Ying Lili's sleep broke abruptly and found her head resting on Sheng Li's shoulder. The night had fallen and stars had appeared in the night sky.

"You are awake!

" Sheng Li said and saw her stretching her arms out. Two overcoats were covering her, preventing her from the cold breeze.

She glanced at Sheng Li who was not wearing his overcoat.

"Aren't you feeling cold?

" Ying Lili removed the overcoats which were around her shoulders.

"No. Keep it,

" Sheng Li stated. The Pavilion was illuminated with red paper lanterns, giving it a majestic view.

"Where is that painting?

" Ying Lili looked around.

"I have sent it to the Palace- the Zhenzhu Inn,

" replied Sheng Li and stood up along with Ying Lili. They both came out of the Lotus Pavilion.

"Today we are staying here,

" Sheng Li asserted. Ying Lili hummed. She could feel the surrounding air was getting warm. Sheng Li had intertwined his fingers with his. Both had tiny smiles on their lips for some unknown reason.

Suddenly Ying Lili stood in front of Sheng Li, astonishing him. Before he could understand, he felt her soft- feathery lips on his.

"Catch me,

" Ying Lili whispered against her lips and ran away. Sheng Li who was bewildered for a few seconds smiled and started running behind her.

"Lili, you might fall so do not run at night,

" Sheng Li shouted as he ran after her.

Ying Lili turned back while stepping back. She was at a good distance from Sheng Li. Both of her hands were on her high waist skirt and had raised it a little for a convenient run.

"I will not fall,

" Ying Lili loudly replied. She turned and again started running. This time gaining a little speed. Sheng Li too gained speed to reach her when he saw Ying Lili had changed direction and had gone inside the Residence. He followed her, not missing where she was heading to.

"Lili, stop right there! I do not want you to get hurt.

" Sheng Li was anxious.

"And if I catch you then I will punish you. So, just stop there,

" Sheng Li warned her.

Ying Lili looked back and found Sheng Li was going to nab her. She did not stop even hearing his warning.

"You cannot punish me,

" Ying Lili retorted. She saw a chamber and jumped in. The chamber was spacious but was dark. Ying Lili hit her knee on a table.

"Ahh,

" she cried out in pain.

Sheng Li, who was outside the chamber, heard her voice.

"Lili,

" he shouted and raced into the chamber. He stopped, as there was no light there.

"Lili,

" he called out her name. Ying Lili, who was near the table, bent down and covered her mouth. She did not know why she was doing this, but now it was fun for her.

"Lili, come out! You are hurt.

" She could feel he was annoyed but also concerned for her. This was like a hide and seek game for Ying Lili now. She knew Sheng Li did not even have played this game. What did he use to do when he was a child? She used to wonder if Sheng Li ever had fun like the other kids or he just refrained from all this. Sheng Li since the age of 5 started training so there might be a possibility that he only gave his time in the training rather than enjoying his childhood days.

Suddenly, a bright light forced Ying Lili to squeeze her eyes tightly. She covered her eyes from the back of her hands when the light source moved away from her eyes, comforting her.

"Stand up,

" Sheng Li said in a hoarse voice who was not in a good mood. He had placed the lantern over the table. When Ying Lili did not stand up, he forwarded his hand and gently pulled her up.

Ying Lili felt her throat had dried out. She was confused whether it was because she ran so much or was it because Sheng Li was furious. Before she could speak, Sheng Li carried her up by the waist and made her sit at the table. Her hands rested on his shoulders while her eyes were fixed on his.

"Where did you hurt yourself?

" Sheng Li asked.

Ying Lili was so lost in his eyes that she did not even hear his question. When she heard the snap of the fingers, she came to reality.

"I asked something. Where did you hurt yourself?

" Sheng Li repeated his query.

"Nowhere,

" Ying Lili lied to him.

"I heard your cry,

" Sheng Li stated, who cupped her face, thoroughly checked her forehead, and then tilted her face right and left to check. Grabbing her hands, the Crown Prince moved her sleeves to check her elbows, which appeared fine to him. He squeezed them gently only to find if Ying Lilei would pass a cry or not. But she did not.

"What are you doing?

" Ying Lili was confused.

"Checking where you hurt yourself!

" Sheng Li replied. He bent on his knee and moved her skirt up.

"Sheng Li,

" Ying Lili immediately lowered her skirt down, but Sheng Li moved it up.

"You hurt your knee, right?

" Sheng Li saw a light purple mark over Ying Lili's right knee. He pressed it, and Ying Lili winced in pain.

"Why were you running when I told you to stop,

" Sheng Li was calm and was gentle while enquiring about her.

"It was fun,

" Ying Lili answered.

Sheng Li lifted his eyes from her knee and peered at her. Ying Lili gulped, seeing his intent gaze on her. She felt he would scold her for being careless.

"It was indeed fun until you hurt yourself. You have not recovered fully. I allowed you to have fun because I know you cannot stay in one place for longer. But if you do this again, you will stay in Zhenzhu Inn for a week until you recover fully as your dearest friend has told me.

" Sheng Li did not scold her, but he warned her.

"I understand. I will not do this again,

" Ying Lili stated, and pushed her skirt down to cover her exposed knees.

"Be ready for your punishment then,

" Sheng Li sternly said.

"Pardon me?

"

"I told you to stop, else I will punish you,

" Sheng Li stated. A smirk appeared on his lips, which made Ying Lili gulp, who clutched her skirt tightly.