His Rui

Li Rui looked at the pile of dishes on her plate and then raised her head to look at the man who was sitting in front of her.

Although every dish was according to her taste, she can't eat so much at one mealtime.

Seeing her not moving her chopsticks, Xi Ying said seriously

"You're too thin."

In the end, she picked her chopsticks and started eating. However, she could never finish everything on her plate.

Xi Ying frowned but comforted himself that she at least ate more than she does every day so he didn't force her.

He didn't serve anything in his plate and took her plate.

Li Rui glanced at him faintly when she saw him eating her leftover without any change of expression.

She then looked towards the maid and asked

"Where is Xiao Ling?"

As soon as she finished his words, a small figure dashed inside the dining room towards her.

"Mother."

Xi Ying looked at the maid who came running behind Xi Ling and seeing his gaze the maid lowered her head guiltily.

What could she do? She could only hold Young Master till he finished bathing and wore his clothes. After that, he just ran out of his room searching for wangfei everywhere.

"Mother, why were you not there with Xiao Ling when he got up?"

Xi Ling tried to climb in Li Rui's lap with his short legs while Xi Ying's lips twitched when he saw his clingy son forgetting that he was not any lesser than his son in this comparison.

Holding his collar, he dragged him towards himself and made him sit on his lap.

"Have you eaten?"

He asked his son as he served the food on a new plate.

Sure enough, Xi Ling pouted and looked towards his mother while answering

"No"

Mercilessly, Xi Ying turned his face towards himself and stuffed his mouth with food.

"Then eat."

With aggrieved eyes, Xi Ling chewed the food in his mouth. When the food in his mouth became less and he was about to speak, Xi Ying stuffed his mouth again.

The maids lowered their heads and covered their mouths to control the laughter seeing the young master's helpless situation.

Even Li Rui had a smile on her lips. She couldn't help but remember the same incident from her childhood when she would run to her mother and her father would drag her towards himself not letting her spend much time with her.

The next time, Xi Ling covered his mouth when he saw his father was doing it again and said in a muffled voice.

"Xi Ling wants to eat with mother."

He also looked towards Li Rui with misty eyes. Seeing this, Li Rui's heart softened and she stretched out her hands to take him in her lap but Xi Ying avoided her hand.

"Don't be too soft on him."

He said softly to Li Rui and then looked at Xi Ling with a serious face and said strictly.

"Xi Ling, you need to understand that Mother can't always tend to you. She is also sometimes tired and busy somewhere else. However, it does not mean that she is ignoring you. Your Mother still loves you the same but you can't take advantage of her love every time."

Xi Ling looked at his father and then at his mother. After that, he lowered his head.

Xi Ying knew that his son had understood what he wanted to convey.

It was necessary for him to understand this.

He also wished to spend some alone time with Li Rui. Also, he knew that it was Xi Ling who forced Li Rui to take him out of the Xi Manor so he wants Xi Ling to know his mistake so that he won't repeat it again.

A moment later, Xi Ling raised his head and said

"Xi Ling apologizes to Father."

He then looked at Li Rui and said

"Mother, Xi Ling is very sorry. Xi Ling should not have forced you."

Li Rui smiled softly and squeezed his face.

"Xiao Ling is very sensible."

Actually, she didn't even think that Xi Ling has any fault. It is natural for a child to have the wish to go outside and see the world. However, she doesn't want to interrupt Xi Ying. As a father, he has every right to teach his son what is wrong and what is right.

Xi Ling was happy hearing her mother's praise.

So he smiled and obediently ate when Xi Ying forwarded the chopsticks near his lips.

After breakfast, the family of three was in the living room. Xi Ying gave a book to Xi Ling and asked him to recognize new words from it.

Then he stood up from the couch.

Seeing this, Li Rui also stood up as she knew that he was going to the Imperial Palace now.

Xi Ying held her hand and walked towards the courtyard's entrance.

"Take enough rest okay?"

"Yes, Lord."

Li Rui said

At the entrance, he stood and faced Li Rui who was also looking at him. He waited for her to say something but when she didn't he sighed and opened his mouth.

"Don't worry. I'll handle everything in the Imperial court."

Today was the first meeting of ministers and the Emperor since General Li had entered the Imperial City. So it was predictable that it would not be going to be a peaceful meeting.

The Emperor shall decide the fate of Li and Yi Clan today.

Hearing his words, Li Rui felt relieved.

"This Wangfei is grateful to Lord for whatever you are doing for my clan."

She said politely.

When she was about to bow, Xi Ying held her hand and said

"You don't need to be…. Rui, you never need to be grateful to me."

Because it is me who should be grateful.

Because you don't know what you have given me.

He kissed her forehead after saying these words and left Plum Courtyard.

Li Rui continued to stand there for a few moments as she stared at nothing.

She didn't know whether she was doing everything right or wrong. She didn't know anything.

However, this was the best effort she could give in strengthening her non-existing relationship with Lord Xi, in saving Li Clan, and for her son's happiness.