Princess Qi Jing visited Sheng Li and Ying Lili. She was in the Palace for a day only. Ying Lili made her sit on the chaise while she sat beside Sheng Li on another chaise. "Sister Jing, do you want to go with this marriage? Do you like the nature of Prince Lu Qifeng?" Sheng Li queried Qi Jing.
"Yes, Brother Sheng. You have asked me this question more than twenty times," Qi Jing stated with a smile.
"Because I am scared. I want my one and only sister to be happy throughout her life. I am a little possessive towards Sister Jing," Sheng Li stated.
"I know. Prince Qifeng is a nice person. His thought process is similar to mine. I chose him as my future husband because of a reason. During my visit to the Kun Lun Shan, I had crossed Lu Province where I heard from many laymen about the politeness and good behavior of Prince Qifeng towards his people," affirmed Qi Jing. Shifting her gaze towards Ying Lili, Qi Jing continued, "Sister Lili must be aware of his nature."
"Huh!" Ying Lili exclaimed and then said, "Yes. I had heard about Prince Qifeng from my father," proclaimed Ying Lili.
Sheng Li knitted his brows as he peered at Ying Lili.
"Prince Qifeng told me that he proposed to Sister Lili when you two were teenagers but you refused to get married to him. He is still bothered why Sister Lili rejected him?!" Qi Jing proclaimed.
"Because Lili's fate wanted her to marry me and love me," out of sudden Sheng Li answered, bringing a broad smile to Qi Jing's lips. "Why was Prince Qifeng talking about all that? I do not like this thing. Talking with my elder sister about his teenage infatuation. Forgive me, Sister Jing, if I sounded rude," Sheng Li asserted.
Qi Jing smiled, seeing how possessive Sheng Li had turned for Ying Lili. It was good. After such a long time, Sister Jing saw the compassion of her brother towards someone. "Prince Qifeng was confused about Sister Lili's adjustment in the Palace. According to him, it was difficult to please Sister Lili," Qi Jing replied to Sheng Li.
"Tell Prince Qifeng he irritated Lili that's why he got rejected," Sheng Li annoyingly said.
Qi Jing laughed, and a few seconds later, she stopped. "It is good to see Brother Sheng's affection towards Sister Lili. I always prayed for this- to turn my brother gentle and fill his heart with compassion." Qi Jing looked at Ying Lili. "Thank you Sister Lili for loving Brother Sheng and understanding his true nature."
"I would like to give something to you both. I have been preparing for this for a month." Qi Jing glanced at her personal assistant, who handed her two pairs of silk dresses.
"These dresses I have prepared myself for your future child. If the child turns out to be a girl, then this pink colored dress will look good on her. I have even made some flower patterns on it. If the child turns out to be a boy, then these blue robes will look good on him." She stood up from the chaise and went towards Ying Lili and Sheng Li. She put the dresses in Ying Lili's lap, who thanked Qi Jing.
"These are beautiful dresses," Ying Lili said. Her eyes were sparkling. "Thank you, Sister Jing," Ying Lili said while looking at both the dresses.
"If Mother Mei would be here then, she would have woven so many clothes. I am glad that Sister Lili liked these dresses," Qi Jing stated. Her eyes turned watery.
"Keep sending the dresses for my child. I would like him/her to wear the dresses made by the hands of my sister," Sheng Li affirmed. He was also getting emotional, but did not let it show it on his face. "I will miss you," Sheng Li said.
Qi Jing smiled a little. "I know. I will miss Brother Sheng the most," Qi Jing answered back.
"I will keep coming there," Sheng Li stated.
"It is not permitted to go in the sister's house once she is married off," Qi Jing stated. She was on the verge of crying.
"Who cares about such rules? Don't you know your brother? The more I am stopped from doing something, the more I want to do that," Sheng Li pronounced. He then looked at Ying Lili and said, "We will meet Sister Jing and then will go to Juyan as well. I realized that you might miss your family… I mean your aunt and your cousins," Sheng Li stated.
Ying Lili smiled. Qi Jing was delighted to see that the Crown Prince was not only gentle but also considerate towards Ying Lili. She felt overwhelmed seeing this.
"I shall take my leave," Qi Jing said, and she stood up from the chaise. Sheng Li immediately stood up, followed by Ying Lili. He went towards Qi Jing and tightly hugged her. "Sister Jing, thank you for everything you have done to me since my childhood. You were there when I cried and needed someone to pat me, embrace me. I promise you that I will be a great person whom you will be proud of always," Sheng Li was getting emotional.
For the first time, Ying Lili witnessed this side of Sheng Li. A tear fell from her eye seeing that moment.
Qi Jing patted Sheng Li's back. "Now, there is someone who will embrace you more than me. Keep Sister Lili always happy. I know that if she will be happy, then my brother will always be happy. She is the one who not only supports you but also shows you the right path," Qi Jing said in a low voice.
"Sister Lili, please come here!" Qi Jing said, extending her other hand out. Ying Lili went to them. Qi Jing held Ying Lili's hand and pulled her into a hug. Sheng Li put his arm around Ying Lili's shoulder and the trio stayed in that position for some time. "We will miss you, Sister Jing. As Sheng Li said, we will surely visit you," Ying Lili stated.
"Hmm. You two are my stars, whom I want to keep shining and show the way to our people," Qi Jing whispered. After a long hug, they pulled away from each other. Qi Jing was crying, so was Ying Lili.
"Why are you two crying? Don't cry," Sheng Li said as he wiped the tears from their cheeks using his thumbs. "I can't see the tears in the eyes of two precious women in my life," he added, keeping a tiny smile on his lips.
