1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
Two Circumstances

Day has become night. Shuwan cried for so long in Zhi Qiang's arms, that he made him teleplap there.

“What makes you so sad, Shuwan? Is it because of Zhang?” Zhi Qiang gently stroked Shuwan's black hair. He smelled her hair. 

Xin Ru who had been waiting for Zhi Qiang in the other corner approached him. “Master, it's dark. Don't you want to go back to your residence?”

“Sst... Keep your voice down, or she'll wake up.”

“Then, what will you do to him?”

Zhi Qiang confirmed Shuwan's position, then got up and carried his body. “He will be with me.” Zhi Qiang walked over carrying Shuwan's body.

Meanwhile, Xin Ru just looked at him. “Master, you tried to let go, but you couldn't?” 

Zhi Qiang led Shuwan down the hallway, towards his residence. Sometimes he looked at Shuwan's sleeping face.

The guards on guard smiled to themselves as their crown prince carried a woman. So are the servants who are still passing by.

Zhi Qiang did not bully those around him. He focused on Shuwan.

Arriving at the residence, Zhi Qiang brought Shuwan into his room. He lays Shuwan to his bed. He then moved back to close and lock the door.

Afterwards, he returns to Shuwan's side. He gently took off Shuwan's shoes. He also took off his clothes and shoes.

Zhi Qiang then laid himself down beside Shuwan. He then pulled the mosquito net and closed the bed completely. No luapa, he also pulled a blanket to cover his body and Shuwan limited to the chest. Zhi Qiang shares a bed and blanket with Shuwan.

His sight could not be separated from Shuwan's face. I don't know, he's just feeling really happy right now. For a moment he ignored the big problem that awaited him tomorrow.

“Shuwan, you must be very tired, right?  Rest up... I'm going to charge you,” said Zhi Qiang as he gently stroked Shuwan's face.

Meanwhile Xin Ru is confused about how to respond to her master who is now sharing a bed with Shuwan.

He finally decided to inform Yu Hao and Jiao. 

Arriving at the diplomat's special residence, Xin Ru finds the room inhabited by Zhang and Yu Hao open. He stood there and found Zhang, who appeared to be asleep.

Yu Hao and Jiao, who were aware of Xin Ru's arrival, came out. They were meeting Xin Ru.

“What brought you here?” ask Yu Hao.

“There are important things I need to tell you,” Xin Ru replied.

“About?”

“Shuwan,” brief Xin Ru.

Netra Jiao was perfectly rounded. “Shuwan? Do you know where he is? Since this afternoon he has not returned,” said Jiao anxiously.

Xin Ru threw out her heavy breath. He was a little worried about saying it. But he has to keep doing it. “Shuwan safe. She is sleeping with the crown prince.”

Jiao and Yu Hao immediately gasped. Their net was perfectly rounded, as if in disbelief as to what Xin Ru had just said.

“A-what did you say? Sleeping with the crown prince?” Yu Hao stammered.

Xin Ru nodded confidently.

Yu Hao grabbed Xin Ru's collar and pulled her firmly. “How could you let him? You should know that Shuwan is a very valuable person to Zhang! Why don't you prevent them?” With anger Yu Hao flocked Xin Ru with various questions.

“I just don't know how to do. My master also likes Shuwan. Even the residence and the king already knew Shuwan as his wife.”

“You should know that it's just a show, right? Why didn't you prevent it?” Once again Yu Hao spoke curtly to Xin Ru.

Xin Ru no longer responded to him. He realized that the person in front of him was angry. He chose to be quiet so that there would be no commotion.

Meanwhile Jiao felt her legs start to limp. He drips a warm liquid that has since emptied into his net.

“Why... Why is everything like this?” Jiao just cried. One friend is ill, and the other is sharing a bed with another man she just met. His heart was no less sick seeing one after another misfortune befall them.

Xin Ru felt guilty for not stopping her master. He then left Yu Hao and Jiao without saying goodbye.

Yu Hao only looked at Xin Ru's back which slowly moved away. The net then returned to Jiao. He tried to calm Jiao down in his arms. “Relax, Jiao. There must be something we don't know yet. We'll be patient and wait for things to improve.”

***

Meanwhile, at the finance minister's residence, a group of rebels were ready to attack the palace.

A burly man, dressed in all black, sat with a man whose hair was almost all white.

“You better keep your promise, Old Man?! Otherwise I will also finish you off in front of everyone!” said the burly man.

“You just calm down. Once we succeed in overthrowing the throne, you will be its king,” said the old man.

“He's right. We will definitely be your abdication,” said another old man.

Well, it was the true leader of the Black Rose Group, as well as the treacherous ministers.

There are three ministers who have formed a coalition to overthrow the current government. Among them were Bai Long, the minister of taxation, Duan Jung, the minister of defense, and Zhu Yong, the secretary of state.

These three were an important part of the current Cloud Country government. Of course they had many accomplices inside and outside the palace that could be utilized. 

They also worked with the Black Rose Group which became the most feared bandit group. Zhuting, was the main leader of the group.

With the division of their respective roles, their plans are ready. Launching an attack on an important day for the Cloud Country was also their choice. As the people and the palace were rejoicing in celebration, a sudden attack would also be launched.

Of course, this will take a toll. But it is also a warning that no one will be able to pass on those who now sit in the highest positions in government.

***

Meanwhile in his room, Zhi Qiang was still staring at Shuwan. But the day is getting late. He should have rested for a long day tomorrow. However, because of his happy heart, he also could not stop looking at Shuwan and fell asleep.

His hands really like to play Shuwan's black hair. She often kissed Shuwan's hair. He spoke to Shuwan who was sleeping. “Shuwan... Can I stop you from disappearing? Can you stay by my side? I told you love, but you rejected it. You know how hurt my heart is.”

Zhi Qiang threw out his breath again. He then turned his gaze for a moment to the ceiling of the mosquito net that was now protecting himself and Shuwan. 

He tilted his body and faced Shuwan. He brought his face closer to Shuwan's. Gently, he held her face. “Shuwan... Let me tell you one more time.” Zhi Qiang pointed his lips at Shuwan's ears. “I love you.” The whisper of Zhi Qiang.

After finishing his love expression, Zhi Qiang kissed Shuwan's forehead, then drowned in the fragrant scent of Shuwan's hair.

That night, the love of a lump of living flesh rippled with her martyrdom. The moon and the shining stars in the night sky are only silent witnesses of that love.

***

Diplomat Special Occupancy

The faces of Yu Hao and Jiao grew even more anxious. Seeing Zhang's condition that never improved. Even tonight he has a high fever.

“Jiao, how is the condition?” ask Yu Hao.

Jiao released her hand which examined Zhang's pulse. “It's pretty weak for now. We should give him the medicine regularly until tomorrow.” 

“Then make it immediately. I will compress it while you prepare the medicine,” said Yu Hao.

Jiao nodded. Aided by palace healer Jiao concocting medicine. While Yu Hao, focus on compressing Zhang who was still feverish.

Shuwan, I hope you come back quickly and explain everything to Zhang. If you were here, would you just sit quietly? Yu Hao's heart was covered in sadness. Shuwan was not there, while Zhang lay helpless.

On the other side of the night, some were in love with the idol, but on the other side there were those who were sick waiting for an explanation. Everything was busy with their respective affairs, even in the night that should have been a time of rest.