Married To The Cruel Crown Prince

Xing-Fu folded the long sleeves of Sheng Li's robes. "Your Majesty, the Royal Chef can prepare the sweets. His Majesty can watch him," Xing-Fu advised Sheng Li. He did not want the Emperor to again fall sick when he had yet to recover from the injury.

"I need to prepare the sweets myself," Sheng Li stated and told the Royal Chef that he wanted to prepare the Glutinous Rice Balls (A famous sweet/dessert that originated in Han, called Tangyuan).

The Royal Chef brought the black sesame when Sheng Li asked him if he had to crush them.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will do it," the Royal Chef said humbly when Sheng Li took the black sesame jar from him. "However, in the wintertime, its preparation is tougher. If His Majesty wants, then I can prepare another type of sweets for the Empress." During winter, kneading and heating became difficult which needed extra muscle work.

"The Empress wants to eat the sweets prepared by my hands," Sheng Li said and put the jar on the counter. "The Royal Chef can instruct me and I will follow his instructions." The Royal Chef agreed with the command of the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, your wound has still not healed. Kneading the dough will put pressure on His Majesty's muscles," Eunuch Xing-Fu said worriedly.

"The Royal Chef can do that," Sheng Li found a way and started to work on the Royal Chef's instructions.

Sheng Li first roasted the black sesame for 7-8 minutes and later, ground them into a fine powder in a millstone.

"The fine sesame powder needs to be mixed with lard and granulated sugar, Your Majesty," the Royal Chef told the next step. Sheng Li made the dough of the mixture while the Royal Chef started the preparation of rice flour dough.

The Royal Chef took the rice flour and kneaded it in the warm water. After the dough was ready, he made small balls and flatten them with a rolling pin.

Sheng Li filled the mixture prepared into the dough and rolled them again. He made a few balls while another helper put a small cauldron on the stove with water in it.

"Your Majesty put the balls into the water and keep stirring it," the Royal Chef said. Sheng Li put the rice balls into the water and started to stir them so that the sugar inside them would not make them stick to each other. After an hour, the sweet was prepared. Sheng Li was eager to take it but before that, he tasted it.

"How is it, Your Majesty?" Eunuch Xing-Fu asked curiously. Sheng Li picked one rice ball with the chopstick and brought it near Xing-Fu's mouth. He ate it and found it extremely delicious. Being Sheng Li's first time, he made them perfect. He started to praise Sheng Li and asked the Royal Chef to taste one.

"I am allergic to sweets, Eunuch Xing-Fu," the Royal Chef reminded him.

"Forgive me," Eunuch Xing-Fu apologized. Sheng Li put the sweets in a porcelain bowl and covered it with a lid. Xing-Fu asked the maidservant to carry the tray and they left for the Northern Palace.

Sheng Li found that the chamber was lit well with lanterns and candles. Court Lady Xu stepped away while Ying Lili stood up.

Sheng Li told the maidservant to put the tray on the table and ordered everyone to leave. Once the servants left, Sheng Li brought the bowl to Ying Lili.

They both sat down on the chaise. "I made Glutinous Rice Balls," he said and asked her to taste, handing the chopsticks to her.

"You made them!" She was astonished for a second and took a tiny bite of the rice ball. "Mmm, it's delicious," she said.

"I told you that I will make better than Xue," Sheng Li boasted about his cooking skills. Ying Lili hummed and asked him to open his mouth.

Sheng Li opened his mouth and she put one rice ball in it. Sheng Li chewed it and asked Ying Lili to finish the remaining.

Ying Lili focused on eating while Sheng Li watched her. "We will go to our private residence for a week," Sheng Li informed her and she lifted her head to look at him.

"A week?" Ying Lili was stunned to hear.

"Hmm. We need a break. The Private Lotus residence is the best place for us to spend time together. Also, it will be good to watch the first snowfall together," Sheng Li replied. He wiped the sugar syrup from her lips with his thumb and then brought it near his mouth.

"That's sweeter than the syrup." He licked his thumb and looked into Ying Lili's eyes, who pursed her lips together.

"Did you find the meaning of the first snowfall?" She asked after a few seconds.

"Yes."

"What is it?" Ying Lili asked.

"I will tell you when the first snowfall happens," he answered.

"I will wait." Ying Lili smiled and drank the sweet syrup from the bowl using a spoon. "I feel good now." She said and put the bowl on the side table.

"Is there something on my face?" She asked and placed her palms on her cheeks.

Sheng Li shook his head. Promptly, she brought her hands to the lap.

"Then?" She arched her eyebrow.

"I love watching you," Sheng Li replied. Ying Lili blushed and hit his arm lightly. She looped her arm around his and snuggled close to him.

"I am young, that's why you love watching me. One day when we will turn older, you might not love me as much as you do today." She lifted her head and peered into his eyes.

"That will never happen. Sheng Li's love for Lili will last until his last breath. In my eyes, you will always remain beautiful," Sheng Li answered and put his hand over hers. He leaned down, and their noses touched.

Sheng Li brought his arm to her waist. He carried her up and made her sit on his lap. Ying Lili locked her hands behind his neck while he took a few curls of her hair between his fingers. He tucked them behind her ear and placed his hand on her nape.

"Sheng Li, when we get old, then we will stay mostly in the private residence. I love the lotus lake in the residence," Ying Lili told him.

"As my wife says," Sheng Li stated, and carried her up in his arms.

She tightly wrapped her arms around him, who took her to the bedchamber. "Where are you taking me? I have slept so much during the day," Ying Lili said.

"Somewhere beautiful," Sheng Li affirmed and walked out of the chamber.