Enchanted Eyes

111. Don't Trust Anyone

In the Li Mansion~

"Father! Father, what happened?", Li Mu Han started to pester his father.

"Mu Han, I'm tired. We will talk later", Duke Li said to his son. He knows that Li Mu Han is anxious, but he just wanted to be left alone.

"Mu Han, leave your father alone", said Madam Li as she watched her husband's retreating back. "He has a lot in his mind", added madam Li.

When Duke Li reached his study, he sat in the room for a few hours. He is not the sort of man who like to indulge in meaningless thing such as drinking until stupor or gambling their fortune away. He would like to think that he is an upright man. But now, after being betrayed, he couldn't help but feeling enraged. He had suppressed that feeling inside. That was why he had kept quiet.

Then, slowly he made his way to a cupboard. Opening a drawer, he holds a wooden box in his hand. Inside the box, lie a rusty arrow head. For years, this thing symbolizes his connection to the emperor. It has proven his loyalty to the emperor. He hadn't said anything when the emperor wanted to engage his daughter to his son. He had kept quiet when the emperor sends his only son to a remote city. He hadn't said anything when the emperor breaks the engagement. He also didn't say anything when the emperor wanted to punish his daughter. Now, as always he didn't say anything when the emperor took away his position.

Closing the box, he told the guard to throw the thing away. With that thing stop being a constant reminder, his tie to the emperor is now at the end of the road. With him being the only man walking forward while the emperor walking away from him.

"Husband...", called madam Li. She slowly walked up to her husband. Hugging him, she could feel his body shuddered. "You still have us. We will stand by your side", she placated her husband.

"I know. But he is the closest thing I have as a brother. Maybe it's just on my part. I am the one trying to hold on to a higher branch", said Duke Li.

The couple sit while hugging each other. No one knows better than Madam Li of how vulnerable her husband was. He is not the sort of man who will be triggered by anger. He is not calculating and sly. A prime minister should at least could manipulate anyone to be able to stand strong in court. Due to the kind and honest nature of her husband, the people around him, even the citizen could bully him. At least now, there is no reason for her husband to suffer anymore.

"I'm tired", said Duke Li.

"Then, go to sleep", said madam Li. 'We will still be here when you wake up', said madam Li in her heart. For her, the emperor is not someone she could respect. Taking her child away and humiliating her daughter, how could she respect someone like that? It was because of her husband that she tries to hold on to her temper. Now, it's all the more reason for her to be angry!


In Li Xi Rui's carriage~

"...Bai Wu Chen is the new Left Prime Minister. It will be hard at first, but I believe he can suppress the Right Prime Minister. He is a man with talent", said Long Jie.

Sighing, Li Xi Rui knew that this is the best outcome she could hope for. They would better off live without staying close to the imperial family.

Seeing the silent Li Xi Rui, Long Jie said, "Father in law had asked me to not interfere. It might be his last test to father emperor. But I couldn't just stand at the side while watching the kingdom is in ruin. That was why I had told Wu Chen to step in as the replacement. He is a talented young man and would ensure the stability of the kingdom. And, he is our own people".

"I know. You had try your best. But I have a request", said Li Xi Rui, glancing up to Long Jie.

"Say it", said Long Jie. He is playing with her fingers.

"I need to see Rui Sheng", said Li Xi Rui. "Husband, I need your cooperation and your shadow guards", she clench Long Jie's hand.

"En. Just tell me whatever you need", said Long Jie.

Li Xi Rui couldn't help but feeling a little frustrated? 'Long Jie, you didn't even know what I wanted to do and agreeing? Wouldn't you afraid I'm trying to assassinate someone?', she is bewildered. She herself knew that she has been keeping secrets from Long Jie. And for him to trust her without asking anything, is shocking. She herself would keep on asking herself weather she could trust him over and over again. So for him to do the opposite, make her a bit frustrated. "Husband, in the future, you need to trust only me. Don't trust anyone if you don't know them. No, no, no, even if you know them, don't trust them without figuring out their motives!", Li Xi Rui is afraid that Long Jie would eventually become a victim of deception. By now, she completely forgot that Long Jie is not an innocent weak maiden oblivious to the way of the world.

"En", agreed Long Jie.

"Didn't I say not to trust anyone without figuring the motive first? How could you agree so fast?", reprimanded Li Xi Rui.

"So what is your motive Xi-er?", asked Long Jie.

"No, no, no, it's not like that. If you ask them, then they could still lie to you. Go behind them and find out the real reason!", said Li Xi Rui while trying to teach her husband on how to scheming against people.

"So, you don't want me to agree to your request?", asked Long Jie while he flashes that innocent look.

"No, no, it's not that. I want you to agree to my request", said Li Xi Rui.

"Then, alright. I agree to your request!", said Long Jie.

"No, like I've said, you must....", Li Xi Rui is frustrated.

"Yes, I must figure out your motive first. But since you didn't tell me, I choose to believe you anyway. Is that enough of an answer for you Xi-er?", asked Long Jie.

"Yes...", Li Xi Rui could feel her head spinning with their bickering. In the end she could only agree. Though she still feels like Long Jie had completely missed the points.

Long Jie hides his smile behind his innocent mask. His wife is becoming cuter day by day. This is the time that he feels staying by Rui Sheng, picking up his slyness is not that bad. At least, Xi Rui could take her mind off her father's circumstances.

"Then, hold on tight Xi-er. Let's go!", Long Jie leapt from the carriage and disappear with Li Xi Rui in his arm. The hidden guards follow after their masters while the carriage make its way to Jian Palace with only a driver.