Chapter 82 - How Strong Our Relationship Is!
Xiao Zhan informed the Crown Prince that the two maids were poisoned as well, which did not surprise him. If Sheng Li had told the King of Juyan to tell the truth in front of his majesty, he would have been considered a liar because he earlier gave a false statement about the Crown Princess. A similar situation was with those two maids who had given false statements regarding the Crown Princess.
"Xiao, why is the security not tight in the Prison?" Sheng Li was infuriated. "Do not ask for apologies. I need apologies through actions, not words," Sheng Li stated. Xiao Zhan lowered his eyes as he had disappointed the Crown Prince.
Sheng Li wanted the Prime Minister to accept his crime on his own, which was difficult as he had the support of the Empress. This was the biggest hindrance. Sheng Li knew if he tried to say anything against the Prime Minister in court, the Empress would try everything possible to save her half-brother's position. So, such a piece of evidence was needed in which even the Empress could do nothing.
The Crown Prince came back to the Eastern Palace when he encountered Jian Guozhi. They both glared at each other when Sheng Li broke the ice. "You did not even come to see me, dear First Brother." Sheng Li said sarcastically, which made Jian Guozhi laugh.
"I was busy finding out the culprit who dared to do such a thing to my dear younger brother. I was scared when I found out that the Crown Prince was poisoned. Thanks to the Crown Princess, my younger brother is safe." Jian Guozhi's words were enough to tell Sheng Li how much the First Prince wanted him to die.
"Indeed, Lili saved me. She loves me so much that she accepted the wrong accusations for me. She believed in her love, which is one reason I am safe and sound despite my enemies trying hard to kill me. I was disheartened when I found out your father-in-law even questioned my relationship with Lili. People have such a misunderstanding about us," Sheng Li proclaimed. The smile did not leave his lips as he kept gazing into the eyes of the First Prince.
Jian Guozhi knew that the Crown Prince could not love anyone and he was just putting on a show. "Sorry, if you feel offended, Crown Prince but I think I shall tell this to you. Your relationship with my consort is famous, which is one reason for the misunderstandings among the surrounding people. The wedding night talks are open to the Palace - how the Crown Princess tried killing you and how the Crown Prince treated the Crown Princess?" Jian Guozhi grinned as he waited for Sheng Li's response.
"Why does it seem that my brother is taking so much interest in my wedding night? Who will believe a maid? I believe that the Crown Princess has proven how strong our relationship is by saving my life!" Sheng Li affirmed. "About your consort, let me clear one thing, dear First Brother. I never loved her. How can I love the woman whose family is always giving me headaches?" Sheng Li was sarcastic in his tone and showed his hatred towards the Wei Family.
Jian Guozhi smiled, but before he could speak, the Crown Prince walked past him. "Your luck is with you, Sheng Li, but not for long," Jian Guozhi thought.
Sheng Li arrived at his Resting Chamber and asked Xing-Fu about the Crown Princess. "Your highness, the Crown Princess is still sleeping," Xing-Fu replied with a bowed head. Sheng Li stepped ahead and opened the door by sliding it on each side. He walked in and closed the door behind him.
Sheng Li removed his overcoat and placed it on the chair. Looking at Ying Lili, Sheng Li slightly smiled. "Where will she go in the night if she is sleeping so much in this daylight," Sheng Li murmured. He went to the bed and sat on the mattress.
Shaking Ying Lili's shoulder, Sheng Li softly called out her name. Ying Lili opened her eyes and looked at him. "You are finally awake," Sheng Li spoke to Ying Lili who was rubbing her eyes. She sat up on the bed and checked her clothes first.
Sheng Li laughed at seeing the acts of the Crown Princess. "You think I would have taken advantage of you in your sleep?" Ying Lili heard Sheng Li asking her.
"Who knows?" Ying Lili murmured as she tied the knot on the upper jacket of the Hanfu dress that she was wearing.
"Your uncle is dead," Sheng Li suddenly said. Ying Lili turned her head to look at Sheng Li as her eyes were filled with tears. "He believed the wrong person. As soon as he joined the hands of the Prime Minister, his death was written. Instead of believing me, he believed the Prime Minister," Sheng Li stressed.
"What will happen to Juyan?" Ying Lili questioned.
"It will be governed by Han. A Governor will be appointed soon. Your uncle will not be buried with dignity, as he was associated with this poisoning incident. His family will be turned to slaves so that they can pay for the crimes that your uncle did," Sheng Li pronounced with a stern expression.
"But it was not their mistake. Aunt did not know about this, neither did her children. What about my mother and the other ministers there?" Ying Lili worriedly inquired.
"It does not matter whether or not they were associated with your uncle. Your mother is the widow of the late King so she will not be thrown out from the Palace. The ministers will work in the departments the appointed Governor will make according to the situation in Juyan," Sheng Li replied to Ying Lili's queries.
"Please, do not turn them into slaves," Ying Lili pleaded to Sheng Li.
"Why shall I do that? I cannot be biased just because Juyan's Princess is my wife now," Sheng Li stated as he gazed into Ying Lili's eyes.
"Do you not feel bad doing such things? I know that my uncle did wrong with you, but his wife and children have no fault in that." Ying Lili was indignant towards Sheng Li.
"You said that you will be that One Woman in my life who will be like me in every aspect and support me. You are turning back from your words, Lili," Sheng Li asserted as he looked for an answer from Ying Lili.
"I did say those words to you, but it does not mean that I will forget my principles. Why punish innocents when they did nothing wrong? It is an injustice to them," Ying Lili remarked.
"Lili, even I have principles. You forget that I have shown enough mercy on Juyan. By now, Juyan would have been filled with dead bodies of the people because their Princess's words proved wrong. Still, I let them stay alive," Sheng Li proclaimed with a sly smile.
"Then you shall punish me because I was the one who endangered your life," Ying Lili offered a deal in front of the Crown Prince.