The Ageless Dream

18.2 Xiang Gongzhi's Favorite (71)

"Eight Treasures Porridge to the seventh private room!" one of the workers in Xiangmi Winehouse called out. Business is still booming though winter solstice is near. Land of Xiang is well cultivated by the Xiang Family and thus, it was almost as prosperous as the capital of Chu.

"I'll take it." from the kitchen, Dong Li Hua came out. She took the tray from the counter and moved to the boisterous place.

"Sister Fei Yu, be careful on the steps!"

"En." she smiled and went to the second floor. After reaching the seventh room, she knocked on the door to ask permission.

"Come in."

Dong Li Hua entered without looking up. She placed the meal on top of the table when a hand immediately grabbed her wrist.

"Feifei, you're being cold again." Xiang Ji pulled her to this side and swiftly placed his arm around her shoulder to keep her still.

"Young Master, if you want someone to accompany you, I'll ask for some girls to come here." forcing a smile, Dong Li Hua have the urge to slap his hand. She agreed to work here in Xiangmi Winehouse and she thought he won't meddle with her but to think the building is actually his late birth mother's business, he just tricked her to work here.

"No need. Feifei is enough." he played with few locks of her hair when Dong Li Hua threatened him with a not so threatening gaze.

"General Xiang Liang already forbade Young Master to meet me." Dong Li Hua warned then slowly removed his arm from her as she inched far. Right now, Xiang Ji owns the business but the young man gave it to his uncle instead so he can frolic wherever he wanted. Using his identity as the half-owner of the winehouse, Xiang Ji often visits this place and kept staying in the seventh private room.

Like their agreement, she have to obey what he says. Xiang Ji asked her to bring every meal he ordered to the seventh room and if possible, accompany him sometimes. Almost half a week, he would be here to annoy her. Why can't he find someone else? Its not like she's the only female servant in this winehouse!

"Uncle did say but he only thinks you're a spy. I monitored you these few days and its proven you are not one. Furthermore, I never get to know where you came from so may I?" Xiang Ji leaned down with his arm in the futon to support himself while Dong Li Hua inclined on the armrest.

"Is this necessary to get close? There are courtesans here." she asked though inside her mind, shocked that he can make her think he is playing around but is actually spying on her. Dong Li Hua suddenly recalled 'Huang Zhao'. Ying Zheng did the same to fool her. If she is nit smart enough and let her heart be reckless, she would have not survived this long in such a world.

"Answer my question." he persisted until their face were only few inches away. Dong Li Hua suppressed her annoyance and placed her hands on his chest to keep their distance.

"Im from...Im from Danyang."

"Danyang? Oh, no wonder you never returned there. I heard Chu State's army are stationed over the city. So, you fled and came here?" Xiang Ji moved back. He composed himself back to his carefree temper before sipping on a tea. If his guess is right, Danyang is the frontier of Chu against Qin. With the city close to Qin, they let soldiers occupy it for defence incase that tyrant Ying Zheng tries to set his eyes on Chu. Fei Yu must have abandoned her hometown to avoid getting dragged into the war.

"R-right." Dong Li Hua secretly sighed in relief. Being a member of an archeological family gave her some advantage in this era. She studied the Seven Warring State's geographical order in their home and at school. Chu is not under Qin's assault yet. What year is she in this time? This bracelet is truly trying to kill her with all this mess, ah.

"That bracelet looks beautiful." Xiang Ji suddenly said. He is not looking at her but on the dancing courtesans instead. It only means he had long noticed the bracelet.

"It is." she broke into cold sweat. Her bracelet is too eye-catching. Its design and materials were signs of nobility. Surely Xiang Ji will ask her more questions.

"Fei Yu, don't hide anything from me. This land is controlled by my family." he tilted his head to look at her, a devious smile forming on his face.

"If Xiang Gongzhi is insistent. I am from Danyang, a fiance of a nobleman." she lowered her gaze, her eyelashes covering her faint sorrow. "My fiance gifted me this bracelet as a promise for faithfulness. Unfortunately, the army arrived in Danyang and we have no choice but to leave the city. Its a sign of danger and we are aware of it. However, my fiance left first and told me to wait for him in Xiang since this place is far from the border. I followed him here but...there are no news about him."

"... Handkerchief?" Xiang Ji handed a silk handkerchief to her. He felt guilty bringing it up. She looked so meek and fragile that tears can flow out of her eyes any given moment. Imagining that scene made him feel irresponsible.

"No need." she shook her head. Dong Li Hua can sense sympathy but unknown to him, she is lying. Dong Li Hua smiled helplessly in her heart for deceiving him. Her acting skill is useful for her now. From the written novels and history, there were beauties who used sympathy to control men and turn them into puppets. She can try deceiving Xiang Ji to escape every trouble she will have. However, that doesn't mean she will use him for harming others or to fool him entirely. Its only about her safety until she returns to her era.