Lei Wanxi picked a sweet and put it on Sheng Li's plate. "Brother Sheng, eat this. You will like it," he said with a smile. Sheng Li picked it and started to eat.
"This sweet is made of milk," Lei Wanxi told Sheng Li and picked one for him.
"Umm… it is delicious," Lei Wanxi said as he chewed the sweet. "Brother Sheng, I am going to marry soon," he said delightedly.
"Don't tell me it is a joke," Sheng Li stated.
"Brother Sheng, why would I tell a joke? I indeed want to marry Zhu Lin. Her father has no problem with this relationship. But before that I need to join the Capital Bureau Office," Lei Wanxi stated.
"May I ask, why?" Sheng Li asked and picked the water glass of silver.
"I do not want to work in the Imperial Court. I want to see what corruption is going on in the office. I will inform Brother Sheng about that. It will be more fun than going to the Court," Lei Wanxi affirmed.
Sheng Li ended up smiling and said, "I can't believe that you grew up this early. For me, you are still a kid!"
"Brother Sheng, this is a wrong assumption. I have indeed grown up to be a man. Brother Sheng, I want to learn the art of sword fighting? Will you teach me?" He asked for help.
"Why? Is your Brother Sheng not enough to protect you?" Sheng Li questioned him.
"He is, but after Zhu Lin got wounded, I realized that I shall learn that. It is not too late to learn it. I can train with Brother Yu," Lei Wanxi opined.
"Whatever suits you," Sheng Li replied and drank the water. He put it down on the table and said, "I will tease you a lot once you marry Princess Zhu Lin."
"I will not give any chance to Brother Sheng to tease me," Lei Wanxi pronounced and snatched the water glass from Sheng Li's hand. He drank it and said, "I am born to tease Brother Sheng but not to get teased by him." He winked at him and smiled.
"Which department do you want to go into?" Sheng Li questioned him after a few minutes.
"The Ministry of Justice," Lei Wanxi answered.
"We need to talk with the First Brother regarding this and then with Father. The last decision will be of our Father," Sheng Li replied. Lei Wanxi hummed and put the glass down on the table.
"Is everything alright, Brother Sheng? Forgive me for asking this so late." Lei Wanxi worriedly peered into his eyes. "Brother Sheng shall not lie to me," he stated.
"Father has not enough time to survive," taking a deep breath, Sheng Li answered. Deep frowns appeared on his forehead. "His infection rate has increased and he can fall sick anytime. There is no medicine that can save our father," he asserted.
Lei Wanxi could not believe that. He had no idea that their father was suffering from a grave illness. "There might be some medicine which can cure our father," Lei Wanxi said with a ray of hope.
"No. There is no cure. Hu Jingguo had stopped the spread of disease in our father's body for some time. But in the past few days, it has increased more. Lili has the same views on it. In just five months, I saw so many deaths. It breaks my heart. Now, Prince Yongzheng made such a grave mistake that saving him was impossible. Everything has messed up," Sheng Li said with a gloomy expression.
"Brother Sheng, we cannot control every person. You tried your best to make things go smoothly," Lei Wanxi stated and put his hand on his shoulder.
Xing-Fu came inside and bowed his head. "Your Highnesses, the Fourth Prince has arrived in Luoyang with his wife and General Xiao," Xing-Fu informed them. Lei Wanxi jumped in happiness upon hearing that.
"Brother Sheng, let's go," Lei Wanxi told him and stood up from the chair. Sheng Li nodded, and they both went to Fu Imperial Gates.
~~~~
Chuntao was nervous because she was entering the Royal Palace soon as the wife of Nianzu. She had the fear of how everyone would treat her, and some even might leave bad remarks on Nianzu for marrying her. Also, she had angered the Emperor by going against his orders. She was thinking all this when Nianzu put his hand on hers.
She came out of those disturbing thoughts and peered at Nianzu.
"Are you nervous?" He asked in his soft tone.
"Yes."
"Me too. It is natural to get nervous," Nianzu replied to her.
"What if people raise questions about your decision to marry me?" Chuntao asked. "I do not want any malicious comment towards my husband," she affirmed.
"No one will do that. I will be clear of my choice to marry you in front of everyone. Also, mostly know that I married a commoner rather than a Princess," Nianzu stated and brought his hand over her head. He caressed it and continued, "Have faith in your husband."
The carriage stopped, making Chuntao worry. "Did something happen?" Chuntao asked him.
"I think we have arrived," Nianzu replied when Xiao Zhan opened the door of the carriage. Nianzu came towards the door and stepped down it. He then gave his hand to Chuntao, who held it firmly and got out of the cart. They both turned and saw the Royal Family in front of them. Chuntao had lowered her eyes because of the fear in her heart.
Nianzu held her hand and stepped forward towards his family along with Chuntao. Deng Hui's eyes filled with tears upon seeing her son. Han Wenji was also happy to see his son safe and sound.
Nianzu let go of Chuntao's hand and deeply bowed before the Emperor, the Empress, and the Consorts. Chuntao did the same. They then lifted their heads.
Nianzu looked into the eyes of his father, who stepped towards him and hugged him tightly. He patted his back and smiled.. "Finally, you returned," Han Wenji said with tearful eyes.