Eunuch Jin talked about the desire of the Emperor to meet the Crown Princess to Eunuch Xing-Fu and Court Lady Xu.

"Eunuch Jin, the Crown Princess is sleeping. Earlier she had severe stomach cramps," Court Lady Xu informed him.

"Court Lady Xu shall wake the Crown Princess up. The Emperor's condition is not good. The Royal Physician had told that His Majesty would survive at most for a day," asserted Eunuch Jin. Xing-Fu and Court Lady Xu got tense to hear that.

Court Lady Xu went inside the chamber and asked Lady Ki if the Crown Princess was awakened, who refused. "What happened, Court Lady Xu?" She asked humbly.

"The Emperor wants to meet the Crown Princess," she replied. Court Lady Ki nodded her head and went near the bed. She lightly shook her and addressed her with the title. Ying Lili knitted her brows as her sleep broke abruptly.

"How are you feeling, Your Highness?" Court Lady Ki asked her. Ying Lili sat up on the bed.

"I am good," she replied in a low voice. The cramps that she got earlier had drained her energy. Court Lady Xu came forward and informed her about the message of the Emperor.

"How is the Emperor? Is there any improvement?" Ying Lili queried her.

Court Lady Xu lowered her head. "The Royal Physician has told that the Emperor is alive for at most a day, Your Highness." Her voice had trembled and tears formed in them.

Ying Lili quickly got off the bed. Court Lady Ki helped her in wearing the shoes and they left for the Emperor's manor. Ying Lili stepped out of the litter and ascended the stairs of the Emperor's quarters. She soon reached the chamber and saw how tense the atmosphere had turned.

She found the wives of the Emperor were in tears since those were their last moments with the Emperor. "The Crown Princess is here," Deng Hui informed Han Wenji, who tilted his head to peer at Ying Lili. She halted near the bed and bowed before him.

"My best wishes are with the Crown Princess. She will soon give the Royal Heirs to the Han...not one but two. I am so glad," Han Wenji said with a smile.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Ying Lili said and lifted her head to gaze back at him. "How is the Emperor feeling?" She asked him.

"I am feeling good. The Crown Princess indeed fulfilled her promise to me," Han Wenji stated and started to laugh. But soon he started to cough. Deng Hui quickly brought the handkerchief near his mouth and wiped the blood coming out.

The Palace maid came forward and took the stained handkerchief from the Empress. She put it inside the wooden bamboo basket and took it away.

"Crown Princess, today my all sons are together thanks to you. You did not only change the heart of Sheng Li but also the other Princes. You lost so many people dear to you in this family fight but you never once left your good side. I am glad that such a woman is my daughter-in-law. My grandchildren will surely be like her mother," Han Wenji said with a faint smile on his lips.

"Eunuch Jin, bring the box that I have prepared for the Crown Princess," Han Wenji asked him. He quickly went towards the chamber next to the main one and brought a big wooden box in his hand.

"Crown Princess, these are some belongings from the childhood of Sheng Li. His clothes, the toys he used to play with, and a few other things. Keep it and use them for my grandchildren," Han Wenji said with a smile. Ying Lili thanked him. Xing-Fu came forward and took the heavy wooden box from Eunuch Jin.

"Crown Princess, you shall sit down," the Second Consort suggested to her. She nodded her head and sat on the chaise.

"Where are the Princes? What about the other Princesses?" Ying Lili asked.

"The Princes are cooking for their father," Han Wenji replied. It astonished Ying Lili. Before she could ask, the Princes entered the chamber.

"Father, we have prepared the porridge," Lei Wanxi said with a smile. Sheng Li looked at Ying Lili and passed a smile to her. Han Wenji sat up on the bed with the help of Deng Hui. Eunuch Jin quickly put the bed table on the bed. Jian Guozhi placed the tray over it and told his father to start eating.

"Did you all make it together?" Han Wenji asked them.

"Yes, Father," Nianzu answered. Han Wenji picked the spoon and dipped it in the porridge bowl. He took a spoonful of it and ate it. A smile formed on his lips.

"It is the tastiest meal I have ever had," asserted Han Wenji and continued to eat. Sheng Li came towards Ying Lili and stood by her side. His gaze was fixated on his father. After some time, Han Wenji finished the porridge and put the bowl on the tray. The Palace maid came forward and took away the tray while Eunuch Jin took away the bed table.

"The porridge was great. It filled my heart with the love of my sons. Just like you all cooked for me today, I want you all to be standing beside each other all the time. Protect each other and have a healthy brotherhood among each other. That's what your father wants," Han Wenji asserted. He looked at Sheng Li and told him to come near to him. He quickly went to his father and told him to order him.

"Be the next Emperor and lead the Han Empire," Han Wenji pronounced.

Sheng Li smiled a little. "Father, why would I become the Emperor when you are still alive? Father shall not say such a--"

Han Wenji cut his words in the middle and said, "Your father needs rest. He has been ruling the Empire for over 30 years. Now, it is the time he should retire and rest peacefully," Han Wenji stated.

"I-I do not think that I am capable enough to--"

"Brother Sheng must usurp the throne. He shall not run away from his duty and his destiny. Father needs rest at the moment. The Empire needs you, Brother Sheng," Jian Guozhi took the stand with his father. Sheng Li was stunned to hear that. He had never thought, not even in his dream, that Jian Guozhi would want him to be the next Emperor.

~~~~

Hello Dear Readers, 

Please add my new story- 'A Touch of the Heaven' to your libraries. It is about a Courtesan who is rescued by the General. 

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