His Rui

Chapter 81 – Rui Doesn’t Want To Be A Childhood Companion

"So you are saying that it was not your fault?"

No one spoke anything as the Emperor questioned the little girl.

"Your Majesty is indeed very wise."

General Li's lips twitched in anger when he heard his daughter talking so casually.

'You just go home today and see the rewards I am preparing for you…"

"So whose fault it is? Is it Zhen who is at fault?"

Everyone waited for the little girl's answer with bated breath.

Li Rui smiled and opened her mouth to answer Zhao Wang Lei's question.

"No, Your Majesty. It is the floor that is at fault. It if would not have been this smooth then my bangle would not have rolled away."

Another series of illogical words but why everyone inside the room felt that no one was at fault. It was indeed the floor's fault.

Loud laughter echoed in the large hall. Everyone was surprised when they saw the Emperor laughing so openly.

Li Rui was picked up from the floor by Zhao Wang Lei. A visible frown appeared on her forehead because she disliked being carried by someone else than her father or mother.

But when she saw her father's bowed head she remained silent and didn't oppose.

"General Li may rise."

Zhao Wang Lei smiled as he looked at the little girl in his arms.

"General Li, what an intelligent daughter you have."

General Li smiled humbly.

'Of course, he knows that. Only his daughter was capable enough to turn a matter into something like this.'

The imperial guards and other ministers who were now outside the Imperial Court chuckled at the Emperor's words.

In their eyes, the Emperor was a man with a good temper who didn't take a child's words seriously.

Amidst all this, no one saw the irritated expression on Li Rui's face.

"Rui"

A soft voice attracted everyone's attention. Li Rui turned her head to look around and when her eyes fell on the girl standing at the doorway, she shouted smiling brightly

"Princess"

Princess Wenling ran inside the hall followed by her maids. She looked confused when she Li Rui in her father's arms.

"Wenling greets Father."

Zhao Wang Lei let Li Rui stand on the ground and nodded his head in acknowledgment. 

Princess Wenling smiled excitedly when she saw her and held her hand.

"You really came to play with me. I haven't thought that you will complete your promise."

Li Rui patted her chest proudly and said

"Of course Rui had to. Rui even went on a hunger strike to force father so that he can bring me to the Imperial Palace and Father…"

A loud cough interrupted her words and she turned to look at her father in worry. But when she saw his glare, she stuck out her tongue only remembering now that it was not something she should have said in front of so many people.

But the work was done. Everyone had a smile on their lips as they looked at the young girl.

"Wenwen knows General Li's daughter?"

Zhao Wang Lei asked his daughter when he saw her enthusiasm as she talked with Li Rui. 

Princess Wenling turned to her father and still holding Li Rui's hand she told him

"Father, it was Rui who saved Wenwen yesterday at the Lantern's festival."

A moment of realization dawned on everyone's face. They knew about this incident as it involved an Imperial Princess.

Zhao Wang Lei nodded his head and then looked at General Li.

"General Li, you have a very brave daughter."

General Li replied humbly.

"Your Majesty overpraises."

Zhao Wang Lei then glanced at Li Rui and straightened his face. His eyes flickered with something for a moment that went unnoticed by everyone as he announced in his deep and loud voice.

  "From this moment, Zhen announce General Li's daughter, Li Rui as Princess Wenling's childhood companion."

Whispers sounded and everyone muttered as they looked at General Li with slightly envious eyes.

Being a childhood companion that too of a Princess that was favored by an Emperor, it was not only beneficial for Li Rui but also for Li Clan.

Princess Wenling smiled widely at her father's words and stepped forward to thank him. She made Li Rui bow with her who still didn't know anything and was trying to wear the jade bangle on her wrist.

While General Li had a grim face as he looked at his daughter.

  "Take Princess and Young Lady Li to Princess' chambers."

Zhao Wang Lei ordered the maid.

When Li Rui was suddenly turned by Princess Wenling around as she held her hand to take her to her chambers, she turned around to look at her father.

But she could only see her father's back as he was already going inside the Imperial Court.

"Rui, I have a garden inside my courtyard. We will play there."

She heard Princess Wenling and turned to look at her with a smile.

———–

Two hours later, Li Rui and Princess Wenling were lying on the bed giggling and panting. For a few moments, the two little girls stared at the beautiful ceiling catching their breath.

Then suddenly, Princess Wenling crawled near Li Rui and lied beside her. Taking her hand in hers, she said with a sad smile

"I have never enjoyed playing this much. All thanks to Rui."

Li Rui smiled and patted the hand holding hers

"Princess does not need to thank Rui. Rui also enjoyed playing with Princess."

Princess Wenling giggled and then frowned

"Call me Wenwen, not Princess."

Li Rui didn't find anything wrong so she nodded her head and said

"Rui enjoyed playing with Wenwen."

Princess Wenling was satisfied and continued

"I am so excited since Father Emperor announced you as my childhood companion."

Li Rui was confused and looked at Princess Wenling with a questioning look.

"Childhood companion? What is that?"

The young Princess laughed and patted Li Rui's forehead

"Silly girl, didn't you hear what Father Emperor said? From now on, you will be my companion. You will do everything with me. We will study together, play together, eat together and everything …we will do it together."

Li Rui frowned as she sat up on the bed.

"Will Rui not go back to Li Manor? Will Rui also not be able to see Father and Mother?" Li Rui questioned again

At this, Princess Wenling immediately said

"No, Rui. You can go to Li Manor back in the evening."

But Li Rui's frown only became deeper after she heard Princess's Wenling words.

"Then when will Rui play with Jiejie and Younger Brother Chenchen?"

Princess Wenling was silent when she heard her question.

"Rui doesn't want to be anyone's childhood companion."