Chapter XLIII - Becoming Unreasonable
The carriage swayed softly through falling snow.
Inside, Shen Li sat held tightly against Prince Rui's chest while his words lingered dangerously between them.
"This prince may truly become unreasonable because of you."
Her heartbeat softened painfully.
Because Prince Rui did not sound teasing now.
He sounded honest.
Dangerously honest.
The arm around her waist remained firm while his forehead rested briefly near her shoulder, warm breaths brushing faintly against the fabric of her cloak.
For one suspended moment-
the entire world outside disappeared.
No palace. No poison. No court politics.
Only him.
Then Shen Li quietly lifted one hand.
And carefully touched the edge of his jaw.
Prince Rui froze instantly.
Because Shen Li rarely initiated affection first.
Yet recently- more and more- she reached for him naturally.
Dangerous woman.
Shen Li's fingers brushed lightly along the scar near his jaw again.
Gentle. Comforting.
Then softly:
"Your Highness already becomes unreasonable whenever this daughter is involved."
Prince Rui actually looked thoughtful afterward.
Then calmly:
"This prince sees no problem."
The shameless answer nearly made her laugh.
Instead, Shen Li lowered her forehead briefly against his shoulder helplessly.
Meanwhile Prince Rui's gaze softened completely watching her.
Then quietly- almost to himself-
he admitted:
"You're becoming increasingly difficult to release."
The atmosphere warmed instantly again.
Shen Li's fingers tightened lightly against his sleeve.
And somewhere deep inside-
fear finally began mixing with affection.
Because she realized something dangerous now:
If anything truly happened to Prince Rui someday-
she would not survive it emotionally.
The realization frightened her.
Prince Rui noticed immediately.
Of course he did.
He lifted one hand gently beneath her chin. "What are you thinking?"
Shen Li hesitated briefly.
Then honestly:
"That this daughter dislikes palace people very much lately."
Prince Rui stared once.
Then unexpectedly- laughed quietly.
Warm. Low. Beautiful enough to hurt.
"Good."
Shen Li blinked softly. "...Good?"
Prince Rui's thumb brushed once lightly against her cheek.
"This prince also dislikes them."
"We suit each other better this way."
The simplicity of the statement unraveled something warm inside her chest.
Because somehow- Prince Rui always made loving him feel easy.
Dangerous man.
-
Unfortunately, the moment they returned to the estate, the atmosphere changed instantly again.
Steward Zhou waited personally at the entrance looking grim.
"Your Highness."
Prince Rui's expression cooled immediately. "What happened?"
"The palace sent investigators ahead."
Silence.
Steward Zhou lowered his voice further. "They claim the poison incident may involve estate servants connected to Princess Rui."
The temperature around Prince Rui dropped violently.
Shen Li felt it instantly.
The quiet rage. The terrifying restraint.
Consort Xu moved quickly.
Too quickly.
Prince Rui stepped from the carriage slowly. "Who said this?"
"One of the Empress Dowager's senior investigators."
Shen Li immediately understood the strategy.
If palace suspicion shifted toward her servants- then:
her authority inside the estate weakened,
political trust around Prince Rui fractured,
and palace factions gained reason to isolate them.
A clean attack.
Cruel. Precise.
Then suddenly Prince Rui laughed softly.
The sound made even Steward Zhou lower his head further.
Because everyone in the estate knew:
Cold laughter from Prince Rui usually meant someone's future had just ended.
Prince Rui spoke quietly afterward.
"Interesting."
"The palace truly enjoys testing this prince lately."
Shen Li reached toward his sleeve immediately.
A tiny touch.
Yet enough.
Prince Rui looked down at her.
The murderous coldness eased slightly again.
Only for her.
Shen Li lowered her voice softly: "Your wound."
Prince Rui stared at her silently.
Then exhaled once slowly.
The terrifying pressure surrounding him lessened.
Steward Zhou looked emotionally exhausted witnessing this impossible pattern again.
Only Princess Rui could calm Prince Rui's rage now.
The realization terrified the estate slightly.
Because if anything ever happened to her-
their prince might truly destroy the capital.
-
The palace investigators waited inside the main hall.
Three officials dressed in dark ceremonial robes stood beside several frightened servants already under questioning.
The moment Prince Rui entered-
the atmosphere became suffocating.
One investigator forced composure quickly. "Your Highness."
Prince Rui did not answer immediately.
Instead- his gaze moved slowly across the hall.
Then stopped on one trembling maid kneeling near the center.
Shen Li recognized her instantly.
Lian'er.
One of the younger servants transferred from Shen Manor after the marriage.
Terrified tears already streaked her face.
The investigator finally continued carefully: "We received testimony that this servant communicated recently with palace attendants connected to Longevity Palace."
Shen Li frowned slightly.
Lian'er shook violently. "This servant only delivered embroidery patterns!"
The investigator ignored her. "Princess Rui's servants possess easier palace access than others currently."
The implication settled heavily through the hall.
Prince Rui's expression remained unreadable.
Then quietly:
"So."
"You accuse my wife's people first."
The investigator stiffened immediately. "This official only follows evidence."
Prince Rui walked slowly toward the kneeling maid.
Calm. Steady. Terrifying.
Lian'er nearly collapsed entirely.
Then- to everyone's shock-
Prince Rui stopped beside her.
And said softly:
"Raise your head."
The maid obeyed trembling.
Prince Rui studied her briefly.
Then calmly:
"You're frightened."
Lian'er burst into tears immediately. "This servant truly did nothing!"
Prince Rui looked toward the investigators afterward.
And the coldness inside his eyes became terrifying.
"This girl cannot even lie properly."
"Yet the palace drags her here to accuse my wife indirectly."
The hall fell silent.
Because everyone heard it now.
Not investigation.
Targeting Shen Li.
The lead investigator forced composure desperately. "Your Highness misunderstands-"
Prince Rui interrupted calmly:
"No."
"You misunderstand."
"This prince has already become very patient recently."