The Ageless Dream

15.1 Qin's New Prince (58)

Inside a dimly lit bedchamber, Dong Li Hua carefully stepped in. She entered the dragon chamber without Ying Zheng's permission. Because of his voice, she started to doubt his identity.

Dong Li Hua slowly lifted the bed curtain and Ying Zheng is not there. "The bed is cold." she touched the bed before concluding Ying Zheng might be outside for a long time already. "It's a great chance!" Dong Li Hua went to the desks. She started rummaging through every corner to find a silver mask but thee is nothing else than clothes or blank xuan papers.

"The study must have it? No, its not good to enter his study. He might regard me as a spy." she pinched her chin and thought deeply while walking out of the room. Its fortunate she didn't meet Ying Zheng or the patrolling guards. Dong Li Hua is about to leave when she noticed some movements outside. She curiously went to the balcony and saw a familiar figure in the middle of the training ground.

Ying Zheng holds an exquisite jian sword that was passed down from his ancestors. He moved gracefully with the win in practicing swordsmanship and martial arts. She silently watched him, her gaze mostly on his exposed abdomen. Before he drool can even drop, Ying Zheng turned to another direction and this made her eyes widen after seeing his back.

"Hey, that's enough. You will overexert yourself again." Xie Er reminded yet lazily sitting underneath a tree with her maid outfit. She watched Ying Zheng move quickly, seemingly unable to hear her warning and continued his training. "Sigh, Ying Zheng. You remember the time Li Si thought you drowned? I can guess he will come here today once you have a breakdown and kiss you again."

In the instant, Ying Zheng's face grew funny. He picked a pebble and threw it to Xie Er. "Shut up. He wasn't able to do that because you intervened. If you hadn't poured water on me to wake me up, will he think I drowned? Moreover, you only stopped him not because you worried for me but you worried for his first kiss that should be yours!"

"Hmph!" Xie Er scoffed and easily evaded the pebble. "Admit this, you won't stop training after that incident in 'Huang Zhao's' manor. We are both worried for Sister Hua but are you not afraid of the consequences? Ying Zheng, remember well that you have a frail body than normal men."

"Li Hua is back." he seriously spoke. "Now that she's back and Im old enough for her, I should be the one protecting her. Not you, not even Li Si." Ying Zheng proclaimed and closed his eyes. He used his fabric wristband to wipe the sweat on his forehead. A white soft fabric was pressed on his cheek to remove his perspiration. "Xie Er, if Li Si were to come here, don't let him meet Li Hua."

"Unless he barged into this training ground." Xie Er answered but her voice is somewhat weak. Ying Zheng frowned upon realizing her voice was transmitted far. Then who is wiping his face?

"Why should I not meet him?" once he lifted his eyelids, he saw Dong Li Hua standing before him. She removed all the perspiration on his face and tucked his loose hair strands behind his ear.

"How- since when, you...?" Ying Zheng staggered back but Dong Li Hua quickly went behind him.

"You have hundreds of scars on your back." Dong Li Hua can see those thin short scars that are familiar to her. Since Ying Zheng is not wearing his upper clothes, she immediately saw the scars that are proof of his facades.

"Alright. I admit it." Ying Zheng calmly raised his hand as if surrendering. His lips tilted upward to a haughty yet playful smile. "Though I hid that mask very well, I should have at least considered you will sneak here today."

"Brat." the corner of her eye twitched. Dong Li Hua reached upward and pinched his ear.

"Ow! H-hey! Li Hua, I can explain!" he hissed in pain and had no choice but to lean down. "Xie Er, help me out here!"

"Why should I? You started it." Xie Er yawned and continued her sleep. She comfortably leaned on the tree and ignored Ying Zheng's plead.

"Now that you're eighteen, you think fooling your own babysitter is a good thing? Ying Zheng, ah. You made me feel paranoid after what you did in Xinzheng!" Dong Li Hua scolded Ying Zheng. She is annoyed why he tried to take control of her. Considering their relationship as playmates during his younger days, she can't accept the fact she now became a toy for him.

"I didn't mean to. Its my fault but I wasn't able to recognize Li Hua before! If only Li Hua told me her real name, I wouldn't have tricked you. Im sorry too that I forgot." he explained sincerely and Dong Li Hua loosened her pinching. She heaved a deep sigh and completely set his ear free.

"Ying Zheng." Dong Li Hua pinched her nose. She can see him rubbing his ear and both his dark eyes were tearful. A faint blush emerged on her face. Even though he looked mature, with his youth, Ying Zheng still matched a childish personality. He looked utterly cute with such childish expression but dangerously attractive when calm or serious.

"Im truly sorry. The reason why my throat was sore because when Li Hua left Xinzheng, I hurriedly trained all the soldiers under me before the next general came. Afterwards, I recalled Li Hua the very same day and rushed out of Hann to follow you without rest. It caused me to lose my voice to see Li Hua. I didn't mean to control Li Hua. Qin is my top priority and because Li Hua have better ideas, I thought of manipulating you in Qin's behalf but I promise, I won't do it again."

"Aww... You grew up so fast from being immature." Xie Er didn't forget to throw mud at him during his serious confession. Ying Zheng threw a sharp glare since she broke the mood.

"Its good that you won't do it again." Dong Li Hua sighed in relief. At least, Ying Zheng admitted his crime honestly and had a complete reasoning for doing that.