Chapter LXIV - The Palace Moves First
The deployment order arrived three days later.
At dawn.
Like execution.
The imperial decree entered Prince Rui’s estate beneath falling snow while the entire residence held its breath silently.
Northern border emergency. Prince Rui ordered to lead troops immediately. Departure within seven days.
Too fast.
Far too fast.
Shen Li stood beside Prince Rui in the main hall while the decree was read aloud.
Every word tightened painfully inside her chest.
Yet beside her—
Prince Rui remained perfectly calm.
Too calm.
Military calm.
The kind of calm forged through years of receiving battlefield orders without hesitation.
Only Shen Li noticed the truth: his fingers tightened faintly once beneath his sleeves after hearing the departure date.
Only once.
Enough.
Then the eunuch finished reading. “Prince Rui, receive the decree.”
Prince Rui accepted calmly. “This minister obeys.”
The hall remained silent afterward.
Because everyone understood: war had finally arrived.
—
The moment the palace messenger left, the estate atmosphere changed completely.
Military preparations exploded instantly:
armor inventories,
cavalry reports,
supply routes,
war maps covering entire halls.
Prince Rui transformed frighteningly fast.
The softness around him sharpened again beneath battlefield instincts.
Yet somehow—
that only made Shen Li’s chest ache more.
Because now she saw clearly: this man truly belonged to war.
And war constantly tried taking him away from her.
Dangerous realization.
Then suddenly Prince Rui looked toward her across the crowded hall.
And immediately— everything softened again.
Always instantly.
He walked directly toward Shen Li while generals and advisors respectfully lowered their heads around them.
Then quietly:
“This prince wanted more time.”
The honesty inside the confession hurt unexpectedly.
Because Prince Rui sounded genuinely disappointed.
Not afraid of war.
Afraid of leaving her too soon.
Shen Li lowered her gaze softly. “Your Highness already delayed deployment mentally for several days.”
Prince Rui did not deny it.
Several nearby generals looked spiritually exhausted hearing this openly.
Because their terrifying prince— who once rode into battle without hesitation— now clearly delayed war because he disliked leaving his wife.
Hopeless.
Absolutely hopeless.
Then Prince Rui suddenly lifted one hand gently against Shen Li’s face despite the crowded hall.
The generals immediately looked away for survival purposes.
Prince Rui’s voice lowered softly:
“This prince dislikes seeing you look sad.”
Shen Li’s heartbeat softened painfully.
Dangerous man.
Even now— with war approaching— his first instinct remained comforting her.
Then quietly she asked:
“Will Your Highness return before winter ends?”
Prince Rui looked at her silently.
Then:
“Yes.”
No hesitation.
Absolute certainty.
The answer steadied something inside her chest immediately.
Dangerous trust.
—
Unfortunately, the palace moved faster than expected.
That same evening, the Empress Dowager announced another imperial gathering before Prince Rui’s departure.
Officially: a blessing banquet for military victory.
Unofficially: political positioning before war.
Inside the western study, Prince Rui’s expression darkened immediately hearing the news.
“This prince refuses.”
The advisor nearly looked frightened. “Your Highness… refusing before deployment may appear disrespectful.”
“I don’t care.”
Direct. Cold. Absolutely serious.
Shen Li quietly stepped into the study afterward carrying fresh tea.
The moment Prince Rui saw her— the coldness eased slightly.
Then immediately: “You skipped lunch again.”
The advisors looked emotionally exhausted.
War preparations. Imperial pressure. Political instability.
And Prince Rui still prioritized whether Princess Rui skipped meals.
Impossible.
Shen Li calmly placed the tea beside him. “Your Highness should not fight the palace before leaving.”
Prince Rui looked entirely unconvinced. “They waste time.”
“Then endure it once more for this daughter.”
Silence.
The advisors watched in awe as Prince Rui immediately fell quiet afterward.
Because once again— Princess Rui controlled the only thing in the empire nobody else could:
Prince Rui’s temper.
Then finally Prince Rui sighed softly.
“Princess Rui fights unfairly.”
The shameless accusation nearly made Shen Li smile.
Prince Rui looked toward the military maps again afterward.
Then suddenly:
“You should not attend the banquet.”
The room quieted instantly.
Shen Li understood immediately.
Danger.
Prince Rui continued calmly: “The palace becomes most dangerous before war.”
Because once he left the capital— Shen Li would become more vulnerable politically.
The realization settled heavily through the room.
Then Shen Li quietly reached toward his hand resting beside the military reports.
Warm fingers intertwined naturally now.
Habit.
Comfort.
Then softly:
“This daughter is Princess Rui.”
“Running from the palace now only invites more attacks later.”
Prince Rui’s expression darkened.
Because he knew she was right.
And hated it anyway.
Then very quietly— with frightening honesty—
he admitted:
“This prince suddenly wants to take you to the battlefield instead.”
Silence.
Even the advisors looked horrified.
Because Prince Rui sounded entirely sincere.
Shen Li almost laughed softly despite herself. “Your Highness.”
Prince Rui looked at her steadily afterward.
Then:
“At least there, this prince can protect you personally.”
The words shattered her chest painfully.
Because beneath all the possessiveness, all the dangerous attachment—
Prince Rui simply feared leaving her behind.
The realization hurt more than war itself.
Then Shen Li squeezed his hand lightly once.
And quietly promised:
“This daughter will wait properly.”
“So Your Highness must return properly too.”
The study fell silent.
Prince Rui stared at her.
Then suddenly— before anyone in the room recovered—
he pulled Shen Li directly into his arms.
Right there. Before generals. Before military advisors. Before the entire shocked study.
Absolute shamelessness.
The advisors instantly looked toward the ceiling for survival purposes.
Meanwhile Prince Rui buried his face briefly near Shen Li’s hair.
And quietly— soft enough only she heard—
he confessed:
“This prince already regrets accepting war orders.”