Chapter LXX - The Prayer Ceremony
The next morning arrived beneath a sky heavy with snow.
The capital felt strangely quiet.
As if the city itself sensed something dangerous approaching.
Inside Prince Rui's estate, preparations began before dawn.
And unfortunately—
Prince Rui had become unbearable.
"Add another four guards."
Steward Zhou bowed. "Yes, Your Highness."
"Inspect the route again."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"The carriage changes at the eastern gate."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Shen Li sat patiently while servants arranged her outer cloak.
Then finally asked:
"How many times has Your Highness changed the security plan?"
Steward Zhou answered before Prince Rui could.
"...Seven."
Silence.
Shen Li looked at Prince Rui.
Prince Rui looked entirely serious.
Not embarrassed.
Not ashamed.
Completely convinced seven security revisions before breakfast were reasonable.
Dangerous man.
Very dangerous man.
Then Prince Rui stepped closer.
And adjusted the fur collar around her neck personally.
The movement was gentle.
Careful.
Almost reluctant.
Then quietly:
"Stay beside this prince the entire time."
Shen Li almost smiled faintly.
"This daughter remembers."
Prince Rui still looked unconvinced.
Hopeless.
Absolutely hopeless.
—
The journey to Longevity Palace passed beneath falling snow.
The imperial palace looked beautiful from a distance.
White roofs. Golden eaves. Crimson walls.
A place designed to appear eternal.
Yet Shen Li knew better now.
Beneath the beauty:
poison,
ambition,
betrayal.
And somewhere inside—
people waiting for mistakes.
The carriage finally stopped.
Prince Rui exited first.
Naturally.
Then immediately offered his hand.
Also naturally.
As though he no longer remembered how to behave any other way around her.
Shen Li accepted.
Warm fingers closed around hers instantly.
Steady.
Comforting.
Dangerously familiar.
Then together they entered Longevity Palace.
—
The prayer ceremony itself appeared harmless.
Too harmless.
Noble ladies knelt before golden statues while incense smoke drifted softly through the hall.
The Empress Dowager sat at the front.
Consort Xu nearby.
Lady Xu as well.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Almost every familiar enemy had gathered today.
Prince Rui noticed immediately.
His expression cooled.
Then even colder.
Shen Li squeezed his fingers lightly beneath her sleeves.
Tiny movement.
Instant effect.
Only for her.
The Empress Dowager observed everything silently.
Then finally smiled.
"Prince Rui accompanies Princess Rui even to prayer ceremonies now."
The hall quieted.
Dangerous opening.
Prince Rui answered calmly:
"This minister accompanies his wife wherever necessary."
No embarrassment.
No hesitation.
Several noblewomen instantly lowered their heads.
Because somehow Prince Rui made devotion sound like military doctrine.
Consort Xu smiled softly.
"The capital greatly admires such affection."
Prince Rui's gaze remained cold.
"Then the capital should concern itself less with my household."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The Empress Dowager sipped tea.
Consort Xu's smile tightened slightly.
And Shen Li quietly realized something.
They weren't here to target her directly today.
Not yet.
They were probing.
Searching.
Testing Prince Rui's reactions.
Trying to locate weaknesses.
Unfortunately for them—
Prince Rui had become surprisingly obvious lately.
—
The prayers began shortly afterward.
Noblewomen stepped forward individually to offer incense.
One by one.
Everything appeared peaceful.
Until Lady Xu approached Shen Li.
Again.
Always Lady Xu.
The woman smiled gracefully.
Too gracefully.
Then softly:
"Princess Rui seems fortunate."
"His Highness treasures you greatly."
The words sounded harmless.
But Shen Li understood.
The implication beneath them:
fortunate. Lucky. Dependent on Prince Rui.
Not worthy herself.
Old insult. New wrapping.
Shen Li calmly accepted another incense stick.
Then smiled.
Elegant. Gentle. Sharp enough to cut silk.
"This daughter is indeed fortunate."
Lady Xu looked pleased.
Until Shen Li continued:
"Fortunately, His Highness possesses excellent judgment."
Silence.
Nearby noblewomen instantly looked away.
Because that response landed perfectly.
Not defensive.
Not angry.
Simply reminding everyone:
Prince Rui chose her willingly.
Repeatedly.
Publicly.
Lady Xu's smile weakened.
Only slightly.
Enough.
Then suddenly—
a scream echoed from the far side of the prayer hall.
The room exploded into chaos.
Noblewomen rose. Servants panicked. Incense burners crashed to the floor.
And across the hall—
one young noble lady collapsed.
Foaming at the mouth.
Poison.
The realization struck instantly.
Prince Rui moved before anyone else.
One second beside Shen Li.
The next—
directly in front of her.
Shielding her completely.
His hand already on his sword.
The entire prayer hall froze.
Because suddenly the terrifying war prince stood inside a religious ceremony looking ready to kill someone.
Then Prince Rui's voice cut through the chaos.
Cold.
Deadly.
Terrifyingly calm.
"Nobody leaves."
Silence crashed across the hall.
Even the screaming stopped.
Because everyone recognized that tone.
Battlefield tone.
Execution tone.
Then Prince Rui slowly looked around the room.
At the noblewomen. At Consort Xu. At Lady Xu.
And finally—
at the poisoned girl on the floor.
His eyes darkened.
Because he understood immediately.
This wasn't random.
It wasn't an accident.
And somehow—
the timing was far too perfect.
Then quietly—
dangerously quietly—
he said:
"Someone planned this."