Sheng Li kept staring into the eyes of Jian Guozhi, waiting for him to tell the entire truth.

"The Crown Princess saved my life."

​​

Sheng Li clenched his fist and at the same time furrowed his brows as he was a little confused.

"You were on a military campaign during that time which means you did not know about the Crown Princess then. I had gone to the North-Western Province for the Capital's work. I got lost in a forest and fell in a swamp. I was shouting for help when a woman saved me, who was none other than the Crown Princess. She did not recognize me because I was covered in mud. That's why I wanted to make her my wife but my mother refused! The Crown Princess gave me the reason to change myself and correct my ways.

I always wanted to help you, but my hands were tied," Jian Guozhi explained to Sheng Li, who was contemplating.

"Why did you provide evidence against your own mother?" Sheng Li asked.

"She must be punished for the wrong she did to you and your late mother." Jian Guozhi lowered his eyes. "Forgive me," he apologized.

"I want to kill her with my own hands," Sheng Li stated. Jian Guozhi lifted his eyes and read Sheng Li's eyes for a while. If he would have been in his place and undergone all this, then he would have wanted the same. 'Killing the person with his own hands.'

"I will do justice for my mother. Don't come to me begging that I shall let her live. Yesterday, you stopped me from killing her but not anymore. I want to stab her numerous times and want her to whimper in pain," Sheng Li pronounced, gritting his teeth. His nose flared in anger.

"Will it do any good? It will depict you as the Cruel Prince who did not deliver justice according to the Laws," suddenly a voice said. Both Jian Guozhi and Sheng Li looked at the source of the voice. Prince Nianzu was standing near a table that had a porcelain flower vase over it.

He came towards them and rested on a chair. "Forgive me for intervening between you two but I was here for some work when I overheard your conversation," stated Nianzu and continued, "If you just kill her then what difference will there be between a Crown Prince and a common person. A Ruler is known for his righteousness, unbiased ruling."

"I did not become a Crown Prince for living as a righteous man. I do not like philosophical reasons," Sheng Li scoffed. "First Brother, thank you again for saving my Lili by bringing Hu Jingguo at the right time. Since you did something equivalent to saving my own life, I forgive you. From today, there is no enmity between us," Sheng Li affirmed.

Jian Guozhi was delighted after hearing Sheng Li's words. Forgiveness is tough to seek but once it's given it relieves you. Sheng Li took his leave, leaving the two brothers behind.

Nianzu observed the facial expressions of Jian Guozhi. "Brother, you proved your words today. But I can see what others cannot see," Nianzu proclaimed.

Jian Guozhi amusingly peered at him.

"She is your mother even if she did wrong. It must be the toughest decision for you to take. I know the sadness you are carrying at this moment in your heart," Nianzu pronounced. Jian Guozhi smiled a little and then heaved a sigh.

Jian Guozhi was indeed sad because he knew his mother either would be hanged to death or beaten to death. He knew it would be hard to see his mother in that state but he had to decide as a Governor rather than a son, thus keeping his emotions aside.

~~~~~

Sheng Li arrived at the Zhenzhu Inn. "Your highness, the Crown Princess is in the other chamber with Prince Wanxi, Prince Yu, and Hu Jingguo," informed the maidservant.

"Set the breakfast table. We are coming in a while," Sheng Li ordered her and went to the chamber adjacent to it.

"Sister Lili, when you were unconscious Brother Sheng had lost his temper. He came out with a sword in his hand and we brothers thought-"

"That I will kill every one of you!" Sheng Li completed the words of Weng Yu, who trembled to see him.

Sheng Li averted his gaze from him and looked at Lei Wanxi. "She needs rest. You all shall leave," asserted Sheng Li.

"Forgive me, Brother Sheng. We thought to converse with Sister Lili," Lei Wanxi pouted and stood up. Weng Yu and Hu Jingguo also stood up and left with him.

Sheng Li helped Ying Lili in getting up. He gently put his arm around her shoulder while from the other hand, held her left hand. "You need to be careful of your health. The poison has weakened your body. Even if you are cured, it doesn't mean that you are fully healthy."

Ying Lili was overwhelmed to see the care of Sheng Li towards her. They entered the bedchamber where the maidservants had already set the table. He made her sit on the chair and placed a cushion behind her back so that she would not feel much pain.

"All your favorite dishes are prepared. What would you like to eat first?" Sheng Li questioned.

"Noodles," Ying Lili replied.

Sheng Li nodded and picked the bowl of noodle soup. Placing it near him on the table, he picked a little amount of it and brought the chopsticks closer to Ying Lili's mouth. She ate that.

"You shall eat too," Ying Lili softly said.

"After you," he answered and again brought the chopsticks closer to her mouth. He then picked the porcelain spoon and fed her the soup.

"But you are also hungry. It is not considered graceful that your husband takes his meal after his wife," Ying Lili picked a chopstick from her left hand which Sheng Li caught.

He chuckled a little. "Since when did we start caring about those things? Don't talk while eating," his stern expression made her stop speaking further.

Once Ying Lili finished eating the noodles, Sheng Li picked the bowl of meat soup. Ying Lili was full, so she told Sheng Li to stop. "But there are still many dishes left," Sheng Li said, looking at the table.

"You shall finish this all then," Ying Lili stated.

"You need to take a pill. Come, I will take you to the bed," Sheng Li dabbed Ying Lili's mouth with a clean napkin. Putting it down, he forwarded his hand but Ying Lili refused.

"I want to watch you eat. Start eating," Ying Lili said. Sheng Li did not argue with her and started eating.