Li Rui opened her eyes slowly as the cool sensation continued to soothe her body part that had been a little sore since morning. She saw Xi Ying sitting in between her legs. There was a small bottle in one of his hands.

His face was still very serious. When he felt her gaze, he also raised his head to look at her. All the while his fingers' movements didn't stop.

He looked at her so intently that for a moment she really wanted to look away because she thought it would burn her.

When those fingers touched a certain part, she moaned unconsciously. Shocked, she covered her mouth. Her face went red as she wondered just how she could behave like this in front of a man whom she didn't even know fully.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice how the man in front of her had tensed at her small sound.

Afraid that he would lose control, Xi Ying covered her body with the blanket and put the small bottle on the bedside.

Taking a deep breath to calm down his raging breathing, he finally turned around.

Rui was still feeling ashamed and he could see this. He stroked her red cheek a little making her come out of her trance.

As she looked at him with those clam black eyes, Xi Ying smiled slowly.

When had he thought that he would be able to see Li Rui like this?

So shy and awkward.

"I brought this medicinal oil from the Imperial Palace."

"Imperial Palace.." Li Rui whispered in shock.

Xi Ying almost laughed out loud when he saw her face. He could guess what she was thinking.

"Yes, why are you so shocked?"

He asked amused. But Li Rui just shook her head three times mumbling 'nothing'.

'What did he say to them to ask for the medicine?' She thought inside her heart.

Although they were husband and wife and she was not doing anything wrong, she couldn't help but feel embarrassed thinking that someone else also knew about it.

"Apply it whenever you feel sore or any pain down there. It will help in reducing the pain."

Xi Ying said with a playful smile. His smile widening on his lips, when he saw the redness increasing on her face.

Chuckling, he leaned down and buried his face in her neck, and murmured.

"Rui.."

He could never get tired of this sight, her scent, and her.

On the other hand, hearing his low laugh, Li Rui now knew that he was intentionally playing with her. A small frown marred on her face and she felt a little annoyed.

Pressing her small palm against his chest, she tried to push him away.

"What happened?"

When he raised his head and asked this question, she was almost tongue-tied.

What happened? How should she answer this question?

So she blabbered whatever came into her mind.

"Lord is heavy."

"Oh.."

His lips narrowed when he said this and she remembered how Xi Ling was also used to say this word whenever he understood something suddenly.

Her annoyance immediately disappeared when she remembered her son. So she didn't resist when Xi Ying laid his head on the pillow and dragged her body in his arms.

Her head lay on his chest as he breathed her scent through her hair.

Everything, this position, this proximity still felt a little unfamiliar and a little unhabitual to her but she knew that this was something that she had chosen.

The room was silent.

Xi Ying was staring at the ceiling as he stroked Li Rui's back from time to time while Li Rui was silently staring out of the window thinking about something.

A few moments later, Xi Ying heard her asking him.

"How did everything go in the Imperial Palace?"

Xi Ying's fingers stilled for a second. He let Li Rui's head lay on the pillow and propped his head on his hand as he looked down at her face.

"Everything went just fine. The Li and Yi Clan came out clean. The Yun Clan shall be executed on the fifteenth of the next month."

Li Rui looked at the ceiling of the room as she heard everything.

"What are you thinking?"

Xi Ying asked her caressing her cheek when she saw her lost in her thoughts. At his question, Li Rui stared at him contemplating whether she really should share her thoughts or not.

In the end, she whispered while observing his each and every expression.

"This Wangfei just couldn't accept the fact that only General Yun was involved in framing Li Clan."

historical

How could she?

When she knew just how much the Imperial family was eager to wipe out Li Clan from Xin. When she knew that only General Yun was not strong enough to shake the strong Li Clan.

"Don't overthink. Everything is fine now. You don't need to worry about anything."

Xi Ying said gently.

He thought that he was able to hide everything with his smile.

However, he couldn't.

His tight smile told Li Rui everything she wanted to know.

He knew something she didn't bit he was not telling her.

Her clam eyes observed him for a few moments and then she got up from the bed.

"Rui, what happened?"

Xi Ying held her arm and asked her

Still, uncovering herself from the blanket she tightened the strings of her dress as she answered his question.

"Xiao Ling must be looking for me. This Wangfei should leave now."

Her feet had just touched the ground when her waist was held suddenly and she was picked up. The next moment, she found herself back on the bed as Xi Ying hovered over her.

Seeing the trace of indifference in her eyes, Xi Ying suddenly understood what the reason was behind her cold behavior.

How can he be so foolish to think that she will not find out his lie?

"Rui.."

He wanted to explain but her next words stilled him completely.

"Lord should not worry. This Wangfei will be able to serve you tonight after putting Xiao Ling to sleep.

Her few words had the power to pinch his heart mercilessly.

Was he that shallow in her eyes?