1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
Requesting Permission

That day Shuwan and Jiao were still waiting for the return of the alchemist Luo Shu until evening. They both sat in the middle room.

Jiao waited while reading the book. As for Shuwan, he just sat down daydreaming with both arms propping up his chin.

Shuwan threw out his breath. “When will that person go home?”

Jiao then closed the book and stopped reading it. He saw Shuwan who was getting bored and bored.

“Should be any minute.”

Just now that Jiao had said it, Luo Shu had arrived.

“Ah... You finally arrived, Shifu!” greet Jiao excitedly.

“Well, I was visiting someone. Pretty far from here. So now just arrived,” added Luo Shu.

“So apparently. Um.. Shifu, there's something we want to ask you,” Jiao said.

Shuwan walked over to Luo Shu.

“Master, do you know about the anniversary celebration of Cloud Country?” ask Shuwan.

“Of course. It was a celebration as festive as any other celebration. It is held towards the end of spring. By the way, where did you find out about the celebration?”

“Someone sent me an invitation, and asked me to be a committee there.”

Instantly Luo Shu's countenance changed, like there was a trace of dislike. He took a breath, and continued the conversation.

“What is the person who sent you the invitation?” Luo Shu tried to make sure.

“Someone who helped me yesterday in the market. It just so happened that he saved me from the horse that almost hit me in the middle of the market. I also promised, if he needs my help, I will be ready to help him.”

“Can I see the invitation?” Pinta Luo Shu's.

“Sure..”.

Shuwan handed the two letters to Luo Shu. 

Luo Shu observed the contents of the invitation. His forehead looked wrinkled. His expression became strange when he saw the contents of the letter.

“Actually, this is something that has never been done,” Luo Shu said.

“M-you mean, Shifu?” Jiao became curious.

“During this time, in preparing for the celebration, the palace did not invite outsiders to help.”

Shuwan grew wide at Luo Shu's words. He thought more deeply about the invitation.

“So, what does this invitation mean? Why is there a system change?” Shuwan flocked him with all sorts of questions.

Luo Shu returned the invitation to Shuwan.

“I think there's a certain intent behind that invitation. After all, my relationship with the palace is not so good.”

“You have a bad relationship with the palace?” Shuwan was shocked to hear that.

“Actually it's an old story. Well, it's night. Let's eat now.”

Luo Shu tried to shift the conversation regarding her unkind relationship with the palace.

What is really being hidden by him? I'll have to find out later. The inner Shuwan that was wrapped in curiosity.

 “Wait. What about that invitation? Are you going to let me and Jiao go there?” sergeant Shuwan.

“Will I think about it later,” short Luo Shu.

Luo Shu was about to move out of the living room. But, his steps were stopped by Shuwan.

“I hope you can consider it wisely. No matter what problem you have with the palace, but hopefully you can take the right choice.”

Luo Shu did not respond to Shuwan. He immediately left Shuwan and Jiao in the living room.

Shuwan then regressed his body, and sat down with an empty look. His mind was still filled with all sorts of questions.

“Jiao, you saw the change in his expression didn't you?”

Jiao nodded. He sat down near Shuwan.

“True, I saw it too. It was like there was sadness that he was deliberately hiding. Then, regarding the invitation, how are your plans?”

“H... How else? Of course I will wait for your teacher to give a reasonable answer. If until I oppose the parents, I can even quality again.”

“Hahaha... Turns out you can still think of such an impact huh?” Jiao chuckles.

“Let me however, I am a child who still respects parents know.”

“Alright, alright, I understand..” Jiao still did not let go of her laughter considering Shuwan's words just now.

Until dinner time. Shuwan and Jiao were already at the dining table. Luo Shu was not there.

Shuwan then asked Jiao, “Jiao, where is your teacher? Will he not eat together?”

“H... I took her. But she refused to eat together. He said there were still files he had to deal with in the reading room.”

Shuwan. He thought for a moment before he started eating his meal.

Is it because of my words? Hm... After this I have to talk to him.

Shuwan shook his head, then started eating the dish that had been waiting for him.

After eating, Shuwan headed straight for Luo Shu's study. At Jiao's suggestion, he brought her some tea.

He knocked on the door of the reading room, and called out to Luo Shu.

But there is no truth from within. He repeated his call.

“Mr... Is everything okay inside?”

Again, no answer from there. Because Shuwan was curious he tried to peek from the gap in the wall.

“It looks like I can peek towards his desk from here.”

After peeking out, how surprised he was to find Luo Shu lying on the floor.

Shuwan put down his tea tray, and immediately broke down the door.

Jiao who heard the noise went straight to the source of the sound.

As soon as he saw Shuwan trying to break down the door, Jiao immediately ran over to him.

“Shuwan... I know you want to try to keep her company. But please don't be like this,” Jiao said agitatedly.

“Not, like that Jiao. Now you better help me break this door.”

“K-why should I help you do it?”

“You better not ask much, or your teacher will be in danger.”

“B-danger. Did something happen to her inside?”

“I don't know what happened. I peeked at him from behind the crack because there was no telling from inside, and saw him lying on the floor.”

Jiao gasped at Shuwan's words.

“Then, I will help you.”

Shuwan and Jiao smashed the door in rhythm. Repeatedly, until it finally opened.

“Shifu!” Shouted Jiao while running up to Luo Shu's body lying on the floor.

Shuwan took the initiative to ask for help from the male servant at the residence. Luo Shu's body was immediately lifted into her room.

Denga meticulously, Jiao examined his teacher's body.

“How's Jiao? What happened to him?” ask Shuwan.

“If from my prediction, he suffers from stomach acid.”

“A-gastric acid?” Was he burdened with my words? 

“Well, it could be due to stress, or the food he consumed today. The older a person is, the greater the risk of developing stomach acid. I'll try to drink medicine to him.”

Jiao then moved on from there, and prepared medicine for Luo Shu.

While Shuwan, he was still there with some of Luo Shu's servants. Trying to wait until he realized.

After some time, Jiao entered the room again with a potion that Luo Shu had prescribed himself.

“You concocted it yourself, Jiao?” ask Shuwan.

“I concocted it based on a recipe he once taught me.”

“So apparently.”

With the help of a spoon, Jiao gave Luo Shu the medicine.

“At least by drinking a little of this herb, his stomach becomes relieved, and can recover soon.”

Shuwan was still standing in his position. Head nodded. There was a hint of guilt in his mind seeing Luo Shu collapse like that.

Huh... It seems that I sinned greatly for making this old man like this. Hopefully he will come back to consciousness tomorrow. 

***

Zhang who was still awake on his bed was still thinking by Yu Hao's words. 

If Shuwan hates me, is that much better because he's already mine? But, I am indeed too selfish to want to have it right now. What am I supposed to do?

Shuwan... I want you to be mine. But I don't want you to hate me either. When will your pain heal and be able to return my feelings?

Zhang smiled bitterly at the sight of his mind and conscience fighting on their own. He was in a dilemma, but there was always an ambition that so controlled his heart. It has a whole Shuwan.

***

On the other hand, the crown prince who could not sleep because he also thought of Shuwan.

“I can't wait to see him again. Um... In order for my disguise to be perfect, I will borrow the clothes and attributes of the library guard. That way, I won't get caught.”

A knot smile expands on the crown prince's face after imagining how he will meet Shuwan.

***

After Shuwan waited for a long time in Luo Shu's room, he decided to return to his room.

Get a piece of paper and a brush to write.

He carefully wrote the contents of the letter he wanted to send to the man who had saved him.

Once finished, he folded the letter neatly, and put it into a box.

“I'll send you this letter tomorrow morning. Hopefully he can also understand my current situation,” Shuwan said.

Shuwan keeps the box under his pillow, and prepares to send it tomorrow morning.