Nianzu, seeing the teary eyes of Lei Wanxi, calmed down. He pinched the skin between his brows and felt guilty for raising his voice on his younger brother. Lei Wanxi was going to leave when Nianzu stopped him and went to him.
"Forgive me." Nianzu hugged him tightly and patted back. "I should not have lost my temper," Nianzu immediately apologized for his wrong behavior. He pulled back and looked at Lei Wanxi.
"I am not angry at you, Brother. I should have been a little careful of my words," Lei Wanxi accepted his mistakes. The other Princes found out that the understanding between Nianzu and Lei Wanxi despite being half-brothers was impressive.
"Brother Nianzu, since Lei Wanxi has already told us a few things, why don't we discuss this? Every problem has a solution. I agree with Lei Wanxi. You shall not bury your feelings deep inside your heart," Jian Guozhi suggested.
"Maybe some other time. I am taking my leave," Nianzu stated and left the Pavilion. Lei Wanxi was disheartened as he ruined Nianzu's mood.
"It's fine. By tomorrow, he will be fine," Jian Guozhi patted Lei Wanxi's shoulder, who also left the Pavilion.
"Is it because of the girl that the Fourth Brother has brought to the Imperial Palace?" Yongzheng finally asked to clear his doubts.
"He has sent her away. He started liking her," Jian Guozhi replied.
"Liking her? It's not acceptable! He is a Prince while she is just a village girl," Yongzheng opined.
"That's why he sent her away, Second Brother," Rong Zemin stated. Yongzheng understood everything and looked at Sheng Li. "It's strange to see the Crown Prince at this hour here. He is usually busy with the Crown Princess at this hour," Yongzheng commented, a smirk appearing on his lips.
"You are right, Second Brother. I am leaving the Capital for a few days so, had gone to the barracks to check on the arrangements," Sheng Li pronounced.
"Where is the Fifth Brother going?" Rong Zemin asked, knitting his brows. The First and the Second Prince also waited for Sheng Li's answer.
"In the neighboring Kingdom, I have to look into military work. The Military strength is to check and also some border checks." Sheng Li told a white lie to them.
"Shall I accompany you? Checking the borders is also essential," Jian Guozhi forwarded his help.
"No, Brother Jian. Wang Hao is accompanying me," Sheng Li replied. Jian Guozhi nodded and asked about the Crown Princess.
"She will not accompany me. She is still recovering from the attack, so I do not want to put pressure on her body by taking her with me," Sheng Li proclaimed.
"Everything has changed so fast in a few months. We Brothers never had a cordial relationship, but we got closer irrespective of the circumstances," Yongzheng pronounced and looked at Sheng Li. "Forgive me for my cold behavior towards you, Brother Sheng." He lowered his head as he was apologetic towards the Crown Prince.
Rong Zemin also asked for forgiveness as he brought his hands to his shoulders and lowered his head. "I am also ashamed of my wrong behavior towards the Fifth Brother. As the Elder Brother, I should have protected you instead of hurting you through words," Rong Zemin sincerely apologized.
"How can I trust my two elder brothers? I do not know whether it is sincere or not! However, I learned this from Lili. Forgiveness is one of the greatest treasures a person has. Let's end this enmity among us. Even I am apologetic to the Second and Third Brother because as a younger brother, I did not respect you two." Sheng Li raised his hands to his shoulders and joined both hands.
They all put their hands down and lifted their respective heads. "Brother Sheng, thank you for forgiving us," Yongzheng stated and looked at Jian Guozhi.
"Brother Sheng, when are you leaving tomorrow?" Jian questioned.
"By early evening. I will be back before the Dragon Boat Festival," Sheng Li informed them.
Jian Guozhi recalled how he used to pray for Sheng Li's death whenever he left the Capital but this time it was completely different. "Come soon, Brother Sheng. I wish you a safe journey. You can still consider taking me with you," Jian Guozhi asserted.
Sheng Li passed a tiny smile to him. "It's just the matter of fortifying the borders. I will complete the work soon and return at the earliest. After the Crown Prince, a Governor is the one who looks after the entire Empire, so the First Brother shall not accompany me," Sheng Li stated. Yongzheng and Rong Zemin agreed with him. "I shall take my leave. Good night," Sheng Li walked past them and left the pavilion.
"We shall leave too. It's late. Let's see each other in the morning. Goodnight," Jian Guozhi stated, and they all left the pavilion. He reached his chamber and saw Zhilao Mi there, which surprised him.
"You did not leave," Zhilao Mi asked and put the ledger on the table there.
"I want to rest here tonight," Zhilao Mi demanded. Jian Guozhi flinched his brows. Even after five months of marriage, Jian Guozhi did not get intimate with Zhilao Mi. The truth was, he was still not able to decide what his heart wanted! He was still in a dilemma regarding his closeness to both of his wives.
"Zhilao, I have some work tonight. Let's sleep together some other day. I will be awake till late night," Jian Guozhi tried escaping from it.
"Jian Ge, you never take time for your wife. Don't you think you are running away from your duties?" Jian Guozhi did not expect her to be straightforward. "If you keep running away from this relationship, then the question will be raised about-"
"I am not running away." Before Zhilao Mi could complete his words, Jian Guozhi said. "Father is sick these days. I am looking after his work as well," Jian Guozhi made excuses.
"Why do you only do the work? Isn't the Crown Prince responsible for the work of the Father-in-law?" Zhilao Mi asked.
"He is, but the Crown Princess is still recovering, so, I told the Crown Prince not to worry about the work. The health of the Crown Princess is also important, and you have seen that she hardly takes care of her health so, the Crown Prince has to be around her all the time," Jian Guozhi explained to Zhilao Mi, to whom it was unpleasant. She saw how her husband was tense about another woman.
She wore a smile on her lips and said, "Jian Ge is so considerate of everyone. I understood. I will see Jian Ge tomorrow," Zhilao Mi slightly bent her knees and lowered her head before leaving the chamber.
Jian Guozhi heaved a sigh of relief and sat on the chaise there. Eunuch Long came inside in a few minutes and bowed.
"Why did his highness let Lady Mi go away?" Eunuch Long complained.
"I have some work. I did not want Zhilao to be awake till late," Jian Guozhi told him.
"Your highness, you two are married for five months, yet you are not close to Lady Mi. The same goes with Consort Xue. You need to fulfill your duties and give the heirs to this nation," Eunuch Long stated. Jian Guozhi closed his eyes and brought his fingers over his forehead.
"Eunuch Long, I know my duties as a husband. Let this week pass, and I will indeed take out the time for my both wives," Jian Guozhi assured Eunuch Long, who bowed. "Inform Lady Mi that I will come to her chamber after two days," Jian Guozhi stated. Eunuch Long was happy to hear that and walked out of the chamber.
~~~~
Zhilao Mi, inside her chamber, stabbed the knife in a pillow many times. "I want to stab her like this," she said and continued stabbing into the pillow. "Why does he care about her? Does she still talk to my husband? How could she act like this? She already has the Crown Prince, then why is she eyeing my husband?" Zhilao Mi muttered. She threw the knife, and it hit the wooden door. The maidservants standing outside were shrieked, seeing this.
"I need to do something. After the Empress has gone, it seems no one has the dare to kill her. I have a plan, but I am finding a good opportunity to implement that," she mumbled and sat on the mattress.
An evil grin appeared on her face. "Xue Yu-Yan will become bait this time. I will hurt Ying Lili, but the person who will be accused is Xue Yu-Yan! The Crown Prince will be furious and then-" Zhilao Mi picked another knife from the bedside table and continued, "then he will kill her with his sword. This way Xue Yu-Yan will be out of my way forever, and also Ying Lili will lose her life. Poor Crown Prince will become a mad lover and give up his position. Then, Jian Ge will get the throne, and everything will be cleared of our way."
Zhilao Mi laughed while thinking all this when her personal assistant came inside. Zhilao Mi stopped laughing and glanced at her. "My lady, the Prince has sent a message for you. He will come to you after two days to spend a night with you," she informed her mistress. Zhilao Mi was delighted to hear that and told her to leave. She laid down on the bed and smiled brightly.
~~~
Hello Dear Readers!
Last week I could not mass release because of my sickness. I will upload 5 chapters this Monday on reaching the first goal of 50 Golden Tickets in a week. Thank you for the support.
HAPPY READING