"Madam, we are already here." Du Fan announced parking the car at the entrance of the palace. Since this was not a professional visit of the lady, the driver didn't hesitate in parking the car in front of the entrance for her comfort, nor did Li Xue ask him to.
Simply looking out of the window, she said, "Thank you, Mr. Driver, for driving me here. You can rest here; I will let you know when we have to return." Then ready to push the door open, she was about to step out but from the side, Xiao Meng interrupted.
"Sister Xue, should I not come with you?"
Li Xue looked at her and shook her head. "Nope, MengMeng. There is nothing for you to do inside. I will manage myself. You can either choose to company Mr. Du here or call a cab to leave first. It's up to you." She said and the next moment, she saw Du Fan opening the door for her.
"Madam!" He gestured and Li Xue smiled at him before giving a nod of appreciation.
"Thank you, Mr. Driver." She said and then walked towards the palace.
This was her first time coming to the palace after knowing the truth. Until now, she has tried her best to avoid any encounters with the royal couple. But she knew now, she could no longer afford that. Especially after the date was already announced for the royal grand meet. She needed to meet them and discuss things before actually attending the royal meet.
'It's fine, Li Xue. There is nothing to be over-anxious about. Not like this is your first-time meeting Ma. So, pull yourself together and behave as you have always been with her, okay?' She thought internally as she climbed the stairs before walking inside the palace. Her heart was beating hard in anxiety but she was trying her best to calm herself down.
"Young Miss, you are here already? Sorry, I was waiting to receive you here but something happened inside and I have to leave to see it there." Mr. Cao said, before bowing his head in respect.
Li Xue shook her head. "Ah, it's fine, Mr. Cao. Since you had some work, it doesn't matter. Furthermore, I didn't drop you a message before coming here so …"
The butler's expression turned serious. Keeping his head low, he denied and accepted the blame, "Young Miss, this is your palace, your home. You don't have to inform anyone before coming here. It's our duty to keep ourselves informed prior so that when you arrive, we could attend you."
He said and to his courtesy like that, Li Xue felt stiffened for a moment. She doesn't know how to respond any further. So, she paused just looking at the old man, who further added to ease the burden off her shoulders. "Young Miss, Her Highness has been waiting for you. Please come in." He said before gesturing her in the direction to walk.
Li Xue nodded with a pressed smile as she followed the direction in which the old butler guided. Soon she was up in the direction of Chen Rui's study room. Reaching the door, Mr. Cao came forward to knock first before announcing it all politely in a soft voice.
"Your Highness, Young Miss is here." He said before stepping aside to let Li Xue look at the lady.
Chen Rui was sitting at the desk with her glasses on her nose, reading her authorized files when her eyes rose to find the girl with a curl on her lips. "Aye, finally, Xiao Xue you are here. Come in. Come in. Have a seat. How is your wound now?"
Although Li Xue was anxious before, now facing the lady, she was no longer feeling the same. Pulling her lips into a smile, she shook her head. "The wound has already recovered, Ma. It's no longer visible. Anyway, you look different in glasses. Did you have that from before?" She asked, before walking in and taking the seat across from the desk.
Chen Rui smiled with obviousness before taking off the glass. "This had been since a good time now. I have just not made myself used to it. Just sometimes out of nowhere. You know although I look young and good, I am also a mortal who would look aged in one way or the other."
She said and on her saying like that the two shared good long laughter before Li Xue spoke again. "Ma, I really wanted to thank you first. Without you being liberal, I wouldn't have been able to do this show. So, thank you. The success that I had today has a part belonging to you."
Chen Rui looked at the girl and was proud. But she shook her head. "Though I would love to be called a part of your success, dear. Your success today had nothing to do with me. I know I have allowed you to take the project, going out of the deed but that was not out of liberty but as compensation. You were harmed while working on our royal project, and that delayed the whole schedule. We can't keep you all engrossed in us while cutting you off from others. So, it was like that. You don't have to thank us for that. You were the one who deserved it so you got it."
She said and Li Xue smiled at her. Although she believed whatever Chen Rui said, she also believed what her heart was saying to her. And her heart said that no matter whatever was the reason, it became only easy because the lady was with her on her side. Not just for one day. But from always.
"Xiao Xue, I am happy for you. I got the report of your small success from Linda earlier. And you have also come here after so many days. Though you have tried to make your visit look like a thanksgiving session, I believe that this is not the only reason you visited me for. Do you have anything more to share?" She asked and in the voice of Chen Rui, there was both strength and fragility.
Strength believing that the girl would have come with some positivity in her heart regarding them. While the fragility believing, what if it was the other way round?
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