Sheng Li's sleep broke as the horse cart was running through a rough path, full of pebbles. He saw Ying Lili was sleeping, her head was on his lap and also her fingers were intertwined with his. A tiny smile formed on his lips. He tucked the hair strands which were on Ying Lili's face.
Caressing her left cheek with the back of his palm, Sheng Li murmured, "You made me suffer the entire night. You could have confessed then I would not have been angry. But now my mood is lightened."
Sheng Li moved his hand and pulled down slightly the upper robe which Ying Lili had worn. "Why were you showing your neck to him? You should be happy that I did not take his eyes out. He is really a shameless man. Because of him, my entire night was ruined," Sheng Li murmured and pulled up the robe, thus covering Ying Lili's neck.
The horse cart stopped moving. Sheng Li looked at the door when it was opened by Wang Hao. He lowered his eyes as he saw the Crown Princess was lying down on the lap of the Crown Prince.
"Where are we?" Sheng Li asked Wang Hao.
"Your highness, just a few more miles then we will be in the Southern Province. We are taking a rest here for an hour and then we will resume the journey," Wang Hao informed the Crown Prince.
"Okay," Sheng Li replied. "I will be outside in a while," Sheng Li stated. Wang Hao nodded and shut the doors without making any noise.
Ying Lili woke up and found herself in Sheng Li's lap. She sat up immediately and apologized to Sheng Li. "Why are you sorry?" Sheng Li asked.
"I slept on your lap. It must be uncomfortable for you," Ying Lili stated. "Why has the cart stopped? Oh, are we resting?" Ying Lili asked to which Sheng Li nodded.
He then continued, "Yes, it was uncomfortable! That's why I have decided something." "What have you decided?" Ying Lili was baffled.
"Let me sleep like that later. I mean for the remaining journey. Because of someone, I was not able to sleep last night," Sheng Li proclaimed.
"That was your mistake," Ying Lili snapped at him.
"What?" a chuckle escaped Sheng Li's mouth. He saw Ying Lili had moved towards the door to go out when he caught her arm and pinned her down on the cart's floor. "What are you doing? Someone will see," Ying Lili complained.
"I did not do anything that needed to be seen," Sheng Li stated. "So, I get it that last night I made a mistake by not kissing you back. Shall I satisfy that now?" Sheng Li looked at Ying Lili's lips and smirked. He left his grip on Ying Lili's arm and moved his thumb over Ying Lili's lips. "I am waiting for your answer. Do you want me to kiss you?" Sheng Li questioned.
Ying Lili closed her eyes thus, giving Sheng Li an answer. Sheng Li smiled and leaned down. Ying Lili felt his hot breath on her lips. Sheng Li's lips brushed against her when the door of the cart was opened. Immediately the two moved away from each other as if they had done some crime.
Ying Lili sat up before the door could open completely while Sheng Li was looking at the other side. "Your highness, let's have lunch," Sheng Li heard the voice of Hu Jingguo. Right away the Crown Prince turned to look at him and saw how he was giving a broad smile to them.
Sheng Li clenched his fists. "This man is getting on my nerves," Sheng Li told himself.
"Crown Princess, hold my hand. I will help you in getting out of the cart," Jingguo stretched out his hand. Ying Lili smiled and forwarded her hand when Sheng Li stopped her.
"I am getting off first," Sheng Li stated and glared at Hu Jingguo. "Get away," Sheng Li snapped at him. Right away, Hu Jingguo turned aside. Sheng Li got down from the horse cart and then forwarded his hand towards Ying Lili who held it and stepped out of the cart.
Ying Lili looked around. They were in a forest. "It's safe. Wang Hao has checked everything on our journey. Since we are not in the innermost part of the forest there are no animals here," Sheng Li pronounced.
Ying Lili nodded and walked ahead. Wang Hao and Xiao Zhan had made the arrangements already. "Your highness, please take a seat," Xiao Zhan said, gesturing towards the mat they have placed on the ground.
Sheng Li sat beside her while the others took their respective seats. The coachman was also given a lunch box and everybody started eating. After they finished eating, Sheng Li told Ying Lili to wait for him in the cart.
But Ying Lili got busy talking with Hu Jingguo. Sheng Li did not notice that, as he was busy talking with Wang Hao and Xiao Zhan. "His highness's arrival news is not known to anyone except the governor," Wang Hao told Sheng Li who praised him for preparing everything with great caution.
"We have to get out of this forest before the evening. So, let's resume the journey," Sheng Li said and turned to go to the cart when his eyes fell on Ying Lili who was laughing with Hu Jingguo in front of the cart. He hastened his steps and without any thought, grasped Ying Lili's wrist and took her towards the cart.
Ying Lili was confused about the way Sheng Li was acting. "Get in," Sheng Li said in a fierce tone. Ying Lili got into the cart, followed by Sheng Li who shut the door behind him.
"The Crown Prince is getting jealous. Good work, Jingguo," Hu Jingguo complimented himself and went to his horse.
"What was that? Why do you have so many mood swings?" Ying Lili complained when Sheng Li laid down on Ying Lili's lap.
"I am sleepy," Sheng Li said and closed his eyes.