Chapter 560 - On His Knees
The maidservant removed the hair accessories from Ying Lili's head. Court Lady Xu sent her out and asked Ying Lili if she would like to include Hot Soup for the dinner.
"Yes. Tell them to prepare two bowls," Ying Lili stated.
"Yes, Your Highness," Court Lady Xu walked out of the chamber while Ying Lili started to comb her hair. She put the comb down on the dressing table and looked at herself in the mirror.
"I got a pimple," she murmured and touched it. It was on her left cheek. She put her hand down and recalled the words of Sheng Li about creating opportunities for their people. Suddenly, her thoughts went onto Prince Nianzu.
"In a day or two, Prince Nianzu and Princess Chuntao will be in the Palace. I hope the Empress willingly accepts Sister Chuntao as her daughter-in-law. Sheng Li indeed gave such a marvelous idea to Brother Nianzu," Ying Lili murmured when she felt the familiar hands on her shoulders. She lifted her eyes and saw Sheng Li's reflection in the mirror.
He then put the multi-pronged hairpin on the dressing table. "It is your gift," he said. Ying Lili thanked him and stood up.
She turned to him and said, "I got a pimple here." She showed him her left cheek. "I care for my skin yet it happened. Now, it is irritating me," she stated. Sheng Li leaned to her face and kissed her cheek.
"I am not joking, Sheng Li. I indeed got a pimple," She said.
"When did I say you lied? I only kissed you. It will vanish soon," Sheng Li assured her.
"Lili, the fall season is near. Do you want to go somewhere with me before that? Just a one-day trip… we cannot be outside the Palace for long since my Father's health is poor," asserted Sheng Li. He waited for Ying Lili's opinion on this.
"Where shall we go for a day trip?" Ying Lili asked him.
"Where no one will be present except us. I want to spend a day with you only and nothing around," Sheng Li expressed his desire.
"We both spend so much time together," Ying Lili said with a smile.
"But we both are surrounded by servants or other people! I want to make memories with you before this fall season. Then, in the autumn, I want to build new memories with you," Sheng Li stated. The Court Lady Xu entered with two maidservants, who set the table. Sheng Li brought Ying Lili towards the table and pulled out a chair for her. Once she was seated, he sat on his seat and told Court Lady Xu to leave with the maidservants.
"Yes, Your Highness," she bowed and walked out with those two maidservants.
Ying Lili handed Sheng Li a spoon. "Drink that soup first. It will warm your body," She stated. He took it and started to drink the soup. Ying Lili also drank the soup.
"Wasn't that kid cute?" Ying Lili asked.
"No. He was not cute," Sheng Li replied.
Ying Lili huffed. "He was! He had small eyes, a tiny nose, and soft cheeks," Ying Lili said.
"Even I have small eyes, a tiny nose, and soft cheeks," Sheng Li asserted.
Ying Lili amusingly looked at him. "You have big eyes, a pointed nose, and not so soft cheeks," she corrected his statement.
"I did not like that kid at all. He embarrassed me in front of everyone. I saw how people were gazing at me. They thought that I made that brat cry," Sheng Li affirmed.
"Sheng Li, you cannot handle kids. What about ours in the future? Are you going to treat them the same way? I do not want our kids to complain to me that their father scolded them or glared at them," Ying Lili sternly said.
"When did I glare? I only looked into his eyes," Sheng Li clarified himself.
"You scowled at him. I also saw that. Do not lie to me," Ying Lili told Sheng Li and picked the chopsticks. She moved the bowl towards her and started to eat rice.
"Do you know the folktale about the Legend of the Ten States?" She then asked him.
"No," he replied immediately.
"You never read about it. It was in a famous folklore book. Everyone knows about it. How could the Crown Prince not know?" Ying Lili complained.
"I never read the folktales. I never had any folktale books. I hated them," Sheng Li replied and picked the chopsticks from the plate.
"You never liked to study, don't you? Your Teachers might have told you this story," Ying Lili snapped at him.
"When you know that I never liked to study then why are you asking? Let's not argue over the dinner table over a mere folktale," Sheng Li stated and continued eating.
"Teng Ru used to be the hero of my dreams," Ying Lili said and smiled.
Sheng Li started to choke when Ying Lili handed him a glass of water and caressed his back. He quickly drank the water and put it on the table.
"You said you never liked anyone. Did you lie to me? How could you dream of him?" Sheng Li asked her many questions at once. Ying Lili could not believe that Sheng Li was getting jealous of a folktale hero.
"Let's eat first. Then, I will ask you," Sheng Li told her. Ying Lili smiled a little at the reactions of Sheng Li. Why was he so possessive of her? She picked a slice of fish meat and put it on the plate which was in front of Sheng Li.
He ate that and put another slice on her plate. They both smiled and soon finished their meals. The maidservant came in and cleaned the table, and walked out while they both went to the bed. Sheng Li removed his upper robe and quickly slid into the blankets.
"Now, answer me. I want to know why he is the hero of your dreams?" Sheng Li was annoyed, which was clear from his tone.
"I liked that hero because he was brave," Ying Lili replied. "To protect his wife from the King of the Ten States, he fought with the Ten Great Generals of those Ten States.. He was the hero of my dreams because to save his love, he brought the King on his knees," Ying Lili pronounced.