Sheng Li met Huo Jin in the military barracks. "You should have taken some rest. What are you doing here?" Sheng Li asked him.
"Your Highness, I am waiting for General Wang. It is not good to go to his residence when he is not present," Huo Jin replied.
"Wang Hao will not mind that. You can stay in the Western Palace if you want," Sheng Li stated. Huo Jin was astonished to hear that. However, he could not stay in the Palace as it was for the people who were either from the Royal Family or who work in the Palace.
"Crown Prince, I told everything to the Fourth Prince regarding his mother," Huo Jin told him.
Sheng Li frowned and shouted at him, "Why did you do that? You were not supposed to tell the Fourth Prince everything. Prince Nianzu will start hating her. I could have told him but I refrained for a reason." He calmed down after a few seconds.
"But that was the truth. The Fourth Prince must know that. He trusted her mother and wished her best, however, she never thought about her son's feelings," Huo Jin opined.
"Huo Jin, you are not allowed to intervene in the matters of the Royal Family. Remember, you used to be a traitor! You also had the hand in the evil plans of your master. You did not come forward to help us until you were caught. First, repent on your mistakes fully," Sheng Li said in a fit of rage and left.
Huo Jin got hurt by the words of Sheng Li. However, the Crown Prince was not wrong either. Commander Yang put his hand on Huo Jin's shoulder and patted it.
"The Crown Prince is in stress these days. Do not take his words to your heart," Commander Yang told him.
"Hah! Why would I take the words of his highness to my heart?" Huo Jin muttered and smiled.
Sheng Li reached outside Ying Lili's chamber. He walked in and saw her doing needlework. He was stunned to see that. "Why are you doing the needlework?" Sheng Li asked. She lifted her eyes and then looked back at the fabric. Inserting the needle into it, she put it aside and stood up from the bed.
"My interest rose in it. It is tough though," Ying Lili replied. "Ahh, earlier Brother Yu was upset. I spent an hour with him so that he would not feel lonely. His mother is also recovering from the loss of Prince Yongzheng, so I thought to be with Brother Yu for some time," Ying Lili explained to him even before he could ask.
"I will take him out soon. He is new to all this. It might have scared him," Sheng Li said and hugged Ying Lili. She put her hands on his back and caressed it.
"You look tired," she said.
"Yes. You did not even have breakfast with me in the morning. My day goes good when I take my three meals with you," Sheng Li pronounced and rested his chin on her left shoulder.
"Sister Bai is not in a good state these days. I need to be with her," Ying Lili said.
Sheng Li pulled back while his hands were still on her waist. "There are two other Princesses too. Can't they give company to Princess Bai? You even sent your personal assistant to Princess Bai. You take all the stress over your head," Sheng Li stated.
"I am only doing my work as the daughter-in-law of this Royal Family. Also, I am the Crown Princess. Just like my Crown Prince, I shall look after the people in the Royal Family. I have learned this from you," Ying Lili opined.
Sheng Li pinched her cheek and kissed it, amusing Ying Lili.
"You look happy. Did something good happen?" She asked.
"No. My mood was ruined but seeing you it turned better. Also, I think I was a little harsh at Huo Jin. Hope, he will not mind my words," Sheng Li asserted. Ying Lili wondered what he had said to Huo Jin. Before she could ask him, Sheng Li told her that they should take their lunch meals. He let go of his arms from her waist and called a maidservant inside.
"Bring the meals for us," he ordered her and turned to Ying Lili. Making her sit around the table, he pulled out another chair for him and sat on it.
"Sheng Li, thank you for taking my stand in the morning," Ying Lili suddenly said.
"You do not need to say thanks to me for this. Consort Ju Fen is going to restrict the movements of Princess Bai," Sheng Li told her. Ying Lili sighed and asked him if there was no way to stop all that.
"Lili, you raise your voice for every wrong, but not every woman does that. That's why you are special and unique among all. Other women refrain since the teachings given are of being a virtuous lady, doing household chores, and being a good mother," Sheng Li explained to Ying Lili.
"I understand but I will try my best not to let disassociate Sister Bai from her normal life. I cannot see a woman getting treated this way," Ying Lili told Sheng Li, who agreed with her. He put his hand over hers and assured her that he would not let Bai Yaling get close in the four walls of her chamber.
Ying Lili nodded her head when the maidservant came inside with the meals. She set the table for them and tasted the food first. Informing the Crown Prince that food was good, she stepped back.
Sheng Li handed the chopsticks to Ying Lili, who brought her palm over her mouth. She knitted her brows as she felt weird.
"What happened, Lili? Is everything good?" He asked worriedly.
Ying Lili put her hand down and said, "I feel nauseated. The smell of this food…," she paused and again brought her hand over her mouth.
"Call the Royal Physician!" Sheng Li ordered the maidservant, who dashed out of the chamber.
