Smells of the summer, warm until the heart. After starting to stay at the Lian Palace, Li Hong walked around every day until he felt hungry. Today is the same, but this time he went to the greenhouse in the garden.
He heard from the Old Cheng, there was a small berries farm inside. Intrigued, he asked Li Ming goes with him. But that white-eyed wolf* already forgotten about him after met the Duchess. So, he pushed himself to the greenhouse.
*Chinese expression, 白眼狼 (bái yǎn láng) – literally "white-eyed wolf" describing a cold-hearted, cruel person.
Arrived, not only he found the so-called small farm, he saw a small dumpling crouched down and chomp the strawberry with gusto. "Lier, what are you doing here?"
Startled. Bai Li almost throw the strawberry. ヽ(。◕o◕。)ノ. " Fuh..., ish Hong Da ge*, why you no sowund?" (Why you didn't make a sound when walking?). Then, she wiped her mouth with her sleeve.
*Da ge means big brother in Chinese
Li Hong: "...." This wheelchair is very good in that it didn't make a sound at all.
Li Hong takes out his handkerchief and wipes clean Bai Li's face. "Now better.". "Thank' ou, Da Ge!" (Thank you, Hong Ge.) Bai Li gave her signature smile.
" Welcome, but why are you here alone, Lier? Where's Nanny....?", Li Hong asked.
"Shhhh! No lowud! Nanny no let me eat bewies, so I ..." (Nanny don't let me eat berries too much). Just heard the word Nanny, Bai Li closed Li Hong's mouth with her small palm. Then she speaks in whispers to Li Hong.
Turned out, Bai Li was sneaking out to eat the berries when Nanny Liu didn't let her eat much. Li Hong gave a small laugh, "Hahaha, didn't you eat a lot during lunch just now? Nanny Liu just worried that your stomach hurts after eating too much."
"Ish fiwne! My tummy big!" (It's fine! My stomach is big!). Bai Li gestured a big circle on her small stomach. Her act makes Li Hong laugh loudly.
"Da Ge, can you pway with me? They work buwsy." (Da ge, can you play with me? All of them are busy with work.)
Now, Li Hong remembered that all of them are busy preparing a surprise for her birthday today. Aside from the sleeping Duchess, it's really hard to meet them in these few days. No wonder Bai Li is eating alone in a greenhouse.
"Okay." Then, while eating, they chat.
"Yeayyy! Da ge, you are weally gwod!" (You're really good)
"Oh? Lier also is a good girl."
"Tish ish fowr Yi Da Ge and fowr Zhe Da ge" (This is for Yi Da Ge and Zhe Da ge),
Bai Li picked some cherries and put them in her pocket for Liu's brothers. Both of them are Nanny Liu's son that always plays with her and also Li Hong.
"What about Ming er?"
"Ming Da ge, not wike tish"
"Why you said that?"
Although, his brother is very introverted. He always fights during their time at the imperial palace. Li Hong worried that he might hurt little Li er without him knowing.
"Ming Da ge ish stuwdy, nowt eat!"(Ming Da ge is studying, will not eating)
Li Hong: "....".
Are you sure we talking about the same person? He just a three-year-old boy, how could he even read or study.
─────── ·𖥸· ───────
The greenhouse was so big that a variety of fruits and vegetables can be seen. Bai Li introduced each of them although she can't remember their names, this foodie does remember their taste.
"Lier, it's time to go back", Li Hong said to Bai Li. Without him noticed, the sky is turning orange.
"Owite!" (Alright!)
When the kids arrived at the central palace, they met with the Duchess and her tail, Li Ming.
"Aunty!" Bai Li pitter-patter ran to Xuě Lian. Xuě Lian took her in the arm and gave a kiss on her cheeks.
"Are you having fun with Hong er?"
Bai Li then chattering about their playing in the greenhouse. Behind Xuě Lian, Li Hong and Li Ming also talked while followed her to the grand hall.
"Aunty? No, eat?",
"This little foodie, I thought your stomach already full of fruits. Right now, we will go see something more entertaining"
"??", Bai Li tilted her head when she saw the dark hall.
After the group sat on the highest seat, the lanterns start to brighten the hall. Then, Bai Li saw they are many other people sitting and a group of Jie Jie* with beautiful dancing attires on the stage. Just she about to call them, the sounds of musical instruments filled the hall. The beautiful girls start to dance gracefully.
*Jie means sister in Chinese. So, it means Bai Li saw a group of sisters here.
"Woahh! Aunty! Aunty! Aunty! Jie jie ish duwnce! So pweety!" (Woah! Aunty! Aunty! Aunty! Jie Jie is dancing! So pretty!)
Not only Bai Li, but even all of the spectators in the hall also excited with what they are seeing. Truly fascinating! Usually, their entertainment was just an opera or just a dance. But this time, while dancing with fans; they also sing! Along with the music, they sang in harmony.
After the girls stop dancing, along with the spectators, they standing straight facing Bai Li. Then, they gave a wish to Bai Li, "We wish our princess, Bai Li a happy birthday!!!"
"Kyaaaaaaaaa ha hahaha! Ish my bewday!!!" (It's my birthday!)
Heard the happy giggling and saw a big from Bai Li makes their face bright. All the hard work worthwhile! Next, they start to give presents while eating.
"Are you happy Li er?"
"Un!", Bai Li nodded repeatedly like an eating chick on Xuě Lian's lap.
"Good, remember to give thanks to those who gave you wishes and presents"
"Woke!" (Okay!)
"Hahaha, our little Li er a good girl. Now, this is your present from me. Try to open it"
It was a music box. The wooden box was rimmed with silver coating and there was a lotus carved on the top of the cover. When Bai Li opened it, a string of music flowing. Inside the cover, there's a picture of a couple smiling softly. Bai Li didn't recognize them, but they are her parents.
" Thank you, Aunty!"
"Urgh, it's too hot."
Xuě Lian grumbling about the weather after taking a nap. Yes, a nap with more than 6 hours long. But, that's fine, who told her to be a Duchess! Just as she turned to another side, she bummed into a small little dumpling whose eyes closed.
"...Ming er, we need a talk about life!"
"....", Li Ming opened his eyes. He didn't talk, but his face showed oh-you-really-think-so?
Xuě Lian: "...."
"Ehem, Master? Your orders for Young Masters already done.". Head Steward Cheng, Su Cheng; attract their attention with a cough.
"Oh, it's Ah Cheng! How come you finished it so fast? You don't have to overwork yourself...."
This time, Su Cheng also didn't reply. His face already said it all; for-whom-I've-overwork-for?
Xuě Lian: "...." I should've wake on another side! (ノ`Д´)ノ彡┻━┻
" Ehem, I want to wash my face and get changed. While that, you take both brothers to my office"
These few days, Li Hong undergoing treatment from the physicians Liu and Su Qiu for his legs. So, Su Cheng went to the herbal room to get him.
"Old Cheng? Did the Duchess need anything?", Physician Liu said as soon he saw the Head Steward.
"Her Grace wants to give it to them, so I want to take Young Master after the treatment", act as his home; Su Cheng took a sit before Physician Liu, Liu Wenyan, and poured himself a cup of tea.
"It's that time already, I see. Young Master Hong's treatment is almost done for today, please wait for a while."
"Of course. This old body will rest here for a while waiting for Young Master."
"Old Cheng, although we called you Old Cheng; your age just around 50s. So, stop act like you're an elderly person" Liu Wenyan heard that the elders aged around 80s.
"Hahaha, it's just my habits since I was young. It's been a long time since I've worked with Her Grace."
"I heard you were the youngest steward under Her Grace?"
"Oh ho ho, it's not worth it to mention it!" ୧(^ 〰 ^)୨
"You're too humble, Old Cheng", Liu Wenyan just said it. But he saw how big the Head Steward's smirks are.
Graaack, the door opened. Li Hong pushed himself out. "Grandpa Cheng?"
"How was the treatment, Young Master? I'm here to take you to see Her Grace"
"Oh, okay. Please show the way, Grandpa"
────── ·𖥸· ───────
When they arrived at the office, they saw Li Ming already sat there. He was flapping a picture book. While Xuě Lian absentmindedly stares at the snowy mountains outside, while standing behind her desk.
"Master, Young Master has arrived." Old Steward Cheng wakes Xuě Lian from her daze.
".... oh, you've arrived Hong er." Xuě Lian walked to her desk, and take out a wooden box from her drawer.
With a smile, she sat on the couch near the tea table and showed the box, "Come here, both of you."
After they sat nearer, she opened the box. They say, two pieces of fine onyx gemstones. In the middle of it, there was a silver plate with a lotus insignia.
" This is yours now. I'll teach you both how to mark them." Then, Xuě Lian took the onyx, gave it to each of them.
When both brothers hold it, they felt a warmth flowed into their body. "Did you feel the warmth?"
After received a nod, she continued, "Now, close your eyes. Just allow the warmth to flow in your body freely. When you can feel them near your heart, try to focus all your attention there. After you feel all the warmth stays there, you can open your eyes."
The warmth was very gentle, flowed into their body. Makes them felt so calm, like in a hug; full of love. When the warmth near the heart, it tickled their hearts.
Tik tok, tik tok, the sound of Head Steward Cheng's stopwatch can be heard. The room was very quiet. Time flies by the time they opened their eyes.
The gemstones glow faintly with their palm, "It's beautiful!". Li Hong praised it wholeheartedly.
"Is it?". When they raised their gaze, they saw Her Grace's hair and eyes already changed colors.
" Your... Aunt! What happened to your hair and eyes?" This is the first time Li Hong saw it, that he was shocked.
Xuě Lian's long and untied raven hair turned into silver platinum, shined brightly under the glows of sunset. While her eyes turned into dark violet. When her eyes were in black, they saw darkness like in an abyss. But there was a twinkle of light in her dark violet eyes, like stars.
"Hehehe, you will see it more frequently later! Their colors changed whenever I used more than a quarter of my manas. Which of my appearance that you more prefer?"
Li Hong really can't take the drastic changes, that he becomes speechless. While Li Ming just stared Xuě Lian.
"Hahaha. When I was young, I was also found it was shocking. Now Young Master, the black gemstone in your arm are the insignia of Lian County. You must take good care of it, only when you wear it then you can pass the Great Gate." The Head Steward Cheng told them briefly.
The Great Gate is the biggest gate that is situated the most outer and southern of the Lian County. Heavily guarded by the county's defense. Only after a deep inspection or authorized person can be passed.
"It's ours now?! What will happen if I lost the emblem?" Such a precious thing. Li Hong was afraid if he lost it.
"Hahahahaha!!! First of all, yes it's yours. Whatever you called it emblem or badge, it's yours now that you already marked it with your manas. If you lost it, it will return to you. Ah Cheng, show them!"
Su Cheng then throws for his stopwatch. But, like a boomerang; it returned in his arm! "As you marked it, you can just call it, Young Master."
"Besides that, that insignia also shield you from my magic cover. Do you remember what I look like before came here? You can't right? It's because I've cast magic so that you can't remember my appearance or my voice. Unless I've recognized you as my people"
"It's that's why?! So, what do I have to call you then? I've heard some of them called you 'Master'." Li Hong asked.
"Just called me whatever you want to; except for 'Grandmother', please. Oh, you can place them on an object that you always put on you. Like Ah Cheng's stopwatch, or as jewelry or weapons."
Li Hong was excited as he rubs here and there! o((*^▽^*))o
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