Jian Guozhi sipped the tea and gazed at the Crown Princess, who was reading the scroll. Once she was done reading, she put it on the table and looked at Jian Guozhi.

"Brother did not tell about the Second Prince," stated Ying Lili. 

"Ahh, yes. I have not met him yet. I am still thinking how to talk with him," Jian Guozhi answered and passed a tiny smile to Ying Lili.

"Why is Brother Jian lying?" Ying Lili asked without beating around the bush. "He shall tell me what Prince Yongzheng said," she added. 

Jian Guozhi had no way to hide the truth from Ying Lili. "Forgive me, Crown Princess, for hiding the truth from you. The meeting was not pleasant. That is why I thought to hide it from you," Jian Guozhi stated. 

"Brother Jian does not need to apologize," Ying Lili replied and waited for him to speak.

"Crown Princess, I have made a grave mistake," Jian Guozhi sighed. "Yongzheng is following the words that I have told him once. His bitterness towards Brother Sheng has not ended. He also considers you as his enemy. He wants to harm you," Jian Guozhi lowered his eyes. 

"It was not your fault, Brother Jian. Brother Yongzheng has his own mind. If he had a conscience, he would have stopped," Ying Lili concluded. 

"But, Crown Princess, I am the eldest brother. I should have thought about the consequences of my actions," Jian Guozhi asserted. 

"What is done cannot be corrected," Ying Lili stated. Jian Guozhi agreed with her and asked her what she would do to stop Yongzheng. 

"I have not decided yet. Brother Jian, do not talk anymore about this with Brother Yongzheng. Thank you for giving your time for this," Ying Lili affirmed. 

"I have not even done anything. Crown Princess, I will handle Yongzheng in my way. I have started this mess. If we would told Sheng Li about this, then he would only get angry. I have been with Yongzheng for a long time that's why I know his nature more than anyone else," Jian Guozhi did not want Ying Lili and Sheng Li to involve themselves in this matter. 

"Brother Jian, in my opinion, you shall talk about this with Sheng Li," Ying Lili suggested to Jian Guozhi, who nodded his head. "We need to rescue Sister Bai from his torture as well." 

"That's a little tough, Crown Princess. Princess Bai Yaling isn't raising her voice. If we try to do something about that, things could get worse. So, we shall first solely focus on correcting the path of Yongzheng," Jian Guozhi advised Ying Lili. Sheng Li had told the same to Ying Lili, but she had the fear that Yongzheng might abuse Bai Yaling more and more with each passing day. 

"Crown Princess shall not worry. We will soon find the solution for that," Jian Guozhi assured Ying Lili, who hummed. After their conversation ended, Ying Lili went to the Royal Physician to talk about the Emperor's health. 

"Your Highness," the Royal Physician stood up from the chair and bowed. Ying Lili also did the same, and the two took seats around the table. 

"Crown Princess, I have informed the Crown Prince about the condition of the Emperor," the Royal Physician said. There were deep frowns on his forehead. "The condition of the Emperor has deteriorated, and I am not sure how long the Emperor will make it," the Royal Physician stated. 

"What about the medicine that I suggested to the Royal Physician in the morning?" Ying Lili queried. 

"I am afraid, but the Emperor is allergic to Huangqi roots. It will worsen His Majesty's state. Hu Jingguo had told me about the reference medicines, and we discussed that too, but none of them are suitable for the Emperor. The pulse rate of the Emperor is weak. The infection has spread throughout the body of His Majesty," the Royal Physician explained to Ying Lili. 

Ying Lili was sad to hear that. She thought there could be a way by which the infection in the body could be stopped. But she was wrong. She had no idea how she would handle Sheng Li at this time and also prevent the Royal Family from fighting among each other. 

~~~~~

Sheng Li reached the Imperial Palace in the afternoon. He went to his chamber first and changed into another dress. Xing-Fu informed Sheng Li about the Crown Princess, who had come earlier to meet him. 

Sheng Li put on the overcoat and told Xing-Fu that he would have lunch with the Crown Princess. Lei Wanxi stopped Sheng Li, who had ascended the stairs of Zhenzhu Residence. 

"Brother Sheng! Brother Sheng!" Lei Wanxi pronounced his name while running on the stairs. He panted as he reached the top of the stairs. 

"Brother Sheng, please give me some tips on giving surprises to a woman," Lei Wanxi stated. 

"Meet me later. I am busy," Sheng Li told him. 

"Sister Lili told me to ask you. You have given numerous surprises to Sister Lili. She told me that women like surprises," Lei Wanxi requested. 

"You know more than me, Wanxi," Sheng Li replied. 

"I do not want bookish knowledge. I want some real-life examples," Lei Wanxi asserted. 

"Just give her flowers or something," Sheng Li annoyingly replied. He was already stressed because of his father's health, and Wanxi was troubling him by asking such questions. 

Lei Wanxi understood that Sheng Li was not in a good mood. So, he did not disturb him anymore. "Thank you, Brother Sheng," Lei Wanxi humbly replied and turned to leave when Sheng Li stopped him. 

Leaning closer to Lei Wanxi's ear, Sheng Li whispered the surprise plan to him. A broad smile appeared on Lei Wanxi's lips. He hit the shoulder of Sheng Li in a teasing manner. 

"Brother Sheng surely is the most romantic person. Thank you, Brother Sheng. Hopefully, Zhu Lin likes this surprise," Lei Wanxi stated. 

"Do not fight with her," Sheng Li reminded him. 

"We do not fight anymore, Brother Sheng," Lei Wanxi replied. He waved at Sheng Li and hastily descended the stairs. 

"Be careful! You might fall," Sheng Li concernedly said.. However, Lei Wanxi did not pay heed to his warning and soon left the sight of Sheng Li.

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