1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
Persimmon sweets

Night had arrived, Zhang was still seen sitting at his study desk in the palace. He was writing a letter that he would send to Shuwan.

For a moment he stopped his activities. He was thinking something.

“Em... Yu Hao, how do you think we will send this letter? Did we go back to see them? The distance of the palace to Mr Shu's house is only 3 hours, right?”

Yu Hao immediately got up from his bed He looked at Zhang, and said, “We just ask someone to deliver him. Anyway, it hasn't been even a week you've been taking medicine. Worried that your condition will deteriorate again.”

“But, I want to meet him.”

Yu Hao let out his breath. He just looked at Zhang who was in a longing. 

“Are we not going to meet at the festival? I think it's the best time for you to meet Shuwan. Just ask her willingness to get married.”

“H... I think you're right. Maybe it'll be better. In that case, thank you for the suggestion.”

“Ready, Captain!”

“Eh... Waitaminute! Who will we ask for help to send this letter?” ask Zhang again.

“In my opinion, we can ask the crown prince for help tomorrow. He must have had a lot of trustworthy people to deliver mail.”

Zhang nodded slowly. It seemed that he understood Yu Hao's words.

“You're right. We'll ask the crown prince for help tomorrow.”

Zhang's gaze was now diverted back towards the paper and ink. A smile on Zhang's face. He then went back to scratching his brush on the paper to finish the letter.

Until finally that night passed.

When the sun started to rise, Zhang and Yu Hao were already ready to carry out their duties again. Assisting the palace in preparing for its annual celebration.

“Zhang how about this shirt?”

“You look great,” reply Zhang.

Yu Hao clucked, “How can you say that without seeing me?”

“Well, look at your behavior and also how to dress up every day, of course I understand how you look.”

“Really?”

“Sure.”

“I didn't think it turned out you were secretly observing others.”

Zhang responded with a smile. Both of his hands were busy rolling up the letter he was about to send to Shuwan.

“How? Are you ready?” zhang asked Yu Hao.

“Yes, I'm ready. Come on, we'll face the crown prince immediately,” Yu Hao.

“Come!”

The two went side by side, walking down the corridors of the palace to the crown prince's residence.

Halfway through the journey, the two cross paths with the crown prince.

“Greetings, Crown Prince!” zhang and Yu Hao said simultaneously.

“Hah... I told you not to be too concerned with me. Hey, aren't you tired of looking down like that?”

“This is a form of our respect for you, Your Majesty. So, we hope you won't reject it. What if this is heard in His Majesty's ear? I'm just afraid that I'm alone and Yu Hao will be punished for being presumptuous of you Your Majesty,” Zhang said politely.

“Your reasons make sense too. Hm, but if we meet in person at my residence, then don't do this huh? I'm a little reluctant actually. I'm sure you're older than me, aren't you?”

The crown prince apparently saw an honor based on age. “That's right Your Majesty. But we're in a different position. You are one of the faces of the future of this country, while we are just ordinary people. Of course it is our duty to always respect you, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, Your Honor. So please do not humble yourself in the presence of ordinary people like us Your Majesty,” Zhang added.

The crown prince laughed freely. He hasn't laughed like that in a long time.

He looked at Zhang and Yu Hao who were still standing before him. “Yah's... Just chill. Actually I just want to have a casual friend to talk to or play Weiqi. You know the friendship system in the palace, don't you? Every day we deal only with politics and state affairs. Honestly I also want to grow like a free youth like always.”

Zhang smiled. “If you need a friend, you can call me and Yu Hao at any time, Your Majesty. We will definitely come soon.”

“Good. Then get ready to call me play. Hehe.”

Zhang and Yu Hao smiled as the crown prince was delighted.

After he calmed down, Zhang ventured to make his point.

“Crown prince, sorry if my question is presumptuous. But, I'm confused as to how.”

“Tell me, Zhang. Don't hesitate if you need something,” said Zhi Qiang.

Zhang continued his words. “Look at the crown prince, do you have someone you can trust to deliver a letter outside the palace?”

“You want to deliver a letter? Of course I have a lot of people to trust.”

“Thank God. Then can I ask for his help to send this letter?” zhang asked as he showed the scroll to Zhi Qiang

“Whom do you want to send it to, Zhang?” ask Zhi Qiang.

“I want to deliver it to Luo Shu's residence,” Zhang added.

“Luo Shu Residence?” Zhi Qiang was shocked because the place Zhang was going to was where the woman he was expecting was. “You... Want to notify Luo Shu?” ask Zhi Qiang again.

“Actually no. I just need to be with someone there. I want to meet him directly, but I'm afraid of hindering the work here, so I better just send him a letter.”

“So apparently. Actually, if you want to go straight there, that's fine. Holidays a day no problem.”

“It would be better if this work could be quickly completed, so that later can meet longer with him.”

“You're right!” I can't wait for that person to come to the palace. Inner Zhi Qiang was excited to recall that he would soon be reunited with Shuwan.

“Good.” Xin Ru immediately took the letter from Zhang. He went as fast as lightning to deliver the letter.

Zhang, Yu Hao, and Zhi Qiang continued his chatter regarding the celebration that was about to arrive.

***

How should I save the crown prince? Know his face not. Did I just ask Liem who is now in the palace? Maybe he can tell me. But... If I tell them about this mission, they will definitely be suspicious. How can someone who just stays at home know things that have not even happened? They'll think I'm weird.

“Argh! I think I'm going crazy!” shuwan yelled, who was sitting under a tree.

He felt a little tired from finishing the training, so decided to rest under the shady tree right in Luo Shu's courtyard.

Shuwan felt his mind cramped. So is his mind. All he wanted, now was to return home. Reunited with his grandfather and brother.

I should start thinking about my plans before leaving for the palace. That way, I can anticipate the worst possible. But who really wants to overthrow the current government? Doesn't the people look prosperous? And again, development also looks evenly distributed. Hm... I have to study it in depth. 

It was almost noon, Jiao had called Shuwan for breakfast. But Shuwan refused. Now it's at lunch. Jiao called back to him, but the answer remained the same.

What was Shuwan thinking? Why does he look dizzy and have so many thoughts? His appetite was also gone. Did I just ask you? But what if he's angry?

Inner Jiao felt troubled because Shuwan had suddenly gone on a hunger strike, and was just sitting under a tree from morning. Jiao simply looked at him in front of Luo Shu's door. He wants to talk to Shuwan, but is afraid to make him fall away.

Unexpectedly, Luo Shu approached Jiao from the inside.

“What are you watching?”

Jiao gasped at Luo Shu who suddenly spoke to her from behind.

“A... That, Shifu,” said Jiao as she pointed towards Shuwan who was sitting under a tree with a look that looked overcast.

“He still doesn't want to eat?” asked Luo Shu.

Jiao shook her head to answer her teacher's question. 

“I don't know anymore how to persuade him,” added Jiao.

Luo Shu then thought for a moment. He then gave his idea. “Why don't you just bring her favorite food? Maybe he was thinking a lot, so no appetite. By bringing her favorite food, at least she can give a little energy to her body.”

Netra Jiao was perfectly rounded. He smiled happily. “That's a great idea, Shifu!” But Jiao became silent again afterwards. “But, Shuwan only likes persimmon sweets and also mooncakes. How am I gonna get it? 

“You go into my reading room. There's a jar full of my persimmon sweets. Just take it and give it to Shuwan.”

“You're serious, Shifu? Don't you also like persimmon sweets?”

“I really like it. But, there is no harm in dividing that poor boy,” Luo Shu said as she moved her chin towards Shuwan.

“Then I'll get it for him.” For a moment Jiao silently thought back. “But Shifu, is it okay to let it just eat sweets?” continue Jiao.

“No problem. It was much better than not eating anything. After he finished from his complicated thoughts, I think you should prepare to help the kitchen to prepare more food.”

“What is it for Shuwan?”

“Who else? People who think a lot will usually get hungry quickly. Especially if the person delays eating for a day. Of course, he will eat a lot later.”

“Pfft... This is all you say, Shifu!” Jiao chuckled at his teacher's implied remark.

“Then I will take it straight away, Shifu,” said Jiao.

“Yes. Go.”

Jiao left Luo Shu, who was still watching Shuwan under the tree.

When I saw that brat, I remembered myself in the past. How I fought with my own mind, until I forgot to eat. Then, mother came and gave me a persimmon candy to fill my empty stomach. Ah... Those were wonderful times. Hopefully the boy can finish the fight soon.

Luo Shu then switched from her position towards the seat that was in the living room of her house. His old legs had started to get tired if he stood up for a long time.

Not long after Luo Shu sat down, Jiao appeared before him carrying a tray of jars full of persimmon sweets, as well as a glass of drinking water. 

Luo Shu only watched him from his seat. At the airport, Jiao delivers it to Shuwan.

Arriving at Shuwan's place, Jiao called out to him. “Shuwan!”

Shuwan awakens from his daydream. “Ah.... What's up, Jiao?”

“I brought you persimmon sweets. Eat, at least if you don't crave to eat rice, fill your stomach. I'm afraid your health is bad for delaying eating.”

Shuwan smiled knot. “Thank you,” reply.

“Then I go straight in? I don't want to bother you. Hopefully what makes it difficult for you can be done soon,” Jiao said with a smile.

Shuwan. Jiao walked away, leaving Shuwan back. 

Shuwan is no longer alone. He was accompanied by a jar full of persimmon sweets, as well as a glass of clear-colored drinking.

He began to open the jar to pick up sweets. After getting it, he immediately grabbed it. “U... Persimmon sweets are indeed the best,” praise Shuwan after eating his favorite food.

“Shifu, your plan is working. He ate it as soon as I left,” Jiao said excitedly after peeking at Shuwan from behind the window.

“Of course. My plan is indeed the best,” Luo Shu said confidently.

“Then I will go to the room to rest. You also don't forget to rest Shifu. Do not let your disease recur again,” said Jiao while covering her mouth when talking about Luo Shu disease.

“I understand. My old body needs rest.”

Jiao then left Luo Shu and entered the room. After a few minutes, Luo Shu also returned to her reading room at the back.

Now the house is deserted. However, not with Shuwan's mind still tangled up thinking of a plan for his mission.

Not noticeably, Shuwan had finished off one of the persimmon candies he had eaten. After that, he grabbed a glass containing drinking water for him.

When he just took a sip once, suddenly something surprised him.

“Excuse me!”