His Rui

Li Rui stepped inside Lianxin hall that was surrounded by the guest rooms.

Cold water dripped down from her light blue dress that was now completely wet by the water. Any normal person would shiver because of this kind of coldness but she doesn't seem to feel it.

Why would she?

She was busy fighting with other things inside her mind.

Her heart was so cold...so cold that the coldness emanating from inside it was penetrating her bones.

As she walked inside with slow steps, Li Rui tried to overcome her shock and surprise.

It had never occurred to her that she would such a big mistake in recognizing a person…his true intentions.

Or was his pretense just too perfect that she could not find a single clue of what he was truly inside himself?

In the face of gentleness, he was trying to claw the most precious thing inside her heart…her family, her clan...her Li Clan.

How could she trust someone just so easily…especially him?

How did she start expecting him to do the things he was never supposed to do? 

His sudden change should have been enough reason for her distrust. But she didn't take it into account.

She thought that perhaps he also wanted Xi Ling to have a normal family or perhaps he was also trying to make their relationship work finally after four years so she also did the same thing.

She gave herself to him...willingly.

She finally regretted it.

"My Lady, where were you?"

The voice fell in her ears making her come out of her trance.

She raised her head to look at the owner of the voice.

It was the maid appointed by him to serve her …or should she say to keep an eye on her?

Thinking of this, she hurriedly composed her expression.

An Ju had a face full of panic and concern when she came back and didn't find Li Rui inside the room and the hall.

On the way to finding her master, An Ju was suddenly very afraid and came back without even looking for her master.

Her Master had asked her not to leave Lady Li alone and she did.

It was not that she feared the punishment but she knew that her master must have any reason for asking her to do that and if she didn't follow his command and something happened to Lady Li then she would never be able to forgive herself.

After seeing the incident in the banquet hall today, her heart has respect for Li Rui.

"You are wet, My Lady."

An Ju said with a voice full of concern as she hurriedly went inside the room and took out a robe to drape on Li Rui's body.

If Lady Li got ill, then she would have to freeze under her master's cold and suffocating gaze.

However, when she was about to cover Li Rui's shoulder with the thick robe, Li Rui stopped her with a raise of her hand.

Li Rui stared at the warm robe in An Ju's hands.

She has seen Xi Ying wearing this robe in the morning. Even a step away, she could smell the manly scent from the robe and unconsciously took a step back

"I just went to breathe in some fresh air and got wet because of the sudden rain. There is no need to worry so much. Prepare some hot water. I'll soak my body in hot water for some time."

Although her face was still cold, she told everything to An Ju in one sentence without implying anything in particular.

She just hoped that Xi Ying would not get to know that she was absent from where he thinks she was for even a few minutes.

"There is no need to tell your Master about this."

An Ju stood still as she heard Li Rui's order.

She didn't nod her head neither did she shake it in 'no'.

She didn't know what she should say.

Hiding something from her master…she doesn't want to do such a thing. Li Rui's eyes flickered when she noticed the contemplating expression on An Ju's face.

She looked straight and whispered

"According to me, you should tell your master unless you want to get punished for something you didn't do. I went out willingly and it is not like I have been harmed or I died."

"My Lady"

An Ju said immediately stopping Li Rui from saying such words.

On the other hand, Li Rui couldn't help but think that even Xi Ying's servants were very good at keeping a pretense. For a moment, even she thought that An Ju was very concerned and worried about her. However, she will do not the same mistake again and again.

Xi Ying and his people…Li Rui would never trust them again.

A moment later, she saw An Ju nodding her head and said

"Then this servant will listen to My Lady's words."

In response, Li Rui didn't say anything and walked towards her room.

.

.

.

Inside a closed room, An Zhi threw Li Na's body on the bed indifferently as if he was throwing some heavy sack away.

After that, he tore her clothes from her shoulders and from some other body parts a little bit without any emotion in his eyes.

A moment later, the door of the closed room opened suddenly and An Zhi didn't even turn around to look at who it was as if he already knew who had entered.

"I don't know why Master is doing so much hard work for these characterless women. I mean…just kill them or disfigure their faces. For a woman, that would be the greatest punishment."

An Si said as he threw something on the bed he had been carrying since he had entered the room. 

An Zhi tucked everything inside the blanket carefully.

Looking at the bed, he said coldly

"Master wants them to taste their own bitter medicine. Four years ago, they have tried to harm our current mistress. Fortunately, it was our master who had found Lady Li. Now when four years later, they are trying to do something similar, they should not expect any mercy."

"You're right."

An Si showed his agreement with An Zhi's words.  He sighed suddenly and continued

"I suddenly pity Lady Li very much. Her own people are scheming against her let alone the Princess. And even after entering Xi Manor, she didn't receive any better treatment from our master."

  Since the moment the Xi Ying's shadow guards have come to know that An Si has been lying about Lady Li for the past four years, they have tried to show their loyalty and respect towards Li Rui.

Especially after seeing Li Rui's capability in medicine, they have accepted her as their mistress inside their hearts.

They respected the person with skills and intelligence.

At the same time, seeing how she had calmly suffered everything for the four years without any complaint, they couldn't help but have a soft spot for their master's wife inside their heart especially after seeing their master's care and love for her.

In their eyes, Lady Li was the best companion their master could get.

And now they have one more person except their master and Young Master to protect and serve.