1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
A Play

Shuwan still chuckled and stood firmly against the two gatekeepers.

“T-but this is very precarious news. Can't you guys just let me go this once?” pinta Shuwan once again.

“Sorry, Miss. Without official permission you can't.”

His face looked increasingly irritated. How'this? Did I just drop the letter? But what if they forget? 

Meanwhile, the crown prince along with Xin Ru was walking around in the palace courtyard. When he reached the courtyard near the gate, Zhi Qiang's gaze suddenly turned toward the gate.

“I-it...”

“Why The Mul..”

Unfinished Xin Ru spoke, Zhi Qiang directly pulled her hand to hide together behind the plants that were nearby.

“Hei! Can't you say it if you want to hide?” Xin Ru was upset because of the crown prince's actions.

“Hei! At the gate there is a black goose, how about my disguise to be uncovered?”

Xin Ru frowned, her eyes narrowed following the frown of the forehead. “Hah? Black swan?” xin Ru asked with a confused face.

Zhi Qiang was upset that Xin Ru didn't understand the nickname she gave Shuwan. “Let's just look at that gate,” Zhi Qiang asked Xin Ru to peek out from behind the shrub of the plant.

Xin Ru then raised her body, and looked towards the gate. Apparently that woman? It is only fitting that His Majesty is misbehaving. Inner Xin Ru.

Xin Ru lowered her body again. He then spontaneously asked Zhi Qiang. “About what's the point here?”

“It's clear, he'll definitely want to see me.”

“Hei! Let me in. There are items that I must immediately submit to the guard of the library.”

“I told you, didn't I? If he would have wanted to see me,” said the crown prince confidently after hearing Shuwan's shout from the gate.

“Then, what are your plans to deal with it?”

Zhi Qiang placed his index finger on the chin right at the bottom of his lips. 

“H... For now I can't see him. Dad asked me to see him immediately. Ah... Though it's a chance to talk to him.” The crown prince ruffled his hair in annoyance.

“Lantas, how is he? There is no way he has come all the way without bringing results?”

“Em... Just look. That black goose said he wanted to meet me and give me an item, didn't it? How about you take me there to get that stuff? Hows it? Hm..” Zhi Qiang raised his eyebrows, pleading for the bodyguard to participate in his disguise.

“H... Alright. As long as you're happy, I'll do.”

“Good! After this I will practice you with the best quality grilled ribs.”

“Really?”

“Of course. I, Zhi Qiang The Crown Prince will not retract the words he has spoken.”

“That's great!” Xin Ru was also excited to hear the rewards her master would give. “Then I will go directly there,”.

Xin Ru also rose from her hiding. As he was about to step up, Zhi Qiang pulled the part of his wig that covered the calf.

“T-wait!” 

 “Hm?” Xin Ru looked towards Zhi Qiang who was still squatting in hiding.

“Tell him that you are my friend who both served in the library. So, he won't suspect.”

“Oke, Your Highness.”

Xin Ru then left Zhi Qiang in a hiding place. While Zhi Qiang was watching from there.

“Em... What is this guard?” Xin Ru started her skit.

“Ah... Sir, this lady is forcing her way in.”

“Log?”

“Really! I'd like to meet with your son-in-law to give you an item,” cried Shuwan.

“Needle? What stuff?”

“Actually this is just a letter. But I want to give it to you directly.”

“So yes. But right now the person you're looking for isn't in place. He's in a meeting with the crown prince.”

Shuwan threw out his breath. There was a little disappointment in him.

“If you don't just give me the letter, then once he's done I'll give it to him,” Xin Ru said.

“Can I trust you?”

“Of course. I'm working with him to keep the library.” Hm... Who likes such boring jobs. Inner Xin Ru was very opposite to her tongue.

“Really?” Shuwan's face became cramped.

Shuwan then gave the letter to Xin Ru, and Xin Ru immediately accepted it.

“Thank you for your help. Then, I go first.” Shuwan pays his respects, then rides back on horseback.

“Is there nothing more you want to tell him?” ask Xin Ru.

“I think the letter already represents what I want to convey.”

Xin Ru nodded. “Good. You can go.”

“Hyaa!” Shuwan spurred his horse. Slowly he began to move away. Unknowingly the crown prince turned out to walk up to the front of the gate.

“I'm really looking forward to his return.”

Xin Ru gasped for finding Zhi Qiang already next to her. “K-you! How can you make me look like this? How about my heart come loose?”

“Hah... My heart was carried away by it. Until I unknowingly walked up to here.”

Xin Ru looked at the strange master. People falling in love really makes me sick. He looked at the envelope of the letter. “H... What is the content of this letter? I'm curious.” Just now that Xin Ru wanted to open the envelope lid, Zhi Qiang snatched it.

“You better not know the contents. This is my letter to the black swan.”

Zhi Qiang smiled, he then turned his body and walked away from the palace gate.

This kid's getting a little shitty! Huh... Patience Xin Ru, be patient. You still have to serve him for life. Xin Ru muttered as she stroked her chest.

He then followed the crown prince. “Hei! Wait for me!” Xin Ru ran in a hurry after Zhi Qiang's quick steps because her heart was happy.

***

The twilight arrived. Shuwan had just arrived at Luo Shu's residence.

He was returning the horse he was riding to the stable.

“Thank you for your help. Tomorrow, this is eat.” Shuwan gives the persimmon sweets he bought at the market.

After returning the horse safely, Shuwan went inside. He was shocked because Luo Shu was already there. Sedan sitting in the living room chair.

With a casual step, Shuwan walked over.

“Are you okay?” ask Shuwan.

“You can already see me here. That means I'm fine.”

“Good. No more because of someone's words you become stressed and fall.”

This brat... Spicy as well. Inner Luo Shu was astonished by Shuwan's way of speaking. 

“Then I'll take a break. Body's tired. My bones feel like they're cracking back. Make yourself calm and calm. I won't force you if you won't let me go to the palace.”

Without waiting for Luo Shu's reply, Shuwan went straight to the room and closed the door.

Jiao then whispered to her teacher. “Shifu, how is this? Are you sure you're going to have a show in front of him?”

“H... I don't know, I'm confused too. As soon as I saw him exhausted after coming back, I couldn't bear to work on him. Huh... Then I'll say that I let her go to the palace.”

Luo Shu and Jiao who thought that Shuwan was sleeping were wrong.

Upon entering the room, Shuwan stood behind the closed door. He carefully eavesdropped on Jiao and Luo Shu's conversation.

Shuwan raised his left eyebrow. A cynical smile was engraved on his face. 

Wanna prank me? You guys are dealing with the wrong guy. Inner Shuwan chuckled as it managed to make Luo Shu into a dilemma to work on him.

***

Night in the crown prince's room.

As usual, Zhi Qiang was still sitting at his study table after extracting Xin Ru with burnt ribs as promised.

He notices the envelope from Shuwan. It opened slowly, then it was taken away. He gently spread the paper. Read it carefully.

To Mr. Librarian...

Signore... I have not yet decided to join the committee. Alchemist Luo Shu is sick. I need his permission because he has treated me and also let us stay here.

I don't know how you know where I live. Well, you're a courtier, it's easy for you to find a lowly person like me. But I get it, you need it to send a help message like this ‘ right?

Briefly, for the moment I am waiting for him to come to his senses, so that he will give his decision and I can give you the answer. Wait two days, and I'll give you the answer to the invitation.

Marked... Black Swan...

“Hah... It seems like it will take some more time just to meet him.” The crown prince said in a disappointed tone. “How is it? Do I have to send him another letter?”

The crown prince was silent for a moment. He wrote a letter to Shuwan. “Tomorrow I will send it, and wait for the reply back.”

During the writing, the crown prince smiled to himself. Didn't understand what he was scratching until he made it that way.