The Ageless Dream

8.1 Hundred Scar of the Past (30)

Dong Li Hua paced back and forth inside a parlour by the waterside of a koi pond. Her two maidservants, Jie Cui and Jie Ming are starting to feel dizzy from watching her walk to and fro.

"Ah Li." just then, a magnetic deep voice resounded. Dong Li Hua stopped her movements and looked behind. Standing in front of the moon gate is a young man wearing his usual neat white robe. His dark lustrous hair tied upward, still reaching his waist region whilst being held by a headpiece and pin. A silver mask covering his upper face but the color matched his snowy skin tone. Though he only showcased his thin pink lips, tall straight nose and defined jawline, he too has a well-built body with a thin waist and broad shoulder.

"Sir General, do you have it?" she quickly went to his side. Dong Li Hua was smiling expectantly, she has been waiting for him to arrive.

"Mn. Take them in." Huang Zhao ordered, three maidservants entered, all holding trays with different contents. Stack of huaben, a sketching book and wooden blocks for playing Jenga.

"Is Zhan jiejie [1] coming today?" Dong Li Hua asked, skimming through the pile of huaben. She is truly bored staying sheltered inside the manor while Huang Zhao kept staying in the military camp outside Xinzheng City.

"She was sent back to Xianyang yesterday. This is a letter she left for you." he took out a folded paper inside his sleeve pocket and gave it to Dong Li Hua. These past few weeks, Zhan Yuling became Dong Li Hua's playmate. She would visit Dong Li Hua and present many ideas that often gave Huang Zhao a headache. One of it is when Zhan Yuling showed a popular huaben in Xianyang. Dong Li Hua kept annoying him for the rest of his days just to give her a copy of that book. Now, she even asked for more in order to get rid of her boredom. The sketchbook is for her imagination and the wooden blocks, he doesn't know why she asked for it.

"Oh? She'll marry General Meng two months from now!" Dong Li Hua gasped in surprise. From Zhan Yuling's letter, she needs to wait for Meng Tian in Xianyang where their wedding will be held after stabilizing the State of Hann and keeping the State of Zhao away from Qin. "But why did she leave Xinzheng?"

"Its dangerous if she stays here. Her relationship with Senior Meng is not simple thus, there are some hidden threats here in Xinzheng if she were to stay. Just like you, the whole Xinzheng already knew about us so there is a probability your life will be in line. Senior Meng sent Zhan Yuling back to Xianyang for her safety." Huang Zhao patiently explained.

"I wish I could go there tp congratulate her." Dong Li Hua pouted, she folded the paper and handed it to Jie Cui.

"After stabilizing Hann, me and Senior Meng will return to Xianyang. You can come if you want." as he spoke, Huang Zhao turned his back from her and is going to depart again.

"Sir General, wait." she went forward and tugged his sleeve. Huang Zhao faced her and waited for her question. "Is there any movement from the State of Zhao? Im getting hopeless about the fake lover plan."

"No movement. The closest army is within hundred li from Hann. If you want the plan to work then act more like a real lover." flicking her forehead, Huang Zhao's lips tilted upward into a smart smile.

"Like a real lover..." Dong Li Hua thought while glaring at Huang Zhao and st the same time, rubbing her forehead to diminish the pain. She suddenly came up with an idea. "Where are you heading today?"

"Military camp." he tilted his head slightly in confusion when Dong Li Hua pushed him outside her courtyard.

"Work well. The sun is getting high so hurry and don't get late for work. Bye~." Dong Li Hua scurried back, leaving Huang Zhao outside. He lightly knitted his brows while trying to guess what she is up to.

Before lunch that day, Dong Li Hua grabbed a basket of freshly picked fruit from the back harden of the manor. Jie Cui and Jie Ming were holding a closed bamboo woven basket, inside them are meals prepared for someone.

"Don't forget the utensils. Oh, I almost forgot Lan Hu. Jie Cui, Jie Ming, wait for me outside the manor." Dong Li Hua ordered before heading to Huang Zhao's courtyard. Since Huang Zhao wants her to act like a real lover, she will try to so this whole shenanigan stops earlier and bait Zhao State. "Lan Hu, Lan Hu."

A low growl resonated inside the residence. Upon seeing Dong Li Hua, Lan Hu stretched himself before rushing to her like a child. He rubbed his back around her knee as Dong Li Hua squatted down. "Let's go visit your master. Want to come?"

The intelligent beast nodded happily, its blue eyes shined through the sunlight and followed Dong Li Hua into a carriage waiting outside the manor. Lan Hua lied down across Dong Li Hua and the carriage started to move towards the military camp. Once it stopped, she wore a veil to cover her lower face.

"Miss, we've arrived." not long later, Jie Ming called out. Dong Li Hua stepped out of the carriage, holding a basket of fruit while Lan Hu stood beside her.

The military camp is full of soldiers running from every direction and standing to their tents to chat with acquaintances. Seeing a maiden suddenly visiting the camp, they all stoped to have a good look at Dong Li Hua. She is dressed in a white hanfu and thin silky veil that alleviated her tender white skin. It was embroidered with purple wisteria flower that draped until the edge of her skirt and sleeves. With a delicately slim figure, she can attract anyone easily. Other thant that, her disposition and seeming purely innocent face can bring a nation's downfall even if she looked harmless, fragile and adorable.

However, what made the soldiers more infatuated were her eccentric green eyes.

[1] jiejie which means big/elder sister