As per Sheng Li's promise, Sheng Li took Ying Lili to the Royal Garden. Ying Lili gently touched the flower petals, which had morning dew on them. She moved ahead towards the China Rose plantation. Sheng Li told her to be careful of the thorns.
"I am," Ying Lili replied.
Sheng Li plucked a China Rose flower and stood behind her. "Stand straight," he urged her. He put the flower into her hair bun. Ying Lili moved her hand on the hair bun and touched the rose on it. She turned to him and gazed at him.
"Am I looking beautiful?" She asked.
"Do I need to answer this?" He questioned her back.
"Yes. I want to know," Ying Lili replied.
Sheng Li took a step closer to her and leaned his face toward hers. "Give me a kiss, and I will tell you," He demanded.
"Here?" She arched her brow up.
"Hmm," Sheng Li nodded.
"Don't you think that the Crown Prince shall act virtuously at all the time?" Ying Lili queried him.
"I am virtuous," Sheng Li replied. "Court Lady Ki has already lowered her eyes, even Xing-Fu and other servants has. Then, there should not be any problem," he asserted and moved his hands behind his back.
"I know your answer," Ying Lili said and pushed him away, keeping the smile on her lips. Sheng Li chuckled as Ying Lili did not kiss him.
"Stay here. We will be back soon," Sheng Li ordered his servants and walked ahead. They both came across the lotus lake and halted at their places.
"If my mother had been alive, then she would have taken good care of you. I mean… none of the Emperor's wives came forward to help you. And I personally do not want Brother Nianzu's mother to get close to you. Lei Wanxi told me the previous day that a woman who underwent pregnancy understands much better a woman who's pregnant," Sheng Li said suddenly.
"Even Lady Ki and Xu are taking good care of me. Also, Empress Hui made a special list of food for me. She also cares for me, Sheng Li. You gave her a chance and I believe that she definitely will make good use of it. Now, Brother Nianzu and his wife have returned, so things are turning good," Ying Lili affirmed and tilted her head to look at him. Sheng Li did the same and peered at her eyes.
Ying Lili moved closer to him and tiptoed. She kissed him on his right cheek and landed her feet on the ground. "I told you to think good all the time," she said.
"You are looking beautiful," he complimented her and kissed her on the lips. Both of them smiled when they heard the voice of Lei Wanxi.
Ying Lili stepped back while Sheng Li looked towards him. "Why are you here?" He asked Lei Wanxi, who was now near him.
"Forgive me, Brother Sheng. I happened to see that," Lei Wanxi said.
Sheng Li hit his back with his hand and told him to go away.
"You should be at the practice ground, shouldn't you? Don't procrastinate your practice," Sheng Li advised him.
"I am here to seek blessings of you both. Sister Lili, pray for me that your younger brother-in-law soon becomes efficient in sword fighting," Lei Wanxi requested her.
"How will her prayers make you a good sword fighter?" Sheng Li was perplexed to hear that. "Go and work hard. Also, do not disturb couples when they are alone," Sheng Li scolded him and flicked his fingers on the mid of Lei Wanxi's forehead.
"Ahh," Lei Wanxi passed a low scream while Ying Lili smiled seeing the brotherly love between the two.
"Sister Lili, did you observe how Brother Sheng hit his younger brother? Scold him from my side. He is older than me, so I cannot even do that," Lei Wanxi huffed and narrowly gazed at Sheng Li.
"Indeed, Brother Wanxi. I pray for you. I have faith in you that you will be a good sword fighter soon," Ying Lili gave him her best wishes. Lei Wanxi thanked her and left the garden.
"Shall I scold you on behalf of Brother Wanxi?" Ying Lili asked him.
"Will you? Even your scoldings are filled with Love. You should scold me," Sheng Li stated.
"Did you notice that Wanxi has the same habit as Hu Jingguo? He troubled us in the Southern Province. Every time we had our private moments, he used to come. I bet that Lei Wanxi taught him those things," Sheng Li said with a smile. But it soon vanished. "If he would be here, he would have been elated with this news," he asserted.
Suddenly a breeze started to blow. The rustle of the tree leaves, which were a few meters away from them, could be heard.
"He is always beside us. We cannot see him but can feel him," Ying Lili said. Sheng Li agreed with her and put his arm around her shoulder. He drew her close to him and turned towards the lake.
"In the clothing workshop, new dresses are being prepared for you. After a few months, the production of clothes for our child will start," Sheng Li informed her.
Ying Lili felt nauseated and told him about it. "Let's go," he said and took her back to the place where the servants were waiting for them.
"Lady Ki, the Crown Princess is feeling nauseated," Sheng Li informed her. Since they were far from the Eastern Palace, so she instructed a maidservant to bring the vessel. Lady Ki helped Ying Lili, who threw up in the vessel.
She wiped the mouth of the Crown Princess, while the maidservant took away the vessel.
"We shall head back," Sheng Li said and told Xing-Fu to bring the litter for the Crown Princess.
"I will walk, Sheng Li. It is not serious," Ying Lili replied.
"Then, shall I carry you to your chamber?" He asked her.
"No," Ying Lili refused as it would not be good to let the people in the Palace see that. After a few minutes, Xing-Fu came to them with a litter.. Ying Lili got into it, and they left for Zhenzhu Residence.
