Chapter 283 - My Lili's Dance Is The Best
Qi Jing reached the Palace Grounds where everyone was waiting for her. She was wearing red wedding robes, and her face had covered with a head-kerchief. She stopped in front of her father, who patted her head. Qi Jing was emotional, and she closed her eyes.
Weng Wei came forward and embraced her daughter into a hug. "Have a great married life and always be happy," Weng Wei said in a low voice. Her eyes were misty, and soon she pulled back. Qi Jing, for the last time looked at her father, mother, brothers, and their wives.
'I will miss you all,' she said to herself.
Jian Guozhi and other brothers came near her. Being the elder brother, Jian Guozhi held the hand of his sister. He led her to the sedan. Sheng Li grasped Qi Jing's hand and led her to the sedan with Jian Guozhi and other brothers. She got inside the sedan. "Keep writing to us," Jian Guozhi told his sister.
"Yes, Elder Brother," with a heavy voice, teary eyes, Qi Jing replied. Jian Guozhi put the red curtain down. All the brothers came to their respective places.
Lu Qifeng raised his hands to his shoulders. Joining them and bowing, he said, "Your Majesty, it is time to leave the Imperial Palace. I was overwhelmed by the love and respect you all gave to me."
He lifted his head and went towards his horse. He hopped on it and motioned his hand in the air. Sheng Li walked beside the sedan, to see his sister off till the Fu Imperial Gates. Qi Jing was crying as she left the Imperial Palace. "Make sure that she safely crosses the Borders," Sheng Li commanded Xiao Zhan, who was on a horse.
"Yes, your highness." Xiao Zhan pulled the reins on the horse and he gained speed. Sheng Li's eyes were misty. He could not even spend enough time with his sister.
"I never cared much about Qi Jing in all these years. But as soon as her marriage got announced, it saddened me somehow," Jian Guozhi said, standing beside Sheng Li.
"Sister Jing always felt alone in the Palace as her own brother never had enough conversations with her, and I do not have to say anything about her mother," Sheng Li affirmed. Jian Guozhi looked at Sheng Li and agreed with him. "But now, all these things have no meaning. Prince Qifeng will take good care of her," Sheng Li proclaimed.
"Hmm."
Sheng Li turned his head to look at him and read his eyes for a few seconds. "These days the change in your behavior is bothering me. I have found out many things about you and it makes me wonder how you are coping with your mother. I just hope she is not angry with whatever things you are doing," Sheng Li straightforwardly said a few things that were on his mind for a few days.
Jian Guozhi kept staring into the eyes of Sheng Li. 'Did the Crown Princess tell him everything? But if she had then the Crown Prince would not have been talking to me with this calmness,' Jian Guozhi thought. Sheng Li turned and walked away, leaving Jian Guozhi behind.
Sheng Li saw Ying Lili was waiting for him in the Palace Grounds. A smile carved on his lips and walked to her when his arm was grabbed by Lei Wanxi. "Brother, let's meet the Second and Third Brother. In the Second Brother's Residence, a party is going on," Lei Wanxi stated.
"I am not interested," Sheng Li replied.
"Brother Sheng, soon those two will enter married life. They told me to bring Brother Sheng with me," Lei Wanxi affirmed.
Ying Lili had come near them and asked, "What are the two brothers whispering?"
"Sister Lili, I am asking Brother Sheng to join us brothers for a small party which is going on in the residence of the Second Brother," Lei Wanxi informed Ying Lili.
Ying Lili looked at Sheng Li. "Why are you hesitating? Go there and enjoy yourself. We can have our lunch together," Ying Lili pronounced, keeping a smile on her lips. "I have some work for the evening marriages," asserted Ying Lili.
Lei Wanxi locked his arm around Sheng Li's arm. "Let's go, Brother Sheng," Lei Wanxi dragged Sheng Li out from there.
"Will you let go of my arm?" Sheng Li asked Lei Wanxi, who nodded and apologized.
"How can they enjoy today? Sister Jing has just left. Those two love to play, and do parties," Sheng Li annoyingly said. "And why are you happy? Aren't you sad?" He questioned.
"I am both sad and happy. To be a part of the celebration of my Elder Brothers, I need to be happy. If Brother Sheng will not be present at the party then, Brother Yongzheng and Brother Zemin might not feel good. I do not want them to distance themselves from you. Even if we are separated by the blood of our mothers, we brothers shall live with fraternity," Lei Wanxi pronounced.
They reached the Residence of Yongzheng. The courtyard was well decorated and many people could be seen there, mostly the friends of Prince Yongzheng. Dancers could be seen in the middle of the courtyard who was performing the Fan dance. Sheng Li turned to leave when he found someone's hand on his shoulder.
"Brother Sheng, you just entered and leaving so early," Yongzheng stated, who had a wineglass in his hand. "I can put my arm around your shoulder for today as you are here as my younger brother." Lei Wanxi agreed with the Second Brother.
"You started drinking early in the morning!" Sheng Li chuckled and removed Yongzheng's hand from his shoulder.
"It is breakfast time, Brother Sheng. You should not sulk on my marriage day," asserted Yongzheng, and looked for a servant. Looking at one, he gestured to him to come near them. Yongzheng picked a silver glass and handed the glass to Sheng Li.
"Have this first drink with me, Brother Sheng. Do not worry. There is no poison in it," Yongzheng proclaimed as he brought his wine glass close to his mouth. Sheng Li took a sip and passed a smile to the Second Brother.
"Brother Sheng, let's watch that dance over there. Special dancers have been called for today. They do better dance than the Crown Princess," Yongzheng affirmed. Sheng Li raised his brow and tightened his grip around the wineglass.
Lei Wanxi gulped hearing the words of the Second Prince. 'Why is he conversing this way with Brother Sheng?' Lei Wanxi wondered.
Sheng Li scoffed and said, "Second Brother, for me my Lili's dance is the best. Your remark was not pleasing to hear. Be thankful that today is your marriage day. I do not want anything worse to happen here."
Yongzheng understood what Sheng Li tried saying. Before he could speak further, Jian Guozhi intervened between them. "Yongzheng, do not compare the Crown Princess with those dancers. Be careful of your words," Jian Guozhi sternly said.
"Haha," Yongzheng laughed aloud.
"Brother, I was joking with Brother Sheng. He becomes serious. I know that the Crown Princess cannot be compared to them," Yongzheng replied and looked at Sheng Li. "Forgive me, Brother Sheng. I did not intend to hurt you," Yongzheng apologized.
Sheng Li frowned but did not say anything.
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