Chapter XIII - His Wife
That quiet laugh ruined her completely.
Not because it was loud.
Not because it was mocking.
But because it was real.
The sound carried warmth Shen Li had never imagined hearing from Prince Rui—the feared war prince who terrified court officials into silence.
Yet now he stood behind her in the candlelit bridal chamber laughing softly because she gave a terrible excuse.
The intimacy of it felt unbearable.
Prince Rui continued loosening the final silk fastenings slowly while layers of heavy wedding robes relaxed around her shoulders.
Neither spoke.
Neither seemed willing to break the fragile atmosphere forming between them.
Then suddenly—
a loud crash echoed outside.
Both froze instantly.
Prince Rui’s expression changed first.
Warmth vanished.
The war prince returned.
In one movement, he pulled Shen Li gently behind him while reaching instinctively toward the sword resting near the bedside.
The transition happened so naturally it stole her breath.
Even on his wedding night—
his first instinct remained protecting her.
Another sound followed outside the chamber doors.
Voices. Running footsteps.
Prince Rui’s gaze sharpened dangerously.
“Stay behind me.”
The command came calm and absolute.
Then the doors burst open.
Several guards entered before immediately kneeling.
“Your Highness!”
Prince Rui’s killing intent remained cold enough to freeze air itself. “Explain.”
The lead guard lowered his head deeply. “A servant carrying hidden poison attempted to enter the western kitchens.”
Silence crashed across the bridal chamber.
Poison.
On the wedding night.
Shen Li felt her chest chill instantly.
The guard continued carefully: “The servant was captured alive.”
Prince Rui’s expression darkened slowly. “Whose people?”
The guard hesitated briefly. “…Consort Xu’s faction.”
The atmosphere became terrifying.
Tonight was their wedding night.
And someone still dared attempt murder.
Prince Rui’s gaze lowered slightly toward Shen Li behind him.
Only one glance.
Yet the rage inside his eyes deepened instantly.
The guards looked increasingly nervous.
Because everyone in Prince Rui’s estate already understood one terrifying truth:
Their prince had become extremely protective of his wife.
And tonight someone targeted her inside his own residence.
Unforgivable.
Prince Rui’s voice became frighteningly calm. “Seal the estate.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“No one leaves before dawn.”
The guards bowed immediately.
Then Prince Rui added softly:
“Interrogate the servant personally.”
“I want every name involved.”
Every guard present understood exactly what that meant.
Nobody would sleep tonight.
The doors closed again moments later.
Silence returned slowly beneath flickering candlelight.
But the warmth from earlier had already fractured.
Shen Li looked quietly toward Prince Rui.
His expression remained cold, though she noticed the slight tension pulling against his injured shoulder again.
Anger.
Real anger.
For her.
Then suddenly Prince Rui turned toward her fully.
“Did this frighten you?”
Again.
Always the same question first.
Never: Are you tired? Are you troubled? Are you inconvenienced?
Only: Are you hurt?
Shen Li’s chest softened painfully.
She shook her head lightly. “No.”
Prince Rui remained silent for a moment longer before finally stepping closer again.
The dangerous coldness around him faded slowly.
Then, unexpectedly—
he reached up and adjusted a loose strand of hair near her face.
Carefully.
As though reassuring himself she truly remained unharmed.
Shen Li looked up slightly.
Prince Rui’s voice lowered.
“I promised no one would wrong you.”
The sincerity in his tone nearly hurt.
Because he truly blamed himself for tonight.
Even though he had already prevented the danger before it reached her.
Shen Li hesitated briefly.
Then slowly—
carefully—
she placed her hand lightly against his injured shoulder.
Prince Rui stilled instantly.
The movement was simple.
Yet intimate enough that the atmosphere shifted immediately.
“You are injured,” she said softly. “Yet Your Highness keeps worrying about me first.”
Prince Rui looked at her quietly beneath warm candlelight.
Then answered in the same steady voice:
“That is natural.”
Natural.
As though protecting her mattered more than breathing itself.
Shen Li’s heartbeat softened dangerously.
For one suspended second, neither moved away.
Prince Rui’s gaze lowered briefly toward her lips again.
Then upward.
Closer this time.
Too close.
Shen Li became suddenly aware of:
his warmth,
his hand still resting lightly near her waist,
the quiet sound of both their breathing.
The world outside disappeared completely.
Then Prince Rui spoke softly.
“Shen Li.”
It was the first time he had spoken her name inside the bridal chamber.
Without titles. Without distance.
Her pulse quickened immediately.
Prince Rui’s dark eyes remained fixed entirely on her face.
“May I kiss you?”
The question shattered the remaining space between them.
Shen Li’s breath caught faintly.
Even now—
even now—
he still asked.
Still gave her choice.
The realization touched something deep and fragile inside her heart.
Slowly, Shen Li lowered her gaze once.
Then answered almost inaudibly:
“…Yes.”
Prince Rui moved immediately afterward.
One hand settled gently against her waist while the other brushed softly along her cheek.
Careful.
Restrained.
As though holding something precious.
Then his lips touched hers.
Warm.
Slow.
Nothing like the overwhelming force Shen Li expected from a man like Prince Rui.
Instead, the kiss felt impossibly patient.
Tentative even.
As though he feared frightening her.
The tenderness nearly unraveled her completely.
Shen Li’s fingers tightened instinctively against his robes.
Prince Rui’s breathing softened faintly at the movement.
Then the kiss deepened slightly.
Still gentle.
But no longer hesitant.
Warmth spread through Shen Li so quickly her knees nearly weakened beneath layers of crimson silk.
Prince Rui immediately steadied her against him.
Protective even now.
When they finally parted, the room remained silent except for uneven breathing and flickering candle flames.
Prince Rui rested his forehead lightly against hers for one quiet moment.
Then he murmured softly:
“My wife.”
Two simple words.
Yet somehow—
they sounded more intimate than the kiss itself.
And for the first time in seven winters—
Shen Li truly felt cherished.