Mama's Princess Is Daddy's Beloved

"Is there something important going on there?"

The back of the girls stiffened as they heard that voice. Though coming to the main royal palace was rare for them like once in a year, yet that one voice is something that one couldn't forget.

Just after they heard, their aura completely took a 180-degree change. The arrogance that they held moments ago vanished before they could blink their eyes as keeping a smile over their lips, they turned around to greet, almost everyone in unison except Shen Bingling.

"Your Highness! It's nice to see you again." They greeted.

Chen Rui scanned every face before looking at Li Xue with some thought. But restraining the thought within, she turned to smile at others in reciprocation. "Mhm. It's good to see you all as well." She said before looking particularly at the girl in the middle.

Shen Bingling looked at the queen and smiled. Then walking towards her, she greeted "Your Highness! You look as beautiful as always." She said before giving a polite bow of sincerity.

"Shen Bingling, you are here. It's good to see you joining the national project again." Chen Rui smiled. Though her smile didn't reach her ears, still one could say that the smile she gave to Shen Bingling was a lot better and different than what she gave to the other girls.

And that was enough to encourage the princess to the fullest. After all, it was already rare to be treated differently by the queen, such as Chen Rui.

"Did you see that? Her Highness still takes Sister Bingling as the precious one. Look, how she smiled at her?"

"Of course. Sister Bingling has always been very precious to Her Highness. Otherwise, why do you think that all these years none could take her position in Royal Cultural projects?"

"Yes, but what happened this year? Why did Her Highness not choose Sister Bingling, and gave the opportunity to that woman? Though she also looks good, I don't think she would have the royal aura that would be required in the project."

"Sigh, I am also confused about it. But don't worry, Sister Bingling has said that in the end, she would be the one who would lead the project along with Prince Su."

"How so?"

Li Na shrugged. "I don't know exactly. But since Sister Bingling has said it, she must have something up in her confidence." She said and then looking at Shen Bingling at the distance, others as well nodded.

While at the front Shen Bingling kept her smile constant. "Your Highness, your scarf looks so beautiful. I really loved it. But are you unwell? In this weather, it's quite unusual for you to wear a scarf like this." She said, looking at the blocked-designed cashmere scarf on the lady.

Though the lady hasn't wrapped the scarf around herself or her neck, still it was wrapped on her both elbows loosely. If not sick, there would be no way, anyone would keep it on themselves when the weather is all moderate.

Chen Rui looked down at the scarf and a smile got over her lips then her eyes trailed to look at Li Xue at a distance. Her lips curled up with their best as she shook her head. "No, I am perfectly alright. It's just that this scarf has gotten too precious and lucky for me. Whenever something is important, I remember to keep it alongside."

She said, leaving the girl all confused both with her words and also with the smile that came on her face. It was something that she has never witnessed, not even when she gazes at her dear son, Shin You Jun. Then why today …

Before she could get the chance to ask who the lady was referring to and what was so special about the scarf, Chen Rui walked past her, ahead in the direction of Li Xue.

Everyone was dumbfounded. None understood what happened and where the lady was heading to. Even Xiao Meng was taken aback seeing Her Highness coming their way. Internally, she blamed herself. Maybe it was because they didn't pick the coke-can before, that the queen was coming to punish them for the offense against Princess Shen.

But everyone was left shocked, when the next second, reaching to Li Xue, Chen Rui paused her steps to smile at her. Her eyes shone at the face of the girl.

"Your Highness! I never thought you would like this scarf so much. I might have really picked the best." Li Xue said, reciprocating the smile the lady was giving to her.

Chen Rui laughed. Her laughter was laced with elegance. Though she didn't like when Li Xue referred her with the formal title, she could guess the reason behind it. She knew the girl knows how to separate the personal relationships with the professional ones. Furthermore, later when the professional things end by the end of the day, she could always keep her back for evening snacks or even for dinner.

"Haha … Xiao Xue, didn't I say that our choices match a lot? Of course, I like this scarf very much. Look, it looks so beautiful on me, right?" She asked before gazing around to make other's express their thoughts as well.

All the girls nodded. And Shen Bingling has already said it, so Chen Rui was satisfied. Although she never needed others' appreciation, she does love to show off her daughter's love to others. It excited her heart making her crave to let others know more, so that later even when she is not around no one could dare to bully her girl.

Li Xue smiled. "That's for you look pretty on everything." She said and Chen Rui just smiled at her.

Others looked at the scene and didn't know how to react. Earlier they thought that Her Highness take Shen Bingling precious, that's why she smiled at her so differently. But if that was the smile that meant preciousness, they didn't know what they should call the smile Her Highness was giving to Li Xue now. It scared them.

"Oh yes, I almost forgot." Chen Rui suddenly remembered something. So, turning a bit in the middle, she looked at everyone on both sides to ask, "What happened earlier? I saw you girls gathering here and talking over something? Was there something wrong?"

Shen Bingling paled while others on her side also felt their death near. Their brows tugged together as they looked in panic at Li Xue, fearing that any word from her would put them to the grave. They quickly walked to the side of their leader as if walking to Shen Bingling would help them save their life.

Chen Rui waited as she turned to look at Shen Bingling first. "Shen Bingling, what happened?" she asked and the girl felt herself out of words.

"Her Highness, that … I was …"

"It was nothing Her Highness. Things started with just a can of coke, nothing else." Seeing the girl at the tough spot, Li Xue thought to help. But her intention of help only brought Shen Bingling's heart to give up on beating.

"A can of coke?" Chen Rui frowned as she looked at Li Xue before turning to look back at Shen Bingling for an answer.