The Ageless Dream

6.2 Masked General (23)

"Put me down!" Dong Li Hua shouted, trying to get away from him when Huang Zhao pulled the steed's rein as it stopped and rose up in two hooves. She was terrified then paused hitting him with her fists.

"You really wont stop?" he halted the steed, giving Dong Li Hua enough time to catch her breath.

"Sir General, you know, you are the most unreasonable man I've ever met!" she glared intently without a choice. Dong Li Hua decided to be quiet thus, the steed started moving again after she insulted him. She directed her gaze in front where the soldier they met at the pond is escorting them to another place. Huang Zhao forced her to go with him by using the bracelet as an exchange. He never told her where they are heading to but from the black banner and familiar Qin script the soldier holds, she came to understand they are part of Qin's army and is probably going to a military camp.

It didn't take long when they reached a tall city wall. She had a hard time trying to discern what is on top of the stonewall since its quite high but there are visible silhouettes of soldiers there, overlooking outside the City of Xinzheng incase there is an intruder. By the city gate, there are soldiers that are on guard too and once seeing the great general, they immediately opened it to welcome him back.

When Huang Zhao passed through, the soldiers kept their head down while giving respectful salutes yet not even daring to take a glimpse on him as if they were afraid to even try. Dong Li Hua tried to move herself away from Huang Zhao when he suddenly cleared his throat.

"Stop moving." he whispered but Dong Li Hua is not satisfied with her position and kept moving, even blocking Huang Zhao's sight which further annoyed him. Huang Zhao had enough, he steadied her by using both his arms to surround her sides then leaning close and that is when Dong Li Hua realized why he did that. A shameful little bro is awakened, wuwu~! "Miss Lizi, what you are doing will be something you'll regret later on if you wont heed my warning." Huang Zhao threatened. She nodded her head obediently and lowered her head as Huang Zhao moved back to give her space. Her face went lit up and it was like it is about to explode from shame.

"My God! He's not only a mean bully, this man is also a p*****t! Someone please save me, ah!" she screamed in her mind. Thankfully, Huang Zhao was silent the next moment and he hastened the steed's speed to reach their destination quickly.

Upon finally arriving in front of a manor, Dong Li Hua started to notice they are not in Xianyang. "Where is this place?" she asked in confusion.

"Capital of Hann State, Xinzheng City." Huang Zhao answered. He stopped the steed and dropped down. Dong Li Hua tilted her head slightly and read the sign saying 'Marquis An Manor'. The lettering is quite different from Qin's language and she found it strange that she understood the ancient words of the fallen Hann.

"Hann State? How old is King Zheng?" Dong Li Hua knitted her brows. If Qin army is in Hann, does that mean Ying Zheng is already in his late twenties? He started to attack Hann when he was already twenty-eight according to the Records of the Grand Historian.

"His Majesty is already eighteen. Everyone knew that." Huang Zhao haughtily answered then he reached his hand out to Dong Li Hua.

"Eighteen? You're not fooling me, are you?" her brows creased. What's wrong with history? Its clear that the internet mentioned Ying Zheng was twenty-eight when Hann suffered from his assaults! This is not right...

"No. I met King Zheng for many times already. He and I have the same age." as Dong Li Hua reluctantly held his hand, Huang Zhao tugged downwards without saying a word.

"Huang Zhao!" she cant help but shout in fright. Dong Li Hua's heart raced, she thought she would kiss the ground but the bully Huang Zhao caught her in time and is now taking advantage of her again by encasing his arms around her.

"You are the only person who dared to say my name out loud." Huang Zhao playfully smiled and let go of her. The manor's gate opened, he entered in a carefree manner while Dong Li Hua followed him.

"The bracelet, please give it back." she tugged his sleeve to stop Huang Zhao but he did not halt his steps.

"After I give it back?"

"I will leave, of course." her answer unexpectedly made him stop then face her.

"Leave? After you saw me bare in the forest?" he loudly asked. The servants who were passing by stole a glance towards them.

"S-shut up!" she clenched her fist. Without knowing, her face blushed from shame knowing he tried to act like a victim as if she even r***d him and recalling that masculine- what the hell is she thinking?!

"Take responsibility, Miss Lizi." Huang Zhao pulled out a mischievous smile but Dong Li Hua seriously wanted to wipe that smirk off his face and without speaking, she threw a punch. "You!" he was left speechless, rubbing his jaw to ease the slight pain. She looked so innocent and cute but her personality is totally different!

"Shameless, shameless!" Dong Li Hua is trembling from suppressed anger. However, Huang Zhao held her wrists to restrain her incase she wanted to punch him again.

"Miss Lizi, if you want this bracelet back then please behave yourself. I brought you here for a reason."

"Then provide one." she glared.

"You suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Of course, as a Qin ren [1], we should investigate your obscure origin. If you are proven innocent, I will give the bracelet back and set you free."

"I am not a spy. What if Im a Hann ren?" she squinted her eyes to match his dominating attitude.

"Hann ren? With that strange clothing?" he raised a brow then shamelessly swept his gaze over her. Dong Li Hua raised her hand to slap him but Huang Zhao easily caught her wrist. His dark somber eyes flickering with sharp lights. "Within the seven states, there are no women who tried wearing revealing clothes. Even courtesans have longer skirt. Thus, if you want other's to respect you, try wearing something less short."

Dong Li Hua pulled her wrist back then glanced at herself. She is from the modern times and wearing a knee-leng skirt is not prohibited. Unless of course she time travelled and met an old ancestor like Huang Zhao. The ancient times are far too conservative and strict where even showing a woman's wrist is an act of being s****l.

[1] ren- literally means human/person. During the Seven Warring States, a Qin ren means a Qin person, it goes on to Chu, Wei, Yan, Hann, Qi and Zhao.