The Ageless Dream

9.1 Red Fabrics (36)

"Miss, you've been staring at the bracelet again." Jie Cui reminded Dong Li Hua who is sitting alone in the open parlour. In front of her is a building she built with the wooden blocks Huang Zhao brought few days ago. Atop the block is an elegant bracelet.

"Huh?" Dong Li Hua blinked. She placed the bracelet back to her sleeve pocket. For a whole day, she did not wear the bracelet for even once. Afraid that she will screw Huang Zhao's plan of bidding time for Qin army's growing strength.

"Miss, General Huang sent a letter for you." Jie Ming finally arrived, holding a folded xuan paper. Dong Li Hua accepted it but as Jie Ming reached out, the collar of her hanfu lowered.

"Hm? Jie Ming, are those hickeys?" Dong Li Hua noticed the purplish bite marks on Jie Ming's neck. They are almost fading. Jie Ming was terrified, covering her neck and standing to the side. "Are you alright?"

"Sister Ming..." Jie Cui bit her lower lip.

"M-Miss, Im sorry!" Jie Ming knelt down, kowtowing to Dong Li Hua.

"Jie Ming, stop! Your forehead will bleed!" Dong Li Hua went to her side  raising her up to see a tearful Jie Ming. She felt pity for Jie Ming, this is her personal maidservant who is like a sister to her. "What happened? Who did this?"

"Miss... Servant was forced. Nübi didn't mean to. Please believe me." Jie Ming cried, wiping her tears while Jie Cui stood to the side, remaining indifferent to the other girl.

"What do you mean?" she frowned at Jie Ming's words.

"Miss, the- the night General was drugged, he...he forced nübi." Jie Ming said between her sobs. "The physician entered the bedchamber and went out quick. Servant is unclear of what happened. The physician pushed nübi inside. It's...it's all nübi's fault!"

Dong Li Hua turned stiff from what she heard. She sat down with lifeless green eyes, no longer able to hear Jie Ming's sobs. She can't understand why she felt like this. So, what if Huang Zhao spent a night with Jie Ming? They are only working for their own personal gains, what is there to be disappointed about? She kept calming herself with these questions but still, the pain in her chest did not diminish.

Huang Zhao just came back after his work in the camp that night. He stood by the lamp across the road of Marquis An Manor, his back facing the slightly opened gate. In his grasp is a silver mask that he just removed, he wore it again to hide his face before crossing the road towards the manor when he noticed a familiar figure standing outside.

"Sir General." Dong Li Hua smiled as he approached her.

"The army will be funded with enough weapons two weeks from now. When that time comes, you should know the rest." Huang Zhao seemed to be pleased about something, he is no longer guy who is serious or had malicious intents.

"About that..." she trailed off. From the letter she received this morning, Huang Zhao mentioned they should distract Zhao State in covering the successful production of new weapons by using a fake wedding. Their fake wedding. "Sir General, before I speak of my decision, I want to ask some questions first. Do you remember anything the night you were drugged?"

"No. Why?" he lightly tilted his head in confusion with a puzzled gaze.

"Sir General, there is something I have to say." Dong Li Hua slowly said, her tone full of reluctance. "That night, I sent Jie Ming to help out a physician and incase you wake up, she will be there for assistance. But... The things is... The physician used her to remove the effect of the aphrodisiac."

"What do you mean?" Huang Zhao frowned. The amiable temperament he has changed drastically.

"You took her innocence." she answered bluntly but Huang Zhao let out a small mocking laughter.

"Why should I do that? Even if Im under its influence, I can control myself. That Jie Ming must be lying to you." he stepped forward, trying to explain his side when Dong Li Hua walked back to evade him.

"There are signs you forced her. Jie Ming have bruises on her wrists, her neck and different parts of her body. They are already fading and its obvious they were planted few days ago." Dong Li Hua lowered her gaze. She had her fists clenched tightly, suppressing the pain in her.

"So what about it?" Huang Zhao's tone turned indifferent. He pinched her chin and lifted her head to meet hee watery eyes. Pity rose in his heart but he could care less.

"What 'what about it'?" she furrowed her brows and stared straight to Huang Zhao. "Is this how you men treat us women? Not a responsibility after pleasuring yourselves? Huang Zhao, you- I thought you're different from them."

Dong Li Hua harshly moved his hand away. She wiped her tears that are threatening to spill. "I hate you." those were her words before leaving him outside. Huang Zhao stood there absentmindedly.

"Did I...?" he asked himself, his brows creasing. He can't remember a thing that night. Suddenly, he recalled that he did heard Jie Ming shouting 'stop' but its not loud if ever she is close to him.

"Miss!" Jie Cui saw Dong Li Hua tripped over in haste after running towards her bedchamber. Dong Li Hua wiped her tears from her eyes, they blurred her sight that made her fall.

"Stupid tears! Why am I crying like this?!" she furiously said. Jie Cui helped her up when Dong Li Hua asked. "Where is Jie Ming?"

"Answering Miss, Jie Ming is inside her room."

"Call General Huang tomorrow to have a dinner here." Dong Li Hua finally decided. To resolve everything, she have to step back and let Jie Ming take over her place. The marriage two weeks from now, she will leave this era and let Jie Ming marry Huang Zhao instead.