The Ageless Dream

5.2 After Two Years (18)

"Happy New Year!" Xie Er exclaimed, jumping up and down from the grassy ground.

"Would you mind to keep it down?" Ying Zheng crossed his arms as he stood next to Dong Li Hua. His voice is a bit off as it would turn deep or high pitched sometimes.

"Hey, what about you? You sound like a duck." she challenged before moving her gaze away from the fireworks, staring at Ying Zheng with full haughtiness.

The corner of Ying Zheng's eyes twitched as his lips formed into an uneven smile. "Well, Li Hua seemed to get two red envelopes since someone is being disrespectful here." Ying Zheng sneered and after hearing what he said, Xir Er's face darkened.

"N-no fair!"

"Of course, I can. Im your master, see?"

"Why cant you be nice just this once?"

"Im always forgiving. Its you who is just too annoying to cope with."

"You Majesty, please?"

"No."

Dong Li Hua watched the two bicker for the night. She nearly laughed and barely held it inside. A rustling sound made her turn behind and from the lit lanterns on every plum tree, she saw someone familiar.

"Brother Li!" Dong Li Hua waved her hand at Li Si. He returned a faint smile but was having difficulty in catching his breath since he never climbed a stair that high in order to reach the hilltop. It was Ying Zheng who chose this place, a hill where plum trees still bloomed for the last moment. Since Zhao Ji said he is busy, he steeled his heart and had few friends surround him for the entire night.

"Brother Li?"

"Is that Li Si?"

The two teenagers saw Li Si and felt different emotions. One that is wary and the other in bliss. Once Li Si reached the top, he leaned on a plum tree to rest. Exhaustion can be seen from his face but he still looked refined like a calm deity.

"I brought honey water. Here." Dong Li Hua filled a cup with honey water and gave it to Li Si. He hummed his thanks and drank it in one gulp.

"Apology for getting late." he spoke after regaining his calmness. Unknown to him, Xie Er is eyeing at Li Si like a starving wolf.

"Xie Er, Li Si is not a food." Ying Zheng nudged her elbow but she threw a confused look. "Hey! Why are you drooling?" he suddenly raised his voice that caught Dong Li Hua and Li Si's attention.

"H-hah?!" Xie Er quickly wiped her saliva that is about to drop. Her gaze at Ying Zheng turned murderous because he purposely raised his voice that caught Dong Li Hua and Li Si's attention.

"You two..." Dong Li Hua doesn't know what to do with them. She heaved a sigh and went to the marble table on the other side. "Xie Er, leave Ying Zheng alone and come here to help me."

"She sounds like a mother." Xie Er tittered when Ying Zheng stepped on her foot. "Ow!"

"Only 'sound'. Li Hua looks like a fairy though." Ying Zheng reminded then glanced back to where Dong Li Hua is when his face darkened.

"Place it here. Thank you." Dong Li Hua gave Li Si the set of tea. He volunteered to help her while the two youngsters are being hostile to each other.

"How have you been?" Li Si asked, standing close beside her. He was busy these past few weeks since being a head minister is not easy. When he started, he had more free time but as time passed, the paperwork inside his study started to stack.

"Still good. Ying Zheng is a kind master." she laughingly answered, placing the rice balls on the plate.

"Good?" he frowned. "There are evident dark shadows underneath your eyes."

"Brother Li is observant, ah." Dong Li Hua ignored his worries then someone pushed her farther from Li Si. Ying Zheng is now standing between them while he overlooked the traditional dishes placed on the marble table.

"Can I help?" he glanced at Dong Li Hua but she shook her head.

"Its all prepared. Where is Xie Er-?" she went to a stop when her gaze settled behind Ying Zheng. Xie Er is there, talking nonstop as Li Si kept his amiable appearance.

"This tea is sweet and the scent of plum is great. Anyway, does Sir Li know that tea was first discovered when an emperor of the ancient times drank boiled water underneath a bush of green tea and a leaf fell on top of the boiled water that its fragrance spreads and the drink became a refreshment afterwards." Xie Er explained, not even looking at Li Si who is trying to be patient with the kid.

"This tea is fragrant because it came from the plum blossoms." Dong Li Hua spoke, pouring the hot tea in every four jade cups. The three sipped and was amazed at how sweet it was.

"Is this tea from the palace?" Li Si knitted his brows, its texture was soft and with sweet taste, the fragrance is no longer needed.

"No." she tittered, covering her lower face with her sleeve. The regular time for drinking tea should be at least five to fifteen minutes but Li Si, Xie Er and Ying Zheng finished it quick. Dong Li Hua stared towards them in disbelief, the three were smiling at her for more. "Actually, this tea have a flowery scent since it came from the plum blossoms. My family is well known because of this tea, sweet with fragrance. I was taught at a young age how to make this. With slow process that it'll take days or even a month to complete its perfect texture and taste. However, consuming too much tea can make you restless so take it easy."

"What is it called?" Ying Zheng asked after gulping down another cup. He cant get enough of it.

"Plum Fragrance Tea." Dong Li Hua poured the third batch for the three before keeping it. They were reluctant to let go of the cup but if they were to take more, it will make them restless.