Jian Guozhi did not defend Xue Yu-Yan because he also wanted to get her punished. Xue Yu-Yan apologized to the Crown Prince, but he ignored her and walked ahead. "Let's go," Sheng Li told Ying Lili, and they walked in.
Inside the hall, Han Wenji could be seen with Weng Wei and others. Sheng Li and Ying Lili greeted them.
"Is your foot fine, Crown Princess?" Weng Wei asked.
"My foot is fine now. Thank you for asking, your majesty," Ying Lili expressed her gratitude. Weng Wei smiled and gave a nod. Jian Guozhi, Zhilao Mi, and Xue Yu-Yan entered there; greeted the elders there.
Sheng Li looked at Weng Wei and said, "Dear mother, I am disappointed that you are discriminating against my wife." Weng Wei got confused upon hearing such a statement.
"What does the Crown Prince mean?" Weng Wei asked.
"Mother, how could you forget what happened yesterday during our visit to the Shrine? Princess Consort Xue insulted my wife, but you did not take any action… I mean the inner court action. Last time too she tried accusing the Crown Princess when she was preparing an overcoat for me. That time you let her go easily. But today Princess Consort Xue crossed her limits. She again was disrespectful towards the Crown Princess. I want to give the harshest possible to the Princess Consort so that she will respect my wife," pronounced Sheng Li. The other princes had also arrived and heard everything that Sheng Li told the Empress.
Getting no response from the Empress, Sheng Li further said, "Your majesty, I think you are lenient towards Princess Consort Xue because she is from the same family as yours. If it is difficult for you, then the mother can permit me. I will implement your teachings in a good way, mother."
Weng Yu got scared how Sheng Li was asking for the punishment for Xue Yu-Yan so he hid behind Lei Wanxi.
"Son, do not be angry in the morning. The Empress will punish the Princess Consort," Han Wenji pronounced. Weng Wei agreed with the Emperor and told Sheng Li not to ruin his mood in the morning.
"Then, would the Empress like to announce what kind of punishment she will give to the Princess Consort? I remember when I was five years old, I touched my first brother's dress which was tailored by a special royal designer of those times. Then mother gave me the harshest punishment of staying without food for a day. To this date, I do not touch other people's belongings without their permission thanks to the mother's punishment, which imparted good values to me," Sheng Li proclaimed, keeping a smile on his lips.
Ying Lili glanced at Sheng Li who felt a little melancholy. Han Wenji looked at Weng Wei. "You punished Sheng Li by not giving him food for a day?" Han Wenji asked Weng Wei who was out of words now. Jian Guozhi snickered to see how Sheng Li was taking out the past things.
"Your majesty, Sheng Li was a kid back then. I think he remembered little of that time. It was only to teach him good values, but I only threatened little Sheng Li that time. Had I not punished him then he would have not learned those values," Empress Wei changed the words of Sheng Li.
Sheng Li agreed with Weng Wei. "But mother, I do not forget things easily. I have a sharp memory thanks to you. So, I want you to punish Princess Consort Xue in the harshest possible way. If you cannot do that, then I can take charge," Sheng Li asserted.
"I will do it. It is indeed ungracious that Princess Consort Xue insulted the Crown Princess," Empress Wei announced.
"What about washing the clothes?" Sheng Li suggested the punishment. Empress Wei agreed on that punishment. "Princess Consort Xue will wash the clothes for a day. The punishment is given to her so that she can reflect on her mistakes and will not repeat them in the future," asserted Weng Wei.
"Mother is indeed impartial to everyone. I shall take my leave as I have to visit the Prime Minister… Apologies, he is not the Prime Minister anymore but a traitor who was doing corruption," Sheng Li said menacingly. He gestured to Ying Lili to follow him, and the two left from there.
Weng Wei was clutching the cushion tightly on her left as Sheng Li left.
"Why are you so angry in the morning?" Ying Lili asked Sheng Li.
"Don't tell me you want me to forgive her," Sheng Li stated.
"Thank you for protecting me there," Ying Lili said.
"My elder half sister has returned. She has invited us for breakfast with her." Ying Lili saw how happy Sheng Li was just talking about his sister. "Lili, sister Jing and I met after such a long time. What do you think I should give her? I want to give something special to her. Since you are a woman, you know about the choices of a woman," Sheng Li asserted with a smile.
"Uhh… I do not know. This is my first time meeting her, so how would I know what sister Jing likes?" Ying Lili pronounced.
"Hmm… you are right. I will think about that. I might be late for lunch so do not wait for me today," Sheng Li told Ying Lili.
"Why? Are you going outside?" Ying Lili asked.
"No. The meeting is there for the next Prime Minister so it will take time," Sheng Li replied.
"Can I take part in the meeting?" Ying Lili expressed her desire. Sheng Li astonishingly looked at the Crown Princess.
"I cannot expect something less from you. Do you have something in mind for the selection of the Prime Minister?" Sheng Li searched for an answer.
Nodding her head Ying Lili said, "I think someone efficient from the Civil Service Department who has given the best results to the Empire would be suitable for the Prime Ministerial Post. Let's not involve families but also give the chance to the efficient civil servants." Sheng Li agreed with Ying Lili's points.
"Even I was thinking so. I did not know you are good in politics as well," Sheng Li stated.
Ying Lili huffed, "I am good at many things. It is just that you think that I am useless and naïve." Sheng Li halted at his place and so did Ying Lili.
"What? Did I say something wrong?" Ying Lili wondered.
~~~~~
Hello Dear Readers!
So, this week we reached 1K votes on this story. Yayyy. I am so happy. This is the first time I got so many votes. So, as per my promise, I will give a mass release of 5 chapters after Sunday. Stay tuned to the story and keep voting😊.
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