Chapter LIX - Burn the Empire Down
Prince Rui did not sleep that night.
Not truly.
Though he lay beside Shen Li beneath warm blankets, though her breathing softened quietly against his shoulder, though the snowfall outside remained peaceful—
his mind stayed awake.
Consort Xu had begun destroying evidence openly now.
Which meant one thing clearly:
The palace conspiracy surrounding Shen Li had already reached dangerous desperation.
And Prince Rui’s greatest weakness now slept peacefully beside him.
The realization terrified him more than battlefields ever had.
Dangerous woman.
Very dangerous woman.
Beside him, Shen Li shifted slightly in sleep.
Instinctively— Prince Rui’s arm tightened around her waist protectively.
Only after feeling her settle comfortably against him again did his breathing ease slightly.
Hopeless.
Completely hopeless.
Then softly— without fully waking—
Shen Li murmured near his chest:
“…Your Highness.”
Prince Rui stilled instantly.
Even asleep, she still searched for him.
The warmth that spread through his chest afterward almost hurt.
Then quietly— carefully—
he brushed loose strands of hair from her face.
And for one dangerous second—
Prince Rui allowed himself honesty.
“This prince truly would destroy everything for you.”
The confession disappeared softly into darkness.
Only the sleeping woman beside him heard nothing.
Perhaps fortunately.
—
Morning arrived cold and sharp.
The estate atmosphere had changed overnight.
More guards. More patrols. More tension.
Because the entire capital now buzzed with rumors regarding:
the dead palace servant,
the poisoned robes,
and Prince Rui’s increasingly open protectiveness toward Shen Li.
Political pressure tightened visibly now.
Inside the western study, several military advisors waited anxiously while Prince Rui reviewed intelligence reports.
None dared speak casually.
Because their prince’s mood had become terrifyingly unreadable again.
Then suddenly one advisor hesitated carefully. “Your Highness… there is another matter.”
Prince Rui did not look up. “Speak.”
“The Crown Prince requested private audience.”
Silence.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Because until now, the Crown Prince had remained entirely neutral publicly regarding palace faction conflicts.
Prince Rui finally lowered the report slowly. “When?”
“This afternoon.”
The advisors exchanged nervous glances afterward.
Because the Crown Prince entering matters now meant: the succession conflict had officially escalated.
Prince Rui’s expression remained coldly calm.
Then quietly:
“Prepare the audience chamber.”
“And increase security around the inner residence.”
The final order came instantly. Naturally.
Because no matter how dangerous politics became—
his first instinct remained protecting Shen Li.
The advisors silently noticed.
And understood something frightening:
Prince Rui no longer separated military decisions from his wife’s safety emotionally.
That made him far less predictable than before.
—
Meanwhile, Shen Li spent the morning inside the plum blossom courtyard reviewing invitation lists for upcoming noble visits.
Unfortunately—
the number of “friendly” invitations had doubled after the banquet.
Now everyone wanted closer association with Princess Rui.
Or information.
Or weakness.
Qingyu looked deeply suspicious reading through them. “These people ignored Miss for years.”
Shen Li calmly set another invitation aside. “They ignored someone waiting for marriage.”
“And now?”
Shen Li lowered her gaze softly. “Now they see Prince Rui’s weakness.”
Silence settled briefly.
Because both women understood the danger inside those words.
Then suddenly another servant entered hurriedly. “Princess Consort.”
“What happened?”
“The Crown Prince’s residence delivered gifts personally.”
The room quieted instantly.
Interesting indeed.
The Crown Prince finally moved publicly.
Qingyu frowned immediately. “Why now?”
Shen Li already knew the answer.
Because after the banquet— after Prince Rui’s increasingly visible attachment—
every faction in the palace had begun recalculating.
The Crown Prince likely wanted to determine whether:
Prince Rui remained politically neutral,
Shen Li influenced him,
or the couple could become dangerous allies.
Politics.
Always politics.
The servant opened the lacquer boxes carefully.
Inside rested:
northern medicinal herbs,
military-grade warming cloaks,
and rare snow lotus tea.
Shen Li stilled softly.
These were not random gifts.
They were things specifically useful for:
Prince Rui’s injuries,
military campaigns,
winter recovery.
Meaning the Crown Prince had investigated them carefully already.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Then quietly Shen Li said:
“The Crown Prince is smarter than the others.”
Qingyu immediately looked nervous. “That sounds worse.”
“It is.”
Because intelligent enemies rarely attacked recklessly.
They waited.
Observed.
Calculated.
And Shen Li suddenly understood something uncomfortable:
The palace had begun studying her relationship with Prince Rui closely now.
Every interaction. Every weakness. Every emotional reaction.
The realization chilled her unexpectedly.
Then suddenly— without warning—
Prince Rui entered the courtyard.
The atmosphere softened instantly.
Always instantly.
His gaze found Shen Li first before anything else.
Then immediately: “You haven’t eaten lunch.”
The nearby servants looked emotionally exhausted already.
Because somehow— amid succession politics and palace conspiracies— Prince Rui still prioritized whether Shen Li skipped meals.
Dangerous man.
Shen Li almost smiled faintly. “Your Highness notices only these things lately.”
Prince Rui looked entirely serious. “This prince notices everything regarding you.”
The direct answer softened her chest painfully again.
Then Prince Rui noticed the Crown Prince’s gifts.
His expression cooled faintly. “He sent things personally?”
“Yes.”
Silence.
Prince Rui stepped closer beside her naturally afterward.
Close enough that the edge of his sleeve brushed hers lightly.
Possessive habit now.
Then quietly:
“This prince dislikes intelligent princes becoming interested in you.”
Shen Li blinked softly. “…Interested politically?”
Prince Rui’s gaze lowered toward her slowly.
“This prince dislikes any kind lately.”
Silence.
Then Shen Li genuinely laughed softly.
Because Prince Rui sounded so calm while admitting unreasonable jealousy openly now.
Meanwhile Prince Rui watched her laugh.
And suddenly realized something dangerous himself:
He no longer cared whether his possessiveness sounded excessive.
Not when it concerned her.
Not anymore.