
She froze immediately upon seeing how close they stood.
Then looked away dramatically. “This servant saw nothing.”
Shen Li nearly lost composure for the first time all evening.
Prince Rui calmly lowered his hand.
As though nothing had happened.
Though his voice sounded slightly rougher when he spoke: “What is it?”
Qingyu remembered herself instantly. “Madam is worried because Miss has been outside too long in the cold.”
Prince Rui nodded once. “She should rest.”
Qingyu blinked.
The way he said it sounded less like suggestion and more like military command.
Shen Li finally stepped back slightly. “Your Highness should also return safely.”
The moment the words left her lips, silence followed.
Because concern.
She had just openly shown concern for him.
Prince Rui’s gaze softened almost imperceptibly.
Then he answered quietly:
“Mm.
I will.”
—
After Shen Li disappeared inside the manor, Prince Rui remained standing in the snow for several moments longer.
The night wind carried faint traces of plum blossom incense from her sleeves.
One guard approached cautiously. “Your Highness?”
Prince Rui’s expression returned cold immediately.
“Prepare the Shadow Guards.”
The guard stiffened.
The Shadow Guards were Prince Rui’s personal covert soldiers—
used only for matters involving assassination or treason.
“Someone daring to interfere with an imperial wedding,” Prince Rui said calmly, “must be taught consequences.”
The killing intent beneath the words chilled even seasoned soldiers.
Yet after a pause, Prince Rui added quietly:
“No blood during the wedding.”
“I do not want her frightened.”
The guard blinked once in surprise.
Then bowed deeply.
Because the entire prince’s estate had begun realizing something dangerous:
Their terrifying prince—
the man feared across battlefields—
had become impossibly soft toward Shen Li.
—
Meanwhile, inside her chambers, Shen Li sat silently before the bronze mirror while Qingyu removed the heavy hair ornaments from her hair.
The room remained unusually quiet.
Finally Qingyu whispered: “Miss…”
“Mm?”
“…Did His Highness always look at people like that?”
Shen Li paused slightly. “Like what?”
Qingyu looked scandalized. “As though he wanted to lock them away somewhere safe forever.”
The younger maids immediately nodded frantically.
Shen Li lowered her gaze toward the silver plum blossom hairpin still resting beside her reflection.
Warmth spread faintly across her ears again.
Qingyu leaned closer dramatically. “And when His Highness held your hand earlier—”
“Qingyu.”
“Yes, Miss.”
“…You speak too much.”
The maids dissolved into suppressed laughter instantly.
But after the laughter faded, Shen Li looked quietly toward the snowfall beyond her window.
Prince Rui’s words echoed softly in her mind.
“You are about to become my wife.
That is more important.”
For reasons she could not explain—
her heart no longer felt cold when she thought about marriage.