Sheng Li, after freshening up, went to the chamber of Ying Lili for dinner. He found Ying Lili was yawning while waiting for him at the dinner table. He went to the table and pulled out a chair for him. Ying Lili was delighted to see him and told the maidservant to serve the food to them.
After the food was served, Sheng Li dismissed the maidservants. Ying Lili was eating silently when Sheng Li tasted the chicken soup from the bowl, which was placed in front of Ying Lili.
She knitted her brows and asked him why he was eating from her bowl. "You told me that eating on the same plate increases the love manifold," Sheng Li stated and continued, "So, I decided to eat on the same plate as yours." He moved his chair near to Ying Lili and picked the rice from the same bowl as hers. "I think food tastes sweeter by doing so," Sheng Li murmured, passing a smile to her.
The two continued eating when Ying Lili said, "How are we going to change the administration? We need a better implementation so that people do not need to suffer," Ying Lili asserted.
"First Brother and I will first make the reports since we need to submit it to the Emperor who will check the report to give the further decision. In short, there will be a discussion with the Court Ministers and other chief administrators of the Kingdom," pronounced Sheng Li.
Ying Lili nodded and continued eating. They finished their meals soon. Ying Lili went to bed and laid down. She closed her eyes as she was tired from the entire day's activities when she felt Sheng Li's hand on her foot. She opened her eyes, raised herself using the elbows, and saw Sheng Li was massaging her feet.
"What are you doing!?" Pulling her leg away she asked.
Sheng Li caught her foot and told her to lie down. "Earlier you complained that your feet were in pain. I do a good foot massage," Sheng Li stated, passing her a smile.
"No, don't. I do not want my husband to touch my feet," Ying Lili protested as she again tried to pull her leg away from Sheng Li's grip, but he did not let it go.
"Just lay down and close your eyes," Sheng Li scolded Ying Lili, who did not protest this time and laid down. Sheng Li dipped his fingers in the mustard oil and started massaging Ying Lili's foot. He massaged mostly near the pressure points where the pain was immense. "I am not too hard, right?" Sheng Li queried.
"No, you are not," Ying Lili veraciously replied. Sheng Li wore a tiny smile on his lips and continued the massage for ten minutes. He then cleaned Ying Lili's feet using a clean towel.
"By the morning, the pain will be gone," Sheng Li stated, looking at Ying Lili.
"Thank you. I am feeling a little better. Let's sleep because I am tired," Ying Lili said and yawned. Sheng Li put the bowl of oil on the table there and called a maidservant to bring the water bowl. After cleaning his hands, he sent the maidservant away.
Sheng Li blew off the candles and went to the bed. He found Ying Lili was already asleep, which didn't surprise him. He got into the bed and pulled the blanket up. Covering Ying Lili from the blanket, he leaned for a kiss and pecked her lips. A smile was carved on Ying Lili's lips. Sheng Li laid down and soon he also drifted off to sleep.
In the morning, Ying Lili woke up early because the Princesses were going to arrive at the Palace. She was feeling good and even her feet were not aching, thanks to the massage that Sheng Li gave to her the previous night.
She looked at Sheng Li. "Today, I will put makeup on your face," Ying Lili murmured and quietly got down the bed, without disturbing the sleep of Sheng Li. She went to the dressing table and picked up the makeup products. She went to the bed and placed the products there. She first put the red color on Sheng Li's lips. The same red color she applied on his cheeks and nose. She then used soot and made three lines on both of his cheeks. She giggled, looking at his face.
"Your punishment for that day. I just wish I could do more, but I need to get ready. Have a good day," Ying Lili mumbled and got down the bed. She put the lip color and the tiny soot box back at the dressing table and left the chamber.
"Your highness, good morning," Court Lady Xu greeted the Crown Princess as she came out. Ying Lili greeted her back.
"Your highness, the bath is ready. Is his highness still sleeping?" Court Lady Xu asked.
"Yes. Let the Crown Prince sleep. Is there any news of the arrival of the princesses?" Ying Lili queried.
"They have entered the borders of Luoyang. Before the morning greetings, they will be in the Palace," Court Lady Xu replied. Ying Lili nodded and left for the bathhouse with them.
Sheng Li moved his hand in his sleep as he wanted to embrace Ying Lili, but his hand could not reach her. He opened his eyes and did not find her there. Rubbing his eyes, he turned his head to the other side and realized Ying Lili was not in the room. He stood up, wore the overcoat, and left the Zhenzhu Inn.
He reached his chamber. Seeing his master there, Xing-Fu stood up from the floor and greeted the Crown Prince. He lifted his head and was shocked to see the face of the Crown Prince. He suppressed his laugh by puckering his lips together. "What happened? Why are you making such a face?" Sheng Li asked sternly.
"Nothing, your highness," Xing-Fu replied. Sheng Li nodded and was going to turn to the washroom when he heard the voice of Lei Wanxi.
'What is he doing here in the early morning?' Sheng Li thought and turned to look.
"Brother Sheng, the Prince of Lu Province…" Lei Wanxi paused and scanned the entire face of Sheng Li. He ended up laughing. "What is this brother? You are looking hilarious!" Lei Wanxi held his stomach and continued laughing. Xing-Fu and the other maidservants also started giggling.
"What?" Sheng Li exclaimed. "What are you saying?" He annoyingly asked.
Lei Wanxi placed his palm over his lips to stop his laughter and went to Sheng Li. "Eunuch Xing-Fu, bring a mirror for the Crown Prince," Lei Wanxi asserted. The mirror was brought by him and it was handed to Lei Wanxi who placed the mirror in front of Sheng Li's face.
Sheng Li was shocked to see his face, covered in red and black. The red circles on his both cheeks and three black lines over those circles. He heard everyone giggling around him and covered his face. Glancing at Xing-Fu, Sheng Li told him to bring a towel, which he did. Sheng Li cleaned her face, but the marks were still left behind.
"Prepare a bath for me. If this incident goes out, then I will kill you all," Sheng Li walked inside his chamber.
"Sister Lili is going to be in danger," Lei Wanxi muttered. "Eunuch Xing-Fu, please inform the Crown Prince that Prince Lu Qifeng will wait for him in the practice grounds," asserted Lei Wanxi and walked away.
