Chapter 76 - As That One Woman In Your Life?

Ying Lili, after taking a relaxing bath, came to her chamber to dress up. She looked at herself in the mirror when she saw Sheng Li's face in front of her. "He seemed angry. I have to apologize to him," Ying Lili thought and called Court Lady Xu who came to the front. "Court Lady Xu, I would like to have my breakfast with the Crown Prince."

"Yes, your highness. May I say something, your highness?" Court Lady Xu politely asked for permission.

"You may ask," Ying Lili permitted Court Lady Xu.

"Your highness, I request you not start any arguments with the Crown Prince. You might have seen how you were accused of having an unhealthy relationship with his highness. I said this because I am concerned about you, your highness," Court Lady Xu stated with a worried expression. The hairdresser had set the hair of the Crown Princess and also the Crown over her head. Ying Lili stood up as she was ready. She was wearing a salmon-pink-colored Hanfu dress with a red overcoat.

"Court Lady Xu, I understood this last night," asserted Ying Lili with a smile. "We shall leave for the Crown Prince Manor," Ying Lili proclaimed. Court Lady Xu bowed her head and followed her mistress along with a few maidservants.

As Ying Lili reached there, she asked Eunuch Xing-Fu about the Crown Prince. "Your highness, the Crown Prince is having a conversation with the fourth and sixth prince," Xing-Fu answered. Ying Lili nodded when Xing-Fu spoke, "I will tell his highness about your visit." Xing-Fu stepped ahead, opened the door, and walked in.

After a minute, Xing-Fu came outside. "Her highness can go inside," Xing-Fu informed the Crown Princess who walked inside the resting chamber of the Crown Prince. Ying Lili kept walking until she reached the entrance to the bed-chamber. She looked at Sheng Li who was not looking at her.

Nianzu and Lei Wanxi had stood up from their respective seats. They bowed their heads. "Your highness, good to see you again. We shall take our leave," Lei Wanxi with a smile spoke and looked at Nianzu. They both then walked out from there. Once they left, Ying Lili came towards Sheng Li, who was lying on the bed, and sat beside him.

There was complete silence between the two for a few minutes. The silence between them was broken as Xing-Fu walked along with two maidservants who had brought the morning meals for the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess. They put it on the table near the bed, bowed their heads, and left.

Sheng Li sat up on the bed and got down from it. He ignored Ying Lili's presence and went towards the table. Ying Lili turned and saw he had pulled a chair for himself. Xing-Fu gestured to a maid to taste the food who did so. "The food is okay," the maid replied softly. Xing-Fu left the chamber along with the maid.

Ying Lili came towards Sheng Li and pulled out a chair. She sat on it, dragging it closer to Sheng Li's while peering at him who started eating. "Sheng Li, forgive me," Ying Lili softly spoke as she joined both hands. Sheng Li did not reply to her. He was focused on eating when Ying Lili grabbed his hand. "Are you angry at me?" Ying Lili questioned.

Sheng Li pulled his hand back. "Thanks to you, I almost died." Ying Lili could feel that Sheng Li was displeased with her. "Sheng Li, forgive me. I will do anything you will tell me to," Ying Lili stated, trying to pacify Sheng Li.

"Did you forget what I told you when you asked me to spare the life of your uncle?" Sheng Li queried Ying Lili who hummed, giving her response.

"Answer," Sheng Li spoke in exasperation.

"That you will kill me if he betrays us," Ying Lili replied.

"Are you ready to die?" Sheng Li asked as he finally turned his gaze at Ying Lili who was staring at him.

"If you had wanted to kill me, then you would have done that by now." Ying Lili looked for an answer from Sheng Li whose lips quirked up into a smile. "You saved me so, I cannot kill my savior," Sheng Li pronounced. "But it does not mean that I am going to forgive you," Sheng Li further added.

Ying Lili was baffled to know that Sheng Li found out she was the one who knew about the antidote. "Did the brothers tell you?" Ying Lili asked. Sheng Li shook his head in refusal. "You are from Juyan, so it is crystal clear that you would have known about the antidote," Sheng Li deduced.

"Jingguo told me about the antidote when he started learning from the medical expert of Juyan," Ying Lili stated.

"Do you know why I am disappointed in you?" Sheng Li questioned Ying Lili.

"Because I cannot save myself there," Ying Lili replied. Sheng Li chuckled upon hearing the answer of Ying Lili. "No, that is not the reason. You are not smart enough because despite my hints you left the tray in the hands of the other person," Sheng Li answered. "This would not have happened if you had paid heed to my hints," the Crown Prince added.

"I know. But after that, I made sure not to get you hurt. Sheng Li, thank you for saving me. Last night was a horrible one. In just seconds, I had been accused of poisoning you. I was helpless when the Prime Minister was showing the evidence against me, but then I recalled your words about how you told me why you did not kill me at our first meeting. I recalled your warnings. Sheng Li, forgive me for misunderstanding you; forgive me for not listening to you and questioning your decisions. From today onward, I am not your enemy but a..." Ying Lili stopped speaking as she felt the intense gaze of Sheng Li at her, still she completed her words, "... but a friend. I am with you and will eliminate all of your enemies." Ying Lili was smiling brightly as she was now feeling good after telling everything to Sheng Li.

Sheng Li snickered as he put the chopsticks on the plate. "Lili, I do not forgive people easily and I do not consider you my friend. You are changing your perception of me. What if I saved you for my motives?" Sheng Li questioned Ying Lili.

"Then use me for your motives. I will not disappoint you and willingly help you. If you do not want to consider me as a friend, then do you want to consider me as that one woman in your life who will be like you in every aspect?" Ying Lili's question astonished Sheng Li as a smirk appeared on his lips.