Mama's Princess is Daddy's Beloved

Li Xue paused for a moment. Though her expression didn't show any tinge of surprise, she was feeling it internally. Seeing the woman gesture her to take a seat, she didn't hesitate in taking one across from her.

"Are you surprised, how do I know?" Chen Rui asked, seeing through the girl's expression façade. Her lips were not leaving the smile simply. To her, right at the moment, Li Xue looked like a really adorable kid whose secret was out in front of her mother. 

Though Li Xue tried to maintain her nonchalance, the knowledge of the lady about her was simply not letting her hold her composure. "Didn't you already see us in the hospital? Of course, you must have guessed it right at that time". She said smiling, confident that guess must be the only right. 

Seeing her so confident in her words, Chen Rui had no heart to break her belief. So nodding, she said. "Yes, I have seen and guessed everything right at that time. But even if I was confident of my guess at that time, I could not be so reckless to use the title of future Madam Feng this recklessly. You have yet to know the power that title holds. Not every woman of the Feng family gets awarded with that title." 

The way the lady presented the things about the title, Li Xue could not help but feel intrigued more about it. But at the same time, she knew that neither the place was appropriate nor the person. So smiling, she simply shrugged her curiosity before asking, "If not the guess then what made you think like I am appropriate for that title. Maybe …" 

Before she could even complete her words, Chen Rui shook her head in disagreement. "There is no maybe, dear. Though it was just a guess at first, still the sincerity, love, and determination to protect you against anything were too strong in the eyes of Feng Shufen. With those emotions in his eyes, I doubt there will be anyone to doubt your future position in the family. Furthermore, we cannot forget you two's registration under elite marriage law. If the people get any air of that, they will just go crazy". She said, giving a small peal of laughter to the end. 

Li Xue's smile became a little awkward on the mention of their marriage registration. Does the whole country know about that? 

"Nope, not everyone knows. Since we are the royals, one of the supporters and founders of that law, the application has approached us for the signature. That way we have come to know that another man in the country is daring enough to woo a woman like this." Chen Rui answered, reading the question running in the girl's thoughts. Li Xue was quite surprised at their connection but at the same time, she felt warmth in her heart, especially when she saw the lady reaching to hold her hands with warmth. 

"To be honest Xiao Xue, I am happy for you now. You have suffered a lot, I have heard that but now, seeing you finally attaining happiness, I couldn't help but only feel the joy in my heart. Hope you stay like this always", the Queen added as a few traces of tears got on the edge of her eye line. "Ahh, with you I now finally understood how a mother of a daughter feels seeing her daughter happy like this". 

The emotions in the air got too much. Li Xue had never been a woman to handle emotions well. Spent half of her life without any genuine love and care from her parents, her only source of learning these parental emotions has been her daughter. And now, suddenly seeing someone showing motherly love to her, she no longer knew how she should respond. 

"I don't know how to respond to your words. But thank you for being this way to me. I hope I never disappoint you" She said before pausing to add the endearment with all her heart, "Ma!"

Hearing her say that for the first time so willingly, Chen Rui felt really content in her heart. "You will never, dear. I may not know you the best yet, but I still know you with my heart. Just always be you, chase your dreams and you will never disappoint me in any way". She said and Li Xue nodded in response. 

"By the way, amidst all of this, I forget to ask the most important thing for which I was here". Suddenly Li Xue said, shaking away all the heavy air of emotions around. 

Chen Rui also smiled. "Oh, you were here for some purpose. I thought you missed me, that's why you have come here to meet me. Sigh, I guess, I overthought the things", she laughed. 

"Hehe … next time, I will definitely not disappoint you with that"

"Mhmm … I will see that in the future. Come on, now tell me what's there you want to ask me?" Chen Rui enjoyed her conversation with the girl.

"Umm … Though I already know the answer, still I would like to confirm it with you. The Royal Cultural Association has never taken initiative to accept modern models for their projects. Why did you choose me for this project? Was it because I helped His Majesty in the hospital? Or was it for things you have to come to know from my past? Was it because it's me?" She asked and the queen smiled. 

She was not surprised to hear that question. She has expected that to come. In response to it, Chen Ruin nodded, much to Li Xue's astonishment. 

"Yes, I decided because it you" Chen Rui firmly said. Her expression not showing any regret or sympathy but only confidence. "Not because you helped His Majesty in the hospital. Not because I pity your past. But yes, because it's you on whom I can have my confidence on."

Li Xue didn't understand. She just stared at the woman, waiting for her to explain.