Chapter 499 - Most Romantic
Sheng Li and Ying Lili came back to the Imperial Palace in the early morning. After getting ready, they left for the greeting hall where Ying Lili took the blessings of the elders. From there, they went to the Buddhist Temple in the Northern Palace. They sought the blessing of the Buddha by reciting prayers after the Chief Priest in the temple.
They returned to the Main Palace and went to the hall where everyone had to present gifts to Ying Lili.
As everyone took their respective seats, Han Wenji initiated the gift ceremony. "Crown Princess, it was difficult for me to decide on a gift for you. The Empress and I then decided to give the Crown Princess the Palace in her name. The Northern Palace has only a Buddhist Temple, so a grand Palace will be constructed in the name of the Crown Princess," Han Wenji stated. Ying Lili stood up from her seat and bowed her head.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. It is such a wonderful present for me." Ying Lili was happy to receive such a grand present. Sheng Li had also stood up and brought both of his hands forward. Joining them and lowering his head, he thanked both the Emperor and the Empress.
"Your Majesty, if you allow then can I ask for something else instead of this present?" Ying Lili requested Han Wenji. Sheng Li glanced at Ying Lili, unable to understand what was going on in Ying Lili's head.
"It seemed the Crown Princess did not like the gift of the Emperor and the Empress," Consort Ju Fen remarked.
"What does the Crown Princess want?" Han Wenji ignored the words of Consort Ju Fen and asked Ying Lili.
"His Majesty has already presented a Private Residence to the Crown Prince and me. I do not want a Palace anymore. Instead, I want to construct houses for those who do not have one. I already have such a beautiful palace to live in. I hope His Majesty will fulfill this wish of mine," Ying Lili humbly put forward her request.
"Sister Lili always thinks for the betterment of the people," Lei Wanxi suddenly said and praised her as much as he could.
"Father shall fulfill this wish of the Crown Princess," Jian Guozhi told the Emperor.
"Fine. Prince Yongzheng and Prince Zemin are State Chief Councillors. I give them the responsibility to work on this," Han Wenji asserted with a smile.
Sheng Li was astonished to see how selfless his wife was! She could have a Palace of her own, but she refused for that. If there would be someone at her place, then he would have gladly accepted such a present.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Ying Lili deeply bowed this time.
She looked at Sheng Li, and they both took their seats on the chaise. Ying Lili then received gifts from the other Princes and the Princesses.
After it ended, Han Wenji left the hall with Deng Hui and the other Consorts. Lei Wanxi came towards Sheng Li and asked him what he had gifted the Crown Princess.
"You do not need to know," Sheng Li replied.
"I heard that Brother Sheng had decorated their Private Residence and even stitched a dress for Sister Lili," Rong Zemin stated.
Sheng Li glared at Lei Wanxi, who hid behind Ying Lili. "I ended up telling, Brother Sheng. Forgive me," Lei Wanxi apologized and winked at him. Sheng Li chuckled and told them they had to leave.
"Brother Sheng, let us converse with Sister Lili," Lei Wanxi requested.
"No. I have something important to discuss with Lili." Sheng Li told her and looked at Ying Lili. "Come," he grasped her hand, and the two left the hall.
Rong Zemin rested his elbow on Lei Wanxi's shoulder. "It is the reason my wife gets angry at me. According to her, I fail to get romantic like Brother Sheng," Rong Zemin whispered. Lei Wanxi slightly laughed and looked towards Liao Jun, who was conversing with Xue Yu-Yan.
"Indeed, Brother Sheng is the most romantic among us," Lei Wanxi asserted.
~~~~~
In Xiandong, Huo Jin came running inside the facade. Nianzu, who was helping Chuntao in spreading the grains on a cotton sheet, got tensed upon seeing Huo Jin panting.
"What happened?" Nianzu stood up and walked to him.
"There's good news," Huo Jin said while taking deep breaths. Chuntao stopped moving her hands over the grains and listened to them.
"Good news?" Nianzu astonishingly asked.
"Yes," Huo Jin replied and looked around. "Nianzu, your sister, Princess Qi Jing is pregnant," Huo Jin said in a low voice. "The Emperor has announced free rations to the people of Han," Huo Jin stated.
A broad smile appeared on his face upon hearing this news. He hugged Huo Jin tightly. "It is such great news, Huo Jin. Sister Jing is pregnant," Nianzu muttered and laughed for some time. Huo Jin patted his back and pulled back. Chuntao came near them when Nianzu hugged her too. "My elder sister is pregnant, Chun. I am so happy for her."
Huo Jin lowered his eyes and waited for them to withdraw from the hug. Once they did, Huo Jin lifted his head. "If I were in Luoyang, I would have gone to Lu Province by now to see my sister," Nianzu stated, and slowly the smile faded from his lips.
Chuntao looked at Huo Jin, who put his arm around Nianzu and told him not to be disappointed by that. "We can go to Lu Province. It will be a nice trip. But it will be difficult to see your sister as she is a Princess," Huo Jin asserted.
"Hmm. Sister Jing is a Princess. I can only pray for her safety," Nianzu proclaimed and looked at Chuntao. "Sister Jing is the daughter of the previous Empress, Weng Wei," he said in a low voice. Chuntao nodded her head.
"Nianzu!" Quan Bo pronounced his name, standing near the facade. The three turned to peer at him.
"Quan Bo, why are you standing there? Please come inside," Nianzu requested him, who came inside. They all greeted each other.
"How is Sister Chuntao doing?" Quan Bo asked.
"I am fine, Brother," Chuntao replied.
Quan Bo passed a tiny smile to her and gazed back at Nianzu. "You are giving the Civil Services Examination?" Quan Bo queried him.
Huo Jin and Chuntao looked at Nianzu with shocking expressions.
"Yes. I think I shall try this year. Maybe I will pass," Nianzu answered.
"Master Ru has sent a new brush for you. Write with this in the exam." Quan Bo took out the brush wrapped in a brown-colored cloth.
"It is the special brush that Master Ru purchased this year in the Capital. He said that it is made of a rare horsetail, and it will help you qualify in the exam." Quan Bo forwarded the pen to Nianzu, who thanked him and also told him to thank Ru Gaoying for being helpful.
"I will. I hope you will pass this year. It will be glad to see you working in a government department," Quan Bo gave his best wishes to Nianzu and patted his shoulder.
Chuntao brought the water glass for Quan Bo in a wooden tray. "Thank you, Sister Chun." He took the water and drank that. Putting the glass on the tray, he took his leave.
Chuntao went to the kitchen while Nianzu looked at the brush. "Why have you decided to give the Civil Services Exam?" Huo Jin queried. He was confused why Nianzu decided to do that.
"The Crown Prince wants me to give the exam. That's why I have decided to give it," Nianzu answered.
"What has the Crown Prince thought of?" Huo Jin asked confusedly.
"I do not know. The Royal Inspector informed me yesterday about this," Nianzu replied to him.
"Then, the Crown Prince might have thought of something," Huo Jin stated. Nianzu hummed.
"The Crown Prince will come to meet you soon. Probably in 2-3 days," Huo Jin informed him.
"The Crown Prince should not come. It might be dangerous for him to leave the Palace. After my mother's sudden change in nature, she might harm him. And if the Crown Prince will come then the Crown Princess will also accompany him," Nianzu affirmed.
"Forgive me if I sound rude, but I do not think that your mother is powerful enough to harm the Crown Prince," Huo Jin opined.
"I used to think this. But after learning about the truth about my mother, and also how she plotted against my wife and my brother and sister-in-law, it makes me think that she might have something in her mind," Nianzu stated.
"Do you want me to go to Luoyang and inform the Crown Prince not to come here?" Huo Jin asked.
"Yes. Please go back to Luoyang. I do not want the Crown Prince to get harmed in any situation. My mother is mad to make me the Crown Prince, and I have an intuition that she might be plotting something bigger," Nianzu said with a menacing expression.
"I will go to Luoyang and inform the Crown Prince.. Since the village is safe, so I do not have to worry about you and Sister Chuntao," Huo Jin assured Nianzu, who thanked him.