Chapter 523 - Can't She Surprise Me First?
Once the Consorts left the chamber of Empress, Deng Hui told the maidservant not to let anyone inside. There was an awkward silence between the two when Deng Hui finally broke the ice.
"Crown Princess, I cannot meet my eyes with the Crown Prince for the wrong that I did to him," Deng Hui said. Ying Lili agreed with her because Deng Hui was going to do something which was not imaginable.
"Sheng Li got hurt after he found the thoughts of the Imperial Mother," Ying Lili informed her. Since they were on that topic, Ying Lili did not want to stop herself from speaking either.
"Sheng Li has tried to stop Brother Nianzu. However, he did not want to stop. Brother Nianzu did not want anyone to know that Sheng Li and he met for the first time. Also, Brother Nianzu was dejected when his own mother did not understand him. He fell in love with a woman, who understood him more than any person around him. Also, Brother Nianzu had seen his mother suffering just because she was from a low-born family. He did not want the same treatment with his wife. That's why he decided to leave the Palace."
Deng Hui started to cry as she realized her mistake. Indeed, she had turned blind after she got such power.
Ying Lili did not stop and continued, "But that was not the only reason that he chose a commoner's life." Deng Hui lifted his head and peered at Ying Lili with her slightly red eyes.
"Brother Nianzu does not like the politics involved in every matter. Her Majesty has seen herself how much everyone is behind the throne. Brother Nianzu might have found out about his mother's intentions, and he knew that someday his mother might ask him to get the throne. Brother Nianzu respects his mother a lot. He could not choose between his mother and his ideals. That's also why he raised a voice and asked the Emperor to send him away," Ying Lili explained everything in detail to Deng Hui.
Deng Hui started to weep like a child. "Forgive me. I made a grave mistake in my life. I let my son go away because of my greed. I should have conversed with him and tried to understand him. How could I do that?" Deng Hui hit herself because of the guilt she had inside her.
Ying Lili did not stop her because Deng Hui truly had to understand where she failed. After a while, she stopped and got on her knees in front of Ying Lili.
"Crown Princess," Deng Hui joined her both hands, "I beg for your forgiveness. I should ask this from Sheng Li but he does not like me at all. I tried to do something which could have ruined the entire Royal Family. Please forgive me." Deng Hui lowered her head while crying.
Ying Lili stood up from the chaise and went near Deng Hui. She got on her knees and grabbed both the arms of Deng Hui.
"Your Majesty, it is good that you have realized your mistake. Sheng Li does not hate you. He is angry at you. How could he hate the woman whom he called mother once? I can feel your distress over Brother Nianzu's departure. But you had chosen the path, which could have ended many relationships with you," Ying Lili stated. She caressed the arms of Deng Hui, who was still crying.
She cupped Deng Hui's face in her palms and wiped the tears from her face. Ying Lili did not tell Deng Hui about Sheng Li's plan, who had thought to bring Nianzu back. She solaced her, and after a while, when Deng Hui stopped crying, Ying Lili helped her and made her sit on the chaise.
"Crown Princess, thank you for telling me everything. I will be a good mother to Sheng Li," Deng Hui assured Ying Lili, who nodded her head.
"Your Majesty, I shall take my leave. Thank you for your time," Ying Lili deeply bowed.
"You may leave, Crown Princess," Deng Hui politely said. Ying Lili soon left the chamber of the Empress. She left for the Emperor's manor when she encountered Lei Wanxi.
"Sister Lili, good morning. Are you heading to meet the Imperial Father?" Lei Wanxi curiously asked.
"Good Morning. Yes, Brother Wanxi. I thought to meet the Emperor," Ying Lili replied.
"Father is resting. I just came from the Emperor's manor," Lei Wanxi informed Ying Lili, who nodded her head.
"Can Sister Lili spare me her time?" Lei Wanxi requested.
"Yes, Brother Wanxi. What does Brother Wanxi want to talk about?" Ying Lili waited for him to answer and saw how Lei Wanxi was looking around.
"Sister Lili, it is an important matter. Shall we head to your chamber?" Lei Wanxi asked. Ying Lili agreed with him, and they left for Zhenzhu Residence.
Lei Wanxi pulled out a chair for Ying Lili. "Sister Lili shall sit first," Lei Wanxi said. Ying Lili passed him a smile and sat down. Quickly Lei Wanxi pulled out another chair and sat on it.
"Yesterday, I saw Prince Yongzheng and Prince Jian conversing with each other. Sister Lili, Brother Yongzheng wants to harm you. He does not like women who raise their voices, and he does not like the fact that Brother Jian changed himself," Lei Wanxi, in a haphazard manner, told Ying Lili. She could sense the anxiousness in the voice of Lei Wanxi. However, she wondered why Prince Jian did not inform her about this.
"Sister Lili, I was scared when I saw the anger of Brother Yongzheng," he said in a low voice. "I got goosebumps thinking what could possibly do to Sister Bai if she ever tried to ask something from him. Sister Lili, please save Sister Bai from the torture of Brother Yongzheng," Lei Wanxi affirmed.
Ying Lili frowned, unable to understand how to help Bai Yaling amidst all this. Above all, Yongzheng outwardly never showed his evil side. She and Sheng Li were almost got deceived by him.
"Sister Lili, what are you thinking?" Lei Wanxi queried, bringing her out of those thoughts.
"Brother Wanxi, Sheng Li told me that he would handle the matter with Brother Yongzheng. Please do not worry," Ying Lili assured him.
"Tell me how is it going with Princess Zhu Lin?" Ying Lili asked.
"Nothing is happening, Sister Lili. I asked her to play a board game with me but she refused," stated Lei Wanxi.
Ying Lili giggled. "Brother Wanxi, you shall take her out and plan some surprises for Princess Zhu Lin. You shall get some tips from Sheng Li. He has given me numerous surprises," Ying Lili suggested to him.
"Hmm. But, why shall I give a surprise to her? Can't she surprise me first? I like surprises," Lei Wanxi passed white teeth smile to Ying Lili, who smiled.
"What if Princess Zhu Lin thinks the same way as you? Brother Wanxi has promised Princess Zhu Lin that he will give her an answer soon. For that, Brother Wanxi has to take steps," Ying Lili told him.
"Sister Lili is correct. I will take her to the market. I am craving for dumplings, then we can have fun," Lei Wanxi replied and stood up from the chair. "Thank you, Sister Lili." Lei Wanxi stepped backward and waved at Ying Lili.. As he reached the door, he turned and stepped out of the chamber.