1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
The Coming of the Black Goose

“When will my Black Goose come?” asked Zhi Qiang who looked like he was getting tired of waiting.

While Xin Ru was only paying attention to her master's palah kasmaran. 

Just as Zhi Qiang said so, suddenly came a female servant with a run in shock. Yes, that servant was Zhi Qiang's man who was asked to monitor Shuwan's arrival.

“Your Majesty!” said the female servant with a loud breath.

Zhi Qiang instantly got up from his seat. He poured a glass of water and gave it to the maid. “This drink first,” said.

Without a second thought the female servant directly grabbed the glass in Zhi Qiang's hand. In a hurry he immediately gulped it down, and then held the glass.

“Try saying what you want to say,” said Zhi Qiang.

“Your Majesty, the lady you asked me to monitor has arrived at the palace. Now he's down the aisle to get here.”

The crown prince's face looked crisp. A smile of knots continuously expands on his face. “Then you can go back to your usual job. This is a little bonus from me.” Zhi Qiang handed a small bag of money to the servant.

With all due respect, the servant accepted. “Thank you very much Your Majesty,” said the waiter.

Zhi Qiang nodded. “Can I ask for one more thing?”

“Ya, Your Majesty?” ask the waiter.

“I want you to serve as Shuwan's guide while at the palace. And, whatever he does you can report it to me,” explained Zhi Qiang.

This waitress lowered her head, “Good, Your Majesty,” said the maid sternly.

“Then, you can leave now, and wait for my next command.”

The servant again saluted Zhi Qiang. He then retreated a few steps, and turned away leaving Zhi Qiang and Xin Ru in the room.

Unceasingly Zhi Qiang smiled happily. “In the meantime he'll be here.”

“You can quickly wrinkle if most smile, Your Majesty?” chirped Xin Ru who was starting to feel uneasy about her master's behavior.

“I have to keep my appearance when I meet him again.”

“Hah..” Xin Ru threw out her heavy breath.

After waiting for a moment, Shuwan and Jiao looked towards where Zhi Qiang was.

Zhi Qiang was already waiting for him happily there.

“Master, this is there a woman you invited,” the guard said.

“Good. Thank you for bringing him here.”

The guard then saluted and left them there.

“Nah, come please sit.” Zhi Qiang invited Shuwan and Jiao to sit down.

After circulating his eyes Shuwan was fixed on Xin Ru who was standing firmly beside Zhi Qiang. “You apparently work for him?” shuwan said to Xin Ru.

“Yes. I work for Mr. Qiang’er.”

Shuwan just nodded. He then caught up with Jiao who had already sat down first. He then dropped his gaze back on Xin Ru which made Xin Ru feel uneasy.

Why does this woman keep looking at me? Will our disguises be uncovered? Inner Xin Ru was anxious.

Shuwan then looked at Zhi Qiang. “Why didn't you ask her to sit down together? She must be tired of continuing to stand like that?”

Zhi Qiang then glanced at Xin Ru. “Xin Ru, sit down and talk with us,” Zhi Qiang said.

With a slight feeling of fear Xin Ru followed her master's orders. It's not in the plan. Why should I be involved in your love affairs?

“Well, since you've come, now I say welcome to the palace.”

“Thank you for the welcome,” Shuwan said.

“Then let's have a drink and eat a little sweet snack. I bet you guys must be really tired of traveling for a few hours right?”

Zhi Qiang then poured the tea into the cups Shuwan and Jiao had available there. The four of them drank together.

“Em... This tea is delicious,” praise Jiao.

“Of course. This is the chrysanthemum tea I always drink. Only the best flowers made into tea.”

“After drinking it, I feel more relaxed,” Shuwan said.

“Tea chrysanthemum flower in addition to its unique taste is also good for health. When fever or flu I usually consume this tea regularly.”

“You're interested in the world of medicine huh? You can also study here then. I have a lot of doctor acquaintances if you want.”

“Wah... It was a rare opportunity. Later after finishing the celebration, may I learn?”

Zhi Qiang nodded, “Of course.”  He went back to sipping his tea. His view is not separated from Shuwan.

Meanwhile Shuwan was also enjoying tea in his cup. When the tea glass was stuck in his lips, he accidentally stared at Zhi Qiang. They looked at him for a moment, before Zhi Qiang coughed as he choked on his tea.

“Uhuk... Uhuk...” 

“Are you okay?” xin Ru asked the dudu beside her.

Zhi Qiang wiped away the remaining tea that was near his mouth. “A-I'm fine.” Sometimes he still steals a glance at Shuwan.

Shuwan who noticed it only saturate while holding his tea in his mouth. You strange human being.

Shuwan then starts a live chat at his main point. “Lord Librarian..”

Zhi Qiang stopped Shuwan's speech with a hand gesture. “Call me Qiang’er.”

“Ah... Alright, Qiang’er..”.

“That's better,” said Zhi Qiang while smiling knot.

Xin Ru could only contend. Sir, can't you stop that weird smile of yours?

“So, what do we need help with for the preparation of that celebration?” ask Shuwan.

“Ah... With that in mind, some things have already been resolved. We'll just coordinate the manufacture of lanterns. The lantern will be used on the eve of the peak of the celebration,” replied Zhi Qiang.

“So yeah? Um... Can I meet the crown prince? I don't know what the guy is like.”

Netra Zhi Qiang was instantly perfectly rounded. He swallowed his saliva with great difficulty. Now he looked at Xin Ru who was as shocked as he was.

****** me! Inner Zhi Qiang. He immediately turned his brain to explain to Shuwan. “Ah... Crown prince huh? Why do you want to meet her so badly?”

“Actually nothing. I just want to know what the crown prince of this country is like.”

Zhi Qiang lowered his gaze. He looked back at Shuwan with certainty. “I think you'll be disappointed,” he said.

“Why?”

“Crown prince is gone. He will only be back a few days later,” Xin Ru said.

Good, Xin Ru! At least this could serve as an excuse to delay the disclosure of my identity. Inner Zhi Qiang was relieved.

“As soon as it seems,” Shuwan eats persimmon candies that are on the plate. His eyes glanced over the table. That means, I have to figure out for myself what it looks like, so that I can protect it secretly. Besides, I have to investigate the possible people who are going to carry out the rebellion.

“Shuwan?” call Zhi Qiang.

Shuwan soon awakens from his daydream. He only realized that Zhi Qiang could know his name. “How do you know my name?” tanyakanya.

Zhi Qiang smiled again. It felt like it was becoming a day of smiles for Zhi Qiang. “When in the market, I accidentally heard your girlfriend calling your name,” he replied. Besides, you're the woman I'm chasing. Of course I should know your name, right?

Shuwan nodded slowly. "Oh... So it looks."

“Do you mind if I call you that?”

Shuwan. “You can call me anything,” in short.

“Then I will call you Shuwan. Then... This lady next to you.”.

“I Jiao. Wang Jiao's. You can call me Jiao,” Jiao said.

“Alright, Shuwan, Jiao, after this I will ask someone to take you guys a break. Tomorrow morning, we'll just start the preparations.”

Shuwan and Jiao nodded. A sign of understanding with the words of Zhi Qiang who was now in disguise.

***

A remote region in the northern part of the Cloud Country.

“How are our plans prepared?” ask someone with a heavy voice. His face was in the dark, so it did not appear who the person who was talking was actually.

“Our people have been put at some important points in the palace. In addition, some of the officials involved were also ready with their duties.” Answer one of those who rest before the one who is in darkness.

“Good! That's so good! We will soon be carrying out the plans we have been devising for many years. That way, the Cloud Country will soon be mine. Hahaha!”

The person whose face was not exposed to the light laughed out loud.  His voice echoed in a dimly lit room. It seemed, there was something he had planned against the Cloud Country.