The next morning, after the welcome ceremony ended, the Princesses were taken to the Hall where the selection was going to start. Soon, everyone left the palace grounds except Sheng Li, Ying Lili, and Lei Wanxi. 

"Sister Lili, I saw how Brother Sheng was looking at you. You hypnotized him completely. I remember how Brother Sheng used to refrain from watching dances, but it is different whenever Sister Lili dances," Lei Wanxi stated and looked at Sheng Li while smirking. 

"Lili is different from others, that's why," Sheng Li opined. 

Lei Wanxi lightly hit Sheng Li's chest. "Brother should say openly that he loves Sister Lili that's why he loves watching her dance," Lei Wanxi deduced. 

Ying Lili smiled and told them that she had to go. "The selection for the Princesses will start soon. My presence is needed there," Ying Lili stated. Sheng Li nodded and told her to be careful. 

"Do not worry about me," Ying Lili said and left the palace grounds followed by Court Lady Xu and a few maidservants. 

Soon, she vanished from the sight of Sheng Li and Lei Wanxi. "Brother Sheng, did you notice something today?" Lei Wanxi asked Sheng Li who was inquisitive to know. 

"Oh, I forgot that your focus was on Sister Lili only," Lei Wanxi passed a sly smile and continued, "The Empress was looking at the First Prince. I think she is angry with her son. First Brother helped us yesterday, which is so unusual of him." 

"That's still bothering me. First Brother usually never helps, but yesterday he acted differently," Sheng Li stated. 

"Is it because he loves Sister Lili?" Lei Wanxi's sudden statement brought frowns on Sheng Li's forehead. 

"Watch what you are saying," Sheng Li warned Lei Wanxi. 

"Forgive me, Brother Sheng, but this is what I observed. For the first time, Brother Jian stood for us, against his mother's wish. You also know that Brother Jian never once went against the Empress's wish," Lei Wanxi explained. 

"First Brother is a nice person," Nianzu pronounced. Upon hearing the voice of Nianzu, the two turned their backs and bowed slightly. Nianzu halted in front of them. 

"Why did the Fourth Brother think so? We never found any good thing in the First Brother," Lei Wanxi proclaimed. 

"He saved the Crown Prince a long time ago," Nianzu affirmed. Both Sheng Li and Lei Wanxi were bewildered to hear that. 

"What are you saying, Brother Nianzu?" Sheng Li questioned. 

"Brother Jian saved you when you were young. You were fed poison, but luckily, the First Brother saw that. He informed our father about the incident. After that incident, the Empress never tried to kill you with poison until a month ago," Nianzu pronounced, keeping a tiny smile on his lips. 

"What?" Sheng Li's eyes fluttered. Even Lei Wanxi was shocked to learn about the truth. 

"Are you sure, Brother Nianzu? You have seen how brutally I was thrashed once by Brother Jian," asserted Sheng Li. It was unbelievable for him to believe that the First Prince saved him. 

"I witnessed all this with my own eyes. I never told you because I thought that the First Brother did that because he was young," Nianzu stated. "But after learning about yesterday's incident, I thought to tell you. Brother Jian never intended to become the person he is now. The reason he ill-treated you was because of his mother. It is said that a mother is the first teacher of a child and her influence impacts a lot. Brother Jian did what his mother taught him," asserted Nianzu. 

Sheng Li was out of words after hearing the truth of Jian Guozhi from Nianzu. 

"It means that Brother Jian was always good to Brother Sheng, but because of his mother, he ended up emerging as a bad person," stated Nianzu. 

Lei Wanxi looked at Sheng Li and then at Nianzu. "But I think after Sister Lili's marriage with Brother Sheng, Brother Jian's behavior had changed… I mean he never stood for Brother Sheng until yesterday. I think Brother Jian wants to turn good," Lei Wanxi proclaimed.

Nianzu agreed with Lei Wanxi. "Crown Prince, the palace can become a beautiful place if the Empress stops her scheming. Her son and daughter both are suffering because of her, especially Brother Jian," Nianzu opined. "We do not know what kind of turmoil Brother Jian is undergoing. A person turns bad because of the circumstances. We need to be in the shoes of Brother Jian to understand him," he advised Sheng Li. 

Sheng Li recalled how Ying Lili was telling him last night that he was wrong about the First Prince. 'What did they talk about yesterday?' Sheng Li wondered. 'Why did he save Lili yesterday? It is unusual of him. Does he really love her?' Sheng Li's mind was filled with many doubts at once. 

"I am taking my leave. I have something to discuss with Wang Hao," Sheng Li told Nianzu and Lei Wanxi who nodded. Soon, Sheng Li vanished from their sight. 

"Brother Nianzu, I heard that mother Deng Hui's rank has increased. I am happy for your mother. Finally, she is safe from the torture of the Empress," Lei Wanxi delightedly said. 

"I still doubt that. But now, my mother holds a little power though I know she will never raise her voice against the Empress," Nianzu stated. 

Lei Wanxi took the fan out from his sash and started fanning himself. "Once this Empress will die, then everything will turn right," stated Lei Wanxi with a smile.

"Wanxi, after yesterday's incident, I think the Empress will plot more. The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess need to be careful, especially the Crown Princess. Brother Jian has gone against his mother, which has definitely infuriated her. We need to keep our eyes and ears open," Nianzu pronounced. 

Lei Wanxi was slightly scared to hear that. "Brother, you sound as if something big will happen this time. Last time Brother Sheng was almost dead and I do not want anything wrong to happen to him." Lei Wanxi joined his both hands. "I pray for the safety of my Brother Sheng Li and Sister Lili." 

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