The Ageless Dream

14.2 Zi Qian's Unfaithful Lover (55)

Dong Li Hua traced her hand on the familiar antiques, paintings and sculptures inside Ying Zheng's study hall. She recalled the days they spent here together; he would read reports while she moved the treasures into a different position, arranging them carefully with different themes she can think of just to avoid boredom. The three of them are inside the study hall, Ying Zheng went to his desk and took out few papers from a compartment.

"Sister Hua, come here." Xie Er pulled her to where Ying Zheng is and showed the contents of the xuan papers. There are vague sketches from the top, starting with a pair of almond limpid eyes under the shade of jade. The next sketches are barely visible, eyes and nose then came next were facial features slowly turning visible until the last xuan paper. Dong Li Hua picked it up, gazing on the painting of herself which is the final one. It's the most complete and vivid amongst them.

"Who made this and why are there so many excesses?" she asked Xie Er and placed the sketch down.

"Ying Zheng did. He started drawing Sister Hua when we were fourteen because he told me he is starting to forget your appearance. As he grew up, Lü Buwei took some measures and gave Ying Zheng part if the responsibility in taking care of Qin. Maybe because of that responsibility, he started to forget Sister Hua's face. Those pair of eyes were drawn a year ago. He stopped recalling Sister Hua after it was made. Its fortunate though that we met you again."

"Im sorry I left that day." Dong Li Hua turned to Ying Zheng with a look of apology. "I have to leave to meet my family. In truth, you two don't need me. See, look how you've grown. How is your relationship with Li Si now?" she gazed at Xie Er who blushed fervently.

"W-well, I've been working with Scholar Li closely. Sigh, he is still oblivious of my feelings for him." Xie Er smiled wryly.

"What about Ying Zheng? I saw him with Zi Qian before." Dong Li Hua whispered to Xie Er. She won't say it out loud since Ying Zheng is here and she just did something for Zi Qian two times in spite of revenge for that girl's sake.

"Miss Zi Qian and Ying Zheng are friends at first. Unfortunately, Ying Zheng gave her an inch and she took a whole mile. It's a long story to begin with." she secretly gave Ying Zheng a gesture to ask for his permission whether to tell his past or not. Xie Er can still remember how dramatic his life was when he was still with Zi Qian. There are days Xie Er would make fun of him for choosing a fragile beauty.

Ying Zheng understood it and slowly nodded. He is a bit reluctant in sharing that sort of past to Dong Li Hua. She might think of him as someone who is manipulative and it might make her wary of him. But before he can stop Xie Er, the two young women ignored him and found their chairs to sit on.

"Three years ago, there is a conspiracy inside the imperial cabinet. Lord Tianyi was promoted to the head minister position and became a second rank official. Lü Buwei tried to rope him in the Lu Chunqiu Alliance through marrying Zi Qian since she is the only young miss left unmarried in their household. She doesn't want to but Lord Tianyi is in desperate need for support. There is one night during the Mid-Autumn Banquet, Zi Qian's engagement with Lü Buwei will be announced but she went out and tried to drown herself." Xie Er paused and let out a suppressed laughter. Ying Zheng casted a glare and kept his wondering gaze on Dong Li Hua.

"Because of that incident, Ying Zheng is about to enter the banquet hall but he saw her jumping into a pond. I was with him but not in the mood to follow his orders. Thus, he was the one who rescued Zi Qian. Since our young king here is truly handsome, she only needs 'one look and deep in love'. After that incident, Ying Zheng is unable to attend the banquet because of his frail body, he instantly caught a cold. The announcement of Zi Qian's engagement was denounced."

"Days later, Ying Zheng went out incognito. He often does that and met Zi Qian again who recognized him. She wanted to escape her marriage with Lü Buwei and thus, dragged Ying Zheng in her plans. Zi Qian told Ying Zheng now that her father is a second rank civil official, she can help Ying Zheng gain more authority and exposed Lü Buwei's scheme to bring Lord Tianyi to his faction. Ying Zheng agreed to ask for her hand so Lü Buwei will fail. Later, he immediately announced to take in Zi Qian and marry her."

"Unfortunately, Chu State became more annoying and Ying Zheng have no choice but to postpone that marriage and help out solve problems. He no longer had time to think about his promise and Zi Qian was left there to wait for him. I think a year passed when the border went at peace. Ying Zheng is a responsible man though and he visited Zi Qian but because of resentment, she demanded to be his queen. I don't know what's wrong with him because Miss Zi Qian is already a good candidate to be his queen but he refused her. Lord Tianyi is impatient for his daughter's marriage and nagged Ying Zheng within the court."

Ying Zheng blinked. His eyes reflected Dong Li Hua's figure. Something deep within it is an unspeakable excitement and bliss of seeing her once more after four years!

"Ai, those father and daughter pair are no good for Ying Zheng. A second rank minister tried to manipulate the king, tsk. In the end, Ying Zheng delayed their marriage but she kept asking for his presence. He agreed and that is only out of pity. Miss Zi Qian is a kind girl. Ying Zheng also doesn't hate her clinginess since it was his fault for enchanting her."