Sheng Li placed his left hand on Ying Lili's nape, drawing her further closer to him. His thumb was gently stroking her cheek. He pulled a little back, giving them enough time to breathe when he heard the sound of someone coming there. He glanced towards the door, which was half visible from the curtains. He saw Xing-Fu, who was standing behind the white curtain with a bowed head.
"Your highness, forgive me for disturbing you two. General Xiao is waiting for you in the chamber. He has something important to discuss with you," Xing-Fu informed Sheng Li. Ying Lili had moved away from Sheng Li by then.
"Can't he wait? Why does everyone love to intrude in my precious moments?" Sheng Li complained.
Xing-Fu did not say anything when he heard the command of Sheng Li. "Leave." Xing-Fu quietly stepped back and left the bathhouse. Sheng Li looked at Ying Lili who was smiling.
"I think everyone is the enemy of us. Every time I get romantic, someone ruins it and turns my mood off," Sheng Li pronounced.
"General Xiao must have something important to tell you else he would not have sent a message here," Ying Lili stated.
"Hmm, I know," Sheng Li replied. He went back into the bathtub.
"I will see you in your chamber," Ying Lili stated. She stood up and left the bathhouse. Sheng Li for some time stayed in the bathtub before coming out of it and then dressed up.
Xing-Fu tied the bandage in the Crown Prince's hand. Buckling the golden belt around the dress, Xing-Fu picked the overcoat. Sheng Li stretched his arms out while Xing-Fu made him wear the overcoat.
Seeing how freely the Crown Prince was moving his hand, Xing-Fu got suspicious. "Your highness, pardon me but it seems that your wrist is alright," Xing-Fu said in a low voice.
"Really?" Sheng Li asked and stepped ahead to put on the shoes.
"The way his highness is moving his hand-"
"Xing-Fu, I have injured my wrist. Keep it in your mind," Sheng Li said and flicked at his forehead before leaving the bathhouse. Xing-Fu caressed his forehead and adjusted the hat he was wearing. He hastened his steps and followed the Crown Prince. As he came out of the bathhouse, he instructed the servants to clean it.
Soon, he caught up with the Crown Prince. "Does his highness want the Crown Princess to do his work? That's why his highness acted to have a broken wrist," Xing-Fu deduced.
Sheng Li was smiling. "Xing-Fu, I have been wondering since when you started using your brain. The things where you should use your brain, you do not but using too much of your brain in my plan," Sheng Li asserted.
"Forgive me, your highness. I was a little curious," Xing-Fu replied. Soon they reached the manor and Sheng Li went to the chamber where Xiao Zhan was waiting for him.
Sheng Li found Ying Lili was also there, looking at the sketch that he had made from the painter. Xiao Zhan saw the Crown Prince and stood up from the chair, bowing his head.
"Your highness, what happened to your hand?" Xiao Zhan worriedly asked.
Ying Lili shifted her gaze to look at him and stood up from the chair.
"Nothing much. Just a Wildcat got out of control and I ended up falling and hurting myself," Sheng Li answered, looking at Ying Lili. Xiao Zhan suppressed his smile and quickly pulled out the chair for the Crown Prince.
Sheng Li sat on the chair, followed by Ying Lili and Xiao Zhan. "What is the important matter that you could not wait longer?" Sheng Li questioned Xiao Zhan.
"Your highness, General Wang has sent a message from Juyan. Three assassins chased General Wang. So he would take a longer route to get back to Luoyang," Xiao Zhan informed the Crown Prince and placed the rolled paper on the table.
Sheng Li quickly opened it and read the message by Wang Hao. "Someone is keeping an eye on all of our activities," Sheng Li proclaimed after reading the message. He looked back at Xiao and inquired him if he could find out anything about the person in the sketch.
"I am afraid, your highness, but I did not find any clue till now. I have informed our best spies, and they will get back to us soon," Xiao Zhan affirmed.
"Hmm."
"Sheng Li, if the assassins chased General Wang, then it might be dangerous for him and also for Hu Jingguo," Ying Lili was anxious upon hearing the message.
"Do not take General Wang lightly. He will bring Hu Jingguo safely here," Sheng Li assured Ying Lili.
"Your highness, but why is Hu Jingguo brought back?" Xiao Zhan confusedly asked.
"I will tell you later," Sheng Li replied. Xiao Zhan nodded his head in agreement. "Tighten the security around the Palace. After two days, there are three marriages. Keep a close eye on everything. I will come in the evening for a meeting with the Military Commanders," Sheng Li explained to Xiao Zhan.
"Yes, your highness. The First Prince had come earlier to check the security arrangements."
Sheng Li narrowly gazed at Xiao Zhan. "It's the marriage of the sister of the First Prince so, he might be tense," Sheng Li pronounced.
"General Xiao, keep a close check in the marriage hall. This enemy is more dangerous for us. We do not know what he is planning with each passing second," Ying Lili menacingly said. Xiao Zhan nodded and took his leave, taking the sketch with him.
"Lili, you did not tell me what you would like to have as the present," out of sudden Sheng Li said, bewildering Ying Lili.
"If I tell you, then how will that be my present? I cannot ask for gifts from you. Though I liked the first present you gave me- The ceramic bangle on the day of Lantern Festival." Ying Lili moved her sleeve up and showed Sheng Li her left wrist in which she had worn the bangle.
"The butterfly and the bangle both look good," Ying Lili said with a smile.
Sheng Li recalled the day when he purchased the bangle for her. He used to think that Ying Lili did not like such things, but today he realized that she was a woman who indeed wanted to have trappings.
He was lost in his thoughts when he felt Ying Lili's hand on his left hand. She had moved the sleeve up and was looking at the butterfly that she had drawn. She placed her hand beside his and passed a broad smile to him.
"This is the symbol of our love. These imprints of butterflies will remind us every day about our Young Forever Love," Ying Lili stated.
