Chapter XXVIII - Returning Before Dawn
The palace remained awake long after midnight.
Snow drifted across silent corridors while ministers whispered nervously outside the Third Prince’s residence, each careful not to draw Prince Rui’s attention for too long.
Because tonight—
Prince Rui looked particularly dangerous.
Not outwardly furious.
Not openly threatening.
Worse.
Calm.
The kind of calm that usually preceded bloodshed.
Inside the chamber, the Emperor dismissed most officials eventually, leaving only trusted physicians and a handful of senior court members behind.
Prince Rui stood near the palace window listening to the storm quietly.
Then suddenly asked: “The poison.”
One physician immediately stepped forward trembling. “Yes, Your Highness?”
“What kind?”
The physician swallowed hard. “A slow-acting mixture hidden within wine residue. Enough to weaken internal organs over several days.”
Prince Rui’s gaze darkened faintly.
Slow poison.
Meaning the Third Prince had likely been poisoned before tonight.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
The Emperor noticed immediately. “You suspect something.”
Prince Rui turned slightly toward him. “The timing is too convenient.”
The Emperor narrowed his eyes.
Prince Rui continued calmly: “The Third Prince collapses immediately after interrogation regarding the wedding attack.” His voice remained even. “Someone wants conflict between imperial factions accelerated.”
Silence settled heavily.
Because he was correct.
If Prince Rui retaliated openly now, court divisions would explode immediately.
The Emperor sighed tiredly. “This throne grows exhausted.”
Prince Rui’s expression softened slightly.
Only slightly.
“You should rest more.”
Several nearby ministers nearly looked spiritually damaged again.
Because somehow Prince Rui— the empire’s most terrifying prince— always sounded strangely domestic lately.
The Emperor clearly noticed too.
Then suddenly smirked.
“You only say things like that now because your wife reminds you to sleep.”
Silence.
Prince Rui paused once.
A tiny pause.
Barely noticeable.
But enough.
The Emperor burst into laughter instantly.
Amazing.
Absolutely amazing.
The terrifying Prince Rui actually hesitated after hearing his wife mentioned.
Meanwhile several ministers looked ready to throw themselves into snowbanks to avoid witnessing this.
Prince Rui ignored everyone calmly. “This minister is leaving.”
The Emperor waved dismissively while still laughing. “Yes, yes. Return before Princess Rui realizes court matters stole you away again.”
Prince Rui did not deny it.
Which somehow made everything worse.
—
By the time Prince Rui left the palace, snowstorms had weakened into quiet snowfall.
The capital streets slept beneath pale moonlight while his carriage moved swiftly toward the estate.
Inside the dim carriage, Prince Rui finally closed his eyes briefly.
Exhaustion pressed heavily against his shoulders tonight.
Not from court politics.
From restraint.
Because every instinct told him to crush the Third Prince’s faction immediately after repeated attacks against Shen Li.
Yet he restrained himself.
For her.
Because Shen Li disliked unnecessary bloodshed. Because she worried about his wounds reopening. Because she looked relieved whenever he returned safely.
Dangerous woman.
Dangerously gentle woman.
Prince Rui opened his eyes slowly toward the snow outside.
Then realized something unpleasant.
He wanted to return faster.
Not to the estate.
To her.
The thought lingered heavily through the rest of the journey.
—
Meanwhile, inside the plum blossom courtyard, Shen Li remained awake despite trying repeatedly to sleep.
The chamber stayed warm. Quiet. Safe.
Yet the empty space beside her felt strangely noticeable tonight.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Qingyu had already fallen asleep outside the inner curtain chambers while the storm softened gradually beyond the windows.
Shen Li turned once more beneath the blankets.
Still awake.
Then finally—
soft footsteps echoed beyond the corridor.
Her heartbeat reacted instantly.
The chamber doors opened quietly moments later.
Prince Rui entered beneath dim lantern light.
Snow still clung faintly to his dark robes while exhaustion lingered visibly beneath his eyes.
Yet the moment he saw her awake—
his expression softened.
“You waited.”
Not accusation.
Something gentler.
Shen Li sat up slightly beneath the blankets. “Your Highness said you would return before dawn.”
So she waited.
The simple truth settled warmly between them.
Prince Rui removed his outer cloak slowly before approaching the bedside.
“You should have slept first.”
Shen Li looked at him quietly. “And if Your Highness returned injured again?”
Prince Rui stilled faintly.
Then after one dangerous second— very softly—
he said:
“You really worry about me now.”
Her heartbeat softened immediately.
Because his voice sounded strangely quiet. Almost disbelieving.
As though no one had ever waited awake worrying whether he returned safely before.
The realization hurt unexpectedly.
Prince Rui sat beside the bed slowly, shoulders finally relaxing now that he returned.
Only then did Shen Li notice the faint crease between his brows.
Tired.
He looked genuinely tired tonight.
Without thinking, she reached toward him.
Prince Rui froze immediately when her fingers touched his temple lightly.
Shen Li paused too.
Because this was the first time she initiated touch so naturally.
Too late now.
Slowly, carefully, she brushed loose strands of dark hair back from his forehead.
“…You look exhausted.”
The room became very still.
Prince Rui looked up at her silently from beneath lowered lashes.
Something dark and warm shifted through his gaze instantly.
Dangerous.
Shen Li suddenly became aware of everything:
how close they sat,
the warmth between them,
his eyes fixed entirely on her face.
Then Prince Rui caught her wrist gently.
Not stopping her.
Holding it there.
His thumb brushed once slowly against her pulse.
Shen Li’s heartbeat betrayed her immediately beneath his fingers.
Prince Rui noticed.
Of course he noticed.
His voice lowered almost dangerously.
“It beats faster every time you touch me.”
The atmosphere exploded instantly.
Shen Li genuinely forgot how breathing worked.
Prince Rui remained seated close enough that she could feel warmth radiating from him through layers of silk and winter robes.
Then very slowly—
he lifted her hand.
And pressed a kiss against the inside of her wrist.
Soft.
Lingering.
Intimate enough to destroy every remaining thread of composure she possessed.
Shen Li’s breath caught sharply.
Prince Rui looked up afterward without releasing her hand.
His dark eyes seemed deeper tonight somehow. Rougher. Less restrained.
Then quietly— almost like confession—
he admitted:
“You’re becoming a dangerous habit, Shen Li.”