" "Your highness, you should have called me instead of troubling yourself by coming here," Wang Hao stated.
"General Wang, it is not a problem. I need you to do something for me," asserted Ying Lili.
Wang Hao with inquisitiveness looked at the Crown Princess. "Bring Hu Jingguo here. Do not let him get harmed," proclaimed Ying Lili.
"Your highness, but why do I need to bring him here? Does the Crown Prince know about this?" General Wang queried.
"General Wang, I cannot tell you about that now. No, I have not told him about this. General Wang, keep in mind that this conversation shall not go out. It is between you and me. I have written this letter, which you will hand to Hu Jingguo," Ying Lili proclaimed. "You shall leave tomorrow morning. Tell the Crown Prince that you are going for the work of the Empire to the Northern Province," Ying Lili told General Wang, who took the folded paper from the hands of Ying Lili.
"I will leave tomorrow, your highness. I promise you that I will bring Hu Jingguo safely to the Palace," stated Wang Hao. Ying Lili nodded and thanked him. As she left the barracks, she went straight to the residence of the Royal Physician which was in the Eastern Palace.
In the residence of the Royal Physician, Ying Lili was warmly welcomed by him. The Royal Physician told the assistant to bring tea for the Crown Princess. "Thank you, Royal Physician, but I do not want to drink tea. Can I have a word with you in private?" Ying Lili asked.
"Her highness does not need to ask for permission," the Royal Physician said and motioned his hand towards the chair . Ying Lili sat on the chair first, followed by the Royal Physician.
"Does the Royal Physician know about the Emperor's illness?" Ying Lili asked.
The Royal Physician was a little bewildered to hear that. This thing was not supposed to come out then how did the Crown Princess find out about this?
"His majesty has told me. I know this matter should not come out. I just want to know the survival rate of his majesty," Ying Lili asserted.
"Your highness, there is no chance that his majesty can survive this disease. I sent my disciple to Kun Lun Shan to bring the medicinal herbs that is why his majesty is still alive, but not for long. A month is a maximum time for which his majesty can survive," proclaimed the Royal Physician.
Ying Lili's heart ached a little upon hearing all those words. Her eyes filled with tears. She was a little scared because if the Empress found out about his majesty's illness, she would be the first to rebel and do anything to take the entire power.
"If anyone asks about my visit here, then tell them that I asked for the medicine for Princess Consort Xue Yu-Yan," Ying Lili asserted.
"Yes, your highness. I will give you the medicine that the Princess Consort can use," the Royal Physician stood up from the chair and went near a shelf. He brought a china dish in which herbal paste was already put. "This medicine Princess Consort Xue can apply." Ying Lili took the China dish from the Royal Physician and thanked him for the corporation.
Ying Lili was in big trouble because she had to save his majesty by curing his disease. She had called Hu Jingguo to the Capital, but she was a little worried if he could find the cure for the Emperor's illness. But before that, she had a bigger responsibility of bringing the family together so that there would not be any bloodshed for the throne.
Han Wenji being the Emperor kept the family intact all these years and did not let the instability grow. People would say that he was weak, but he was not! He did not let the outer enemies who could affect the Han lineage in any way grow. Even if there was internal turmoil and indifference, the Emperor did not let it overpower and most importantly, did not let the Empress grow stronger though he could not bring her true face out.
Ying Lili reached outside the chamber of Xue Yu-Yan where the maidservants bowed in front of her. "Tell the Princess Consort that I want to meet her," Ying Lili commanded. In a few minutes, she went inside and saw Xue was resting on the bed.
Seeing the Crown Princess, Xue Yu-Yan tried sitting up but Ying Lili told her to lay down. "Sister Xue, this is the medicine I brought for you from the Royal Physician. The Emperor had called me earlier and told me that I shall bring the medicine for you," Ying Lili said, showing the China dish to Xue Yu-Yan.
Xue Yu-Yan turned teary-eyed. "No one came to see me after that day. I am guilty of plotting against the Crown Princess. For my greed, I married the First Prince, but he also turned his face away from me. I have never thought that my life would turn like this- in loneliness," Xue Yu-Yan broke down into tears. "Forgive me, your highness," Xue Yu-Yan again apologized to Ying Lili.
"Sister Xue, I will give you back your lost dignity. Every human deserves a second chance. I have no enmity towards you. Sister Xue, I will give you a second chance. This time you need to prove to me that you are indeed turning good," stated Ying Lili.
She sat on the bed and helped her in sitting up. "Past was passed. I know you married the First Prince because the Empress assured you that you will be given the Crown. I met your father before his death. Do you want to know what your late father told me?" Ying Lili questioned.
Xue Yu-Yan's eyes glistened, and she nodded.
"He told me to save you from the Empress. I know you will not believe me, that's why I told him to write down the final letter for his daughter. It is in my chamber. I will give you the letter tomorrow morning," Ying Lili told Xue Yu-Yan.
"Why did her highness not tell me earlier about this?" Xue Yu-Yan asked while sobbing.
"Because I was waiting for the right time to converse with you. Sister Xue, your father chose the path of greed and his fate turned like this. His last message was something like this only. He does not want his daughter to choose the path which he chose. This is all written in the letter," Ying Lili proclaimed.
Xue Yu-Yan lowered her eyes. "I also want to go on the right path but the people around me look down at me."
"No one can look down at you. You shall take rest and apply this medicine," Ying Lili stated as she stood up from the bed.
Ying Lili turned to go away when she heard Xue Yu-Yan, "You are indeed a kind woman, Sister Lili. Thank you for today. I feel good."
Ying Lili turned to her and passed her a smile. "I am kind to those whom I find affectionate and whose heart is warm. You are one of them Sister Xue," Ying Lili affirmed. She then left the chamber of Xue Yu-Yan.
While walking, Ying Lili thought internally, "I will cripple the Empress. When you are alone, you are at your weakest point. That's when a person can be defeated.