1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
Gathering

A pair of closed eyes that were looking for calm and preparing to launch an attack. Well, that pair of eyes is Shuwan's. Right now he was going to train with his sword back. After a long time uprooted and lost from battle.

I haven't stretched my body in a long time. Now I have completed my mission. But why can't I go back too? Was the scenario intentionally changed?

Shuwan then reopened his eyes. His position was firmly standing, facing the target who was there. Some wooden sticks that had been erected to be the object of his attack.

He started with a half-run step, towards the object of his attack. One... Two... Three.... His legs were closed and Shuwan jumped up.

The leap caused him to soar through the air, and then slashed his sword at a stick in front of him. He continued by spinning and cutting the other wood.

In the middle of Shuwan's focus on practicing the sword, apparently a pair of eyes were watching him from behind the leaves on the tree. Yes, it's Xin Ru.

He was finally able to find Shuwan right on the day of his second search. 

Good thing I met that gulpier at the market. Otherwise, I will definitely be beaten up by Your Majesty. Xin Ru was relieved to have managed to find the whereabouts of the woman that made her master curious.

With a sharp and focused gaze, Xin Ru watched every step and movement Shuwan made.

I thought this woman was no ordinary person. His sword-playing ability could not be underestimated. I'll report it to His Majesty. Inner Xin Ru.

Shuwan who had just focused on the attack and his sword had just sensed something.

It was like someone was watching me. But, who is it? Shuwan looked wryly in his standing position at this moment. Still curious, he went to make sure. His steps were carried towards a tree where Xin Ru was at that moment.

Lothawat! It seems he is aware of my existence. I gotta get going. Xin Ru, who noticed Shuwan approaching, instantly eliminated herself as quickly as a blink of an eye.

Shuwan then raised his head to the top of the tree as soon as he reached the tree he suspected. 

“Nobody is here. Is that just my hallucination?” Since there was nothing there, Shuwan returned to the house. He's done practicing. Luo Shu asked him not to push the exercise too heavily. Worrying will make him hurt again.

Jiao was waiting for him in the living room. He then approached Shuwan and asked him various questions.

“Do you feel more tired than usual? Or is there a part of your body that hurts? Do you need medicine to relieve it?”

Shuwan exhaled. Yes Jiao, I'm tired. Tired of all your questions like that reporter. Shuwan.

He then developed a smile on his face, and responded to his friend's question. “U... Jiao, I'm fine. In fact, I feel better after training. But now I'm a little thirsty. I'm going to the kitchen to drink.”

“Really? Then thank goodness. Do you want me to get you a drink?” 

Shuwan waved both hands, smiling forcefully. “No need Jiao. I'll take it myself.”

“Oh, alright.”

Shuwan then heads to the kitchen to get a drink. As for Jiao, he was still focused on reading Luo Shu's medical books.

***

On the same morning, Zhang and Yu Hao went to meet the ruler of the Cloud Country, His Majesty King Li Changyi. 

Once they reached the meeting hall, for the first time they met the crown prince. Both of them also pay respect to important people in the country.

After introducing themselves, they also began a discussion about trade strategies that can help the growth of the Cloud Country's economy.

The crown prince watched Zhang who was speaking skillfully and also calmly.

“This guy is very smart. The strategy also makes sense. I think if he becomes a minister here, he will be of great help to our country,” Zhi Qiang told a eunuch nearby.

“You're right, Your Majesty. But, it all depended on this person himself, whether he was willing to stay or not. Anyway I heard he came here because he wanted to treat his illness, and did not say that he would stay,”.

“Well, we'll see how it will be,” Zhi Qiang then sip the tea that's in the cup right in front of him. His gaze was still on Zhang who spoke.

As soon as the meeting was over, the king and other officials dispersed. Meanwhile, Zhi Qiang then approached Zhang who was still in the hall, and invited him to have a little chat.

“Your strategy is so good. Honestly I feel very satisfied and interested,” said Zhi Qiang.

Zhang and Yu Hao immediately saluted him, “Greetings Your Highness Crown Prince.”

“Already. Do not look down too much, later your waist aches,” whispered while covering one side of his face with his hands.

Zhang and Yu Hao immediately re-enforced his body.

“Thank you for the compliment, Your Honor. All inseparable from the teaching of the father of servants,” said Zhang politely.

“Your father must be a very great person, he must be proud of you too.”

Zhang's knot smile expands beyond the heart, recalling how the tragedy of the fire killed his family members, including his beloved father.

Zhang nodded, “You can call me at any time, Your Majesty. Coincidentally, I will be here for a week.”

“It's good! You can help us also prepare the anniversary of Cloud Country. But, if you're pleased anyway.”

“Me and Yu Hao will definitely come to help,” Zhang said.

Zhi Qiang smiled. He patted Zhang's right shoulder. “Then see you tomorrow,” he said while releasing his hand from Zhang's shoulder.

“Good, Your Highness.”

Zhi Qiang left Zhang and Yu Hao in the hall which had now become deserted. There was only the tares who cleaned and tidied up the place again.

***

After successfully completing the mission, Xin Ru rushed back to the crown prince's residence. As soon as he arrived in front of the room, he knocked on the door in front of him.

“Your Majesty, Xin Ru comes to face,” Xin Ru said from behind the room door.

“Come in, Xin Ru.”

Xin Ru then went inside, and found the crown prince as usual. Sit at the study table with brush toys and thick report books. 

Xin Ru then walked over to the busy crown prince. “Your Majesty, I managed to find that woman.”

Zhi Qiang stopped his writing activities. He put the brush in its place. His nether was now staring at his loyal bodyguard.

“Really?” zhi Qiang asked with perfectly rounded eyes.

Xin Ru nodded as well. “She was in the alchemist residence Luo Shu.”

Zhi Qiang frowned. “Aalchemist Luo Shu? Why is he there?” For a moment the hazy crown prince thought hard, trying to guess the reason Shuwan was there. 

Suddenly he raised both his eyebrows. His eyes were wide too. “Ah... Don't-don't.”.

“Do-not what?” ask Xin Ru.

“Don't-don't Shuwan get sick. That's why he's there,” to Zhi Qiang.

Xin Ru also put on a strange look. He then explained what he saw to Zhi Qiang. “If he is sick, there is no way he practices swords so agilely.”

“Practice sword?”

“Well, this morning he was practicing the sword. I watched him from a hidden place. From the beginning, I suspected he was no ordinary person.”

“Can play sword, huh? Isn't this interesting? Most young women in this country play music or even embroider. But he, instead played with a sword.” Zhi Qiang smiled to himself hearing the unusual things that the woman had done that made him fall in love.

“Your Majesty, aren't you afraid that he is a spy or a murderer? What if you fall into his grasp? Isn't that terrible?” chirp Xin Ru with her imagination that is not about Shuwan.

“I feel Shuwan is not a spy. His eyes looked plain, and cold. I don't know what he's been through. But I'm absolutely sure that she's a fine woman.”

“Hah... Then it's up to you. The important thing is that I have done my job.”

“Em... Xin Ru's. How do you think I'm gonna invite Shuwan to come see me? I really wanted to escape, just haven't found the gap. I just keep giving you this shitty report.”

Xin Ru was silent. Both hands are folded in front of the chest. His feet accompanied his path of thought, pacing in front of Zhi Qiang.

After pacing around almost ten times, Xin Ru stopped her steps. Apparently, he already had an idea to express.

“Your Highness, how about we invite him to join the Lantern festival commemorating the anniversary of Cloud Country?”

For a moment Zhi Qiang was silent. He was considering the idea of Xin Ru. “Em... I think that's a good idea. The festival will be held next week. But, isn't that too long?”

“Haish... You really can't wait to meet him?”

Zhi Qiang nodded. “I want to talk to him a lot,” added Zhi Qiang.

“Then, instead of you being able to invite him personally by coming to Luo Shu's alchemist residence?”

Zhi Qiang shook his head, he remembered how his father had come to terms with such a famous alchemist. “Xin Ru, you'll know how dad's relationship with the old man is. I'm afraid if desperate to go there, have not entered his house I've been poisoned.”

“Oh, Your Highness, you don't have to go straight. Just give it to the bodyguard. Then slip your point. Let him prepare for the festival. Think of it as a representative of the alchemists. Isn't Luo Shu the former head of the alchemist union in this country?”

“You're right! It was not in vain that I let you be by my side all this time,” Zhi Qiang praised.

“Of course. I am a smart and tough shadow guard. Can complete what kind of mission pu,” said Xin Ru with confidence.