His Rui

In the Imperial Assembly, the discussions for the activities that would be going on fourteen days later were done.

A list of all the girls from the noble families who were going to enter the Imperial Palace was made.

Almost the ministers enthusiastically gave the names of the maidens from their households.

When the Imperial Assembly finished, Xi Ying accompanied Zhao Zhang Wei.

On his way, his eyes flickered when he saw a servant walking in his direction. He obviously recognized the servant. It was the same servant who had given him the letter sent by Yun Weilan.

Seeing the servant's eyes, Xi Ying knew that he wanted to give him something this time as well. However, he seemed to be hesitating as he looked at Zhao Zhang Wei.

When Xi Ying caught the servant's eyes, he nodded his head lightly. The servant immediately understood what Xi Ying was trying to say and continued walking in his direction.

When he reached Xi Ying, he intentionally pretended as if he had collided with him unconsciously and hurriedly transferred the letter to his hand. Since this time, Xi Ying corporate, it was easier.

Just like the last time, he apologized and Xi Ying dismissed him with a frown on his forehead. The other ministers who were passing by also left when they saw that Xi Ying did nothing.

When the servant had left, Xi Ying continued walking. He could sense Zhao Zhang Wei's gaze on his hand and knew that the prince knew about the letter.

Xi Ying never intended to hide it.

When they were inside Xinhe Palace's study room, Xi Ying opened the letter honestly.

Zhao Zhang Wei stood beside him as he asked calmly

"Is this from Princess Consort Yi?"

Xi Ying merely nodded his head as he looked at the written content. His eyes sharpened and he closed the letter.

At the same time, Zhao Zhang Wei smiled as he said

"So Prime Minister Xi was right. We have fourteen days." 𝘧r𝘦𝗲w𝘦𝚋𝐧o𝘷𝘦𝙡.co𝑚

Xi Ying nodded his head, however, the next moment asked him

"Does Your Highness feel that we have less time?"

In response, Zhao Zhang Wei's eyes flickered and he shook his head firmly as he said

"No. In fact, Benwang thinks that fourteen days are too long…too long to wait for killing Zhao Wang Lei."

Xi Ying smiled coldly as he nodded his head.

That was what he thought.

He could prepare his people in even a week. However, he wanted to kill Zhao Wang Lei as soon as possible.

.

.

.

As soon as Xi Ying reached Li Manor, he sent his shadow guards to inform them of the recent news of Empress Dowager and Yi Junjie.

As for General Li, Xi Ying told him that he wanted to have met in the study room.

Yi Jie couldn't help but feel confused slightly. These days she had seen that her husband would have occasional meetings with Xi Ying in the study room.

She couldn't help but think if everything was alright.

But she dismissed such thoughts thinking that they must have something to discuss about the events going to take place in Imperial Palace fourteen days later.

Yi Jie was right…partly.

After her mother had left, Li Rui also accompanied her husband and her father.

When they were on their way, General Li asked Xi Ying what he wanted to ask him yesterday.

"Prime Minister Xi, should this General include his brothers in this plan?"

A part of General Li thought that he should do so. His youngest brother was away at the border, so he couldn't include him. However, he could still tell everything to his elder brother. Li Heng was aware that his elder brother was a great martial artist in the whole Li Clan.

So he thought that it would be a great help if they included him.

However, at the same time, he felt if he kept his other family members away from such a dangerous plan then it would be better.

General Li came out of his thoughts when he heard a firm 'no' from Xi Ying. Startled, General Li looked at Xi Ying who continued in a firm voice.

"General Li, this Lord doesn't trust your elder brother."

Xi Ying said honestly.

General Li felt offended. He respected his elder brother a lot and hence he didn't like what Xi Ying said. Just when he wanted to say something to argue, Li Rui stepped forward and held her father's arm.

"Father, it would be better if we don't include Elder Uncle."

General Li's eyes were filled with shock as he looked at his daughter.

"Rui, you too think that …" 𝘧𝑟𝘦𝒆w𝚎𝙗nov𝘦𝗹.𝐜o𝓶

"No."

Li Rui said immediately even before her father could finish. Seeing her father's suspicious eyes, she continued calmly

"Father, Elder Uncle might help us but he would feel torn inside. Elder Uncle loves Aunt as well and Elder Aunt is not much happy with our household. If she would see him with us more then she would feel more upset. It would be better if we don't put Elder Uncle in such a difficult position."

This was something that General Li could agree with.

He could accept whatever Li Rui said just now. His daughter was right.

He almost glared at Xi Ying and then nodded his head softly at his daughter as he said

"Father understands, Rui."

Li Rui sighed in relief and they finally entered the study room.

When they were inside, Xi Ying told Li Rui and General Li about the letter from Yun Weilan.

The study room was silent for a moment before Li Rui said

"Since the first prince wants to carry out his plan a shichen after midnight, we should start at least by midnight."

Xi Ying nodded his head and General Li also agreed.

Xi Ying took out the folded paper from his sleeve and spread it on the table.

"Let's decide who will be positioned at which place!"

And the discussion started after that.

.

.

.

Almost a shichen passed while Li Rui, Xi Ying, and General Li were inside the study room. Li Rui was now seated on the chair while Xi Ying and General were standing on both sides of the table marking the spots on the map. In between, she would give a few suggestions and both would think upon that.

If they would find it helpful then they would immediately include it in their plan …and Xi Ying would praise his wife.

General Li would look at him blankly until his daughter would somehow make him shut up.

And they would finally move to the next thing.

They were still amidst the discussion when the door of the study room was knocked.

They paused.

It was General Li who walked toward the door and opened it slightly. He didn't want anyone to see what was going on inside.

When General Li saw the person outside, he closed the door again and looked at Xi Ying.

"It is your shadow guard, Prime Minister Xi."

Xi Ying nodded his head and said calmly.

"General Li can ask the person to get inside then."

General Li nodded his head and soon An Ju was inside the study room.

She first bowed and then told her master.

"My Lord, Old Master, and Mister Gu are outside the Li Manor. Should this servant allow them inside Li Manor?"

When Li Rui heard An Ju's words, a surprised smile graced her lips and she stood up from the chair as she said

"Senior Brother and Master are here?"

Xi Ying sighed sensing the excitement in his wife's voice and told An Ju that she could let them inside.

However, he had merely finished his words when the door suddenly opened startling them and a man suddenly appeared inside the study room.

General Li's whole focus first went to gather the maps from the table and hide it somewhere.

While the man who had just appeared inside the room looked at Li Rui and smiled calmly.

"Rui, how are you?"

Li Rui was slightly surprised but immediately walked ahead and greeted the old master.

"Rui is good, Master, How are you?"

On the other hand, Xi Ying who was standing behind his wife looked at the old master with a somewhat weird gaze.

He had not expected that a man like the old master would enter the study room like this.

As if knowing what was going on inside the young prime minister's mind, the old master smiled and said

"I had to do this, That stupid disciple of mine has been worried about Rui these days. However, he was not just ready to come here because he was worried about my health even though I am fit and fine."

The old master had just finished when another heavy wind blew through the study room's opened door and then Gu Li appeared.

"Master."

Gu Li's voice carried disapproval as he said this. The old master ignored him and asked Li Rui.

"Rui, where is Xiao Ling. The old man wants to see the child."

Li Rui smiled. As soon as she said that Xi Ling was in the courtyard. The old master vanished away from there as if he was never there.

Gu Li shook his head helplessly and apologized to Xi Ying for his master's behavior. His master seemed to have changed after waking up.

Now he was slightly childish. A part of Gu Li enjoyed this because it made him feel that his master was closer to all of them now unlike before when he felt like a deity who could never be understood.

Xi Ying could only nod his head when he saw how happy his wife looked after seeing the master happy and healthy.

However, Li Rui's smile froze when from her behind she heard her father's voice

"Rui, who are they?"