Chapter XXV - Lady Xu Arrives
Snow fell softly beyond the estate windows as Lady Xu entered Prince Rui’s residence for the first time.
Every servant in the hall watched carefully.
Because everyone knew exactly who she was.
The woman once rumored most likely to marry Prince Rui.
The woman whose family openly supported Consort Xu’s faction.
And now—
the woman arriving only days after an assassination attempt connected to her relatives.
Interesting indeed.
Lady Xu entered gracefully beneath layers of pale lavender silk, beautiful enough to attract attention instantly. Yet the moment she stepped into the main hall and saw Shen Li seated calmly at the head position reserved for Princess Rui—
something sharp flickered through her eyes.
Jealousy.
Quickly hidden.
Shen Li noticed anyway.
Lady Xu bowed elegantly. “This daughter greets Princess Rui.”
Perfect etiquette.
Perfect smile.
Perfectly false.
Shen Li accepted the greeting calmly. “Lady Xu has worked hard traveling through the snow.”
Tea was served quickly afterward.
The atmosphere remained polite.
Too polite.
The kind of politeness noblewomen used before trying to destroy each other socially.
Steward Zhou stood silently nearby watching with military-level suspicion.
Meanwhile Lady Xu finally smiled softly. “This daughter came today mainly to congratulate Princess Rui on the recent marriage.”
“Lady Xu is thoughtful.”
“His Highness marrying at last truly surprised the capital.” Lady Xu lowered her gaze delicately. “Many people once believed Prince Rui had no interest in women at all.”
Shen Li lifted her teacup slowly.
And there it was.
The implication: I knew him longer. People expected me. You appeared suddenly.
A subtle attack.
Unfortunately for Lady Xu—
Shen Li had survived seven years of noble society already.
She answered gently:
“Your Highness indeed dislikes unnecessary people.”
“This princess feels fortunate he did not consider me among them.”
The room became quiet instantly.
Steward Zhou nearly looked proud.
Lady Xu’s smile stiffened faintly.
Because Shen Li answered perfectly:
calm,
elegant,
impossible to criticize.
Worse—
the hidden meaning cut deeply.
Prince Rui chose her personally.
Not Lady Xu.
Lady Xu lowered her eyes briefly before changing tactics. “Princess Rui must still be adjusting to the estate.”
“The estate treats this princess very well.”
“Of course.” Lady Xu smiled faintly. “Prince Rui has always been considerate toward those under his protection.”
Protection.
Not affection.
Another subtle attempt.
Shen Li finally looked directly at her for the first time.
Calm. Graceful. Unshaken.
Then softly:
“Lady Xu speaks as though understanding His Highness deeply.”
Silence.
Lady Xu paused.
Because answering incorrectly now would sound improper.
Yet before she could respond—
another voice entered the hall.
Cold. Low. Familiar.
“This prince is curious as well.”
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Prince Rui had returned.
Every servant immediately straightened while Lady Xu’s expression froze almost imperceptibly.
Prince Rui entered still wearing black court robes, traces of winter snow melting against his shoulders.
His gaze moved once across the room.
Then stopped entirely on Shen Li.
Everything else disappeared from his attention naturally.
Lady Xu noticed immediately.
And hated it instantly.
Prince Rui walked directly toward Shen Li before speaking another word.
“You skipped the plum soup at lunch.”
The hall fell silent.
Shen Li blinked slightly. “…Your Highness noticed?”
“You dislike sourness unless sweetened first.”
Lady Xu’s fingers tightened beneath her sleeves.
Because this conversation— these tiny observations— this quiet familiarity—
felt unbearably intimate.
Prince Rui finally glanced toward Lady Xu afterward.
The warmth disappeared instantly.
“Why are you here?”
Direct. Cold. Not even pretending courtesy.
Lady Xu maintained composure carefully. “This daughter came to congratulate Princess Rui.”
Prince Rui looked unconvinced.
Then calmly:
“Congratulations have already been received.”
“Lady Xu may return now.”
Steward Zhou nearly wanted to applaud.
Shen Li lowered her gaze slightly to hide amusement.
Meanwhile Lady Xu’s face nearly stiffened completely.
Prince Rui was openly dismissing her without even basic noble politeness.
Because his wife looked slightly tired.
The humiliation burned violently.
Still, Lady Xu forced one final smile. “This daughter merely worried Princess Rui may struggle adjusting to the estate.”
Prince Rui answered before Shen Li could speak.
“She adjusts perfectly.”
Again.
No hesitation. No doubt.
Absolute certainty.
And somehow that certainty hurt Lady Xu more than outright cruelty.
Because Prince Rui never defended anyone publicly before.
Yet now he protected Shen Li almost instinctively.
Lady Xu finally understood something clearly:
This marriage had already become real.
Dangerously real.
She bowed stiffly. “This daughter takes her leave.”
Prince Rui nodded once without concern.
Then immediately after she left—
his gaze returned toward Shen Li again.
Warmth reappeared instantly.
The transition was so obvious even the servants looked emotionally overwhelmed.
Prince Rui stepped closer beside her chair slightly. “She troubled you?”
Shen Li shook her head softly. “No.”
Prince Rui remained unconvinced. “She speaks indirectly when hostile.”
Shen Li blinked.
“…Your Highness noticed that too?”
Prince Rui looked mildly puzzled. “It was obvious.”
Steward Zhou silently looked toward the ceiling.
Their prince truly only became perceptive regarding social matters when his wife was involved.
Amazing.
Then Prince Rui noticed the untouched tea beside Shen Li.
“It’s cold.”
Before anyone could react, he naturally replaced her teacup with his own still-warm one.
The hall became silent again.
Because the gesture was absurdly intimate.
Shen Li herself paused slightly.
Prince Rui seemed entirely unaware why the servants suddenly looked unstable again.
Instead he only said calmly:
“Drink this one.”
“You cough more after cold tea.”