Ying Lili found that Sheng Li was troubled by the rebellion in Changying. It was indeed troublesome, but being hot-headed in such a state was not good, according to her.

"Forgive me for talking that way," Sheng Li apologized. "I believe the Princes will handle the matter well," he stated.

"I hope so," Ying Lili replied. "Did you get any message from the two Princes?" She queried him. "Do not lie about it," she warned him.

"Brother Jian has sent the message. I have yet to check it," Sheng Li said the truth and went towards the table in which drawer, he had put the scroll. Taking it out, he came to Ying Lili and sat by her side. He opened the scroll and started to read the message.

Ying Lili leaned to her side and read the message along with him. After Sheng Li was done, he put the scroll on the small table beside the chaise.

"They have reached safety to Changying. Nothing is explained about the situation," Sheng Li asserted.

"It will take time to know what is going on," Ying Lili affirmed. Sheng Li agreed with her. "If the situation gets hard, then go to Changying," Ying Lili again suggested to him.

"I cannot leave you in this state," Sheng Li answered and rested his hand over her hands which were on her lap.

"I am not alone in the Palace, Sheng Li. Everyone is so caring around me. Also, you are like the Father of the Empire. Your duty towards them comes first," Ying Lili made him understand.

"When my mother was pregnant with me, then she was poisoned since he was in the war. I cannot leave your sight even for a second," Sheng Li expressed his concern towards her.

"That time the Palace was full of enemies," Ying Lili reminded him. "You should not get scared. No one will harm me," she stated with a bright and warm smile. She grabbed his arm and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Sheng Li, I did not stop you from working, right?" She tilted her head and rested her chin on his shoulder. Sheng Li turned his head to peer at him and shook his head. He could not help but plant a soft kiss on the top of her forehead.

"Did I not tell you to calm this restless heart?" He gazed into her crystal-looking eyes.

"You said that whenever I get close to you," she moved her hand to his chest and stopped where she could feel his heartbeat, "your heart races."

"It does," he admitted and placed his hand on the back of her palm. "You can feel it," he stated and curled his fingers around her hand.

"Lili, soon the lands will fill with snow. It will be our first snowfall together," Sheng Li said with a calm look.

"Yes. We both come such a long way, Sheng Li. Hu Jingguo and I--" she paused as she realized that he was no more. It was in her habit whenever she used to talk about Juyan, she could not help but recall him.

"You and your great friend might have played with snow and with the snowballs have defeated the other party. Such an annoying brat he is!" Sheng Li chuckled as his eyes filled with tears. His grip around her hand tightened and a teardrop rolled over his cheek.

"Sheng Li," Ying Lili worriedly said and quickly wiped them using her fingers.

"I cannot believe that he would make me feel this guilty," Sheng Li said and lifted his head to stop the tears from falling.

He lowered his head and apologized to Ying Lili for breakdown this way.

"It is tough to believe that he's now only in memories. If I look back, it appears that he's still sitting over that rock in the garden, waiting for me to come and then tease me," Sheng Li said with a smile.

Ying Lili smiled too.

"Lili, I was not a great friend to him, but he indeed became a great friend to me," Sheng Li asserted and sighed. "Why am I even missing him at this hour?" He muttered and turned his head to meet the gaze of Ying Lili.

"Maybe because you need a shoulder to share your burden," Ying Lili stated and pulled Sheng Li into her warm embrace. Her hands patted his back.

Sheng Li closed his eyes and the two stayed in that position for a while. When he turned stable, he gradually pulled away. "I am good now," he said.

"It is lunchtime. Let's have lunch and then Wang Hao will arrive to take his bride," Sheng Li asserted. Ying Lili nodded her head and the two stood up from the chaise.

~~~~~

Lei Wanxi picked the steam bun and ate a small portion of it. He brought it near Zhu Lin's mouth and gestured to her to eat. Zhu Lin took a small bite and chewed it.

"So many delicious dishes are prepared," Lei Wanxi told her and ate the remaining bun. He grasped her hand and took her towards the royal garden.

"Zhu Lin, I need to pick some flowers, so help me with that," he said.

"For whom?" Zhu Lin asked.

"For the flower pot in my chamber. It is empty for two weeks," Lei Wanxi pronounced.

"Oh," she thought he would pick flowers for her.

"Well, you can tell me about your choices of flowers too. Do you like Rose?" He asked her.

"I do not like Rose. You don't even know which flower I like," she complained.

"Do you know which flower I like?" He questioned her back.

"You like chrysanthemum," Zhu Lin replied.

Lei Wanxi placed his palm over his mouth. "How do you know?" He was shocked.

"I asked His Majesty once," Zhu Lin replied.

"Brother Sheng is wrong. I like Rose," Lei Wanxi said and laughed. "My favorite things change every time," he said and laughed.. Zhu Lin hit his arm, telling him not to laugh.

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