Sheng Li found Ying Lili had drifted off to sleep because of the wine. He did not want this and regretted bringing about his departure. He made her lay on the mattress and covered her from the blanket. Caressing her forehead, he stood up and walked out of the chamber. He went straight to Hu Jingguo's quarters as he needed to discuss things with him.
Hu Jingguo was moving his hand over his stomach as he had just had dinner when he saw Sheng Li at the entrance. A smile carved on his lips and put his hand down. Sheng Li closed the door and came near Hu Jingguo.
"Why did you not call me? This place does not suit you," Hu Jingguo remarked. Sheng Li sat on the chair there and gestured to him to sit.
Hu Jingguo pulled out a chair for him and rested on it. "It is a relief that you reached the Capital safely," Sheng Li stated. Hu Jingguo nodded and told him that he would prepare the medicine in a while.
"Do it quick because tomorrow evening, we are leaving," Sheng Li asserted.
Hu Jingguo drew his brows together. He had just arrived and now he had to leave again. But why? "A mission where we need to kill someone who has raised an army against the Han Empire," Sheng Li informed him before he could ask.
Hu Jingguo was shocked to learn about that. "What? Where? Are you saying a war can happen?" Hu Jingguo inquired from him.
"War can happen if we do not act expeditiously. Weng Wei told me about the person who aided her in her plans. He has created an army in a remote village of the Northern Province where the population is in hundreds," Sheng Li asserted.
"How many are coming with us?" Hu Jingguo asked.
"Wang Hao will accompany us. I do not know how many accomplices Tan Gengxin has, so taking an army could be risky for us. Commander Sun will lead a piece of the army after our departure and they will be disguised so that if there will be any spies of Tan Gengxin, they will not act," Sheng Li explained to Hu Jingguo, who nodded. Sheng Li found that Hu Jingguo was tired because of the long journey, so he decided not to take his time.
"Take a good rest. I will explain the rest of the things to you in the morning. Do not share anything with Lei Wanxi as it's a secret mission," Sheng Li stated.
"I know. I will not share it with him. I will prepare the medicine for his majesty tonight. With this medicine, he will recover gradually and he will survive longer," Hu Jingguo said with a smile. Sheng Li noticed his hands which were bruised. He might have touched some thorn bushes while searching for the medicinal plant.
"Apply an ointment over your hands," Sheng Li said and walked out of his room. Hu Jingguo chuckled and looked at his hands. "He does care for me. It is unbelievable to see the Crown Prince this way. I am the most privileged person on this earth," Hu Jingguo praised himself.
Sheng Li went to the barracks once before returning to his chamber when he found Nianzu at the Eastern Pavilion, playing the flute. The sound coming from the flute showed that Nianzu was hurt. He walked to him. Hearing footsteps, Nianzu stopped playing the flute and turned to look at Sheng Li.
"Why is the Fourth Brother playing the flute at this hour? I do not have enough knowledge of music but judging by the music you played, it felt that Brother is missing someone or is hurt. Forgive me, if I am wrong," Sheng Li leaned himself on the broad wooden railing while waiting for Nianzu's answer.
"I freed her," Nianzu said. Sheng Li knitted his brows. "You were right, Brother Sheng. Keeping her close to me will only bring misfortunes to her as I am a Prince. I wish I could leave this tag of Prince in front of my name," Nianzu affirmed, with guilt in his eyes. Sheng Li sat on the railing as he decided to converse with the Fourth Prince for some time.
"I also said that if you have enough courage, then you shall go with it," Sheng Li proclaimed.
"But I am not courageous enough. Her life might come into danger because of my status. It's over, Brother Sheng. I will cherish the memories I had with her. Every love story cannot be completed. She almost got punished because of me. I cannot rule out the principles laid by our forefathers," Nianzu pronounced and looked at the dark sky, covered with numerous stars.
"Since it's the decision of the Fourth Brother, then I will acknowledge it," Sheng Li asserted. Nianzu passed a smile to him and looked at the flute.
"The Crown Princess might be waiting for Brother Sheng. You shall leave," Nianzu advised.
"She has fallen asleep," replied Sheng Li.
"The Crown Princess works hard. The administrative reforms suggested by her are indeed effective. I got a few petitions today from the commoners which earlier were hard to get." Sheng Li agreed with him.
"If it would be in my hands, I would have given Lili as equal rights as us men. She has a great intellect which I lack somewhere," Sheng Li complimented her.
"Yes. That's the greatest quality in her. But the norms set for women cannot be changed so easily, Brother Sheng. Maybe the upcoming generations will work towards it and be more open-minded," Nianzu pronounced.
"Brother Nianzu, Brother Sheng!" A familiar voice called their names. They both turned to look at the First Prince, who had a ledger in his hand.
"Ahh, you both do not need to stand up. Please be seated," Prince Jian stated and came towards them. He sat in their midst on the railing.
"What's this ledger?" Sheng Li questioned.
"It has the records of last one-month revenue generation," replied Jian Guozhi. He then looked at Nianzu. "You look low. What happened?" He waited for Nianzu to answer.
"Brother has sent away the girl whom he had rescued. So, he is disheartened," Sheng Li answered before Nianzu could. Nianzu did not want to share about this.
"Brother Sheng, some might hear this and if this goes out, then it will not be good," Nianzu worriedly said. Sheng Li snickered. He opened his mouth to speak when Lei Wanxi voiced, "No one enters the Eastern Pavilion except us brothers. It is a place for us."
"What is going on? I guess all the Brothers are around!" Sheng Li stated.
"No. Brother Yu does not come out after evening. His mother is so strict!" Lei Wanxi asserted and sat beside Sheng Li. He tilted his head to get a view of Nianzu. "Why did Brother Nianzu tell Sister Chuntao to leave? I was so excited when you brought Sister Chuntao to the Palace," Lei Wanxi said and pouted.
"You are always excited! Wanxi, do not trouble the Fourth Brother. Go to your chamber," Sheng Li scolded him. Lei Wanxi clicked his tongue from the roof of his mouth.
"I am not going anywhere, Brother Sheng. I have to make my Brother Nianzu understand that he shall not let his feelings be buried like this," Lei Wanxi stated and glanced at him. Jian Guozhi smiled upon hearing the words of Lei Wanxi.
Yongzheng and Rong Zemin also came there. "What's the occasion? All the brothers are sitting here," Yongzheng amusingly said. Lei Wanxi stood up and went near Yongzheng.
"Second Brother, we all are here to solve the problem of the Fourth Brother. He is in a dilemma," Lei Wanxi affirmed while keeping his gaze at Nianzu, who was smiling at the childish acts of the Sixth Prince.
"How can Brother Nianzu be in a dilemma? He is the one who gives the best advice to everyone," Rong Zemin remarked.
"Brother, it is a matter of heart," Lei Wanxi stated and placed his hand on his chest, near the chest.
"Brother Wanxi, just stop. You are exaggerating it," Nianzu was a bit uncomfortable talking about it.
"Brother Nianzu, I am afraid, but if I get quiet today, then you cannot find the best solution," Lei Wanxi asserted.
"Brother Wanxi, are you joking about my feelings?" Nianzu suddenly got angry, tensing the atmosphere. The smile from Lei Wanxi's lips disappeared. The Fourth Prince never raised his voice on Lei Wanxi.
"Brother, I did not intend to do that," Lei Wanxi in a low voice said and lowered his eyes. Sheng Li stood up and went near Lei Wanxi. Jian Guozhi told Nianzu to calm down.
"You were!" Nianzu said with a menacing expression. Sheng Li intervened between them, but Nianzu ignored him too. "You never experienced this, that's why it is like a play to you. If you do not understand, then refrain from speaking too." Nianzu had stood up from the railing. Things got heated suddenly. Lei Wanxi lifted his eyes and looked at Nianzu.
"I only wanted to help, Brother Nianzu. I am indeed naïve to understand all this, but I really respect your feelings. Forgive me, if I hurt you," Lei Wanxi apologized this time sincerely.
