Chapter 279 - Sufficient Time To Prepare
Sheng Li arrived at Zhenzhu Inn and told Court Lady Xu to send the dinner for them. As he entered the resting chamber, he found Ying Lili was removing her jewelry. He walked to her and stood behind her.
"Let me do it," Sheng Li removed the hairpins from Ying Lili's hair bun, who looked at him through the mirror. He gently removed the Bu Yao, followed by the Crown. Placing them on the dressing table, he picked up the comb.
"What did you talk about with that girl?" Sheng Li asked as he started combing Ying Lili's hair.
"I told her a few things and told her to be careful," Ying Lili answered. She studied Sheng Li's facial features and realized he was a little disturbed, so she asked, "Why are you anxious? Is everything okay?"
"Nothing much. Brother Jian's sudden behavioral change is bothering me. It is the second time he went against his mother. It was all Weng Wei's plan to punish the Fourth Brother, but her son intervened, thus shutting her mouth," Sheng Li pronounced.
"Sheng Li, I think it's the upbringing which turned Brother Jian cold towards you. The Empress corrupted Brother Jian's mind since his childhood. As he grew up, he might have realized that he wants things on his own without any pressure," Ying Lili stated.
Sheng Li hummed and nodded his head. "That's what's bothering me! What is the exact reason behind this change?! I want to know about that," Sheng Li asserted.
Court Lady Xu came there and instructed the maidservants to set the table. Once it was done, they left the chamber, shutting the main door behind them.
"Then, you should start working on your relationship with Brother Jian. Get close to him to know about him. He also wants this, but he thinks that the brotherhood between you two can never be restored," Ying Lili proclaimed. She stood up while Sheng Li pulled his hand back and peered at her.
"What did he tell you?" Sheng Li questioned Ying Lili and placed the comb on the dressing table. Looking back at Ying Lili, he searched for an answer.
"He regrets treating you like that. I do not know what happened between you two, that's why I cannot exactly tell what you shall do. But I would like you to initiate this time and talk with Brother Jian, forgetting the past. The Empress is greedy and she puts the same values in Brother Jian. The day he talked with me, I saw guilt and regret in his eyes," Ying Lili suggested to Sheng Li, who accepted her advice.
"Is there something else which is bothering you?" Ying Lili placed her palm on Sheng Li's right cheek.
"I am worried about my father's health. I don't want to lose him in any way," Sheng Li proclaimed. "After mother left, he did everything for me though he was unaware of the fact and still is that the Empress does not like me a bit. I told you that it does not affect me much if people close to me die, but that was a lie. It affects me a lot! Because of my father, I became this capable and if anything happens to him then…" Sheng Li paused as he tightly shut his eyes.
Ying Lili wrapped her arms around Sheng Li and hugged him tightly. "Nothing will happen to our father. Hu Jingguo is coming, so have faith," Ying Lili stated. Sheng Li brought his hand up and placed it on Ying Lili's back, pulling her closer for a hug.
"Forgive me, Ying Lili. I could not save your parents. I said so many strident remarks towards your parents. Is this the reason that heaven is punishing me again?" Sheng Li rested his forehead on Ying Lili's shoulder.
"You indeed did wrong by saying harsh words to my parents. But those were not the words of the Sheng Li whom I know now. You did not want me to marry you because you did not want me to get involved with the evil people around us. Heaven is not punishing you, just taking an exam of yours in this tough time," Ying Lili affirmed.
Sheng Li lifted his head and brought it closer to Ying Lili's face. "You understand Sheng Li fully." His hand rested on Ying Lili's nape, bringing her face closer to him. Their foreheads touched, and they closed their respective eyes. Sheng Li's hand, which was earlier on her nape, now rested on her cheek, stroking it.
"What would have happened if you had not come into my life? I don't even want to imagine this," Sheng Li whispered.
"Then don't," Ying Lili replied as she opened her eyes. Sheng Li had also opened his eyes and gazed into the beautiful pair of eyes in front of him.
"Don't hurt yourself in all this," Sheng Li suddenly said.
"How can I get hurt when you are always in front of me as my shield?" Ying Lili questioned.
Sheng Li's lips moved up as a smile appeared on them. "Hmm. Let's have our dinner before it gets cold," Sheng Li stated and took Ying Lili towards the dinner table. Pulling a chair out, he made Ying Lili sit on that and then sat next to her.
The two started eating while conversing with each other.
Sheng Li's eyes suddenly fell on the clothes which his sister gifted them for their future kids. "You did not put the dresses in the cupboard?" Sheng Li asked.
"Huh?" "Ahh, I will," Ying Lili replied.
"I want my child to be like you in every aspect," Sheng Li affirmed. Ying Lili, whose eyes had fixed on her meal, lifted them to meet Sheng Li's gaze.
"Like me?" Ying Lili mumbled as she put the chopsticks down on the plate.
"Hmm. Smart, kind, and lovable," Sheng Li replied, keeping the tiny smile on his lips.
Ying Lili twitched her lips. "Why are we talking about kids? We didn't even…" she paused and gulped.
"Why did you pause? Complete your words," Sheng Li told Ying Lili in a teasing tone; the smile on his lips turned to a smirk.
"E-eat your food and let me eat too," Ying Lili picked up the chopsticks and quickly started eating.
"We will consummate after those marriages. I think I have given you sufficient time to prepare," Sheng Li pronounced. Ying Lili widened her eyes and a hue of red appeared on her cheeks. Sheng Li smiled and continued eating.