Chapter LIV - Imperial Dragons
The chamber fell silent.
No servant dared breathe too loudly while Prince Rui stood beside the banquet robes, cold fury settling around him like winter frost.
Imperial dragons.
Hidden carefully within the embroidery lining.
A trap elegant enough to destroy Shen Li publicly the moment she entered the palace.
And worst of all—
the robes had been delivered directly from palace attendants.
Meaning someone intended this carefully.
Qingyu’s face had already lost all color. “If Princess Consort wore these—”
“The entire court would accuse her of overstepping imperial rank,” Shen Li finished quietly.
Prince Rui’s gaze darkened dangerously.
Because this was no small humiliation anymore.
This was political execution disguised as etiquette.
One wrong step at the banquet and Shen Li could be:
accused of ambition,
attacked publicly,
isolated politically,
or worse— used as leverage against Prince Rui himself.
The realization sharpened something murderous inside him immediately.
Then suddenly Shen Li touched his sleeve lightly.
Tiny movement.
Instant reaction.
Prince Rui looked toward her.
The terrifying coldness eased slightly again.
Only for her.
Dangerous woman.
Shen Li lowered her voice calmly: “Your Highness should not reopen the wound from anger again.”
The room became very quiet.
Because somehow— even now— her first concern remained him.
Prince Rui stared at her silently for several long seconds.
Then finally exhaled once slowly.
The killing intent around him softened just enough for the servants to survive breathing again.
Meanwhile Shen Li studied the robes carefully once more.
Then suddenly:
“The embroidery was hidden intentionally.”
“Which means someone expected this daughter not to inspect it closely before wearing it.”
Prince Rui’s expression remained cold. “Consort Xu.”
“Probably.”
The certainty chilled the room further.
Then Prince Rui looked toward Steward Zhou sharply. “Burn the robes.”
The steward immediately bowed. “Yes, Your Highness.”
But Shen Li suddenly spoke.
“Wait.”
Prince Rui turned instantly toward her.
Shen Li looked thoughtfully at the crimson fabric beneath candlelight.
Then slowly— very slowly—
she smiled.
Dangerous smile.
Quiet. Elegant. Sharp enough to cut.
Prince Rui stilled slightly.
Because lately— he had learned something important:
Shen Li became terrifying when truly calm.
Then softly she said:
“Why waste such expensive embroidery?”
“Since the palace worked so hard preparing this gift…”
“This daughter should return the favor properly.”
Silence.
Then Prince Rui’s eyes darkened with unmistakable interest.
Dangerous woman.
Very dangerous woman.
—
The Midwinter Palace Banquet arrived beneath heavy snowfall.
The imperial palace glittered beneath endless lanterns while noble carriages crowded every entrance path.
Tonight’s gathering carried impossible tension.
Because everyone knew:
Prince Rui and Princess Rui would attend,
the poisoning incident remained unresolved,
and palace factions had already begun shifting openly.
Inside Prince Rui’s carriage, Shen Li sat calmly beside him wearing entirely different banquet robes.
Silver-white silk embroidered with crimson plum blossoms.
Elegant. Cold. Untouchable.
Prince Rui had chosen them personally.
And somehow— seeing Shen Li dressed in colors connected to him instead of the palace made something dangerously possessive settle inside his chest.
The carriage quieted softly while snow drifted outside.
Then Prince Rui suddenly reached toward her hand.
Warm fingers intertwined naturally now.
He looked at her steadily.
“Stay beside this prince tonight.”
Shen Li almost smiled faintly. “Your Highness says this every palace visit.”
“Yes.”
No embarrassment whatsoever.
Dangerous man.
Then Prince Rui’s gaze lowered briefly toward her robes. “You look beautiful.”
The direct compliment struck harder than expected.
Shen Li lowered her gaze slightly. “Your Highness also…”
Prince Rui waited patiently.
Dangerous patience.
Then quietly:
“…looks unfairly handsome tonight.”
Silence.
Prince Rui froze once.
Tiny pause.
Enough.
Then suddenly— unexpectedly—
he laughed softly.
Warm. Real. Dangerously pleased.
Shen Li instantly realized her mistake.
Meanwhile Prince Rui looked entirely satisfied afterward. “This prince accepts the compliment.”
Impossible man.
—
The moment they entered the banquet hall—
conversation stopped.
Every noble eye turned instantly toward them.
And immediately noticed three things:
Prince Rui remained absurdly attentive toward Shen Li,
Shen Li now carried herself with calm authority beside him,
and together— they looked impossible to approach.
Dangerous couple.
The Empress Dowager watched from above silently.
Then her gaze narrowed faintly.
Because Shen Li was not wearing the palace robes.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Consort Xu noticed too.
And for the first time that evening—
genuine tension entered her expression.
Prince Rui guided Shen Li toward their seats calmly beneath endless watching eyes.
Yet before they reached the table—
another voice interrupted.
“Princess Rui.”
Lady Xu stepped forward gracefully beneath golden lantern light.
Beautiful as always.
And smiling too carefully.
Shen Li looked toward her politely. “Lady Xu.”
Lady Xu’s gaze drifted briefly across Shen Li’s robes.
Then— with delicate innocence—
she asked:
“Did Princess Rui dislike the palace gift prepared specially for tonight?”
Silence crashed instantly through the hall.
The trap arrived openly now.
Several noblewomen stiffened immediately.
Because if Shen Li answered incorrectly— questions regarding the missing palace robes would begin publicly.
Dangerous move.
Very dangerous move.
Prince Rui’s expression cooled immediately.
But before he could speak—
Shen Li smiled softly.
Elegant. Perfect. Terrifyingly calm.
Then gently:
“The robes were indeed beautiful.”
“This daughter almost wore them.”
“Fortunately…”
“His Highness noticed the hidden dragons first.”
The banquet hall froze completely.
Absolute silence.
Lady Xu’s face lost color instantly.
And high above the hall—
Consort Xu’s fingers tightened sharply around her wine cup.