"Your highness, I-I don't know w-what..." He could not complete his words as Sheng Li gripped his neck tightly and pulled him closer. "Crown Prince, calm down," Han Wenji stated.
"Father, I am calm. It is just this person who created so much trouble for us and now instead of admitting his crimes, lies to us!" Sheng Li proclaimed. Jian Guozhi stood up from his seat and went to Sheng Li.
"Let him go, Crown Prince. At this rate, he will die," Jian Guozhi affirmed. Sheng Li loosened his grip from Yang Fei Ke's neck and pushed him.
"Just speak the truth else the entire Ju family has to take the punishment," Sheng Li sternly said. Jang Fei Ke got onto his knees and asked for forgiveness. He was pleading with the Emperor. Sheng Li and Jian Guozhi turned towards the Emperor.
"Why did you do this?" Han Wenji demanded the answers from Yang Fei Ke who did not open his mouth.
"Father, I think he shall be sent to prison. General Wang will do the rest of the work," Jian Guozhi suggested.
"The First Prince is saying right. After getting punishment in prison, this person would open his mouth on his own," Sheng Li pronounced.
"Your majesty, please do not do this. I did this because I was suspended from the position of Governorship of Southern Province. I wanted to become the Governor again by portraying it as my act of bravery. Forgive me, your majesty," Yang Fei Ke lowered his head such that his forehead touched the ground.
"Your majesty, I accepted my crime. I was going to control everything," Yang Fei Ke cried and begged in front of the Emperor to spare him.
Han Wenji asked the Prime Minister and Nianzu regarding the punishment who thought to give him life imprisonment, but Ying Lili opposed that.
"Life Imprisonment is not sufficient for Yang Fei Ke," Ying Lili pronounced.
"Crown Princess, he has accepted the Crimes, and the situation is controlled there," the Prime Minister asserted. "If we keep giving the death sentence, then people might see the Emperor as a tyrant," he opined.
"What about the people who lost their lives because of the greed of Yang Fei Ke? A mother lost her son, a father lost his daughter, a wife lost her husband, a husband lost his wife, a sister lost her brother and a brother lost his sister. These are the limited cases that the Crown Prince and I could report in the Southern Province.
We met an old mother whose son lost his life. We saw how Sun Lǎohǔ men were treating men, women, and children there. The people from Southern Province want justice from the Emperor," Ying Lili affirmed and stood up from her seat.
"Your majesty, Sun Lǎohǔ was acting as the tyrant of the Southern Province and Yang Fei Ke did not even step forward to stop him. Why? Was it just because he wanted governorship or there is something hidden behind it?" Ying Lili raised a doubt, which made everyone think about that.
"I urge his majesty to send him to prison. Ex-Prime Minister was also doing illegal activities under the nose of the Emperor, Crown Prince, Governor of Luoyang, and the other ministers. When he can do such a thing, then I am sure that this person can also do the same. What if the Ju Family is associated with this?" Ying Lili questioned.
"Ju Family has nothing to do with this. Moreover, there is no evidence that there is involvement of the Ju Family. Your majesty, the Crown Princess is manipulating you. You know me personally. Don't believe this woman!" Yang Fei Ke requested as he lifted his head when his hair was pulled by Sheng Li.
"Do you want me to take your tongue out? Do you even know who you are raising your voice to? How dare you talk this way to the Crown Princess?" Sheng Li gritted his teeth. Yang Fei Ke cried out as the pull on his hair increased. He let go of his hair and supported the Crown Princess.
"Your majesty, I also support the decision of the Crown Princess," Jian Guozhi asserted. Sheng Li and Ying Lili glanced at him before looking back at the Emperor.
Han Wenji agreed to that and ordered the soldiers to throw Yang Fei Ke in the prison. Nianzu was impressed by Ying Lili's unbiased view. Jian Guozhi was also impressed by Ying Lili's bold personality. Yang Fei Ke was taken away from there. Ying Lili looked at Sheng Li and passed him a smile.
The Emperor dismissed them and left the Chamber with the Prime Minister, while Nianzu left with Jian Guozhi.
Ying Lili walked towards Sheng Li and said, "I told you that I will punish every single person who tortured you and our late mother. It is just the beginning. Soon Consort Ju Fen will be punished for her crimes. She hit you on your back when you did nothing wrong. I will break her hands and back for you."
"You surprise me every single day. You are turning cruel for me and I like it," Sheng Li asserted as he stepped closer to Ying Lili.
"What happened to you? Earlier you were looking worried?" Sheng Li then asked as he grasped Ying Lili's left hand.
"Nothing," Ying Lili replied.
"Lying to me? I will punish you if you lie to me again. Tell me what is bothering you?" Sheng Li queried again.
"You always notice wrong things," Ying Lili mumbled and pushed him away. She stepped forward when Sheng Li pulled her back such that her back touched against his chest.
"Leave," Ying Lili said in a low voice. "Someone will see us," she added.
"No one enters here without the permission of the Emperor," Sheng Li replied and spun her around. Ying Lili's both hands rested on Sheng Li's arms while his arms were securely wrapped around her waist.
"You start anywhere without any shame," Ying Lili remarked and hit him lightly on his arm.
"Did I do something shameful? I do not think so," Sheng Li replied and pulled her closer to him. "Tell me what is bothering you?" Sheng Li asked.
"First leave me," Ying Lili said.
"I will not leave you until you tell me. You know that I am stubborn," Sheng Li proclaimed.
"And I am more stubborn than you," Ying Lili replied.
"Then, let's stay like this," Sheng Li brought his lips closer to Ying Lili's cheek and kissed it. "Speak," he whispered near her ear.