Chapter 129 - Fluttered Sheng Li's Heart
Zhang Yong accepted his crimes in front of the Emperor for poisoning the Crown Prince. The Emperor ordered the execution of Zhang Yong in the middle of the market of the Capital. Sheng Li came to Ying Lili's chamber to have breakfast.
Ying Lili was already in her seat, waiting for Sheng Li. Sheng Li took his seat and told Xing-Fu and Court Lady to leave them alone.
Ying Lili told everything to Sheng Li that Zhang Yong had told her. "You never fail to astonish me," Sheng Li stated. Ying Lili drew her brows together in confusion.
"I have to agree with this opinion that you are smart," Sheng Li further said and told Ying Lili to eat the food. The two finished the breakfast soon. The maidservants came inside and cleaned the table.
"Let's go," Sheng Li told Ying Lili.
"Where are you taking me to?" Ying Lili curiously asked.
"That's a surprise," Sheng Li stated and walked ahead.
"Are we going in these clothes?" Ying Lili asked another question as the two came out of the chamber.
"Yes."
"Means we are going somewhere in the Palace? Wait, are you taking me to that secret place?" Ying Lili queried him.
"No," Sheng Li plainly refused.
Coming out of the Fu Imperial Gates, Sheng Li hopped on Kofeng and then made Ying Lili sit sideways in front of him such that her back was on one side while her hands gripped on Sheng Li's arm.
"The Crown Princess told me that Weng Wei is after Hu Jingguo. Tell Wang Hao about this," Sheng Li ordered Xiao Zhan and started riding the horse. Xiao Zhan smiled seeing the two and walked away.
"Why don't you give me a horse? I do not have to sit like this then," Ying Lili stated.
"In these clothes, I am afraid, if you could sit on the other horse," Sheng Li whispered. Ying Lili turned her head away and looked at the front. The soldiers had lowered their heads as they saw them. As they came out of the Palace, Kofeng gained speed. Ying Lili looked at Sheng Li and tightened her grip on his arm.
Sheng Li, on the other hand, was looking at the front. "You did not let the security come with us. What if someone attacks us?" Ying Lili asked Sheng Li.
"No one is going to attack us because we have turned to the route which is made only for the Crown Prince and his Crown Princess," Sheng Li replied to Ying Lili. After a while, Kofeng halted. Ying Lili turned to look and found there was a residence. Two guards were standing near the huge entrance.
"What's this?" Ying Lili asked when Sheng Li got down from the horse. He wrapped his arm around Ying Lili's waist and put her down on the ground. Commander Tao came there and greeted them.
"Your highness, everything is prepared," Tao Zedong replied and told a soldier to take Kofeng to the stable. Sheng Li told Ying Lili to come with him and the two ascended the few stairs. They went inside. Ying Lili was delighted to see that the residence started with a beautiful garden.
"Father gifted this residence to us at our marriage so that we can spend our quality time here," Sheng Li told Ying Lili who nodded.
"Why are we here now?" Ying Lili twitched her lips and walked ahead. Sheng Li chuckled upon hearing the question of Ying Lili.
"You wanted me to take you as soon as you and I got married? That time you wanted to kill me instead of spending time with me," Sheng Li stated and huffed.
"So, you now want to spend time with me?" Ying Lili asked, and halted at her place. Sheng Li stood behind her when Ying Lili turned back. "Answer," Ying Lili stated.
"Aren't you sad? That's why I took you here," Sheng Li replied. Ying Lili smiled and asked him why he was turning gentle towards her.
"What do you want to know? If you are thinking I am falling for you, then you are wrong," Sheng Li pronounced.
"I did not say that," Ying Lili said and suddenly hugged him. "But I feel like your heart is accepting my presence. Thank you for yesterday and today." She pulled back and turned to the pavement. She kept walking on it while Sheng Li followed her. He was shocked when Ying Lili suddenly hugged him, but he felt good.
Soon they reached a lake that had lotuses in it. "This place is beautiful," Ying Lili sat down and dipped her hand in the water. "The lake is deep. Do not go near it if you do not want to drown," Sheng Li warned Ying Lili.
Ying Lili stood up and came towards Sheng Li. "Okay, I will not go there," Ying Lili replied and sat on the grassy ground.
"Don't sit there," Sheng Li grabbed Ying Lili's arm when she pulled him down. Sheng Li lost his balance and fell over Ying Lili. Ying Lili was lying on the ground while Sheng Li was hovering over her. "Forgive me," Ying Lili whispered when Sheng Li leaned back.
Ying Lili sat up and told him to sit beside her for a while. Sheng Li did not refuse this time and sat beside her. "It must be tough for you," Ying Lili's sudden words baffled Sheng Li.
"Living with the Empress who schemed against you since the time of your birth. It must be tough not finding any way out except becoming strong and cruel like her," Ying Lili deduced and peered into Sheng Li's eyes.
"Yes. It was tough," Sheng Li replied.
"I will help you in taking her down from the position of Empress," Ying Lili asserted.
"Hmm. But Lili, you shall not involve yourself with me. Because of me, you lost your parents. So, better stay away from all this," Sheng Li proclaimed.
"I cannot. It was not your fault," Ying Lili asserted and rested her head on Sheng Li's shoulder. "We both will give justice to your mother and my parents. Sheng Li, if I have to turn cruel to them I will. You are not alone in anything because now An-Ying Lili is with you." Ying Lili's words fluttered Sheng Li's heart, and he pushed Ying Lili's head.
"Don't do that ever," Sheng Li stated as he moved away from Ying Lili who was confusedly looking at him.