Ying Lili was perturbed by the sudden change in Sheng Li's thoughts. Was he again playing with her? She wondered while staring at Sheng Li who snapped his fingers in front of Ying Lili's eyes. "Do not put so much stress in your mind. I am now interested in having a night with you," Ying Lili heard him again.

  "You are turning back from your words. I will tell everyone about that place and also about how you were crying there." Ying Lili thought to blackmail the Crown Prince, who laughed at her.

  Sheng Li moved closer to Ying Lili. His left hand again was on Ying Lili's nape as he moved his eyes over her face. "You can tell whomever you want. If the Crown Princess is thinking of escaping this then, I am afraid, she will end up giving wrong ideas to the Palace people and the nation as well," Sheng Li averred.

  Ying Lili pulled back from Sheng Li's grip. "Find yourself either a consort or a concubine to fulfill your sexual needs," she scoffed at him while getting up from the bed. Sheng Li grabbed Ying Lili's wrist, pulling her down. Ying Lili was now on his lap with her back towards Sheng Li.

  "You are not allowed to leave the conversation in the middle when I am talking," Sheng Li whispered in Ying Lili's ear, who turned her head slightly. "How can the Crown Prince forget what he has said on the wedding night? Moreover, we do not love each other. The Crown Prince has promised me that he will handle this matter," Ying Lili affirmed, turning her head back to the front.

  Sheng Li noticed that his attempt to scare Ying Lili was unsuccessful. He was desperate to see the fretful expression on his crown princess. He pushed away Ying Lili, which baffled her as she landed on the bed. "I am going. I enjoyed this day thanks to you, wild cat." Ying Lili saw the smile that had appeared on Sheng Li's lips.

  She saw the crown Prince had strode out of the room. After a few minutes, court lady Xu came inside with two maidservants, who cleaned the table. Court lady Xu bowed her head, "Your highness, his majesty has sent the royal decree." She was polite and calm as usual.

  "What kind of royal decree?" Ying Lili skeptically asked.

  "Your highness, you have to leave for the Southern Province with the Crown Prince after celebrating the lantern festival," Court lady Xu informed the Crown Princess who flinched her brows.

  Ying Lili questioned, "Do you know the current situation of the Southern Province?"

  "Forgive me, your highness. I do not know," Court lady Xu replied. Ying Lili nodded and laid down on the bed. Court lady Xu came forward and pulled the blanket up to cover the Crown Princess from it. "Take a rest, your highness," Court Lady Xu stepped back and then pulled the curtains down which were attached to the bed. Ying Lili was tired after going out, so she drifted off to sleep.

  ~~~~~~~

  Sheng Li was eating lunch in his room when he heard a voice, "The sixth Prince is here to meet the Crown Prince." Sheng Li put the chopstick down on the plate and drank the water.

  Lei Wanxi came inside and found that the Crown Prince was having his lunch so late. "Why is brother Sheng eating so late?" Lei Wanxi asked as he pulled the chair around the circular table for him.

  "Do not ask. Ying Lili again messed up with my meal," Sheng Li muttered. Lei Wanxi sat on the chair, "Brother, you are enjoying your time with sister Lili. Good to see that you are getting close to her."

  "I told you not to call her sister. Use a formal title," Sheng Li advised.

  "Forgive me, your highness but I would like to call her sister Lili only," Lei Wanxi smiled. Sheng Li shook his head as he inquired, "So, why are you here?"

  "The daughters of the Kings and Governors of the provinces are also invited. I encountered a young woman among them who seemed suspicious. I am afraid if brother Sheng has done something to her family!" Lei Wanxi asserted as he poured the water into the glass for himself.

  "Suspicious?" "The invitees here are all those who accepted the suzerainty with no war," Sheng Li pronounced. Lei Wanxi nodded as he placed the glass on the table after drinking water from it. "Then, I shall keep a check on her. Who knows, she wants to assassinate you?" Lei Wanxi expressed his concern.

  "I cannot be assassinated that easily," Sheng Li affirmed.

  "Still, we shall be careful, brother Sheng. I have received the message from Hu Jingguo as well. He has safely crossed the capital borders. He told me to pass a message to his highness that he has to take care of Sister Lili," Lei Wanxi informed and noticed the reactions on Sheng Li's face.

  Sheng Li chuckled. "That guy!! Who is he to order me like this? I can take care of Ying Lili in the way I want!" Lei Wanxi noticed the jealous expressions on the Crown prince's face. The sixth Prince could not hold his laughter any longer. Hearing his laughter, Sheng Li shot a glare at him.

  Lei Wanxi put his palm on his mouth. "Forgive me, brother. What can I do? I have never seen you get angry like this," Lei Wanxi suppressed his smiles.

  "Don't get any wrong ideas. I know what you are thinking," Sheng Li stated and continued eating.

  "I saw how my brother was getting romantic with Sister Lili. Are you still going to deny that you are falling for Sister Lili?" Lei Wanxi searched for an answer from Sheng Li who started coughing.

  Lei Wanxi stood up from the chair and went towards Sheng Li. He patted on Sheng Li's back and handed him a glass of water. When Sheng Li turned stable, Lei Wanxi came back to his seat. "Do not ever joke like this. I can never fall for her, not even in my dreams," Sheng Li in a fit of rage affirmed.

  "Do you want to make a bet with me, brother Sheng? You are good in politics, governance, warfare but you cannot see your own feelings which are growing towards sister Lili," Lei Wanxi asserted and looked for a reply.

  Sheng Li snickered. "Wanxi, I do not want to make any bet and I know what I feel about her," Sheng Li cleared himself as he wiped he threw the chopsticks on the table and wiped his mouth using the napkin.

  Lei Wanxi found that the Crown Prince was raged just by that statement. "Why is brother Sheng resisting his feelings so much?" Lei Wanxi wondered as he knitted his brows.