His Rui

The old mama who was standing outside the Empress's chambers was waiting for Princess Wenling. As soon as she saw Princess Wenling, she stepped forward with a smile. However, her smile froze when she saw that Princess was holding someone's hand.

When Princess Wenling was about to enter her mother's chambers with Li Rui, she was suddenly stopped by the old mama.

"Why doesn't Young Miss Li stay outside with this old maid? Her Majesty wants to talk to Princess …alone."

Li Rui nodded her head and tried to take her arm out of Princess Wenling's hand but Princess Wenling was already frowning at the old maid's words.

"Rui will go inside with this Princess. If she can't go then this Princess also doesn't want to go inside."

The old mama sighed as she had already expected this. She was just trying to help the little girl who has been making the Princess smile since she had entered the Imperial Palace.

She doesn't know why Her Majesty disliked Young Lady Li. Seeing this little girl and Princess together will only anger the Empress more.

When she thought of what she had heard from the empress, she can't help but pity the Princess as well as the Young Miss Li.

In the end, Princess Wenling was determined to take Li Rui inside with her so the old mama could not stop her.

Inside the chambers, Empress Qin Wenya was sitting on a couch comfortably. A maid, sitting on the ground, was peeling fruits when the Princess entered.

The Empress smiled when she saw her daughter but when she the person following her, her smile went cold.

She glanced at the nanny standing beside herself who blinked her eyes to comfort the empress.

"Wenling greets Empress Mother."

Li Rui also curtsied and greeted the empress.

Empress Qin Wenya waved her hand saying that there was no need for all these formalities and signed her daughter to come closer.

Princess Wenling stepped forward and Li Rui stood a few steps behind. The empress made her sit beside herself and caressed her cheeks.

"Wenwen is growing up so well. This Empress can predict that Wenwen will be the most beautiful girl in the whole Xin when she grows up, right Nanny?"

The Nanny chuckled and replied

"Your Majesty just said what this servant was thinking about. Princess is really very beautiful and this beauty will only increase with the age."

Princess Wenling shyly lowered her head.

Qin Wenya then looked towards Li Rui who was standing quietly and said nonchalantly.

"What does Miss Li think about this Empress' words?"

Li Rui was surprised by the sudden question but composed her expression soon. Her mother had taught her that she had to follow some rules whenever she will talk in front of Imperial family members otherwise she will bring shame to the whole Li Clan.

"Li Rui agrees with Your Majesty, the Empress. Princess is very beautiful."

Satisfied with the reply, Empress Qin Wenya nodded her head with no emotion. She then looked at her daughter whose head was lowered. Gently stroking her hair, she said

"Nanny from today on, you will live in Wenwen courtyard. Teach her the rules and whatever else she needed to be taught."

The nanny bowed her head and said

"This servant will not disappoint Your Majesty."

A vicious smirk appeared on nanny's lips as she looked at Li Rui from the corner of her eye.

-----------------

The days passed and soon it was the time of the year when the banquet was organized in the Imperial Palace.

The Imperial Palace was decorated and many noble families attended the banquet.

The Emperor, Zhao Wang Lei sat on the throne and looked at his Imperial Prince and Princesses with a proud smile.

"Today, Zhen will reward Imperial Prince or Princess but they have to earn their rewards."

So every prince and princess performed something. Some painted a beautiful painting, some sang a song and some presented a beautiful dance.

When it was Princess Wenling's turn she brought Li Rui with herself.

Standing in front of the Emperor, Princess Wenling held Li Rui's hand and both of them recited very pleasant and long poetry.

Li Rui kept her voice low so that only Princess' voice could be heard by everyone.

But suddenly Princess Wenling stopped speaking. Li Rui looked at the Princess in confusion and saw the teary eyes of Princess.

"I forgot the next lines"

Princess Wenling muttered with a lowered head.

Li Rui squeezed the hand holding hers and started reciting alone.

In her soft voice, she recited the long poetry without any fear. When she finished, a thunderous clap filled the banquet hall.

"Such a wise and intelligent young daughter you have General Li."

General Li looked at Li Rui proudly as the Emperor praised his daughter.

"Zhen rewards Rui from Li Clan for her."

After going back to her seat, Princess Wenling finally raised her head.

"Rui, you saved me from being humiliated. "

Li Rui just smiled and looked towards her family that was sitting too far away from her. She really wanted to go and sit with them.

----------------------

The banquet ended in the late night.

The maids were combing Princess' hair after she had bathed so that she could retire to the bed. After the maids finished, they left the chambers and the nanny prepared the bed for the princess.

While preparing the bed, the nanny looked at the young Princess and spoke.

"My Princess, why did you let Lady Li recite the poem alone?"

Princess Wenling bit her lips and said in a low voice.

"I forgot the next lines."

Since the nanny was given to her by her mother, Princess Wenling trusted her fully. Also in the past few days, the nanny had taught her many good things.

The nanny sat in front of the princess on the ground.

"Even then the Princess should not have taken Lady Li with herself and let her recite the poem alone. Even if the Princess forgot, the Princess should have asked Lady Li to recite and Princess could move her lips making everyone believe that Princess was also reciting."

Princess Wenling looked confused so the nanny continued.

"The competition that His Majesty announced was for the Imperial Prince and Princesses. To make them stand out from the other noble family's children. Lady Li snatched the praises that should have belonged to the Princess."

Princess Wenling frowned at the nanny's words and stood up

"Nanny, what rubbish are you saying? Rui saved me from the humiliation. You are not allowed to talk about her like this."

When the nanny saw that the Princess really looked very dissatisfied, she shut her mouth and apologized.

But she smirked when she saw Princess going to the bed with a frown on her forehead.