Sheng Li came to see Ying Lili. A soldier had informed him about Ying Lili's presence in the prison. Ying Lili was reading the medicine book that Hu Jingguo had written when the door opened and Sheng Li entered.
"Why did you meet Yongzheng? What did you talk to him about? Why did you not listen to my orders?" Sheng Li asked in a fit of rage. Ying Lili put the book down and stood up from the chaise.
"I needed to talk to Brother Yongzheng. It was important to talk to him because three lives were at stake," Ying Lili asserted.
"Do you know what he asked for as his last wish?" Sheng Li questioned her. "Why did you intervene, Lili? I told you not to show kindness to the people, who do not deserve it!" Sheng Li reminded her.
"I only told him to save his mother and wife before his death. I–"
"He asked the Emperor not to send them to the Cold Palace," Sheng Li asserted.
"Isn't that good? Why should they suffer?" Ying Lili queried him back.
"Because they are Yongzheng's mother and wife," Sheng Li replied.
"Do you think the same for Prince Jian and Sister Xue?" Ying Lili looked into his eyes for the answer.
"Yes. They all are the same," Sheng Li replied.
"They are not!" Ying Lili's eyes flickered. "Brother Jian has changed and so has Sister Xue. They are not the same as the Empress or the Prime Minister. Brother Jian has helped you numerous times. He provided the evidence despite knowing his mother would die. He did things for you, Sheng Li," Ying Lili pronounced.
Sheng Li snickered. "Do not praise the First Prince in front of me. Even if he had not provided evidence, I would have killed her. He did not do anything for me but for you! You did not even tell me that he has feelings for you! You kept talking to him despite knowing his heart," Sheng Li remarked. Ying Lili's eyes turn misty upon hearing his statement.
Sheng Li put his hands over his eyes and apologized to Ying Lili. "I-I did not mean that. Yongzheng told me that the First Prince has–"
"Leave," Ying Lili sternly said.
"I will not leave. I need to explain to you," Sheng Li replied.
"No. I do not need any explanation," Ying Lili turned her back towards him.
Sheng Li came in front of her when Ying Lili went towards the table. She picked the book and turned to leave when Sheng Li asked her where she was heading to.
"Don't follow me. If you do, then I will not let you step inside this chamber anymore," Ying Lili affirmed and left for the Western Palace. She wiped off the tears from her cheeks. This time Sheng Li hurt her… badly. She did not tell Sheng Li because Jian Guozhi's feelings for her never mattered. She always loved Sheng Li, so why would a third person's feelings matter to her?
Court Lady Xu followed her and found her crying. Ying Lili quickly descended the stairs while Court Lady Xu followed her steps. The servants also saw the Crown Princess crying and it made them wonder what could be the possible reason.
Sheng Li did not pay heed to Ying Lili's threat and followed her. He approached her and grabbed her arm. "Lili, forgive me. I did not mean that" Sheng Li apologized to her again.
"Get away from me!" Ying Lili said angrily and yanked his hand away. He again grabbed her arm and turned her towards him.
He put his thumb over her right cheek. "I am concerned for you, Lili. What if you would have gotten harmed? What if the First Prince tries to be on good terms with you? I mean–"
"If you are concerned for me, then leave my arm," Ying Lili requested him and more tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Lili, I cannot do that," Sheng Li replied.
"Why? Don't you think you need to clear your mind? You doubted me, Sheng Li. You know that I love you. Why would I care for a second man's feelings? If your Lili did not tell you, then there must be a reason. You have hurt me, Sheng Li. You need to learn to trust people otherwise you will lose people. I request you not to follow me because this time, if you do, then I will try to avoid you as much as I can," Ying Lili asserted and jerked his hand away from her arm before walking away.
Court Lady Xu came towards Sheng Li and bowed her head. "His Highness should not have said that. The Crown Princess is working hard to turn everything right. Last night Her Highness only slept for two hours," Court Lady Xu politely said.
"I want to protect her. How can I trust people around me?" Sheng Li muttered and walked away.
"When the First Prince can show trust in the Crown Prince, then why can't he? I agree with the Crown Princess's words. The Crown Prince has seen wonderful changes in his life after showing trust in the people around him. And doubting the Crown Princess is not good," Court Lady Xu made Sheng Li understand.
"I do not doubt her. Yongzheng told me a few things. She cried again because of me," Sheng Li halted at his place. "Shall I go back to her?" Sheng Li mumbled.
"Brother Sheng shall go after the Crown Princess," he heard the voice of Jian Guozhi, who had already dressed in white clothes. "I can understand your frustration. Forgive me for creating misunderstandings between you two. My admiration for the Crown Princess is not in a romantic way anymore. Also, the Crown Prince needs to learn the word 'trust'," Jian Guozhi proclaimed.
Sheng Li turned to look at Jian Guozhi. "I trusted Yongzheng. He planned to kill my wife," asserted Sheng Li.
"What about the other people around him? Just because he did something heinous, it doesn't mean others will do the same– you said this in the Court when you defended me. I trusted Brother Sheng the day I thought of going against my mother. I, somewhere had the hunch that he would save me and would show his trust in me. Brother Zemin wants you to do the same," Jian Guozhi affirmed.
Sheng Li walked to him and hugged him. "I apologize.. Thank you," he withdrew back and went towards the Western Palace.
