Mama's Princess is Daddy's Beloved

Chen Rui entered the garden with a smile. Li Xue was just beside her. Though they both have heard everything happening there, none of their smiles were looking tense. As if both were confident in their stance. 

Seeing the Royal Highness finally enter, not just the models but all the members of the Cultural Association stood up in her honor. Their gazes bowed in respect for her. 

"Your Highness!" They greeted. To which, Chen Rui just gave a small glance to them before training all her attention to the girl, Li Na. 

"Li Na, you didn't explain to me. Have you gotten that old and knowledgeable that now, you feel you can doubt my decisions and plans?" She asked again and at her simple words, Li Na felt the world around blackening. 

Shaking her head, she denied, "Y-Your Highness, I would never dare that." 

She said and Chen Rui raised her brows at her. There was a smile over her lips but that smile was just warning the girl more about the consequences. "But you did it just now." 

"Y-Your Highness, I-I was …" 

"Yes, you were …?" Chen Rui scared her more. And even though it looked bad to many, none dared to come ahead to help the girl. 

Li Na was no doubt scared and in her frightened state she didn't realize when her hands went to grip Shen Bingling's. But that small gesture of seeking help from the friend didn't remain amiss. Soon Chen Rui's gaze caught the movement as she turned to look at the girl, waiting to hear her explanation. 

Shen Bingling was out of thoughts. But in the need of the situation, she still fidgeted through her brain cells before finding a reason to rightly explain. "Your Highness, please don't get upset with Li Na. She was wrong to doubt you but believe me it was because she was overly concerned for me. As we all know, all these years it has been me becoming the female face of the project. Now that the sequence is suddenly changed, she is just scared that I will lose the face among others." 

"You were the face of the project every year because you were the sole princess our royal family had. But now things have changed. You are no longer alone in the family." Chen Rui said and her words, for a moment, made everyone dumbfounded. Shen Bingling's eyes also widened in confusion. While even Li Xue thought that the truth was given out. But the next second, the lady handled it well. "But now the needs have changed." 

"Now this project would no longer be monotonous as every year. So, the choice has come out different." She added more before turning to blink at Linda at a distance with an order. 

The assistant understood the cue and she quickly walked to share the project plan files with the association members to see. 

Chen Rui then turned around to look at everyone, especially at her association people. "This year, it has taken me a long while to prepare this detailed plan. So, I wasn't able to share this with all of you before today. But since the plan is yet there to start and almost everyone has got their doubts on my choice, Li Xue, I think it's not too late to explain it now." She said before sharply taunting every other before turning to give an assurance smile to Li Xue. 

Li Xue wasn't surprised when heard the lady. Though she knew Chen Rui has lied to everyone about preparing the detailed plan late, she was also sure of her reason. After all, it was not hard to tell that the complications and conspiracies would have increased if the detailed plan was revealed before.

"In all the past years, our project has remained monotonous. Though we have been bagging the awards internationally, people have gotten bored with the same programs every time. So, the change in both our thoughts and plans were needed. And that change is what Li Xue has brought to our project. 'Traditions in the Modern Era' – the Amalgamation of two trends of Chiboa". Chen Rui said as the members read the details written on the papers. 

"The thought is different and unique. I find it really suitable for this year." 

"I will as well support the thought of Her Highness." 

"I agree to this plan as well." 

"In the past year too, I have raised my concern about getting things monotonous. Finally, Her Highness has considered my words. I am happy with this plan." 

One after the other, all the association members agreed to the plan. But in the group, one still stood there skeptical. She stood there minutely reading everything one by one. 

"Mrs. Zhao, what happened? Don't you like the plan?" Chen Rui asked when didn't see the woman responding. She has been the oldest in the team and even being the head, Chen Rui respects her opinion. She has been on the list of those rare people, whose insights Chen Rui really trusts. 

The old lady looked up with suspicion. Her gaze trailed to look up at Li Xue before asking, "Portraying the modern element in her performance would be okay, but will she be able to do the justice to our traditions. Even though being orthodox is not good, in some situations, it's necessary to think." She said with intentions that were clear to every ear.

Li Xue looked at the old lady. Though it was not her position to say, still since the woman has in a way directed the words at her, she found it justifiable to reply. Chen Rui caught her intentions and was about to stop her, but it was already too late. 

"I am sorry to speak in between Madam, but I consider – If something is wrong, then it will always stay wrong; no matter what the situation is."

Li Xue said and her audacious words like that stunned everyone. Until today, none have ever dared to talk back with the old lady. Even when Chen Rui used to show her concern for her thoughts, she would have to refer twice to her words. But this girl has simply brought out whatever she had thought in her brain. 

Wasn't it too audacious? 

Everyone felt the same, but their gazes turned to look at the old lady waiting to hear her response.. Most of them had already expected an outburst to come next, especially Shen Bingling's group.