Everyone was eagerly waiting for Prince Lu Qifeng at the Fu Imperial Gates. Soon some foot soldiers were visible to them; behind them, on a white horse, Prince Lu Qifeng could be seen. Beside the Prince were two more horsemen, followed by horse carts.
A broad smile appeared on Han Wenji's lips upon seeing Prince Lu Qifeng. The foot soldiers stopped, stepped aside, and aligned in a row. Lu Qifeng got down on his horse and walked towards the Emperor. He lifted his hands, placed his right fist on the left palm, and bowed. "Greeting to the Emperor and the Empress of Han from the Prince of Lu Province," Lu Qifeng stated.
"Welcome, Prince Lu Qifeng to the Imperial Palace of Han," Han Wenji said. Lu Qifeng lifted his head to look at Sheng Li. He bowed and greeted the Crown Prince, followed by the Crown Princess. His eyes stopped at her for a few seconds when Ying Lili averted her gaze from him.
Lu Qifeng turned slightly, looking at the horses' carts. "Father has sent some valuables for the respected Emperor," Lu Qifeng stated. Han Wenji nodded and then looked at Weng Wei.
"Please show the personal chamber where Prince Lu will stay till his marriage with the Princess," Han Wenji told the Empress who glanced at the Crown Princess.
"Welcome, Prince Lu. Please this way," Ying Lili softly said. Lu Qifeng passed a tiny smile to her but before going he looked at the Emperor.
"Prince Lu Qifeng, you shall follow the Crown Princess," Han Wenji stated. Lu Qifeng bowed and walked behind the Crown Princess. Sheng Li looked at Weng Wei and then looked at Xue Yu-Yan who was smirking. "Brother, there is something that you must know." Lei Wanxi whispered in the ear of Sheng Li.
Sheng Li tilted his head and waited for everyone to leave the place. After everyone left the place, Sheng Li ordered Wang Hao and Xiao Zhan to send the valuables from the other entrance. "What do you want to tell me?" Sheng Li asked Lei Wanxi who narrated the entire last night incident that he witnessed between the First Prince and Princess Consort Xue.
"What? They were fighting with each other?" Sheng Li was bewildered to hear that.
"Yes, Brother Sheng. The Elder First Brother also hates Princess Consort Xue. I am confused why she was telling him to make her the Crown Princess? Is something going to happen, Brother?" Lei Wanxi anxiously asked.
Sheng Li knitted his brows. "I think they have planned something. They might harm Ying Lili this time since she is with me," Sheng Li deduced. "I need to find out what's going on in Xue's mind?" He thought.
"Brother, I think they want to harm you both. Upon your order, I am granted permission to enter the Buddha Temple by our father where the Empress goes daily for prayer. But, I found nothing suspicious there. I kept a check on her all the time but there was nothing which could be doubtful," Lei Wanxi proclaimed.
"As soon as you asked permission publicly, Weng Wei might have taken care of everything. Unlike her brother, she has brains that's why she is in that position for so many years," Sheng Li muttered and clenched his fist. "There might be some kind of secret passage there. Did you thoroughly check that area?" Sheng Li asked.
"I checked everything there, Brother. But there was nothing that could seem doubtful to me. Brother, why do you not take a secret visit there?" Lei Wanxi suggested.
"Hmm." "Where is Brother Nianzu? I need to talk to him."
"He must be busy in his study room," Lei Wanxi replied. "But, why does Brother want to talk to the Fourth Brother?" Lei Wanxi queried.
"I need to consult something with the Fourth Brother. Lili has been given the responsibility of the marriage of Sister Jing and she thinks something big will happen. I felt the same way, that's why I need the advice of the Fourth Brother," Sheng Li explained.
Lei Wanxi nodded and followed the Crown Prince.
~~~~
Ying Lili showed the chamber to Lu Qifeng. She commanded the maidservants to serve the Prince. "Princess Jing will meet you tomorrow morning. Please make yourself comfortable here and call the maidservants if you need anything. Don't be hesitant in anything," Ying Lili stated.
Lu Qifeng nodded and thanked her for the hospitality provided to him. "I shall take my leave," Ying Lili said and turned to go when Lu Qifeng's question stopped her.
"You married him?" Ying Lili turned and looked at him.
"Be respectful, Prince Lu Qifeng," Ying Lili said with a stern expression.
"Forgive me for not using the title for the Crown Princess. I was a little curious that the Princess of Juyan also accepted the defeat at the hands of the Crown Prince. I still remember that day when…"
"Prince Qifeng," Ying Lili cut his words in the middle, "Just because my father and your father were acquaintances does not make us acquaintances. Moreover, Prince Qifeng does not possess any right to judge my decision. Since you are here as the bridegroom of Princess Jing, I will be respectful to you. I want you to keep in your mind that I will not tolerate any inappropriate behavior, Prince Qifeng," Ying Lili affirmed.
Hearing the firm voice of Ying Lili, Lu Qifeng apologized again. Ying Lili walked out of the chamber and encountered Xue Yu-Yan.
"Crown Princess, her majesty sent me to bring you to her Manor. The Royal Astrologer is in the Palace," Xue Yu-Yan stated. Ying Lili nodded and walked ahead.
"They both know each other?" Xue Yu-Yan murmured. "I need to find out how much these two know each other. Are they just an acquaintance or more than that?" Xue Yu-Yan mumbled and saw the Crown Princess had reached quite ahead. "I just hope that I found out something which will tarnish your image completely," she muttered and walked behind Ying Lili.
