Sheng Li pulled out a chair for Ying Lili and made her sit on it. "Sheng Li, I really do not want to eat," she said in a low voice.
"I am afraid, but you cannot skip your meals. You have traveled such a long distance," Sheng Li stated and removed the lid from over a bowl that had hot vegetable soup in it. In the other bowls, there was rice, dumplings, and chicken soup.
"Eat it before it cools down," Sheng Li pulled out a chair for him and, after taking a seat, continued, "I will watch you until you finish everything." He picked a pair of chopsticks for Ying Lili and handed them to her. Ying Lili started eating.
"You acted bravely, Lili," suddenly Sheng Li said. Ying Lili glanced at him with a bewildered expression. "In my absence, you did not let anything happen to the Capital. I am proud to be your husband." Ying Lili's heart fluttered to hear that. She passed him a tiny smile and continued eating. Sheng Li had rested his hand on the table while his chin was resting on his fist.
Ying Lili, after a while, finished eating. "I think I will not be able to finish the chicken soup. My stomach is full," Ying Lili informed Sheng Li, who hummed and called the maidservant, who cleaned the table.
"So, what are you going to do? What is your plan? Tan Gengxin might have known about us by now," Ying Lili asserted and waited for Sheng Li's response.
"I will give him an open challenge. Xiao Zhan had sent the message to him to be ready for the war. It's strange to see that he did not come here to surrender even after knowing that his daughter's truth was revealed," Sheng Li snickered.
"He has only one motive to rule over the Han Empire. I believe his daughter was merely a tool for him to get into the Royal Family. Since the Emperor was unable to find out about all this, fingers would be raised on his majesty," Ying Lili reasoned. "Why did Weng Wei not tell you about this?" Ying Lili was confused.
"She did not know that Zhilao Mi is Tan Gengxin's daughter. Weng Wei wanted Xue to be in power the same as her. Tan Gengxin just used her for his benefits," stated Sheng Li. "Zhilao Mi disguised herself well. She covered herself by acting naive and least interested in Palace politics," Sheng Li chuckled.
"Brother Jian is devastated."
Sheng Li peered at Ying Lili. "Brother Jian had opened his heart for her and this truth broke him down. Even Brother Jian does not share his worries like you," Ying Lili deduced.
"Maybe," Sheng Li replied.
"Lili, today even Wang Hao could lose his life. Hu Jingguo saved him. I surrendered myself at that time." Ying Lili's eyes grew wider upon learning about that. "Hu Jingguo got the time to run away, and he brought the army at the right time. He was smiling at me."
Sheng Li knitted his brows whereas, his eyes had turned misty. "I was busy fighting with enemies, and he jumped in the middle, just to save me. The day you got injured, I asked him to promise me not to ever risk his life for me. But he did! He is such a liar," Sheng Li was happy and sad recalling those moments with Hu Jingguo.
Ying Lili was surprised to see that the death of Hu Jingguo shook Sheng Li completely. "He hugged me tightly and took that attack instead of me," Sheng Li murmured. The tears poured down his cheeks. "I am sorry, but his face is running in front of my eyes." He placed his hand on his chest, near his heart. "It is hurting," he mumbled.
Ying Lili grasped both of his hands and caressed them. She did not utter a single word. She was silent, but even in that silence, she could feel his every emotion. "It is bound to get hurt. But you have to remember your duties as well. Mourning over his death will bring nothing," Ying Lili affirmed.
Sheng Li nodded his head. Ying Lili ran her thumb over his cheeks and wiped the tears. "Gain and loss are a part of life. We both lost many people close to us, but we cannot become weak. Hu Jingguo is watching us, and at this moment, he would be dejected seeing you like this," Ying Lili made him understand.
"I know. My head is aching. I want to sleep. I will tell you my entire plan later. You must be tired too. Let's take a little rest," Sheng Li stated. Ying Lili pulled him up, and the two went towards the bed.
The two laid beside each other. Sheng Li was blankly gazing towards the ceiling when he felt Ying Lili's palm on his cheek. She made him look at her. "Close your eyes," she moved closer to him then.
"Shall I? But now, I think I will not be able to sleep. His image is still in front of me," Sheng Li whispered.
"Do it," Ying Lili said.
Sheng Li closed his eyes. Ying Lili patted his head like a child. Even she was tired after such a long trip. She was excited to meet both Sheng Li and Hu Jingguo. However, she could not even converse with him. She could not fall weak at this moment because Sheng Li was at his worst phase. This incident had triggered him in a way that he had begun questioning his strength. Though Sheng Li did not share it with Ying Lili, it was clear when he asked her if she did not regret loving her! 'This phase will pass soon. I only need to keep reminding Sheng Li that it was not his fault,' Ying Lili thought. She glanced at Sheng Li, who had fallen asleep.. 'Thank you, Jingguo, for keeping the promise to me though I never wanted it this way,' she murmured.
