Jian Guozhi was doing the calligraphy when Zhilao Mi came to him and stood behind him. "Your highness, your mood seems off these days. Are you having some kind of stress?" Zhilao Mi asked her husband in a soft tone. She placed her hands on both of the shoulders of Jian Guozhi.
"My life has only one stress," Jian Guozhi replied and put the brush on the table, on the inkstone. "Is there something you want?" Jian Guozhi asked Zhilao Mi.
"No, I do not want anything. I desire for your happiness only," stated Zhilao Mi. Jian Guozhi chuckled upon hearing that.
"My happiness is gone already. The day the Crown was snatched away from me, everything one by one was taken away from me. What's the use of being a firstborn when I cannot get anything," Jian Guozhi asserted.
"Is there no way his highness can get the Crown back?" Zhilao Mi asked.
"Brother Sheng has the hold on the Crown and I do not want to create a rebel kind of situation when he has gotten the support of his majesty and the military. Leave it! The more I talk about it, the more I get a headache," Jian Guozhi stated.
Zhilao Mi did not say anything when a maidservant came there. "What happened?" Zhilao Mi asked the maidservant who had lowered her head.
"The mother of the Crown Princess has passed away. The Crown Princess is not in a fit state. His majesty and the others have gone to Zhenzhu Inn to see the Crown Princess.'' The maidservant conveyed the message. Jian Guozhi immediately stood up from the chair, which startled Zhilao Mi. He wore the overcoat and left for Zhenzhu Inn with Zhilao Mi.
In Zhenzhu Inn, the Emperor was talking with the Crown Prince. "The Crown Prince should have behaved well in front of his in-laws," Empress Wei proclaimed, which infuriated Sheng Li, but he kept his cool.
"Weng Wei," Han Wenji stopped Empress Wei from further speaking. "A Royal Tribute will be given to her parents tomorrow," Han Wenji told the Crown Prince who thanked his father. Jian Guozhi and Zhilao Mi arrived there. They bowed their heads in front of the Emperor and the Empress to greet them.
"How's the Crown Princess doing, Brother Sheng?" Jian Guozhi worriedly asked.
"She is not good and resting for now. Thank you for asking, First Brother," Sheng Li answered and saw the frowns on his forehead. Weng Wei and Zhilao Mi noticed how anxiously Jian Guozhi was looking at the Crown Princess.
"Father, I am delaying my trip to the Southern Province for 2-3 days. Once the Crown Princess will become stable, I will prepare for the journey," Sheng Li told Han Wenji who agreed with Sheng Li but then Weng Wei intervened.
"The Crown Prince must not step back from his duties even in the worst situation. The rebellion in the Southern Province can harm the Empire if it will not be handled soon. Let the Crown Princess stay in the Palace. We all are here to take care of her," Weng Wei pronounced, and then looked at Han Wenji.
"Your majesty, the Crown Princess needs the love of a family, needs someone who can truly understand her pain. I, as a mother, will be with the Crown Princess and take care of her. Then there are Noble Consorts as well who will take care of the Crown Princess with me. Taking the Crown Princess on a journey can worsen her current health." Weng Wei waited for an answer from the Emperor.
"Mother is saying right. We all are here for Sister Lili and if she goes on the journey with the Crown Prince, her health might deteriorate," Zhilao Mi asserted. Sheng Li was glaring at Weng Wei when he heard his father.
"I will not say anything about this. The Crown Prince knows better for the Crown Princess but he must not neglect his duties," Han Wenji deduced. Sheng Li nodded and told his father that he would not delay his plans.
Han Wenji stood from the chaise along with Weng Wei. "We are leaving as the Crown Princess is resting," Han Wenji stated. Sheng Li bowed his head as the Emperor and the Empress left the chamber, followed by the other Consorts. The Princes also left the chamber except for Qi Jing, Jian Guozhi, and Zhilao Mi.
"Brother, you shall leave," Sheng Li stated.
"Yes, I am leaving." Jian Guozhi looked at the Crown Princess once again who was not visible enough through the semi-transparent curtains before leaving the chamber.
"Brother Sheng, I have learned a soup which will reduce the fever of Sister Lili to some extent. Though the pill recommended by the Royal Physician is more effective, if she would take this soup then it will help in fast recovery," Qi Jing offered her helping hand.
"Sister Jing does not need to trouble herself," Sheng Li replied.
"Brother, it is not a problem at all. I will bring the soup in a while," Qi Jing asserted and walked out of the chamber.
"Court Lady Xu, don't let anyone come inside except Sister Jing," Sheng Li gave the order who also left the chamber. Sheng Li went to the bed and sat on the mattress. He placed his palm on Ying Lili's forehead to check if the fever was reduced or not.
"It is not dropping. I am afraid if I can take you to the Southern Province but I cannot leave you behind else she will harm you so get well soon, Lili," Sheng Li murmured and leaned down to kiss Ying Lili's forehead but then he stopped himself. "I cannot do this," he mumbled, and leaned back.
Taking the water cup in which the pill was dissolved, he brought it near Ying Lili's mouth. He opened her mouth and made her drink the medicinal water. Wiping her lips, Sheng Li pulled his hand back and then took off the same pendant which Ying Lili had given her when he was poisoned.
"This should go back to its actual owner," Sheng Li muttered and put the pendant around Ying Lili's neck. "Get well soon, my Wildcat," Sheng Li murmured and caressed Ying Lili's cheek.
