Han Wenji turned towards the Monks and apologized to them. "Your majesty, we shall go to the shrine and give greetings to the Lord Buddha," the Chief Monk said.
Han Wenji looked at the Empress and told her to come along with him. The three monks climbed the stairs, followed by the Emperor and Empress, Noble Consorts, and the Concubine.
The others also climbed the stairs except for the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess. "You shall go. Forgive me for hurting my foot," Ying Lili told the Crown Prince, who had his arm wrapped around Ying Lili's waist.
"I don't listen to anyone. I make my own rules," Sheng Li asserted as he peered into the eyes of Ying Lili. "I am going to be a bit shameless."
Ying Lili drew her brows together, but before she could understand what the Crown Prince tried to say, he lifted her in his muscular arms. "Now, we can also seek the blessings of Lord Buddha," Sheng Li pronounced, with a tiny smile on his lips.
Wang Hao and Xiao Zhan smiled at seeing them. This act of Sheng Li flustered Ying Lili. Moreover, she did not want people to see them like this. "Hold me tightly," Sheng Li told Ying Lili, whose hands automatically wrapped around Sheng Li's neck. She should have stopped him, but she could not say anything.
"Let's go then," Sheng Li said and started ascending the stairs. Wang Hao and Xiao Zhan followed them up. Lei Wanxi turned to look at Sheng Li with a smile carved on his lips, seeing how the Crown Prince was carrying and taking the Crown Princess to the Shrine.
Other princes too looked at them when they heard the firm footsteps sound. "I can walk. Just support me," Ying Lili said in a low voice.
"Aren't you walking? Whether you walk or I walk, both have equal meanings." Sheng Li gave a brief explanation to Ying Lili.
The Crown Princess's heart fluttered upon hearing those words. She was astonished at herself because this was the first time her heart reacted this way.
"You have gained weight. Keep your body fit if you want to work further with me," Sheng Li asserted.
Ying Lili lightly hit him on the shoulder. "I am not gaining weight. If you cannot carry me, then leave me here," Ying Lili yanked at the Crown Prince.
"Don't you think I can leave at the very instant? But then, you might hurt your back. Because this is an auspicious occasion, I will not do anything," stated Sheng Li.
"If in the future, I get an injury on either of my feet then you can carry me up like this. Will you carry me like this?" Sheng Li asked her as he halted after climbing fifty stairs and then looked into the eyes of Sheng Li.
"Answer me."
"Stop teasing me," Ying Lili replied, and lowered her eyes.
"I am not teasing you. I am having a serious talk. In the future, if I get hurt I expect you to carry me like this," Sheng Li repeated his words.
"Okay, I will," Ying Lili replied.
"So, you are not an ordinary woman. I am imagining how you will carry me," Sheng Li slightly laughed. "I think I imagined us. Wild cat carrying up her husband." Sheng Li smiled and again resumed his walking.
"It seems Heaven has made them for each other," Lei Wanxi said loud enough, specifically wanting Xue Yu-Yan to hear that. "It is understandable that some people are so jealous of them. Why won't they be? The Crown Prince has never given so much attention to any women so it's pretty obvious that women will be jealous of the Crown Princess," Lei Wanxi pronounced and tilted his head to look at Xue Yu-Yan who was glaring at him.
She snickered. "Prince Wanxi, you are directing it towards me? I know the Crown Prince still loves…" Lei Wanxi cut her words in the middle.
"Princess consort, I think you are living in an illusion. I did not take your name. And, one more thing - the Crown Prince never loved you. Just because you showed care for him, it does not mean that he loved you," Lei Wanxi affirmed and passed her a sly smile.
He closed his fan and started walking. Xue Yu-Yan clenched her fists. "I swear to kill you, Wanxi," Xue Yu-Yan said internally to herself.
The Emperor and the Empress had reached the top. They turned to look at the rest when Han Wenji's eyes fell on Sheng Li, who had the Crown Princess in his arms. Han Wenji smiled at seeing all this.
Soon the Crown Prince reached the top with the Crown Princess. He put her down and made her stand. His hand still did not leave her waist.
"The Crown Prince is not in the Palace. Such a way can deflect a wrong idea about your image," Weng Wei softly said, thus bringing the attention of the Crown Prince to her.
"Your majesty, everyone has a firm idea about my image. I do not let them think wrong about me. Why don't we start the ceremony rather than arguing about such petty things?" Sheng Li suggested.
"The Crown Prince is absolutely right. We shall start the ceremony," Han Wenji agreed with Sheng Li and walked in, following the three monks.
"You have to give me a massage on my back in the night," whispered Sheng Li in Ying Lili's ear, who glanced at him. Before she could ask him the reason, she was dragged inside the Shrine.
As they entered the Shrine, they saw a large Buddha idol at the center. The candles were lit in every corner of the Shrine.
The Chief Monk came forward and joined his both hands in front of the idol of Buddha. The other monks also joined him and they seek the blessings of Buddha for everyone. The monks enchanted some mantras with a piece of soft music played on a zither.
Everyone had closed their eyes. When the enchants ended, the Chief Monk lit the first lantern, followed by the Emperor of Han. They showered the blessings over the Emperor of Han and the subjects of the Han Kingdom. The ceremony ended by lighting the incense sticks in front of the idol of Lord Buddha.