Chapter 718: Sheng Li"s Departure
Sheng Li and Ying Lili returned to the Northern Palace after attending the court. Sheng Li had informed the ministers about his departure to Changying.
Ying Lili made Sheng Li wear the upper robe around the hanfu dress and b.u.t.toned it around his shoulder. "You do not need to worry about the Capital. I am here, so without any worries solve the matter of Changying," Ying Lili stated and tiptoed to reach his head.
Sheng Li caught her wrists and put them down. He brought her to the chaise and made her sit on it. He got on his knees and gazed into her eyes.
"Lili, I know that you will handle everything well after me. Just do not neglect taking care of yourself," Sheng Li a.s.serted and grasped her hands which were on her lap.
He kissed her knuckles and let her hands go. Ying Lili removed the hairpin from his hair bun and took off the crown. The maidservant came forward and Ying Lili placed it over the tray covered in red silk fabric. Sheng Li"s hair spread till his shoulder and some fringes covered his eyes.
Ying Lili fingered the curls of his hair and tucked them behind his ear. She told him to sit beside her. Sheng Li did so and asked the servants to leave except Court Lady Xu.
"Lili"s life is above your life, Court Lady Xu," Sheng Li told while peering into Ying Lili"s eyes. "I will not forgive even the tiniest mistake, Court Lady Xu. So, be careful all the time," Sheng Li gave her the imperial command.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I will not let my eyes go off Her Majesty even for a second," Court Lady Xu affirmed and bowed her head.
Ying Lili realized that Sheng Li"s command was for her too. Because if she made any mistake while he was away, Sheng Li would punish Court Lady Xu.
"Lili, reply to my message every day," Sheng Li told her and kept his palm on her left cheek.
"I will."
"I will try not to take it to a war. I know war brings many unwanted deaths, so I will try to solve it amicably," Sheng Li promised her.
Ying Lili hummed and smiled. She had full faith in him that he would not choose the path of war to end this unknown rebel. Through diplomatic conversation, the matter could be resolved in a better way.
Sheng Li connected his lips with hers as frowns appeared on his forehead. He did not want to leave but he could not neglect his duty as an Emperor. He withdrew from the kiss and caressed her head, before embracing her into a hug.
His hand moved to the back of her head as h
e pulled her closer. After a while, he withdrew back from the hug and stood up.
"I will see you off till the Imperial Gates," Ying Lili stated.
"I still need to put on the disguise. Wait here," he said and called Xing-Fu inside, who came with a small rectangular tray in his hand. Sheng Li tied the headband around his head to keep his open hair back and then wore the fake mustache.
Ying Lili recalled the time when they both went to the Southern Province. She missed those times. She wanted to be by his side, but apparently, at the present time, shd could only stay back in Luoyang.
Sheng Li picked up the hand mirror and looked at his face. Putting it back on the tray, Sheng Li turned to face Ying Lili, who stood up and picked the sword that was placed on the table on two supports.
She walked to Sheng Li and presented the sword to him. "Here," she said. "Use it when it"s extremely important, else avoid it," Ying Lili a.s.serted.
Sheng Li grabbed it and hummed.
"Let"s go," Sheng Li said and grasped her hand. They both walked out and found the Three Princes outside the chamber.
"Brother Sheng," Lei Wanxi came to him and hugged him. He patted his back. "Return soon. I will take care of everything behind you. I will not let Sister Lili miss you."
Ying Lili and the other two Princes smiled as he heard Lei Wanxi"s statement while Sheng Li chuckled.
Lei Wanxi stepped back when Rong Zemin came forward and hugged Sheng Li. "Don"t worry about the capital. I will keep my eyes and ears open," he a.s.sured him and stepped back.
Sheng Li gazed at Weng Yu and let go of Ying Lili"s hand. He walked to the youngest prince and caressed his head. "Can I go with Brother Sheng?" Weng Yu asked with enthusiasm.
"Maybe next time," Sheng Li said and patted his cheek, before pulling his hand back.
"I won"t be a burden. I will protect you, Brother Sheng," Weng Yu said with a firm tone. Sheng Li was astonished to see how strong Weng Yu had become in these few months. He liked it, but he did not want to take him to Changying.
Consort Dowager Ju Fen already had lost her one son. She would be angry if Sheng Li took Weng Yu with him. Moreover, in Sheng Li"s eyes, Weng Yu still had to learn a lot of things.
Sheng Li turned to look at Ying Lili and extended his hand to her. She came near him and held it. They all left for the Imperial Gates.
w.a.n.g Hao
bowed before them and informed Sheng Li about the route. Commander Yao and a few high-cla.s.s trained soldiers were present too.
"I will accompany His Majesty till Luoyang borders," w.a.n.g Hao said humbly.
Sheng Li went to Kongqi. He hopped on Kongqi, who neighed. Turning to Ying Lili, he smiled at her, whose smile broadened. Their eyes turned misty when Ying Lili raised her arm to wave at him.
"Return safely," she again told him.
Sheng Li pulled the reins on his horse and Kongqi started to run. He was followed by General w.a.n.g and the others. Ying Lili walked a few steps more and stopped when Sheng Li disappeared from her sight.