Chapter XLIV - Prince Ruis Patience
The hall became deathly silent.
No one moved. No one breathed too loudly.
Because everyone understood exactly what Prince Rui meant.
He had been patient.
Too patient.
The palace poisoned his wife. Targeted her servants. Repeatedly tested boundaries.
And still-
Prince Rui restrained himself.
Only because Shen Li existed beside him.
The lead investigator visibly paled beneath the prince's gaze.
Meanwhile Shen Li stood quietly nearby watching the atmosphere sharpen further and further toward danger.
Prince Rui's anger now felt different.
Not explosive.
Controlled.
Which somehow frightened people more.
Then Prince Rui stepped closer toward the investigators slowly.
His black robes brushed softly across the stone floor while cold winter light filtered through the hall windows behind him.
Terrifying.
Absolutely terrifying.
The investigator swallowed hard. "Your Highness... this official merely follows palace orders."
Prince Rui's expression remained calm.
"Then return and inform the palace properly."
"This prince dislikes seeing innocent people frightened."
The words sounded gentle.
Yet the pressure behind them nearly crushed the room.
The investigators immediately understood: Prince Rui already knew the investigation itself was politically motivated.
And worse-
he was warning them openly now.
One wrong move further, and this would stop becoming palace politics.
It would become war.
Shen Li quietly touched Prince Rui's sleeve again beneath the tension-filled silence.
Tiny movement.
Instant reaction.
Prince Rui's gaze shifted toward her immediately.
The coldness in his expression softened again.
Only slightly.
But enough to stun the entire hall.
Because Princess Rui calming Prince Rui had become almost frighteningly natural now.
Shen Li lowered her voice gently: "Your Highness should rest first."
The investigators nearly stopped breathing.
Because somehow- inside a political confrontation-
Princess Rui sounded more concerned about Prince Rui overexerting himself than palace accusations.
And unbelievably-
Prince Rui listened.
His shoulders eased slightly afterward.
Then calmly toward the investigators:
"Leave the servant."
"And leave the estate."
The dismissal came absolute.
No one dared argue further.
The investigators bowed immediately before retreating faster than dignity probably allowed.
Only after the hall emptied completely did the servants breathe properly again.
Lian'er collapsed crying against the floor. "Princess Consort-"
Shen Li stepped forward quickly and helped the maid stand gently. "You did nothing wrong."
The young servant burst into tears harder afterward.
Prince Rui watched quietly beside them.
And once again- that warm dangerous feeling settled heavily inside his chest.
Because Shen Li remained gentle even after being targeted repeatedly.
How could someone not protect her fiercely?
Impossible.
-
Later that evening, the estate atmosphere remained tense despite the investigators leaving.
Shadow Guards doubled patrols. Servants whispered anxiously. And palace messengers continued appearing outside the gates.
Political pressure tightened steadily around them now.
Inside the plum blossom courtyard, however-
warmth still lingered softly beneath lantern light.
Shen Li sat beside Prince Rui while the physician checked his shoulder again.
The old man looked deeply exhausted. "His Highness reopened the wound twice in one week."
Prince Rui remained entirely unrepentant. "Unexpected situations occurred."
"Yes," the physician replied dryly. "His Highness unfortunately enjoys fighting while bleeding."
Shen Li nearly smiled faintly.
Then immediately frowned again seeing fresh bruising near the bandages.
Prince Rui noticed instantly.
"You're angry again."
"Yes."
The direct answer made the physician quietly hide amusement.
Because only Princess Rui could scold Prince Rui this naturally and survive.
Shen Li carefully adjusted the medicine cloth against his shoulder afterward.
Then softly:
"Your Highness promised to recover properly."
Prince Rui looked at her steadily.
Then after a brief silence:
"This prince also promised to protect you properly."
The atmosphere softened immediately.
Dangerous man.
Always saying things that made it difficult staying angry.
The physician wisely decided survival mattered more than witnessing further intimacy and quickly escaped after treatment finished.
Coward.
-
The chamber quieted afterward beneath soft candlelight.
Snowfall returned lightly outside while Shen Li organized medicine bowls near the bedside.
Prince Rui watched her silently the entire time.
Too silently.
Eventually Shen Li noticed.
"...Why is Your Highness staring?"
Prince Rui answered honestly:
"This prince nearly lost control today."
Shen Li paused softly.
Because she knew exactly what he meant.
The investigators. The accusations. The poison.
Prince Rui looked toward the flickering lantern shadows quietly. "If you had not stopped this prince..." His voice lowered faintly. "Someone would have died inside that hall."
The confession settled heavily between them.
Shen Li slowly set the medicine bowl aside.
Then moved closer beside him.
Prince Rui's gaze lifted instantly toward her.
Shen Li looked at him quietly for one long moment before speaking softly:
"This daughter doesn't dislike Your Highness becoming angry for her."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Prince Rui stared at her motionlessly.
Shen Li continued carefully:
"But..."
"This daughter dislikes seeing Your Highness hurt because of it."
The room became unbearably warm afterward.
Because Shen Li's concern no longer sounded restrained.
It sounded personal now. Deeply personal.
Prince Rui reached toward her slowly.
His fingers brushed lightly against the side of her neck beneath loose strands of hair.
Warm. Possessive. Dangerously gentle.
Then quietly- with terrifying honesty-
he admitted:
"Every time this prince restrains himself lately..."
"It's because you asked."