Mama's Princess is Daddy's Beloved

The old lady Zhao's brows tugged together as frowning she asked, "What do you mean, Rui? Don't say what I have heard is not some rumor but the truth. Are you really adopting that girl as your daughter?" 

In the past days, not just the lady but almost everyone in the royal family has heard of this news. Though none was too sure of the information, in heart they were already judging the pros and cons of it in their benefit. After all, they all knew the heir, the Crown Prince wasn't yet capable to take the succession and in a situation like this, if the royal couple was taking someone in adoption that could only mean two things – Either they want the person to help the Crown Prince to look after the things, or they are planning to give the throne to that adopted child. 

And in both the situation their profits would be endangered. 

Chen Rui smiled, knowing what exactly was concerning the old lady. "You have heard it partially right, Aunt Zhao. We do want to do the formality of adopting her under our name. But …" 

Before she could say more, Zhao Lingyue was enraged. "Rui, that's not called formality. Do you even know the importance of royal blood? Not everyone can come and become part of us. It's a destiny with which children are born, not an award that we can award to just anyone." 

"But Aunt Zhao, what if I say Li Xue has our royal blood? Will your denial still be the same?" The royal lady said and her words put the oldie in impossible thoughts. She was about to ask how was that even possible, but before she could, Chen Rui's side-sight caught the approaching steps of someone. 

"Aunt Zhao, I will explain things later. Let's not discuss it here." Chen Rui said and looking at the crowd around, the old woman nodded. 

And right at that moment, a sweet voice came that sounded very pretentious. "Your Highness, I hope I am not disturbing you." 

It was Shen Bingling who has come to fill the gap that has gotten after today's turn of events. She doesn't want to get in the wrong books of the lady so she only found it better to come and apologize separately. All this while, she has been waiting for the opportunity, but the lady was around Li Xue, so she was avoiding to come. After all, even if she wants to apologize, she doesn't want to give Li Xue an opportunity to laugh at her. 

Chen Rui turned to look at the girl and smiled. Her smile came out so normal that even Shen Bingling felt confused, if she should really apologize for the past? Or has the queen already forgiven her? 

"What happened, Bingling? Anything serious?" Chen Rui said as she gestured her to look at Mrs. Zhao, indicating that she was busy. 

Shen Bingling smiled awkwardly before turning to greet the old one. Amid her thoughts, she has forgotten her general etiquette that she should never forget. "Mrs. Zhao!" 

Zhao Lingyue nodded with a similar smile as the girl turned back to look at the royal lady to continue. "Sorry to interrupt you two here like this. But I was really embarrassed. Earlier whatever happened was something that shouldn't have happened. And I really wanted to apologize for that." 

"Earlier, Li Na has been outrageous. She shouldn't have said whatever she has said but as everyone knows she has always been very concerned for me. She must have felt me getting cornered, so …" The girl was explaining in a way that she didn't look bad but her effort was clearly seen by the two ladies. 

Chen Rui smiled, before shaking her head, "It's fine, Bingling. We all can understand what intentions were there before. Now that it's fine, I won't mind until it will be brought up again. But there is something I really wanted to make clear to you." She said and the last part of the words put the girl in the stream of nervousness. 

Though she doesn't want to hear, she still nodded to not offend the lady. 

"Bingling, I have told you this before and I will again say it now, there is no compulsion for you to join the project this year. I can understand, you are a princess who has always been the face of the event. It must be tough for you. So, if you don't want to participate, you can leave. We all can understand it; you don't have to force yourself. But if want to remain here, I would ask you to be here like every other. Don't expect people to be grateful for your kind act, okay?" 

Chen Rui said and her words were pretty much clear to the girl. It was like a hard slap that had fallen on her cheeks very sweetly. Neither Shen Bingling could reject it, nor she could complain about it. 

So, nodding, she agreed. "I understand, Your Highness. I will keep that in mind and will also let other girls know about it." She said before excusing herself. 

As she walked back to her table, her face was all red with embarrassment. Though none has heard the conversation between her and the royal highness, she was still feeling like she was slapped in front of thousands of people. 

"Sister Bingling, what happened? Why are you looking like this?" 

"Did Her Highness reprimand you?" 

"Sister Bingling …"

Right at the moment when the girls were busy asking Bingling about her change in mood, a voice from the entrance drew everyone's attention. 

"Prince Su is finally here. Let's go and greet him." It was the excited voice from the male models who have always been working in the project under the guidance of Su Ce. 

Hearing that excitement in voice, Li Xue also turned to see, and the man was standing there in his usual posture of elegant figure. 

"I am sorry, everyone. As informed earlier, something from the company took my time. Hope I am not too late to get here.." Su Ce said and his voice held both the firmness of power as well as elegance and tone of prim and proper royal.