The Ageless Dream

20.5 A Secret Pictureque (83)

Dong Li Hua reigned the horse into a stop once she reached the front gate of the manor they are staying at. Behind her, Xie Er also pulled the rein and the steed neighed. The manor gate opened, Li Si with a calm expression as usual; came out.

"Hm? Is that a letter?" Xie Er jumped down and swiftly snatched an envelope peeking out of Li Si's sleeve pocket. She used her qigong and easily went on top of the roof that Li Si can't reach.

"Xie Er, give that back! Come down here!" Li Si pinched his nose. Seven days, he was tormented and given a headache by these two women who have manly personalities.

"Li Si, you're going out today?" Dong Li Hua went down and stood beside Li Si. It's quite strange since he locked himself in the manor's study, servants moving to and fro to send him letters and things he needed.

"En. Supposedly going to send that letter to His Majesty." he helplessly sighed once Xie Er finished 'inspecting' the letter. She give him back the torn envelope then nonchalantly placed her arm around his shoulder.

"Li Si, ah. Im starting to think you're in love with that male seductress." Xie Er pointed to him, pushing her index finger on his chest but Li Si didn't answer as he tried to calm himself by reciting old poems in his mind.

"Male seductress?" this time, Dong Li Hua frowned but she immediately understood who it was. "Oh. You mean Ying Zheng. I kind of noticed you're too attentive with his letters. Li Si, you can tell us if you have feelings for Ying Zheng. I support cut sleeves."

"....." Li Si.

"No! I don't support cut sleeve! Well, it's a no if it's Li Si and Ying Zheng. Look! Li Si is like a deity while that arrogant Ying Zheng is a demon! Its a big no!" Xie Er possessively held unto Li Si's arms. "Sister Hua, just imagine. If Li Si were to enter the harem, wont he be pitiful? He will fight those thousand concubines for Ying Zheng's favor!"

"Cao [1]." Li Si cursed all of a sudden, surprising the two ladies. He covered his face with one hand and with a long sigh, he removed the cover. His lips went upturned as his expression showed restraint of scolding them. "What made you think I and Ying Zheng are in that sort of relationship? Hmm?"

"Well..." they hesitated for a while when Xie Er squinted her eyes on him. "Li Si, you're a straight man are you? Answer me!"

"Of course I am! Xie Er! Receive your punishment from Lieutenant Sang later!" annoyed, Li Si easily dictated her doom. "As for you?" he turned at Dong Li Hua when he noticed she is looking at him in an innocent way.

"Not with Sang Jiaolu!" Xie Er tearfully said.

"Li Si~." Dong Li Hua went in front of him then showed her cutest expression ever. He pursed his lips tightly while a light shade of pink appeared on his cheeks. "I don't mind if you're a gay or not. Besides, you truly look beautiful and maybe Ying Zheng found you suitable to be part of his harem. In that way, you two can work more closely, right?"

"You!" Li Si was left speechless. His mouth gaped in disbelief while he tried to speak many times but nothing came out. "Really. Who started this cut sleeve thing? Tell me and I'll dig his grave!" he screamed in his mind. Ever since these two met, they kept suspecting if he is a gay or not. For heavens sake, that is the reason why he locked himself inside the study to avoid this sort of headache!

"Im just joking." Dong Li Hua noticed he is about to faint again. She let out a sweet pure laughter that can tickle anyone's heart. Knowing that their teasing has gone too far, she reached her hand to sooth his eyebrows. "Don't be mad, Sir Great Tactician. You look so cute when fuming in anger. You know, almost looking like a teenage girl."

"Li Si, please retrieve the punishment! Sang Jiaolu is way too strict he wont let me wander for weeks if that happens! Please?" Xie Er took advantage of the situation and tightly embraced Li Si from behind. As for Dong Li Hua, seeing that Xie Er made her move, she distanced herself from them.

"Xie Er..." Li Si glanced at her. He slowly removed her hold then cupped her face with one hand. "Only if you can give this to the envoy who is waiting outside the city gate, I can cancel it."

"Really? Alright!" her eyes brightened, quickly taking the letter from his hand and rode the steed. "I'll be back!" she waved her before hastening the steed's pace.

Dong Li Hua watched Xie Er depart when Li Si took out a satchel from his sleeve and gave it to her. She curiously accepted it then peeked inside, there were different kind of treats which made her eyes sparkle before looking up to him in puzzlement.

"How did you know I like sweets?"

"There are some nights when Ying Zheng enter the palace in a drunken state. I often helped him get back to his residence without being noticed. During those times, he would speak about you. Your style, favorite delicacies and even behaviour. He mentioned you also like this." he turned his back to return into the estate.

"Wait." Dong Li Hua called out. She remained standing on her spot. "Ying Zheng comes late in a drunken state? Why?"

"Xiao Li." he gazed at Dong Li Hua, meeting those enchanting pair of green eyes he cant resist at any given time. For eight years, those tantalizing eyes tormented him in his dreams that he labeled as a secret picturesque. Unfortunately, they were not meant for him. "A monarch rarely fell for anyone. Like what we know of, Ying Zheng have a palace heart. It is fragile and do not let go of it or it will easily break into sharp shards that can harm anyone."