The Royal Physician examined Ying Lili again in the evening. He told a few things to Court Lady Ki regarding the diet of Ying Lili and then turned his gaze to Ying Lili. The Empress and the Consorts were also present in the chamber.
"Crown Princess, you need to drink almond milk before sleeping. It will give strength to your muscles and will help you later while conceiving the child," the Royal Physician said humbly.
"Royal Physician, what about the saffron in the almond milk? The Mongolian region is rich in saffron, and its use in almond milk is famous. I think the Crown Princess shall also take that," Ju Fen asserted.
"First Consort, I am afraid, but the Crown Princess is allergic to saffron. Its consumption can adversely affect her Royal Highness," asserted the Royal Physician.
"Forgive me, Crown Princess. I did not know that you are allergic to saffron," Ju Fen apologized.
"First Consort, I heard that Princess Bai will live separately soon. Is it true?" The second Consort asked her. Ying Lili's attention went towards it.
"Yes. She will have separate lessons and will follow the path of widow chastity," Consort Ju Fen said.
"Why shall Sister Bai live separately and perform the widow chastity? She is still in the recovering phase and it may pressure her mentally," Ying Lili expressed her concern.
"Crown Princess, you shall not get worried over such a trivial matter. It is important for her to live separately," Ju Fen stated politely.
"It is about the life of a young woman. It is wrong to force her into such a superstitious trade," Ying Lili openly said. Deng Hui glanced at Consort Ju Fen, who did not like Ying Lili's remark.
"Crown Princess, I know you are open-minded but the traditional values should not be neglected," proclaimed Ju Fen and smiled. The Royal Physician stood up from the chair, bowed before them, and left the chamber.
"Forgive me, Consort Ju, but these transitional values are only negatively affecting Princess Bai. Also, Prince Yongzheng never treated his wife with respect," Ying Lili made a sharp comment about the second Prince, which somewhat infuriated Ju Fen. However, she kept her cool.
"Consort Ju, the Emperor has agreed to give some time to Princess Bai Yaling, so you should go with that. The Crown Princess's opinion on Princess Bai's mental health should be considered," Deng Hui supported the Crown Princess.
"I only want it for the safety of the Royal Family and the Crown Princess. Bai Yaling turned a widow at such a young age, so she can negatively affect the people around her," Ju Fen pronounced and tried to make them understand.
"Consort Ju, I cannot believe my ears that you have such thoughts about your daughter-in-law. Does the First Consort know what Prince Yongzheng's thinking was and how he treated Princess Bai? He considered women inferior. He beat him whenever he got angry. Is this a way a man acts?" Ying Lili started to get angry. Luckily, the Crown Prince returned after completing his work.
The maidservant announced the Crown Prince's arrival. He came inside, greeted the Empress and the other Consorts.
He saw the angry expression on Ying Lili's face and asked about it.
"Consort Ju, if my husband would be like Prince Yongzheng I would never want to perform any widow chastity. It was your mistake too, Consort Ju because you did not reprimand Prince Yongzheng. His actions kept getting worse–"
Sheng Li put his hand on her shoulder and she paused. "Calm down, Lili," he told her.
"Why should I calm down?" Ying Lili's eyes turn watery. "No one is understanding the pain of Sister Bai and labeling her as a jinx. How can she be a jinx to a pregnant woman? Was it her mistake that Prince Yongzheng used such a path and committed treason? No, right? Then, why are the elders and others failed to understand her?" Ying Lili questioned him and ended up crying.
The wives of the Emperors turned silent. Sheng Li turned to them and apologized for Ying Lili's sudden outburst.
"Could you please leave us?" Sheng Li asked them.
Deng Hui told the other Consorts that they should leave, and they left in a few seconds. Sheng Li got on his one knee, while others touched the ground surface.
He cupped the face of Ying Lili and wiped the tears from her cheeks using his thumbs.
"I have done something for your Sister Bai. Do not get angry," Sheng Li said and passed a tiny smile to her.
"What did you do?" She asked while sobbing.
"I asked the Emperor for the remarriage of Princess Bai," Sheng Li answered and moved his hands down. He grasped her hands and caressed them.
"But you said it's not possible. Is it possible?" Ying Lili asked him.
"Hmm. Father has given two days to Princess Bai to think regarding that. Hopefully, she will agree to a remarriage," Sheng Li stated.
"But whom will she marry? You also know that the men are not ready to take a widow. Do you think we will be able to find a nice man for Sister Bai?" Ying Lili queried him.
"Father thinks that Princess Bai if agrees to marry then he will marry her off to the Eastern Province Prince, Prince Zhihao. He is a loyal subject of the Han Empire," Sheng Li asserted.
"Are you sure Prince Zhihao will marry Sister Bai? What if he backed off?" Ying Lili asked.
"I do not think that he will have any problem with it," Sheng Li pronounced. He got up and sat beside Ying Lili. "Let Princess Bai make a decision and then the Father will send the invitation to Prince Zhihao for it," Sheng Li stated.
"What about the parents of Sister Bai?" Ying Lili asked him another question and tilted her head to peer at him.
"Father said that they will agree with that. After Princess Bai's decision, everything will be decided," Sheng Li replied to her. He put his arm around her shoulder and drew her closer. Ying Lili rested her head on his shoulder.
"I am concerned a little for Sister Bai.. I pray to Jade Emperor that Sister Bai agrees for this remarriage," Ying Lili said.
