Jian Guozhi left Xue Yu-Yan's chamber in the early morning. He got ready as he had to leave today but before that, he completed his remaining work. He came to the Northern Palace and saw Sheng Li with Ying Lili in the Royal Garden. He stopped midway as intervening in them was not a great idea to him. Also, conversing with Sheng Li about Xue might anger Sheng Li, he thought.
"Let's go back. We need to go to the temple too," Sheng Li told Ying Lili.
"Sure," they both turned when Sheng Li saw Jian Guozhi at the Northern pavilion.
"Court Lady Xu, escort the Empress safely to the chamber," Sheng Li commanded her.
"Where are you going?" Ying Lili asked him.
"I remembered something important. I will soon be back," answered Sheng Li. Ying Lili nodded her head and left with Court Lady Xu. Sheng Li, oppositely, went to the Northern Pavilion.
Jian Guozhi was looking at the sky, lost in some of his thoughts when he heard footsteps. He turned and saw Sheng Li. "Your Majesty," he pronounced and bowed before him.
"What is Brother Jian doing here? It is odd to see him at this hour," Sheng Li affirmed. "Did you have something to say?" He asked.
"About yesterday, Brother Sheng," Jian Guozhi answered. "Xue was a little disturbed," he said but there was some hesitance in his voice.
"Shall I reward her for feeding grapes to Lili?" Sheng Li taunted Jian Guozhi, who shook his head.
"She is not the same Xue. She did not know that the Empress's health would deteriorate after eating them," Jian Guozhi replied. "Also, you once used to respect her a lot. I do not know what happened between you two that you started to hate Xue," Jian Guozhi turned informal.
Sheng Li chuckled. "I used to when we were teens. Not anymore! She tried to win over me for the throne. How could you forget her true intentions? Let's stop here. I do not want to argue with my Elder First Brother because of her," Sheng Li stated and turned to leave but stopped when he heard Jian Guozhi.
"You still think that we are enemies, aren't you?" Jian Guozhi's tone was not pleasant to hear.
"What if I do and what if I don't?" Sheng Li queried him and turned to look at him.
"Our relationship might get tainted because of your skepticism over us," Jian Guozhi stated.
"What if Xue wants this only?" Sheng Li asked him with a menacing expression. "Think about it. You also know Xue. She knows the household matters better. She has trained herself well to be a virtuous woman. That's why I doubted that she knew that feeding too many grapes to a pregnant woman can be dangerous. She might act naive and innocent in front of everyone but not in front of me," Sheng Li pronounced.
Jian Guozhi did not want to believe that Xue had acted to turn good.
"Brother Jian, I do trust you but it is impossible for me to trust Xue. Let's not talk about her because it will create a conflict of thoughts between us. A woman shall never become the reason of conflict between two brothers," Sheng Li affirmed.
"I give you my words that she has changed. So, will Brother Sheng trust her for me? Also, will he never talk rudely to her? Can he do this?" Jian Guozhi trusted Xue Yu-Yan and asked for a promise from Sheng Li.
"If she will not face me, then I won't even bother to say anything to her," Sheng Li stated. "This is the first time Brother Jian has asked something from me, so I will surely give him my words. I won't talk to her rudely. Lili also thinks that she has changed. I do hope she has changed but I am not sure," he asserted.
"I need to go to the Buddhist Temple. If Brother Jian wants then he should also join," Sheng Li said.
"Brother Sheng hardly visits Shrines or temples," Jian Guozhi stated.
"A small prayer ceremony is organized for Lili's health. Xing-Fu said that it will benefit Lili and the twins," he said gladly. "Leave for Lu Province in the mid-noon," He requested Jian Guozhi, who acknowledged it.
~~~~~
Huo Jin hopped on a horse and rode towards the Palace. As he reached the Palace, he went straight to the chamber of Lei Wanxi. The maidservant informed Lei Wanxi about Huo Jin's arrival.
"Send him in," Lei Wanxi stated.
After a few seconds, Huo Jin entered the chamber. Lei Wanxi embraced him and said, "You do not even come to meet me. How are you doing?" They both pulled away soon.
"I am well, Prince Wanxi," Huo Jin answered. "I have been busy lately. I have brought the rare diamond from the north," he informed Lei Wanxi and took out a box from inside his pocket.
"Woah! Thank you, Huo Jin," Lei Wanxi replied as he took the box from him. He opened it and saw the exquisite red diamond. I want to gift it to Zhu Lin. We both are marrying soon. The diamond on the buyao will look great," He pronounced with a smile.
"It is my pleasure to do work for Prince Wanxi," answered Huo Jin.
"Let's have breakfast together. But before that, we both have to go to the Buddhist Temple," Lei Wanxi stated.
"Why?" Huo Jin asked curiously.
"Brother Sheng has organized a small prayer ceremony for Sister Lili and the twins," Lei Wanxi replied and passed him a smile. He put his arm around his shoulder.
"Huo Jin, you should also marry soon. I can contact a matchmaker for you," Lei Wanxi offered him.
"I do not want to marry, Prince Wanxi," Huo Jin stated.
"Why?" Lei Wanxi asked. He was not aware of Huo Jin's feelings towards Zhilao Mi.
"Is there someone in your mind? Tell me," Lei Wanxi stated with excitement.
"It was Xinyue. She is no more.. I will not marry… not in this life, Prince Wanxi," Huo Jin affirmed.
