Chapter XLI - The Empress Dowagers Tea
The next morning, snow covered the capital once more.
Prince Rui's estate prepared for palace departure beneath tense silence while servants moved carefully through the plum blossom courtyard.
Because everyone understood one thing clearly:
The Empress Dowager summoning Shen Li alone after recent political chaos could not possibly mean anything good.
And Prince Rui's mood since receiving the summons had become frighteningly cold.
Even the silver wolf guards lowered their voices instinctively around him.
Meanwhile Shen Li calmly adjusted the final clasp of her winter cloak while Qingyu hovered anxiously nearby.
"Princess Consort should be careful today."
Shen Li almost smiled faintly. "When have palace visits ever been peaceful?"
Qingyu looked devastated by the accuracy.
Then footsteps approached.
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Prince Rui entered wearing black court robes beneath a heavy fur cloak, silver embroidery dark against winter light. Though still recovering from injuries, his presence remained overwhelming enough to quiet the entire courtyard immediately.
And the moment he saw Shen Li-
the coldness around him softened.
Always instantly now.
Dangerous man.
Prince Rui stepped directly toward her before adjusting the fur collar around her neck carefully.
Natural. Intimate. Completely habitual now.
The nearby servants looked emotionally exhausted already.
Shen Li looked up slightly. "Your Highness truly intends to enter the palace injured?"
Prince Rui answered calmly:
"This prince intends to ensure no one troubles my wife."
The straightforward possessiveness nearly made Qingyu ascend spiritually behind them.
Shen Li lowered her gaze helplessly.
Impossible man.
-
The imperial palace remained cold despite burning incense and endless braziers.
The deeper they entered the inner halls, the sharper the atmosphere became.
Servants bowed lower than before upon seeing Prince Rui personally accompanying Shen Li again.
Because now everyone knew: Princess Rui was untouchable while Prince Rui stood beside her.
Unfortunately-
that also made her more dangerous politically.
Inside Longevity Palace, noble ladies and palace consorts already gathered beneath warm lantern light.
The moment Shen Li entered beside Prince Rui, conversation stopped instantly.
Everyone noticed:
Prince Rui slowed his pace slightly for her,
his gaze remained unconsciously attentive toward her movements,
and most terrifyingly- Princess Rui no longer looked intimidated by palace pressure at all.
Consort Xu's expression tightened immediately.
The Empress Dowager sat high above the hall watching silently.
Sharp eyes missed nothing.
Especially not the way Prince Rui positioned himself subtly closer whenever Shen Li entered unfamiliar political spaces.
Protective.
Instinctively protective.
Troubling.
Very troubling.
Shen Li bowed gracefully. "This daughter greets Her Majesty."
Prince Rui followed shortly after. "This minister greets the Empress Dowager."
The older woman smiled thinly. "Prince Rui seems unable to separate from his wife recently."
The hidden criticism was obvious.
Too attached. Too indulgent.
Prince Rui answered without hesitation:
"This minister finds the arrangement comfortable."
The hall became silent instantly.
Several noblewomen nearly choked on tea.
Because Prince Rui- the terrifying war prince- just openly admitted he liked staying beside his wife.
Shamelessly.
The Empress Dowager's smile stiffened faintly.
Meanwhile Shen Li felt warmth spread traitorously toward her ears.
Dangerous man.
The Empress Dowager finally gestured toward the seats below. "Sit."
Tea was served quickly afterward.
The atmosphere remained deceptively peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Shen Li noticed immediately.
And apparently- so did Prince Rui.
Because his fingers brushed once lightly against her sleeve beneath the table.
A silent warning.
Be careful.
Shen Li's heartbeat softened faintly.
Then Consort Xu finally smiled delicately. "Princess Rui has become even more radiant after marriage."
A trap already.
Shen Li answered calmly: "Consort Xu praises too highly."
"No." Consort Xu lowered her gaze gracefully. "The entire capital speaks of Prince Rui's devotion now."
The hall quieted slightly.
Everyone understood what Consort Xu implied:
A prince becoming emotionally attached was politically dangerous.
The Empress Dowager sipped tea slowly. "Excessive attachment clouds judgment."
Prince Rui's expression cooled instantly.
The atmosphere sharpened.
Before tension escalated fully, Shen Li finally spoke softly:
"If caring for one's family is considered weakness..."
"Then perhaps the palace has been cold for too long."
Silence crashed across the hall.
Even the Empress Dowager paused.
Because Shen Li's words sounded gentle.
Yet beneath them hid sharp accusation: The palace feared affection because it lacked humanity.
Dangerous answer.
Very dangerous answer.
Consort Xu's expression tightened immediately.
Prince Rui, meanwhile-
looked at Shen Li with unmistakable warmth.
Too much warmth.
The Empress Dowager noticed instantly.
And suddenly understood something unpleasant:
Prince Rui no longer merely protected Shen Li from responsibility.
He respected her.
Trusted her.
Possibly even loved her already.
That realization changed everything.
Then suddenly a palace maid approached carrying fresh tea personally toward Shen Li.
Prince Rui's gaze sharpened immediately.
Too late.
The moment Shen Li lifted the cup slightly-
Prince Rui caught her wrist.
The movement happened instantly.
Fast enough to shock the entire hall.
Tea spilled across the table.
Silence crashed violently afterward.
Shen Li looked toward him startled.
Prince Rui's expression had become terrifyingly cold.
His gaze fixed entirely on the tea.
Then softly- dangerously softly-
he said:
"No one drinks this."