1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
Meet at the Palace

“Why Jiao? Have you ever seen or recognized this emblem?” shuwan asked curiously after seeing the picture made by him.

Jiao immediately looked at Shuwan. “Shuwan, don't you remember? When we first met Yu Hao?”

“Yu Hao? You mean this might have something to do with his past?”

Jiao nodded. “That time, I accidentally saw one of the people who was in the group of criminals who along with Yu Hao had a symbol like this. I'm sure, this is the work of the Black Rose Group.”

“How... How did they catch up with us? And again, they teamed up with the rebels to seize the throne.” Shuwan's mind started to get messed up. He was angry, angry, and hated. Had he been able to destroy the group to its roots, nothing would have happened as horribly as it would.

Jiao put the picture to the table. He patted Shuwan's shoulder. “Shuwan, relax. Let's just tell Zhang and Yu Hao so they can help. I don't know why you're so stubborn as to hide all this. But, you won't be able to fight them alone.”

Shuwan. His two hands intertwined, and squeezed into each other. Shuwan then threw out his breath. “Then come on. Tell them!” 

“Wait, Shuwan! It's getting late. It's not good for us to wander around in the middle of the night. We'll wait for tomorrow, okay?”

Shuwan calmed down. He obeyed Jiao's words.

“I'm sure, you seem to have an appointment with the librarian ‘kan?”

Suddenly Shuwan stumbled. “B-how did you find out?” shuwan said.

“This is just my prediction. He called you personally, there must be something important you guys are talking about, right?”

Jiao's right. Tomorrow I must accompany the strange man to his father. Huh... Why is my life so complicated?

Finally that night Shuwan fell asleep as well, after a day of thinking about such a complicated thing.

***

Meanwhile, in his room, Zhang and Yu Hao engaged in a bit of conversation before they took a break.

“Zhang, tomorrow His Majesty the King wants to meet with us. What do you want to say, yes?” ask Yu Hao.

“I don't know either. Because invited, then just come,” added Zhang.

“Hah... Hope it's not that weird.”

“You think the king is you, who likes to do strange things? Never mind, just sleep. Tomorrow we have to get up early and face him.”

“Ya, okay. Good night, Chairman.” Yu Hao turned his back on Zhang, and he began to try to close his eyes to sleep.

Zhang smiled, “Chairman? Do I deserve to be the chairman?” Zhang folded his hands behind his nape to make a pillow. Slowly his eyes felt heavy, and finally fell asleep.

***

The next morning, Shuwan was already in the other room which was still in Zhi Qiang's yard. It looks like it has been dressed up in such a way. 

While his mind was not focused on meeting Qiang’er's father this morning. There are only rebels and rebels who always haunt his mind. 

I handed it to Jiao as long as I was gone. Hopefully he can find something too. Inner Shuwan was hopeful.

Shuwan then looked at himself in the mirror. From now on her net did not look forward, and just looked blankly at the dressing table in front of her.

As soon as she finished, Shuwan felt a little strange about the woman's makeup. It has been a long time since she dressed.

“Should I dress like this? This looks very excessive. I don't like it,” Shuwan added. I used to dress up like this when I was five. And now, I feel a little uncomfortable.

“You look very pretty, Miss,” praise Hu Lian.

“What kind of person is father Qiang’er? To the extent that I had to take a bath of rose water, and also dressed for hours.”

“You will know when you get there.”

Shuwan smirked in annoyance as Hu Lian did not take her question seriously.

“Well, since it is finished, we can leave for Mr. Qiang's residence now.”

The two of them walked towards the main residence of Qiang. While still in the courtyard, it turned out that Qiang was waiting for him in the garden. He appeared to wear clothes that were like most of the youth of that era. Her hair was in the booth, with a few parts tied together using light blue ribbons.

When he heard Shuwan and Hu Lian's footsteps approaching towards him, Zhi Qiang turned his head. He was amazed by Shuwan's current appearance.

She is completely different when it comes to wearing dresses and dressing up. My choice is definitely not wrong. Inner Zhi Qiang.

“Greetings, Sir. Hu Lian has finished dressing Miss Shuwan.”

“Thank you very much, Auntie. You really worked hard. Then I'll take him now.”

Zhi Qiang walked up to Shuwan who was standing only two meters away from him. He then turned his right hand to Shuwan.

“We should look familiar right?” said Zhi Qiang.

Shuwan was a little annoyed at having to follow this sad drama. He then placed his left hand on Zhi Qiang's.

Zhi Qiang smiled happily. Now his heart rippled to receive the grasp of the woman that stunned him at first sight.

Zhi Qiang took a few steps forward and equalized his position with Shuwan. In his hands Shuwan held with his other hand, and raised up to the arms.

The two now go hand in hand. Shuwan walked side by side to the left of Zhi Qiang while clasping his arm. A leisurely walk left the crown prince's residence and headed to the place he had determined to meet the king that Shuwan had never seen.

They are really a good match. Hopefully they can officiate at marriage and give birth to children. Please Hu Lian in her heart.

On the way, Shuwan feels uneasy with the views of the people in the palace. He just put on his face and alakadar. It did not matter that the one walking with him was the crown prince he was looking for.

“Do not care about them. There I am here,” whispered softly in Shuwan's ear.

Shuwan threw away face, “Who cares too. I only care about myself,” Shuwan ketus.

“This fierce nature of yours that makes me like you even more,” Zhi Qiang's tease.

“Don't expect I'll return your feelings.”

Zhi Qiang smiled sinisterly. Later I'll make you like me, Black Goose.

After walking down the halls of the palace, they stopped in a room that opened its doors slightly.

“It looks like your father was talking to someone else inside,” Shuwan said.

For a moment Zhi Qiang looked at Shuwan who was trying to peek at what was inside the room.  “It's okay. We're just in.”

Zhi Qiang stepped first, Shuwan accompanying beside him.

“This father, Qiang’er,” call Zhi Qiang while opening that door wide.

How astonished Shuwan was to find Zhang and Yu Hao there. He was silent.

Liem's... Why is he here? Shuwan started to get agitated. He was only afraid that Zhang would misunderstand him and act out of control.

Shuwan? Zhang's steps that would come out of the room came to a halt. His net did not blink looking at Shuwan who had been unaccounted for a week more.

So did Yu Hao, he was no less shocked than Zhang.

Why would Shuwan be with the crown prince? And again, the makeup and the grip? Could something happen when we don't go home? Inner Yu Hao.

“Zhang, are you here too? Introduce, she is my wife, Shuwan,” Zhi Qiang said.

Shuwan looked at Zhi Qiang with a near-exploding fury. But for the sake of the mission that awaits him, he must continue to carry out his role.

Zhang's anger boomed, his chest felt so tight, his blood feathers felt like they were about to break upon hearing the words that were thrown from Zhi Qiang.

The love he fought for, why now with others? Moreover, the person who is with his love is the person he is disinclined with.

There were a thousand questions whack, hoping to meet with his answer. Two people who were so close at first, now feel like separate ravines that are so far away.

“If you want to know the crown prince, then run your role,” whispered Zhi Qiang in the middle of the war of gazes between Shuwan and Zhang.

Shuwan then lowered his head to pay his respects to Zhang and Yu Hao who were there, with no word of penjelesan coming out.

Yu Hao looked at the dire situation. Zhang's hand was clenched tightly, and was ready to hit anyone in front of him. Zhang's gaze was sharply fixed on Shuwan who was beside the crown prince. His face was almost red. 

Yu Hao patted Zhang on the shoulder. “Don't make a fuss here, Zhang. This is not a good thing,” whispered Yu Hao.

As for the king, Li Jing Guo smiled happily because his son had already come. “Come, Qiang’er.”

Zhi Qiang then said goodbye to Zhang. “Then I want to have a conversation with my father,” he told Zhang and Yu Hao. “Shuwan, come,” invite Zhi Qiang while pulling his hand.

Shuwan passed by just past Zhang whose volcano of jealousy was about to explode. 

“Zhang come!” Yu Hao forced Zhang to pull.

Zhang's footsteps walked with such heavy steps. He was really looking forward to Shuwan's explanation of what happened today.

Meanwhile, Shuwan could only resign. He was ready to accept whatever would happen. Including Zhang's anger at him. 

Liem's... Ii'm sorry... I'm forced. I also want to go home soon. You must know that clearly, right?