"Lili, when you love someone dearly, you end up fearing," Sheng Li affirmed.
Ying Lili frowned. The hand that rested on Sheng Li's cheek had stopped caressing it. "Then what do you want me to do? Just watch you doing everything alone? Let you get injured! Do my wife's duties! Just stay inside those walls! Praying for my husband's safety when he goes alone on missions? Tell me!" Ying Lili shouted at him. Sheng Li had never seen her this angry, but why was she angry?
"Lili," he held her hands when she pulled them away. "Sheng Li, if you keep fearing just because of me, then you are a coward. I do not love the coward Sheng Li. Do you know why I took that stab?" Ying Lili's eyes had turned watery.
"Because I know you would save me, and also I promised you that I will not let you get harmed. I will be your shield just as you became mine from the first day. Even I lost people close to me and got the taste of my betrayal. But your love for me never let me turn weak. Instead, it made me stronger. If you act like this, then do you not think that you are already defeated by your enemy?" Ying Lili had calmed down. She waited for Sheng Li to respond.
Sheng Li rested his forehead on Ying Lili's shoulder and sighed. His hands held Ying Lili's as he spoke, "You are indeed a brave woman. A man becomes stronger because of his woman. I am learning to be one. Forgive me for making you angry."
Silence surrounded them, and the two stayed like that. Ying Lili gave time to contemplate. By now, she was sure that after meeting Weng Wei, he refrained from talking to her about the enemy. Was he planning to go alone behind the enemy? She finally broke the ice and asked him, "What did Weng Wei tell you?" She further said, "I did not enquire about you earlier as it was a matter between you two. But, now you need to tell me. Talk to me when you build your trust in me and my love." Ying Lili's statements befuddled Sheng Li. He lifted his head and gaped at her.
"What do you mean?" He knitted his brows. His hands continued caressing Ying Lili's hands, who did not reply.
"I trust you more than me. We only had some conversations about the past. Why did Weng Wei hate me, and did she regret doing all of those things? But she did not tell me about the Mastermind. I tried hard," Sheng Li proclaimed.
Ying Lili chuckled because she knew that Sheng Li was lying to her. She knew that he wanted her to stay away from that matter.
"You do not trust me, Sheng Li. It is the fourth time you are lying to me for the same thing. You can make a fool of the entire world, but you cannot make a fool of me. Let's end our conversation here. Come to me when you will be strong enough to convey the truth to me," Ying Lili pronounced and pulled her hands back from his grip.
She turned to go when Sheng Li hugged her from behind, not letting her go. "Don't go. You have seen through my lies, so I will not lie anymore. The enemy has created an army in the remote village of the Northern Province," Sheng Li finally told the truth to Ying Lili, who was shocked to learn about that.
Ying Lili turned to him. "Who is he?" She questioned.
"He is Tan Gengxin, who is the son of a former minister in the Court of my grandfather. He fought many wars with my father until one day father got the news of his demise. I talked with my father regarding this, and it was unbelievable to him that his friend supported Weng Wei. Father said that Tan Gengxin never once showed that he wanted to rule the Han Empire."
"Why did you not tell me about such important news? You are leaving for the Northern Province because-"
Sheng Li cut her words in the middle and continued, "Because I want to kill him before he will approach us. Weng Wei said that her son betrayed her by saving you and giving evidence against her, so his next target is you. That's why I am keeping you away from this." Ying Lili understood the reason why Sheng Li lied to her. Because she would have insisted on taking her with him.
"But I think I did wrong by lying to you. Now, my heart is at rest as I shared it with you," Sheng Li passed a tiny smile to Ying Lili.
"You did the right thing by telling me. But I am still angry. I will show you my anger later," Ying Lili asserted. "How could you plan to go alone there? I know you have many battles, but every battle needs a plan. Furthermore, don't fully trust the words of Weng Wei. I almost trusted her once and also got the taste of trusting wrong," Ying Lili advised Sheng Li.
"I have sent my spy there. As soon as it gets confirmed, I will go there with Wang Hao," Sheng Li informed her.
"Hmm." She hummed at her response. She kept gazing into his eyes when she heard him, "I shouldn't have lied to you. Forgive me." He brought her hands towards his lips and kissed her knuckles.
Ying Lili could understand that. Sheng Li lied to her to protect her, however, she was not ready to send him alone to the Northern Province. "What if I come with you?"
"I wish I could take you there. But I am afraid I will not be able to do that. As I told you earlier, someone is needed in the Capital, and there is no one better than you. I promise I will return before your birthday," Sheng Li stated with a firm tone. Ying Lili nodded, acknowledging his decision.