Xi Ying couldn't spend much time in the study room alone. After confirming that everything for tomorrow's Imperial Court was set, he went to the Plum Courtyard.

The sun was ready to set.

He went to Li Rui's room but frowned when he didn't find her there.

"Wangfei is with Young Master inside his room."

Xi Ying raised his eyebrows.

From when did Xi Ling also start to have his own room? Didn't he usually sleep in Li Rui's room?

"Where is it?"

The maid pointed towards the room that was two rooms away from Li Rui's room.

Although Plum Courtyard was the most isolated courtyard in Xi Manor, it was not small at all. The Courtyard has many rooms and a huge living hall and front hall. Outside in the front hall, there were four rooms that could be occupied by the servants in the courtyard separately.

Xi Ying walked towards the room the maid had pointed to.

The door was closed. He opened it a little and saw Li Rui putting Xi Ling to sleep. There was a small smile on his lips. He couldn't remove his eyes from her figure. She looked so gentle at this moment. Actually, every time she was with Xi Ling she would look like a gentle mother and nothing else.

It was only with him that she would take back her smile and her eyes would hide everything that she was ready to show to others who were closer to her heart.

Like General Li and Yi Junjie.

Although Xi Ying knew that he can stop Li Rui from leaving him, he was that capable but still..... it made his heart tighten every time he would think that one day she would really say that she no longer want to remain his wangfei.

Perhaps Li Rui felt his presence and stare; she raised her head to look towards the door.

Her black eyes instantly turned to those calm ones and she moved her eyes away soon. Bit Xi Ying didn't move away from there. He continued to stare at her until she got up from the bedside after being assured that Xi Ling was asleep.

Then she came out of the room. Xi Ying took a step back gave her some space so that she could close to door slowly and waited for her to turn around.

She finally did but no one said anything for a few seconds.

He found her looking at him but he couldn't guess what was going on in her mind. Just as Xi Ying was about to open her mouth, he heard her say.

"Does Minister Xi have some free time?"

Though a little stunned, Xi Ying immediately nodded his head.

historical

"Yes, Do you want to talk about something?"

As soon as he completed his words, Xi Ying felt panicked. He didn't leave her alone with General Li so the General must not have gotten any time to talk something to Rui that he doesn't want.

However, what about General Li's wangfei? Can it be that General Li told his Wangfei to asked Li Rui to divorce him?

Xi Ying suddenly didn't wish to have any talk anymore.

Li Rui nodded her head implying that she really want to have a conversation and said

"Then, please come with me, Minister? Xi."

She turned around and walked towards her room but Xi Ying could not find any strength to follow her.

What should he do? Should he make some excuse to avoid it or go inside and hear what she wants to say?

What if she really wanted separation?

Xi Ying's thoughts were creating a mess in his mind.

"Minister Xi?"

"Huh?"

Startled, he raised his head and found Li Rui standing outside her room and staring at him in confusion. Only then he realized that she was waiting for him.

In a daze, Xi Ying raised his foot and walked towards her.

His eyes stared in her eyes.

Inside the room, he was standing with her back facing the door so he didn't notice Li Rui closing the door.

She looked at his back for a few moments and then stepped forward to stand in front of him.

"Minister Xi"

Xi Ying raised his head to look at her. His hands folded behind his back. His fists were clenched and his face didn't have any emotion.

This was the first time his eyes didn't have any gentleness when he was in front of Li Rui. Because, he was trying to hide his helplessness.

Xi Ying had decided that if Rui asked for separation then he would refuse. He would do anything she asked that could make her not think about the separation. If she wants him to not step in her courtyard again then....

He would do that also.

Just don't leave him.

"I thank you for saving my Clan, my father, and brothers."

The clenched fists loosened instantly and Xi Ying's eyes flickered with surprise.

'She just wanted to thank him.'

A breathless chuckle escaped his lips and his heart suddenly felt a little light.

A smile formed on his lips as he looked at Li Rui who was already looking at him finding his expressions a bit weird.

But he really didn't mind.

He smiled gently and said

"Just a small thank you?"

Xi Ying raised his eyebrows. At this moment, even his eyes were filled with smiles. If his shadow guards have seen him like this, then they would have shaken their heads saying that this person was not their master but someone else.

Even Xi Ying was a bit surprised by his own behavior. This side of him only comes in front of Li Rui.

But he liked it. He felt relaxed and happy.

However, his smile disappeared soon and his whole body suddenly went stiff.

The soft and cold touch on his lips made him gulped inaudibly. He stared at the enlarged and beautiful face in front of him and couldn't believe anything for a moment.