The Ageless Dream

3.3 Second Rank Minister Li (11)

"Is he not here yet?" Dong Li Hua asked the maidservant standing beside the dining table.

"Master Li is not arriving early tonight Miss Hua." she answered, bowing at Dong Li Hua.

"Oh. Why?" its strange Li Si is not coming for dinner. Inside the manor he owns, she is allowed to stay as a guest for few days until she returns to the palace. Every meal, Li Si is even earlier than her to arrive in the dining hall.

"Has Miss Hua not heard? Master Li got promoted in the palace as the Head Minister of the Treasury Department. Because of this, Left Prime Minister Lü invited Master Li in his estate for a banquet with the king present."

"He got promoted? That's fast." Dong Li Hua thought as she ate mouthful of wheat berry congee. From what she knows after gathering information, Li Si just entered the imperial cabinet for few weeks. It might be Lü Buwei who helped him behind the curtains?

However, that is not only her concern. She started to scoop the congee then place it back down as if playing with her food. The maidservants thought the meal is tasteless, about to take it away for a new one when Dong Li Hua pushed it to the side.

"He's really not coming over? How late? After dinner?" she asked. Sometimes with Li Si around, Dong Li Hua started to build illusions that her family is here, her favorite sibling is with her. In truth, she favors Dong Chun Wu more than Dong Zhenzhen. Her older sister hadn't completely accepted her as their step sister. Dong Zhenzhen is only kind to her these past days after returning to Xi'an since Dong Li Hua took her place in the engagement. As for Dong Chun Wu, he is an understanding and kind brother. Whenever their father is not around, he would be responsible to take care of Dong Li Hua.

During her younger days, since the first time they met, he is hospitable to Dong Li Hua. Thus, Dong Chun Wu became her second pillar of support within the family.

After losing her appetite, Dong Li Hua stood up and headed back to her courtyard. She decided to rest then wait for Li Si's return. At the same time, hoping he can find a way to bring her back into the palace. Just as she finished cleaning herself, someone knocked on the door. Dong Li Hua frowned before wearing a dark cloak to cover her sleeveless night cloth.

"Li Hua!" once it was opened, a childish voice echoed. Dong Li Hua stepped back but the unexpected guest has long held her waist as they fell on the tiled floor.

"Y-Your Majesty?" she was stunned to see Ying Zheng. He quickly stood up and helped her get back on her feet, grinning at Dong Li Hua with a pair of large dark eyes. Her frown turned into a blissful one. Ying Zheng never failed to impress her with his cuteness, ah.

"Why did you leave? I was worried about you but thankfully, Minister Li told me that you are with him and brought me here." Ying Zheng lightly smiled, letting Dong Li Hua pat the bun on his head. He missed his personal maid to the extent of nearly throwing tantrum in the morning court sessions.

"I didn't leave. Uhm... Lü Buwei took me away and Li Si saved me from him." Dong Li Hua held back some information regarding about his mother. Its better if she wont mention it but Ying Zheng should discover it on his own.

"Lü Buwei? He's just jealous. Even his concubines and first wife are all ugly!" he crossed his arms, puffing both his cheeks that added more charm on Ying Zheng. Dong Li Hua is unable is unable to resist it and pinched his puffed-up cheeks.

"You're so cute!" she exclaimed, forgetting about calling him with a title. Ying Zheng didn't bother with it and inched away. Her pinching hurts his eyes went teary. "Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to!" Dong Li Hua waved her hands seeing his tearful expression but he just looked at her in puzzlement.

"Li Hua, lets go back to the palace. All my servants there are awful and you are always the best among them." he complained when they heard a coughing behind. Both of them turned their head towards the door, only to see Li Si with a thirteen-year-old girl beside him who is coughing fervently.

"Ehem!" she finished. "You must be Sister Hua? Please come back and serve His Majesty. Every service that I had done has gone to drain since this 'king' here is picky." the young girl in pink hanfu sneered as if challenging Ying Zheng.

"Hm? Picky? Admit that you are the one who is not doing well unlike Li Hua " Ying Zheng snorted then grabbed Dong Li Hua's hand to lead her out of the chamber.

"This is?" she stared at the young girl. Dong Li Hua hadn't seen her before.

"Oh, Lady Mother gave her to me. She is Xie Er." he explained then shot a sharp glare to the young girl. "Xie Er is difficult to deal with. She have a poisonous tongue and we often fight that is why I like Li Hua the most. You are understanding and caring to me." Ying Zheng whispered.

"I can hear you." Xie Er rolled her eyes in anger then turned her back against them to leave.

"Li Hua, lets go." Ying Zheng tugged at her but Dong Li Hua remained on her place. He frowned when she let go of Ying Zheng, going in front of Li Si.

"Thank you for your help. It means a lot." Dong Li Hua is truly thankful towards Li Si. She have this feelings that the bracelet is truly inside the palace and there is not once in her life that her instinct went wrong. Without his help, probably she wont meet Ying Zheng again.