Hu Jingguo was delighted to see Ying Lili and Sheng Li. He told them to take their seats. They both took seats on the floor chairs around the table. "Jingguo, are you doing fine?" Ying Lili asked.
"Yes, Crown Princess. The Crown Prince has provided me with everything," Hu Jingguo replied.
Ying Lili was happy to know about that. "Do you want to go back?" Ying Lili's sudden question bewildered both Sheng Li and Hu Jingguo at the same time. "I said this because the Palace might be dangerous for you. In any case, I do not want to lose my one and only friend," Ying Lili pronounced as she knitted her brows together.
"Nothing will happen. I am well aware of my surroundings," Hu Jingguo stated. Sheng Li found Ying Lili was anxious about Hu Jingguo's safety. "You shall leave. I will make arrangements for you so that you safely reach Juyan," Sheng Li pronounced.
"But, your highness-" Hu Jingguo wanted to stop that when Sheng Li cut his words in the middle.
"I will call you when you will be needed here, but for now just leave. Even earlier I wanted you to leave, but circumstances did not let that happen. I know you are concerned about your friend but for her, I am here. She is my responsibility now and her friend's responsibility is also mine. If anything happens to you, she will get affected. Go back to Juyan." Sheng Li took out something from his pocket and forwarded that to Hu Jingguo.
"This is the seal which can help you at many places. Keep it. I will make safe arrangements for your departure," Sheng Li pronounced.
Hu Jingguo took the seal and thanked the Crown Prince for thinking so much about him. Hu Jingguo looked back at Ying Lili and said, "I will miss you."
"Take care of yourself, and do not worry about me. Thank you for everything you did for me and the Crown Prince," Ying Lili expressed her gratitude.
"Her highness is making me feel tiny by thanking me. It is my duty to serve you both. Till my last breath, I will serve you two," Hu Jingguo affirmed. They stood up from their respective seats. Hu Jingguo wanted to hug Ying Lili, but now she was married, so it was not allowed.
"Can the Crown Prince give me a hug?" Hu Jingguo expressed his wish. Ying Lili peered at Sheng Li who stepped ahead and hugged Hu Jingguo.
The Crown Prince was going to pull away when Hu Jingguo tightened his grip on his back and whispered in his ear, "Your highness, you are her ideal husband." Sheng Li tilted his head when Hu Jingguo continued, "She answered me this when I had asked her about her ideal husband choice- 'Someone who will consider her equal in everything; someone who will stand for her in the worst possible circumstances and will respect her decisions, he will be her ideal husband'. But she wondered if in this patriarchal society this kind of man will ever exist! That's why she rejected those marriage proposals because when she met them at her father's request, she got disappointed."
They both pulled away from the hug and looked at each other. Hu Jingguo was smiling at Sheng Li. "What did you tell him?" Suddenly Ying Lili asked Hu Jingguo.
"I was asking the Crown Prince why his highness left me in the middle yesterday. Everyone was laughing at me seeing me in a woman's attire," Hu Jingguo lied to Ying Lili.
"What?" Ying Lili exclaimed and looked at Sheng Li.
"It was his punishment to annoy me on the journey. Let's go back," Sheng Li told Ying Lili and turned to go. Ying Lili waved at Hu Jingguo and left the room with her husband.
~~~~~
Jian Guozhi and Nianzu completed their works on the pending decisions over Capital's matters. "Senior First Brother, forgive me for the other day. I blurted out many things in the drunkard state. I should have controlled my tongue even if I was drunk," Nianzu stated.
"It is alright. Brother was angry and wanted to leash it out. How is your mother doing?" Jian Guozhi then asked.
"She is fine, I think," Nianzu replied.
"You think?" Jian Guozhi raised his brow. "Aren't you meeting her?" he then asked.
Nianzu did not reply to the query of the First Prince so Jian Guozhi did not pressure him.
"Brother Nianzu, I found the young lady you brought here is diligent and observant. A village girl like her is indeed exceptional, but be careful of the Palace rumors," Jian Guozhi warned Nianzu.
Nianzu nodded his head. "Brother, I shall take my leave. It was nice working with you." Nianzu stood up from the chair, bowed his head, and walked out of the chamber.
Jian Guozhi called a maidservant in and told her to clean the table. He then went to the chamber of Zhilao Mi. As he entered there, he saw Zhilao was busy with the needlework. He sat in front of her around the floor table. He did not disturb her and kept watching her. After a while, Zhilao moved her eyes from the cloth and saw Jian Guozhi in front of her.
"When did you come here? Forgive me. I got busy with the needlework," Zhilao stated.
"It's fine. What have you made?" Jian asked.
"It is a flower pattern for the tablecloth," Zhilao Mi replied. "Does Jian Ge want to see?" she asked.
Jian Guozhi nodded and leaned forward on the table. He looked at the intricate flower pattern. "You have fine crafting skills," Jian Guozhi praised Zhilao Mi who thanked him.
She stood up from her seat and went towards a table near the dressing table. Jian Guozhi too stood up from his seat and went to her. Zhilao Mi took out a handkerchief and came towards him. "This is for you. I made it a day ago," Zhilao Mi said. Jian Guozhi looked at the handkerchief with a smile carved on his lips.
"It's beautiful. Is it for me?" He asked.
"Yes, Jian Ge," replied Zhilao Mi. Jian Guozhi put the handkerchief inside his pocket. Leaning closer to Zhilao Mi, he planted a kiss on the top of her head. Zhilao Mi lifted her eyes and met the gaze of Jian Guozhi. "I will meet you in the evening. Let's have dinner together in the evening," Jian Guozhi said. Zhilao Mi nodded and asked him if he was going somewhere.
"Yes. I need to report to the Crown Prince, as I need his approval in a matter," Jian answered and stepped back. "I thought to give this message personally to you, that's why I came here. You shall continue your work," Jian stated and left from there.
