1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
Could it...

Zhang and Yu Hao were busy taking care of the logistics of the celebration, one of which was sweets. Various sweets such as persimmon sweets, and also peaches, one by one checked by the two people so that the amount in accordance with the proposed list. 

If Shuwan is here, I can't imagine how greedy he is to eat these sweets.

Zhang who carried the paper and also the brush with a standing position facing hundreds of candy wrappers chuckled slowly. Just imagining how the ‘wanitanya’ process has made him happy.

Yu Hao who noticed Zhang laughing walked over to him. Zhang's shoulder. “Zhang, are you okay?”

Zhang immediately put his serious face back on. Stuttering, he answered Yu Hao's question. “A-I'm fine. Seeing this sweet, I remembered someone.”

Yu Hao understood immediately. He then put on a strange mimic and approached Zhang's face from the side. “This Surely Shuwan ‘kan? Yes ‘kan?” Yu Hao played his eyebrows up and down to tease Zhang.

“You know clearly. But still ask so.”

Now it was Yu Hao's turn to chuckle. “I'm just trying to make sure. Um... By the way did you miss him? Festival is only four days away, and the two women will arrive here.”

“Well, we can only wait for him right? Ah... I'm done counting my share. How about you?” ask Zhang.

“I'm done too. Let's report it to the crown prince.”

Zhang nodded. The two then left the logistic warehouse and headed for the crown prince's residence.

As he was about to arrive at the crown prince's residence, Zhang caught a glimpse of someone who felt similar to Shuwan. He also stopped his steps. Waitaminute! What I saw was Shuwan? But how could he be here? 

His head was unceasingly moving to search, as well as his neutrality. But that person had already disappeared covered in the boundary of the passageway. Leaving Zhang's curiosity still loomed. 

I must have just misseen it! Zhang shook his head, reassuring that what was glimpsed in his eyes was not Shuwan. He then followed Yu Hao who had first entered the palace residence.

“Your Highness, we came facing,” said Yu Hao.

“Ah... Apparently you. Please come in and sit down,” pinta Zhi Qiang.

The two sat at the same table that Shuwan was used to.

“Have you just received a guest, Your Majesty?” ask Zhang.

“Yah's... He is someone I'm trying to get his heart on, and tomorrow I'll take him to dad.” Said Zhi Qiang with a bright face.

“That means you will soon give up your single life, and have a successor to the throne.” Yu Hao chimed.

“Hahaha... You could have. I'm still trying to chase him. Well... Hopefully he doesn't reject me raw.”

Zhang smiled, his forehead wrinkled as if in disbelief. “Who would dare to reject a crown prince? Looks like something's wrong with that woman?”

Zhi Qiang smiled again. “She is indeed different from women in general. That's what makes me like him. I need extra effort just to be able to touch her feelings. That's why today I'm dressed like this.”

Zhang and Yu Hao only realized Zhi Qiang's clothes were as different as ever.

“You really work hard. May it be true to be in a match with him,” said Zhang prayed.

“Thank you.” I still don't know your relationship with Shuwan. But I don't care, he's going to see me tomorrow. Even if it's all a charade, if dad likes it then he could be mine.

“Yang Mul's... Ah, I mean Zhi Qiang, this is a logistical report from the warehouse. We checked it carefully. Everything is appropriate, and ready to be shared the day after tomorrow.”

Zhang handed over his report as well as Yu Hao. Zhi Qiang directly checked them one by one. Almost fifteen minutes later Zhi Qiang checked it.

“It's perfect. Thank you for helping me to this day. If, you feel tired and want to rest then just go ahead.”

Zhang smiled, he then said, “Because we have promised, of course we will help you to the end. The day after we will share sweets together.”

“True. To be honest, only this time did I come to a big celebration like this. So, I also want to have stories and memories here. Then, of course I will also help until the show is finished.”

Zhi Qiang smiled knotingly. He looked at the two young men excitedly before him at this moment. “Thank you very much,” he said.

Zhang and Yu Hao smiled together.

“Oh yes, Your Majesty, how about the preparation of the lantern?” ask Zhang.

“I've ordered others to check with the craftsman. You don't have to worry.”

Zhang then nodded calmly. The three are now talking about the technical distribution of sweets.

***

Shuwan, Jiao, and also Aunt Hu were still stepping on the streets of the palace.

“Aunt Hu, is the place still far away? This palace I don't think is this big. It turns out so explore deeper there are still many places that are not visible.” Shuwan complains after feeling a little stifling walking.

“You are right, Miss. The palace is huge and vast. All of this was built by the first king of the Cloud Country. He preferred the spacious courtyard, hence the many hidden places here,” jawan Hu Lian. “See, those craftsmen are ahead there.” Hu Lian said while pointing towards the front with her right index finger.

“Wah, right. How many lanterns will be flown on the eve of the celebration?” jiao asked curiously.

“It would definitely be so cool. They would look like stars shining through the sky,” Jiao imagined how the night sky would be when 1000 lanterns were flown together.

Celebration night, huh? I almost forgot about it. That night was the full night of the blood moon. And there will be rebellion. There are only three days left, and I still haven't found any clues. Inner Shuwan who returned was restless. He did not pay attention to his conversation with Jiao and Aunt Hu anymore, because his mind was already confused about other things.

Suddenly someone passed in front of Shuwan without realizing it. Shuwan who did not pay attention was hit by one of them.

“Aw!” Shuwan fell in a sitting position. He looked at the man, and did not recognize him.

“I'm sorry... I accidentally,” the young man said as he reached out his hand to help Shuwan stand up.

Shuwan noticed the tattoo on the part near the palm of the person's hand. Like I've seen this picture? But where is it?

Silent for too long and feeling bad, Shuwan grabbed his hand, and finally stood up. He then said, “It's okay. After all I was wrong for not paying attention to the road.”

The young man always looked down and tried to avoid Shuwan's sight.

It's so weird this guy. Inner Shuwan.

“K-then I go first.” The young man ran after his group.

“You what is this?” Shuwan seemed to smell a strange smell after that person passed by him. “Like the smell of gunpowder?” Instantly his eyes were wide. How could there be gunpowder here? In a place that stores and makes lanterns? And that picture in his hand, where have I ever seen it? 

Jiao who realized Shuwan was not nearby also circulated her net. With his net jelly down every corner of the place, until his focus was on Shuwan who stood looking back.

“What is he doing?” The impatient Jiao immediately walked over to Shuwan. “Hey, what are you doing here?” tanyanya.

“A-I just want to look at this page casually anyway,” said Shuwan trying to hide something.

“Is that so?” Jiao is still trying to be sure.

“Of course. Then let's follow Aunt Hu and get our work done,” Shuwan added.

“Ya, alright.” Jiao just obeyed Shuwan's invitation. But his curiosity still lingered in his mind. He must be hiding something. Go back to the room later, I'll just ask.

The three of them finally helped check the readiness of 1000 lanterns that would be flown on peak nights. Not felt, the day became evening just like that. Shuwan, Jiao, and Aunt Hu instantly dispersed and returned to their respective residences and activities.

Arriving at the room, Shuwan immediately picked up the paper and brush that was in the desk drawer.

Jiao immediately confronted him with a question. “Shuwan, what are you really hiding? Why do you seem so restless and agitated lately?” jiao said with a worried face.

“A-me... Actually..”

“Let's just say Shuwan, I'll keep it a secret.”

Shuwan then sat on the edge of the bed with both hands still holding the paper and brush. “Actually I feel a little worried about tomorrow's celebration,” Shuwan put the paper and brush on his bed. 

“Worry? What are you worried about?”

“Because on that night, there will be a Jiao rebellion, so I am very afraid and worried,” Shuwan added.

“P-uprising?” jiao half-shouted. 

Shuwan swiftly smothered Jiao's mouth. “Do not shout. It's just me, and you know,” whispered Shuwan. He then let go of his defense when Jiao nodded in understanding.

“How is it only you know that, Shuwan?”

“I can know it through a dream, Jiao. Believe it or not, that's what's making me fret right now.”

“Then, do we need to notify Zhang and Yu Hao? They are also in the palace, right?”

Shuwan threw out his deep breath and felt so heavy. “I don't think it's time to tell them. I have to find evidence first, I can make them believe.”

“Then, have you found anything?” ask Jiao.

“So when we headed to the lantern driver's place in this palace, I accidentally bumped into a young man. I saw a strange mark on his hand, and also a faint smell of gunpowder from his body.”

“A weird sign?”

Shuwan nodded, “I'll describe it. Good thing you've seen it too.”

With a ligat Shuwan grabbed the paper and also the brush he had taken from inside the drawer. In just half an hour, Shuwan managed to finish the picture perfectly.

“This is a strange sign and symbol that I saw in his hand. Although only a glance, but I can remember the details,” Shuwan then handed the painting he just finished making to Jiao.

Soon Jiao accepted it, and noticed the picture.

Instantly Jiao's eyes rounded perfectly. His breathing and heart stopped working for a few seconds after seeing him. A familiar symbol to him was now clearly drawn on a piece of paper in his grasp.

“I-this..”.