The Ageless Dream

16.2 The Sudden Change (63)

"Ying Zheng, have you thought this through? If Li Si was here, he would have disagreed!" Xie Er stood up from her seat in fury. Her gaze is full of disbelief but Ying Zheng looked to be not bothered.

"Its my decision. This is my family's problem, not yours, not Qin's." Ying Zheng calmly said and stared back. He wont bother fighting with her since he knew she is difficult to deal with.

"But crowning Sing Ziying as a prince will make the Lü faction oppose you further! Moreover, Ying Chengjiao betrayed you and Qin State. This is not your style. Repaying evil with kindness is not what the Ying Zheng I know will do." she can't believe what Ying Zheng did. If only she came here earlier, things would've changed. Xie Er understood Ying Zheng. He hated Ying Chengjiao for leaving behind his responsibilities behind just to be with Song Aoyun but what Ying Zheng did is too gentle. He let his brother die with a swift death, returned Song Aoyun to Handan and will soon turn Ying Ziying a prince of Qin. This is unacceptable.

"You don't understand it don't you?" Ying Zheng smiled bitterly to show how he truly feels.

"I don't. You are totally not the Ying Zheng I know. First, you let Lü Buwei visit your mother in secret. Second, you did nothing when Queen Dowager was impregnated by someone. Third, you did not even stop the liaison even when they planned to control you. And now, this? Ying Zheng, why are you letting them be happy when they're slowly strangling you?"

"It's expected you and Li Si don't understand."

"What do you mean?" she frowned.

"Well, the two of you have no family." Ying Zheng stood up and towered over Xie Er. Her lips quivered as a sign he went too far. "Xie Er, leave this matter alone. I cam handle it myself."

"Why? Let me know why you are so insistent to be hurt and you let them know nothing-?!"

"Its because they are the only family I have left!" his eyes darkened after raising his voice for a bit. "I can do anything to make them feel comfortable in this cruel world. I can sacrifice my dignity for an exchange of their satisfaction. If I were to lose Ziying and my mother then what reason do I have to continue fighting? Do you even know how it felt to see your loved ones die in front of you, twice? How do you expect to understand me then?"

"Ying Zheng, Sister Hua is here. Li Si and I too. We treat you better than Zhao Ji! As for Ying Ziying, are you certain he wont betray you once he knows you never forgave his father and caused Ying Chengjiao to commit suicide? Think, what will he do?" she kept persuading him to rethink but Ying Zheng only casted a cold smile.

"Leave. If this is about exiling them, I won't agree. Just leave." he leaned back and left Xie Er alone in the study.

Xie Er heaved a deep sigh. She is concerned regarding his leniency to the ones he held importance with even if they are already destroying him bit by bit. One day, this will be his flaw and might cause him to be insane.

"Ying Zheng, you're not listening!" Dong Li Hua pinched Ying Zheng's waist. He flinched and threw an accusing gaze to her. "Prince Ziying was praised by the scholar you hired to tutor him. The scholar said he has talents in literacy and a very quick learner too."

"Is that so." Ying Zheng glanced upward and observed the smiling boy sitting across him. "Xiao Zi, its great you have talent in scholarly pursuits. I guess this is the reward you deserve." he placed down his chopsticks and took something from his sleeve pocket. It was an envelope and he handed it to Ying Ziying.

"A letter from Mother!" the young boy was surprised. He can't help but feel ecstatic to open the envelope but he decided not to since they are having dinner.

"Seriously? Why is your food better than the ones served in my courtyard? This is too unfair, ah." Dong Li Hua lamented, savoring the meal in front of her. She often chooses to visit Ying Zheng during meals and the reason is because the female chef serving in her residence is making food difficult to eat.

"No wonder she comes here three times a day. It was for the food..." Ying Zheng thought as an uneven smile spreads across his face. He had suspected she came here to ask for his help but she actually cares for the food more than him.

"Imperial Uncle, can I ask something?" Ying Ziying glanced on the two. His air of tantalizing eyes were too irresistible.

"Go on."

"I was wondering why Miss Hua is very close to Imperial Uncle. Father treats Mother the same doting way like how Imperial Uncle does. Is Miss Hua your wife?" the question made Dong Li Hua choke on the tea. She coughed fervently while Ying Zheng looked away. From Ying Ziying's view, he can see Ying Zheng's ears turning red.

"Your Highness, Im your Uncle's, uhhh...friend. We're not married, ah." Dong Li Hua gulped down Ying Zheng's tea to stop her coughing. Once she returned the cup, Ying Zheng's face darkened.

"Oh. That's unfortunate. Since Miss Hua is quite beautiful and Imperial Uncle is very handsome, you two can make a good pair. I was wondering what my cousin would look like if Miss Hua and Imperial Uncle has a baby." Ying Ziying pouted slightly but what he said made Dong Li Hua suppress the fishy taste rising from her throat. Little ancestor is advance in thinking. Already imagining a future cousin...

"Uhm, Li Hua. Are you alright?" the silent Ying Zheng suddenly asked.

"Y-yes. Sort of." she tried to show her best smile but the fishy taste made her lose a bit of compromise.

"Then why is there blood here...?" Ying Zheng used his sleeve to wipe the corner of her lip. From his white sleeve were traces of red blood. Dong Li Hua gave up and fainted. She blamed Ying Ziying for that cousin thingy. Having a child with Ying Zheng? Pei! Too far from reality and imagination!