The Ageless Dream

4.2 Letting Go in Reluctance (13)

"Li Hua, didn't you notice?" Ying Zheng propped his head on his two palms as he smiled at Dong Li Hua.

"Notice what?" she blinked.

"Xie Er has another motive that's why she is now supporting my back. Its not a dark one though. She benefitted with three things in turning to my side than staying to Lady Mother's faction. One, I can help her find her family since I am the king of Qin. Two, she can gain a luxurious life as long as she is useful to me. Lastly, once she grew up into a fine martial artist, she can work more closely to me which meant she can communicate with Li Si." while explaining, Ying Zheng made sure to see if Xie Er is asleep. Whenever he mentions something about Xie Er, she would rebuke but now that she isn't saying a word, Xie Er is in deep slumber.

"Li Si is in our side too?" Dong Li Hua's eyes brightened across the pale moonlight. Her pure sweet smile made Ying Zheng feel comfortable.

"Mhmm. Since the first time I met him. I secretly contacted Li Si since he is useful now until the future. He is my spy over Lü Buwei's side and if there are information I don't know, Li Si will send it to me." Ying Zheng glanced outside; his dark somber eyes seems at loss while his previous innocent smile emitted sorrow. "Lady Mother's infidelity, I had long suspected it but Li Hua had confirmed this guess.

"Your Majesty." Dong Li Hua suddenly called out. Once he turned, he saw her holding a folded handkerchief.

"Hm?" puzzled, he reluctantly accepted it but out of instinct, he opened the folded fabric. Inside the handkerchief is a caramel candy.

"Since I was young, consuming sweets has been my habit to forget the bitterness life throws." she explained. Dong Li Hua watched Ying Zheng remove its wrapper, he no longer looked sad but there is bliss from her expression. "Your Majesty, forget about your Lady Mother first."

"You can call me by my name." he said after placing the candy in his mouth. The sweet taste made him vow he won't be sad in front of her anymore!

"Really? That's great!" Dong Li Hua sighed. She is tired of being formal for weeks! Suddenly, she recalled what they are talking about. "Wait, does that mean Xie Er liked Li Si?"

"Mn!" Ying Zheng nodded. "When she met Li Si in Lü Buwei's estate, she kept acting shy which doesn't look like her. Xie Er is often bossy and stubborn but around Li Si, she acts like a prim lady. Do you know why I came in your courtyard first? Its because she threatened me to leave them alone if not, she will spill my secrets to Lady Mother. Tch! Such a selfish poison ivy." crossing his arms, Ying Zheng puffed his cheeks but his frustrated look made him extremely adorable.

"Oh... So, she likes Li Si." Dong Li Hua thought, recalling Xie Er who had been standing beside Li Si outside her bedchamber. Indeed, Xie Er at that time have rosy cheeks with a satisfied smile. "Ying Zheng..." she called out softly.

"En?" he gulped. The way she called his name is utterly enticing, ah! Please don't seduce this young boy! Im just thirteen, wu~~.

"In the future, don't block Xie Er and Li Si, alright? Find another woman. The two are fated if not, take Xie Er away." her words stunned Ying Zheng, choking at the candy he is continuing. "Ah! What's wrong?" Dong Li Hua panicked, moving Xie Er to the wooden wall of the carriage then went to Ying Zheng, patting his back to not cause suffocation.

"Eh? I just slept and now you're choking to death?!" Xie Er woke up from the commotion just as Ying Zheng finished coughing up.

"..." Ying Zheng.

The corner of Ying Zheng lips twitched. With all said, persuasion and explanation, his status in Dong Li Hua's eyes in the future became even worse as he turned into a third wheel instead! If she were to hear what Dong Li Hua said, for sure Xie Er will also cough up blood!

"Ah! I lost?" Xie Er tearfully exclaimed. She looked at the go board filled with defensive positions of dark chess pieces.

"As our agreement, you should play the qin." Ying Zheng crossed his arms, haughtily grinning at Xie Er who grumbled all the way towards the zither in front.

While Xie Er strummed the zither, a maidservant poured tea to the three empty jade teacups on the table. He suddenly recalled something. "Have you seen Li Hua?" Ying Zheng asked Xie Er after she finished a short song.

"She went out to carry food supplies in the palace. Sister Hua did not tell? Anyway, she should be here in no time. A shichen [1] have passed." Xie Er secretly pulled two strings until they broke before looking up at Ying Zheng with an innocent gaze. "Ooops! Accident sometimes happened. Hehe."

"You did it on purpose!" he glared. Ying Zheng stood up to leave his annoying personal maid when they heard two familiar voices nearing the pavilion they are in.

"Thank you for your help. I should call His Majesty." Dong Li Hua entered the courtyard. Holding a basket of vegetables. Next to her is Li Si who is still wearing white robes, his hair freely reaching his waist region and seemed to forget how to tie a scholarly bun.

"Its sudden I came here. I hope His Majesty wont mind." he faintly smiled at Dong Li Hua.

"What are you looking at?" Xie Er asked after seeing Ying Zheng stand behind the pillar.

"Lower your voice!" he whispered then his gaze turning sharp towards the two figures standing in front of the moon gate. Their harmonious little laughter caused Ying Zheng to choke on a bowl of vinegar, hating what he is witnessing.

"Oh..." Xie Er noticed why his mood became gloomy. She too is feeling envious from Dong Li Hua's closeness to Li Si. "Hey, why don't we make another agreement?" her question made Ying Zheng stare back to Xie Er.

[1] a shichen is equal to 2 hours