Married To The Cruel Crown Prince

Mingze was tied to the pole while Sheng Li settled on the chair. The Han soldiers controlled the situation in the resthouse. Some of the soldiers from their sides died, so they took their bodies out.

Jian Guozhi stood beside Sheng Li, who was examining the sharpness of the blade.

"Brother Jian, Lian Zoumu is still on the run. Send our best soldiers after him. He could not run far away," Sheng Li told Jian Guozhi, who nodded his head and went to Commander Yao.

Sheng Li stood up from the chair and walked to Mingze, who was glaring into his eyes. "Why did you betray me? What were we saying earlier? I had warned you to not act recklessly," Sheng Li said and frowned.

The sword in his hand touched Mingze's chin. "I understand that greed makes you blind. But one shall not become stupid in front of it. Changying isn't a small territory. You became Governor, so you must have respected this position," Sheng Li pronounced.

"Why don't you kill me?" Mingze asked. His tone was still impolite towards the Emperor.

Sheng Li chuckled. "I told you that I will feed you to hungry dogs. You must feel the pain, Mingze. The pain you gave to my people," he gritted his teeth. He stepped back and put the hand down with which he was holding the sword.

"Before that, I have a few questions for you." Sheng Li's statement troubled Mingze.

"Are you the only one who's behind this plan?" Sheng Li asked him. "You made such a fool of me. I suppose, a big brain was behind it," he concluded and kept his gaze fixed on Mingze's eyes.

"You should find yourself," Mingze refused to say anything.

"You lost your last chance for me to forgive you and your family. I understand that you have no respect for me, for the Emperor of Han. I am bearing your sight because you once were with me, with Han," Sheng Li stated. He recalled the days when Mingze protected him. He used to tell everyone how loyal he was to Sheng Li. His betrayal indeed shook him.

Mingze did not think about what could happen to his family. He thought Jian Guozhi would betray Sheng Li, but he got to see a different face of the First Prince. He did not run away, yet he saved him. Also, Mingze cursed himself for not holding onto Sheng Li well.

"Spare my family," Mingze said.

"I cannot spare them. You told me that I am no longer the old Sheng Li. I shall show you what I am!" Sheng Li said with a stern tone.

"Spare my wife and children," Mingze again said. He did not make a request with Sheng Li though. It annoyed him.

"You should have thought about this when you planned all this against me," Sheng Li stated and turned to give the order to Commander Yang.

"My wife is pregnant. It's her seventh month. My daughter is only three," Mingze finally said. "You promised me once that you would fulfill my wish no matter how hard it might be for you. I beg you," he completed his words.

"Your Majesty, don't listen to a traitor," Commander Yang said while scowling at Mingze.

Sheng Li turned back to look into Mingze's eyes.

"You will be blessed with twins soon. You don't want to take this burden on your head for killing an unborn child, a young girl, and his mother," Mingze stated.

"Is someone behind you in all this?" Sheng Li queried him. "Keep your gaze at me," he demanded.

Mingze lifted his head to look into Sheng Li's eyes when for a second his eyes moved.

Sheng Li happened to notice that and turned to look when saw a shooter.

"Sheng Li, move away!!" Mingze shouted.

Before Sheng Li could react to what Mingze said, an arrow hit him in the middle of his chest and he stumbled.

Another arrow also came in his direction, but Commander Yang pushed it away using his sword.

The blood oozed out of Sheng Li's mouth and his eyes shut. He fainted and the next second his head met the floor. Everyone gathered around him while Commander Yang shouted at soldiers to catch the shooter.

~~~~~

In the Imperial Palace, Ying Lili was cutting an apple for herself. The Court Ladies many times told her not to take a sharp object in her hands.

"Your Majesty, I will do it," Court Lady Xu said and bent a little to take the knife from Ying Lili's hand, but she did not give it to her.

All of a sudden, Ying Lili's index finger cut and she cried out in pain.

"Your Majesty," Court Lady Xu and Ki panicked. Xing-Fu ran out to call the physician.

"Why did Her Majesty not listen to us?" Court Lady Xu said worriedly and tightly pressed Ying Lili's finger. Court Lady Ki put away the knife and fruit tray.

At the same time, Ying Lili felt a sudden pain in her lower abdominal region. She first ignored it but soon it turned into an excruciating one. It panicked all the servants in her manor.

The Royal Physician had reached the chamber and was puzzled to see the Empress in pain. He did not delay and paced towards the bed.

"Court Lady Xu, the pain is so intense," Ying Lili said and squeezed her eyes tightly. Xing-Fu instructed the Royal Physician to dress the Empress's wound.

"Royal Physician, why is Her Highness experiencing the pain all of a sudden?" Court Lady Xu asked. Panicked.

He settled on the stool beside the bed and quickly dressed Ying Lili's wound. He found the sweat beads that appeared on Ying Lili's forehead. He told Court Lady Xu to help Ying Lili lay on the bed. She acted under the command of the Royal Physician.

"Ahhh," Ying Lili put her hand on her abdominal region while crying out in pain. Court Lady Xu wiped the sweat from her forehead and caressed her head.

The Royal Physician checked her pulse and found everything was alright. He checked her eyes and found them clean.

"The pain is normal in the second month," the Royal Physician told them.

"But Her Majesty is feeling an immense pain," Xing-Fu said with a worried expression.

The Royal Physician had taken out acupuncture needles from his cloth bag. "Your Majesty, I will insert a needle on your wrist. It will soothe your pain," the Royal Physician took permission first.

Coury Lady Ki moved Ying Lili's right-hand sleeve up and the Royal Physician inserted the acupuncture needle. After a few minutes, the pain reduced and Ying Lili felt better.

The Royal Physician took out the needle and inserted it back on the round cloth roll. "It's common to have cramps. Please do not worry about anything, Your Majesty," the Royal Physician told Ying Lili, who hummed.

"I thought my—" she paused as tears formed in her eyes.

"Nothing has happened, Your Majesty. The Royal children are absolutely safe," the Royal Physician assured her.

Ying Lili was relieved to hear it. The Royal Physician stood up and bowed before leaving the chamber.

Ying Lili felt a little strange and worried. The dull, slight pain was normal, but this sudden pain terrified her.

"Your Majesty, you should sleep. Please close your eyes," Court Lady Xu said and looked at the servants, who blew off most of the candles.