The Ageless Dream

13.2 His Wedding Gift (52)

"Im angry at you. Very, very angry. You said you'll marry me but it's already two years! Where is it, ah? You don't want me anymore?" Zi Qian cried as she stood there but the young man only looked at her without a tinge of guilt. He didn't say a word other than sighing whether in pity or he had given up.

"Wait for a bit." he changed his expression and lightly smiled. "I still like you, Qianqian. It won't change."

"You don't! Go screw with your concubines!" Zi Qian angrily pushed him and left with tears blurring her sight. The young man has no thought of following Zi Qian and silently stood there before looking around as if searching for someone.

"Ow!" he closed an eye from pain then glanced upwards the moon gate.

Dong Li Hua is there, leaning on the wall while tossing a pebble on her pal in a repeated manner. She just threw a pebble on that guy's head out of vengeance.

"Men are truly dumb." she smiled in a fake way and left through another direction to avoid him. He is dumb because he set free such seasoned dish like Zi Qian. If Zi Qian lived in her era, she will surely become a superstar. However, like she said, he is truly dumb.

The day of the wedding arrived. A long procession happened as Zhan Yuling was toured around the main roads of Xianyang until the Meng Family Manor. Meng Tian in his red brocade approached the bridal sedan and kicked the door open. He helped Zhan Yuling down the carriage and brought her to the manor's front gate until the ceremonial hall. The matchmaker looped a red string around their pinky finger before starting the ceremony.

"Ha... I remember my wedding with my husband five years ago. It's also like this, ah." Qie Ning Bo wiped her tears while Zi Qian comforted her.

"Its my first time personally seeing a wedding like this." Dong Li Hua muttered.

"First time?" Tang Rouwei asked in puzzlement.

"Oh. Uh...yes. In my hometown, we have a different tradition for weddings." she quickly said. Tang Rouwei nodded with glimmering eyes, silently asking for more explanation. "Well, the groom and bride should wear a ring to their finger then unveil the bride and kiss after the matchmaker finished the ceremony."

"Truly different!" Qie Ning Bo and Zi Qian have eavesdropped and Tang Rouwei grew more interested.

After the three respectful bows, Meng Tian's mother gave Zhan Yuling a pastry to taste. It's a tradition as a sign that the groom's mother accepted her daughter-in-law. Zhan Yuling picked one among the box of tasty pastry but after lifting her veil to have a bite, an unexpected change occured.

"Yu'er!" Meng Tian shouted in worry.

Zhan Yuling staggered forward; her veil dropped along with the pastry down the floor. With her red lips parting slightly, crimson blood strolled down from the corner of her mouth. An arrow was shot on her back and pierced her heart. The whole hall went into a disarray.

"Protect King Zheng!" shadow guards started to appear. All of them were wearing a white fox mask with blue stripes and held sharp swords in hand. They surrounded the mysterious King Zheng who is sitting inside a side wing.

"Sister Zhan!" the girls worriedly called out and rushed to Zhan Yuling's side.

"Someone quickly call a physician!" General Meng Wu shouted; he unsheathed the sword hidden behind his chair as his wife held unto him in fear.

"Brother, take Sister Yu outside." Meng Tian's younger brother Meng Yi hurriedly suggested and knelt next to Meng Tian.

"Cousin Tian..." Zhan Yuling suddenly whispered, she reached out her hand and wiped Meng Tian's tears that are threatening to spill. "I... I love you. Please, don't grieve. I won't hold you back f-from loving someone else."

"Zhan jiejie, don't close your eyes! Sir Meng, don't touch the wound and cut the arrow in half but consider not pulling it out or Zhan jiejie will bleed." Tang Rouwei warned but Zhan Yuling only smiled before slowly closing her eyes.

"Yu'er?" Meng Tian's eyes rounded. He held Zhan Yuling's face but the young woman did not lift her eyelids and remained smiling peacefully. "Yu'er, wake up!"

"Zhan jiejie..." Dong Li Hua and the rest stuttered. She glanced behind once a chilling sensation crept in her heart. Dong Li Hua's eyes widened to see a familiar face within the panicking crowds of officials and women.

"Sir Meng, Sir Meng..." she turned to face Meng Tian with a terrified expression. The deep fear in her heart made her tremble slightly. "Du Mingluan is here. He- he did this."

Whoosh!

An arrow was shot to the folding screen behind Meng Wu with a red fabric intact. General Meng Wu removed the red fabric. Afterwards, he took a gander to Dong Li Hua and Meng Tian.

"Find that Du Mingluan! I want him alive!" he furiously stepped down the stairs and personally led his guards to search for Du Mingluan. General Meng Wu threw the red fabric beside Dong Li Hua and left.

She picked it up with trembling hands. Dong Li Hua's irises shrunk to read the message.

General Meng Tian, this is my wedding gift for you. Before my elder brother's death, he told me I should ruin your life and he will trample over General Huang instead. As for you, Dong Lizi, I will kill you next! Hopefully, General Huang is going to be moved once you're dead.

"Sister Zi, what is this? Who is Du Mingluan?" Zi Qian read the letter before Meng Yi snatched the red fabric from Dong Li Hua.

"A Zhao State official. He... His elder brother is a general Sir Meng and Sir Huang Zhao defeated. Du Mingluan is extracting revenge." Dong Li Hua clenched her fists. She suddenly remembered Huang Zhao's warm embrace but she quickly erased it from her thoughts. If only Huang Zhao had not deceived her, perhaps she would have relied on him at this moment.

Biting her lower lip, Dong Li Hua sat alone in a pavilion. The three other ladies had long retreated to their household for safety measures while she is staying here to wait for the result. A splashing sound disturbed her contemplation. She glanced to the side when she saw the familiar pretty boy standing by a lotus pond's waterside.