Married To The Cruel Crown Prince

Ying Lili reached the top of the hill where the grave of Hu Jingguo was located. She saw Sheng Li near the grave, and it brought tears to her eyes. She took gradual steps towards Sheng Li, who turned upon hearing the footsteps. 

"Lili," Sheng Li was shocked to see her. He walked to her and saw the sweat on her forehead. "Why did you come here alone?" He worriedly asked and looked behind. He took out the handkerchief and wiped the sweat off her forehead. 

Ying Lili gazed into his eyes. "Aren't you afraid of animals?" He asked curiously. He remembered the first time he took Ying Lili there, and she asked him if there were animals. 

"No. I was not scared.. However, I was concerned about you." Ying Lili let go of his hands from her arms and went to the grave of Hu Jingguo. She joined her hands and prayed for a while. Sheng Li stood by her. 

Ying Lili opened her eyes and put her hands down. She saw the chrysanthemum flowers over the grave. "He might be watching us. It is sad though that we cannot see him," Ying Lili said. Sheng Li agreed with her. He put his arm around Ying Lili's shoulder and drew her close to him. 

"I miss him. That's why I come here… mostly in the evening," stated Sheng Li. 

"You should have told me. Are you guilty?" Ying Lili tilted her head to look at him. Sheng Li gazed at her and nodded his head. 

"I am guilty, Lili. After such a long time, I have met so many beautiful people in my life. He was one of them. But he left so soon. He was smiling even in his last moments. He was happy that I acknowledged him as my friend. I had planned to give him something but he left before even receiving that. There are many regrets that I have." Sheng Li's eyes were watery and so were Ying Lili's. 

"You did not share with me all this earlier. I did not know you are still in that trauma," Ying Lili said while reading his expressions. 

"But somehow, you found out!" Sheng Li smiled. "Hu Jingguo told me that it's difficult to hide things from you. I did not want to trouble you," Sheng Li asserted. 

"But it gets more troubling when I find out later," Ying Lili pronounced. "You should be proud of his sacrifice but not guilty. I heard that in the afterlife, souls get more pain than in their physical form." Ying Lili reasoned with Sheng Li.

"I understand. I will try, Lili," Sheng Li said and rested his cheek over her head. 

"You always say this," Ying Lili affirmed.

"In this hut, I asked him what kind of husband does my Lili want? He teased me a lot and told me to find the answer myself. Then, one day he told me that I have transformed into the man that Lili wanted," Sheng Li stated. "Such memories appear out of nowhere and make his absence more painful," He briefed.

"Hmm. Cherish those memories that you made with him. Just take it as that you have a wonderful person in your life, who turned it more beautiful," Ying Lili opined. Sheng Li lifted his head and wondered how Ying Lili could be positive in every situation. Hu Jingguo was her friend more than his, still, he did not see her sad. It not only amused him but also astonished him. 

"Lili, you are the light in my good days and dark days. You enlighten my life. My respect for you increases day by day. I wonder what would have happened to me without you." Sheng Li expressed his gratitude towards her to acknowledge him and see through him. "Hu Jingguo gave me a new perspective to life which I was unaware of. I met him thanks to you. Just hold me like this even in my most devastating times," Sheng Li requested. 

"I will, Sheng Li. Even when there's no one by your side, you will always find me," Ying Lili stated. "Do not let yourself feel low. Hu Jingguo lies inside your heart as a strength. Remember this," Ying Lili proclaimed. Sheng Li hummed and looked up at the sky. 

"Let's go back," Sheng Li told Ying Lili, who hummed, and the two left the hilltop. 

~~~~~

Lei Wanxi held the two dumpling sticks in his hand and went towards the lakeside with Zhu Lin where preparation for the Dragon Boat Festival was going on.

The painters were decorating two giant boats. The front of the boats had Dragon shaped face. "This lake is so large. Let's go there," Zhu Lin pointed her finger towards the lakeside. 

Lei Wanxi refused. "I do not like going near the water. What if giant water monsters are there?" Lei Wanxi queried and chewed the dumpling. Zhu Lin laughed, which confused Lei Wanxi. 

"I did not crack a joke," Lei Wanxi said. 

Zhu Lin controlled her laughter. "It appears to be a joke. Who told you there are giant water monsters in the water?" She asked and again giggled. 

"You did not read legends. In our legends, it is mentioned numerous times that we should not go near the water because water beasts are present there," Lei Wanxi stated and quickly finished the dumplings. Zhu Lin grasped his wrist and took him towards the lake. 

"Hey, where are you dragging me to?" Lei Wanxi complained. 

"You will today become the food of water beasts or monsters," Zhu Lin replied.

"Pardon." He halted, so was Zhu Lin. She pulled him towards her, but he dragged himself back. 

"I told you that I am scared of water. Don't do this. Look, you have again started the fight with me. I will tell Brother Sheng about this," Lei Wanxi warned her. 

"You can tell the Crown Prince," Zhu Lin stated. "You must end your fears. You are the Prince who should not be scared of all this. What message will you deliver to your people this way?" Zhu Lin again dragged him while Lei Wanxi tried hard not to move ahead, but in front of the strength of Zhu Lin, he was weak. 

"Help me, Help me!" Lei Wanxi started to shout for help which bewildered Zhu Lin. 

"Are you serious? Wanxi, you are such a crybaby. Stop shouting. People might take it the other way," Zhu Lin told him. 

"I will not stop. You shall stop. Leave my wrist, else I will keep shouting," Lei Wanxi affirmed. Zhu Lin smiled and moved closer to him. She tip-toed and whispered in his ear, "Sixth Prince, today you will end this fear of yours. Else I will tell everyone in the Capital that the most demanding bachelor is a crybaby." Lei Wanxi knitted his brows. Zhu Lin landed her feet on the ground and gazed into his eyes, smirking. 

"Are you threatening me? Go, tell them then. It does not matter to me," Lei Wanxi challenged Zhu Lin, who scoffed. 

"I will tell people about your other secrets as well. No one knows about your special qualities except me, and trust me, it will take a few days for me to make you popular," Zhu Lin asserted.