The Ageless Dream

1.2 Time Travel (2)

"Your tyrannical reign will end, Ying Zheng!" a young man in refined white robes shouted, holding an ice sword while riding on a steed and bravely facing thousands of the emperor's army.

"Xiang Yu, that's quite a-"

"Hey!" Dong Li Hua glared at her older sister who just turned the tv off. The xianxia drama she is watching is about to reach its peak but her elder sister blew it up.

"Get dressed. Do you want Dad to see you like that? Li Hua, when are you going to act like a real lady? You are about to meet your fiance but why are you lying on a couch doing nothing for preparation?" Dong Zhenzhen crossed her arms.

"Fine, fine." Dong Li Hua gave up and grumbled as she went to take a bath. She never wanted to get engage to a man she doesn't know anyway. Its all Dong Zhenzhen's fault! Why does she have to leave their family? Now, Dong Li Hua was the one who took her place and is engaged to the first young master of the Zhao Family.

After dressing up with a sleeveless knee-length blue dress, Dong Li Hua applied a simple makeup and she already looked stunning. Her father is a feminine handsome man while her mother is a fragile beauty. With their blood running through her, Dong Li Hua inherited their features that formed an innocent little beauty. Not only was her figure better with an alluring face, it was her eyes that can enchant anyone. Under the shade of green jade color and almond sized eyes, it often flickered with lights that make her look innocent and cute.

"That young master of Zhao family will fall head over heels for you." from her mirror, Dong Li Hua saw her older brother, Dong Zhenzhen's twin, Dong Chun Wu.

"Hopefully, he finds me ugly so he can cancel the engagement and look for someone else." she lightly snorted as Dong Chun Wu ruffled her hair. "Oi! I spent hours combing it!"

"Li Hua, don't forget this!" suddenly, Dong Zhenzhen rushed in. She is holding a small velvet box that was opened, inside the box is a silver lace bracelet with miniscule red ruby plum flowers that are hanging around.

"Oh? Isn't that bracelet part of Zhao Family's betrothal gifts?" Dong Chun Wu's eyes brimmed with lights, amazed at the simple yet exquisite silver lace bracelet.

"Yeah. What's so surprising about this?" Dong Li Hua nonchalantly asked. Her older siblings are four years older than her with the aim to become an archeologist, even her father and late stepmother are the same but she wants to become part of the military instead. Seeing Dong Chun Wu show that much of interest, Dong Li Hua knew the bracelet must have some sort of history.

"What's so surprising? Don't you even know this bracelet is rumored to have belonged at the Seven Warring States Era?! There has been a clan of Zhao where your fiance came from. This bracelet was well-preserved and is priceless! Also, this bracelet has been passed down for generations by every first son of the main branch in Zhao Family. The first son will gift it to his fiance, no, more accurately, assured wife. This means you can no longer escape the engagement!" Dong Chun Wu explained enthusiastically.

"And if Li Hua were to return it?" the silent Dong Zhenzhen asked.

"That means the Zhao Family will no longer be our family's acquaintance. Worse, that is the first son of the main branch so they have enough power to crush Dong Family." he glanced at Dong Li Hua to give her a warning.

"But I don't want to marry him! I barely know that guy and I hadn't seen what he looks like!" she argued, furrowing her brows in anger.

"That is why Dad called us three to have a dinner with Zhao family's main branch. Your fiance will be there, his parents and sibling will come too. I should go out first. You two come down after getting calm. Chun Wu, watch over her."

"Why did Sister Zhenzhen left us for five years? Why do I have to be the one sacrificed here? I'm not even a legitimate daughter." Dong Li Hua asked as she watched Dong Chun Wu place the bracelet around her wrist. He faintly smiled then gently rubbed the top of her head.

"Zhenzhen left because she wants to escape this engagement too. But if you were to do that, Zhao Family will think we hate them and is disgusted. You don't want Dad to get in trouble, right?" he asked while she slowly nodded. "Xiao Li, even if you are not a daughter of a legal wife, you are still our little sister. See? We have the same blood running through as though both of us are not born fron the same mother. Since Dad arranged your identity, you are now a legitimate daughter of our family."

Once she calmed down, Dong Li Hua and Dong Chun Wu went downstairs to meet their father and Dong Zhenzhen. The travel towards Zhao family's manor is not quiet. Dong Xu, their father, kept reminding Dong Li Hua to act more noble since he knew how reckless she is. Though he is strict in raising them, Dong Xu treasured them specially Dong Li Hua.

Upon arriving at the manor, Dong Chun Wu offered his arm to her as they entered. Its extravagant and modern designs were suffocating her since she prefers more simple places to be in. Their party was guided in by a butler until they reach the main hall. Zhao family members are already waiting there, the second son and both parents of her fiance. However, the man she is supposedly to meet is still not around.

"This is your second daughter?" Jia Fu Rong asked, assessing her stepson's fiance. "Brother Dong raised such a beautiful girl. Their might be many men who were enchanted by her." she lightly smiled but behind her words of flattery is a treacherous meaning.