Xing-Fu bowed as he saw the Crown Prince coming there. "Send the message to the Crown Princess to meet me hereafter she will be free," Sheng Li ordered Xing-Fu.
"Yes, your highness. There is a message sent by Court Lady Xu," asserted Xing-Fu. Sheng Li glanced at him. Xing-Fu understood that the Crown Prince had permitted him to speak.
"Your highness, your consummation with her highness, is delayed because of the Royal selection of Princesses for the Second and Third Prince and also because of the marriage of Princess Qi Jing. The order has come from the Empress's manor. The next date of consummation will be decided after the family events are over," Xing-Fu passed the message to Sheng Li.
"Does her orders ever affect me? Just tell the Crown Princess to come here, after she will be free," Sheng Li sternly said and walked inside his resting chambers.
He removed the overcoat and threw it on the floor. Putting the scroll on the table, he went to the bed and laid down, his right leg resting above the left leg. A maidservant came inside the chamber and asked the Crown Prince if he would like to take water.
"Hmm. Hand me a glass of water," Sheng Li ordered and sat up on the bed. The maidservant placed the overcoat and placed it over the chaise. Quickly she poured the water in the silver glass and handed the Crown Prince the glass of water.
Sheng Li was drinking the water when he heard the maidservant. "Your highness, earlier a Princess had come here." Sheng Li stopped drinking and looked at her.
"Where was Eunuch Xing-Fu?" Sheng Li questioned.
"Eunuch Xing-Fu had gone to the kitchen," the maidservant replied.
"What was she doing here? How come you let her enter here?! Where are the guards? Call them here," Sheng Li commanded.
"Your highness, the Princess had lost her way and ended up coming here. I thought to inform his highness as he told us earlier to report if any outsider comes to the manor," the maidservant replied.
"You may leave," Sheng Li stated and drank the remaining water from the glass before putting it on the table. "That woman seems suspicious to me," murmured Sheng Li. He called in the maidservant and told her to bring Lei Wanxi to his chamber.
Sometime later, Lei Wanxi came to the Crown Prince's chamber. "Brother Sheng, why did you call me?" Lei Wanxi asked and sat on the chaise there.
"I want you to do something for me," Sheng Li stated. Lei Wanxi was inquisitive to know about that. "The Princess of Xi Province was roaming near my manor and had even come here," Sheng Li asserted.
Lei Wanxi was befuddled. "What was she doing in the Eastern Palace and specifically in this region?" Lei Wanxi queried.
"That you need to find out. This Princess selection process is in itself suspicious. Weng Wei will choose only those Princesses who will benefit her in strengthening her position," Sheng Li proclaimed.
"Brother is absolutely right. I will keep an eye on her," Lei Wanxi assured Sheng Li. "Brother Sheng, my spy from North Western Province, has returned. Governor Yuan is loyal to you," asserted Lei Wanxi.
Sheng Li nodded. "Just keep an eye on Xi Jiao. Tomorrow, Lili and I will go to the temple in the disguise of cleaners. You need to follow the Empress during the morning hours. We two will complete our work soon, but in case, we are unable to do that, just keep the Empress busy," proclaimed Sheng Li.
"Do not worry, Brother Sheng. There might be some secret route inside the temple. One more thing I would like to tell you. Weng Wei does not let me follow her when she offers the prayer. Though I do not think that she prays there," Lei Wanxi informed him.
Sheng Li knitted his brows together. "She is cleverer than Zhang Yong. I need to end her reign before she will create further problems for people close to me," Sheng Li affirmed.
~~~~~
Ying Lili was watching how the Princesses were judged based on their cooking skills, household works, needlework, etc. For one second, she was thankful that no such thing happened to her. She felt blessed because Sheng Li, unlike other men, did not look for such things in her; instead, he looked for those things which she liked.
Twenty Princesses were already out in the selection process and only ten more Princesses were left for the final selection.
"Crown Princess, suggest a way to select the suitable Princesses for the Second and the Third Princes," Empress Wei asked.
Ying Lili nodded her head in agreement. "Your majesty, I think a Princess shall be well versed in music and philosophy. So, we can select the two Princesses based on that as well for the final selection," Ying Lili suggested.
Weng Wei hummed. "Then the next round for the selection will be based on the knowledge of music. Prince Nianzu and the Crown Princess have good knowledge of this field. So, for the next round, you two need to be present," Weng Wei proclaimed. She shifted her gaze to Virtuous Lady Deng Hui.
"Sister Hui, will you tell Prince Nianzu to be present in tomorrow's selection round?" Weng Wei requested.
"I will, your majesty," Deng Hui replied, lowering her eyes.
"Just call me Sister Wei. You do not need to use the title with me," stated Weng Wei, keeping the tiny smile on her lips.
"Sister Wei, from the ten Princesses we will select five and then, one more round will be organized. Then among five Princesses two will be selected based on the knowledge of philosophy but I do not think that the Princesses will be aware of that," Consort Ju Fen raised a doubt.
"One does not need to study philosophy, according to me. You learn it from childhood," Ying Lili stated. "Consort Ju, do not worry. The task will be easy," asserted Ying Lili.
"You all shall leave," Empress Wei proclaimed. They all stood up, bowed before her, and left from there.
"Your highness, the Crown Prince has told you to come to his resting chamber. Let's go there," Court Lady Xu politely said.
"Before that, I need to meet the Emperor. I have something important to discuss with him. Is his majesty in the garden or his private chamber?" Ying Lili asked.
"His majesty is in the garden pavilion, your highness," Court Lady Xu replied. Ying Lili nodded and told Court Lady Xu not to tell about her visit to the Crown Prince, who agreed.