Sheng Li opened the knot of Ying Lili's dress, but then a familiar voice fell into his ears. "Crown Prince, Crown Prince!" Hu Jingguo was shouting from outside the chamber while Court Lady Xu was trying to stop him.

  "His highness has strictly given the orders unless it is a crucial matter, they should not be disturbed."

  ??

  "Court Lady Xu, it is indeed a crucial matter. You will not understand. It is between two friends," Hu Jingguo stated, keeping a smile on his lips and then again called out for the Crown Prince.

  Ying Lili ended up laughing. Stopping her laughs, she said, "I think we need to wait for more. Hu Jingguo is here."

  Sheng Li scoffed and pulled Ying Lili up, gently. He tied the knot of her dress and brushed her hair using his fingers. "He destroys my mood every time he interrupts. I cannot even get angry at him," Sheng Li whispered as he kept his gaze intact on her. Before Ying Lili could ask him why he could not get furious at Hu Jingguo, Sheng Li stood up from the bed and walked out of the bedchamber.

  Sheng Li opened the doors and glared at Hu Jingguo. "I have ears, so you do not need to shout so loudly." He turned and walked in. Hu Jingguo walked behind him and put his arm around Sheng Li's shoulder. "Hushu, anger doesn't suit you," he said with a smile.

  Court Lady Xu was shocked to see the way Hu Jingguo put his arm around the Crown Prince. "Has he lost his mind?" Xing-Fu complained, coming closer to Court Lady Xu, who shook her head.

  They came to the sitting room outside the chamber when Sheng Li pushed him away. "Have you lost your mind? You cannot use that name!" Sheng Li scolded him and put his hands on his waist.

  "You get angry so quickly, Sheng Li. You should be calm in every situation," Hu Jingguo stated and asked, "Where is Ying Lili? I need to check her." Sheng Li moved from his place to bring Ying Lili when she came there herself.

  Sheng Li swiftly went near her and gently grabbed her arm. "Why did you come by yourself?" He questioned. Hu Jingguo smiled upon seeing the care of Sheng Li towards Ying Lili. Hu pulled out a chair of Ying Lili while Sheng Li took her there, making her sit on it. After her, Sheng Li and Hu Jingguo took their respective seats.

  "Forgive me if I disturbed you two. But this was urgent, so I need to report it," Hu Jingguo said with a menacing expression.

  "What happened?" Sheng Li questioned.

  "His Majesty has only a few days to live, at most a month. His Majesty indeed is suffering from a terminal illness," Hu Jingguo affirmed.

  Sheng Li furrowed his brows together. "Did you check my father thoroughly? Maybe there is a mistake," He was anxious, his voice cracking.

  "I am afraid, but this is the truth. Still, I will try my best to find the cure. There is a mountain which I heard is rich in medicinal plants. I need to go there. It will take at least a week for me to return. My Master had told me once that if the cure is found nowhere, then I shall surely go there," proclaimed Hu Jingguo.

  "Then go there. Find the cure. Survival of the Emperor is crucial for us," Ying Lili stated.

  Hu Jingguo nodded his head. "I will find the cure. I will not let anything happen to His Majesty," Hu Jingguo asserted.

  "Wang Hao and Xiao Zhan will go with you. I would have come, but I cannot leave Ying Lili here nor could I take her there," Sheng Li pronounced.

  "Go with him," suddenly Ying Lili said.

  Sheng Li and Hu Jingguo both with a bewildered expressions peered at her.

  "There is nothing to worry about. The Empress will be punished by tomorrow. I do not think the mastermind behind her will do anything for a while because the First Prince stood against them. Moreover, if General Wang and General Xiao will go with Hu Jingguo, then it might raise suspicion. We cannot let our enemy find out about this," Ying Lili explained to them.

  "Lili, your health is more important. I will-"

  "The Emperor's life is crucial at this moment. You also know if anything happens to him, many unknown enemies will come forward to ask for power! We cannot let it happen. Not until we find the main culprit behind the Empress. She will not open her mouth, so we need to find out," Ying Lili proclaimed.

  "Ying Lili is saying right. You shall come with me. Last time when General Wang brought me here, it was difficult," Hu Jingguo stated, looking at Sheng Li.

  Ying Lili amusingly looked at the two. "Why are you talking informally with us?" She asked out of curiosity.

  "Because your husband has finally agreed to be my friend. I can call you two by your names," Hu Jingguo proudly said.

  "Pardon!" Ying Lili shifted her gaze towards Sheng Li. "You agreed to this? Why?" She queried again, keeping a grin on her face.

  "Because I saved your life," Hu Jingguo replied. Sheng Li glared at him for telling Ying Lili about that. "I do not hide anything from her, Hushu," Hu Jingguo affirmed with a smile. Ying Lili laughed because unlike earlier times Sheng Li was not shouting but making faces.

  "You cannot take this name," Sheng Li told Hu Jingguo.

  "Why? Isn't this name more suited to you? It is a name given to you by your friend. I mean when Ying Lili had not proposed to you, she was merely a friend of yours. So, I think I can also use that, Hushu," Hu Jingguo grinned. He wanted to irritate Sheng Li because it was easy to annoy him without even doing anything.

  Hu Jingguo took out a tiny porcelain bottle from his pocket and handed that to Sheng Li. "Use this from tomorrow on her wound. It is more effective," he said. Sheng Li nodded acknowledging it.

  "We need a plan to go out. If I stay out of the Palace for a week, then doubts will arise," Hu Jingguo concernedly said.

  "When do we need to leave? Also, what is the name of the mountain?" Sheng Li questioned him.

  "Mount Jishi. We need to leave as early as possible. Finding that plant is going to be tough. But before that, climbing the mountain will be more difficult," Hu Jingguo asserted.

  After contemplating for some time, Sheng Li said, "I think you should leave with Wang Hao and Xiao Zhan. It will not be wise if I leave the Capital. I am taking the decision as the Crown Prince. My two Generals are capable enough to kill anyone who comes in the way. They won't let anything happen even if they lose their lives. So, go with them. Tomorrow, when the Empress will be dethroned, many hidden enemies will make their move for the position of the Empress."

  Hu Jingguo acknowledged Sheng Li's decision. "I will definitely bring the cure with me. I won't let you down," Hu Jingguo assured Sheng Li.