The Ageless Dream

7.4 A Reason to Claim (28)

Huang Zhao shot a sharp look but his ears were turning red. He admits, she does look cute and there will be only few people who can ignore her beauty trap.

"So, you are Cousin Tian's fiance?" the silent girl across Meng Tian finally spoke, she is using her chopsticks to poke the riceball in front of her until it was ruined beyond recognition. The scene made Dong Li Hua gulp. "I am Zhan Yuling, Cousin Tian's closest relative."

"H-hi..." Dong Li Hua smiled in a forced way, cold sweat pouring profusely on her nape. "I think... I think Miss Zhan misunderstood. This girl is General Huang's-" she abruptly stopped. Dong Li Hua doesn't want to admit she is Huang Zhao's fiance! They are still acting as a couple, not yet engaged. Is it safe to tell Zhan Yuling?

"Yu'er, its only a fake play. Besides, there is a change in the plan. I won't be her fiance." Meng Tian explained, he is still calm and indifferent at such matter.

"Really?" Zhan Yuling's eyes brightened but she composed herself hurriedly and cleared her throat. Meng Tian silently nodded, her heart skipped hearing that good news.

"Sir General, can we leave?" Dong Li Hua whispered, sitting next to Huang Zhao.

"Why?" he turned sideways, their nose brushing against each other as Dong Li Hua abashedly moved back. Huang Zhao noticed the faint blush on her cheeks as he had the urge to pinch it.

"I don't want to be a third wheel. See? General Meng Tian and Miss Zhan have a history, ah. Like you said, she directed that arrow to me because of jealousy."

"She won't hurt you. Sit down and eat so we can hurry back to the manor." he reminded, letting go of her hand while Dong Li Hua reluctantly sat beside Zhan Yuling. She wrung her handkerchief and puffed her cheeks im frustration. Huang Zhao held back his small laughter by smiling. He seemed to have picked a very useful knife to destroy the other states. She is not only a weapon but also a diamond among the sand.

"So... You will be General Huang Zhao's fake lover then?" Zhan Yuling asked. She is no longer throwing daggers at Dong Li Hua, her gaze turning amiable and so were her genuine sweet smile.

"Mn." Dong Li Hua nodded.

"Being a bait is not safe. If Zhao State wants Qin to lose, there is a chance you will get into big trouble." she continued speaking but her words made Dong Li Hua choke from the tea.

"Aiya! First, you vomited blood and now you're choking? Tsk! You're so fragile." Huang Zhao loathed, gently rubbing her back before she settled down.

"I hate you." Dong Li Hua muttered but Huang Zhao chuckled at her insult.

"I know." he is not the slightest bit angry. Huang Zhao forgot to mention her facade as his lover can send her to death if they failed.

After Dong Li Hua calmed down, a new set of meal came. She didn't wolfed down on her food since she is not alone in the room. Dong Li Hua was unable to notice nor Huang Zhao to, their movements full of etiquette, mirroring each other. Zhan Yuling is actually the talkative person in the group who broke the silence.

"There is a day where Cousin Tian forgot his boots because I placed them in the wrong closet inside Cousin Yi's room. That day was hilarious since he is running late for work. He entered the imperial court with his socks and slippers, becoming a laughing stock eventually." she continued speaking, ignoring Meng Tian's dangerous gaze.

Without noticing, Dong Li Hua grew closer to Zhan Yuling. Their harmonious laughter can tug heartstrings. Time passed by, its already late at noon. They separated ways outside the inn.

"Sir General." walking back to the carriage, Dong Li Hua squeezed his hand. They are still holding each other incase a spy is watching them.

"Yesterday, you called my name out loud. This morning, you chanted I look like a monkey. Now, you are being courteous?" he can't help but raise a brow.

"Only if Im not in danger. Yesterday, that Lan Hu tiger nearly ate me so I called your name out of nervousness." she glanced somewhere else then tugged at his hand. "Can- can I have some of those? You are the one who has money anyway." Dong Li Hua pointed to a stall selling candies where a tanghulu stand is also placed.

"Go on. Consider it as my first payment." Huang Zhao released her hand. The moment he did, she rushed to the stall and started to select candies with different flavors. He shook his head because of her childish side before approaching her. Huang Zhao placed his hand behind his back, standing near Dong Li Hua as he glanced around nonchalantly. He looked like a wealthy young master watching over his dainty little wife.

"My, that's a lot of sweets dear." the old lady who owned the stall can't help but exclaim. Is the young girl not afraid to have a toothache?

"Let her be." Huang Zhao lightly smiled. "How much does it cost?"

"Oh, I see." the old lady smiled sheepishly, glancing at Dong Li Hua and Huang Zhao. "A doting husband, ah. It's all fifty copper coins."

"No, wait! I want more, please? The last one, I promise." Dong Li Hua was unable to hear the old lady's comment. She turned to Huang Zhao while pointing towards the tanghulu stand.

"You-" he can't believe she is taking three bags of sweets yet she is asking for an additional tanghulu. Dong Li Hua pouted and looked down, trying to look like a victim which caused Huang Zhao to reluctantly nod. With a pleased smile, Dong Li Hua grabbed two tanghulu and gave one to him. Huang Zhao was stunned momentarily but he regained his senses and tossed two silver ban liang coins to the old lady.

"This..." the old lady was shocked. A single silver coin is equivalent to a thousand copper coin. Its quite generous of the young man to give her a thousand and hundreds of excess changes.