"It must be tough to live among the commoners," Jian Guozhi said as he picked the teacup from the table. He brought it near his mouth when he heard Nianzu.

"Living among the commoners was fun. I get to see their lives. However, living as the commoner among the noble class is tough. You never know what a nobleman will do to you. There will be no one to hear you, to stand for you," asserted Nianzu.

"What about the justice system? The civil servants are appointed because of that reason only," Jian Guozhi asked him.

"It is only on papers, Brother Jian. A nobleman will win no matter what. I have experienced this myself. When my wife was harassed by the Village Headman of the noble class, no one came to the front. I felt helpless. Even the Royal Inspector listened to the Village Headman. For a commoner it is always a losing game," affirmed Nianzu and sipped the tea.

Jian Guozhi drank the tea and put the teacup down.

"So, we need to work on that. However, that's going to be difficult. Power makes you have authority over the people. The noble class people hate the fact that their powers are being limited," Jian Guozhi stated. Nianzu agreed with him.

"Brother Nianzu, when you left the Palace things didn't appear good. You are an important part of this Royal family," Jian Guozhi pronounced.

"I missed everyone," Nianzu said and finished his tea. "Prince Yongzheng's loss could not be forgotten. But new happiness has entered the Royal Family. The Crown Princess will be blessed with a child soon," Nianzu said and smiled.

"As the First uncle of the upcoming child, I will give him or her everything which I failed to give to Sheng Li. I want to strengthen my relationship with Brother Sheng," Jian Guozhi expressed his desire. "After the betrayal of Yongzheng, Brother Sheng has also stopped trusting me. He thinks that I might betray him in the future," he sighed.

"Give time to Brother Sheng. Also, Sister Lili is there for him to make him understand. Brother Sheng might have said that in anger," Nianzu replied and picked the teapot. He poured the tea in the cup of the First Prince and then his.

"What about the Ministers? Also, two more will be appointed in the court along with me. Have they been called?" Nianzu queried.

"They will be here by tomorrow morning," he replied. "Now, most of the Ministers are good and loyal subjects of His Majesty," asserted Jian Guozhi.

He sipped the tea and said, "Brother Nianzu, I observed Father's health. Lately, he does not appear good. I think his illness is back. Hu Jingguo had tried to treat him and he recovered too but it's back again." Nianzu glanced at him and realized that Jian Guozhi already knew.

"Hmm. Father's health is not good. There is no surety when Father's health deteriorates further." Nianzu's expressions turned gloomy.

"The Crown Prince needs to prepare himself to usurp the throne," Jian Guozhi stated. Nianzu found that even the First Prince wanted Sheng Li to be the next Emperor. He was delighted to hear that. Finally, the First Prince had no ill intentions left in his heart. He was happy with his current position and work.

"Let's hope everything goes well, First Brother," Nianzu said. His lips formed into a thin line and moved up as a tiny smile appeared on them. Jian Guozhi nodded his head.

~~~~~

"Why did you hide behind the pillar?" Zhu Lin asked Lei Wanxi, who came to the front.

"How did you see me? I made no mistake," He said and walked towards her.

Zhu Lin turned to look at him and answered, "I saw your reflection in the mirror." She found Lei Wanxi's hands behind his back, so she asked him, "what are you hiding?"

Lei Wanxi brought his hands forward. "Nothing."

"Oh! I thought you were giving me a surprise again," Zhu Lin said and stood up from the chair.

"I will not give you surprises all the time. You should also give me a surprise," Lei Wanxi said and folded his arms across each other. Zhu Lin walked to him and halted in front of him.

"What does Prince Wanxi like? I will give him," Zhu Lin stated.

"You love me, so you should know about my choices. If I tell you then it will be like that I am asking you to buy a present for me," Lei Wanxi opined. Zhu Lin smiled a little and went towards the table near the dressing table.

She took out a white-colored fan. It had a peach blossom tree painted on it, with black color. She turned and showed him the fan. "It got delivered today from the Eastern Province. I hope the Prince will like it," Zhu Lin said and forwarded her both hands on which the folding fan was placed.

Lei Wanxi went to her and picked the fan. He opened it. "Swash!" It made a sound, and it delighted Lei Wanxi.

"It is beautiful," He said as he fanned himself. "Woah! I have heard that Eastern Province's fans have a specialty in them. Thank you, Zhu Lin. I, indeed, liked this surprise," He said and pinched her cheek.

"Ahh," Zhu Lin covered her cheek from her palm.

"Prince Wanxi has a strange way to thank someone," Zhu Lin complained and stroked her cheek.

"I do this only with you. Why are you whining?" Lei Wanxi asked while he kept fanning himself.

"There are other gentle ways to say thank you. Forget it! I understand that Prince Wanxi only knows to play like a kid with everyone around him," Zhu Lin muttered and scoffed.

Lei Wanxi closed the fan and put it inside his sash. He stepped towards Zhu Lin and leaned down towards her face. "Did you ever see me pinching the cheek of a woman?" He asked her.

Zhu Lin shook her head.

"I pinch your cheeks only as I love you. It is my way to show my love to you," Lei Wanxi said and leaned back.

"Prince Wanxi pinched me so hard. It appeared to me that he is having fun," Zhu Lin said. She was shocked when Lei Wanxi pressed his lips on hers. She looked into his eyes and blinked them. Lei Wanxi gradually moved his hand on her waist and gently drew her closer, keeping in mind, she would not feel pain in her abdomen.

Moving his lips against her, he placed his palm on her right cheek and angled her face, so that he could kiss her better. They closed their eyes to feel the ecstasy of their kiss. After a few seconds, Lei Wanxi withdrew from the kiss and ran the back of his index finger on her side face. "I hope it has satisfied you and made you happy," he whispered.

"Hmm." Zhu Lin looked into his eyes.

"It was our second kiss. It was nice," Lei Wanxi said while smiling.

"When will we get married?" Zhu Lin asked.

"You are so excited to marry me," Lei Wanxi remarked.

"Of course! Are you not?" She questioned him back.

"I am," he answered. "The Royal Astrologer could not come today, so the day has not been decided. Don't worry.. We both will marry soon," Lei Wanxi asserted.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.