Sheng Li returned to his chamber at noon and found Ying Lili was refusing to have lunch. "I will wait for the Emperor," Ying Lili said when she saw Sheng Li. She stood up from the chaise. "He is here," Ying Lili said.
Court Lady Ki stepped back and lowered her head. The maidservants also lowered her head. "Leave us," Sheng Li said. The servants quickly left the chamber. Sheng Li removed the overcoat and put it on the chair.
"You still act stubborn while having lunch," Sheng Li stated.
"Stubborn? No. It is love," Ying Lili said and smiled. Sheng Li came to her and hugged her.
"At least don't wait for me for meals when you are pregnant," Sheng Li said. "Brother Jian and Brother Nianzu have returned from the Lu Province." He pulled away and took her towards the table. Pulling out a chair for her, he made her sit on it.
"They went to Juyan too. Your aunt and cousins are doing well. Your aunt has sent you a few things and also this letter," Sheng Li informed her and gave the letter to her. Ying Lili thanked him while he sat beside him.
"Your personal assistant misses you. Also, your belongings are brought here," he stated.
"Her name is Ruyi. She had been with me since a young age. How is she? Why didn't she leave the Palace?" Ying Lili asked and knitted her brows.
"Why didn't you tell me that day to take Ruyi with you?" Sheng Li asked her.
"You told me that you were there for me. You didn't even listen to any of us. Don't you remember?" Ying Lili snapped at him.
Sheng Li closed his eyes and sighed. "I will send an order to Juyan. She will come to Luoyang," he asserted. "Your one cousin is going to be an adult next year. He will sit for the Civil Services Exam. If he scores well, I will appoint him in Luoyang," Sheng Li stated.
"Don't do that. Let my younger brother stay in Juyan. Aunt will not be happy to let her son go far from her," Ying Lili suggested to Sheng Li. "And thank you for bringing Ruyi here," she stated.
Sheng Li removed the lid from the bowl. "Chicken Broth Soup," Sheng Li murmured and served a bowl to Ying Lili.
"I used to think that only Hu Jingguo could annoy me. However, I found out that everyone in Juyan loves to irritate me," Sheng Li said as he placed the bowl in front of Ying Lili.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"There are some strange rumors about me among the people of Juyan," He asserted. "They think that I fake being powerful. They think that I begged you to stay with me as you once decided to leave me," Sheng Li snickered and scoffed.
"What?" Ying Lili ended up giggling. Sheng Li with a menacing expression glanced at him. "Forgive me. Who told you this?" She asked.
"Brother Nianzu and Brother Jian. They told me that the people of Juyan still do not consider me good as I treated their Princess badly. Well, they love you so much that when they got the news about the arrival of Prince Jian and Nianzu in the city, they came to meet them and even sent gifts for you," Sheng Li affirmed.
"Forgive them. They might have some misunderstandings. I will send a message to them and tell them how lovely my husband is!" Ying Lili pinched his nose.
"But why do they have to say that you were leaving me? I didn't like this. Don't they get scared of me? I might kill them for spreading such rumors about me," Sheng Li stated.
"Well, they did wrong. Saying such things about the Emperor is not acceptable." Ying Lili agreed with him. "Let's have our lunch first and then we can discuss it," she asserted and brought the spoonful of soup near Sheng Li's mouth. "Open your mouth," she said.
Sheng Li did so and sipped the soup. They both started to eat their meals while conversing with each other.
~~~~~
Eunuch Chung informed Nianzu about Empress Dowager. "The Prince shall meet his mother. She has gotten sick last night as she is neglecting her meals," Eunuch Chung said worriedly.
Chuntao looked at her husband and agreed with the words of Eunuch Chung. "Prince, why don't you meet your mother and have today's lunch with her?" Chuntao humbly requested.
Nianzu shook his head in disapproval and said, "I will see her in the evening. Eunuch Chung shall give us some privacy." He nodded and walked out of the chamber.
Chuntao with inquisitiveness glanced at her husband. "Prince Nianzu shall not ignore his mother. She has repented enough already. It breaks her heart to see her son acting cold towards her. Prince Nianzu shall forgive her and start afresh," asserted Chuntao. She grasped his both hands.
"For me, can you not do this? Have today's lunch with your mother. Hear her out and forgive her. She made mistakes because it's the palace. Here making mistakes and getting greedy for the throne is common. However, leaving that path and walking on the path of honesty and truthfulness is important. Your mother needs you. Don't upset her by ignoring her," Chuntao said calmly.
"Fine. I will talk to her and have lunch with her. But Chun, she betrayed Father too. I mean…it's difficult to forget those things. Also, she wanted to harm you. All those things still revolve around my mind and worry me," affirmed Nianzu.
"But I am safe. And, she also treats me well. Isn't it enough to forgive her?" Chuntao questioned him.
"I do not know," Nianzu replied.
"Talk to her, and then you will get the answer to every question. You also know that Karma returns. What if our future child ignores us? Will you like that? No, right? The same goes with your mother. Now, since everything is getting back to its place, you shall not taint your relationship with your mother. Give her your time and care. She needs you," Chuntao said politely.
Nianzu nodded his head. "Then, have your lunch today without me.. I will talk with my mother and have lunch with her," he acknowledged her idea and left for his mother's quarter.
