Chapter 731: Leaked

Ying Lili put the scroll beside her and gazed at Rong Zemin. She was contended to learn that Sheng Li and the others safely reached Changying. 

She got down from the bed when Court Lady Xu asked her. 

"I want to stroll around, Court Lady Xu," Ying Lili replied. However, she felt nauseated and promptly brought her palm to her mouth.

Upon the instructions of Court Lady Xu, a maidservant brought the copper vessel. Ying Lili threw up in it, and then cleaned her mouth. Court Lady Xu wiped her lips with the handkerchief. 

Court Lady Xu made Ying Lili sit on the chaise and stepped back. "Your Majesty, you can go later. Rest for a while," she suggested to her. 

"It is common, Court Lady Xu. I want to go to the Eastern Palace and then will come back here," Ying Lili expressed her desire, keeping a tiny smile on her lips. 

The maidservant handed the water glass to Court Lady Xu, who forwarded it to Ying Lili. She drank water and gave it back to Court Lady Xu.

"It has been long since I last went to the Eastern Palace," Ying Lili said and again stood up. Court Lady Xu did not stop her and followed her with the few other servants. 

As they came out, Xing-Fu bowed before her. 

"Eunuch Xing-Fu, did the Princesses return from the Buddhist Temple?" Ying Lili asked him. 

"Yes, Your Majesty." 

"Does Her Majesty want to meet them? Shall I call them?" Xing-Fu asked her. 

"The Empress wants to stroll around the Eastern Palace, Eunuch Xing-Fu," Court Lady Xu answered on behalf of Ying Lili. 

"Oh. I will swiftly arrange the palanquin," Xing-Fu stepped back when Ying Lili stopped him. 

"I will go by foot, Eunuch Xing-Fu," she said and walked ahead while they all followed her silently. While walking, she recalled the old days, when she used to fight with Sheng Li for small reasons without even knowing his side. 

She was such a naïve woman. As she passed through the large Palace Ground, she recalled the day when she was on her knees, ready to get her punishment when Sheng Li got poisoned. 

She stopped and a smile appeared on her thin lips. 

"May I ask why is Sister Lili smiling?" Weng Yu asked, who had followed them from the Northern Palace. 

Ying Lili was surprised to see him. 

"I told Sister Lili that I will protect her until Brother Sheng comes back," he stated, clearing her confusion. 

"Sister Lili must tell this Youngest Prince that why she smiled while looking at the Palace ground? Did she recall any special event?" Weng Yu queried her. 

"How did you let yourself in this state?" Ying Lili said and it confused the Seventh Prince, who drew his brows together. 

"Your Fifth Brother said this to me when he woke up after being poisoned. His Majesty never once let any finger lay on me. I started to admire him from that day," Ying Lili stated. 

Weng Yu was astonished to learn about it. He was not allowed to enter that day because he was still young in everyone's eyes. 

"Even I admire Brother Sheng. His one command is enough to stop everyone around him. His gaze is enough to get intimidated. However, on the other side, his gentle side is enough to make you respect him more and more," Weng Yu stated. 

Ying Lili nodded her head. 

"Sister Lili, but if you have not come into Brother Sheng's life, then it would have been difficult for him. He might have been living in agony all his life. Thank you for loving him so much," Weng Yu stated. 

Ying Lili smiled upon hearing his words.

"When I was young, I heard only his bad side. Most of us brothers were aware of his bad side only. We never looked at his bright, caring and lovable side except the Fourth Brother and the Sixth Brother," Weng Yu affirmed. 

"Love conquers all, Brother Yu," Ying Lili stated. "The person who appears bad, seeks for love the most," she affirmed. 

Weng Yu nodded his head as he tried to understand the meaning of the second statement. 

~~~~~~ 

Zhe Yan asked Sheng Li if he wanted him to go to the city a

djacent to Changying to collect information about Lian Zoumu progress. 

"No. Your work is done here. We need to check the facts and then we will take action. You shall continue earning for your family and pay off the debts," Sheng Li advised him. 

Jian Guozhi went towards the other table and picked a pouch full of coins. He went to Zhe Yan and forwarded it to him, who confusedly glanced at him. 

"It is for recognizing us and then sharing some useful information with us," Jian Guozhi stated. 

"How can I accept it, Your Highness?" Zhe Yan asked and promptly stood up. He did not feel it good to keep sitting in front of the First Prince. 

"Why can't you accept it? Did you give us wrong information?" Sheng Li intervened. 

"No, Your Majesty," Zhe Yan replied. "I don't want to die for giving wrong information to the Emperor and the First Prince," Zhe Yan said firmly. 

"Then, accept it," Sheng Li said. 

"I cannot, Your Majesty. I believe in hard-earned money. Moreover, this information I did not give for money," Zhe Yan clarified. 

Jian Guozhi looked at Sheng Li.

"Sometimes easily earned money is best. You can pay off the huge debt on you from the gold coins inside that pouch," Sheng Li stated. 

"Your Majesty, if I do so, the landlord might doubt me," Zhe Yan reasoned. "Everyone knows that people like me cannot earn gold coins in a day. People might accuse me of theft," he stated.

The more Sheng Li and Jian Guozhi heard, the more they got impressed. This young man failed many people in front of them. 

"Tell them that you are not a thief. You earned it from someone," Sheng Li answered. 

Zhe Yan laughed a little. 

"Forgive me, Your Majesty," he put his palm on his mouth and then put it down. "Who will believe my words?" He asked them. 

"It was my duty to tell everything to the Emperor and the First Prince. I do not want any money for it," Zhe Yan urged and bowed. 

"How many people are there in your family?" Sheng Li asked him. 

"Only me," Zhe Yan replied and lifted his head to gaze into Sheng Li's eyes. 

Jian Guozhi returned to his seat and wondered what Sheng Li would say next. 

"You will come with us to Luoyang after the matter here will be resolved. You do not need to pay the debt anymore," Sheng Li announced his decision. 

Zhe Yan widened his eyes. 

"This Empire needs young men like you," Sheng Li affirmed. 

"But Your Majesty, I was brought up here. I am afraid but I cannot go to the capital with his Majesty," Zhe Yan plainly refused. 

"You are refusing such a great offer. Your life can change in Luoyang," Jian Guozhi tried to make him understand. 

"But I promise my late mother that I will never leave this place, Your Highness," Zhe Yan finally stated. 

Sheng Li and Jian Guozhi finally had nothing to say. They respected his choice. 

"Fine. Live here, but you no longer will pay your debts," Sheng Li pronounced and gazed at Jian Guozhi, who understood his words. 

"This is a command. So, do not argue anymore," Sheng Li warned him. 

Zhe Yan acknowledged the command when a knock interrupted all of them. Jian Guozhi stood up and walked to the door and opened it. 

Xiao Zhan came inside and looked at Zhe Yan. He ignored the young man and bowed before Sheng Li. 

"Your Majesty, I have found something important," Xiao Zhan informed Sheng Li, who gazed at Jian Guozhi. 

"Zhe Yan, you can leave. The conversation that happened here should not be leaked out," Sheng Li stated, with a stern expression. 

"Never, Your Majesty," Zhe Yan said. He bowed in front of them when Jian Guozhi told him to follow him. 

As they left the room, Xiao Zhan started to tell Sheng Li the information that he had received. 

"Is it true?" Sheng Li queried him. 

"Yes, Your Majesty. Our top-notch spy is in the other city as a close member of Lord Lian's small or

ganization," Xiao Zhan affirmed. 

"Fine. Prepare for our departure," Sheng Li ordered him. "Lian Zoumu should not have gone against Han this way," he said while gritting his teeth. 

Xiao Zhan was puzzled to hear that statement.

"Your Majesty, how did you find out his real name?" He asked with a bewildered expression. 

"The young man who left with the First Brother earlier informed us," Sheng Li replied and briefed him on whatever Zhe Yan had told. 

"This is brilliant. Your Majesty, I along with the two Commanders will find out more before the departure," Xiao Zhan informed him and bowed again.