Phoenix: Rules Of The Harem
Chapter 11: Flowing Like Water

Wei Yun Rui walked over so frantically when he realized that his wife, Shao Ling Mei was nowhere to be seen in the corner of any part of the residence. Since this morning, Yun Rui did not find Ling Mei running around the residence and playing around as usual. It made him worry for the safety of his careless and innocent wife. Biting his fingernails with a worried look on his face, Yun Rui found Yu Shen who was busy cleaning the Yin Pavilion so casually like nothing had happened.

"Yu Shen!"

"I, Major Companion Wei. Do you need anything?" still carrying the folds of the blanket in his hand, Yu Shen bowed respectfully to the man who became the official husband of his master, Fourth Princess Shao Ling Mei.

"Didn't you see His Majesty? I've searched everywhere, unfortunately I haven't found His Majesty anywhere."

"ah! Sorry in advance, Main Companion Wei. Did Your Majesty not tell you about his departure along with Liao's Personal Guards to the city center?"

Yun Rui again asked in a slow tone. "Your Majesty, go downtown?"

"That's right. His Majesty told me that he would go to the market that was in the center of the city to buy some items along with Liao's Personal Guards."

Wei Yun Rui smiled wryly with a dejected look. One hand he carried in front of his chest, squeezing it slowly as tightness and pain began to approach him. "Is that so? I see, I'll wait for him to come home in my pavilion."

Seeing that, Yu Shen only fell silent without a word. He looked at the official escort of his master who turned around and walked away from him with his sad eyes. As a man, Yu Shen quite understood that this matter could hurt Yun Rui's heart. But, Ling Mei also had her own reasons for being so cold and heartless. In a voice so soft that it almost whispered, Yu Shen said, "Your Majesty, aren't you being too cruel to her?"

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At the same time, right at the market located in downtown Xiaoyang, Shao Ling Mei and Liao Wu Jin went around to buy some items. To do the disguise, Ling Mei thought of buying some men's clothes and accessories that were suitable for her.

"Your Majesty, is there anything you want other than this?"

Ling Mei blinked her eyes a few times after hearing the question from Wu Jin, it seemed as if he was subconsciously staring at a blackish-red tassel ornament with some shining silver-colored decoration and a black jade pendant in the middle. It slightly reminded him of Yun Rui when he saw her.

"No, this is enough. We can go back now." Ling Mei snorted softly, she turned around and shook her head trying not to think of such an insignificant thing.

"Your Majesty, I .. I miss you too."

"I have given my heart to His Majesty."

"Your Majesty, they won't! I'll protect you from them, you'll be fine!"

"Yun Rui will always be by His Majesty's side."

"Wei Yun Rui received this marriage decree, thanking His Majesty the Grand Empress for the imperial edict that has been given."

But then he stopped his steps. Ling Mei was silent for a while as some annoying memories swirled in her mind, she clenched her hands tightly and sighed. "Wait on! I changed my mind! Wu Jin, I want to buy the blackish-red tassel decoration I just saw."

Wu Jin smiled. "As you wish, Your Majesty."

After they finished, they decided to return to the residence because could Ling Mei confirm with Yun Rui's like nature, she would wait for the two of them restlessly. The fourth princess of the empire pretended to stare around with a cheerful face before glancing silently at Wu Jin who was behind her who was apparently also staring at her, as well, that personal bodyguard Ling Mei nodded faintly. Wu Jin walked over until Ling Mei's back and Wu Jin's chest almost touched, the charming young man whispered near Ling Mei's ear. "Your Majesty, should I finish it for you?"

Both of them knew that they were being followed by some black-clothed women ever since they came out of the residence. Ling Mei looked straight ahead with a flat gaze, "No need. Today I'm not in the mood to deal with them, it's better for us to return home as soon as possible."

"good. As per your orders, Your Majesty."

Wu Jin looked at Ling Mei's strapping back from behind with a gentle gaze, both her cheeks and ears looking faintly reddened. If it could be said Wu Jin had deep feelings for Ling Mei, it was just that she had chosen to hide it. Therefore, when he learned that Ling Mei was going to be officially married to the Wei Prince Yun Rui, Wu Jin felt jealous and uneasy in his heart.

.........................

The boisterous sound of a horse carriage rang out in front of the Ling Mei residence, Yu Shen who heard that quickly ran towards the gate of the residence and prepared to greet the master.

"Welcome, Your Majesty" Yu Shen said as Ling Mei got off the horse carriage together with Wu Jin.

A few other servants and guards who were actually shadow guards Ling Mei also greeted him warmly. Ling Mei smiled faintly, but her eyes glowed soft and not as sharp as when Ling Mei watched the stalkers. "Is there something that happens when I'm not around, Yu Shen?"

Yu Shen bowed respectfully then said, "Yu Shen answered His Majesty's question. There is nothing in particular to worry about, but since this morning Main Companion Wei is looking for you. From what I can see, he looks restless waiting for your return, Your Majesty."

"Hm .. I understand. Where is he now?"

"Main Companion says that he will wait for you in—"

"Your Majesty!" both of Ling Mei's eyes were rounded in shock with a body that suddenly froze as soon as Yun Rui hugged her tightly with a body that shook after running hastily towards her.

"My wife, please don't leave without saying anything more, I'm worried about you." that anxious tone sounded so sincere that Ling Mei couldn't even push Yun Rui away and let go of her embrace.

Ling Mei took off their embrace gently, the look on her face turned grim when she looked at Yun Rui's charming face. "Then, is Rui'er going to be mad at me?"

"No! I didn't! His Majesty is an honorable and precious person, to be angry at his wife, Yun Rui did not dare. I'm .. I'm just afraid something's happened to you."

Ling Mei smiled widely, she looked at Yun Rui with sparkling eyes. "Rui'er! Rui'er! The empress mother once told me, if I want to apologize and please my husband, I must give him a gift that can make him feel happy. I have a gift for you, can I go to your pavilion and give you a present there?"

At first Yun Rui felt surprised, but before long she smiled with both cheeks and faintly blushing ears. With this, could Yun Rui hope that Ling Mei had begun to open her heart and accept him as her official companion?

"certain. His Majesty did not require permission from Yun Rui to enter every room and pavilion that was within His Majesty's own residence."

"Then, let's go Rui'er!" with an adorable expression, though, Ling Mei extended her right hand towards Yun Rui who was fixated due to Ling Mei's sudden treatment that had become so sweet and warm after some time ago she had to endure the pain of being avoided by his wife.

"Are you going to stand there and not take my hand? Uh! Rui'er won't join hands with me, will she?" with round and teary eyes, Ling Mei said using a typical sad tone of children.

Yun Rui looked at Ling Mei's helping hand nervously. "That's not true, Your Majesty. I'd be happy if you'd join hands with me."

Despite feeling doubtful, slowly Yun Rui's hand moved welcoming Ling Mei's helping hand. Yun Rui's face flushed to the nape, this really made her both happy as well as feeling immense shame in front of others. They walked away leaving behind some people who were there including Yu Shen and Wu Jin who were staring at the two with indecipherable gazes.

"Are you okay, Wu Jin Xiong?" yu Shen asked as he looked at Wu Jin who looked disappointed once Ling Mei and Yun Rui were nowhere to be seen in their sight.

Wu Jin turned his face away, trying to shift his gaze. "Whatchu mean? Of course I was always good, that was a sure thing. You asked like a drunk Yu Shen."

Yu Shen sighed softly then smiled slightly. "I know you understand the meaning of my words, Wu Jin Xiong. Even if the current Chief Companion Wei is by his side, you know that the entire shadow army and Yuyin army are always supporting you?"

"We are all on your side, Wu Jin Xiong. Therefore, get excited! Make His Majesty see you too." Yu Shen patted Wu Jin on the shoulder a few times before leaving Wu Jin who was still speechless with a blank look.

When it had reached the Xuanshi Pavilion, the two stopped right in front of a small bridge with a pond containing a beautiful lotus flower underneath. The pool was right in front of the pavilion with a gazebo connected to the small bridge and the garden around it. Ling Mei looked at Yun Rui for a while before she picked up something from her hanfu arm. A blackish-red tassel garnish noticed by Ling Mei while she was at an accessories store in the downtown market was now clutched by Ling Mei. Stretching out his hand carrying the tassel ornament, the fourth star of the empire stared expectantly at Yun Rui.

"Rui'er! Rui'er! I bought it for you, does Rui'er like it?"

Yun Rui looked at him and he felt very happy. Yun Rui nodded with a gentle smile that was reflected on her beautiful face. "I like it .. I like it so much, my wife."

Yun Rui received the tassel decoration and carried it, then her body moved to hug Ling Mei who was in front of her. "Yun Rui thanked His Majesty for the gift that has been given."

In contrast to Yun Rui who looked extremely happy, Ling Mei only smiled faintly with an indecipherable eye. It looks sad, but cold at the same time. He was speechless as he returned a hug from Yun Rui.

Even so, in his heart he said guiltily: "Yun Rui, forgive me. Because it can't give you as much happiness as we promised in the past. Maybe after this you'll see what I really am."

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"Young Master! Young Master! This servant brings important information!" while running around, a male servant shouted with a happy look on his face.

"Ck! Ck! Don't be so rushed, Mo Xi! Tell me correctly, what really happened?" in a delicate tone the young man sitting in his pavilion room reading the report of the general's household budget bookkeeping rebuked his servant.

"Je-Great General Shi!" mo Xi said breathlessly making Shi Yu Han, the first young master as well as the only legitimate son of General Shi's residence stare at his servant in worry.

"What's wrong with my mother, Mo Xi?!"

"Great General Shi has arrived at Xiaoyang, Young Master! From the news that I got Great General Shi was on his way to the residence." the instant Shi Yu Han smiled, he looked so happy when the news of his mother's return rang out in his ears.

"W-we have to make a welcoming party for mom! Mo Xi called the servants of the residence to help prepare everything! I'll arrange the rest, hurry!"

With an enthusiastic tone Mo Xi lowered his head in respect and said, "Well, Young Master! I will do it soon!"

She, Shi Yu Han, the first son as well as the legitimate son of the Great General Shi Li Ying and the former official husband of Lao Qi Xuan who had died five years ago. Yu Han was the golden son of General Shi who had a kind, obedient character, full of gentleness, and was timid enough to make him easily oppressed by his mother's mistresses who disliked him. Moreover, with General Shi's absolute decision to grant Yu Han full rights to the affairs of the household and internal budget of the residence after the departure of the Grand Lord of the Lao Qi Xuan made General Shi's concubines jealous and even more hate Yu Han. She has three other sisters who are from the concubines, two of whom are younger sisters while the other one is a younger brother.

Shi Yu Han was a lonely young master, his mother who was a Great General of the Empire would often have to go to the battlefield for a long time to protect the empire. Not to mention his father's departure since three years ago left him always alone and only accompanied by Jun Mo Xi as his main servant and the few servants that were in his pavilion. He was also not too close to his other three brothers considering that they were the children of the concubines who hated him, whereas he was a weak and easily oppressed man.

"Mom, mommy's finally home. I miss my mother very much. Therefore, please settle down for a long time this time." muttered Yu Han with a small smile that was stretched out on his charming face.