"Don't ever eat strawberries," Sheng Li annoyingly said, who had put his weight on his left elbow while his right leg was slightly bent and the left leg was straight.

Ying Lili who was seated beside Sheng Li had an inquisitive expression. "Why are you saying so? I love strawberries," Ying Lili opined. Sheng Li's lips moved up as a sly smile formed on them. He reached out his right hand towards Ying Lili who knitted her brows. But before she could understand, Sheng Li pulled her by placing his hand on her nape.

The two stared at each other for a while before Sheng Li broke the ice. "I might end up kissing you if you eat them next time." Ying Lili blinked her eyes as a taint of red blush appeared on her cheeks.

Sheng Li moved his thumb over Ying Lili's lips, which shivered a bit when she further heard Sheng Li, "You seduced me twice today. If you do not want me to kiss you, then better not eat them ever again in front of me and do not try to act innocent." Ying Lili gulped, hearing his words.

"You are again blushing," Sheng Li whispered as he let go of his hand from Ying Lili's face. Ying Lili turned her back towards Sheng Li and touched her cheeks.

"Why are they red and why am I feeling hot?" Ying Lili murmured.

"You said something?" Ying Lili immediately shook her head to refuse. Sheng Li was amused by the reactions of the Crown Princess. He grabbed the Crown Princess's arm and in one swift movement, he again drew her towards him such that the Crown Princess landed on his chest.

Her soft hands had touched the bare chest of the Crown Prince who was grinning at her. "You do not struggle now. The first day you were hating getting close to me and now it seems otherwise," Sheng Li questioned Ying Lili.

Ying Lili pulled herself up when Sheng Li pushed her down using his arm, which was wrapped around her waist. "Do you think I will let you go without getting answers? I am curious to know about something. Remember what you told me on the wedding night?" Seeing Ying Lili's bewildered expressions, he smiled.

"You told me that you want me to die! Why? Because I am cruel and heartless. I am still finding a valid answer to this question - 'why did you save me?' I do not think it is because I am your husband. You never considered me your husband, so why did you save me? Wasn't that because only I could have saved you and your people?" Sheng Li queried and waited for Ying Lili's response.

"Do I need a reason to save you? I know you do not trust people easily, but I was just worried when you were in that state. I told you that I had misunderstandings regarding you at the beginning, which cleared out gradually. You were there for me whenever I got into trouble. You took the blame for me and saved me. Only you can lead the Han Kingdom, and you have to wake up at that time. As I told you earlier, you are my husband, so I will be worried if anything happens to you," Ying Lili explained to Sheng Li.

Sheng Li was impressed by Ying Lili's words. She thought only he could be the Emperor of the Han in the future. Indeed, their relationship was getting finer with each passing day. The two had started to know and understand each other in a better way.

Ying Lili was avoiding the dark icy gaze of Sheng Li, which bored through her, and at the same time, she was struggling to get away from him. The more she was pulling herself up, the more she was pulled back.

"So, you think I am the most suitable Prince to be the next Emperor?" Sheng Li questioned her.

"Yes."

"Do you love me?" Sheng Li's question baffled Ying Lili.

"No," she replied right away as she widened her eyes.

"Don't love me because I may not reciprocate your feelings," Sheng Li asserted. Ying Lili nodded and moved her eyes over the face of Sheng Li.

"So, there are still some chances that you may reciprocate my feelings, if I build a liking towards you," Ying Lili deduced. Both were staring into the eyes of each other while something strange was going on with them - a strange feeling inside their hearts, which they were not ready to accept.

"Will you leave me now? It is getting awkward," Ying Lili finally spoke.

"I have not held you. You are the one who is still clinging to my chest," Sheng Li replied with a smirk. Indeed, he was not holding her, which embarrassed Ying Lili. Her cheeks flushed red again. She immediately got up from him and turned her back to Sheng Li.

Ying Lili again touched her cheeks from the back of her palm. "Xiao will come here soon with dresses for us. We will go out from the secret route so no one will suspect us. Do not make any mistakes there. Since we will be there at midnight, most of the maids will be asleep. Xiao and I will wait for you at the back gate. Do not hesitate to kill if you find anyone suspicious. I will fulfill your one wish depending on the type of information you will bring from there," Sheng Li again explained to Ying Lili but this time he offered a gift as well - a wish which he would fulfill.

"I will do my best," Ying Lili affirmed. Court Lady Xu came inside and halted where the white curtains were hanging. "Your highness, General Xiao has sent this." Sheng Li came down from the bed and took the dresses from Court Lady Xu.

"Do not let anyone know about this," Sheng Li whispered. Court Lady Xu bowed her head and walked out from there. Ying Lili had come near him when Sheng Li handed her the dress, a white-colored Hanfu dress.

"The maids in the Residence of the Prime Minister wear white only. Change into them. I will not look at you so you can change here. Just blow off the candles," Sheng Li told Ying Lili as he handed the dress to her.

~~~~

Hello Dear Readers!

Sorry for this late update. I was sick since the morning so I could not upload the chapter. This chapter was written yesterday. I will not upload for 2-3 days because I am still feeling weak. Hope you will understand.

Please keep voting on the story. This week's target is 1000 votes so, let's reach there. I will do a mass release accordingly after achieving the target.

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