Chapter 331 - Oh, Lili!
Commander Sun came forward to take the bow from the Crown Prince's hand. He stepped back while Sheng Li looked at Weng Yu who was disheartened to see that out of twenty, only three arrows could hit the middle of the target.
"Little Yu, you cannot go for a trip as you lost," Rong Zemin loudly said, making fun of him, who was standing behind them with Lei Wanxi.
Sheng Li approached Weng Yu and put his hands on his shoulders. Weng Yu looked into the eyes of his brother, who was patting them. "It's fine if you could not make it. Next time you will do better," Sheng Li pronounced, encouraging the Youngest Prince. "And I just want to see if you quit or not. That's why I challenged you. Commander Sun, you have done a good job by training the youngest Prince." Sheng Li praised them both and put his hands down.
"So, can I also go on this trip?" Weng Yu hesitantly asked.
"Yes, you can go. You are a grown-up now so, you shall be aware of your surroundings. I have been to half of the places at your age," Sheng Li told him while smiling. Weng Yu was delighted to hear that.
"Thank you, Brother Sheng," Weng Yu tightly hugged Sheng Li, who felt it a little strange. Weng Yu had never gotten closer to him. He placed his hand on his back and patted it. Lei Wanxi smiled, seeing how the Crown Prince had negotiated his differences with the Seventh Prince.
Rong Zemin was astounded by the behavior of Sheng Li. "It's rare to see Brother Sheng appreciating Weng Yu. The Crown Princess has changed the Crown Prince which is good," Rong Zemin stated as he glanced at Lei Wanxi who agreed with him.
"Brother, you are also married, so aren't you going to take charge of an office to work?" Suddenly Lei Wanxi asked Rong Zemin. He curiously waited for him to answer.
"Father has told Second Brother and me to take in-charge as Chief Officers in the Governor's office. We will work along with the First Brother from tomorrow," Rong Zemin asserted. Lei Wanxi nodded and realized after some time he would have to work, too. Sheng Li and Weng Yu came to them.
"Where is Lili?" Sheng Li asked, looking around. The smile on his lips had disappeared.
"Sister Lili has gone to Zhenzhu Inn. She was tired and told us to inform you," Rong Zemin answered. Sheng Li nodded and told them that he would take leave too. Before leaving, he advised Weng Yu to keep practicing.
Commander Sun reported to Sheng Li about Wang Hao's message. Sheng Li took a brown folded paper. "No one knows about this, right?" Sheng Li asked him while walking towards Zhenzhu Inn.
"No, your highness."
"Hmm."
"Give some difficult tasks to Weng Yu. He is still lacking," Sheng Li commanded. "You shall leave," he added and walked away while Commander Sun left for the barracks.
Sheng Li arrived at Zhenzhu Inn and ordered Xing-Fu to bring Kongqi to the Fu Imperial Gates. "Is his highness going somewhere?" Xing-Fu humbly asked with gleamed eyes.
"Hmm, to our private residence," Sheng Li answered and walked in. He saw Ying Lili was laid on the bed with her back facing him. "Are you sleeping?" Sheng Li asked when Ying Lili turned to him. She sat up on the bed.
"No, I was bored. So, I laid down." She looked at a folded brown paper in his hand which was tied with a thread. "What's that?" Ying Lili curiously asked.
"Wang Hao has sent a message for us. I have not opened it yet. I thought about reading the message in front of you." Sheng Li sat beside her on the mattress. Ying Lili brought her feet closer to let Sheng Li sit beside her.
He opened the tight knot of thread and then opened the paper. As usual, there was nothing visible to the naked eyes so, Sheng Li lit a candle and brought the paper near to the flame. The letters appeared on it. Ying Lili had joined her both hands in nervousness, hoping for the good news.
"We have found it," Sheng Li readout, bringing a broad smile on Ying Lili's and Sheng Li's lips. He came back to the bed and hugged Ying Lili tightly. "I was scared. It relieved me. Thanks to Hu Jingguo, Father will live longer," Sheng Li said happily. Ying Lili placed her palms on his back and caressed it.
"Hmm. Nothing will happen to Father." She pulled back and looked into the eyes of Sheng Li. "Sister Jing has safely reached Lu Province. I forgot to tell you. Soon the First Brother will go to meet Sister Jing," Sheng Li asserted.
"It's good to hear. She might have found out about her mother," Ying Lili said in a low voice. Sheng Li nodded. "I have sent a message to her. I am waiting for her reply," he stated and picked the ointment bottle from the table. Placing it inside his sash, he looked back at Ying Lili.
"Let's go," he said.
"Where?"
"Where we two can spend our time together," Sheng Li replied and held her wrist. He got down from the bed and pulled her up, bringing her out of bed. "To our Private Residence," Sheng Li replied.
Ying Lili's eyes glistened upon hearing that. "But, will something be entertaining?" Ying Lili's question brought a smirk on Sheng Li's lips.
"There are two answers to your questions. What would you like me to answer?" Sheng Li picked the overcoat from the chaise and helped Ying Lili wear it.
"How would I know what you are thinking," Ying Lili huffed. Sheng Li, who was standing behind her, hugged her from the back.
"Oh, Lili! You know what I am thinking about. But since you do not want to say it even I will not say." His lips touched her earlobe, while his hands were holding Ying Lili's hands at the front.
"Let's go," he pulled himself back and walked out of the chamber with her. Sheng Li informed Court Lady Xu that they might not return in the night.
Arriving at the Fu Imperial Gates, Sheng Li hopped on Kongqi along with Ying Lili and left the Palace. Kongqi was walking today instead of running. "We could have gone in a carriage there," Ying Lili opined.
"Then, I could not hold you like this," an immediate answer came from Sheng Li, whose eyes met hers.
"I am not running anywhere," Ying Lili gave a wry laugh and looked at the front.
"I know." Sheng Li pulled the reins tighter this time and Kongqi started running. Ying Lili tightly wrapped her hands around Sheng Li's neck while his hold on her waist also got firm. Soon the two reached their Private Residence which was well guarded by the soldiers and Royal Guards. Sheng Li might have deployed them. Getting down from Kongqi, Sheng Li took Ying Lili inside the residence.