After the morning greetings, the Empress sent the message to Ying Lili to come to her Manor as the Empress had something important to discuss with her. "Why is she calling me all of a sudden?" murmured Ying Lili. She stood up and left for the Empress's Manor with Court Lady Xue, followed by other maidservants.
Reaching there, she greeted the Empress and the other consorts. "Have a seat, Crown Princess," Weng Wei said. Ying Lili nodded and took the seat. "The reason I called the Crown Princess here is that you have the second-highest power in the Inner Palace yet your presence is nil," Weng Wei pronounced.
"Forgive me, your majesty, for not showing my presence," Ying Lili bowed and apologized.
"Crown Princess, it is your duty to actively take part in the Inner Palace too," the First Consort, Ju Fen stated and turned her gaze towards the Empress. "Sister Wei, I think the Crown Princess's mother never taught her such things," Consort Ju Fen deduced.
Ying Lili lifted her eyes. "Respected Consort Ju, forgive me, but please do not accuse my mother. She has taught me everything, but there was no Inner Palace in Juyan so I never learned about it," Ying Lili affirmed. Consort Ju Fen twitched her lips upon hearing that.
"Crown Princess is right. Tiny kingdoms rarely have Inner Palaces. You will be given lessons about the rules of the Inner Palace. Prince Yongzheng and Prince Zemin are getting married. The messages have been sent to the Provinces that will participate in the selection of the most suitable wives for the two princes. So, you need to prepare for that. Apart from that, Princess Jing is going to marry in a few days. Today the Prince from Lu Province will arrive at the Palace. You will check everything regarding these three marriages. You have to arrange the things for them in the most courteous way," Empress Wei explained to the Crown Princess.
"Yes, your majesty," Ying Lili replied.
Weng Wei looked at the Court Lady Xu who was standing behind the Crown Princess. "Lady Xu, please guide and help the Crown Princess in all this. There is one more thing that is necessary and inevitable. Since the Crown Prince does not want any second wife and concubine, the Crown Princess needs to fulfill his needs. It has been over a month but the Crown Princess did not get a check-up from the Royal Physician for bearing the heir of the Empire. Lady Xu, you will be punished if the Crown Princess delays her check-up further," Empress Wei pronounced.
"I understand, your majesty," Court Lady Xu replied as she bowed further.
"Crown Princess, do not be scared. It is a normal check-up which you need to go for so that you can safely bear an heir," Third Consort Yinlong humbly said. Ying Lili nodded.
"What if the Crown Princess's body proves unhealthy by the Royal Physician?" Second Consort Shoi-Min raised a doubt.
Empress Wei glanced at her and then looked back at the Crown Princess. "Then, the Crown Prince needs to marry another wife or has to take a concubine to strengthen his position on the Crown else the ministers will not support him," Weng Wei pronounced. "But since the Crown Princess is a trained warrior, she will bear a healthy heir for the Empire," Weng Wei passed a tiny smile to Ying Lili who smiled back.
"The Royal Astrologer will come to the Palace tomorrow to give the appropriate date to consummate with the Crown Prince," Weng Wei proclaimed. Ying Lili curled her fingers because she was forced to go for such things.
"Sister Wei, what about the First Prince? He has been married to Princess Zhilao for 3 months and with Princess Consort Xue it is almost a month. I think those two must be given the dates for consummation by the Royal Astrologer," stated Consort Ju Fen.
"Yes, tomorrow they will be given the appropriate dates," Weng Wei replied. "Crown Princess, if there is any doubt you can ask us," she added.
Ying Lili nodded her head. After conversing with them for some more time, Ying Lili left the Empress's Manor. She asked the Court Lady Xu about the arrival of the Prince from Ju Province. "Your highness, it is said that the Prince will be here by noon. The arrangements for the Prince's arrival have already been made. You only need to check them," Court Lady Xu replied.
Ying Lili gave a nod and told Court Lady Xu that they should first check them. She first went to the room, which was prepared for Prince Lu Qifeng. After thoroughly inspecting everything, she went to the barracks. Before going there, Ying Lili told Court Lady Xu and other maidservants to go back to Zhenzhu Inn as in the barracks women were not allowed although she was an exception.
The soldiers who were practicing on the ground bowed their heads upon seeing her. "Where is the Crown Prince?" Ying Lili queried them.
"What happened? Why are you here?" Sheng Li voiced from the side left of her. The soldiers bowed their heads upon seeing him. Ying Lili turned left and went to him. "I have something important to discuss with you," Ying Lili stated. Sheng Li glanced at General Xiao who understood the gesture and walked ahead towards the soldier.
"Come with me," Sheng Li said and took Ying Lili away from there. They were now in a private room. Sheng Li picked the jar from the table and poured water in a glass for him. He drank the water and put the glass on the table. Ying Lili was seated on the bed when Sheng Li came to her and sat beside her.
"Why are you tense?" Sheng Li asked, and he tapped her nose with his finger.
"I was summoned by the Empress today. She has given me the responsibility for the marriages of Sister Jing, Second and Third Brother. I am suspicious of this. Why am I given the responsibility of all this? Other than that, I want you to give me a security check once again. Prince Lu Qifeng's safe arrival to the Palace is important," Ying Lili explained.
"She won't do anything that would affect her daughter in any way but giving you the responsibility of this is indeed suspicious. She involved you in the Inner Palace. But this is what we wanted! Xue Yu-Yan had given her the idea to involve you in this, so it is good for us," Sheng Li asserted.
"You are right. But what if they do something just to punish me?" Ying Lili worriedly said.
"They can't punish you. No one has been born to punish you," Sheng Li stated. "Since when have you started getting scared of all these things, huh?" Sheng Li questioned her.
"She killed my parents and I could not do anything about that. What if something big happens!? I am scared about that," Ying Lili stated as she furrowed her brows.
Sheng Li embraced Ying Lili into a hug. "Nothing will happen. I am here. She has to face me first before doing anything to you. General Wang and my few spies are checking everything so, do not worry," Sheng Li pulled away and caressed Ying Lili's head.