Married To The Cruel Crown Prince

Inside the carriage, Sheng Li asked Ying Lili, "Why did you kiss him?"

"Who?" Ying Lili queried.

"That boy," replied Sheng Li. The carriage started moving.

"You made him cry so to console him I needed to peck his cheek. Now, are you even jealous of an eight-year-old kid?!" Ying Lili huffed and crossed her arms.

"Who is jealous? You are the Crown Princess. You cannot do things like that. That annoying brat wanted something from me," Sheng Li argued.

"What could a kid want from you? Don't tell me you do not like kids," Ying Lili searched for an answer in Sheng Li's eyes but they were unreadable as always.

Sheng Li averted his gaze. "When did the Han Army arrive here? You did not even tell me anything," said Ying Lili.

"Some things are not necessary for you to know about. I also got a message from my father. He wants me to complete this matter as soon as possible. Then, Sun Lǎohǔ's men said something which made me change my plan at the last moment. I usually work like this but because I have promised that I will not kill the innocents, I thought of another plan," Sheng Li replied to Ying Lili.

Ying Lili found that Sheng Li was mending his ways for her. She was astonished to see Sheng Li in the market. His decision-making ability was marvelous thus making him fit for the position of the next-in-line ruler.

"Is there something on my face?" Sheng Li asked as he noticed that Ying Lili was staring at him. He turned his head and peered into her eyes.

"Nothing," Ying Lili replied and averted her gaze.

"Tell me what punishment is the most suitable for Sun Lǎohǔ?" Sheng Li questioned Ying Lili.

"Umm… you want me to punish him?" Ying Lili asked.

"I will punish him, but I just want your opinion on this. We need to establish a Law and Order here as well after that. I would like to know your opinions regarding that as well," Sheng Li proclaimed.

Ying Lili nodded. "Let Sun Lǎohǔ come to the Residence first. Then, I will tell you about my opinion on his punishment," Ying Lili replied. "But, Sheng Li, I wonder if he will come or not." Ying Lili was skeptical regarding that.

"He will not defy my order after that incident in the market. He knows the consequences of defying my orders," Sheng Li asserted.

"But he might go into hiding," Ying Lili raised a doubt.

"The borders of this province are sealed. The Han army is deployed there. He is trapped here. He cannot run away from me. Moreover, his back is wounded, so he cannot run far in that state!" Sheng Li affirmed.

"Aren't you overconfident? In my opinion, you should not have revealed your identity," Ying Lili opined.

Sheng Li moved his eyes over her face. "It was necessary. Why shall I hide my identity? The wrong he had done with my people was unbearable. Now, do not ask any more questions regarding that," Sheng Li asserted.

Soon they reached the Residence of the Governor. They both went straight to their chamber. They saw Hu Jingguo was waiting for them in front of the door of the chamber. Seeing the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess Hu Jingguo went to them and bowed his head. "It was informed that chaos occurred in the middle of the market. Are his and her highness alright?" Hu Jingguo worriedly asked. 

Sheng Li hummed at him. "You may leave our chamber. We need to rest for some time," Sheng Li told Hu Jingguo who got away while Sheng Li walked ahead. Ying Lili told Hu Jingguo not to worry about them and followed the Crown Prince. 

~~~~ 

Sun Lǎohǔ was enjoying a fistfight between two when a man came running inside. "Master, Master," he called out for Sun Lǎohǔ. Seeing the terrified look on his face, Sun Lǎohǔ lifted his hand in the air, thus gesturing to the fighters to stop.

"What happened?" Sun Lǎohǔ asked. He drew his brow together because the expressions on his assistant's face were showing something unpleasant had happened.

"Our one of the best sword fighters, Ju Yi is outside. He is covered in blood and calling out for you," the assistant informed Sun Lǎohǔ who immediately stood up from his seat.

He walked out, followed by the others. He saw Ju Yi was indeed covered in blood and his leg was heavily injured. 'Did he crawl till here?" Sun Lǎohǔ wondered.

"Master, he is here and has killed the nineteen extorters in the market. He has sent a message for you and has summoned you to the Governor's Residence." Ju Yi started coughing blood when one of Lǎohǔ's men went to him and patted his back.

"What are you talking about? Be clear," Sun Lǎohǔ commanded him.

"The C-Crown Prince," answered Ju Yi.

Sun Lǎohǔ's eyes grew wider upon hearing the name of the Crown Prince. "His highness has said if the master will not show his presence in the Governor's Residence by the evening then h-his high-ness…" Ju Yi paused as he was scared to speak further.

"Speak," Sun Lǎohǔ shouted at him.

"His highness will kill everyone in the Game house a-and," he was stuttering but then he continued, "… and he will kill Master Sun in the middle of the market."

Sun Lǎohǔ had not expected that the Crown Prince would arrive there unannounced. But where did his man's lack? "When did he come here? Why is no one aware of this? What about security?" Sun Lǎohǔ bellowed at his men who lowered their heads.

Cold shivers ran down the spine of everyone upon hearing the news of the arrival of the Crown Prince. Sun Lǎohǔ looked at the sky, which was turning red. "Bring my horse here," Sun Lǎohǔ told his assistant.

"But Master Yang had said that he would inform me if the Empire would take any step then, how could I not get the message?" Sun Lǎohǔ thought. Frowns had appeared on his forehead because he knew that running was not an option since the work of the secret tunnel was not completed yet. Except for surrendering, there was no option left in front of Sun Lǎohǔ.