Ying Lili took a step back as Sheng Li was leaning closer to her. Sheng Li lowered his head such that their faces were at the same level while his both hands were behind his back. "Are you sure about your statement?" Sheng Li queried Ying Lili who nodded.
"You are not good at many things. You got defeated by me two times and then you cannot even flutter my heart." Sheng Li then leaned towards Ying Lili's ear and whispered, "You are also not good when it comes to a husband-wife relationship. I have seen you how the thought of me getting close to you terrifies you."
Ying Lili titled her head when Sheng Li straightened his back. "You won so many battles, so it is normal that I would lose against you. And, I have just started working on our relationship and I believe it will turn out to be a beautiful one," Ying Lili replied.
"I want you to be equal to me so that no one can defeat you, not even me. Then I will say that you are good… not good, but perfect. And, I do not think you are working for our relationship, which is good for me because it is benefiting me only," proclaimed Sheng Li and again started walking.
Xing-Fu and Court Lady Xu looked at each other. Ying Lili followed Sheng Li and soon the two reached the chamber of Qi Jing. Seeing the two there, Qi Jing welcomed them. Qi Jing was mesmerized to see Ying Lili. 'How come Sheng Li does not find the Crown Princess beautiful?' This was the first thought that came to Qi Jing's mind.
"It is my pleasure to meet Sister Qi Jing," Ying Lili softly said and kowtowed before her.
"The Crown Princess does not need to do something like this," Qi Jing proclaimed.
Ying Lili put her hand down and lifted her head. "You are my elder, so I should do it, sister Qi Jing," opined Ying Lili. Qi Jing smiled and told them to take their seats.
After taking the seats around the breakfast table, Qi Jing said, "Brother Sheng, you were saying that the Crown Princess is not beautiful. Why did you lie?" Ying Lili glared at Sheng Li.
"Is she? I do not know why people think of her as the most beautiful woman of Han," Sheng Li remarked, looking at Ying Lili.
"Brother Sheng is joking, Crown Princess. He does not want to praise you intentionally. The things which he likes the most, he prefers to stay away from them as he believes they will spoil him," Qi Jing told Ying Lili which was something new which Ying Lili heard.
"Sheng Li, do you like me?" Sheng Li who was drinking started coughing. Putting the glass down, he glared at Ying Lili.
"What are you trying to say? Don't annoy me in the early morning," Sheng Li said with exasperation.
"Can't you talk politely? I was only asking because sister Jing said that you push the things away you like. It means you are declining my love for you because you like me!" Ying Lili said with a raised brow as her lips moved up to smirk at Sheng Li.
Qi Jing found out how Sheng Li got irked as soon as Ying Lili asked him if he liked her. 'Crown Princess differs from the other women. They are made for each other, but then their relationship is not going the way it should be,' Qi Jing thought.
"Let's have breakfast because I have to go to the Court," Sheng Li stated and looked at Xing-Fu. "Bring in breakfast for us," he ordered.
"Crown Princess, spend today's time with me. I hope there will not be any problem," Qi Jing requested to Ying Lili.
"I would love to spend time with sister Jing," Ying Lili answered when Sheng Li said, "Don't you have to practice with me? You are slacking off these days." Ying Lili was confused upon hearing those words.
Sheng Li did not want Ying Lili to spend time with his elder sister because he knew that Sister Qing would tell everything about him to Ying Lili and then Ying Lili would bother him.
Qi Jing with an inquisitiveness peered at Sheng Li. She was astonished to see that Sheng Li was actually spending his time with Ying Lili. 'I was wrong about them. But the way brother Sheng acts it seems their relationship is not started in the way it should be.'
"Forgive me for the intrusion. Is the Crown Princess trained in military stuff!?" Qi Jing out of curiosity asked.
"Yes, I am well aware of the warfare," Ying Lili replied.
"Brother Sheng, let the Crown Princess spend today's time with me. You two can start your training from tomorrow. I am here after six years so, brother Sheng must fulfill this wish of his elder sister," Qi Jing insisted. Sheng Li could not refuse his sister's request and agreed with her.
"The food will get cold. We shall start," Sheng Li stated and picked up the chopsticks. He told his sister to eat first, and then Sheng Li, Ying Lili started eating.
Qi Jing noticed the ceramic bangle in Ying Lili's hand and asked about that. "This is gifted by Sheng Li yesterday when we went to celebrate the Lantern Festival," Ying Lili replied, and smiled.
"Brother Sheng went to the Lantern Festival. Since when did Brother Sheng take interest in the festival?" Qi Jing asked curiously.
"I was always interested in going to the festivals but because I was in wars, I could not get to watch them. That's why I decided to take Lili out for the festival but it was not that good," Sheng Li pronounced and turned to look at Ying Lili. "That palm reader annoyed me the most there," Sheng Li stated.
"He did not lie about your personality either. You get annoyed easily if someone sees your true self," Ying Lili pronounced with a smile.
