The Ageless Dream

2.4 Royal Family (8)

Ying Zheng's eyes softened before he turned to face the banquet hall. "Its been hard for Li Hua to stand all night. Sit beside me." he whispered then looking back at her while the beads on his crown moved in unison.

"Ah? Your Majesty, its inappropriate..." she immediately declined though she badly wanted to settle down. If she were to do as he says, other people might think of her taking advantage of Ying Zheng's naivety.

"They don't know what Li Hua looks like. Besides, rumors weren't true after all." Ying Zheng faintly smiled. "Zhao Gao, go get a cushion here." he ordered the stoic eunuch. Head Eunuch Zhao Gao raised a brow but he complied and sent a palace maid to take one. Once it arrived, Ying Zheng ordered the palace maid to place it nearby the dragon throne. "You can sit down now."

"If some people slanders my name, its Your Majesty's fault." she glared at Ying Zheng but the young boy let out a small laugh that resonated behind all music. Heads turned towards the throne's direction, only to see the previous frowning king, now laughing heartily like a child. Beside the throne is a young maiden with a veiled face, sitting there and seemingly angry since she is crossing her arms. That is not the only thing that is not the only thing that shocked the crowd.

Ying Zheng slightly moved and reached out his hand to Dong Li Hua, patting the top of her head as if she is a pet. "En, its Zhen's fault." he whispered, making the onlookers unable to hear what he said. With his lowered voice, Dong Li Hua secretly widened her eyes. Ying Zheng's tone just now is like a grown man's voice!

The banquet lasted until midnight. Ying Zheng nearly slept on the dragon throne but thanks to Dong Li Hua coughing up to wake him, he did not disrespect the guests. On the way to the palanquin, they saw an unexpected person waiting for them there.

Zhao Ji slowly approached Ying Zheng then she swept her gaze to Dong Li Hua. "Son. Who is she?"

"Li Hua, my personal maid." Ying Zheng answered, yawning afterwards in exhaustion. He rubbed his eyed then took a step forward and embrace Zhao Ji from her waist.  This scene turned Dong Li Hua envious, at the same time, feel warmth. She lived without a mother to care for her while Ying Zheng has one however, his mother might be faking her affection or not.

"Sleepy?" Zhao Ji lightly rubbed the back of his head as she smiled. "Let's have a talk tomorrow, alright? Come to Mother's palace at lunch. Now go, its already late."

"Mn." he nodded then separated from his mother. Ying Zheng held Zhao Ji's hand, she led him to the palanquin and once Ying Zheng arrived there, Zhao Ji let go.

Before leaving, Zhao Ji stared at Dong Li Hua. The young girl doesn't know why Zhao Ji is looking at her. "Come to Huangfeng Palace after Ying Zheng fall asleep." she whispered, passing through Dong Li Hua while one of her maids purposely snorted to scorn her. At that very moment, Dong Li Hua knew she is doomed.

"Li Hua? Where is Li Hua?" Ying Zheng suddenly moved restlessly. His loud questioning made her return to reality and walked near the palanquin. "What are you doing behind there? Are you not tired? Lets go to Yecheng Palace, Zhen is sleepy." he said, leaning to the palanquin then closed his eyes.

Dong Li Hua silently followed but after confirming Ying Zheng is in deep slumber, she didn't say a word and went to Huangfeng Palace. Her heart raced when she entered, a palace maid led her to the Queen Dowager's main chamber. What she saw there made her even more regret her decision. Zhao Ji is there in a revealing cloth while she is embracing the scholarly Marquis Wenxin by the neck.

"You're here." Zhao Ji moved away from Lü Buwei. She went to Dong Li Hua then held the edge of the veil. "This One heard your close relationship with my son. I cant blame Zheng'er since he doesn't know how fatal your threat is to him. With an unknown background, you can be a spy sent by the other states. Don't blame this One now that you're leaving Zheng'er's side.

"Your Highness, this servant is not a spy. Servant is a foreigner." she lied, trying to save her life. Zhao Ji is now doubting her identity as a spy and there is a high chance, she will end up in an execution ground.

"Whatever." Zhao Ji smiled. "My husband needs a young girl to impress an important person.  Instead of staying near my son, perhaps its better if you are sent far."she suddenly tugged at the veil forcefully, making Dong Li Hua wince in pain. Zhao Ji's eyes widened to see a peerless beauty underneath the thin veil but Lü Buwei have seen Dong Li Hua before and is not much surprised.

"What... What are you planning to do?!" Dong Li Hua started to panic, staggering back when her senses turned numb. Probably the incense caused it.

"Servant Hua, don't get near my son again." Zhao Ji lightly chuckled as Dong Li Hua lost her consciousness.

"Where is Li Hua?!" Ying Zheng angrily asked the eunuchs and palace maids that are kneeling on the snow-covered ground. They had their head lowered, enduring the coldness. The clouded sky slowly poured down specks of snow to further punish them. It was like the heavens are annoyed at them for making the young king angry.

"Y-Your Majesty, servant doesn't know where she is." they all said in unison while kowtowing to Ying Zheng. "Please quell your anger..."

"Zheng'er, what is this?!" Zhao Ji came out of the moon gate with her servants behind her.

"Li Hua is missing." he coldly answered.

"She must have ran away. Zheng'er, that woman have an ulterior motive getting near you. Look, Mother brought a gift for you." Zhao Ji lightly smiled, stepping to the side and a young girl of Ying Zheng's age stood there in a sky blue hanfu.