Chapter 45 - A Gracious Gift

"You are answering a completely different question," Sheng Li sternly said. Ying Lili gawked at Sheng Li who was not looking in a good mood.

"I answered that question earlier. Your orders have no effect on me," proclaimed Ying Lili, and then averted her gaze from him.

Sheng Li's lips moved up, and a smile was carved on them. "I do not know if she read something from that notebook. Did she really not read or is she only acting up?" Sheng Li was skeptical about Ying Lili.

"What is this scar about?" Ying Lili's sudden question brought Sheng Li out of his thoughts. He saw Ying Lili was intensely looking at the scar and had knitted her brows.

"I am a warrior so, such scars are normal," Sheng Li replied, which did not seem satisfactory to Ying Lili.

"It seemed quite old. You started going on wars 7 years back. Are you taking me as a fool? It seems that someone intentionally gave you this wound," Ying Lili concluded and peered into the eyes of Sheng Li.

"You may leave. You have done a good job," Sheng Li asserted and looked at the imperial seal in his hand. But Ying Lili did not leave. "Why are you not leaving and keep staring at me?" Sheng Li had an inquisitive expression on his face. "It seems the crown princess loves me seeing like this," Sheng Li in a teasing tone said and moved closer to Ying Lili. He wrapped one arm around Ying Lili's waist before she could act and pulled her up such that their faces came closer.

The crown princess was on her toes and pulled herself back. Seeing that, Sheng Li pulled Ying Lili further closer. "Do not struggle," Sheng Li whispered against her lips. His hair was still wet and the water droplets were falling on Ying Lili's hands. "I have not given you permission to touch me," Ying Lili repeated the same words of Sheng Li.

"I have a right on you so, I can touch you," Sheng Li pronounced and ran his finger along her jawline which stopped right below her chin.

"You do not own me," Ying Lili asserted.

"In this palace, I indeed own everyone, Lili," Sheng Li affirmed and grinned. "Are you ready for today's match? There is something I am going to ask from you if you will lose against me." Sheng Li with anticipation stated.

"I cannot come today. I have some work," Ying Lili replied.

"Every other work is secondary for you except mine," Sheng Li asserted.

Ying Lili chuckled. "You want me to get scolded by the Empress? I have to finish my work in the embroidery shop," Ying Lili stated annoyingly. Sheng Li noticed the dejected look on Ying Lili's face. Last night when Xing-Fu told him that the crown princess was still in the workshop he did not pay any heed. But now he was somewhat curious to know about that.

"How can her majesty scold a beauty like you? I have heard that your pearly eyes are enough to melt the anger of the person in front of you," Sheng Li deduced.

"Stop playing with me and let me go." Ying Lili placed her hand on his arm.

"What kind of work are you doing in the workshop? Everyone knows you are poor in needlework," Sheng Li pronounced with a smirk.

Ying Lili did not want him to say something like that towards her. "Who said I am poor at needlework? In a single night, I drew the toughest pattern on the overcoat. Everyone is amazed by my fast learning skills," Ying Lili told a white lie to Sheng Li who was still smirking at her.

"Am I a fool? I know your hands are not made for the needlework but for holding the sword. I would like to see that toughest pattern on the overcoat," Sheng Li expressed his desire.

"No, you cannot," immediately Ying Lili refused him.

"Why? Are you not making an overcoat for me on my birthday? I will come to see that t.o.u.g.h.e.s.t pattern which you have made in a single night," Sheng Li stressed each of the words.

"I-I mean you cannot see today," Ying Lili stated.

"Okay, I will wait for tomorrow," Sheng Li asserted. "Hope you will give me a gracious gift rather than the needlework," Sheng Li stated and released Ying Lili who chuckled and asked him what she could gift him. "Her majesty has told me that making that pattern is auspicious so, I have to gift you that only," Ying Lili muttered.

"Since when did you start thinking about your husband's well-being?" Sheng Li's question did not seem right to Ying Lili. Without answering, she swiftly strode out of the chamber. Sheng Li was amused when Ying Lili left the chamber.

"How could he say that? Indeed, I do not like him, but it does not mean that I want him to get hurt," murmured Ying Lili when court lady Xu came before her. "Your highness, you left the workshop last night? Forgive me for taking a nap." Ying Lili found that court lady Xu was anxious about her.

"It was not your fault, court lady Xu," Ying Lili stated.

"Your highness, let's leave for Zhenzhu Inn." Ying Lili nodded and left the manor of the crown prince. Sheng Li, on the other hand, was staring at the seal. "This seal is used by all the princes. Lei Wanxi and Weng Yu are not the ones who could do something like that. Prince Nianzu also refrains himself from palace politics. Whom did Ying Lili see last night and what was the person doing in the western palace?" Sheng Li had many doubts in his mind.

Xing-Fu came there and bowed his head. "Your highness, you can catch a cold," Xing-Fu worriedly said and quickly covered a robe around Sheng Li. "Call General Xiao and make sure no one will find out that the crown princess left the workshop past midnight," Sheng Li ordered Xing-Fu.

"Your highness, I will take care of that," Xing-Fu accepted the order by bowing his head and left the chamber.

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Hello Dear Readers!

As I promised, I have given 3 chapters today after crossing 100 votes in a week. Thank you to those who are daily voting for the story.

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