His Rui

Xi Ying stared at his calm and composed wife with a serious face.

He wondered whether it was her own thoughts or if it was her father, General Li speaking to him through her.

"Do you really want that?"

He questioned Li Rui seriously.

After a moment of hesitation, he held Li Rui's hand and caress it lightly with his thumb. 

"For a moment, forget everything. Forget that you saw me that night with Princess Wenling. Forget what you heard the princess says. And now try to think will you really want me to abandon my plan to dethrone the current Emperor who wants to destroy Li Clan. Do you really wish to live with this constant fear that something will happen to your clan if you or General Li doesn't remain careful with your each and every step?"

Li Rui seemed to be in a daze as she silently heard everything that Xi Ying said to her.

"No"

She whispered lightly a few moments later.

"I also don't like to be scared."

She licked her lips lightly as she stared into Xi Ying's black eyes and continued

"You might not know but when I first came to know about all this, I had asked Father to go somewhere far away with our whole family and give everything to the Emperor because I couldn't bear to imagine what could happen to my Clan in this battle of power and politics."

"I had actually read so many books. I was trying to find something …a loophole that could help my clan and give it the right to stand against the Emperor rightfully to hold the military power but I never found any such thing in any book."

"The Emperor was the great and sole owner of everything in the Empire. That's what those books said and that's why I was scared and suggested my Father such a thing. However, he refused me."

As Xi Ying heard Li Rui, he couldn't help but imagine young Li Rui trying to understand this game of power and politics.

At the age where those other young girls were playing with others or doing some other childish things, his Rui was finding ways of saving her clan from the claws of the enemy.

Xi Ying fists were clenched and his eyes were filled with anger as he heard Li Rui continuing

'Running away is not the choice for me, Rui.'

"He had told me but why? I still don't understand his words."       

A dry and humorless smile appeared on Xi Ying's lips as he knew and understood General Li's words very well.     

General Li will not run away. He can't abandon the power he had in his hands because if he did then he would not be able to protect his wife from the sick Emperor's hands.

But Li Rui didn't know that and that's why he was very angry that day inside the camp because General Li only told Li Rui the half-truth.

Li Rui continued and Xi Ying heard her patiently.

It was very rare for his wife to talk this openly to him so he was very happy and patient to hear whatever she wanted to say.

"When I came to know that the first Prince planned such a trap to abduct my father and brother that was perhaps the first time I really wished to go against Imperial Family. That time, I really wished to shed that loyalty away that my Clan had sworn on."

Staring into Xi Ying's eyes she told him the deepest desire of her heart

"If you will ask me, I really don't want you to abandon this plan. In fact, I wish to be there with you when you do all this. But I can't let you go ahead with it because I know that My Father will fight against to protect the Imperial Family."

"I don't want you to fight against my father, Xi Ying."

Xi Ying smiled when Li Rui finally finished. It was a genuine smile.

His thumb was still caressing Li Rui's knuckles and he wondered inside his heart as to why Li Rui was not pulling away from her hand.

Her being not resistant to his touch gave him hope. Did she even know that?

Especially after last night, when he was craving to be in touch with her constantly, this kind of hope was not so good for him.

Controlling the urge to pull her in his arms and kiss those lips senselessly, he spoke.

"I am happy that you talked to me and told me everything you had in your heart. Now it's my turn."

Xi Ying's smile widen as he told Li Rui his decision.

"If you had asked me to take a step back then I would have done so. However, since this is your wish also then I will go against the Imperial Clan. About standing against General Li, never worry about that. You will never find me standing against Li Clan or your father in the future unless it is to protect you."

Li Rui frowned at Xi Ying's last words but Xi Ying didn't dare to explain the meaning behind his words. 

He was making promises and he couldn't be careless with them.

"So Rui, will you support me in this fight?"

Li Rui stared at Xi Ying silently for a few moments before she asked him a question

"The reason behind this fight and your plan …is it because I didn't show my trust in you that night?"

It was now Xi Ying's turn to go silent.

Was Li Rui's distrust in him the reason behind his plan of going against the Imperial Family and the Emperor?

Yes, It was.

But it was when he had started to make this plan.

Now it was not the sole reason behind his plan.

He had other reasons also.. He needs to complete the promise he had made…to someone who gave him his Rui and his child back.