1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
Preparation of Zhi Qiang

Later that night, Xin Ru plans to report what she knows about Shuwan. With his usual attitude, he waited for his master to finish his writing activity.

A few days later, he started it.

“Mr... There is something I want to report to you,” Xin Ru said.

“What is it? Looks like something important,” added the crown prince.

Xin Ru swallowed her saliva, and prepared to reveal it. “Tadi, when I delivered the letter to Luo Shu's residence, the one who received it was Shuwan.”

“Then..” Zhi Qiang awaits its continuation.

“Shuwan, and Zhang seems to know each other.”

“Really?” sergeant Zhi Qiang with the net which is now perfectly rounded.

Xin Ru nodded slowly. “When reading the contents of the letter I saw he seemed to be familiar with it.”

Zhi Qiang circulated his net. For a moment he thought. “H... Didn't that Zhang previously also live in Luo Shu's residence? Are Shuwan and Zhang from the same place? I became more and more curious about the relationship between the two of them.”

“It can also be a guess, sir. Don't know if they are brothers, or even the “th couple

“No! They must be brothers. Not what you're going to say.” Zhi Qiang's face seemed a little annoyed by the thing that Xin Ru had not had time to throw. It was as if Zhang recognized Shuwan's painting, apparently living together. 

“Already. I'll make sure of it myself when Shuwan comes tomorrow.” Zhi Qiang turned his gaze. “Then you can go,” Zhi Qiang's word.

I thought you would express yourself like this. I hope what you expect is true. If Shuwan was Zhang's younger brother or sister, my Master would still have a chance. Xin Ru's inner self after seeing the change in her master's volatile expression was as fast as turning the pages of a book. He straightened himself, and said goodbye. “Then I go first.”

Just as he was about to walk away, Xin Ru suddenly recalled something else. “Master, your Black Goose loves persimmon sweets,” he said.

However, Zhi Qiang just kept silent with a gaze staring at Xin Ru who was already in the doorway.

Without caring about it, Xin Ru then walked out and left Zhi Qiang who was still surly-faced. 

After the atmosphere calmed down, and the day dissolved, Zhi Qiang also laid his body on the bed. Before going to bed, he broke his tied hair.

He thought back to Shuwan and Zhang. “Hah... What if Shuwan and Zhang are a love couple? Doesn't that mean I'm going to be a heartbroken crown prince?”

Zhi Qiang sighed softly before he finally fell asleep in silence, and his mind was filled with love affairs and also the country.

***

Orange tones have decorated the eastern sky decorated with cirrus clouds. Showing a beautiful view of the oil painting bathtub decorated on the wall.

Shuwan and Jiao had been preparing to make the trip. They choose the morning so that the trip is not so tiring. In addition, they want to breathe fresh air in the morning Cloud Country.

Shuwan wore red clothes like the female warriors of antiquity in general. He did not forget to carry his sword to his back. While Jiao, she wore an electric blue Shuwan-like outfit, only the tops were shorter, along the knee.

“Did I look weird wearing a flashy colored outfit like this?” shuwan asked Jiao for his opinion.

“You look shinier Shuwan. Red is the color of love and luck. Hopefully in line with your good business.”

Shuwan simply rolled his eyeballs after hearing Jiao's reply. As for Jiao, he chuckled in satisfaction after making Shuwan speechless.

After feeling quite prepared, Shuwan and Jiao said goodbye to Luo Shu who was waiting for them in the living room.

“Shifu, we go to the palace. Are you sure it's okay if we stay?”

Luo Shu laughed softly. “Already, don't worry about me. After all, here are many maids who are used to helping me. You guys go and have fun.”

“Then we go first,” added Jiao.

Shuwan and Jiao bowed to pay homage to the old alchemist whom many respected.

Once they finished paying their respects, the two went to the horse parked at the door.

“Jiao...” call Luo Shu. 

“Iya, Shifu!” Jiao immediately turned her body. 

“Don't forget my sweets.”

Jiao laughed hearing her teacher return to remind her of her order. “Ready, Shifu!” answer Jiao.

Shuwan who had been by the horse first smiled widely. “You're forgetful?! This time we will travel again. You have to be ready and move fast huh?” shuwan said to the dark horse he had previously ridden. “If you can take me quickly to the palace, I'll give you two persimmon candies,” whispered Shuwan to the horse's ear.

Jiao who watched Shuwan's papah only chuckled. He then walked closer to his friend. “Hey, did you invite this horse to chat?” tanyakanya.

“Of course. I rode this horse to the palace that day, and he could understand what I said. Isn't that cool?”

“Hahaha... Then you can become a horse charmer after this,” ledek Jiao.

Shuwan and Jiao then set off towards the palace. Shuwan is now recovering, so he controls his horse. While Jiao was sitting obediently behind Shuwan.

***

“How do I look, Xin Ru?” zhi Qiang asked Xin that loyal servant.

“Well, you look like a palace porter,” he said lazily.

“Good! This way, Black Goose will not suspect me.”

“Are you sure you'll go undercover like this?” ask Xin Ru.

Zhi Qiang raised both his eyebrows. “Of course.”

Xin Ru wastes her breath looking at her master's disguise for the sake of pursuing love. “Then, what would you do if he knew you were the crown prince?”

Zhi Qiang raised both his shoulders. “I'll think about that later. The most important thing now is to be ready to welcome him. I've also asked the other perpus guards to cooperate with me.”

“Until you try to catch up with him. Then what if he ends up rejecting you?”

Zhi Qiang's face-lash turned mellow, “Maybe I won't get married.”

“Hah? How could you not get married? You are a crown prince, and surely you should have an heir,” Xin Ru said in a slightly raised tone.

“From the beginning I was not interested in being the heir to the throne. If possible, I want to redirect it to the others.”

Xin Ru clucked, “This is your destiny, so you have to live it. Do not let because of your love for a woman, instead make this country fall apart.”

Zhi Qiang threw out a breath that felt so heavy. He leaned his body against the open doorpost of his room. “Then let me have fun first. I'm tired of thinking about the affairs of the country that does not end.”

Xin Ru could only be quiet. He understood how his master had worked so hard to help the country remain stable.

“Ah.. I will ask the waiter to prepare the snacks and drinks,” added Zhi Qiang.

He walked away from his residence. Then go to a pendopo that is near the pool right next to the library.

“I will do my role perfectly. Of course, everything should be supportive as well. Poolside resting place, and also sweets persimmon kesukannya.”

Zhi Qiang looked at the surface of the pond overgrown by lotuses. While waiting for Shuwan to reach the palace.

I have to prepare my heart for whatever happens. Shuwan.... Shuwan.... You could have distracted my attention from you.

Zhi Qiang was still looking at the pond. He then folded his hands to his chest. Staying in wait just for a meeting.

***

Three hours passed just like that. Shuwan and Jiao were standing in front of the palace gates.

“Who and what needs are you here for?” ask one of the guards.

“I Shuwan. I'm here at the invitation of Mr. Librarian Qiang’er, a short” Shuwan.

The two gatekeepers threw codes at each other. Yes, both of them are guards that Zhi Qiang had assigned to receive Shuwan when he arrived.

“Then please come in and follow me,” said a guard who guided Shuwan.

Shuwan follows the guard in and for the first time tracks his feet in the palace grounds. Even with Jaio who was outside the gate was amazed by the most magnificent and large building in the Cloud Country.

The gatekeeper directs Shuwan to a place where his horse can be deposited. Not forgetting he fed the horse with two candied persimmon that he brought.

“This is a bonus already delivered me,” he said.

The horse quickly devoured it. Shuwan smiled gently at her. The head of the horse. “Please wait here quietly. Every day, I'll visit you if it's roomy.”

After giving the horse a sweet, Shuwan went to where Jiao was waiting.

“Come!” take Shuwan to Jiao who is sitting in a chair near the cage.

Jiao nodded with a smile engraved on her face.

The two then walked towards the palace library where Zhi Qiang was waiting. 

In the middle of the journey, Shuwan's curiosity appears. “Shuwan, what kind of person is the library keeper?” ask Jiao.

Shuwan replied with a big smile. “You will see later.” 

Both of them then refocused. Down the hallways that connect the rooms in the palace.