1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
Anger and Love

This lump of lifeless flesh tasted like it was torn apart, to the point of shapeless crumbling

The soul that dwells also seems to disappear, leaving a body that is alive but not reluctant

Anger has now become the pulse of shackles that dominate the entire chest cavity

The love story of a venerable piece of heart, slowly begins to fade, eroded by an endless misunderstanding

---

Zhang walked with a careless pace leaving the room. Instead of being happy after meeting with the king, there is only anger because of love.

Yu Hao followed Zhang's usual steps. He wanted to talk to her, but Zhang was still silent without a word. His gaze was straight ahead, but none of it was the focus of his net.

Until Yu Hao's steps stopped accompanied by Zhang who stopped walking. Zhang was holding his left chest. 

“Uhuk...” Suddenly Zhang coughed, the hand he used to cover his mouth was covered with blood. 

“Zhang, what happened?” Yu Hao, who was nearby, panicked and held onto Zhang's shoulders.

Zhang's vision slowly became blurred. His legs were no longer strong enough to keep his body standing. In the hallway that only a few guards had Zhang fallen.

Yu Hao wiped it with all his might. Then two guards came over to Yu Hao and helped him lift up Zhang's body.  

Shuwan who was inside was shocked. The king and Zhi Qiang also saw him.

Shuwan ran over to Zhang, but Zhi Qiang held him back. 

The king saw a change in Shuwan's expression. He then asked Shuwan a question. “Qiang’er, what's wrong with your wife? He looks restless.”

Zhi Qiang looking towards Shuwan, “Shuwan..” call him.

Shuwan who had been staring at the outside of the door was suddenly shocked. He then tried to condition himself. “M-forgive me, Sir,” Shuwan said stuttering.

“From the moment I saw you looking out the door, did you also know that young man named Zhang?” ask king.

Shuwan. He didn't know what to say to Zhi Qiang's father.

Seeing Shuwan's condition, Zhi Qiang tries to overcome his father's question. “Dad, Shuwan also lives in the place of the alchemist Luo Shu. They both know each other. Yes ‘kan, Shuwan?” Zhi Qiang glanced back at Shuwan who was still feeling anxious and guilty. Actually, what is your relationship with Zhang, Shuwan? You got so worried?

Without daring to return a glance, Shuwan only responded with his alakadar. “I-iya... We are indeed friends.” Shuwan crumbs the scarf of her dress. Liem, what happened to you? 

Meanwhile Zhang was taken to the palace physician. He was examined by a physician who had previously examined and made medicine for Zhang. As for Yu Hao, he still faithfully accompanied Zhang with a feeling of worry.

As soon as the healer finished examining him, Yu Hao immediately asked. “How is it?”

“Actually... I don't know why the pain can come back.” The doctor's gaze became sad as soon as he found the results of his diagnosis.

“A-what? Didn't you say that if he took medicine from the snow lotus for a week, he would recover?” sergeant Yu Hao.

“It's true. Last time I checked, he was cured. But this.... It's like something beyond my expectations. I also don't understand why this could happen.”

Yu Hao ruffled his hair. He repeatedly breathed out his heavy breath. He looked back at the doctor. “Can his mood be the cause of his illness return again?”

“This is also one of my guesses. Did he just experience such a violent turmoil?” ask the doctor.

“You're right. She was very surprised because of something.” Yu Hao's gaze changed softly. 

“Then, I will try to treat it back with a snow lotus potion. Hopefully this can successfully treat it again.”

The doctor then came out of the room. Leaving the adorable Yu Hao, and the weakly lying Zhang.

If Shuwan is here, that means Jiao also came here right? I have to find him, and ask him about this. Zhang I'll be right back. Wait a sec. 

Yu Hao then went out looking for Jiao, and left Zhang still unconscious.

***

Jiao investigates Shuwan's suspect in the warehouse where the lanterns are located. He looked out from behind the window of the room. What's that guy doing? Why would he give something to every lantern?

The lurking focus Jiao was not aware of the existence of someone behind her. That person patted his shoulder until it made Jiao gasp. 

“So, you were spying on another man when I left?” whispered the man.

Jiao then turned her head and got Yu Hao behind her. “Why do you know I'm here?” ask Jiao.

“It took quite a long time just to be able to see you. And, by the way why did you come to the palace but not directly meet us?”

Yu Hao simply agreed. He also took a peek at who the person in Jiao's heart was.

Not long after, the person whom Jiao had been asking for came out of the warehouse. Jiao took this opportunity to investigate the lantern. He entered the warehouse once the person he suspected was no longer visible.

Yu Hao simply followed Jiao from behind.

Jiao then took out the lantern that the mysterious person had touched earlier. “My guess is right. The man replaced the oil with gunpowder. If until the axis is ignited, then this object can explode.”

“What do you mean, Jiao? I don't understand why you're investigating this?”

“Let me explain in detail, Yu Hao. I feel like this has something to do with you.”

“What does it have to do with me?” Yu Hao seemed to be in disbelief.

“Yes. See me tonight at the diplomat's residence. I'll tell you.”

“Me and Zhang also stayed there. Why didn't we meet earlier?”

“Me and Shuwan stay at a women-only place. Of course not meeting you.”

“So, yes?” Yu Hao paused for a moment, and returned to recall about Zhang's condition. “Jiao, Zhang..”

“What else happened to him?”

“Zhang, falling ill again. She hasn't been conscious until now.”

“A-what?”

“Already. There's no time to explain it here. Come with me,” Yu Hao pulled Jiao's hand and led her to his room, where Zhang also lay unconscious there.

Jiao who arrived there and saw him was as if in disbelief. “B-how could he end up like this?”

“This is because he saw Shuwan with the crown prince. The crown prince went to the king, and took Shuwan. He says that Shuwan is his wife.”

“But, as I recall Shuwan went with Qiang’er the librarian of the palace?”

Yu Hao let out his breath. “You mean Zhi Qiang? He is actually the crown prince of this palace.”

 Netra Jiao was perfectly rounded. His tongue felt faint when he was about to speak. “A-what?” Jiao still couldn't believe it. He's still trying to wake himself up if it's all just a dream. “J-so, Qiang’er it is the crown prince?”

Yu Hao nodded. 

“Did Shuwan already know?” Jiao was worried.

“From what I saw earlier, Shuwan doesn't seem to know yet. I don't know why Shuwan could be with the crown prince. Clearly, it took Zhang a hit, and again fell ill.”

“That time, Shuwan and I went to the market. When I left Shuwan for a while to find a tea seller, Shuwan was almost doomed to be hit by a speeding horse in the market. Qiang’er rescues him, and Shuwan is indebted to him. Hence, he asked Shuwan to help with the preparations for this celebration. But, for the matter of her being asked to be a wife, Shuwan really did not tell me.”

“So you don't know that either? What exactly is Shuwan hiding?”

Jiao shakes not understanding. He took a piece of paper from his pocket. “About what I wanted to say earlier, I will explain now.” Jiao handed the paper to Yu Hao.

“What is this?” Yu Hao opened the paper. Instantly, he also fell. “I-this..”.

“Yes... That's the symbol of the Black Rose group isn't it? The person I was spying on earlier, and the one who replaced the oil in the lantern with gunpowder was the one who had this mark near his wrist.”

Yu Hao ternaga's. His eyes are still perfectly round. “Why did those people get here?”

Jiao let out her heavy breath. “Shuwan says he got a clue from a dream about a rebellion in this palace. On the eve of the celebration, the rebellion will be launched. And, Shuwan suspects the person with this tattoo on his body. But, he was not proof enough to be able to tell the king, or the crown prince.”

Yu Hao was stunned. His mind is back in chaos. He rested his head on Zhang's bedpost. “When it's like this, why is there always chaos? This is a really big problem.”

“You know, Shuwan seems to have been thinking about it since we haven't been here. He didn't eat, and even kept it a secret from me. Yesterday because I forced him he just opened his mouth. He always just bears everything himself.”

“I feel, that Shuwan with the crown prince has something to do with this,” said Yu Hao.

“We will ask for his explanation later when he has returned. Besides, what's wrong with us helping Shuwan investigate. First, we've found a suspicious person with this symbol. And secondly, the man was shown to have replaced lantern oil with gunpowder. Of course it would be dangerous for the person who ignites his axis. I'm sure, it was an attempt to provoke a riot.”

“Then, let's continue the investigation and gather evidence.” Imbuh Yu Hao excitedly.

“Then, how about Zhang? He's still unconscious now. How could we possibly leave him alone here?”

“You're right. We wait for the healer who took care of Zhang to return. Just now we will go,” replied Yu Hao