Ying Lili stopped Rong Zemin from leaving the Emperor's manor and asked him if he could spare her a few minutes, who nodded and looked at Jian Guozhi. "I will see Brother Jian later," asserted Rong Zemin. Jian Guozhi hummed and left with Zai Yun and his assistant.
"What does the Crown Princess want to talk about?" Rong Zemin asked her.
"Brother Zemin seemed angry at the Crown Prince. Is everything good between you two?" Ying Lili queried. "Please tell me because it is necessary," she asked him.
"Crown Princess, the Crown Prince should not have supported the decision of the Minister of Justice. He should not have agreed to him for sending the mother and the widow of the late Prince to the Cold Palace. He should trust them," Rong Zemin stated.
"Is that the only reason that Brother Zemin is furious at the Crown Prince?" Ying Lili questioned him.
"Yes. The Crown Prince thinks that we will also plot against him. Crown Princess, I respect you that's why I did not say anything to him," Rong Zemin asserted.
"Thank you, Brother Zemin, for being understanding. I will converse with the Crown Prince. Also, the late second Prince had requested the Emperor to not send his mother and wife to the Cold Palace. I do not think that His Majesty will ignore the last wish of the late Prince," Ying Lili affirmed.
"However, it is not known whether the Ministers would agree to this or not. I hope in today's Imperial Court Brother Sheng will not do something, which can break our relationship," Rong Zemin said worriedly and left before bowing in front of Ying Lili.
"I will not let this happen," Ying Lili murmured and turned back to look at the door of the chamber.
Sheng Li, who was inside the chamber, wiped his tears. He lifted his head and turned his gaze to his father. "Why is the Father silent?"
"Why do you think that way? None of your brothers want to become the Emperor. Jian Guozhi and Rong Zemin want me to make you the Emperor. They have talked to me. Lei Wanxi and Weng Yu are young. On the other hand, Nianzu's choice is known to everyone. Don't let your fear win over your mind," Han Wenji pronounced.
Sheng Li took a deep breath when his father patted his back. After a while, Sheng Li left the chamber. As he came out, he saw Ying Lili who was waiting for him. He walked to her and halted in front of her.
"Brother Nianzu will return soon," Sheng Le said with a smile.
"You made a great plan," Ying Lili replied. The two started to walk while Xing-Fu and Court Lady Xu with several servants followed them.
"Sheng Li, do you still think that you should not trust your First and Third Brothers?" Ying Lili, out of a sudden, asked.
"I am confused. Although I have promised you that I would start to trust people around me, it's difficult to implement," Sheng Li stated.
"Do you trust me?"
"You do not need to ask such a question when you know the answer," replied Sheng Li.
"Then, trust me and trust the people around you as well," Ying Lili stated. Sheng Li hummed and told her that he would see her later after the Court session.
"Take the Crown Princess to her chamber," Sheng Li ordered Xing-Fu and Court Lady Xu before leaving for the Court. Ying Lili watched him going away. She had the faith that Sheng Li would not support the Ministers.
~~~~
In the Court, as soon as the Emperor sat on the throne, the discussion about Nianzu started. The Prime Minister suggested to the Emperor to nullify his previous judgment. The other Court Ministers did not object to it and unanimously supported the Prime Minister.
Han Wenji found out that every Minister wanted Nianzu to be back, and it joyed his heart. He picked the ink brush and scrolled down the new decree. Han Wenji put the ink brush down and picked the Emperor's seal. He stamped it on the bottom end of the message.
"The Office of Governor will handle the further procedure on this," Han Wenji announced. Eunuch Jin came forward and scrolled it up before handing it to Jian Guozhi.
The Prime Minister put forward the second important matter in the court. "Your Majesty, yesterday, it was decided that judgment on the Second Prince's, mother, and widow will be decided today."
"I object to the partial decision to send them to the Cold Palace. The First Consort and the Widow of the Second Prince should not be punished, this way," Jian Guozhi affirmed.
"Your Majesty, they are the mother and the widow of the Second Prince. In the future, they might try to harm the Emperor to avenge the death of the Second Prince. For our dear ones, people can go to any extent," the Minister of Justice proclaimed. "Your Majesty, it is about the safety of the others. In the Cold Palace, they will be provided everything except they cannot step out," he asserted.
"Your Majesty, I disagree with the statements of the Minister of Justice. A few days ago, we all saw how five ministers got caught in treason. However, nothing was done to their families. It is not about the criminal, it is about the crime which shall be reduced. Punishing the criminal with severity only shows that the crime will not increase anymore. However, if we punish the innocent, then it will bring injustice," Rong Zemin pronounced.
Sheng Li remained quiet amidst all this discussion.
The Ministers stood in the support of Rong Zemin when the Minister of Justice turned to the Crown Prince and asked his opinion. Everyone gazed at Sheng Li, who was in a dilemma. For him, the safety of Ying Lili was supreme. However, he had promised her that he would not let the mother and the widow of the Second Prince suffer.
"Your Majesty, I am with the First and the Third Prince's suggestions. I do not want His Majesty to send them to the Cold Palace," Sheng Li reasoned and clenched his fists. He did not want this, but he could not either go against the promise towards Ying Lili.
Han Wenji after contemplating stated, "The First Consort and the widow of the Second Prince will not be sent to the Cold Palace. But their movements will be scrutinized. I have lost three people from this Royal Family and to prevent any such happening in the future, they will not be let freely move."
Sheng Li liked the decision of the Emperor and so did the others.. He was happy that his father ordered to scrutinize their movements.