Huo Jin went to Wang Hao's room. When Wang Fuxing said that Wang Hao might be thinking of going to Changying, it made Huo Jin converse with him.
As he walked in, he found Wang Hao near the window. The doors were closed behind him by the servant. Wang Hao turned to face him and welcomed him.
"General Wang is entering an important phase of his life," Huo Jin said. They both sat around the floor table.
"However, there is a rebellion going on in Changying," stated Wang Hao. "My duty as a General must be supreme. I know that this marriage is important but if something wrong happened there, then as a General of the Han, I would not be able to forgive myself," he expressed his worries.
"General Xiao is the Second General of the Han Empire. Then, Commander Yang has also gone to Changying, who has years of experience in such situations. If General Wang is thinking of delaying this marriage, then Princess Bai Yaling will get affected first," Huo Jin opined.
"Hmm. That's why I agreed with the Emperor's demand. Bai Yaling is eagerly waiting for tomorrow," Wang Hao stated. However, he had decided that he would go to Changying after a few days. As the First General, he could not sit back.
"The situation will come under control soon. General Wang shall not worry too much," Huo Jin assured him.
"Huo Jin, Yin Na talked to me earlier about Xu Wenhai. It is strange that she found herself comfortable around Yin Na," Wang Hao told him while observing his reactions.
"Are you sure about your decision? You told me that you would try after you met the Empress," Wang Hao wanted to confirm from him whether he truly felt anything towards Yin Na or not.
"I do not know, General Wang. Although I think that Xu Wenhai is better than me for Yin Na. I have already hurt your sister not once but many times," Huo Jin proclaimed.
Wang Hao would not deny this statement that Huo Jin hurt Yin Na. But he also knew that Huo Jin was the best choice for Yin Na. Because his father had approached the Xu Family, Wang Hao could not oppose his father at the present moment. He also could not deny the fact that Xu Wenhai had succeeded in making Yin Na comfortable around him.
"Huo Jin, they have not married yet," Wang Hao asserted.
Huo Jin nodded his head and passed a tiny smile to him. Wang Hao got up and went towards a shelf. He picked a wine jar while Huo Jin glanced at him with curiosity.
"The Emperor gifted this wine to me a few months back. We had decided to drink together, but his busy schedule never allowed it," Wang Hao said. He picked the two cups and came to the floor table. Placing them on the table, he asked Huo Jin if he would like to drink with him.
"Sure, General Wang!" Huo Jin picked the porcelain cup with both of his hands. Wang Hao showed white teeth smile to him and poured the wine into the cups.
They raised them a little and drank the wine in one shot. "Huo Jin, Yin Na will never refuse this marriage because she thinks that Father did a lot for her. So, only you are her hope. Also, I would like to see her around in the same house," he smiled and sipped the wine.
"General Wang, do not drink too much tonight. You need to be in good health tomorrow," he said worriedly.
"I have good alcohol tolerance," Wang Hao said proudly and picked the jar. He poured more in their cups and the two continued their conversation.
~~~~~
Sheng Li reached the chamber after having a bath. Ying Lili, who was near the window, admiring the night sky was informed about it. She turned to face him and welcomed him with a smile.
Sheng Li glanced at the Court Ladies, who bowed and left the chamber with the maidservants.
"Where were you? Eunuch Xing-Fu told me that you could not go to General Wang's house," she walked to Sheng Li, who hummed at her.
"An urgent piece of work had come. So, it took me time. It's late, so I told Wang Hao that I would go with him some other day," Sheng Li did not tell Ying Lili about the matter concerning the Eastern Province.
"You look tired," Ying Lili lifted her hand and placed her palm on his left cheek. Sheng Li gazed at her ardently and placed his palm over the back of her palm.
"I am good now," he pronounced.
"Really?"
Sheng Li nodded his head. "My worries end when you do this to me. Though, at present, I have no worries." He did not want her to get suspicious of him. However, that statement puzzled Ying Lili.
"Lili," Sheng Li pronounced her name and closed his eyes as he moved her hand on his cheek. "Why is this so magical?"
"Now, you are exaggerating," Ying Lili pulled back her hand but Sheng Li did not let it go. He opened his eyes and peered into hers.
He moved his hand down to her wrist and stepped closer to her. "I never exaggerate with you," he tucked back her hair strands behind her ear. They put their hands down while not leaving the eyelock.
Ying Lili was confident that Sheng Li was troubled about something, but did not want to share it with her.
"Do you love me?" Her question bewildered Sheng Li.
"You already know my answer," He answered. His right palm rested on her left neck.
"Then tell me the truth, what important matter appeared out of the blue that you did not go to General Wang's residence and now, you are lying to me. Hmm?" She raised her brows and waited for his response.
"It was related to the Empire's work. I am not lying," Sheng Li still acted tough and lied again to Ying Lili, who squinted her eyes.
"If you think that I will be under stress, then you are wrong," she stated. "So, you can tell me. We both will find a solution," she opined.
"Lili, don't you trust me?"
"I do. But you are good at hiding things from me," she affirmed.
"It's related to the Empire. Nothing important. It is solved already," he said and called Xing-Fu inside, who ran in and bowed before them.
"Set the dinner table for us," Sheng Li ordered him.
"Let's have dinner and then we will walk for some time," Sheng Li opined and took her towards the dinner table.
Making her sit on the chair, Sheng Li himself served food to Ying Lili. "Today, I asked the chef to make your favorite dishes. Eat with your heart content," Sheng Li told her and picked up the chopsticks from the plate. Ying Lili thanked him and gestured to him to sit.
He took a seat beside her and the two started eating.
