Married To The Cruel Crown Prince

"Mingze has been fooling us for a long time," Jian Guozhi said while looking at Sheng Li, who had rested his hands on the edge of the table and had lowered his body.

"The question is why he did that," Sheng Li muttered. "Mingze then took the name of Zou Shuren. Why did he falsely accuse him? Everything is so complex," he affirmed.

"Did Commander Yang deploy the forces in the borders adjoining Changying?" Sheng Li inquired.

"Our forces have surrounded the borders well," Commander Yang answered. "Our soldiers are ready to fight against the enemies," he added.

"We won't attack Lian Zoumu, not until we find out the truth behind it. The soldiers are deployed so that we do not lose control over Changying in case any uprising occurs," Sheng Li proclaimed.

"You may leave," Sheng Li ordered him, who walked out, closing the doors behind him.

"Brother Sheng, when will the spy return?" Jian Guozhi queried him.

"It is the second day. He must return by now," Sheng Li answered and stood straight.

"Brother Sheng, why did Mingze think that he could deceive you? He knows your network, yet he decided to betray you," Jian Guozhi stated while furrowing his brows together.

"I am wondering the same. Mingze went to the battles with me. Why did he betray me? It was not a wise move by him," Sheng Li asserted.

"Brother Sheng, what if someone is hidden behind him? Mingze would not have thought to betray you unless he was forced," Jian Guozhi deduced.

"Enemies are everywhere," Sheng Li affirmed. "I just wish that it is not someone from the Palace," he said with a worried expression.

"Why would someone from the Palace do it? Does Brother Sheng suspect any member of the family?" Jian Guozhi asked with curiosity. He hoped that Sheng Li's suspicions would not be right. After the loss of the Second Prince, he never wished that anyone would plan something evil against them.

"It is just a suspicion," Sheng Li pronounced and locked his hands behind his back.

"I don't think anyone from the family has hands behind it," Jian Guozhi opined.

"No one had thought that Brother Yongzheng would try to harm us," Sheng Li reminded him.

"That was because of me. I was the one who brainwashed him," Jian Guozhi took the blame and sighed.

"It wasn't your fault, First Brother. You also changed your path after realization hit you," Sheng Li stated and recalled Deng Hui's betrayal. He had threatened her not to plan anything in the future, but presently, he was doubtful of her intentions.

"Empress Dowager isn't the person that she portrays herself," Sheng Li said, revealing the true identity of Deng Hui to Jian Guozhi, who was puzzled by his statement.

"What does Brother Sheng mean?" He asked and knitted his brows together.

"Brother Jian, currently, I can only say that the Empress Dowager was no lesser than the previous Empress, or I shall say she's even worse. I kept it hidden and forgave her, but somewhere I am regretting my decision," Sheng Li affirmed, giving a few pieces of information to Jian Guozhi.

~~~~

Yin Na peeked through the gap between the door and saw Huo Jin was wrapping a bandage around his wound for a long time but every time, he failed to tie it up properly.

Huo Jin had called for a servant many times, but no one responded to him. Yin Na had already sent the servants away and was waiting for the right time to go in.

He came towards the door to open it and look outside when Yin Na pushed the door. Huo Jin was surprised to see her and stepped back.

"I heard your voice. Do you need any help?" Yin Na asked and looked at his naked torso. Before Huo Jin could answer, she snatched the bandage from him. "I will do it," she stated and dragged him to the bed.

They both settled down on the mattress.

Yin Na leaned closer to him and started to wrap the bandage to keep the herbal paste intact on the wound. Huo Jin kept his gaze fixed on her face.

"Lift your arm a little," Yin Na urged him, and he acted on it. Yin Na tied the knot of the bandage and then picked the upper garment. She helped him wear it and then gently tied the knot on it.

"Did you tell the servants to leave?" Huo Jin's question flustered Yin Na.

"What do you mean?" She acted as if she didn't get his question.

"You know what I meant," Huo Jin stated, in a firm tone.

"Why would I tell servants to leave?" She chuckled and giggled.

"Because you wanted to do it," Huo Jin's reply made her stop giggling. She blinked a few times, trying to think of an appropriate answer. "Else, why would you wander around my room?" He asked with a smug.

"I can wander anywhere in the residence. Earlier, I was around Father's quarter. Is it wrong to roam around?" She put forward the question confidently.

"It is not wrong to roam around," Huo Jin replied, "but it is suspicious that you were around my room. I know you love me, so your behavior is understandable." He had an amusing look on his face.

"It's your fault," Yin Na pronounced, bewildering him. He tilted his head and arched his brow, waiting for her answer.

"You kissed me and confessed your feelings to me. I am aware that you didn't say it from your mouth, but that kiss was enough to show it," she affirmed.

"Leave," Huo Jin said.

"Why?!" She asked with astonishment.

"I want to be alone," Huo Jin replied.

"Why? Don't take stress, Huo Jin. If you have some, you can share with me," Yin Na stated.

"Huo Jin, I have purchased a woolen overcoat for you. I almost forgot to bring it for you. Wait for me! I will bring it for you." Yin Na ran out of the room without listening to what Huo Jin had to say.