Han Wenji looked at Deng Hui, who was crying and pleading with the Emperor to bring her son back. The Consorts were also shocked. They asked the Emperor about Nianzu, who did not speak a word. The Princes were also there. Lei Wanxi and Weng Yu were weeping like children.
Lei Wanxi's eyes fell on Sheng Li, and he dashed to him. "Brother Sheng, where were you? Do you know about Brother Nianzu? He was in the Palace earlier," Lei Wanxi queried.
"I do not know," Sheng Li replied and glanced at his father, who was troubled. 'Why did he rush his decision? Why did the father get harsh on Brother Nianzu?' Sheng Li wondered.
"Brother Sheng, let's find Nianzu. Brother Nianzu might be in the house of Chuntao," asserted Lei Wanxi.
"No one will find him," they heard Han Wenji, astonishing everyone. Jian Guozhi opened his mouth to speak when he heard Han Wenji. "Whoever will defy my order will be sent away from the Palace. He chose this path, so be it. I will not hear any questions on this matter. No one will take his name ever here," Han Wenji pronounced.
Deng Hui got on her knees. "Your Majesty, I beg you. Please, bring my son back. He will never show such behavior." The tears continued pouring down Deng Hui's eyes. The other Consorts also requested the Emperor, but Han Wenji was inexorable.
"Everyone, leave," Han Wenji sternly said. Eunuch Jin came forward with a few maidservants and helped the Empress. The Consorts and the Princes left the chamber except for the Crown Prince as nothing could be done.
"I am not interested in talking to anyone," Han Wenji stated as he turned his back towards Sheng Li.
"The Emperor must talk to the Crown Prince," Sheng Li opined. "Beg your pardon, your majesty, but why did you do this?" He queried.
"Nianzu always wanted this. Even if I had acknowledged his relationship with Chuntao, then also nothing good would come. Someone might have harmed or killed his woman. And it was bound to happen. I have the regret of losing my beloved wife and all these years were painful without her. I do not want to see the same thing happen to Nianzu.
Also, he infuriated me. That was also the reason I did not stop him from leaving," Han Wenji affirmed.
"Forgive me for being rude to the Father. I was angry earlier. The truth of my mother shook me from inside," asserted Sheng Li. "You are right, Father. Chuntao could have become a part of Palace politics and might be targeted," he concluded.
Han Wenji turned to look at Sheng Li. "Keep a check on Gu Zhenya. His intentions do not appear good." Han Wenji ordered Sheng Li.
"Did you take your medicines?" Sheng Li asked him.
"Yes. The pain in the chest had gone, and even the blood stopped coming from the cough," Han Wenji replied.
"Hu Jingguo fulfilled every promise he made to me. I told him to save my father, and without thinking about his life, even for a second, Hu Jingguo voluntarily went to find the herbs for your illness," Sheng Li again reminisced those memories and rubbed his eyes.
"I will give tribute to him by turning the department of medicine in his name. Hu Jingguo's name shall remain till generations. His contribution towards the Empire was unusual and remarkable," Han Wenji pronounced.
Eunuch Jin came inside. "Apologies for interrupting the Emperor and the Crown Prince. The Empress has lost her consciousness," he informed them.
Han Wenji got worried and left for the Empress's manor. Sheng Li also followed his father. After knowing Deng Hui's state from the Royal Physician, Sheng Li returned to his chamber. Xing-Fu and a few servants helped Sheng Li in changing his clothes.
"I did not see the Crown Princess around. Is she resting?" Sheng Li asked as he tied the knot of his robes.
"Earlier, Court Lady Xu told me that the Crown Princess is tired because of the travel and has gotten fever," Xing-Fu informed the Crown Prince, who knitted his brows.
"Why did you not inform me earlier?" Sheng Li grasped the overcoat from the hand of the maidservant and quickly wore it. He left for the chamber of the Crown Princess.
"The Crown Prince was nowhere to be seen in the Palace so it was difficult for me. Forgive me, your highness," Xing-Fu sincerely apologized.
"Did the physician examine her?" He ascended the stairs and entered Zhenzhu Residence.
"Yes, your highness. The Royal Physician had given the pills to reduce the body temperature," Xing-Fu answered. The maidservants bowed upon seeing the Crown Prince and two of them opened the door of the Crown Princess.
Sheng Li walked in and saw Court Lady Xu was standing by the table. She stood up and lowered her head to see the Crown Prince.
Sheng Li sat beside Ying Lili and put his palm on her forehead. "She is burning with fever," he murmured and gazed at Court Lady Xu. "What kind of pill did the Royal Physician give to the Crown Princess? Why is she burning?" Sheng Li furiously questioned her.
"Your highness, the Royal Physician said that it will take a night to see a drop in the temperature of the Crown Princess's body. I, earlier, gave her highness water compress," Court Lady Xu replied.
"This useless Physician!" Sheng Li scoffed. "Send the water holder and a clean cotton cloth," Sheng Li ordered Court Lady Xu. She nodded and, after some time, brought what the Crown Prince had asked.
Sheng Li dipped the cloth into the water and wrung it. He gently placed it over Ying Lili's forehead. 'She might be sick because the only family member she had also left this world. She stays strong in front of me for my sake,' Sheng Li thought as he looked at the pale face of Ying Lili.
"Did she take her lunch?"
"Yes, your highness. Though earlier, the Crown princess refused to eat as she wanted to take her meals with you. She ate a little. Your highness, she cried profusely because of the grave loss of her childhood friend," Court Lady Xu briefed the Crown Prince.
Sheng Li's heart shattered to hear all this. Because of him, his Crown Princess cried again. The void had already been created in their hearts for Hu Jingguo, which could never be filled. His eyes turned watery because of the guilt inside him.
