Chapter LXIX - The Night Before War
The palace struck first.
Just as Prince Rui feared.
The imperial summons arrived at dusk.
Not for him.
For Shen Li.
The message came directly from the Empress Dowager.
Princess Rui was requested to attend a private prayer ceremony at Longevity Palace before Prince Rui's departure.
The moment the decree was read—
the atmosphere inside Prince Rui's study froze solid.
Silence.
Then Prince Rui slowly lowered the military report in his hand.
Very slowly.
Dangerously slowly.
Steward Zhou immediately lowered his head.
Because everyone recognized this expression.
This was not anger.
This was the terrifying calm before anger.
Prince Rui's voice remained perfectly level.
"Decline it."
The palace messenger nearly paled. "Your Highness... the invitation comes from the Empress Dowager herself."
"Then decline it respectfully."
The messenger looked increasingly frightened.
Because nobody casually rejected the Empress Dowager.
Nobody except Prince Rui.
Shen Li quietly reached toward his sleeve.
Tiny touch.
Instant reaction.
Prince Rui looked at her immediately.
The coldness softened slightly.
Only slightly.
Then Shen Li spoke calmly.
"Your Highness."
"The palace expected refusal."
Prince Rui's eyes narrowed.
Of course they had.
If he refused:
he appeared disrespectful,
Shen Li appeared sheltered,
palace rumors spread.
If he accepted:
Shen Li entered dangerous territory.
A trap either way.
Consort Xu's style.
Shen Li continued thoughtfully.
"Which means they want us reacting emotionally."
Prince Rui remained silent.
Then after a long pause:
"Princess Rui wishes to attend."
Not a question.
A realization.
Shen Li nodded softly.
Because avoiding every battlefield was impossible.
Some battlefields simply wore silk instead of armor.
Prince Rui looked deeply unhappy afterward.
Extremely unhappy.
Then finally:
"This prince will accompany you personally."
The palace messenger nearly collapsed.
The prayer ceremony was intended for women.
Prince Rui clearly did not care.
Dangerous man.
Very dangerous man.
—
That evening the entire estate became restless.
Everyone knew tomorrow carried danger.
Because Shen Li would enter Longevity Palace.
The same palace connected repeatedly to:
poison,
conspiracies,
hidden attacks.
Prince Rui's mood worsened steadily as the night progressed.
By dinner he had already:
reviewed security routes twice,
reassigned guards three times,
and terrified half the estate.
Meanwhile Shen Li watched quietly.
Then finally asked:
"Your Highness doesn't trust tomorrow."
Prince Rui looked at her across the table.
"No."
Direct answer.
Immediate answer.
Honest answer.
Then softly:
"This prince trusts neither the palace nor coincidence anymore."
The room quieted.
Because unfortunately—
he was right.
Too many accidents had happened already.
Too many traps.
Too many attempts.
Then Prince Rui lowered his chopsticks slowly.
And looked at her.
Really looked at her.
The gaze made Shen Li's chest tighten.
Because there was something different inside it tonight.
Not fear.
Not possessiveness.
Something deeper.
Then quietly he admitted:
"Tomorrow is the last day before deployment."
The words settled heavily between them.
Because suddenly—
war no longer felt distant.
Tomorrow.
Then departure.
Then separation.
The realization hurt.
Prince Rui stood unexpectedly afterward.
Then walked around the table directly toward her.
No hesitation.
No concern for servants watching.
Hopeless man.
He crouched beside her chair.
And took both her hands into his.
Warm. Steady. Tight.
Then softly:
"Princess Rui."
Shen Li looked at him.
Prince Rui's expression had become unusually vulnerable.
Dangerously vulnerable.
Then quietly:
"If tomorrow becomes dangerous..."
Shen Li immediately interrupted.
"It won't."
Prince Rui shook his head.
"Listen first."
Silence.
Then very softly:
"If tomorrow becomes dangerous..."
"Choose yourself first."
The room froze.
Because Prince Rui never put himself first.
Never.
Yet now—
he was asking Shen Li to do exactly that.
Shen Li's chest ached.
Then Prince Rui continued.
"Forget dignity."
"Forget politics."
"Forget this prince."
Her eyes widened immediately.
Prince Rui tightened his hold on her hands.
"Run."
Silence crashed through the room.
Because suddenly—
for the first time—
Prince Rui sounded afraid.
Not of war.
Not of death.
Of losing her.
Then softly he admitted:
"This prince can survive almost anything."
"Except that."
The confession shattered her completely.
Shen Li moved before thinking.
She slid from her chair.
Dropped to her knees beside him.
And wrapped her arms tightly around him.
Prince Rui froze.
Then immediately held her back.
Tighter.
Stronger.
As though neither wanted to let go.
Then quietly against his shoulder, Shen Li whispered:
"This daughter promised already."
Prince Rui closed his eyes.
"I know."
"Then Your Highness should stop worrying."
A faint laugh escaped him.
Tired. Warm. Hopeless.
Then softly:
"Princess Rui asks impossible things."
Outside—
snow continued falling over the capital.
And somewhere inside the palace,
another trap was already waiting for them.