The Ageless Dream

2.3 Royal Family (7)

Officials of every departments were standing or sitting together, often speaking remarks of prying or distastes. On the other side of the wide banquet hall were fair maidens of legitimate lineage with their birth mothers chatting with each other. Young masters of ennobled officials were also there, speaking to one another or gazing at the beauties ahead.

"King Zheng has arrived!" Head Eunuch Zhao Gao announced loudly, waving the horsetail brush on both arms. The atmosphere quietened as tapping of heels resonated. Once it stopped, everyone present knelt.

"We wish Your Majesty to live for ten thousands of years!" they all greeted in unison that it almost reverberated within Xianyang.

"You may rise." a playful voice spoke. Ying Zheng stood in front of his throne, overlooking the whole scene with a stoic face he rarely used.

"Many thanks Your Majesty." they once again said before lifting their head. To everyone's surprise, beside the young boy king is a young girl. Her lower face was covered with a thin white translucent veil but her eccentric green jade eyes can enchant many hearts already. They discerned her age should be at least below sixteen years with such a slim figure. Seeing a young girl stand closely to the young king, it aroused many suspicions and curiosity.

Below the throne sat Lü Buwei and across him is Zhao Ji, the well-known beauty that gave birth to Ying Zheng. Comparing her to Dong Li Hua, most men thought both of them were seductive despite not seeing Dong Li Hua's innocent charm. Zhao Ji's irises shrunk to see a girl stand closely to her son. She knew Ying Zheng well. Though he is young, he prefers to surround himself with beauties to admire. There are rumors around the palace and in Xianyang that a maid seduced Ying Zheng. Now that she witnessed it, it made her suppress her disbelief by clenching the jade teacup tightly. She wont let another person control her son, only she can.

Ying Zheng noticed a slight change of the mood but he set it aside and sat there nonchalantly. He turned his head to Dong Li Hua,seeing her slender white hands balling into fists behind her back. That is not all, he saw an emotion of bliss in her eyes. Ying Zheng followed the trace of her gaze and upon knowing why, he cant help but be annoyed. She is staring at Li Si again; the young scholar had seen her just now as he met her eyes.

"Li Hua, pour the tea." Ying Zheng ordered. He leaned his head on his palm while his elbow was resting at the dragon throne's armrest. Dong Li Hua snapped out of her own world and hurriedly served Ying Zheng a cup of tea. After he took a light sip and single taste of the served dishes, the guests started to eat.

Dong Li Hua tried to recall what happened again. When she entered with Ying Zheng, she wanted to find Li Si. Whenever she is anxious, Dong Chun Wu is always there to ease her. Since he looked exactly like her older brother, maybe he too can help. Just as she expected, upon seeing Li Si, her worries dissipated. It must be because she is used to Dong Chun Wu's presence. When Ying Zheng told them to rise, she immediately noticed a young scholar not far from the throne. That's when Li Si lifted his head supposedly to see Ying Zheng but he noticed Dong Li Hua instead.

Within his dark somber eyes are strange emotions she cant understand. Dong Li Hua wanted to look away when Ying Zheng asked for her to pour tea. "Ah, if only he is my real brother. I would have asked for his help to cover me up." she thought after placing down the kettle.

Secretly, Dong Li Hua glanced at Zhao Ji. Like what history said, she does deserve the title as a calamitous beauty in a literal way. Her almond eyes were pretty, red luscious lips with painted cherry pattern, natural white skin tone and fox-like eyebrows while the red lotus on her forehead added more charm. However, for Dong Li Hua, she knew better than any of these guests who were admiring Zhao Ji. The Queen Dowager is a seductress that fooled around with two men in her life. One of them is Lü Buwei, the previous King Zhuangxiang's chancellor.

"Ying Zheng have more resemblance to Zhao Ji. If he grows up, what would he look like?" Dong Li Hua thought. Since Ying Zheng had inherited most of his mother's features, he can be a pretty boy or a feminine gentleman in his older years. Maybe he can surpass Li Si's appearance! How come his portraits in every internet site, he is a fat man with large ears, beady eyes, flat nose, has two chins for being too fat and a thin beard? Maybe he will turn out like that after his youth?

As the banquet proceeded, the courtesans with white fluttery dress danced and played instruments. There are also entertaining troupes hired to perform acrobat. Its fortunate that there are entertainers for amusement because Dong Li Hua is getting numb from standing that long. Usually, whenever she is with Ying Zheng, she has more time to sit and relax. Specially when he is studying under the imperial tutor every midday, she only needs to sit nearby and wait for his next orders.

Speaking of her master, she glanced at Ying Zheng to see him frowning. As far as she knows about him, Ying Zheng is an avid music listener and loves to watch acrobat but why is he frowning like he is not satisfied? Unknown to her, all the performers are about to break into cold sweats seeing the young emperor not even smiling a bit at their performance. If they cant amuse him, its a grave crime once Ying Zheng gets annoyed!

"Your Majesty is not smiling. May servant ask why?" Dong Li Hua stared at him and met Ying Zheng's furious look.