Lei Wanxi embraced Zhu Lin tightly into a warm hug. "I missed you so much, Zhu Lin," he said and strangled her.
"I am not able to breathe," Zhu Lin complained when Lei Wanxi immediately pulled away. She caught her breath while Lei Wanxi apologized to her.
"Did you not miss me?" Lei Wanxi asked her.
"That's why I returned early," Zhu Lin replied. Lei Wanxi was delighted to hear her answer.
"I heard the Princes went hunting today. How was it?" Zhu Lin asked him.
"I did not hunt any animal. I am too afraid to kill them. What if the animal remembered my face and attacked me the next time?" Lei Wanxi questioned him.
Zhu Lin ended up laughing. "Are you serious?" She placed her palm over her mouth. "Just say that you don't like to hunt and you lost," said Zhu Lin.
"But saving a life is greater than taking a life. So, I won," Lei Wanxi pronounced. Zhu Lin agreed with him when her gaze fell on his right hand. "Why is it bruised?" She grasped his hand and checked it.
"Did you shoot the arrows?" Zhu Lin asked him.
"I did but did not shoot any animal. I thought about practicing in the open for a while and then I got tired. I took a nap for a while," Lei Wanxi briefed her.
"I bought something for Prince Wanxi," Zhu Lin said.
"What? Really?" He asked.
Zhu Lin hummed and turned towards the chaise on which she had put a long robe with white fur at its three edges except for the bottom. "Winter is near, so I thought about buying this. The merchant was from the Northern Province," Zhu Lin affirmed.
Lei Wanxi quickly enshrouded the robe and went towards the mirror. "I look good in this. Thank you for this gift, Zhu Lin," he said and swirled. "It's warm. Come here," he moved his hand in the air.
Zhu Lin walked to him when Lei Wanxi put his arm around her shoulder. He covered her from the robe. "We can watch the first snow together while wrapping it around us. It's warm and we won't get cold. Do you know the meaning behind the first snowfall?"
Zhu Lin shook her head and refused.
"It is considered lucky to watch the first Snowfall with your lover," Lei Wanxi informed her. "We two will stay together for a long time," he added.
"I am eager to watch our first snowfall then," Zhu Lin stated and rested her head on his shoulder.
"We will get married soon. Will you be able to handle my tantrums?" He asked her.
"Yes. You said that only I can handle you well," Zhu Lin said and lifted her head. Lei Wanxi grasped her hands in his and made her turn to him.
"I will request the Royal Astrologer to give the marriage day after two days. I think I am fully ready to marry you and make you my other half," Lei Wanxi asserted.
"But what if the day will not be an auspicious one? Then, we have to wait for more time," Zhu Lin said.
"No worries. I am already married to you in my mind. In front of the world, we still need to marry," Lei Wanxi stated. Zhu Lin ended up blushing. Her heart fluttered with that statement.
Lei Wanxi put his calloused index finger under her chin and made her look at him. "You also have considered me your husband, haven't you?" He asked her.
"I have accepted you as my husband when I confessed my love for you, Prince Wanxi," Zhu Lin acknowledged.
Lei Wanxi nuzzled his nose with hers and the two smiled. "You have such a tiny nose, Zhu Lin," Lei Wanxi said and kissed her nose tip.
Zhu Lin tiptoed and kissed him by grabbing his robes. Lei Wanxi securely wrapped his arms around her lower waist and kissed her back. After a few seconds, they both pulled away.
Lei Wanxi wiped her lips with his thumb. "Zhu Lin, thank you for accepting me as your husband. In everyone's eyes, I am still a naive child. You do understand me and it delights me. I am so ready to start a happy married life with you," Lei Wanxi stated and kissed her cheek.
~~~~~
Sheng Li fed tart cherries to Ying Lili with his hands. "I have my hands," Ying Lili said.
"But I want to feed you," Sheng Li said and smiled. "I met the other Brothers earlier. They looked happy," he told her.
"Why did you not go hunting? It's your favorite sport," Ying Lili stated.
"I cannot leave my Lili alone, especially in this state," Sheng Li answered.
"I have so many people to take care of me. Court Lady Xu and Ki are always around me. You do not need to neglect your happiness for me," Ying Lili said.
"My happiness lies with you. Also, nothing is more important for me than you," Sheng Li affirmed. "I can go hunting after you deliver the babies well. Then, we both will compete with each other," he said with a smile.
"You will not play fairly with me. You will lose and announce me the winner," Ying Lili replied. "You are no longer the old Sheng Li, who hated to lose," she complained.
"I still do not like to lose. However, in front of you, I cannot win. The first time we had sword fighting, I told you that if I ever lost against you, then that would be because of my love for you. Your win is my win, Lili," Sheng Li stated and pushed a cherry between her lips.
Before Ying Lili could suck that inside her mouth, Sheng Li leaned forward and bit half of it. Their lips touched momentarily. They smiled and chewed it.
"Even your win is my win, Sheng Li. So, you should play fairly with me," Ying Lili urged him.
"I cannot allow my Lili to lose against me.. I want her to win because Sheng Li doesn't like to lose," He announced and caressed her cheek.
