Mama's Princess is Daddy's Beloved

Li Xue stared at a distance, out towards the shaded garden area. In the faint light, she could clearly see the two men talking. Though she doesn't know what they were talking about, looking at their strict demeanors, she could easily say it was something important. 

Chem Rui looked at her staring at the distance and said, "Don't worry, they are just having a normal chat. It is nothing serious and you can be at ease".

Li Xue turned to look at her and nodded. But then pausing with some thought, she asked, "Can I ask you how you know me so well? I mean, you can literally read everything from my thoughts, and sometimes, I even feel like just by looking into my eyes, you can know the things about me." 

The royal queen smiled. "Really? Do you feel so?" 

Li Xue nodded without any hesitation. Every time she meets the lady, the feeling seems the same. Like she could neither hide her happiness from her nor hide the sadness..

"Since you feel so and have asked me directly about it, can I also ask something from you? I am sure that while answering me you will get the answer to your asked question yourself." Giving a nod of thought, Chen Rui asked, turning more properly towards Li Xue with her hands folded elegantly over her crossed knees. 

Li Xue didn't say anything, but her silence made the lady continue on her own. 

"Why is it that hard for you to take His Highness as your father? Since you have accepted me all well as your mother, what is stopping you from calling him the same? Earlier when I just mentioned him as your father, you were so shocked that you instantly denied it. Is my husband that bad father in your eyes?" 

The lady asked and Li Xue found that question a bit hysterical. Not in an absurd way but because she couldn't pinpoint why it was like that. 

Pondering over the question for a little more time, she was still not able to come with a sure answer. But whatever she found suitable, she said, "Umm … I don't know how to explain this but I majorly believe the relationship comes with heart. If one could feel the connection, it becomes hard to deny the relationship. Be it any! For example, you and me. I can feel that motherly bond with you, so I could never deny that. But I could not say the same with His Highness. Not because I don't consider him as a good father but because I just don't feel our feelings match. The feeling that a father and daughter should share between each other." 

Li Xue said and Chen Rui didn't try to prove her words wrong. She just nodded agreeing to her before curling her lips into a smile of success. "There! Did you find the answer in between your words?" 

Li Xue thought about her said words and shook her head. She has just said her words and has not thought much about it. Let alone remember whatever she said moments back. 

"You said you feel the connection with me. The connection that a daughter feels with her mother. Do you think that connection could come just out of nowhere?" The lady asked but then herself shook her head, continuing with more. 

"Nope dear, that connection doesn't come from nowhere. That's there between us because I have truly taken you as my daughter. And which mother could not read her daughter's expressions and running thoughts? Do you not read as well?" She asked, gesturing to her to look at the distance where Li Wei was discussing something with the butler in a very serious manner. 

Li Xue followed her gaze and smiled. Definitely, she could read her little's thoughts as well. How could she not read her? Her little one was not a different person to her but was a part of her that has held her life the way it was right now. 

Nodding, realizing the thing Chen Rui wanted to explain, she smiled looking back at her. "Sorry for doubting that earlier. I understand it now, but still, things seem a bit surreal to believe." 

"I can understand, dear. That's the reason why I never forced you to believe it. Just give some time until it becomes believable. Unfortunately, since your experience has not been good earlier, it will take longer. But it's okay. We all know, women are born with good patience".

Chen Rui said laughing along a little and then with Li Xue, she turned to gaze towards the two men. They were still having the talks from which both of them were unknown, but to some extent, the royal queen could already guess her husband's thoughts. After all, spending all-loving years with him would never go to waste. 

"By the way, Xiao Xue, do you know, though Tinming might not show on the surface, secretly he cares for you a lot." The royal lady said out of blue, turning to look at her. Her lips held a deep smile. A smile that looked a bit confusing and full of twisted meanings. "And that's how the love of the father happens in the kid's life. It never appears on the front, but it always remains in the shadows."

Li Xue as well understood the literal meaning but somewhere she knew that those words held the depths that she was far away from understanding. 

*** 

At the same time, in the garden, Feng Shufen sat with Shin Timing. Both of their expressions suiting their characters. If one held the majestic aura of authority, the other was also nowhere less than him. 

"It's good to see you again coming here, Shufen. I hope earlier you weren't too offended with the words of Rui. You know she has always been like that". In the cold smooth air, Shin Tinming started the conversation. But with his words it was clear that was not the main content of his words, rather was just a filler before the main content.

Feng Shufen knew this as well. So, without replying, he waited for the main intention to appear. 

Seeing him like that, Shin Tinming also didn't hold the main topic in. Leaning a little forward, he said, increasing the seriousness of his tone. "Shufen, in the past I know a lot has happened between us, but amid all that, I still want to ask you a favor. I hope that later in life, you treasure Xue with all your means. No matter whatever comes your way".