His Rui

Inside the study room, Xi Ying was turning the pages of the book in his hand mindlessly. His aura only oozed coldness.

An Si who had just stepped inside the study room shivered and cursed his fate.

It seemed that he had chosen the wrong time to report.

Should he go back and come some other time? He thought but had already taken a step back to go out of the study room.

However, he suddenly saw his master's cold eyes on himself.

"Master."

His back straightened like the smooth wooden blank. From outside, his face didn't have any expression but from inside his heart was cowering back in fear.

Although his master had always been cold and aloof today he felt that he was colder and more aloof.

So much that it was scaring him.

Ughhh… that b**t**d An Zhi didn't tell him that Master was in a bad mood. But now he could only bite his tongue and bow his head,

"An Si greets My Lord."

  When he didn't hear any acknowledgment, he didn't know whether he should raise his head or continue to bow in that position only, until he heard the voice that had air piercing coldness.

"Are you here to show me your face?"

"Ah…" An Si raised his head and looked at his master who was looking at him coldly and then said suddenly

"Apology Master. This servant was a bit absentminded."

He stood straight and then reported. Taking a deep breath, An San said

"Reporting to My Lord, An Si had spied on that nanny the master had asked me to."

Xi Ying's hand that was turning the pages of the book immediately stopped. He closed the book and propped his chin on his hand.

Staring at An Si coldly, he asked

"What did you find out?"

The cold eyes made An Si gulp in fear but he knew that he had to answer.

"Nothing."

The increasing coldness sent a shiver down his spine and An Si stuttered

"Master…that…An Si tried everything. I didn't find anything suspicious while she accompanied the Princess. However, An Si feels that the old nanny is not as ordinary as she looks."

"Why?"

Another question was thrown at him but this time An Si was very serious as he said

"The Imperial documents that contained all the details of the Imperial servants or slaves don't have any mention of the old nanny."

Xi Ying frowned. His eyes flickered and he leaned on his chair.

"You checked it carefully?"

"Yes, Master."

Xi Ying's fingers tapped on the table continuously. A few moments later, he said

"Find out more."

An Si looked confused as to how could he find out anything. Seeing his confusion, Xi Ying's narrowed his eyes at his shadow guard and said.

"Do I even need to teach you that?"

  Realization dawned on An Si face and he said hurriedly.

"This servant understands."

Just at this moment, the study room's door was knocked. A moment later when Xi Ying allowed whoever was outside in, the door opened and An Zhi stepped inside.

Bowing his head in front of Xi Ying, he said

"My Lord, Wangfei is requesting to see My Lord."

The surprise flashed in Xi Ying's eyes and he suddenly stood up from the chair.

"Is she outside?"

An Si was startled feeling the suddenly withdrawn coldness. Why does he feel that the master's mood suddenly improved? 

Li Rui has never taken initiative to find him except once, that too, was when she had asked him to divorce her.

"Yes, My Lord."

The next moment, Xi Ying frowned and looked at his shadow guard with displeasure.

"Why did you stop her outside?"

An Zhi didn't have anything to say. He opened and closed his mouth several times but nothing came out.

Wasn't an important discussion going inside?

How could he let wangfei enter without his master's permission?

However, he heard his master's next words.

"In the future, whenever she comes, don't stop her outside."

With these words, he threw the last cold and displeased glance at his two shocked shadow guards and then walked out of the study room.

An Si and An Zhi glanced at each other dumbfounded. Both of them only had one expression on their face. 

'Master is whipped.'

----------

Outside the study room, he saw Li Rui standing. The cold wind of the night was blowing her dress a little making her more beautiful and elegant. 

His anger and sadness from before seemed to have vanished away at this moment.

The simple fact that she came to find him had satisfied him. Walking towards her who had noticed his presence yet he said softly

"Why did you come here?"

Li Rui raised her head in surprise not expecting him to come out.

"Wear more clothes from tomorrow."

She looked down at her clothes. She was already wearing enough.

How many more clothes he wants her to wear?

Her running thoughts halted when she saw him taking off his robe and draping it over her. She remained silent as he took her hand and blew warm breath over them.

Xi Ying's frown went deeper when he felt the cold hands in his warm ones.

"From the next time, just send your maid if you want to meet me. I'll go to you."

  As he blew a warm breath over her hands, he hugged her small body in his arms and started walking towards the Plum Courtyard.

Li Rui who was silently watching his actions suddenly remembered her father doing all this for her mother in the same manner.

She couldn't help but look at him more but the next moment she moved her eyes away silently, a bit startled at her own thoughts.

What was she thinking? They were very different from her father and mother.

Theirs was a marriage full of love. Hers was a marriage full of compromises, distrust and so many things that a real marriage does not have.

After a few moments, she asked him the question she had wanted to ask and come here especially for that.

"Lord"

"Hmm?"

Xi Ying hummed and looked at the front while letting her step ahead carefully because he could feel Li Rui's eyes on his face.

He was afraid that she would fall if she walked like this.

"Did Lord do something to dethrone the First Prince?"

And Xi Ying stopped walking affter hearing her question.