Chapter 604 - Snuggled
Sheng Li handed the scroll to Xing-Fu and told him to give it to the Prime Minister. Xing-Fu took that and informed Sheng Li about Princess Bai Yaling.
"Send her in," Sheng Li told him.
Xing-Fu bowed and walked out of the chamber. After a few seconds, Bai Yaling came inside and greeted him. Sheng Li gestured to her to sit and put the brush down.
"I will not beat around the bush, Princess Bai Yaling. The Late Emperor must have talked with you about the remarriage. I would like to know about your decision on that," asserted Sheng Li.
Bai Yaling fidgeted with her fingers.
"Feel free to tell me. Whatever will be your decision, I will accept it," Sheng Li stated.
"Your Majesty, I think I should go forward with this remarriage. The Former Emperor told me that you talked about my remarriage with him. Thank you for your boundless generosity, Your Majesty," Bai Yaling replied and bowed before him.
"Father had chosen the groom for Princess Bai Yaling. I am glad that she accepted this offer. I will send the message regarding this to Eastern Province Prince, Prince Zhihao," Sheng Li informed her.
"Prince Zhihao will not have any problem with my widow status, will he?" Bai Yaling asked.
"He is an open-minded person with great thoughts. Don't worry. It won't bother him," Sheng Li assured her. Bai Yaling nodded her head.
"Your Majesty, can I meet Her Majesty?" She asked for permission.
"Of course," Sheng Li immediately permitted her. She thanked him again and was ready to leave when Sheng Li stopped her. "Princess Bai, do not believe in superstitions. Also, refrain from feeding anything wrong to Lili. This time is a little hard for her," he stated.
"I understand, Your Majesty," replied Bai Yaling. She bowed again and then left the chamber.
Bai Yaling descended the stairs when she encountered General Wang. He bowed before her and asked her about her well-being.
"I am well, General Wang," she said. "I accepted the offer about remarriage," she told him.
"That's great. I wish you a bright life ahead. I have some work, so I shall take my leave," stated Wang Hao and walked ahead. He soon reached the chamber where Sheng Li was.
"Your Majesty, Princess Qi Jing has sent a message," Wang Hao informed him and placed the scroll on the table. Sheng Li gladly took it and started to read. After he finished reading, he folded it and placed it back on the table.
"Sister Qi Jing is in deep sorrow because of father's loss. She should take care of her health. However, she is happy for me and Ying Lili. Wang Hao, will you do something for me?" Sheng Li asked him.
"Just order me, Your Majesty," he said.
"I am not able to go to meet her, so instead of my place, go to the Lu Province and meet Sister Qi Jing," Sheng Li ordered him. Wang Hao bowed as he acknowledged the order of Sheng Li.
"When is your father returning?" Sheng Li then asked him.
"Probably by the evening," Wang Hao replied.
"Then, I do not think you shall go," Sheng Li deduced.
"Your Majesty, it is my duty. I will soon be back. I will make sure that Princess Qi Jing does not take stress over her father's loss. Also, I will check the borders of the Eastern Province. I have heard that from the East a few tribes tried to enter and illegally take the land away," Wang Hao informed Sheng Li.
"Is it so? When did you find out?" Sheng Li asked.
"Two days ago," Wang Hao replied.
"Then go to Lu Province and take a look over the borders. Also, take a piece of the army with you. Ahh...Prince Jian can accompany you, so discuss this with him before leaving," Sheng Li commanded him.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Wang Hao said and after a while, left the chamber.
~~~~~~
Ying Lili was looking at the dresses which were newly prepared for her. She agreed to keep them and thanked the Chief Lady of Cloth workshop for making beautiful and more comfortable dresses for her.
Court Lady Xu instructed the maidservant to keep the clothes in the dressing room.
Ying Lili, on the other hand, asked her if she could walk in the garden for some time.
"The Emperor is not here, so I think that the Empress shall stay in the chamber," Court Lady said humbly.
"He has not stopped me from going to the garden during the day," Ying Lili said and stood up from the chaise. Holding her both hands, she started to negotiate with Court Lady Xu.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor will get angry at me for not listening to his command," she made Ying Lili understand, who put her hand on her chest.
"I will protect you. Also, he is busy, so he won't find out about this," Ying Lili stated.
Court Lady Xu could not refuse Ying Lili and agreed with her. Ying Lili hugged her in happiness and then pulled away. Court Lady Ki came at that time and asked Ying Lili where she was heading to.
"To the Royal garden," Ying Lili replied. "Please do not oppose it," she requested. Court Lady Xu gestured to Court Lady Ki, who nodded her head. They left for the garden and after a while reached there.
Ying Lili went towards the lake and stood under the cherry blossom tree. She took a deep breath and smelled the scented air. "It's so fresh," she murmured.
She sat down beneath the tree and gestured to both the Court Ladies to sit down.
"Your Majesty, you might fall sick. Do not sit on the ground. I will bring a mat," Court Lady Xu said worriedly.
"Sitting on the fresh grass is good for health. It is said in the medicinal studies," Ying Lili replied and moved closer to the stem of the cherry blossom tree.
"Court Lady Ki, could you please tell me about young Sheng Li? What was he like? Court Lady Xu has told me many things but I want to know from your view as well," Ying Lili said softly.
Both the Court Ladies sat down in front of her when Court Lady Ki started to speak.
"Your Majesty, I did not spend much time with the Emperor since my only work is to take care of the pregnant mother for nine months, followed by a few months more," Court Lady Ki answered. "But I would like to say that His Majesty was a timid child. No one could tell now that the Emperor used to get scared easily. He underwent a great transformation," she added and smiled faintly.
Ying Lili hummed and looked towards the lake. She yawned when Court Lady Xu told her that they should go back.
"No. I want to sit here," Ying Lili replied.
She rested her head against the tree's stem and closed her eyes. The Court Ladies stood up as it would not be good if the others would have seen them sitting with the Empress.
They stepped a little back when Court Lady Ki told Court Lady Xu that they should take Ying Lili back to her chamber.
"The Empress is as stubborn as the Emperor. Let's stay here for half an hour and then we will take her back," Court Lady Xu whispered near her ear. They stayed in that position for almost fifteen minutes but started to tremble in fear when Sheng Li walked past them.
They both deeply bowed upon seeing him. Sheng Li walked ahead and halted near Ying Lili. He turned his head to look at the Court Ladies, who had lifted their eyes a little to glance at him. With his hand, he gestured to them to turn away. They immediately followed the command of Sheng Li, who had sat beside Ying Lili.
He found that she did not realize her presence. Since she had closed her eyes, Sheng Li wondered if she was sleeping. He grasped Ying Lili's hand which was a little colder than his, probably because of the weather. When she did not wake up, it confirmed to him that she was sleeping.
He thought of taking his chamber as she could have caught a cold by staying out during autumn. He carried her gently in his arms in a bridal style and started to walk to his Chief Residence in the Northern Palace which was close to the Royal Garden. Both the Court Ladies followed Sheng Li to the Northern Palace.
Placing her gently on the mattress, Sheng Li covered her from the blanket. He then glared at the Court Ladies, who apologized to him.
"She is sleeping, so I won't scold you now. Leave," Sheng Li coldly said and they both immediately left the chamber.
Sheng Li removed his shoes and went to the bed. He laid beside Ying Lili. The day was tiring for him too.. He securely wrapped his hand around her belly and snuggled to her.