Mama's Princess Is Daddy's Beloved

As Li Xue entered the royal palace, Butler Cao came to greet her first, "Young Princess!" Li Xue smiled his way before greeting back with equal respect.

"Butler Cao, good morning. I hope I am not too late." She said and the old butler simply shook his head, reciprocating her smile.

"Young Princess, you have been just on time. His Majesty and Her Highness have been waiting for you in the garden." He said, then led her the way towards the garden where she could see Chen Rui and Shin Tingming having breakfast.

Chen Rui turned and she found Li Xue coming their way. Her lips curled up as smiling, she said, "Xiao Xue! We have been waiting for you. Come quickly, let's have breakfast together."

Li Xue at once got comfortable, she greeted, turning simultaneously to the two people. "Ma! P-Pa!" It was still a bit difficult for her but she wasn't lagging behind in making efforts.

Shin Tingming was already happy seeing her efforts. He believed that the day was not too far away when Li Xue would be calling him father on her own and that too very naturally. "It's good to see you around. Come and have breakfast. We have been waiting for you." He said and Li Xue looked at the table. Truly they haven't begun to eat anything yet.

Li Xue felt that rejecting the breakfast would be impolite, so she nodded and then took a seat across Chen Rui while Shin Tingming remained seated at the head of the table. She wasn't surprised to not see Shin You Jun around, he must be looking into the arrangements for Cultural Association Club.

"Since I have already had my breakfast back at home, I would only accompany in a small portion." She said as she stood up to serve first a plate to Shin Tingming, then to Chen Rui, and then sat to take a few spoonfuls in her own plate.

Chen Rui didn't mind. Nodding, she said, "It's good enough to have you here on the breakfast table. Even if you have only a portion, we would all be together with you." She said and soon they started having breakfast. They had a few talks from here and there and Li Xue waited in her shoes. She would be asking for help for the first time and she wants that to come in the right way,

So, only after they completed the breakfast and Li Xue signed her name in the registration book did she look up at Chen Rui with a complex expression. At first, Chen Ruin didn't notice her face and in her own joy, she chimed, "Perfect! Since you have already signed your name here, now, we are just six months away from officially bestowing the family surname to your name. I am already happy."

Li Xue felt warmth in her heart when she saw the woman showing her enthusiasm like that, but still, a complicated expression didn't ease on her face. Shin Tingming noticed it first and his brows jutted in a frown as he ask, "Is there something troubling you?"

Li Xue was taken aback. She didn't think that the man would be able to notice her expression so well. Looking at him, she first thought to shake her head but then she nodded, "Umm … It's not exactly trouble but more like I needed to ask something from you. I don't know if it would be suitable."

Shin Tingming's expression turned a bit complex. But then quickly resolving it, he said, "We are your parents. Even the most unsuitable thing would become suitable if you believe us enough to share." He said and his words were something that made Li Xue feel differently for a moment.

For the first time in a while, she felt as if she had a family, especially a father upon whom she could depend. She was there, lost in her trance of thoughts when suddenly she felt Chen Rui's touch on her hands. She averted her gaze to look at her and saw her smile.

"Xiao Xue, your father is saying it right. You can tell us anything without holding back. We are your parents and we would never judge you over some silly things." She said and Li Xue nodded, before turning back to look at Shin Tingming to say.

"Do the royal family also have personal lawyers. If yes, can one of them take my case?" she said, and Shin Tingming turned to exchange gazes with Chen Rui.

Chen Rui's expression changed as she turned to look back at Li Xue and asked, "Dear, is there something serious? What is the case about and who filed it against you?" Like any other concerned mother, she asked.

Seeing her worried like that, Li Xue shook her head hurriedly. "Ma, it's nothing serious. I have all the proof that would prove me innocent, it's just that I need someone to represent my case in court. Shufen has …"

Before she could say anything more, Shin Tingming interjected assuring her, "Don't worry, I will ask someone to reach the court for you. Just mail me the official lawsuit report and all the evidence that you have. Also, when is the court hearing?" He asked and pausing for a moment, Li Xue quickly said.

"It's tomorrow, 10 am sharp."

Chen Rui looked at her husband in puzzlement while Shin Tingming just nodded. "Okay, it won't be a problem. Just wait there and everything will be fine."

Li Xue smiled. This was the first smile that the girl gave to him and as a father, he was contented.

Soon after that, Li Xue bade goodbye, saying that she had a lot of work to attend today, and may not be able to stay for long. Chen Rui didn't hold her back but has not forgotten to ask her to come back often, to which Li Xue has happily agreed.

Only after they saw her leave did Chen Rui turn to ask her husband, "Tingming, why didn't you tell her the truth? She will be becoming the Crown Princess soon and she needs to know the basics and much more than that."