Ying Lili looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a white-colored Hanfu dress.
She touched her lips and applied the red lip color on them. "Now, they are looking good," Ying Lili murmured, smiling at herself. She heard the footsteps and turned her eyes towards the entrance. Sheng Li had arrived there, already dressed in the clothes of a commoner.
Ying Lili stood up from the chair and went to him. "I heard you were with the First Brother. Is he alright?" Ying Lili concernedly asked.
"Yes. You told me that I should try to understand the First Brother, so I was doing that." Sheng Li noticed the bright red plump lips of Ying Lili. Did she do that on purpose? He lifted his hand, brought it to her nape, and pulled her towards him for a kiss. Ying Lili was on her toes while her hands were resting on his arms.
Sheng Li moaned as Ying Lili bit his bottom lip. He pulled back and peered at her. "Don't start now, else we won't be able to leave," Sheng Li said with a smirk.
"What did I do? You were the one who started kissing me," Ying Lili yanked at him. Sheng Li gawked at his wife.
"But, you were the one who tempted me to do it. I only wanted to taste them," Sheng Li whispered against her lips. Ying Lili's heart thumped a little as she felt Sheng Li's breath hitting against her lips. "Are they making strawberry lip balms? Why is it every time I kiss you, I crave for more." His thumb rested on her lips and traced them.
"The next time you will do this, I will not stop," he whispered again. His gaze never left hers. Ying Lili hummed at him while Sheng Li put his hand down.
Ying Lili brought her fingers closer to Sheng Li's lips. She wiped them. "Those were red," she pulled her hand back and turned her back towards him.
"Wildcat, you can get shy later. Let's leave for the market first. When we return, we can continue where we left," Sheng Li teased her a little. He went towards the table and picked a white veiled hat. Ying Lili had turned to him, so he put it over her head. Tying the knot under her chin, he continued, "I have arranged a carriage for us.
"A carriage? Everyone will look at us and be suspicious of our identity," Ying Lili raised a doubt.
"No one will raise any doubt," Sheng Li assured her. "Many bureaucrats' sons and daughters usually use carriages," Sheng Li put his hand down and looked at her through the translucent veil. "Don't look into anyone's eyes," Sheng Li huskily said.
"How is it possible?" Ying Lili chuckled. "What if-"
"It is possible, Lili. Your eyes are the most beautiful body part. These eyes made me fall for you. You can hold my hand and look at me all the time," Sheng Li proclaimed. Ying Lili smiled and nodded.
Sheng Li put on a fake mustache and beard. "I do not like to put it on but people will recognize me, if I won't wear it," Sheng Li murmured. He pressed them against his skin. Once he was done, he left with Ying Lili to the market.
At the Fu Imperial Gates, Commander Sun told them he would accompany them, but Sheng Li refused. "I do not want to grab any unwanted attention," Sheng Li pronounced. Commander Sun bowed and opened the door of the cart for them. Sheng Li got in first and forwarded his hand to Ying Lili, who held it firmly. She was pulled up by him. Making her sit on one side, Sheng Li sat beside her. The door was closed, and the carriage started moving.
"You have carried the money, right?" Ying Lili asked.
"Hmm." Sheng Li wrapped his hand around her waist and swiftly placed her on his lap.
Ying Lili was startled by it. Both of her hands were resting on his shoulders. "What are you doing? Let go of me," Ying Lili said.
"The road is bumpy. I do not want you to be uncomfortable," Sheng Li opined. He then moved the veil up and placed it over her hat.
"Liar!" she scoffed and gently hit Sheng Li's shoulder. "The road is not bumpy. I know you are doing this deliberately," Ying Lili affirmed.
"When you know I love holding you like this, then, why don't you sit quietly?" Sheng Li queried her. "No one can see us, so you cannot call me shameless. The market is a little farther, so till we reach there, you can keep looking into my eyes." Sheng Li leaned closer to her face, leaving a minuscule distance between them.
"Sheng Li, w-what are you trying to do?" Ying Lili muttered. Her eyes were flickering as she felt Sheng Li's fingers on her cheek.
She closed her eyes, knowing that he wanted to kiss her. Even she wanted the same. Her thoughts stopped as their lips met. She jolted when Sheng Li licked her lips and again kissed them before pulling back.
Ying Lili was expecting more, and Sheng Li's sudden withdrawal confused her. She opened her eyes to meet his gaze. "I will end up doing more with you if I do not stop," He stated. Ying Lili hummed and laid her head on his shoulder.
"Sheng Li, how are you going to find that enemy? Weng Wei did not even tell you about him. Is there any plan in your mind?" Suddenly Ying Lili asked him.
"I do not know. I will soon come up with a plan," Sheng Li said with assurance.
"Do tell me about your plan when you come up with something," Ying Lili asserted.
"Indeed," Sheng Li answered. A menacing expression appeared on his face. 'Forgive me, Lili, but I will not involve you this time. The enemy is someone whom I cannot take lightly. He knows my weakness. In any case, I do not want to see you getting hurt,' Sheng Li contemplated.