Chapter XLVII - Missing Her
The chamber fell quiet after Prince Rui left.
Yet his last words lingered heavily through the plum blossom courtyard.
"This prince dislikes leaving you alone lately."
Dangerous man.
Very dangerous man.
Shen Li stood beneath the corridor lanterns long after his carriage disappeared through the estate gates.
Only when Qingyu coughed dramatically behind her did she finally move again.
"Princess Consort."
"...Mm?"
"You've been staring outside for quite a while."
Shen Li calmly turned away. "This daughter was merely observing the snowfall."
Qingyu looked deeply unconvinced.
Because everyone in the estate knew the truth now:
Princess Rui waited for Prince Rui instinctively.
The realization would have shocked the capital beyond reason.
The elegant Shen Li- once patient and restrained enough to endure seven years quietly-
now visibly softened whenever Prince Rui entered a room.
Dangerous.
Absolutely dangerous.
-
Meanwhile, inside the imperial military hall, Prince Rui looked increasingly displeased.
Not because of border reports.
Not because of court officials arguing endlessly.
But because his concentration kept drifting elsewhere.
The Emperor noticed immediately.
And unfortunately- found it deeply entertaining.
"Brother."
Prince Rui looked up coldly. "What?"
The Emperor leaned lazily against the throne chair. "You've read the same military report three times."
Silence.
Several ministers immediately lowered their heads harder.
Because teasing Prince Rui normally shortened life expectancy.
Yet today-
Prince Rui merely looked annoyed instead of murderous.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
The Emperor's smile widened. "Princess Rui truly became dangerous."
Prince Rui returned calmly:
"Your Majesty summoned this minister for military matters."
"Not gossip."
"Mm." The Emperor looked entirely unconcerned. "Then why does Brother appear like someone forced away from home unwillingly?"
The room became very quiet.
Because unfortunately-
the Emperor was correct.
Prince Rui's expression cooled slightly. "The northern supply routes require immediate attention."
"Of course." The Emperor nodded seriously. "And Princess Rui probably already finished lunch."
Prince Rui froze once.
Tiny pause.
Enough.
The Emperor nearly burst into laughter instantly.
Amazing.
Absolutely amazing.
The terrifying Prince Rui actually reacted to hearing whether his wife ate lunch.
The ministers looked spiritually exhausted witnessing this transformation repeatedly.
Meanwhile Prince Rui silently realized something unpleasant.
He did wonder whether Shen Li ate properly today.
Dangerous woman.
Very dangerous woman.
-
Back at the estate, Shen Li attempted distracting herself with household matters.
Unsuccessfully.
Everywhere reminded her of him:
the plum blossom courtyard he prepared,
the tea he preferred,
military reports stacked beside the study,
even the blankets still carrying traces of cedar scent from last night.
Dangerous man.
Then suddenly Steward Zhou entered hurriedly. "Princess Consort."
Shen Li looked up. "What happened?"
"The northern military messenger brought emergency reports."
The old steward hesitated slightly afterward.
Then carefully:
"There may be war again."
The room cooled instantly.
Shen Li's fingers tightened faintly around the account ledger.
War.
The word alone suddenly felt terrifying now.
Because before meeting Prince Rui, wars were distant things:
reports,
victories,
political discussions.
Now war meant:
wounds,
blood,
sleepless nights,
and the possibility of losing him.
The realization struck painfully deep.
Steward Zhou noticed immediately.
Then gently: "Princess Consort should not worry excessively. His Highness has survived countless campaigns."
Somehow- that reassurance made it worse.
Because surviving countless campaigns meant he had nearly died countless times too.
Shen Li lowered her gaze quietly afterward.
And for the first time-
she understood why military wives feared winter.
-
By evening, snowstorms intensified again.
Prince Rui still had not returned.
The plum blossom courtyard remained warm beneath lantern light, yet Shen Li could not focus on reading.
Every distant carriage sound made her glance toward the gates instinctively.
Dangerous habit.
Then finally-
footsteps echoed beyond the corridor.
Her heartbeat reacted immediately.
Prince Rui entered moments later still wearing court robes dusted heavily with snow.
And the moment he saw Shen Li waiting awake-
something in his expression softened visibly.
Relief.
Real relief.
As though returning somewhere warm after standing too long inside cold storms.
Shen Li stood quickly. "Your Highness returned late."
Prince Rui walked directly toward her without answering immediately.
Then- to the complete emotional destruction of every servant nearby-
he reached out and pulled her gently into his arms.
Natural. Instinctive. As though he needed it.
Shen Li froze softly against his chest.
Prince Rui lowered his head briefly near her hair.
Then quietly:
"This prince missed you today."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The servants nearly spiritually ascended.
Because Prince Rui- the terrifying war prince- just openly admitted missing his wife after one afternoon apart.
Dangerous. Hopelessly dangerous.
Meanwhile Shen Li's heartbeat softened painfully against him.
Because somehow- he sounded sincere enough to make her chest ache.
Then Prince Rui finally loosened his hold slightly.
Only slightly.
Enough to look at her properly.
His fingers brushed lightly against her cheek afterward. "You waited outside again."
Shen Li almost laughed softly. "Your Highness notices only this."
"I notice everything regarding you."
The answer came too naturally.
Too honestly.
Then Prince Rui's expression shifted slightly.
The warmth faded just enough for Shen Li to notice immediately.
"What happened at court?"
Prince Rui looked at her silently for a moment.
Then quietly:
"The northern border situation worsened."
The courtyard became still.
Snow drifted softly beyond lantern light while distant guards moved through white-covered pathways.
Shen Li's chest tightened again.
Because now- the possibility of war no longer felt distant.
Prince Rui noticed instantly.
Then gently- very gently-
he cupped her face between both hands.
Warm. Steady. Careful.
His voice lowered softly:
"This prince hasn't left yet."
"Why does Princess Rui already look heartbroken?"