Chapter 17 : Dance

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!"