Seeing Li Xue coming out of the banquet hall, Gao Fan got down the car and opened the door for her. "Madam …"
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Secretary." Before Gao Fan could say anything, Li Xue apologized naturally thinking that it was her wrong to make the man wait.
But that was not what Gao Fan was expecting. Seeing Li Xue apologize like he got all flustered. At once bowing his head, he apologized, "Madam, please don't embarrass me. I was appointed for the duty."
At the politeness of the secretary, Li Xue couldn't help but smile. She didn't want to make it tough for him, so she simply hummed at his words and got inside the car. Closing the door for her, even Gao Fan got inside the car.
Starting the engine, soon the car zoomed its way through the city. When Li Xue looked out of the window, she asked, "Mr. Secretary, we are driving to?"
"Madam, President Feng said you might not have liked the food at the venue. So, a healthy dinner has already been ordered. I am driving you there."
Li Xue was not surprised. Although she had something back at the wedding, Feng Shufen was right. The food was not of her choice, so she barely had her fill there. Her lips curled up and shaking her head, she said, "Your President Feng really knows me too good, Mr. Secretary. But his knowledge can't tell everything about the mood swings that a pregnant lady goes through while her period of pregnancy."
Gao Fan didn't understand. Looking behind through the rear mirror, he stared at Li Xue. Knowing his confusion, Li Xue chuckled softly and shook her head in nothingness. "It's nothing, Mr. Secretary. I was just saying that, drive me to the palace instead. The food I am craving won't be available anywhere except there. So, please drop me to the palace."
She said and then nonchalantly turned to look out of the window as if whatever she said was very natural. But the man who was sitting at the driver seat was still confused. More confused than before.
Although he made a turn to take the route of the palace, still his eyes would go back and forth to the mirror, trying to read the thoughts of the lady.
Since everything got back to normal, Li Xue never talked of visiting the palace. Although she has never shown any intensions to break her ties with the palace, given how indifferent she had been towards the royal couple, the situation seemed no less.
Gao Fan has never been a man to step out his boundaries, neither he had been the man of many words. His personality was also equally aloof. In usual times, he would speak only what needed. But for some reasons today, he couldn't kill the confusion inside him. Not able to hold for long, he spoke.
"Madam, all your favorites have been asked to be prepared. If there is something you are particularly craving for, you can tell me. I am sure the star Michelin chefs of our restaurant will be able to prepare it like no other."
Li Xue was in her own zone. So, when she heard Gao Fan say all that, it took her a while to understand what he actually meant. Her brows rose when she understood what the secretary was trying to confirm. While her eyes eased at him, she put a plain yet beautiful smile on her face and said, "I don't doubt on the expertise and qualifications of or star Michelin chefs, Mr. Secretary. But I still believe that the flavor that I want at the moment is something those chefs won't be able to prepare."
Even though Li Xue has said it simply, it has unknowingly hurt Gao Fan. While his emotions became evident on his face, Li Xue's eyes also didn't miss it. Knowing the thoughts going inside the secretary, she clarified, "You understood it wrong. Mr. Secretary, my intention was not to look down on the chefs. It's just that I am craving for my mother's flavorful dishes. And believe it or not, no chefs can match it."
She said and hearing that, Gao Fan couldn't be more embarrassed. "I am sorry, Madam. I should have known that you would never …"
"It's okay, Mr. Secretary. I can understand."
***
On the other side, in the royal palace,
Both Shin Tingming and Chen Rui were sitting in the study room and discussing the royal issues. But their conversation paused when the sound of hurried steps was heard from the corridor outside.
"Are we expecting any guest?"
"I don't think so." Shin Tingming replied to Chen Rui as both of their eyes turned to look towards the door, waiting to see who actually was there.
And soon the aged figure of Butler Cao came to their vision. While Shin Tingming's brows wrinkled in frown, Chen Rui asked looking at the old man who came in all huffing and puffing. "Butler Cao, you came running like this - is everything fine?"
Butler Cao took a deep breath, trying to calm his panting breath. Bowing his head slightly in respect, he greeted in honor first. "Sorry for coming and interrupting like this, Your Majesty and Your Highness, but there was something that was needed to be informed."
Chen Rui's brows slightly jutted together. Even though there was some issue going in the royal family, there was nothing too serious in it. Everything was simple and minor - easy to handle. Then what made the butler come in such hurry.
"And that is?" She asked and the butler looked up at her. His lips lightly lifted on the corners and, with glitter filled in his eyes, he said.
"Your Highness, from the guards who has gotten orders to look after the safety of the Young Miss we has come to know that Young Princess is driving her way towards the palace. We might expect her arrival here very soon."
For moment things seemed to be paused for Chen Rui. Her brows got raised in surprise as she asked to confirm, "What? Xiao Xue is coming to the palace. Mr. Cao, did you say that she is finally coming here to us?"