The Ageless Dream

8.5 Hundred Scar of the Past (34)

"Sister Ming?" Jie Cui opened the door of Jie Ming's bedchamber. She saw Jie Ming curled on top of her bed. Its already the hour of yin [1] yet she hadn't gotten up yet?

"Sister Cui? I-is that you?" Jie Ming's voice was hoarse; it was like she never had a good sleep last night.

"Sister Ming, Miss is already waiting for us to prepare breakfast. Why are you-" Jie Cui abruptly stopped after opening the closed windows and turning to Jie Ming who is sobbing silently. "Is there a problem? Did you have a nightmare? Why are you crying?" she went beside Jie Ming and finally knowing why the other girl is crying. Jie Ming's clothes were disarrayed, the sleeve of her blouse was torn and her skirt had a slit. Even more than that, bite marks are on Jie Ming's collar.

"What happened yesterday?" Huang Zhao asked. Dong Li Hua is acting too different, she took initiative to hold his hand and brought him to an open parlour where their breakfast is set.

"Du Feng drugged you. I think he is in love with you and tries to, you know." Dong Li Hua shamelessly teased when she came up with and idea. "Also, when I broke in that room, you are kissing him. Both of you are n***d. You are lying on top of him and-"

"Stop, stop! You're exaggerating things!" Huang Zhao furiously glared, covering her mouth with his hand and once she became silent, he let go of her. "Don't try fooling me. Even if I was drugged, that doesn't mean I'll... I'll do something like that!"

"Its just a joke." she giggled. "What really happened is that Sir Meng and I brought you back here in the manor. You have to thank me if not, that courtesan would have pinned you down and did something horrible you wont like. Probably even losing your innocence, eh? Is that important to you? Pfft!"

"Shut up. Don't mention those things." he rolled his eyes to Dong Li Hua though she mentioned a fact and he had never rolled under the sheets with any woman. The parlour is now in sight and an aromatic scent spreads through the place.

"Now that I think of it, we haven't tried going outside again. The last time we did, it was weeks ago. Can we go out today?" Dong Li Hua mentioned to Huang Zhao. The sooner this ends, the earlier she'll get hold of the bracelet.

"En." he simply nodded. Huang Zhao let go of her hand and sat down, he hadn't eaten a meal yesterday night and his appetite is quite great. Dong Li Hua watched him helplessly as he wolfed down on the dishes that were prepared. She froze to see a different side of her masked general but its understandable since he delayed his hunger. She is about to take her first bite on her mayoujijiu when Huang Zhao coughed fervently.

"Slow down, tsk!" Dong Li Hua.patted his back and knelt beside him. "Why can't you eat in a normal speed you greedy monkey? Jie Ming, pour down tea for Sir General."

"Y-yes." Jie Ming staggered forward, filling a cup with the refreshment. Before she can even give it to Dong Li Hua, Huang Zhao dispersed his coughing and he looked up to Jie Ming to receive the teacup when she trembled and stepped back.

The teacup fell on the floor and broke to countless shards, the shattering sound echoed crisply. Jie Ming stood there while Jie Cui assisted her. "Jie Ming? Is there something wrong?" Dong Li Hua noticed her face turning pale.

"M-Miss, my head hurts. I... Servant has to go." Jie Ming quickly left the courtyard. Dong Li Hua frowned why she acted like that; her gaze turned to Jie Cui to ask for inquiries.

"Tch. Disrespectful servant." Huang Zhao suddenly said amidst their silence and groped Dong Li Hua's soft waist. He already poured a tea for his own to clear his throat. While drinking, Dong Li Hua slapped his back hard. "Puu!" he coughed profusely and kept choking.

"Keep on eating like a pig, I'll watch you choke to death. Hmph!" Dong Li Hua moved away because of anger.

"Did I do something wrong again?" Huang Zhao innocently asked while knitting his brows. However, Dong Li Hua remained silent and kept eating without sparing him a glance.

Outside the manor, Dong Li Hua blissfully walked around the marketplace. Its boisterous with many historical architectures she can find. There are only few places in modern China that has such structures to admire. Huang Zhao is following her, he is staring at her with a faint smile on his face. Her feelings can sometimes affect him. Behind his back, he is holding a silver lace bracelet, twisting it from time to time.

"Wah~. So cute!" Dong Li Hua eyed on a*****e selling furry pets. There is a small kitten with green eyes inside. She looked back to Huang Zhao with pleading eyes, trying to make him agree.

"What?" he raised a brow to feign ignorance. Dong Li Hua did not give up and pulled him to the store.

"Please? Since you have Lan Hu, can I have a smaller version of him?" she sheepishly smiled, waving their intertwined hands back and forth.

"Fine, go take one. Only one." Huang Zhao strictly reminded. She immediately let go of him, leaving his hand empty. A strange feeling emerged in his heart, disappointment and dissatisfaction. He now knew she can only be sweet and caring if she owes or wants something. Huang Zhao suppressed these feelings while thinking she is not as unique as he expected.

"Sir General, it costs three silver ban liang coins." Dong Li Hua is already holding the white kitten in her hands, their eyes mirroring each other. Huang Zhao regained his senses and paid for the kitten before following Dong Li Hua closely as they went deeper into the marketplace.

Dong Li Hua stared at the cute kitten and Huang Zhao then averted his gaze from her in bitterness. "Hey, you're gloomy again." she noticed his indifference when she noticed something. Dong Li Hua held his hand once more and leaned on his shoulder. Her action made Huang Zhao confused but unknown to him, Dong Li Hua noticed Du Feng spying on them.

[1] hour of yin is 1-5 AM