1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
Goddamn bum!

Zhang who had left Luo Shu's study room returned to the living room. The place Yu Hao and Jiao were waiting for. He approached those who appeared to be very tired. “Tonight I want to sleep with Shuwan.”

Jiao and Yu Hao were startled not to be dumbstruck.

“T-sleep together? Hey, why do you want to do perverted acts when he's asleep?” Jiao suspected.

“I want to take care of it. After all, you and Yu Hao looked too tired. So, leave this business to me.”

“T-but..”.

Yu Hao smothered Jiao's mouth. He smiled at Zhang. “If you want to sleep with her, then go to bed. Me and Jiao will rest.”

Zhang then smiled. He then went into Shuwan's room, and closed the door.

Meanwhile, Jiao bit into Yu Hao's hand which smothered her.

“Aduh!” Yu Hao removed his hand from Jiao's mouth and groaned in pain.

“Hei! What the hell are you doing? Letting a man sleep with an unauthorized woman?” Jiao's upset.

“Sstt!” Yu Hao covered Jiao's mouth with his index finger. “Didn't you realize that this is a good situation?”

Jiao was confused by what Yu Hao said, “You mean?”

Yu Hao grabbed onto Jiao's shoulder. “Don't you want to match them both? With Zhang sleeping with Shuwan, wouldn't this further strengthen their relationship?”

Chief Jiao nodded. His face became bright. “You're right. This is a good time for them.”

“Well, then, we'll just let them. We take care of our business. How, Jiao?” Yu Hao's left eyebrow was raised down, as if he was trying to tease Jiao.

Jiao snorted in annoyance. He took off Yu Hao's embrace. “Do not hope! You take care of your own business.” Jiao walked towards the room opposite Shuwan and immediately closed the door.

Yu Hao let out his breath. “Women are hard to understand huh?” His eyes then looked at Shuwan's bedroom door. “Zhang, hope you manage to do it. Hehe.” Yu Hao then left the living room, and rushed towards the room next to Jiao's room to rest.

Meanwhile, Zhang was still standing looking at the sleeping face of ayu Shuwan. Her lips no longer looked as pale as before.

Zhang then stepped closer to Shuwan's bed, then sat on the edge of the bed holding onto the box given by Luo Shu. He brought his face closer to Shuwan's ear. “Shuwan, I already have a ring for you. When you realize tomorrow, I will wear it on your ring finger,” whispered Zhang. Then put the box under the pillow. 

After putting the box down, Zhang put his head on the same pillow as Shuwan. His body was facing Shuwan. He smiled gently at the beautiful face of the woman he loved.

“When you complete this mission, will you love me, Shuwan? Or, you hate me after knowing everything? I love you so much. But, if you're always hurt because of me, and if you're away from me you're not hurt, then I'll take you off. For your happiness, Shuwan. The woman I love all the time.”

Zhang continued to speak to Shuwan who was asleep. Not felt, now drowsiness has hunted him ferociously. He grabs Shuwan in his arms. His eyes were closed in silence.

***

Early in the morning in Shuwan's room.

Whose heartbeat is this? Inner Shuwan who still had not opened his eyes but was already conscious and felt a strange thing nearby.

He was shocked after opening his eyes. This fucking kid!

Shuwan tries to fight. But his body still hurts. He was unable to resist the power of Zhang who held him. My energy was not strong enough to let go of his embrace.

Apparently Zhang was aware that Shuwan was trying to rebel from his embrace. “You're conscious, Shuwan?”

Shuwan put on his upset face. “Yes. I've come to my senses. So, can you let me go now?” ketus Shuwan's.

Zhang even tightened his embrace. Zhang's left hand grabbed Shuwan's head from behind. His right hand hugged Shuwan's body tightly. “In a moment I'll let go of this hug. Please stay like this. Just a moment.”

“You're a pervert!”

“If it's you, I'm a pervert, Shuwan.” Zhang responded calmly. He was not lured in Shuwan's harsh tone.

“Job! You're such a jerk, Liem!”

Zhang was silent. He again did not care about Shuwan's words. “Rage as you like Shuwan. I want to keep hearing it.”

This kid seems to be getting crazy. He may not be affected by my babbling. Shuwan is getting upset. His anger seemed to boil in the crown. 

“I will marry you after I recover, Shuwan. So, you get ready.”

Shuwan. His forehead shriveled at Zhang's words. “M-married? Nah! How could I marry you? I'll be gone in a minute. Better bury your silly dream.”

“But I don't want to. Did you know that I already have a wedding ring for you?”

C-ring? How did he prepare it? Shuwan still could not believe Zhang's words. His heart repeatedly brushed it off.

Zhang then relaxed his embrace. Take the ring box from under the pillow. He sat down, and Shuwan tried to get up.

“This is his ring.” Zhang opened the box. 

It has a beautiful black pearl ring. Anyone who looks at it will fall in love.

“This is an alchemist gift that has helped you. He gave it to me last night to give it to the woman I love.” Zhang sighed and prepared to make his point. “Can I ask for your right hand? Let me put this ring on your hand,” Zhang said as he stuck out his left hand.

Shuwan turned his gaze away from Zhang. His face seemed unprepared for this gift. He was also upset that Zhang did as he pleased without asking for his opinion.

“You just keep the ring yourself.”

But Zhang did not remain silent. He forced Shuwan's right hand.

“A-what are you doing? Release!” Shuwan's face turned crimson. Now he was really angry at Zhang. “See release!” Once again Shuwan shouted at Zhang.

Zhang focused only on Shuwan's right hand trying to escape his grasp. He looked at Shuwan's face, and immediately kissed his lips without further ado.

Shuwan is petrified by Zhang's treatment. His eyes are perfectly round. Her tears just came down. 

Shuwan tries to make a revolt by biting Zhang's lip. Fresh blood flowed between the two interlocked lips. 

Zhang ignored the pain. He then took advantage of this opportunity. 

Shuwan's right hand pulled him back, lest he rebel. Both of Zhang's hands were wrapped around Shuwan's body. With the effort he made, Zhang directly placed the ring on Shuwan's right hand ring finger. 

Shuwan who noticed it immediately pushed Zhang with his left hand, until Zhang hit a mosquito net. Shuwan attempts to remove the ring, but his efforts are in vain.

“Why? Why can't it be removed?” said Shuwan was trying to pull the ring off his ring finger. 

Shuwan directly pulled the two collars of Zhang by force. “Release! I don't want it!” shuwan shouted loudly.

“So I told you, if it was the ring given by the alchemist master who helped you. If until you reject it, it means you demean it.”

They just exchanged a glance. The atmosphere became tense. The tears still flooded Shuwan's eyes. Slowly, Shuwan began to loosen his pull on Zhang's collar, then took it off.

He sat down, and cried. Zhang again approached Shuwan, and hugged him. This time there was no resistance from Shuwan who was crying.

I'm sorry if I was rude, Shuwan. But I'm really scared of losing you.

“You jerk! You really b*jantan!” shuwan shouted in anger as well as in his cries.

Zhang's still there. Hugged Shuwan tightly who was angry and cried because of his actions. 

***

Jiao who had gotten up earlier went to the backyard. Although the house was large and had many servants, but the quiet atmosphere was still dominant there.

Jiao just focused on stepping towards the backyard to meet Luo Shu. Upon arrival, he reached for the teacher who was focused on pounding medicine.

Luo Shu also noticed Jiao's arrival. “Come,” he said.

Jiao is approaching. He then asked the teacher. “What are you doing?” 

“I'm making medicine for your friend, Shuwan. You can help me as well as study various medicinal plants.”

“Good, Shifu.” Jiao helped Luo Shu in concocting the medicine. 

“What's your name?” asked Luo Shu.

“I Jiao, Wang Jiao.”

“For the first, you will learn the various types of medicinal plants that I have provided. You must be able to recognize the form, type, taste, benefits and dosage of the medicinal plants you will use. How's Jiao? Are you ready?”

“I'm ready, Shifu!” jiao said confidently and vigorously.

Finally Jiao began to learn to smell, taste, and understand the texture of each medicinal plant that Luo Shu had provided.

“After understanding this basic science, I will teach you about poison and how to make the antidote.”

Jiao nodded. “I will study hard, so as not to disappoint you.”

Luo Shu was delighted to see Jiao's learning spirit.

You're an innocent, persistent boy, though it sometimes flows like water. If you study sincerely, then you will inherit my medical abilities. Inner Luo Shu.

***

The sunlight had already started to enter from behind the room's fentilation. The hose does not sound how the door of Shuwan's room is knocked.

“Shuwan, Shuwan!” jiao's loud voice was clearly heard from behind the door. “Zhang. Zhang!” He called back Zhang's name.

Shuwan regained consciousness in Zhang's arms. He pushed Zhang back and threw his face away. 

Since no one said anything, Jiao became worried. “They both why? Why doesn't anyone answer? What don't-don't..” Jiao's mind began to fumble. He became anxious because he did not get an answer from his two friends inside.

Amidst his worries, the door suddenly opened. Zhang appeared before Jiao.

Jiao relieved. His gaze was then fixed on Zhang's swollen lips. “Zhang, what happened to your lips?” jiao asked curiously.

Zhang calmly responded. “It's okay. I was not careful and fell. My lips hurt by being hit.” Zhang tried to trick Jiao.

The head of Jiao. “So apparently. Em, you're wanted by Shifu. Said you promised him something last night.”

Zhang was shocked to hear Jiao calling Luo Shu with Shifu. “Shifu?”

“Ah, it is in honor of the alchemist Luo Shu. I'm officially his student. So, I call him Shifu.”

“So apparently. That nice. I'm sure you'll be a great healer someday.”

Jiao blushed in embarrassment because of Zhang's punjian. “Thank you, Zhang.”

“Sama-sama. Then I go straight to Mr. Luo Shu to do my duty.”  Zhang then moved away from his place. Leaving Shuwan who was still angry, and also Jiao who was standing at the door.

“Shuwan! You're sober?” Jiao's face became all the while realizing Shuwan was conscious. He then walked to Shuwan's bed.

As for Shuwan, he still sat on the bed and conditioned his face to make Jiao unsuspecting. “I-iya. I've regained consciousness Jiao.”

“Sgratitude.” Jiao then sat down on the edge of the bed. “You know how scared I am when you're critical? I feel like I'm going to lose a precious gem.”

“Hahaha! You are Jiao!” Shuwan tries to hide his puffy eyes. He rubbed his eyes as if he were just waking up. Jiao can't be suspicious!

Uh, on Shuwan's lips.... Inner Jiao was surrounded with curiosity after finding something strange with Shuwan's lips. Is it possible that he and Zhang have really done it to such an intimate extent? I have to make sure of it myself.

“Shuwan?”

“Hm?” shuwan's gaze was immediately diverted to Jiao. “Why?” tanyakanya.

“Em... That, why are your lips swollen? And, why is there a blood patch?”

Shuwan rolled his eyeballs. He started to worry because it seemed like Jiao knew something. “Ah, this. S-So I got caught in the blanket, and fell out of bed.”

“Really? You fell out of bed?”

“I-iya. That's because I'm not careful,” Shuwan replied. Sorry Jiao. I can't say such a stupid thing to you.

“Tadi, Zhang also said that he fell. What do you guys..”.

“No! It's not what you imagined Jiao to be. Zhang and I fell together. But we didn't do anything like you imagined.” Shuwan tries to convince Jiao, and denies what happened to her and Zhang this morning.

Jiao only looked suspiciously at the strange-looking Shuwan. They seem to be hiding something. “H... Then all right. O, yes I have to change your bandage, and give you medicine.”

“Alright, Jiao.” Jiao must be thinking about my relationship with Liem. Shuwan's mind was covered in anxiety.