The Ageless Dream

19.3 Race to Wei (75)

Back in Xiangmi Winehouse, Dong Li Hua finally returned. Her mind was filled of Qin's current status, mostly about Ying Zheng too. A spy in Chu was sent there to kill him. It was not mentioned in history and she never knew if Ying Zheng suffered any assassination attempts. However, she remembers clearly he is the man who unified the seven states. There are rebels under his rule and someone keeps sending assassins to settle him. It's an obvious scenario since every powerful people who trampled over millions of lives will experience it. What she lacks for now are the names and proofs to reveal the identity of those who wants to kill him. Travelling two thousand years ago is truly difficult once you are not certain of the timeline.

"Ah, Sister Yu is back."

"Sister Yu, we heard what happened in the manor.

"Sister Yu, there's a bruise on your lip."

"Is it true you were caught on bed with the Young Master?"

"Did Lord Chiao punished Young Master Xiang Ji?"

Questions and remarks were thrown to her the instant she entered the winehouse. "Uhm... I only delivered the meal to Xiang Gongzhi when Lord Chiao arrived in the residence. Xiang Gongzhi wasn't punishes since we did nothing ambiguous at all. He just gained Lord Chiao's recognition." she avoided their questions and hurriedly entered her room.

Dong Li Hua shut the door tightly before sighing in melancholy. She lifted her wrist and stared on her bracelet for a long time. "Why am I sent back here again?" frowning, Dong Li Hua suddenly realized a point.

First, she met the thirteen-year-old monarch of Qin back then. It was her who presented an art she learnt from her grandfather's teachings which he adapted upon discovering how the Terracotta Warriors were built. After that, she returned. Next, she came back when Ying Zheng conquered Hann.

She witnessed the fall of Ying Chengjiao and persuaded Ying Zheng to be kind to Ying Ziying. Only when he grew attached to his nephew did she left his side again. This time...

Was it to keep him safe from Chu Ren?

That night, the specks of snow rained over the seven states as the first wave of winter solstice. There are less customers because of the terrible weather. With this, Dong Li Hua had more time to plan and ponder over the dilemma.

"Sister Yu, a guest asked for your accompaniment in the seventh private room."

"In a minute." Dong Li Hua finished accounting the profits they had for the month since the manager took a leave for today. She carefully placed the book in a compartment then headed to the seventh private room. It has been three days since she last met Xiang Ji. He seems serious when being taught and maybe his lessons were extended until the fourth day.

When she arrived there, she was a bit surprised that a fat man was waiting for her and there are no signs of Xiang Ji at all. She is confused but since she willingly came here, she has to comply. Dong Li Hua took a reluctant step forward whilst she noticed the way he looked at her.

"You must be Miss Fei Yu." the fat man shamelessly swept his gaze over her. He was nearly drooling seeing her slender dainty figure. She looked quite fragile and her whole image was touched with a submissive softness though her face contains stubbornness. "The rumors in Shouchun are true! Miss Fei Yu is like a fairy that can transform into a fox spirit [1]. Ah, what a beautiful pair of jade eyes Miss Fei Yu has."

"Oh no." Dong Li Hua thought and her steps halted. She looked back to the door with the idea of making am excuse to leave.

"Come here, drink wine with me." he quickly held Dong Li Hua's hand and forced her to set next to him. "Such soft skin, so tender..."

"This is not good! Somebody come in please! Save me!!!" she screamed in her head as cold sweats covered her forehead. Dong Li Hua tried to calm herself since she knew they are in a winehouse, he won't violate the rules, right?

Unfortunately, her line of thoughts and the man are not the same. He placed a hand on her thigh which made her flinch. She quickly stood up in response.

"Sir, I- I can ask for another girl to come here." Dong Li Hua stammered and her face turned blanch. The memories of Du Feng kept flashing uncontrollably in her mind.

"No, no. I came here for Miss Fei Yu only." he got up and placed his hands forward but Dong Li Hua kept going backwards. She heard a creaking sound from behind. Dong Li Hua bumped on the wall. A dead end for her.

"Sir, I should-"

"Aha~. Stay here, let us have some fun, yes?" the fat man is about to grab her shoulder when someone grasped his wrist. "Who?!"

"This is not a brothel." a piercingly cold voice said. Xiang Ji arrived on time and his eyes went frosty when he noticed the girl next to him is pale probably because of fear.

"Who are you?! I am the son of a noble household! How dare you- ah!!!" the man screamed in agony. Xiang Ji broke the wrist with just a small effort of him.

"I am the son of General Xiang Chiao, the heir of Xiang Clan. How dare you violate the rules and harass my precious 'staff'." he cruelly smiles and slapped the guest. The fat man flew backwards until he hits the wall. Cracks formed and his nose was bleeding.

"X-Xiang Gongzhi, stay calm... Im fine, y-you came in time." Dong Li Hua softly tugged his sleeve with her eyes lowered. She is still amazed in her heart to witness the strength of Xiang Ji which was unrivalled in history.

"Hmph. A trash from Shouchun." he glared with enmity and took Dong Li Hua out. The commotion caused crowds to gather outside the room but one look from Xiang Ji made them retreat.

Dong Li Hua bit her lip and followed him silently with his hand possessively holding her wrist. She can tell his expression turning dark because of overthinking for her but her focus was on the military token tied to his waistband with the character Xiang engraved on it.

[1] just playing with words which meant pure but seducing people to do something bad