Married To The Cruel Crown Prince

"Night has fallen. So, everyone must retire to their respective chambers," Han Wenji walked away, followed by Eunuch Jin. Soon, everyone left the Palace Grounds except Sheng Li, Ying Lili, Nianzu, and Chuntao. 

"Hey, you!" Sheng Li said while looking at Chuntao. "Did you see what happened just now? You are a young girl, so better be careful next time if you do not want to get killed in the evil plottings devised by the Empress," Sheng Li advised Chuntao, who nodded her head. 

"Be respectful towards her. How can you talk this way to her?" Ying Lili scolded Sheng Li and went near Chuntao. 

"Miss, you must be terrified seeing all this. Come with me," Ying Lili told Chuntao, who lifted her eyes. 

"Where are you going?" Sheng Li asked. 

"It is the talk between two women. You don't need to know," Ying Lili proclaimed and again told Chuntao to go with her. The two left the Palace Grounds, leaving Sheng Li and Nianzu behind. 

"The Empress was keeping a check on my activities, but why?" Nianzu confusedly asked, looking at Sheng Li. 

"Not only you Brother Nianzu, but also on Lei Wanxi. She must be plotting something dangerous ahead. That girl would have gotten punished even if it was not her fault, and you might get punished as well for bringing her to the Palace," Sheng Li pronounced. He put his hands behind his back and started walking, along with Nianzu. 

"Is it because our father let me have Miss Chuntao as my assistant? Or was it because I did not listen to her?" Nianzu questioned. Sheng Li gazed at him when Nianzu continued, "When you were in the Southern Province, I argued with the Empress. She was ill-treating my mother, and I threatened her that I would tell everything to our father. I told her to tell our father that I am leaving the Palace. Could it be because of that?" Nianzu had many unanswered questions in his mind. 

"She might want to throw you out of the Palace by using this as an excuse," Sheng Li deduced. "Brother, right now, I am confused seeing how the First Brother defended you today. Isn't it odd? It's bewildering to see the First Brother going against his mother. Don't you think there is something odd with the First Brother?" Sheng Li furrowed his brows as he asked Nianzu. 

"I told Brother Sheng that he is a gentle soul but was hidden somewhere because of the pressure of the Empress," replied Nianzu. 

Sheng Li nodded as he hummed. "But this change after years is strange to me." 

"Indeed, it is strange. Do you think it is because of the Crown Princess?" Nianzu's sudden question made Sheng Li frown. 

He halted at his place, so did Nianzu. "I asked the First Brother about this, but he refused," Sheng Li stated. 

"Why would the First Brother tell Brother Sheng about his inner thoughts? You need to work on your relationship with the First Brother," Nianzu advised him. 

Sheng Li gazed into the eyes of Nianzu for a while. "Does Brother Nianzu know about Brother Jian's inner thoughts?" Sheng Li questioned. Even Ying Lili told him that the First Prince was not the person he seemed. Was there something that Ying Lili hid from him? He came out of his thoughts when he heard Nianzu talking. 

"Brother Sheng, I do not know except this." Sheng Li looked at the Fourth Prince with a bewildered expression, who continued, "One day we had wine together. He said something which even made me wonder. But because I was in a drunkard state, I did not contemplate the things that the First Brother said. He said he would help me in saving my mother from his mother. And he did help. Thanks to him, my mother's rank has been raised! Elder First Brother even said that he is forced to do such things and still is!" 

Sheng Li was confused to hear everything which Nianzu told him. It was hard to believe, but it was the truth. Maybe Sheng Li never tried thinking from the perspective of Jian Guozhi. The Empress might have pressured him to aim for the Crown and do anything for that. There were numerous questions in Sheng Li's mind with unknown answers. 

The two Princes soon reached the resting chamber of Lei Wanxi. There he saw Consort Jinlong, who was making Lei Wanxi eat dinner with her hands. Sheng Li recalled his mother upon seeing that sight. Nianzu glanced at Sheng Li and felt how must be feeling at that moment. 

Lei Wanxi saw them there. "Brother Nianzu, Brother Sheng," he called out their names as his eyes glistened. 

Consort Jinlong turned and passed a displeased look to Nianzu. The two bowed their heads in front of Consort Jinlong. Lifting his head, Sheng Li said, "We will come tomorrow. And, don't get hit next time." 

"I understand," Lei Wanxi replied. 

Sheng Li and Nianzu turned to leave when Consort Jinlong said, "Prince Nianzu, if you consider me as your second mother then, send that girl away." Lei Wanxi looked at his mother as his eyes grew big. 

Sheng Li looked at Nianzu, who turned to face Consort Jinlong. Sheng Li also faced her. 

"Mother, why are you still on that topic? I told you that I intentionally took the hit," Lei Wanxi complained. 

"Send that girl away if the Prince considers me as a mother," Consort Jinlong pronounced. 

"Mother," mumbled Lei Wanxi. 

Nianzu wore a smile on his lips. "Indeed, I consider you my mother. I will send Miss Chuntao away. Forgive me, Mother, for letting Lei Wanxi get hurt. It will never happen again," Nianzu bowed his head as he announced his decision to Consort Jinlong. 

"Brother, you do not need to do that!" Lei Wanxi stated and looked at his mother. "Mother, take back your words," Lei Wanxi requested.

Sheng Li looked at Nianzu and decided to help. "Mother, I am afraid, but she can't leave the Palace for a year. Earlier, I had passed this decision, and as the Crown Prince, my order is supreme after the Emperor's orders," Sheng Li pronounced. 

Consort Jinlong was out of words. "Don't blame her for the mistakes a man did," Sheng Li then said. 

Both Nianzu and Lei Wanxi looked at the Crown Prince. There was a transformation in his nature. Earlier, he was not even interested in such petty matters. Was it because of the Crown Princess? The two Princes contemplated. Indeed, it was the Crown Princess because of whom the Crown Prince was changing himself day by day. 

"I shall take my leave. Finish your food," Sheng Li said while looking at Lei Wanxi.

"Yes, Brother Sheng," Lei Wanxi answered. 

Sheng Li turned and left the chamber, followed by Nianzu.