The Ageless Dream

15.4 Qin's New Prince (61)

"Princess!" a maid rushed into the hallway. Dong Li Hua stepped to the side to let the maid reach the beautiful woman. "Princess, Prince Chengjiao, he..."

"What happened to Father?" the young boy asked in worry.

"Prince Chengjiao? Are you his son? You must be his wife too?" Dong Li Hua realized who they are. She is quite shocked to know this. But how did it happen? Since Ying Chengjiao left Qin, his family should be dead right now. Who are they then?

"His Highness... His Highness committed suicide in the city jail." the maid said and brought waves of shock to the pair of mother and son.

"That's not true! Chengjiao won't do such thing! He won't abandon us!" the young woman cried as her son stood there without moving.

"Elder Brother left his first family in Qin, why can't he do the same to you?" just then, a deep voice resounded in the courtyard. Dong Li Hua turned behind her to see Ying Zheng; no longer wearing his disguise.

"Who are you?" the young woman frowned. He looked a bit familiar with few resemblance of her husband.

"Song Aoyun, you forgot your brother-in-law?" Ying Zheng glared; his words made the young woman surprised. He then diverted his gaze to the young boy. Ying Zheng is a bit astounded, the young boy looked a lot like his older brother.

"Father has a brother? You're lying! Father told me he has no family!" the young boy stepped back. He can't adapt with the changes around him. His father's death and a new person's intervention in his life. It is too much to bear.

"Come here." Ying Zheng raised his hand to the young boy but Song Aoyun pulled her son to her side.

"Since my husband is dead, please let me and my son go." she tightly held the young boy's hand. Song Aoyun is nervous to what might happen, especially for her son.

"Audacious." he stepped forward and calmly placed his hands behind his back. "That is my older brother's son. Rather than making him stay to your side, its better if he is with me. Song Aoyun, your son's life is in the line. Do you want him to die during this war or to let him he secured on on my side?"

"Mother, what is he saying? Is he really Father's brother?" the young boy was puzzled.

"Zi'er." Song Aoyun sighed. She gently stroked the young boy's head. "He is your uncle. Be good and follow what he says."

"Is he surnamed Song?" Ying Zheng asked to interrupt them. Although he is not fully committed to be a responsible uncle, he can hive it a try with small efforts instead. Seeing Song Aoyun nod, Ying Zheng came to a decision. "Little boy, you shouldn't claim your mother's surname. As to not forget your father, you should be named Ying Ziying, not Song Ziying."

After settling in the governor's estate, Dong Li Hua found it so boring when there is no one to talk to. Jie Cui is with her but she's always busy doing chores, Lan Hu didn't learn the human language and Ying Zheng is strangely not bugging her.

"So bored." she lamented and walked with her other maids towards a new area she hadn't explored yet.

"Are you a boy or a girl? You can't even hold a sword right." Ying Zheng's voice resounded. This made Dong Li Hua stop and overlook the wife empty courtyard. Ying Zheng us standing under the shade of a tree while Ying Ziying is holding a wooden sword beneath the sun. The young boy is already perspiring profusely  gasping and obviously tired.

"So, this is why he never showed himself for days." Dong Li Hua thought and entered the training ground before picking a stick. She hid it behind her.

"Ziying, do you want your father to be proud? Then be mire like a prince, not a princess!" Ying Zheng reprimanded the boy.

"Is this not too much? Prince Ziying is just a kid." Dong Li Hua arrived next to Ying Zheng and made sure to hide the stick from his observing sight.

"This is just the basics. I don't want him to grow up like his father." he crossed his arms and gave her an indifferent glimpse. Ying Zheng returned his gaze to Ying Ziying again. The young boy is clearly tired but he kept having a spar with a soldier.

"So, you want him to become like you? Is that it?" she watched Ying Ziying but her whole attention is on the stick she is holding. "Does martial art make you safe?"

"That's a silly question." Ying Zheng noticed she is too calm. Every time she is like this, his guard will be lowered. As he expected, Dong Li Hua swiftly moved her hand towards his neck. Ying Zheng was stunned and quickly stepped back. However, she encased an arm around his shoulder and stuck something sharp on his back. "You- Li Hua, what are you doing?" he was confused to what she is up to. Ying Zheng recalled his jian sword but when he reached down to unsheathe is, he found out Dong Li Hua is holding the handle. It's a warning she have the upper hand.

"Ying Zheng  what if Prince Ziying learns the truth why his father died? After all, he is a prince and he will be brought back to Qin." Dong Li Hua whispered. She wanted Ying Zheng to learn more. Ying Chengjiao will be set as an example so he can realize his shortcomings.

"Li Hua, place that down." Ying Zheng warned. He glanced to the soldiers standing nearby but they are chatting with Dong Li Hua's servants. His face turned grim because of this.

"Sigh, its just a stick." Dong Li Hua moved back and revealed the wood she is holding. "I guess you don't know it yet. Ying Zheng  what sort of person is your older brother?"