Mama's Princess is Daddy's Beloved

Chen Rui was working in her study when a maid came knocking at the door to inform her about Li Xue's arrival. 

"What? Li Xue has come here?" She asked with a surprise-filled voice. Her eyes didn't hide the shine of gaiety she was feeling inside. "Why didn't anyone come to inform me earlier?" She asked, halfway leaving her chair and getting up to leave. Her eyes went to look at her secretary Linda in a bit of suspicion. 

Understanding what that gaze meant actually, Linda shook her head denying immediately. "Your Highness, I didn't receive any information from her before. And also her manager, Ms. Lin Xinyi didn't say she would be coming here today." She defended herself and at her presented defense side, the Queen just furrowed her brows. 

"Why would she or her manager need to inform that? She could come here whenever she feels like. This is also a place that belongs to her.. Don't assume things that have weird or no sense in them." The Royal Queen chided softly as she quickly left the room along with the maid. Behind, Linda stood dumbfoundedly.

Was she wrong to explain that? She thought internally and then shook her head. 'Being the secretary of the Royal Highness, I could never read her expressions wrong. She was definitely suspicious that I hid things from her.' She mumbled to herself, clarifying her internal self that she wasn't bad in her work. 

While taking her steps with a bit increased pace, Chen Rui walked, maintaining her unique elegance. "Where is she? Have the people already been there to serve her?" 

"Your Highness, she has been relaxing in the living room and Mr. Cao has personally welcomed her and then sent me to inform you about it". The maid who was walking behind her said and the queen gave her a nod of understanding. 

At the same time outside, in the living hall of the palace, 

Li Xue comfortably sat on one of the sofas with her little daughter beside her. And the old butler stood there, asking the servants to prepare some tea for the lady and snacks for the little one. He could feel a pair of little eyes looking at him from a near distance but didn't mind it, knowing well who was looking at him. 

Li Xue could also see her daughter staring at the old butler. At first, she didn't ask her about it, but when felt that it was getting overdone, she asked. Bending slightly near to her face. After all, it is not good to stare at someone like that. 

"WeiWei, what happened? Why are you looking at him like that? You know, staring at people for longer like this is not always pretty." 

"But Mama, I am not staring at him, I am just trying to find the secret." The little girl said, equally softly as if she was maintaining a code of secrecy. Her eyes not leaving the stature of Mr. Cao even while speaking to her mother. 

Li Xue heard her and her eyes turned to look at the man with slightly tugged brows. "Huh? Finding a secret? What are you talking about, sweetie?" 

"Mama, that old Mr. Cao looks so cute, very much like my Mr. Teddy. Do you think my Mr. Teddy has turned magically into Mr. Cao? Should I go and ask him once?" The little girl asked and Li Xue could not help but smile at her. 

She turned back to look at the old man. His stature was not too short, but due to the age he was in, he looked a bit short and chubby. Not completely like Mr. Teddy, her daughter mentioned, but somewhere near to it. 

"Sweetie, that's the royal butler of this palace. Your Mr. Teddy is back at home. When you return, you can run to check on him. Right now, don't ask."  Li Xue explained, patting her head but the little one was too entranced by her own magical thoughts. 

Shaking her head, she popped her head up at her mother with her own reason. "But Mama what if when we return, we couldn't find it resting on my bed. It will be better to confirm it now. Daddy Angel says that we should not let go of the opportunity that comes for us."

Li Xue couldn't help but be speechless at those words. Internally, she wanted to slam her hand over her head. Opportunity? Really? This girl was really growing too well under the influence of Mr. Beelzebub. 

Shaking her head, she wanted to give another futile attempt of coaxing her. But before she could, the old royal butler came to ask with a gentle smile. "Little young miss, is there something you want to ask me?" 

Little Li Wei looked at him and nodded while Li Xue couldn't help but give a sheepish smile to Mr. Cao. But she knew now that the direct question was made to the little devil, nothing more could be done. 

Li Wei looked up at her mother and then, giving her an assured smile she jumped down the seat. And Li Xue didn't know whether she should even believe her little's gaze or not. 

"Mr. Cao, will you be offended if I ask you a small question?" Taking her steps a little near to the royal butler, the little girl asked. She has very intelligently kept her words in check so that later no wrong blames of being impolite come pointing at her. 

The old man's eyes went to look at Li Xue for a moment and then turned back to look at the little one with a gentle gesture. "I am sure the little young miss will not ask me any question that would be offending." 

Little Li Wei at once shook her head and continued, "How can WeiWei offend you? Mama has never taught me to be a bad girl. Don't worry, the question is a small one just like me. But since Mama is worried, WeiWei asked you before presenting the question." She said and the old butler couldn't help but give a burst of soft laughter at her words. 

"Sure, Little young miss. You can ask me. I won't get offended." He said, unnoticing the weird gazes, coming from the servants around. They were all surprised looking at the strict butler smiling. This was the first time of seeing him like that in their life.