1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
A Gift

Zhi Qiang had finished his letter. Now he sends it to its intended destination.

“You want to deliver it yourself? Or send someone else?” ask Shuwan.

Zhi Qiang smiled. “I have San who will send it. Don't you remember it?”

Shuwan.

“If I or someone else were to leave, it would take a lot of time. Then I will send San. That way, they will arrive tomorrow morning.”

Zhi Qiang approached San who was outside his residence. San appears to be perched on a special rod prepared for perching. 

Shuwan followed Zhi Qiang. He was still curious about the eagle who had helped him from the attack of the snake in the field of the weeds. “Can I ask you something?”

“What is it?” zhi Qiang said, inserting a scroll into the tube tied to the eagle's back.

“When me and the others made the journey to get here, we rested in the field. Didn't think we would be attacked by a pack of snakes in the field. It was a coincidence at night, not knowing why suddenly there was an eagle helping us. And you know, the eagle is similar to San. Is it possible that San often travels at night?”

“San does love to travel, whenever she likes.” 

“So apparently.”

Finished tying it, Zhi Qiang then let San fly in the air. Brushing the horizon boundary towards the southwestern region of the Cloud Country.

The two then went back into the room. There's still important things they need to do.

“Shuwan, about the lantern we should how?” ask Jiao.

“You're right. We still have one more problem.”

The silent Xin Ru started to open her voice. “Regarding the lanterns, I have asked the craftsmen I trust to make 1000 lanterns. They're finishing it in a safe place.”

“We will exchange those lanterns tomorrow.” Zhi Qiang chimed.

“Then, what about that gunpowder lantern?” ask Yu Hao.

“That's why you're calm. I already have other plans,” Zhi Qiang smiled after saying so. I don't know what he's planning.

“Good. Then I'll leave the lantern problem to you. I'll be back to Zhang.” Shuwan turned and was about to leave the crown prince's residence.

“Shuwan I'm coming!” sahut Jiao and Yu Hao together.

Zhi Qiang gasped, he then called Shuwan. “Shuwan!”

Shuwan who was at the door turned his head. 

Zhi Qiang walked over to him. Shuwan was shocked by what was in Zhi Qiang's hands.

“This, you...”.

Zhi Qiang put it in Shuwan's hair. “This thing fell on the market. So I took it to return to you.”

Yu Hao nudged Jiao's arm. “Isn't this a sign that rival Zhang is becoming very heavy?” whispered.

“You're right. Huh.... I just wish that Shuwan could end up with Zhang,”.

Shuwan and Zhi Qiang now face each other.

DEG! 

Zhi Qiang's heart thumped as it touched Shuwan's hair. His face looks blushing.

Once finished, he immediately pulled out an object that he had stored in his pocket. Yeah, it's a necklace.

“I want to give this as a gift,” said Zhi Qiang while showing the necklace with a lotus-shaped blue gem.

“Why did you give me a gift? I didn't do anything,” Shuwan said.

Zhi Qiang smiled. “You've been present in Shuwan's life, and it's a beautiful thing. That's why I want to give you this necklace as a thank you for being here.”

Shuwan did not understand clearly what the young man before him meant. Yes, Shuwan's heart is ordinary. He also accepted the necklace. “Good. But you can't take it again someday.”

“I never take back what I gave. After all this is the only one and I think only you deserve it.”

Zhi Qiang moved, starting to put the necklace around Shuwan's neck. “Watch this a gift and honor to be able to pair a necklace with you,” he said.

Shuwan again has to get close to him, and hopes this is done soon. Shuwan accidentally smelled the perfume Zhi Qiang was using.

This scent... It was like I had kissed her. Inner Shuwan felt familiar with the perfume Zhi Qiang used.

Shuwan... As long as you don't belong to anyone, I will definitely continue to fight to win you over. But if it's not destined in the end, I can only let you go, for your happiness. Inner Zhi Qiang.

"Sign that necklace. That thing is precious to me." Message of Zhi Qiang.

"Precious?" Shuwan.

"It's my mother's necklace. I gave it to you because I felt you were a good fit to wear it."

Why are these people giving me valuable things? Not Zhang, not the crown prince. Men are strange creatures. Inner Shuwan.

After finishing picking up the necklace, Zhi Qiang took a few steps back. He smiled at Shuwan. “Now you can go Shuwan. Meet Zhang. And regarding our agreement, I will explain it to father.”

“Are you not afraid that he is angry?”

“You don't worry. I used to listen to him babble all day. My ears are immune to it.”

Shuwan only oohs hearing Zhi Qiang's explanation. He then turned his body and left the crown prince's residence.

Xin Ru then walked over to Zhi Qiang. “Did you release it?”

Zhi Qiang smiled. “If we are meant to be together, time will answer. But if not, then I can only hope to be the one closest to him, and protect him.”

Xin Ru only watched her master. Really, sometimes he becomes the most stupid human being to be able to think about the feelings of others, especially his master.

During the trip to Zhang's place, Shuwan remained silent. A chaotic feeling always looms over him. There is a wounded Zhang, there is also chaos.

The desire to live in peace, and also in safety so deeply ripped his heart and mind. Home, a place that has always been the deepest longing for a Shuwan.

Jiao and Yu Hao who were walking behind Shuwan just kept quiet. They wanted to talk to him, but the tongue could not speak.

Without notice, footsteps had now reached the door of the room, where Zhang was still lying.

Shuwan opened it, and he was flabbergasted that Zhang had regained consciousness, and was in a sitting position.

Shuwan was silent. While Yu Hao and Jiao immediately ran over and called out Zhang's name. They immediately sat on the edge of the bed, and asked about Zhang's feelings. There was a gentle knotty smile painted there.

“Didn't you need to explain to me, Shuwan?” 

Shuwan flipped back his body. The sun was tilted and Shuwan's shadow became longer on the floor. He looked at Zhang who was pale in skin as well as his lips.

Not with Zhang. He could not clearly see Shuwan's face as he turned his back on the sunlight.

Shuwan prepares himself, he takes a deep breath. “No. There's nothing I need to explain. You better not ask too many questions, and keep resting.” Shuwan immediately turned his body. He could not see Zhang's weak condition because of him.

He was blind to the feelings in his heart. Is it compassion, or love? If it is love, Shuwan dismisses it, because he is a person who never or can fall in love.

Zhang gasped. That's not the answer he wants to hear. That's not what he's looking forward to.

With heavy steps, Shuwan left the room. Without looking, or saying goodbye.

Zhang tried to chase after him, he got up from his seat. With a shaky step he walked towards the door. As he made it out a few steps from the door, he fell down, slumped to the floor. He grimaced in pain, but the feeling was momentarily ignored, and gathered all his strength to cry out to the man who was now beginning to walk away from him.

“Shuwan!” zhang shouted as loudly as possible.

But Shuwan remained silent, and continued his steps. He was confused where he was actually going. Importantly, he left, and stayed away from Zhang.

Yu Hao and Jiao rushed over to Zhang. They tried to help Zhang to stand up.

“Zhang, let's just go inside,” said Yu Hao.

“I want to listen to an explanation from Shuwan. You can't prevent me.” Zhang tried to rebel, and wanted to go back after Shuwan. But his strength was not enough to resist the strength of Yu Hao who was now holding him back.

“You're still not healthy enough to chase after him, Zhang. Rest first. Tomorrow, he will definitely explain it to you,” Yu Hao said.

“I don't want to! I want to go to the“

Unfinished Zhang's remark, Yu Hao smacked Zhang's nape to knock him unconscious.

“I'm sorry Zhang. But you can't leave now.”

Jiao who saw him was silent and resigned. 

“Jiao, help me bring her back,” pinta Yu Hao.

Jiao helped Yu Hao to get Zhang back to his bed.

“Yu Hao, should we tell Zhang the truth? I-I don't like to see them continue to misunderstand like this,” Jiao said.

“You think I like it? But Shuwan himself did not want to explain. We also have no right to talk about it.”

“T-but..”.

“Already, Jiao. We focus on healing Zhang only. In addition, also important things that will happen tomorrow.”

Jiao bowed languidly. The internal conflict between Shuwan and Zhang also affected their minds.

Shuwan who left Zhang's room from earlier only surrounded the palace. It was getting dark, and his legs were also starting to feel tired. His gaze that was straight to the front, now fixed on a pair of swings in a small garden in the corner of the palace.

There no one passed by. Shuwan finally decided to sit on that swing.

As soon as he sat down, his eyes were empty. He repeatedly took his breath away so that his heart would calm down. But still, it did not diminish the hardness that was in his heart.

“Sorry, Zhang. I just can't afford to face you.” Shuwan began to move his legs to give a strong repulsion for the swing to move.

He ignored her no more, and continued to sit there.

On the other hand, it turned out that Zhi Qiang noticed Shuwan who was on that swing. He asked Xin Ru not to follow him. Zhi Qiang continued his steps towards Shuwan who was swinging.

“What because rebellion makes you angry, Shuwan?” said Zhi Qiang who suddenly reprimanded Shuwan.

Apparently Shuwan was daydreaming, he did not listen to Zhi Qiang's voice.

Zhi Qiang was still waiting. However, having no response, Zhi Qiang stood in front of Shuwan's swing. 

Of course Shuwan was shocked. He could not resist his forward-looking swing and was about to crash into Zhi Qiang.

Knowing that, Zhi Qiang pulled one of Shuwan's hands.

BRUCK!

Both fell. Shuwan overrides Zhi Qiang's body.

“Ugh!” Shuwan immediately confirmed his position like a push-up position. He was shocked because Zhi Qiang turned out to be his bearing. The two of them returned to view.

“Is not this position very familiar?” goda Zhi Qiang's.

Shuwan threw away his gaze and immediately sat down. “Why can you be here?” shuwan said without looking at Zhi Qiang.

Zhi Qiang then got up, and sat down. He looked at Shuwan's face in the darkness. 

“You kidding? This is my palace, of course I will be here,” replied Zhi Qiang.

Shuwan snorted in annoyance. True what he said. “Then I go!” Shuwan got up and would step up. But he fails, as Zhi Qiang pulls Shuwan's hand and makes him fall back in his arms.

“K-you! Basic pervert! Release!” shuwan.

Zhi Qiang did not budge. She hugged Shuwan. “You are my wife, that is a natural thing isn't it?”

“It was just a charade, how could you do it for real!” Shuwan began to feel annoyed. He really wanted to take off the embrace, but was powerless against the power of Zhi Qiang who was greater than him.

“If I don't want all it's just a charade how?” Zhi Qiang did not endlessly tease Shuwan.

“That'll just be your wish! Let alone Zhang, you won't be able to have me either. As soon as I finish helping to finish off that rebel, I will soon disappear from this world! Hahaha!” Shuwan laughed loudly, but then he cried bitterly.

Shuwan who was mocking just like that made Zhi Qiang surprised. “M-disappeared? Why did you have to disappear Shuwan?” zhi Qiang asked as if in disbelief.

“Heh... I don't need to tell you!”

Shuwan returned with a cold and haughty attitude. He who could not let go of Zhi Qiang's embrace was looking for a way. Biting Zhi Qiang's shoulder strongly.

Zhi Qiang's face looked grimacing in pain. But he still didn't relax his embrace. “Let me be as strong as Shuwan. I won't mind.”

Shuwan realizes that his bite has made Zhi Qiang's shoulder bleed. He then released his bite. And sank into the chest of Zhi Qiang's field.

The warm liquid that empties into Shuwan's netra melts. Penetrating and touching Zhi Qiang's breastplate. Zhi Qiang could feel the heat of Shuwan's tears.

Is that so sad of you?

Meanwhile, Zhi Qiang did not plan to let go at all.