"Consort Ju Fen shall leave," Sheng Li commanded her.
"But, Your Majesty, my daughter-in-law needs me. I am afraid, but I cannot leave," Ju Fen refused to leave, making Sheng Li angry.
"Are you defying the orders of the Emperor?" He questioned her. "No one is allowed to enter this chamber without my permission and I deny the permission to you," Sheng Li said menacingly. Ju Fen lowered his eyes and looked at Bai Yaling. She turned and left the chamber.
Once she left, Ying Lili sat down beside Bai Yaling and asked her, "Why Sister Bai does not want to marry?"
"Because I am pregnant with the child of my late husband. It will be considered evil if I go for another marriage. Also, in the future, people will only point fingers at me and my child," Bai Yaling answered. "Your Majesty, I shall remain loyal to my late husband," she stated.
"What about Prince Shi Zhihao? He came here just to meet you. He is interested in you, Sister Bai. Don't you think that you are making a decision in a hurry," Ying Lili tried to make her understand.
"I don't think that I shall marry Prince Shi Zhihao. Forgive me for creating so many troubles for the Emperor and the Empress," Bai Yaling stated.
Sheng Li intervened this time. "What did Consort Ju tell you?" He asked her straightforwardly, without beating around the bush. "I expect the truth only," he warned her.
"Your Majesty, mother did not say anything to me. She personally wanted me to get married. However, after knowing about my pregnancy, I made this decision. I don't think I shall marry. I don't want to be called a disloyal woman," Bai Yaling pronounced.
"You are not a disloyal woman, Sister Bai. It will be good for you and your upcoming child to have someone. Also, Prince Yongzheng never respected you. So, why are you sacrificing your happiness and the happiness which your child will experience in the future? Prince Shi Zhihao might get hurt if Princess Bai refuses this marriage. Though he has not given his answer, we all know that he is here to marry you else he would not have accepted the invitation regarding this matter," Ying Lili explained to Bai Yaling.
"We want the best for Princess Bai. You shall not make a decision in a haste," Sheng Li advised her.
"Your Majesty, I do not want anyone to point fingers at the Royal Family by going for this marriage. Also, the family of Prince Shi Zhihao might get disdainful remarks because of me," Bai Yaling affirmed.
Sheng Li and Ying Lili understood that Ju Fen filled her ears.
"It is my order to you not to refuse this marriage. Prince Shi Zhihao will tomorrow talk to me about you and him. Also, Princess Bai shall not take stress at this time. Two special court ladies are employed in your service from today. Keep a healthy diet and take care of yourself," Sheng Li stated. Ying Lili agreed with his words.
"Sister Bai, you shall not think so much about anyone else except you and your child," Ying Lili asserted. "You have full rights to live happily," she added.
"Princess Bai, do not listen to Consort Ju Fen's words. She might not want you to get married because she thinks it's the child of her son. However, she has forgotten that it is your child. My order is supreme here and you cannot defy me either. I want your best," Sheng Li affirmed. He had to say this because he knew that Bai Yaling would go for her elders' words.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Bai Yaling said, who was surprised to find that Sheng Li had already found out.
"Consort Ju Fen earlier too wanted you to walk on the path of being a virtuous widow. Don't expect her to want your happiness. Her only focus is your child," Sheng Li stated. His tone had a little anger.
"Sheng Li, calm down," Ying Lili told him.
"I am calm, Lili," Sheng Li told her. "I am talking as the Emperor. Also, Princess Bai has told me that she wants to be happy. You want to be loved and get into your older self. Don't get into anyone's words and just enjoy your present self. I could not save your husband but it does not mean that I will not do anything for your good."
Bai Yaling was touched by the words of Sheng Li. People were wrong about him. He was not heartless. He thought for his people and did work for them. Just because he was a little harsher sometimes, he was called a cruel person. This myth left the mind of Bai Yaling.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will wait for the response of Prince Shi Zhihao," Bai Yaling said humbly. Ying Lili smiled and told her that she made a good decision.
"We shall take our leave. Have your dinner on time and don't worry anymore. The Emperor and the Empress are here to handle everything," Sheng Li assured her. Ying Lili liked the way Sheng Li persuaded Bai Yaling. It was a great change in him. She stood up and stood beside Sheng Li.
Bai Yaling and bowed. "Sister Bai, please don't do that," Ying Lili stated. Bai Yaling nodded her head and stayed in a standing position until they both left. The two Court Ladies and several maidservants came inside.
"Princess Bai, I am Court Lady Dai and this is Court Lady Ning. From today we two will take care of Princess Bai," Court Lady Dai told her.
Outside the chamber, Sheng Li and Ying Lili encountered Ju Fen.
"Eunuch Xing-Fu, escort the Empress to the chamber. I will be back soon," Sheng Li ordered him. Ying Lili left with Xing-Fu followed by her personal servants.
"Your Majesty, Princess Bai is carrying the Royal Blood of Han. You cannot let my daughter-in-law marry another man. She is carrying the child of my son," Ju Fen stated.
"So, Consort Ju is indeed questioning my decision? Your son was a traitor. You do not have to pronounce it so proudly when we both know he committed treason," Sheng Li reminded her. Ju Fen felt bad upon hearing this.
"I warned you earlier too and am warning you again," Sheng Li took a step towards her and said, "don't encourage me throw you into the Cold Palace."
