Married To The Cruel Crown Prince

Sheng Li arrived at the main city of Changying. Commander Yao had already located the location where the two Princes were staying with Xiao Zhan and Commander Yang.

They checked into the same rest house. Sheng Li had worn a conical hat with large white ribbons hanging at both of its edges. He went straight to the room where Jian Guozhi and Nianzu were staying.

Xiao Zhan opened the door and asked him who he was. Sheng Li pushed his conical hat up, who recognized him immediately. He bowed before him and let Sheng Li in.

Jian Guozhi and Nianzu stood up from their seats. "Brother Sheng," Jian Guozhi was astonished to see him in Changying.

"Why did His Majesty come here? I have advised him to stay in the capital," Jian Guozhi said with a worried expression.

"I got a message from a spy about Changying. That's why I decided to come here myself and check the situation. The earlier it will end, the better it will be for us," Sheng Li said and removed the conical, bamboo hat.

Xiao Zhan took it from him while Nianzu pulled out a chair for Sheng Li to sit on.

Sheng Li thanked him and removed the fake mustache that he had put on. He put his sword on the circular table and looked around the room.

"It is safe, Brother Sheng," Nianzu assured him.

"Did the two Princes find anything about the situation?" Sheng Li asked them and gestured to them to sit down.

"Yes, we have found a few things," Jian Guozhi answered and then told him about that. Sheng Li clenched his fists.

"Taxation is an integral part to grow an Empire. We will go to the cloth house as told by Brother Nianzu where something illegal is going on. After that, we will investigate the people," Sheng Li shared the plan with them.

"Brother Nianzu, return to Luoyang. The Third Prince cannot handle many matters alone, so you must help him," Sheng Li told Nianzu, who bowed, thus acknowledging the Emperor's command.

"But Brother Sheng, what if a negotiator is required?" Nianzu raised his doubts.

"The First Brother and I will do that if we find the chances of the negotiation else a war is destined to happen," Sheng Li affirmed.

Nianzu gaped at him and then turned normal. "I would like to advise, Brother Sheng, if he allows me," he asked for permission.

"Hmm."

"Brother Sheng, people are blindly following Lord Lian. War will bring destruction only. So, in my opinion, don't go for it. Some people think that royalty enjoys the Palace life and does nothing for their betterment. So, he needs to make them believe what we all truly do," Nianzu suggested to him.

"The Empress is pregnant. If the war breaks out, she will go into stress. Though we all know that Sister Lili is a strong woman, at this time, many emotions might be playing in her mind," Nianzu said.

Everyone in the room agreed with Nianzu's words.

"With war, it would be easy to suppress Lord Lian and his supporters but the loss of lives will be grave to us. We need to make Han a peaceful Empire, Your Majesty," Nianzu reminded Sheng Li, who nodded his head.

"I will not go for a war then," Sheng Li assured him and gazed at Commander Yang.

"Arrange for the return of the Fourth Prince to Luoyang," Sheng Li commanded him, who bowed and left the room.

~~~~~

Huo Jin, after giving the message of Bai Yaling, left to search about the whereabouts of Liang Wu. Since he was an official in the Capital Bureau's office, he decided to look for him in the office.

However, from the Capital Bureau, he found out that Liang Wu was on a few days' leave. When he walked out, Lei Wanxi ended up seeing him.

"Huo Jin!" Lei Wanxi called out his name, who was with a few other officials. But Huo Jin did not hear him.

The officials looked towards the direction where Lei Wanxi had his eyes.

"What happened, Prince Wanxi?" One among them asked him.

"I will check the report tomorrow," Lei Wanxi stated and left behind Huo Jin.

Huo Jin hopped on the horse and pulled the reins on it.

"Huo Jin!" He heard his name from a familiar voice and turned the horse to look.

Lei Wanxi got glad when Huo Jin stopped. He ran to him but stayed a few meters away from him. Huo Jin recalled the fear of the Sixth Prince from the horse.

He swiftly hopped down and walked to him. Joining his both hands, he bowed.

"Why were you here?" Lei Wanxi asked him and read his troubled expressions.

"I had so-some work," Huo Jin replied, but he did not tell the entire truth.

"Don't hide anything from me. If you will, I may complain to General Wang and his Father," Huo Jin threatened him.

"I am not hiding anything from the Prince," Huo Jin said with a confident tone. He did not want Lei Wanxi to know about it as he knew the Sixth Prince would stop him.

"I am unable to believe your words," Lei Wanxi skeptically answered. "Your eyes are depicting something else," he gazed into Huo Jin's eyes.

"It is nothing, Your Highness. I had some work," Huo Jin stated.

"Tell me about the work," Lei Wanxi urged him.

Huo Jin felt stuck. He squeezed his eyes and then looked around. Finding no one in their vicinity, Huo Jin finally told Lei Wanxi.

"I did not expect this from you, Huo Jin," Lei Wanxi said with a dumbfounded expression. "You could have reported it in the Palace to the Third Prince instead of searching for Liang Wu to," Lei Wanxi lowered his voice, "beat him up."

"I cannot stand such men, Your Highness," Huo Jin affirmed.

"But many women are treated this way for a long time by some men. You never acted this way," Lei Wanxi grinned. "Don't tell me you have grown feelings for Sister Yin Na."

Lei Wanxi's smile broadened and he hit Huo Jin's chest. "Huo Jin, you love Sister Yin Na, right?" He asked in a teasing tone.

Xu Wenhai, who was coming from their front side ended up hearing Prince Wanxi and he felt about it.