Chapter 23 - I Am A One-woman Man
The Crown princess arrived in her manor and sat on the chair there. "Your highness, there is blood on your lips. Are your lips bleeding?" Court lady Xu asked worriedly. Ying Lili touched her lips and shook her head in refusal. "Is the bath ready?" Ying Lili asked.
"Yes, your highness. Last night might have tired you out so, everything is already prepared," asserted Court lady Xu. Ying Lili noticed the smile which the court lady trying to hide from her. There was nothing that happened between them still, the crown princess had to keep it a secret to avoid another night with the crown prince.
Ying Lili dragged herself forward and went to the bathhouse. The crown princess noticed the crown prince also came to the bathhouse next to her. She quickly went inside where the maidservants helped her in undressing. Ying Lili got inside the huge bathtub.
The hot water calmed her nerves down and the fragrance of the rose petals too soothed her. Two maidservants poured the milk water on the crown princess's milky white skin and then at her front. "Why is milk water prepared today for the bath?" Ying Lili curiously asked court lady Xu.
"Your highness, the Empress wants you to keep a hold on the crown prince that's why her majesty wants you to take proper care of your body. Milk bath will smooth your skin and…" The court lady could not complete her words as Ying Lili told her to stop.
"It is a waste of precious milk. Please do not use it anymore in my bath. There are many other ways to take care of the skin," Ying Lili pronounced. Court Lady Xu bowed her head and stepped back. After the crown princess was done bathing, she was taken to the dressing room where she got ready.
"Your highness, after the morning greetings and having breakfast you have to leave for the Empress' Manor where you will be taught about the weaving. Soon, the crown prince's birthday is arriving and if her highness would gift his highness something made of her own hands then it would be great," asserted Court Lady Xu.
Ying Lili was happy that she did not need to go to the military barracks ground to do a sword fight with Sheng Li. Although she was trained in that but, judging from Sheng Li's achievements she decided to escape that and ask his majesty to release Su Binxi from the Jail House.
"Your highness, what are you thinking?" Lady Xu asked.
"Nothing," replied Ying Lili. "Let's go," the crown princess further said and left for the greeting ceremony. The crown prince too joined her and the two continued going to meet their majesties.
"Good morning, father and mother," Sheng Li said plainly. Both of his hands were raised till the shoulder, joined together and his head was lowered. The crown princess did the same when the Emperor told them to raise their heads. "It was informed that you two spend last night together," Empress Wei stated with a tiny smile on her lips.
"Yes, your majesty. The Palace rumors were being strange about my relationship with my crown princess," Sheng Li proclaimed and looked at Ying Lili. Passing her a Smile, Sheng Li looked back towards the Dragon-Phoenix throne on which the Emperor-Empress were seated.
"I do not know why some people have complained regarding the swordsmanship that the crown princess was doing with the elder first brother. Then, there were rumors about our wedding night so, to end them, the crown princess came last night to spend time with me," asserted Sheng Li and bored his gaze at the Empress.
"It is good to see that both the crown prince and the crown princess are getting well along with each other. Summer will come soon then, you two can go to the Summer Palace to spend more time with each other," asserted the Empress. The Emperor agreed with Weng Wei.
"Crown Princess, after breakfast come to my manor. Court Lady Xu must have informed you regarding that," Empress Wei told Ying Lili.
"Yes, your majesty," replied Ying Lili.
"Forgive me for the intrusion, your majesty but, Lili and I have decided to do sword fighting daily after breakfast. Last night, I came to know from the crown princess that she misses it and used to do it every day when she was in Juyan. So, I request your majesty to shift the time for the crown princess to go to her majesty's Manor," asserted Sheng Li.
Ying Lili looked at Sheng Li with astonishment. Indeed, the crown prince was making her work in his way. The crown princess was happy thinking not to have any kind of sword fight with the crown prince but, it seemed to her that he was serious in the morning. "Your highness, we can have that later as well. It is not like I will forget to hold the sword," Ying Lili proclaimed.
"My dear Lili," Sheng Li pronounced and stepped closer to her. Han Wenji and Weng Wei smiled looking at them. Ying Lili furrowed her brows as it was awkward to act well around Sheng Li and the way the crown prince was calling out the crown princess, giving her goosebumps.
"My dear Lili, it will be interesting to have a friendly match with you. I have planned a special surprise for you as well, Lili. I know you do not like the things which a woman desire for her that's why I have prepared something special for you," Sheng Li pronounced and then turned towards their majesties.
"Your majesty, I request you to call Lili later in the morning," stated Sheng Li, lowering his eyes.
Emperor Han Wenji gestured to Weng Wei to permit Sheng Li. "You are allowed to do that, crown prince. Ying Lili, after that sword fighting you shall come to my manor," Empress Wei said in a commanding tone. Ying Lili shook her head in agreement and then glared at Sheng Li who was giving her a smirk.
"We shall take leave then, their majesties. Father, I will see you in the court later," stated Sheng Li when Weng Wei stopped them from going. "The crown prince must have found out about Miss Xue's wedding."
"Yes, your highness. Last night, elder first brother told me that you have decided this," asserted Sheng Li. Ying Lili looked at Sheng Li with a confused expression. "I am happy you are not defying me. Miss Xue will become a noble consort of Prince Guozhi," stated Empress Wei.
Ying Lili was bewildered to hear that and again looked at Sheng Li. "Why is he not saying anything. He loves Miss Xue," Ying Lili thought and then looked at the Empress.
"Your majesty, it is good to see that the crown prince values my decisions. I am happy Sheng Li that you are not opposing this marriage. The concubines for you will be decided soon by your crown princess," stated Weng Wei with a smile.
"Your majesty, I am a One-woman man. I do not want to have any concubine. Please be considerate to my decision as well, your majesty," Sheng Li softly said. Ying Lili was dumbfounded by the crown prince's answer.
"What happened to him? Till yesterday, he was shouting about his love for Miss Xue then, why is he not protesting? Moreover, he refused to have any concubines! What did he mean by a One-woman man?" Ying Lili wondered.
"But, for the strengthening of our relationship with the states under the Han Sovereignty, the princes must go with multiple concubines," Empress Wei proclaimed.
"Your majesty, please be respectful to my decision as well. I do not want any concubines in my life. I believe in their loyalties towards us. I will not marry anymore. Six years ago, I have talked about this with my father as well. I thought I would get married to Xue Yu Yan but then, this marriage alliance happened. So, I will go with this marriage only. I hope her majesty will not force inner Palace rules on me neither on the crown princess," asserted Sheng Li and lifted his eyes, to look straight into the Empress' eyes.
Empress Wei felt her power was belittled by the crown prince but then she heard Emperor Han saying, "Crown prince, we respect your decision. If you do not want any second woman in your life then we will go with that but, you have to make sure the states remain loyal to Han," stated Han Wenji.
"Thank you for respecting my decision, your majesty," Sheng Li expressed his gratitude and then turned to Ying Lili. "Let's go," stated Sheng Li and left the hall. Ying Lili bowed her head in front of Emperor-Empress, and then followed Sheng Li.
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