1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
Invitation

The next day, the crown prince's residence turned out to have provided a set of equipment to entertain on a pendopo on a pond.

It was seen that Zhi Qiang accompanied by Xin Ru was already waiting enthusiastically there. Not long after, Zhang and Yu Hao arrived.

“Greetings, Your Majesty,” greet both.

The crown prince nodded with a smile. He invited his two guests to sit down.

A waiter who was still there rushed to pour tea into a cup that had been provided by a number of people who were sitting. 

When he finished, the crown prince asked the servant to leave.

“Sorry for inconveniencing you to come see me,” said the crown prince. 

Zhang then smiled, “You need not hesitate to ask for our help. It is an honor for us.”

“Yes, Your Honor. It was an honor for ordinary people like us,” Yu Hao added.

“Good. In that case, please enjoy the tea first.” 

The three of them drank their tea.

“Ah... This tea is really refreshing,” said the crown prince praising his tea. “How, do you guys also like the tea?”

“Yes, Your Grace. This tea is delicious. The aroma can really calm the mind,” Zhang replied.

“Thank God that you like it.” The crown prince thought for a moment, before he resumed the conversation. “Em... How long are you planning to stay here?”

Zhang responded immediately, “If the servant himself could not be sure. If Yu Hao maybe he will settle here.”

The crown prince nodded. “You can't be too formal with me. Well, just call me Zhi Qiang. I feel like it's too high if you guys keep on caving in like that.”

“Alright, we will call your name when it is just the three of us,” Yu Hao proposed.

Zhi Qiang smiled. 

The three of them also discussed the concept of the Cloud Country anniversary event. Some things are still the same as others, there is little change regarding the addition of distributing sweets to the population.

After the discussion, the crown prince left first. He said goodbye to Zhang and Yu Hao. He went straight to the study table in his room.

Take a piece of paper and also a brush to write. 

Before scraping the brush on the paper, he asked Xin Ru.

“Xin Ru, do you think I should use the name of the crown prince or library keeper to name the sender?”

Xin Ru circulated her net. He also tries to consider what is best.

“H... How yes? If you use the name of the perpus guard, it will look like an unofficial invitation. But, if you use the crown prince's name, your disguise can be revealed.”

Zhi Qiang folded his left hand onto the table, becoming a buffer of his chin.

“That also crossed my head. So, how is it best?”

Xin Ru started her habit. Pacing while thinking. After quite a while of pacing back and forth in front of Zhi Qiang, Xin Ru finally got the idea. He turned his body straight towards the prince.

“H... How about you make two kinds of letters?”

Zhi Qiang confirmed the position of his head. He lifted his head from a position in his hands.

“Em... Meaning?”

“Look, you made one letter as an official invitation on behalf of the crown prince. Then, make another ordinary letter as an invitation that says that you want to invite him also to be a committee there. How?”

“In addition, in order not to be suspicious, make them both with different handwriting. So that he does not suspect,” Xin Ru continued.

Zhi Qiang smiled until he saw his teeth. He then snapped his finger.

“That's a brilliant idea. You really can count on,” said Zhi Qiang as he gave his thumbs up.

Xin Ru placed both of her hands on her waist, and spoke with great confidence. “Of course. I am indeed the most excellent bodyguard.”

“Ah... I really can't fight your bright shining intelligence.” 

Laughter is both broken. Both of them like to joke, so they do not look like subordinates with their masters, but brothers and sisters.

***

The Luo Shu residence.

“Shuwan... Shuwan... What are you doing in the room?” yelled Jiao from behind the door.

“Buk only door , Jiao,” Shuwan said.

Jiao enters Shuwan's room, and finds Shuwan sharpening his sword in the room.

“What are you doing?” ask Jiao.

“You must have seen it, right? I'm sharpening my sword?”

“You sharpened your sword as if you were going back to war. I don't think anything's gonna happen here. Isn't this country famous for being safe?”

“There is no harm in keeping watch. We never know what will happen in the future.”

Jiao nodded. He watched Shuwan sharpen his sword again, and saw the water from the sword.

Instantly Jiao's face blackened. “Shuwan... Are you aware of what you've done?”

Shuwan stops his activities, he sees Jiao.

“Hah, what do you mean?”

Jiao washes her breath, “Try to see this puddle of water! Is this like a girls room?”

“A-ah... Me...”

“Nona Shuan!” call him in front of the open door.

“Ya?” Shuwan immediately shifted his eyes.

The maid entered with two scrolls.

“Nona, here's a letter for you from the palace.”

The servant handed the scroll to Shuwan.

“Letter from the palace? Since when did I become an important person who received an invitation from the palace?” Shuwan. 

He received and opened his letter.

Apparently she. Inner Shuwan after seeing who the sender is.

To a beautiful lady like a black swan....

Shuwan chuckled at reading the private letter. Miss black swan? Why did that guy call me that? 

He continued reading the letter.

I intend to invite you to help me in preparation for the anniversary of the Land of Clouds. So, can you meet me tomorrow to talk about it? Think of this as your return for your help to me.

Hope you'd like to come. I will wait for your reply.

Marked... Handsome and charming library guard...

Tsk... How narcissistic is he? Handsome and handsome? Hm... Inner Shuwan after finished reading the letter.

 “Who is Shuwan's sender? How can you smile like that when you read it? Is she the lover you just met?” ask Jiao.

Shuwan chuckled. “This is not what you imagined, Jiao. Yesterday I met someone from the palace at the market. He helped me, so I owe him. Now that he asked for my help, of course I should help him too right?”

“Oh... Apparently so. What is the content of the letter?” Jiao curious.

“This is an invitation to help the palace prepare for the anniversary celebration of Cloud Country.”

“An anniversary celebration? Isn't that really cool?”

Shuwan rolled back the letter. 

“You're right. But, we have to ask Mr. Shu if he will let us go or not. In any case, this concerns the alchemist union here.”

“You're right. We can't just leave. All this also needs permission from him.”

“Then, where is he now?”

“He is out. It is likely that evening will only return,” said Jiao.

Shuwan nodded, “Alright. We'll talk to him when he gets home later.”

***

“Zhang, is this decision of helping the crown prince the right choice?” ask Yu Hao.

“Why? Are you in doubt?”

“Entahlah... I have a hunch, if something will happen.”

“Already. Calm yourself. We'll be here only until next week.”

“Hah... Why does it feel so long? Is it because there are no Shuwan and Jiao here?”

Zhang looked at his friend who was sitting with him. His gaze then bowed, “Maybe you're right.” Zhang closed the list book that should be prepared by him and Yu Hao.

“E.... Zhang, we are busy helping the crown prince. Then, how are your wedding preparations with Shuwan?”

“I will help with the preparation as soon as possible, and ask the crown prince for permission.”

“Did Shuwan also know about this event and your plans to marry him? If calculated, wouldn't it clash with the festival?”

“I haven't told him about this wedding plan.”

Yu Hao choked on his own spit. “A-what? How could you not have told him?” Yu Hao's eyes instantly rounded perfectly, like recalling something. “Don't tell me you're going to do a wedding unilaterally?”

Zhang's gaze turned cold. He was silent without expression. Slowly he let out his breath, and prepared to speak.

“Yes, I'll do it, Yu Hao. I did do a one-sided marriage with him.”

Yu Hao let out his breath. He scrunched his forehead. A look of worry loomed on Yu Hao's face. 

“Are you sure? What if he even becomes resentful of you for doing something that concerns him without any consideration of his own?”

Zhang was silent again. It seems, he still maintains his principles.

“If he leaves, what do you think I should do? I just want him to be mine, Yu Hao.”

Yu Hao let out his breath. Again he tried to have Zhang consider his decision. “Zhang, I hope you think back. All this time I agreed with some ideas from you, but if it's like this, I myself can't imagine it.”

Yu Hao turned his body. Now he turned his back on Zhang who was still bowed coldly.

“I know you love her so much. But tying it up on the grounds of a one-sided marriage, is that really what love says? I think you understand better what I mean, don't you?”

Zhang still did not budge. His heart felt touched by what Yu Hao said.

Is it true what I'm going to do? 

Yu Hao turned his body back, and looked at Zhang who was still silent without a word.

Zhang, I do want to see you happy with Shuwan. But, if you do it with a one-sided marriage, I'm afraid there's only hatred Shuwan has for you.

I just want you and Shuwan to live happily and love each other. It is not in a forced bond that there is only anger, momentary ego, and hatred.