Hu Jingguo saw a beautiful tassel near a stall. It had a white-colored porcelain head that had a braided green-colored cord. Below the head, lay numerous threads beaded with pearls. "I want to buy this. How much is it?" Hu Jingguo queried, picking the tassel. Lei Wanxi astonishingly looked at her.
"Master, it's 80 cents. The pearls used in this are real," the seller with a broad smile replied.
Lei Wanxi took the tassel from Hu Jingguo and looked at the pearls. "Are you sure about your statement?" Lei Wanxi keenly observed the pearls. "Because I think they are fake," he added and looked back at the seller who gulped.
"Master, you have a good eye for this. Give me 15 cents," replied the seller and smiled. Hu Jingguo took out the money from his pouch and handed the 15 cents to the seller. He then put the tassel in his pocket and walked ahead with Lei Wanxi.
"Do you have a lover? For whom did you buy this tassel?" Lei Wanxi inquired him while opening the fan.
"I do not have any lover. It is for the Crown Princess," replied Hu Jingguo.
"For Sister Lili?" Lei Wanxi was astonished to hear about that.
"Yes. I forgot to bring something for her from Juyan. She will like it," Hu Jingguo stated. Lei Wanxi tilted his head slightly and asked him why he was talking in an informal language.
"Did I?" Hu Jingguo queried.
"Yes."
"Because the Crown Prince has permitted me," replied Hu Jingguo. Lei Wanxi was stunned to hear that.
"If you will give this tassel to Sister Lili then, Brother Sheng is going to be angry. You know that he is jealous that you know so much about Sister Lili," Lei Wanxi stated as the two kept walking.
"The Crown Prince will not get jealous," Hu Jingguo affirmed.
"Are you hiding something from your best friend?" Lei Wanxi complained.
"The Crown Prince has become my friend," a sudden reply came from Hu Jingguo, which astonished Lei Wanxi. "He has the heart of a child. I wonder how he fought in wars," Hu Jingguo jokingly said.
Lei Wanxi agreed with him. Indeed, Sheng Li's heart was like a child but only around the Crown Princess. By late noon, the two arrived at the Palace. As they were walking through the Eastern corridor, their gaze fell on Nianzu who was standing near the pavilion.
"Jingguo, I will see you in the evening. I really enjoyed my day thanks to you," Lei Wanxi said. Hu Jingguo bowed and walked away while Lei Wanxi went to the Pavilion.
"Fourth Brother, what are you doing here at this hour? At this time, you usually are with your mother," Lei Wanxi halted beside Nianzu, who skeptically glanced at him.
"Nothing. Mother and other Consorts are in the Emperor's Manor. I thought about sitting here for a while," Nianzu replied. "A proposal has come from Huan Province," suddenly Nianzu said.
"Pardon me? A proposal?" Lei Wanxi questioned.
"Hmm. Father wants me to marry the daughter of the King of Huan Province. King Huan Zhelan fought every battle with our father when Han expansion started. I am a little tense," Nianzu asserted. Lei Wanxi read the Fourth Prince's facial expressions for a while.
"Brother, you are older than me and even Brother Sheng. Even if you want to stop the marriage, you cannot! But, why did our father ask you to marry the daughter of the King of Huan? The other day, he agreed with you and allowed you to marry whomever you want to!" Lei Wanxi was a little confused.
"Because the King of Huan has requested this alliance! Father cannot refuse him as he always supported father every time he needed him," Nianzu proclaimed.
"Brother, then you can fall in love with Princess of Huan after marriage, just like Brother Sheng fell in love with Sister Lili. Your confusion is cleared by me. You do not need to praise me," Lei Wanxi asserted and patted his own shoulder.
Nianzu heaved a sigh. "I just do not want to marry early," he murmured.
~~~~
Sheng Li woke up and found himself embracing Ying Lili. Moving himself a little back, he checked Ying Lili, who was in a deep sleep. Since Ying Lili had wrapped her arm around him. He did not remove it and stayed in that position until Ying Lili woke up.
Sheng Li gazed his eyes all over Ying Lili's face. The glow on her face had returned. Sheng Li placed his palm over her cheek and with the thumb stroked her cheek. 'How could you love me so much? You did not think about your life while jumping in between. What if something would have happened to Hu Jingguo? Would I be able to save you, then?' Sheng Li pondered. Tears again came off his eyes.
Unbeknownst to him, a few teardrops fell over Ying Lili's hand which was lying on the bed, below Sheng Li's face. She drew her brows together and then felt the touch of her man. Gradually opening her eyes, she saw the crying face of Sheng Li.
Her heart sank seeing the sight. Was he crying again because of her? But she was fine now! Then, why? Was there any other reason behind those tears?
"You are awake. Did I disturb you?" Sheng Li looked into her eyes, who shook her head.
Ying Lili extended her hand and wiped the tears from Sheng Li's cheek. "Why are you crying? Did you recall something?" She lifted her eyes and met his gaze.
"I cried?" Sheng Li was astonished. "I think something fell in my eyes," he lied to Ying Lili.
"We are not sleeping in a place full of sand. At least lie using your brain," Ying Lili sarcastically said and giggled.
A smile appeared on his lips seeing his woman smiling. "Keep smiling like this. My heart flutters every time I see you this way. It makes me happy," Sheng Li professed.
