The Ageless Dream

4.5 Letting Go in Reluctance (16)

"It is called Da Yu [1]. In my hometown, this is what my father likes to sing. Since then, I tried learning it to appease his grievances." Dong Li Hua reminisced back to her tenth age, ever since Dong Xu brought her into the family. First, because of her origin as illegitimate child, Dong Li Hua was often bullied. Dong Xu is there to sing her this song, its quite calming although the lyrics are hard to discern. As she grew up, she can see Dong Xu getting daze since he can recall Summer Basch within Dong Li Hua's eye color. From that moment, Dong Li Hua decided to practice it and sing the song to her father and her siblings.

"Da Yu?" Ying Zheng asked although his eyelids turned heavy. "What does the song mean?"

"Not to be afraid, be bold. Love a person, climb a  mountain, chase a dream. There is a myth about this actually. In the far north, there are big fishes called dragonfly. They have broad wings of dreams that can reach the far end of the world. Every dragonfly has to move from different places thus, their chosen lover was left behind as they travelled. However, they protected their lover by covering her from the harsh winds and rain which satisfied her heart. In short, the big fish can be your partner in life that has wild dreams that wont let them stay beside you forever. Also, not all people can have a big fish to accompany them. Thus, cherish the big fish you will meet." smiling faintly, Dong Li Hua can see he is about to sleep.

"Really?" upon hearing her explanation, Dong Li Hua's vignette showed up in his mind. The big fish he has...is Dong Li Hua yet she seemed to like someone else already. Though he is unsure, Ying Zheng held desperately unto his feelings. Still a child indeed and he thought it might be a small impression placed. Maybe in the future, as a king, this impression will be forgotten but at this moment, he must try keeping the big fish away from Li Si.

"Your choice. If the big fish struggles to leave, you must learn how to let go even in reluctance."

"Is Li Si your big fish then?" Ying Zheng's question made Dong Li Hua titter.

"Brother Li is only a friend, not the person I dreamt to be with." she ended her giggling but Ying Zheng further got confused.

"I heard from Xie Er that Li Si gifted you with an earring." he tried to probe when she reached to her hair and tucked it behind her ears. A lotus shaped white jade earring came to his sight as it is familiar.

"Actually, I accidentally left this earring in Li Si's manor. It's the same earring you gave to me and Im truly sorry I left it carelessly." Dong Li Hua explained, seeing Ying Zheng's expression became at loss.

"Its just a small jewelry, I can have more prepared for you if Li Hua wants." delighted at what he heard, Ying Zheng's budding anger has gone to drain.

"No need. You have done enough to help me." she shook her head and lowered her gaze to her hands. "Ying Zheng, may I ask? Did you see a bracelet on my right wrist when you found me nearby a waterside?"

"A bracelet?" Ying Zheng tried to recall when he remembered it. "Li Hua, please describe the bracelet you mentioned."

"Its a silver lace bracelet with red plum gems." Dong Li Hua sighed in her heart from the irony. She hated every betrothal gift her fiance sent after she reached fifteen but now, the most priceless of them all is what she is trying to find desperately.

"Hmm... After I found you there, you have no bracelet on your right wrist but a servant who is cleaning the dragon chamber found a silver lace bracelet here the very same day. Who knew it was yours but... Its quite strange the bracelet got in here." pinching his chin, Ying Zheng recalled where he placed it. "Anyway, I had a servant settle it inside a closet just beside the crown. Its yours so I must return it."

Dong Li Hua gasped in surprise. She didn't say another word and went to the rows of closet. In few seconds, she found nearby the crown is a jade sculpture of a plum tree with flower blossoms and hanging on one of its willowy branches is her silver lace bracelet.

"Li Hua?" Ying Zheng just arrived behind her but after she turned to face him, her face is full of bliss and tears accumulated on the corner of her eyes. "Li Hua, what's wrong?"

"Thank you." Dong Li Hua knelt down and pulled Ying Zheng in her arms. The bracelet is her only way to return and without it, she will have no chance to see her family again. It meant a lot and because of her unstable emotions, Dong Li Hua tightly embraced Ying Zheng.

"Is that bracelet too important?" he asked in confusion after she let go of him. Dong Li Hua rarely smiled like this, he had not seen her cry even for once too but now, Ying Zheng saw a different side of her. The seemingly fragile side.

"Mn. This bracelet is too important to lose that if I wont have it, I will just commit suicide for the better." Dong Li Hua seriously said but Ying Zheng grew curious at the bracelet's history with her.

"Why?"

"Because... This bracelet can bring me to my family." she reluctantly answered. "Go to sleep. Its already late. Let's not talk about this, alright? I feel terrible since Im far from them."

"I can bring them here." Ying Zheng proudly puffed his chest out but Dong Li Hua pinched his cheeks while letting out a brilliant smile and traces of sweet laughter.

"Silly boy." Its impossible. She thought.

[1] Da Yu or in English, Big Fish. Its a great song and the singer's voice is angelic