Xue Yu-Yan arrived at her chamber and saw Jian Guozhi, who was waiting for her. "Where were you?" He asked and stood up from the chaise.
"I went to the kitchen. I told the chef to prepare a fruit custard for the sweet dish," Xue Yu-Yan replied.
"You could have ordered the servant for that," Jian Guozhi stated.
"I thought to go by myself," she asserted. Jian Guozhi hummed and grasped her wrist, drawing her towards him.
"I was waiting for you for twenty minutes," he said while brushing his fingers on her cheek.
"Forgive me for making you wait, Jian Ge," she lowered her eyes. He found that her mood was not right and he asked her the reason. His fingers curled under her chin and lifted her face a little.
Xue Yu-Yan did not want to tell him as it could create misunderstandings between the two brothers, but she could not either lie to him. "I met the Emperor earlier while coming here," she said.
"Brother Sheng was in the Eastern Palace," Jian Guozhi said with an astonishing expression.
"Yes," she replied.
"So, what happened?" He asked again. "Did Brother Sheng say something to you?" He questioned.
"I made the Empress eat grapes, and it had deteriorated her health. He thinks that I am still the same Xue. He warned me if I ever did that he would kill me just like my father. He hates me, Jian Ge," Xue Yu-Yan said as the tears formed in her eyes. Jian Guozhi put his hand down.
"I heard from Brother Nianzu that the Empress had bad cramps after consuming those grapes. It might have angered Brother Sheng. Don't take his words to heart," Jian Guozhi stated. He thought of talking to Sheng Li about this the next day, before leaving for Lu Province.
"It feels bad when the Emperor thinks of me that way. I am not like my father, Jian Ge. I will never hurt the Empress," she affirmed.
"I know," he showed him his trust and embraced her. He pulled away and took her towards the bed. "I am leaving tomorrow for Lu Province with Brother Nianzu," Jian Guozhi informed her.
"What? Why?" She asked.
"To meet my younger sister. A message has come from her," he stated. "I will be back in a week," he added. Xue Yu-Yan nodded her head.
"So, you will be away from me for a week," she said in a low voice.
"Yes. The journey is long, that's why I cannot take you with me. Initially, Brother Sheng Li was supposed to go with me, but he is Emperor now, so he cannot leave Luoyang," he affirmed and took her hands in her.
"Are you still thinking about the words of Brother Sheng?" He inquired from her as he found she was lost in her thoughts. However, she shook her head.
"Then, why is there no smile on your lips?"
Xue Yu-Yan forced a smile on her lips. Jian Guozhi kissed her lips at that time, amusing her. "Jian Ge!" She smiled while showing him her teeth.
"At least you smiled," he said and showered kisses on her face. Xue Yu-Yan giggled and told him to stop. Jian Guozhi stopped, keeping his face close to her. He played with the locks of her hair. He moved his one hand behind her back and drew her close.
His hand rested on her cheek and stroked it. Slowly, their lips met. Jian Guozhi pulled the clips away from her hair bun and let them fall on her back.
He gently pushed her on the soft mattress. They both panted for air as they withdrew from the kiss. He untied the knot of her upper jacket and yanked it away. Grazing his fingers over her collarbone, Jian Guozhi kissed her neck. He showered numerous kisses on her shoulder and again moved to her face.
Xue Yu-Yan wrapped her arms around him and pulled him down. Jian Guozhi, before getting down, pulled the curtain down.
~~~~~
Sheng Li arrived at the Northern Palace in his chamber. He found that Ying Lili woke up just a few seconds before his arrival. Ying Lili rubbed her eyes and found that she was not in the garden when her eyes fell on Sheng Li.
She sat up on the bed. "When did you take me here?" She asked in a low voice.
Sheng Li sat down in front of her. "You were sleeping in the open. You could have caught a cold, that's why I brought you here," he answered and glanced at Court Lady Ki and Xu.
"You both are not allowed to eat tonight's dinner," Sheng Li announced their punishment and it bewildered Ying Lili.
"What? Why? How could you say that?" She scolded him.
"They defied my orders, that's why," Sheng Li reasoned.
"Then you should punish me because I was the one who told them. You cannot punish them," she stated.
"I can and I will, else they will keep defying me," Sheng Li asserted.
"Then, what about me? Why don't you punish me?" Ying Lili asked him.
"I cannot punish you," he replied.
"I won't eat tonight if you don't let them eat," Ying Lili pronounced. Court Lady Xu and Ki find that because of them Sheng Li and Ying Lili might end up fighting, so they thought of intervening.
"Your Majesty, we will not have our dinner. We both ate so much during lunch that our stomachs are still full," Court Lady Xu humbly said.
"Even I also ate so much," Ying Lili stated.
"Fine. I won't punish them," Sheng Li told her and then dismissed both of the Court Ladies from the chamber. "I will punish you since you are so eager to take the punishment," he stated, looking into Ying Lili's eyes.
"Will you be able to punish me?" Ying Lili asked while smiling.
Sheng Li knitted his brows as a grin appeared on his face. He moved a little closer to Ying Lili. "Of Course!" He said.
"I would love to get a punishment from you," Ying Lili stated.
