Chapter 615 - Equally Yours
Sheng Li saw off Jian Guozhi, Nianzu and Wang Hao at the Fu Imperial Gates. Sheng Li left for the Palace to complete his remaining work. As he took the seat on the throne in the Emperor's office, Eunuch Xing-Fu walked in.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and Consort Jinlong want to see you," he informed Sheng Li.
"Send them in," Sheng Li ordered him. Xing-Fu bowed and walked out of the office. Deng Hui and Jinlong came inside and greeted him. Sheng Li told them to sit on the chaise and put the brush down.
"Yesterday Prince Wanxi came to me and told me that he will marry soon. What has His Majesty thought on this? King Huan Tsu has to leave too," Consort Jinlong said with concern.
"After the First and Fourth Prince will be back, Third Mother," Sheng Li answered. "Also, King Huan Tsu is gping back tomorrow. The arrangements have already been made for it," he informed her. "Don't worry. Everything will go well," he stated.
Jinlong was glad to hear that. Sheng Li saw that she had dark circles under her eyes. "Is Third Mother taking a good sleep?" Sheng Li asked her. He then looked at Deng Hui, who had a gloomy expression on her face.
"It was indeed a tough time for us. However, Father was in pain for a long time. The infection had spread in his entire body. He did not let it show because of all of us. You all should move on. Though it is tough," Sheng Li told both of them.
"We are trying, Your Majesty. But it was unexpected," Jinlong said and looked at Deng Hui.
"Hmm. Please take care of your respective healths," Sheng Li stated and again gazed at Deng Hui. "I would like to converse something with the Empress Dowager in private," he announced. Jinlong stood up, bowed her head, and left the office chamber.
"What happened, Empress Dowager?" Sheng Li questioned her.
Deng Hui looked into his eyes. "Everything has ruined, Your Majesty. My son has refused to see me. Even today, he did not come to see me," Deng Hui proclaimed and lowered her eyes. They were again filled with tears.
"The Empress Dowager wanted to kill her husband and daughter-in-law earlier. Probably that's the reason Brother Nianzu is not ready to talk to you. Why did you even come to me? I have told the Empress Dowager numerous times not to show her face to me," Sheng Li said menacingly and gritted his teeth.
"Except the Emperor, no one can help me," Deng Hui asserted. "I had lost my mind to even think that way. I have no ill intentions anymore. I have accepted Chuntao as my daughter-in-law. Gu Zhenya helped me become the concubine of the late Emperor. That's why I followed his instructions and--"
"--and ruined everything," Sheng Li completed her words. "The Empress Dowager shall not forget that she even tried to harm my Lili. I would have thought to help her if she had not to include Lili in her evil plan," he affirmed.
"Then, what shall I do? Shall I die? Since my worth is nothing," Deng Hui said in a fit of rage. Sheng Li stood up from the throne and went towards her with the dagger in his hand. He halted in front of her and got on his knees. He pulled out the dagger from the sheath and handed the dagger to Deng Hui.
"Here. Go and take your life," Sheng Li pronounced.
Deng Hui was a little intimidated by that.
"Does the Empress Dowager think that she can even take her life? You still are the same, Empress Dowager. Instead of reflecting upon your mistakes, you are thinking it is my mistake. Brother Nianzu is a righteous person. He is not talking to you because he is not able to see the good side of yours. I gave you the chance to live, so now it is up to you how to make it useful," Sheng Li asserted. His stern voice sent chills down the spine of Deng Hui. Her hand trembled that had the dagger in it.
Sheng Li took away the dagger from her and stood up. Putting it inside the sheath, he went back to the throne. "If the Empress Dowager has nothing more to say, then she can leave," he stated and gestured his hand to the door.
Deng Hui stood up and walked out of the chamber. Sheng Li picked the brush up and resumed the work.
Ying Lili, who had just arrived outside the Emperor's office encountered Deng Hui. She greeted her. Deng Hui passed her a smile and left followed by her personality servants.
Ying Lili found it odd but did not put much thought into it. She took the tray from Court Lady Xu's hand when Xing-Fu said that he would carry it.
"It is not heavy, Eunuch Xing-Fu," Ying Lili said with a smile and walked in. Before stepping in, she told him not to let anyone enter inside. Xing-Fu acknowledged her order and closed the door behind her.
She saw Sheng Li was immersed in the work. Many scrolls were piled up on the desk. Ying Lili, without making any noise went towards him and stepped up on the few stairs to the desk. Sheng Li lifted his head and was surprised to see Ying Lili. He immediately stood up from his seat and took the tray from her hand.
"Why are you carrying it?" He asked. "Where are the servants?" He suddenly got angry.
"Calm down. I only carried it while coming in. Why are you sulking?" Ying Lili huffed and crossed her arms. Sheng Li put away the scroll on which he was working and put the tray on the table. He then went towards Ying Lili and took her towards the throne.
"Sit down," he said.
"I cannot sit on the Emperor's throne. I will sit over there," Ying Lili said, pointing towards the chaise. Sheng Li put his arms on her shoulder and gently pushed her down towards the throne. She widened her eyes as she sat on the throne.
"It is equally yours," Sheng Li pronounced.. "Why would you sit far away from me when you can sit beside me?" Sheng Li questioned her and sat by her side on the same throne seat.