Chapter 344 - Stroke

The Crown Princess was reading the report that the First Prince had given in the hands of the Crown Prince to her. She was impressed with the new rules and regulations devised for the Han Empire. A well-systemized network of bureaucrats who will be responsible for each of their work to the body above them. 

"Why are you smiling?" Ying Lili heard the voice of Sheng Li. She lifted her eyes and gaped at him. Ying Lili was on the chaise, her weight was on one of the elbows. 

"The new administration is perfect to curb the Corruption, to increase the exposure of the people to the higher-ups. That's why I was smiling," proclaimed Ying Lili. 

Sheng Li stopped near the chaise while Ying Lili put the report on the table there. Sheng Li from the other side sat behind her. "Everyone is now respectful to Empress Hui. So, what did the Brother tell you? What was the reason that he left the feast in the middle?" Ying Lili waited for Sheng Li to answer. 

"A marriage proposal has come for him, so he is tense," Sheng Li replied. "He does not want to marry as he likes that girl," he added. Ying Lili furrowed her brows. 

"Who?" Ying Lili was confused. 

"That girl whom Brother Nianzu has saved and brought to the Palace," Sheng Li replied. His fingers were entangled with a few hair strands of Ying Lili with which he was playing. 

"Brother likes Chuntao?!" Ying Lili was bewildered after knowing the truth. "Then what's the problem? Brother can refuse the proposal and ask Chuntao to marry him," Ying Lili concluded. Sheng Li chuckled and rested his hand on her shoulder. 

"The proposal is from Huan Province. The King of Huan has always assisted our father in tough times. So, Brother Nianzu is in a dilemma about how to refuse that. Moreover, marrying a commoner isn't easy. Brother has to face many difficulties along with that girl," Sheng Li asserted.

Ying Lili understood the words of Sheng Li. "Sheng Li, do you know about Sister Mi's background?" Ying Lili questioned him. 

"What?" "Why?"

"She is suspicious. Tell me about her background. Do you know something about that?" Ying Lili turned to him and rested her head on a Bolster pillow. 

"I do not know. What would I do knowing about her? Ask the First Brother regarding this," Sheng Li stated. 

"You shall ask the First Brother. It would not be appropriate if I would talk to him," Ying Lili requested Sheng Li. 

"Okay, I will ask him," replied Sheng Li. 

"Sheng Li, shall we fly the kites tomorrow? The weather will be pleasant tomorrow," Ying Lili excitedly stated.

"What if it rains!" Sheng Li raised a doubt. 

"I know that tomorrow will be a pleasant day," Ying Lili affirmed. "Didn't you see the sky today? Oh, there is something I want to show you," Ying Lili got down from the chaise and went to the other side of the chamber. Sheng Li, whose forehead rested on his arm, lovingly looked at Ying Lili. She brought a red kite in her hand. 

"Tell me how it is!" She forwarded the kite towards him. A chuckle escaped Sheng Li's mouth seeing the drawing that Ying Lili had made over the kite. It was a picture of a man with big eyes, black hair thus, making the kite beautiful. Ying Lili even painted the front side with different colors. Sheng Li keenly observed it, and it appeared to him that Ying Lili had made him in the kite. 

"Is it me?" He asked astonishingly, raising his brow. 

Ying Lili nodded her head. "You are looking cute, right?" Ying Lili was delighted and again looked at the kite. "Look, I have painted your cheeks with red dots," she again turned it towards him. 

"Hmm. No one ever did this. It's beautiful," Sheng Li complimented her. "When did you make it?" He curiously asked. Ying Lili placed the kite on the table and sat beside him. 

"When you were with Brother Nianzu," Ying Lili replied. 

"I also want to make one. I will make a figure of yours. Kites should be in pairs," Sheng Li expressed his desire. 

"But you are not good at painting. What if you ruin the kite? We have limited kites with us," Ying Lili stated. 

"Help me then!" 

"I do not help people for free. You have to pay me for helping you," Ying Lili put forward her demand. The Crown Prince raised his eyebrow, astonished by the Crown Princess's sudden demand. 

"I have seen you helping people for free. I think it's special for me. You do not want to help your husband for free. What do you want? Ask me and I will give you," Sheng Li proudly pronounced. 

"I need to think about that," Ying Lili answered. The Crown Prince nodded his head. He felt Ying Lili's hand on his as he peered at her. "Let's start then," Ying Lili asserted, and the two got down from the chaise. They went towards the floor desk and sat around it. 

The colors were already put on the table and so were the brushes. She put the kite over the table on which Sheng Li was going to draw Ying Lili. "Since it's merely a character of yours rather than your true face, I don't think it is going to be difficult," Sheng Li deduced. 

Ying Lili picked a brush that was dipped in black paint and instructed Sheng Li accordingly. "Make outlines for me. Rest I will make," Sheng Li told her. Ying Lili nodded and moved the brush on the kite, making the outlines on it. Once it was done, she handed the brush to Sheng Li. 

"I am done. Now, paint the hair first," Ying Lili told Sheng Li. 

Sheng Li took the brush from Ying Lili and dipped it in the black color paint. He tilted his head and thought for a while before applying a stroke on the hair. 

"Why are you taking a pause? You will ruin it," Ying Lili scolded him.