1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
Don't Threaten Me!

Zhi Qiang's conversation with the king was over. Shuwan and Zhi Qiang said goodbye to the king, then walked out of the room. 

Shuwan's mind is still in turmoil. Zhang's sudden astounding condition became the dominance of his mind right now.

Liem, how are you doing now? Shuwan stops him in a deserted passageway that only exists him and also Zhi Qiang. I have to see him. Shuwan tried to increase his speed. But it was stopped by Zhi Qiang by pulling Shuwan's hand firmly.

“Where do you want to go?” ask Zhi Qiang.

“You must know already, right? Of course I will meet my friend who fell ill earlier!” 

“You want to try to defile me? Here we are acting as husband and wife. Then what about the people's opinion when I found out my wife met another man?”

Shuwan scrunched his forehead. Both of his eyebrows seemed to be almost fused together. His agitated face turned crimson upon hearing Zhi Qiang's words. Shuwan then forcibly pulled his own hand.

“I don't care about people's opinions. You know, that Zhang and I, we've known each other for a long time. How can I act as if I care about him,” Shuwan said grimly.

“So you still want to see him?” 

“Of course! In any case he is an important person to me.”

Zhang is an important person to Shuwan? “Then what if I don't allow it?”

“I'll keep going. No matter if it has to go against you.”

Zhi Qiang walked over to Shuwan. He brought his face closer to Shuwan's face which was so upset. “That means you don't want to know with the crown prince don't you?”

Without a second thought Shuwan directly lunged at Zhi Qiang's neck. He then cornered Zhi Qiang to the wall with his right hand strangling his neck.

Zhi Qiang seemed to show an expression of pain. For a woman she has a strong energy. Inner Zhi Qiang.

Shuwan stared intently at Zhi Qiang. “You know what kind of person I hate the most? Yep..It was a person who liked to threaten me with something he had promised before. I don't care what your status is. If I want to, I can skin you, and even chop your flesh to give to a beast!”

Shuwan then released his grip on Zhi Qiang's neck. He then threw his gaze at Zhi Qiang and walked alone in the hallway.

Zhi Qiang looked at Shuwan's back which was starting to move away from him. Shuwan, you're a hard person to guess. But, this really makes me like you more.

Zhi Qiang then chased after Shuwan. The echoes of the sound of leg stomps due to running in the hallway were clearly heard. He then pulled Shuwan's hand back.

Shuwan immediately looked at him with a hateful look. “What more do you want?” Shuwan.

“I'm wrong. Sorry to make you angry like this. I just..”

Shuwan immediately pulled his hand. He then said with a word. “Remember... It's just a charade. Don't expect more on what you might not be able to get.”

Zhi Qiang was silent. “Does Zhang mean so much to you? Or are you really a couple of lovers?”

“You're right! Zhang and I are lovers. In the previous life, today, tomorrow, and forever. People like you won't be able to mess up the fate scenario that has been created.” Shuwan unknowingly says things that even he has not acknowledged.

If Zhang had been there, he would have been delighted to hear this remark from Shuwan. Well, even if it was just a trick to keep Zhi Qiang away from Shuwan.

Zhi Qiang was instantly slapped at Shuwan's words. Does this mean I have been rejected? But I haven't done anything yet?

Shuwan then continues his journey in search of Zhang. He did not look at Zhi Qiang anymore, even though he knew what the consequences of his actions were.

Where is Zhang now? I need to find him immediately to know how he is. Shuwan increased the speed of his steps, so that he could immediately disappear from Zhi Qiang's sight.

Meanwhile, Zhi Qiang felt like exploding.

“Argh!” He shouted and punched the wall before him to vent the anger that now controlled his heart.

After a long time of circling around, Shuwan finally found out where Zhang was. He asked the guards on the way.

When Shuwan opened the door, he saw Zhang, who was sleeping in the bed. Shut up, don't move. Shuwan then turned his net on the healer accompanying Zhang who was now also staring at him.

“I am his friend. We are both from the Luo Shu residence,” Shuwan said directly to the point.

“So apparently. Your other two friends are away for a while. He said he wanted to take care of the problem at the place of making lanterns, and the preparation of the distribution of sweets tomorrow.”

Is that Yu Hao and Jiao? Surely they are. How many friends do I have here? “Then, can I change to accompany him here? You seem to be quite exhausted.”

“Actually it's also not why I'm here. Anyway I'm responsible for making the cure.”

“So apparently.” Shuwan then walked up to Zhang's bed, and then sat down in front of him. He looked at Zhang's face that was sleeping quietly. “Actually... What's he sick of? Shouldn't it be after a week that he took the medicine and underwent treatment here to recover soon?”

“My last check said so. He should have been healed. But it seems, the inner turmoil he felt today made his illness grow back.”

Shuwan. He was running out of words that could reaffirm his voice. “This is all my fault. I caused him to suffer like this,” shrewd Shuwan.

The healer only paid attention to Shuwan's words. He then said, “I don't understand what the conflict is between you and this young man. But, as much as possible please don't let him be so depressed. I'm just afraid that his condition will get worse.”

Not noticeably, tears just dripped down Shuwan's cheeks. Tears that somehow felt so hot. He realized and knew very well that Zhang became like this because of him. 

“Master, can you just leave us alone?” shuwan said in a raucous voice.

“Good. I'll all go to the hall to pick up herbs.”

The physician then left Shuwan with Zhang. Then he closed the door again.

Once he turned around, it turned out that Yu Hao and Jiao were behind him. Just remember he was shocked. “K-you almost made my heart dislodged tofu!” said the physician.

Yu Hao chuckled softly. “Sorry, Sir. We really did not accidentally.” Said Yu Hao. “Oh, yes, by the way who is inside? And, why do you feel like you're leaving?”

The doctor took his old breath. “A pretty girl met him. He wanted to be with that young man. So I gave them space. Well, even though the young man was still unconscious.”

“Yu Hao, is it possible that Shuwan?” ask Jiao.

“The biggest possibility is true. Who else would have met Zhang had it not been for him. After all, it was because of him who did not speak honestly. Hence Zhang is sick again,” accuse Yu Hao.

“Already. We'll know the reason when Shuwan has said it all. Now we leave them both. At least until Shuwan finishes inside.”

“H... Alright.”

Yu Hao and Jiao were just waiting outside the door. They sit on the terrace.

Just as Yu Hao and Jiao were sitting down, suddenly the crown prince came to that place.

Yu Hao and Jiao stood up and saluted him.

“Is Shuwan inside?” ask Zhi Qiang.

“He was accompanying Zhang who was still unconscious. I hope, you can give them a little time.” Said Yu Hao calmly.

Zhi Qiang threw out his breath. He just looked at the tightly closed door. Waiting for Shuwan to see him again.

Meanwhile, Shuwan inside the room was still crying as he pleased. He knew that crying would not change anything. But not knowing why, she could not stop crying.

His heart also felt pain to see the unconscious Zhang. He then tried to hold Zhang's hand with both hands.

“Liem... Why are your hands so cold? Why don't you wake up, too? I know I was wrong, so please come to your senses and hear my apology.” 

He then kissed the back of Zhang's hand, and again held it tightly in his chest.

“Why do you have to love me to this extent? Why would.... I-I'll do whatever you say, as long as you're aware of Liem. I promise..”

Shuwan's teardrop unwittingly fell on the back of Zhang's hand he held. Shuwan, who rarely cries, is like a child who has lost his candy. Crying to sniffle. His heart never felt this painful.