Sheng Li returned to the chamber after bathing. He had kept his hair open as it was wet. Seeing Ying Lili around the table, he found she had not touched the food that he sent earlier.
"Court Lady Xu, why did you not take care of the Empress's meals?" Sheng Li asked as he settled on the chair that Xing-Fu had pulled.
"Just like the Emperor, the Empress is also stubborn," Court Lady Xu remarked and quickly apologized.
Sheng Li looked at Ying Lili, who had picked the chopsticks. "Leave us alone," Sheng Li told them. Everyone left the chamber upon getting the instructions of the Emperor.
Sheng Li outstretched his hand and pulled Ying Lili's chair to his side. She was surprised and asked him why he did that. His hand rested on her neck and leaned down to her lips. They looked into each other's eyes and felt each other breathing.
