Ying Lili was eating Yangmei (Chinese Bayberry) with Court Lady Xu in the morning. "Sheng Li does not like Bayberry?!" Ying Lili astonishingly asked. Court Lady Xu nodded her head.
"Does he like any fruit? Last time when we were in the Southern Province, he refused to eat Tangerine," Ying Lili muttered and picked another bayberry from the bowl.
"The Crown Princess shall think about the future heirs of Han," Court Lady Xu made Ying Lili understand. "The Empress has called the Royal Astrologer tomorrow. He will give you the date on which you must consummate with the Crown Prince. The Yin and Yang energies must get together," Court Lady Xu told Ying Lili, who keenly listened to her..
"I understand," Ying Lili replied.
"A son will lead your legacy, Your Highness. So, keep in mind to bear a son only else the position of the Crown Prince might get in danger. Since other Princes are also married, everyone will try to have a son," Court Lady Xu opined.
Ying Lili knitted her brows. "It is not in my hands," she replied. "Who cares whether it is a girl or a boy?" she queried. "Let's leave this topic here," Ying Lili requested the Court Lady, who nodded her head.
"His highness is picky," Court Lady Xu smiled a little. "When the Crown Prince will have kids, they might be as picky as him."
Ying Lili blushed and smiled. "Will they? I do not want our kids to be picky," Ying Lili stated and picked the bayberry from the bowl. She ate the berry and put the bowl on the table. "Court Lady Xu, I am going outside." She then walked out of the chamber.
"He did not even come to have breakfast. Is he busy? He did not even tell me what kind of work he is so immersed in that he forgot about his wife," Ying Lili murmured and huffed.
"Sister Lili," Lei Wanxi called her. Ying Lili halted at her place and turned. Seeing Lei Wanxi, a smile appeared on her face. She walked to them, and the two greeted each other.
"Why is Sister Lili alone? Did your assistants not follow you?" Lei Wanxi looked behind.
"I refused them to accompany me, Brother Wanxi. You seem happy, Brother. Is there any reason behind it?" Ying Lili patiently waited for his answer.
"Your Birthday is near. The Dragon Boat Festival is just a day before your birthday. Two great occasions are near to celebrate. Sister Lili will turn 21. That's why I am happy," Lei Wanxi affirmed. Ying Lili passed him a smile and asked him if he turned good towards Princess Zhu Lin.
"A little. Though I try to avoid her. I do not want to fall into any kind of trouble because of her. A few days ago, she again encountered those goons. I saved her," Lei Wanxi proudly said. Ying Lili astonishingly glanced at him and praised him for being brave.
"Sister Lili, Brother Sheng is preparing something big for you," Lei Wanxi whispered.
"Oh?" Ying Lili asked as they resumed walking.
"Yes. Though Brother Sheng did not share his surprise with me," Lei Wanxi heaved a sigh. "He thinks I might tell Sister Lili about his surprise. He doubts his own younger brother," Lei Wanxi stated.
"Because you are the kind of person who will definitely ruin the surprise of the Crown Princess." Both Lei Wanxi and Ying Lili turned back. Zhu Lin greeted the Crown Princess while she ignored Lei Wanxi, who chuckled.
"You were hearing our conversation. You mannerless girl!" Lei Wanxi remarked.
"When the Prince will bark this loud, then anyone can hear!" Zhu Lin retorted back. Lei Wanxi widened his eyes and stepped towards her.
"You called me a dog! You insolent woman," Lei Wanxi lost his temper.
"I did not say you are a dog. You called yourself a dog," Zhu Lin proclaimed, pointing a finger at him. Ying Lili told them to calm down.
"Sister Lili, I will not calm down. She called me a dog. You also hear this. Do you think I look like a dog? I am the most handsome man. All praise my looks and she is comparing me with a dog," Lei Wanxi glared at her and slapped at her finger which was pointed towards him.
"Crown Princess, the Sixth Prince is the one who started this. He called me a 'mannerless' girl. And, I did not say that he looks like a dog. The Sixth Prince is making up stories. You also hear our conversation. He talks rudely with me, Crown Princess," Zhu Lin complained while glaring at Lei Wanxi.
"I did not talk rudely. You liar! Everyone knows how respectful I am around everyone," Lei Wanxi stated as he drew his brows together. Zhu Lin snickered upon hearing his contradictory words.
"Your actions speak otherwise," Zhu Lin pronounced.
"Please keep quiet, you both!" Ying Lili scolded them.
Lei Wanxi and Zhu Lin averted their gazes from each other. "Apologize to each other, you both," Ying Lili said.
"I will not apologize to her this time," Lei Wanxi announced and stepped closer to Zhu Lin. "Go away from here, Zhu Lin. If you had not come to the Imperial Palace, then Brother Nianzu would not have left."
"Brother Wanxi, stop!" Ying Lili intervened, but Lei Wanxi did not pay heed to her.
Zhu Lin, with bewilderment, peered at him. "I hate your presence here. You are the reason the Fourth Brother is not here. Still, you enjoy your stay here. It disgusts me," Lei Wanxi stated and walked past her in anger.
Zhu Lin's eyes turned watery. She did not expect him to be this harsh. "Princess Zhu Lin, I apologize to you on the behalf of the Sixth Prince. Please forgive him. I will scold him later. Please do not take this to your heart," Ying Lili joined her both hands.
"The Crown Princess shall not apologize. The one who made the mistake will apologize," Zhu Lin pronounced. Her statement befuddled Ying Lili.
Zhu Lin turned and saw Lei Wanxi, walking casually, while fanning himself. She removed the shoe from her foot.
Before Ying Lili could understand what Zhu Lin tried doing, she widened her eyes because of Zhu Lin's act.
Zhu Lin threw the shoe towards Lei Wanxi and screamed his name. Lei Wanxi tilted his head and saw the pink-colored shoe flying in the air. Before his reflex could act, the shoe hit the mid of his forehead. The impact was huge, which wavered him, and he stumbled back.
"Ahh," Lei Wanxi screamed and quickly brought his palm over his forehead.
"I will not spare you today, Lei Wanxi," Zhu Lin shouted at him and ran towards him.
"Princess Lin, please stop!" Ying Lili tried hard to stop her. However, it was in vain. The servants stopped working and ran in their direction.
Zhu Lin threw a punch at Lei Wanxi, but he dodged it and caught her hand. "Are you mad!" Lei Wanxi bellowed at her. He mistakenly grabbed her hair and pulled it while protecting him from her attack, resulting in a scream from Zhu Lin.
Zhu Lin was furious now, and she grabbed a fistful of Lei Wanxi's hair and pulled them with her entire strength. "Leave my hair," he protested and screamed at the same time. When she did not stop, Lei Wanxi also did the same to her hair. Their cries echoed in the air, but both were not ready to step back.