"W-water," in a meek voice, Ying Lili asked for water. Her eyes showed the movements. Sheng Li, who was observing her closely, quickly poured the water into a porcelain cup. He lifted Ying Lili's head and helped her in drinking the water. Sheng Li's eyes were filled with tears when he heard Ying Lili's voice.

  Wiping her lips, he waited for her to open her eyes. Ying Lili gradually opened her eyes and the first person she saw was Sheng Li. She passed a tiny smile to him and lifted her palm. Placing it on his cheek, she said, "I am f-fine." She caressed it for some time.

  ??

  Hu Jingguo quietly stood up from the chair and walked out of the chamber, along with Court Lady Xu. The doors were closed behind them.

  Sheng Li kissed her forehead and then cheeks. Leaning back he said, "You scared me to death." Ying Lili passed a tiny smile to him. Seeing Sheng Li in that state, even her eyes turned misty.

  "Why did you come in between? Huh?" Sheng Li complained as he stroked her hair. Ying Lili wanted to embrace him in a warm hug, but her back was hurting.

  "Help me in sitting up," Ying Lili in a low voice requested. Sheng Li hummed. He gently made her sit on the bed. Ying Lili raised her left arm and put it around Sheng Li's neck, her head resting on his right shoulder. "I ended up doing that. It was not my fault. I needed to save you from getting injured," Ying Lili stated.

  Sheng Li made her face him. He cupped her face between his palms and furrowed his brows. "Do not ever do that. I was terrified when you closed your eyes. I thought-" Ying Lili put her forefinger on his lips and lifted her eyes.

  "How could you think that I will leave you? We have many things to do in this life. I will never leave you. Our love is eternal and you cannot stop me from doing that. If you were in my place, then you would have done the same thing," Ying Lili put her finger down. Sheng Li closed the distance between them by capturing her lips. He kept it gentle, and the two kissed for a while. Their foreheads touched against each other, while their fingers intertwined.

  "Are you hungry? You did not take meals, right?" Suddenly, Ying Lili asked.

  "Hmm. How could I eat in that situation?" Sheng Li questioned her back.

  "I am feeling pain in my back and arm. Spoon feed me," Ying Lili, like a little child, made her request to him.

  Sheng Li nodded. "Is it hurting a lot? Don't lie," He warned her.

  "Hmm… a little," Ying Lili replied.

  "Next time you will do something like this I will not talk to you," Sheng Li affirmed, which made Ying Lili giggle.

  "I am serious," Sheng Li stated.

  Ying Lili suppressed her giggles by puckering her lips together. She pinched his nose using her left hand and said, "I cannot watch you getting hurt. It does not matter if you will not talk to me. At least, the one whom I love more than my life will be safe."

  Sheng Li knitted his brows. "What about me then? Do you know how hard it was for me? With each passing second, I was getting restless," Sheng Li complained to her.

  "Then protect me. Why are you sulking again? You should advance your security system so that such a situation will never arise," Ying Lili scoffed. "Your wife has just woken up and you are acting this way!" She turned her gaze away from him.

  Sheng Li took her hands in his. "Forgive me. Hu Jingguo is here. He treated you," Sheng Li stated. Ying Lili looked at him and hummed.

  "Call the Court Lady. I need to wash. I am feeling itchy," Ying Lili said.

  "I will help you. I cannot trust the maidservants with this task," Sheng Li pronounced.

  "No. It is not good to come to a woman's bathhouse," Ying Lili stated.

  Sheng Li gave a gleeful chuckle. "Your husband can enter that bathhouse." Ying Lili was going to speak when Sheng Li put his finger on her lips. "Shhh… don't say anything because I will not listen to you. What if the maidservants hurt you while helping you in washing? I cannot take any risk. You told me a moment ago that I shall protect you at all times, so just let this husband do his duties well," Sheng Li added.

  Ying Lili agreed with him and rested her head on Sheng Li's shoulder again. She was feeling a little weak because of the medicine. "Let's go then," Ying Lili meekly said. Sheng Li glanced towards the second door and called for Court Lady Xu.

  Court Lady Xu quickly came. "Prepare the bathhouse for the Crown Princess," Sheng Li ordered her, who bowed and stepped back. She turned and left the chamber.

  Sheng Li picked the satin robe which was placed on the other table beside the bed, and helped Ying Lili in wearing it. Four maidservants came inside to help the Crown Princess but Sheng Li did not let them touch her.

  "Stay back. Clean the chamber until the Crown Princess and I come back," Sheng Li ordered them.

  Sheng Li got down from the bed when one of the maidservants said, "Your highness, the Princes are waiting outside to meet the Crown Princess. The Empress and the Consorts will come in a while to Zhenzhu Inn."

  Hearing the Empress's name, Sheng Li turned furious. "Don't let the Empress enter here. Tell the Princes and their mothers to come later. The Crown Princess is still weak, and she is not in the state to talk to anyone," Sheng Li commanded her.

  Ying Lili was quietly listening to him and contemplating why Sheng Li was acting that way. 'Is it because of me? His eyes are puffy and red. I know he did not sleep the entire night. It must be tough for him, seeing me in this state,' Ying Lili thought as she watched Sheng Li's behavior.