Mama's Princess is Daddy's Beloved

Shin Tingming couldn't believe it. He looked at Chen Rui and his expression though held disbelief, there was also a hope shining in his eyes. 

Chen Rui understood his heart. It didn't take her long to do that. So giving a silent nod to him, she turned back to look at her son to ask, "What did you say? Did she really refer us as Ma and Pa?" 

Shin You Jun thought for a while and remembering her words from before he nodded. "Yes, I heard her call that and I am sure my ears are working right. But why are you two getting so surprised about it? Isn't it normal for her to call you that?" He said, not understanding what was so great in Li Xue calling them Ma and Pa. Hasn't he been calling them the same for years?

Neither Chen Rui nor Shin Tingming could explain their feeling at that one point. Though children calling their parents with the title of Ma and Pa was the same, still it gives an unexplainable pleasure when they call for their first time. 

That feeling couldn't be explained but could always be expressed through the tears of happiness. And the same was happening with the couple. There was a smile on their lips and wetness in their eyes. It was the first time Li Xue has called them Ma and Pa on her own. It meant only one thing that her heart has already accepted them. 

Shin You Jun felt a bit odd at the moment. He drew close to check on the changed emotion of his parents but before he could comprehend anything from it, Chen Rui got back to her composure. Looking at him, she turned to give a small smile. "Fine, we understood your stance, dear. It's already late now. You should go to sleep." 

She said and the boy was already perplexed. Was it so simple?

"Ma, are you okay? I feel like I saw tears in your eyes. Is there anything wrong?" 

Chen Rui shook her head. "I am fine. There is nothing. Maybe the lights have been too sharp, causing itchiness in my eyes. Don't worry, I will let Mr. Cao change it tomorrow." She said and the boy stared up at the chandelier. 

"Too sharp? Hasn't it been the same kind always? 

"You Jun, we uselessly chided you so much. We didn't intend it actually but I as well know that you know what made us do that." Switching the topic, Chen Rui said and Shin You Jun nodded to her. For a moment, forgetting what he was thinking before. 

Chen Rui smiled at him and then gestured to him. "Fine, we won't like it if you stay up late at night. Come on, go back and sleep now. I will ask the maid to deliver a glass of milk to you." She said and noting the serious intention in the tone, the boy nodded obediently before turning to leave. 

But just when he was about to walk away, Chen Rui remembered something and halted him to say from behind. "And yes, You Jun. Since it's your elder sister, who asked you to be the informer. Be obedient to her and follow her command. Assist her well, okay?" 

She said and reluctantly, Shin You Jun nodded before leaving. Sometimes things happening around him were something he could simply not understand, no matter however he tried. And what happened today was one of those events. So, he thought since he can't understand it, he would let them be however it was. 

Once he went away, Chen Rui turned to look at Shin Tingming with elation. "Darling, did you hear that? Li Xue has finally accepted us. She has really accepted us." She said and Shin Tingming nodded to her. But his expression no longer looked the same as it looked moments ago.

Chen Rui didn't miss to see that change in his eyes and asked, "What happened? Are you thinking something?" 

Shin Tingming looked at a distance and nodded. "Though we are not sure if she has come to know the truth, is it right to get her involved in our royal mess? You know how things are here and how wrong it could get later." He said and the deep concern was all evident in his eyes. Like every other father, he was thinking about his daughter wellbeing first. 

Chen Rui heard him and thought for a moment. Then pursing her lips, she shook her head at him. "What are you thinking? Every family has messes and complications. What's so different in ours? Having a mess in the family doesn't mean that we would push our children away from us. Furthermore, Li Xue is our daughter, who would dare to mess up with her? We will always be there for her." 

She said and Shin Tingming was still not satisfied. So, Chen Rui could only reassure him once again. "Everything will be fine. We just have to be ready to protect them." She said in her eyes there was a spark that has the confidence that not just assured the man but as well encourage him to take the risk. 

They both shared a smile when Chen Rui asked again with a confused expression. "By the way, should we call Xiao Xue and check what's on her mind?" 

Shin Tingming shook his head, "Nope, don't do that. That would make it awkward. Give her some time and space to accommodate first. It's already too much that she is thinking for us. Otherwise, if it had been any other, they wouldn't have cared to look at the people who once abandoned them in the hell." He said and understanding, Chen Rui nodded. 

*** 

A few days passed by with ease. Li Xue rested at home while after a day, she sent both Feng Shufen and Li Wei to their respective work. Staying at home, she utilized her time to read well about the royal history files and made sure to learn about almost every person in the royal tree. Since it was the information prepared by Gao Fan, the details have been very intensive, not leaving even the slightest about the people's character and background. 

She was sitting and reading those files in the study when Sister Margaret knocked at the door, asking permission to get inside with the medicine. 

Li Xue nodded to her before smiling to say. "Ah, Sister Margaret, please come in. It has been days since you are bringing the bowl of concoction at this time, you don't have to knock every time." She said before taking the medicine and downing it in one go. In all the previous days, she has also gotten accustomed to the bitterness. Now it no longer affects her. 

"Madam, Secretary Gao has come downstairs. Should I send him up here? He said that he is here to deliver a file and also inform you of something important" 

Li Xue raised her brows. "Something important?" She asked and the old lady nodded. 

"Fine, then send him up here. There is also something I need to ask him about.." Li Xue said and nodding to her, the old lady left to send Gao Fan.