บท 31: You cannot touch the other men

The Emperor and the crown prince were seated around a table, sipping the tea from their respective cups in their hands. "Why the crown prince harmed the crown princess?" Han Wenji interrogated Sheng Li who put the cup at the table. "Do not tell me that it was because of your anger," stated Han Wenji with a stern expression.

"Father, it was indeed out of anger. Forgive me," Sheng Li apologized.

"Do not ask for apologies from me. It shall be from the crown princess. Is this way you are going to treat your wife? If the crown prince will act this way then what about its subjects? One who cannot respect his woman has to face bad luck ahead in his life. Keep this in mind," Han Wenji proclaimed and sipped the remaining tea from the cup.

"I never disrespected her. Even I know my limits but, she hid the truth from me," Sheng Li with an exasperation stated. Han Wenji slightly laughed and asked, "What truth did the crown princess hide from you?"

"That she has a childhood friend," Sheng Li replied.

"How would the crown princess tell the crown prince when he never asked her? You never had a communication with the crown princess. I was always informed that you two fight mostly rather than getting close," Han Wenji proclaimed and gave a tiny smile to the crown prince. Sheng Li turned to look at Xing-Fu who immediately lowered his eyes.

"Father, she is the one who starts fights with me. She always calls me a cruel, barbaric man. What shall I expect from this? It is crystal clear that I would fight with her. She is the one who outrages me. I try hard to control myself but she mocks me. I wonder if she used to defeat people with her mockery or her sword," Sheng Li commented. He grabbed the porcelain kettle and poured tea for his father.

Han Wenji grabbed the cup from his son's hand and questioned, "Are you jealous knowing a man is so close to the crown princess for which the crown princess was ready to sacrifice her life?"

Sheng Li chuckled and answered, "Father, why would I be jealous? He could have come inside by asking about the crown princess but he chose the wrong path that's why he was punished." Sheng Li by now was annoyed by his father's question.

"If he would have said that he wants to meet the crown princess then, I guess there would be a war by now," Han Wenji jovially said.

Sheng Li gazed into the eyes of his father. "Father, I understood. I will not do any such thing in the future. There is one more thing I want to ask about," Sheng Li proclaimed.

"Will Xue marry the first brother today?" Sheng Li questioned.

"Yes. The matter is with the Empress. I cannot intervene in that," Han Wenji answered.

"There is no use of intervening now. You would have agreed with my marriage with Xue earlier but you did not. So, there is nothing left now," Sheng Li stated, heaving a sigh. The crown prince stood up from his seat and bowed his head. "I shall take my leave now. Once again forgive me for acting reckless," Sheng Li stated and turned to go when Han Wenji stopped him.

"You also know why is Xue marrying the first prince? The crown princess is the one who is going to support you fully in the future so, start looking forward to that relationship. An-Ying Lili is perfect for you," Han Wenji declared. Sheng Li did not speak anything and strode out of there, followed by eunuch Xing-Fu.

"You told everything to my father. Why?" Sheng Li asked Xing-Fu who was walking behind him.

"Your highness, I am more loyal to his majesty. Forgive me," Xing-Fu answered.

"Inform the crown princess that I will have my afternoon meal with her," Sheng Li in a commanding tone told Xing-Fu who accepted the order and went to Zhenzhu Inn. Sheng Li, on the other hand, went to the royal kitchen. "I have never done this in my life. But, for her, I am forced to do it. If she will not like it then, I will never do such thing for her," muttered the crown prince.

Seeing the crown prince in the royal kitchen, the workers got confused because this was the first time the crown prince had come there. The Royal chef, Qiu Ying, was informed about this and he came out of the kitchen to fetch the crown prince. He bowed before the crown prince. "His highness should have called this chef," Qiu Ying humbly said.

"Prepare something good for the crown princess," Sheng Li ordered the royal chef.

"May I ask what is her highness favorite meal, your highness?" Qiu Ying questioned.

"Umm...something spicy," Sheng Li replied. "Just prepare something spicy. Do not annoy me by asking me more and more questions," stated the crown prince with annoyance.

"Forgive me your highness if I asked any stupid questions. I will send the meals to your chamber," Qiu Ying proclaimed, lowering his eyes.

"Send it to Zhenzhu inn," Sheng Li ordered and left the kitchen. All took a breath of relief as the crown prince left the Royal Kitchen. Sheng Li arrived at Zhenzhu Inn and quickly ascended the stairs. As he was turning to the resting chamber, Court Lady Xu stopped him. "Forgive me your highness for stopping you. The crown princess is not there. H-her highness has refused to meet you," stated the court lady.

For Sheng Li it was not surprising because he was by now was aware of Ying Lili's anger. But he was stubborn too so, he told Court Lady Xu to send away the servants till the time he would be with the crown princess.

"Yes, your highness," replied Court Lady Xu and walked away. Sheng Li too followed her. When the servants were gone away, Sheng Li stepped inside the bed-chamber. He continued walking inside when his eyes fell on Ying Lili who was laid on the mattress with her back towards him. He went closer to her and reached his hand towards her but then pulled it back.

"Why are you sleeping in this bright daylight?" Sheng Li questioned Ying Lili but she did not answer him. Sheng Li got irritated with this and he shook her arm. "Sit up. There is something I need to talk to you about," Sheng Li proclaimed.

"I am not interested," Ying Lili pronounced sternly.

"It is about that man," Sheng Li with a hesitant said. Forthwith, Ying Lili turned to him and peered into his eyes. "Do not speak anything about him. You already killed him," Ying Lili snapped at him. Sheng Li saw the tears on Ying Lili's cheeks and he sat down. "Did I not tell you not to cry for another man?" Sheng Li told Ying Lili as he placed his hand on Ying Lili's cheek who slapped it away.

"Änd, did I not tell you not to touch me?" Ying Lili snapped at him.

"Why? I am your husband. I have a right on you," Sheng Li asserted as he wiped the tears from the back of his pointer finger. Ying Lili shot a glare at him and again slapped off his hand. "I am not like other women who will let you claim your right on me," Ying Lili stated and averted her gaze.

"I know that you are an attention seeker. You love to get men's attention and play with them," Sheng Li with a grin stated. "Are you not going to listen for which I am here, you attention seeker?" Sheng Li teased Ying Lili who was now out of words.

"Your so-called lover is alive," Sheng Li stated finally.

"W-what?" Ying Lili asked.

"I do not repeat myself," Sheng Li answered with a solemn.

"He is not my lover. He is Hu Jingguo, my childhood friend," asserted Ying Lili.

"Prove it then," Sheng Li declared.

"Why do I need to prove myself?" Ying Lili queried Sheng Li.

"Lili, you cannot touch the other men. I have chosen you as the only woman in my life and I expect the same from you," proclaimed Sheng Li with a contemplated expression.