Sheng Li saw how fast Ying Lili was walking, so he grabbed her arm thus stopping her. The servants behind them stopped and lowered their heads. "What was that inside?" Sheng Li amusingly asked as he stepped towards Ying Lili.
"No one has the right to call you cruel," Ying Lili replied. She lifted her hand and was going to place it on Sheng Li's cheek when he caught her wrist in the air.
The Princes and the Princess were coming behind them, saw them. Lei Wanxi was delighted to see that. "Hu Jingguo indeed did his work. They two have come closer to each other," Lei Wanxi thought and smiled.
"The Crown Princess was blunt today. Her majesty said nothing wrong. Cruelty's second name is Sheng Li. I wish that the Crown Princess could learn about this. Soon the day will come when the Crown Prince will be cruel to his own wife," Rong Zemin remarked and snickered.
Nianzu and Lei Wanxi skeptically looked at the Third Prince.
"Brother Sheng is indeed the kindest man. Brother Zemin, you never spent the time with Brother Sheng that's why you think like that," stated Princess Qi Jing.
Rong Zemin looked at Yongzheng, and they walked away from there.
"Sister Qi Jing, finally, Brother Sheng has someone in his life who understands him, loves him. No one ever answered back the Empress the way Sister Lili did," Lei Wanxi proclaimed.
Princess Qi Jing and Prince Nianzu agreed with Lei Wanxi. They looked at the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess who were conversing with each other.
Ying Lili looked at her wrist and then at Sheng Li. "You love to get romantic with me anywhere, anytime?" Sheng Li questioned.
"Huh?"
"Something strange happened in my heart when you stood up for me there. I always heard her blatant comments for me, but never once anyone had the courage to speak up for me. You were attractive today." Sheng Li's words brought a smile to Ying Lili's lips.
Sheng Li let go of her hand and bent a little so that their faces came closer. "Close your eyes," Sheng Li told Ying Lili.
"Why?"
"You ask so many questions. Just close your eyes," Sheng Li repeated his words.
"You will not draw something on my face, right?" Ying Lili asked.
Sheng Li chuckled. "I do not roam taking a brush and inkpot with me," Sheng Li replied. "Now, will you close your eyes?" Ying Lili raised her brow but did not close her eyes when Sheng Li brought his left hand to the front which was behind his back and covered Ying Lili's eyes.
Xing-Fu, Court Lady Xu, and the maidservants were taking glances at them when Sheng Li tilted his head towards them. "Do you want me to take your eyes out?" Sheng Li asked them and they immediately lowered their heads.
"Whom are you threatening again?" Ying Lili asked when she felt Sheng Li's lips slightly beside her lips.
"Don't open your eyes for a minute," Sheng Li said and pulled his hand back. Ying Lili's eyes were closed. He saw how her cheeks turned red and he walked away from there, leaving Ying Lili behind.
Lei Wanxi started giggling and jumping at his place. "Wasn't that romantic? They have come closer to each other. My eyes… it is unbelievable for me that Brother Sheng has lost against me, and Sister Lili has won his heart. Let's go to Sister Lili," Lei Wanxi told Princess Qi Jing and Prince Nianzu.
"Shall I open my eyes now? I think it is a minute already," Ying Lili said.
"Sister Lili, who are you talking to?" Upon hearing Lei Wanxi's sudden voice, Ying Lili opened her eyes. She looked around but Sheng Li was not there.
"Where did Sheng Li go? He said…" Ying Lili realized she was again calling the name of the Crown Prince openly.
"Crown Princess, how are you? Is your hand alright?" Nianzu asked as he looked at Ying Lili's hand.
"I am well, Brother Nianzu. Yes, it is healed. Just a little scar, which will soon go away," Ying Lili replied.
"Sister Lili, I know a way by which this scar will vanish soon," Princess Qi Jing stated. "I will come to your chamber later," she added. Ying Lili nodded her head.
"Sister Lili, I missed your presence a lot. Now, you are here, all my worries are gone. I have so much to tell you," Lei Wanxi excitedly said.
"Wanxi, let the Crown Princess take a rest. She has returned from a long journey," Nianzu told Lei Wanxi.
"I cannot sleep too much. Sleeping is also tiring in itself. I would love to have a conversation with Brother Wanxi," Ying Lili pronounced. Lei Wanxi was delighted to hear that.
"Let's go to the Eastern Pavilion. We can have a conversation there," Lei Wanxi said.
"I am afraid I cannot join. I have to look into some work," Nianzu stated.
"Even I cannot join Sister Lili and Brother Wanxi. I have to take some lessons before my marriage," Princess Qi Jing said.
Ying Lili raised her brows. "Your marriage? Are you going to get married? And what kind of lessons do you need to take for that?" Ying Lili asked in shock.
"I am afraid, Sister Lili, but I cannot explain to you now since I am getting late," Princess Qi Jing told Ying Lili.
"Do not worry, Sister. I will tell Sister Lili everything," Lei Wanxi affirmed. Prince Nianzu and Princess Qi Jing took their leave from there while the Crown Princess left for the Eastern Pavilion with Prince Wanxi.
Ying Lili was seated on a circular wooden carved stool in the pavilion while Lei Wanxi was on the seat to her left. "So, Brother Wanxi is saying that the second and third brother will be married soon. But before their marriage, will Sister Qi Jing be married off?" Ying Lili asked for confirmation.
"Yes, Sister Lili. The Empress wanted me and Brother Nianzu to get married as well but thanks to our father we are saved. I think she wants to gather political support after the death of her half-brother," Lei Wanxi deduced.
"That can be the possibility. Brother Wanxi, since Sister Qi is going to marry then Sheng Li will miss her presence. They could not even spend more time together with each other. Can't it be delayed a little?" Ying Lili queried.
"I wish it could be. You also know that women are married off early. But because Brother Sheng was in the wars for six years, Sister Qi Jing kept delaying her marriage. I think she is in the Palace for a week," Lei Wanxi stated. Ying Lili turned sad to learn about that. "Brother Wanxi, who is the Princess going to marry?" Ying Lili asked.
"Father gave the chance to Sister Qi Jing to choose the bridegroom for herself. She has chosen Prince Lu Qifeng from the Lu province near Juyan City," Lei Wanxi replied.
"Lu Qifeng?!" Ying Lili asked in astonishment.
"Yes. Why? Does Sister Lili know him?" Lei Wanxi curiously asked.
"Yes. No… I mean he came to Juyan City once with his father," Ying Lili replied. Lei Wanxi nodded.
"Sister Lili, the Empress is making moves, and we do not know what she is thinking and planning. The assassin's attacks on you and the others were her doing. You need to be careful in the Palace," Lei Wanxi told Ying Lili who agreed with him.
