"I will be beheaded if someone sees me sitting on this throne," Ying Lili stated and tried to get up but Sheng Li pulled her down.
"Who has the dare to punish you? For you, I can fight with the entire world!" Sheng Li remarked.
"Are you referring to yourself as the Legend of Ten Kingdoms Hero?" Ying Lili asked him and squinted her eyes.
Sheng Li smiled. "You told me that I am your real-life hero, didn't you? Just sit on this throne. As I told you earlier too, this throne is equally yours. Without your support I do not think that I would be able to become the Emperor," affirmed Sheng Li.
"You praise me too much," Ying Lili said and handed him a pair of chopsticks. "You are neglecting your meals after becoming the Emperor. That's why I thought to come here and have lunch with you. Start eating before it gets cold," she stated when her gaze fell on the dagger.
"Why have you put the dagger on the table?" She curiously asked him.
"Xiao Zhan had come earlier. I have to give him this as a gift," Sheng Li lied to her. He did not want to tell her about Empress Dowager because it would only create stress between them.
"Oh. Keep that inside the drawer. Give it later to General Xiao," she stated and picked the chopsticks. Sheng Li saw there was only one noodle bowl.
"Are you not going to eat noodles?" He asked her.
"You told me that eating in the same bowl increases love," Ying Lili replied and dipped the chopsticks into it. She took a few of the noodles on the chopsticks and brought the tiny porcelain plate near the bowl. She brought it near her and slurped the noodles.
Sheng Li smiled and started to eat. After they finished, he called Xing-Fu inside and told him to take the tray away. Xing-Fu did so and walked out with the tray in his hand.
Ying Lili told him, "I can help you. I am getting bored in the chamber."
"There are a few matters related to some of the Provinces. In the Court, those matters were solved in the presence of the late Emperor. I only need to write the verdict and then put seals on them," Sheng Li pronounced.
Ying Lili nodded her head and picked one of the scrolls from the pile. There was no seal on it and it was blank.
"I need to write the final verdict from these," Sheng Li stated, showing her the rolled sheets. "The matter of Shun Province was quite disturbing. The landlords had rebelled against the Governor a week ago. They were demanding not to cut the prices of the debts of farmers," Sheng Li explained the situation to Ying Lili.
"Then, how did it get solved?" Ying Lili asked.
"An audit was done and it was found that landlords had imposed incorrect interest rates. Farmers being illegal could not understand that and kept paying them. Our Prime Minister has played a significant role in this. Landlords are an important part of the Empire. So, taking a way out to solve all this was quite difficult," Sheng Li pronounced.
"Shouldn't they be punished for imposing wrong interest rates on the farmers instead of being compensated with treasury money?" Ying Lili skeptically asked him.
"Some of them did not do wrong. So, they are being compensated. Those who did wrong have been punished," Sheng Li pronounced. Ying Lili looked at the inkstone on which the brush was placed. The ink had dried during the time they had lunch.
She ground the ink stick on the inkstone while pouring a little water into it when Sheng Li grasped her hand. "Don't do it. I will do it or I will call Xing-Fu," he prevented her from doing the work.
"It is such a small work. Let me do it," Ying Lili stated.
"No. If it is a small task, then I must do it," Sheng Li answered. He took the ink stick from her and started to prepare the ink.
"You are not letting me do anything. It is not even a month for me," Ying Lili complained.
"These nine months are crucial for you, Lili. You are carrying twins. You should take care of yourself," Sheng Li opined. The ink was prepared. He put the ink stick at the one edge of the inkstone and picked the brush. Dipping it in the ink, he took out the excess of the ink by pressing it against the edge of the inkstone.
He brought the brush over the scroll and started to write the final verdict on it. Ying Lili lovingly peered at him. He put the brush down and picked the Emperor's seal. He then put the seal at the end of the verdict and put the scroll aside. Ying Lili quickly grabbed it and said, "You have good handwriting." She folded the scroll then.
"You noticed it now," Sheng Li amusingly looked at her.
"No. I forgot to compliment you for your handwriting," she stated.
Sheng Li called Xing-Fu in, who came in.
"Take these scrolls to the Capital Bureau Office. Hand them to the Prime Minister and tell him to work accordingly on the respective verdicts," Sheng Li ordered him.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Xing-Fu ascended the five stairs and carried the stack of scrolls in his arms.
"Be careful, Eunuch Xing-Fu. Take a servant with you. That would be helpful to you," Ying Lili suggested to him.
"Yes, Your Majesty," he agreed and quickly left the office.
"Is your work finished? Did I disturb you? There are still a few left," Ying Lili questioned him.
"No. You did not disturb me. These few are to be discussed with Brother Zemin. He has gone outside, so we both will discuss it tomorrow," Sheng Li replied. "Now, I am free. I have no idea that being an Emperor will be such a tough job," he stated.
"Shall I massage your head?" Ying Lili brought her hands up.
"No. I am not having a headache," Sheng Li replied. "Let's go out. Come," he said and extended his hand out. Ying Lili gladly placed her hand over his palm.
They both left the office chamber.. As they came out, Ying Lili recalled encountering Deng Hui.
