Married To The Cruel Crown Prince

"Brother Nianzu\'s mother unexpectedly committed a grave crime. I don\'t know what will happen to Brother Nianzu upon finding out what his mother did. I hid the truth from everyone the last time when she almost committed treason," Sheng Li stated. He felt terrible, though he did not let it show on his face.

"Brother Sheng respected Empress Dowager a lot. It must be tough to punish her," Jian Guozhi opined.

"It was tough. I had already ended my relationship with Empress Dowager by the time I found out what she had done," Sheng Li answered and closed his eyes. "I could never feel what a mother\'s love felt like. But something good happened. Lili showed me that love. So, I do not worry anymore," he asserted and smiled.

Jian Guozhi empathized with Sheng Li. He had watched him from a young age. He was deprived of everything that they easily got. He used to read Sheng Li\'s eyes, but he didn\'t have the courage to stand against his mother until things went overboard. He also felt the absence of his mother and realized how much Sheng Li missed his mother from a young age.

Indeed, Ying Lili\'s presence in Sheng Li\'s life brightened it. The darkness in Sheng Li\'s heart was replaced by the light of Ying Lili\'s good heart. Jian Guozhi was happy for Sheng Li.

The door opened and Commander Yang walked in with a tray in his hand. It had a bowl over it, filled with tonic. Jian Guozhi had handed the bowl to Sheng Li, who drank it. It was bitter in taste, but he somehow finished it.

Commander Yang took the bowl and put it on the table along with the tray.

"I would like to rest for some time," Sheng Li said and again laid on the bed.

Jian Guozhi covered him from the blanket and left with Commander Yang. He instructed the guards outside the room to not let anyone enter unless he, the General, and the Commanders allowed the person to go in.

"His Majesty doesn\'t look in a good state. I think the First Prince shall call for the Royal Physician from Luoyang," Commander Yang suggested. Jian Guozhi agreed with him and asked him to send the message regarding it.

"What about the Empress? Shall we keep it a secret? The problem is serious, Your Highness." Commander Yang was anxious.

"The Emperor wants to keep it a secret. Let\'s act according to His Majesty\'s command," Jian Guozhi opined and reached his room. He settled on the chair and asked about Xiao Zhan.

"An unrest occurred among the people after they found out that Mingze was taken out of his residence. The officials are also waiting for the answers. Some of them wanted to see the Emperor, but because of safety reasons, they were denied entry," Commander Yang informed the First Prince, who decided to go among the people on behalf of Sheng Li.

"Commander Yang, inform the officials that in the late noon, I will address the people on behalf of the Emperor. Brother Sheng needs rest and if we inform him, then he will be adamant to meet them despite his health," Jian Guozhi affirmed.

"His Highness is right. However, His Highness may need to ask from the Emperor once," Commander Yang stated.

"I will surely get the permission. I also need to give the message to Mingze\'s wife. Apart from that, I need records of officials. We need to select a capable Governor for this province," Jian Guozhi instructed him, who bowed and walked out. Jian Guozhi tapped his fingers on the table\'s surface.

~~~~~~

Ying Lili looked at the painting that Sheng Li had gifted her— A portrait of them on the swing. Court Lady Xu and Eunuch Xing-Fu glanced at each other.

\'I truly want to come to you. However, the responsibility that you have given me, I cannot either leave it. I know that you will surely safely return. We all are waiting for you.\' Ying Lili talked to Sheng Li while looking at him in the portrait. That was the first time she fell for him. It was the day when she got to see Sheng Li which he hid from everyone.

"Your Majesty, please sit down. His Majesty has been in the same position for almost an hour," Eunuch Xing-Fu finally said. Ying Lili tilted her head and turned to them.

"I am worried, Eunuch Xing-Fu, Court Lady Xu," Ying Lili confessed to them. "I know I have to remain strong for everyone, but the thought of him being hurt is troubling me," she couldn\'t help but saying saythe truth to them.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor must be alright. We still have to get confirmation if His Majesty is still unconscious or not. This Eunuch understands the worries of the Empress. I would like to say to Her Majesty to think good only. Nothing can happen to His Majesty," Xing-Fu assured Ying Lili, who was not satisfied with his answer.

"I want to go to the Eastern Palace," Ying Lili said.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will prepare a palanquin for Her Majesty," Eunuch Xing-Fu said and left the chamber.

Court Lady Xu came near Ying Lili and asked her to keep strong faith. Ying Lili could not help but hug her tightly. "I am saying to myself that he is fine, but my mind—" her voice quivered as tears streamed down her cheeks. "He\'s such a bad person. How could he get injured and make me so worried! He never was unconscious for so many days," she completed her remaining words.