Chapter 287 - Lili!
The evening had fallen. Everyone came to the marriage hall. The Second and Third Princes were wearing red wedding robes and were conversing with the Emperor. The Chief Priest reached the hall. Bowing to the Emperor and the Empress, he stood at his place.
"Your majesty, we shall start the marriage ceremony," the Chief Priest suggested. Weng Wei nodded and ordered the Court Lady to bring both the Princesses to the marriage hall. Han Wenji came to his place while Yongzheng and Rong Zemin stood at the aisle, waiting for the Princesses to come.
Sheng Li and Ying Lili recalled their marriage day. Sheng Li cursed himself internally for being rude towards Ying Lili. Even Ying Lili regretted taking negative vows during their marriage. Sheng Li leaned closer to Ying Lili's ear and said, "Let's get married again."
She tilted her head to meet the gaze of Sheng Li. "Our marriage day is not memorable. I want it to be a memorable day," Sheng Li whispered.
"When are we getting married then?" Ying Lili queried him.
"Hmm. Do you want to get married now?" Sheng Li asked.
"Stop joking," Ying Lili replied.
"I am serious," Sheng Li stated.
"Keep quiet. The Chief Priest is looking at us," Ying Lili said in a low voice. Sheng Li shifted his gaze towards the Chief Priest, who was placing the wine glasses on the table.
"You want a separate marriage ceremony for us?" Sheng Li inquired, tilting his head slightly.
"Yes," Ying Lili replied.
Sheng Li nodded. He brought his hand near to Ying Lili's hand and grasped it tightly. He intertwined his fingers with hers. "I need to plan our marriage then," Sheng Li whispered in her ear.
Princess Bai Yaling and Princess Liao Jun were brought there. The two stood beside Prince Yongzheng and Prince Rong Zemin, respectively. The ceremony started, and the wedding wines had exchanged. Taking the three bows for the Heaven, Parents, and the Kitchen God, the ceremony ended.
"Princess Bai Yaling is the official wife of Prince Han Yongzheng, and Princess Liao Jun is the official wife of Prince Han Rong Zemin. Congratulations to both Princes on getting married. I bless you to have a great married life. May the Heaven bless both the couples with healthy children soon," The Chief Priest gave his blessings.
"Court Lady Yin, Court Lady Mao, take the Princesses towards their respective bedchambers," Empress Wei ordered.
"Leave my hand! I need to go there," Ying Lili said as she tried letting go of her hand.
"No, I do not want you to leave," Sheng Li affirmed in a low voice.
"Brother Sheng, you are openly showing your love for Sister Lili. Every eye is on you," Lei Wanxi whispered in Sheng Li's ear, who was standing on his right. Sheng Li looked around.
"Don't they have any other work?" He complained as he let go of Ying Lili's hand.
"The most romantic couple always grabs the attention of the people in the Palace," Lei Wanxi stated and opened his fan. Ying Lili went towards the Empress, who asked her about the wedding feast. She stood beside the Empress, and the two started conversing.
A few maidservants came there, with trays in their hands. The brides were taken to their bedchambers by then. Han Wenji congratulated both his sons on getting married. The Princes came forward to have the first wine with the Second and Third Prince after their marriage.
One of the maidservants had a dagger hidden in her long left-hand sleeve. She was pouring the wine in the porcelain cups while others were giving it to the Princes.
The maidservant, who had a dagger hidden in her sleeve, went towards Sheng Li, who was smiling along with his brothers. Ying Lili contended to this side of Sheng Li. 'He has terrible mood swings,' she thought when her eyes fell on the maidservant who was pulling out a dagger from her one of the sleeves.
The smile from Ying Lili's lips disappeared, seeing that the maidservant had approached closer to Sheng Li. She lifted her high waist skirt, and ran towards Sheng Li, confusing the Empress and the other wives of Han Wenji.
Sheng Li's eyes fell on Ying Lili, who was running towards him. Frowns appeared on his forehead while the other Princes got aside, confusedly looking at Ying Lili. Before anyone could understand anything, Ying Lili came in front of Sheng Li and hugged him tightly.
But, it was too late!
The maidservant had already directed the poisoned blade of the dagger towards Sheng Li, which now ended up piercing through Ying Lili's upper back, below the shoulder. Everything happened so fast that no one could react to the situation.
"Ah," Ying Lili passed a low scream as the blade pierced through her skin.
"Lili," Sheng Li whispered and quickly pulled a little away to look at her. Beads of cold sweat had formed on her forehead and her eyes filled with tears.
"S-Sheng Li" She fell but Sheng Li caught her, who had fallen on his knees. General Wang and General Xiao ran towards the Crown Prince.
Chaos was created in the entire wedding hall. The maidservant, who was an assassin, tried running away when Jian Guozhi caught her. But before he could ask the name who ordered this assassination, the woman consumed the poison and died there.
"Lili!" Sheng Li placed his palm over her cheek. His breath hitched, seeing Ying Lili in pain. There was the same look in her eyes that was in the eyes of his mother before she died. "L-Lili," he again said with a broken voice. Unbeknownst to him, the tears fell from his eyes when Ying Lili placed her palm over his one cheek.
"N-nothing will h-happen," she stuttered as her eyes slowly closed.
At that time, the Emperor felt severe chest pain in his heart. "Your Majesty, what is happening?" Empress Wei concernedly asked as she was the one who noticed it first. Quickly, his other wives came towards him. General Wang ran towards the Emperor, followed by the Fourth Prince and Second Prince.
"Call the Physician!" Sheng Li shouted as he carried Ying Lili up. At that time, he heard the sound of a vase falling. He turned his head and saw his father had fallen unconscious.
"Brother, take Sister Lili first. She is losing blood," Lei Wanxi stated. Sheng Li nodded and ran out of the wedding hall, carrying Ying Lili in his arms.
~~~~~
Hello Dear Readers!
Hope you all are doing well. What do you think will happen? Hu JIngguo is kidnapped already! Both the Emperor and the Crown Princess are in danger this time. How will Sheng Li handle all this? Stay updated to know more!!
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