1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
Maaf

The sun seems to be directly overhead. The prayer together has been completed. Shuwan, Yu Hao, Xin Ru and Zhi Qiang gathered in a place where there were no people. They discussed the problem of rebellion.

“How to prepare later tonight? Have your soldiers come?” ask Shuwan.

“You guys just calm down. Everyone is in their own position. The lanterns have also been replaced, so the festival can run safely and smoothly. Yes ‘kan, Xin Ru?”

Xin Ru seemed to have a large black eye circumference. Is he staying up late? Yep... That's what happened. Last night he carried out the duties given by the crown prince. Finished from the task, he only slept for ten minutes. How short? Of course, he was a bodyguard who had to be on standby, including being ready to work morning, noon. 

Xin Ru still felt very sleepy. He simply nodded in response to Zhi Qiang's question.

Yu Hao and Shuwan were relieved.

“Then, can we gather evidence of the rebellion of those officials? It will be difficult to punish them when we have no proof,” Yu Hao added.

“The written proof already exists. Xin Ru investigated it. And I think, when they later try to attack, it can already be an accusation with many witnesses, that someone wants to kill the king.”

Yu Hao nodded in understanding. At least this was more than enough to punish them. As long as I was in the Black Rose, never once had I seen the main lead. What kind of person is he?

Shuwan then decides to leave from there. “Because everything has been prepared, I will go first.”

“Where?” ask Zhi Qiang.

“To the place where I should have given an explanation,” Shuwan replied.

Shuwan tries to step out of the room, but again Zhi Qiang's remarks stop him.

“Do not now. Meet him later in the afternoon. You should stay with me until then,” pinta Zhi Qiang.

Shuwan. He also considered Zhi Qiang's request. “Why should I stay here? I'll go now!” Shuwan continued his steps again.

Zhi Qiang, who was sitting down, stood up. “Don't you worry that your friend will also be targeted?” yelled Zhi Qiang.

Shuwan's steps stopped. He looked straight ahead with a perfectly rounded net.

“Xin Ru told me something earlier, that you and the people near me will also be their targets. Doesn't that include you and your friends?” 

Shuwan silently stared at the door. He seems to be more worried now. 

“Shuwan, I know you're worried about him, but fulfill my request for his good as well.”

Yu Hao and Xin Ru were only the silent witnesses of the two people arguing.

Is the crown prince holding Shuwan back from leaving? Inner Yu Hao.

Shuwan who had just been silent and sculpted finally turned his body back. He looked at the worried Zhi Qiang. “Good. I'll wait for the afternoon.” Shane went back inside to sit down.

He rested his back on the back of the chair, and propped his chin with his right hand. 

Thank goodness you didn't leave. That way, I can protect you by my side. Inner Xin Ru was happy that Shuwan had not left her side.

With a sense of compulsion, Shuwan followed every agenda of the celebration. Festive. That's the state of the celebration. But it felt like there was nothing lacking for Shuwan. Yes, Zhang and Jiao were not there. He lost half his spirit.

Finally, a series of activities such as the banquet of the invited guests had been completed. Stay waiting for the staging of attractions from the group of entertainers and also the flight lantern. In addition, the time anticipated by Shuwan also arrived.

Inside the crown prince's residence, he looked at Zhi Qiang.

“I'll go now,” Shuwan said.

Zhi Qiang nodded. “Please promise to return before attractions,” pinta Zhi Qiang.

“Good.” Shuwan instantly turned his face and flipped his body. Walk away from Zhi Qiang's current position. Yu Hao accompanied her to return to Zhang's room.

After being in a less crowded place, Shuwan asked Yu Hao a question. “How is Zhang doing?” ask Shuwan.

“He had a fever.”

Shuwan gasped in shock, his steps instantly halting as well. His guilt is growing. While Zhang was struggling with his illness, he instead slept quietly with the crown prince.

Yu Hao continued his words. “But this morning has improved and is aware. I hope you can give him an explanation after this. When she regained consciousness this morning, she was waiting for you.”

Shuwan's gaze was just blinking without blinking. “I know.” He then continued his steps.

After walking for quite a while, Shuwan and Yu Hao finally arrived. Shuwan pushed the door with both hands.

Now open that door. Shuwan looked at the person who was there. Both also have a view.

Self-conscious, Jiao and the palace healer came out of the room. Making room for Shuwan and Zhang to communicate. 

Shuwan then stepped in, and closed the door again after there was only himself and Zhang inside.

Guiltfully, he walked over to Zhang. There was a sad face that Shuwan was now looking at. Did Zhang cry? Might as well. Shuwan is his soul mate. Of course it became a very heavy slap for Zhang when others recognized Shuwan as his wife.

“Did you come to give me a scan?” zhang.

“Yes. I'll explain everything to you, and straighten out this misunderstanding. I don't expect you to forgive me, I just want you to hear my explanation.”

Zhang remained silent. There were no more words he could say. He was angry with Shuwan. But his love is so much bigger than his anger.

Shuwan exhaled and prepared to give an explanation. “I'm just pretending to be his wife the crown prince. I'm willing because the first time I met at the market he claimed to be the librarian of the palace. Since I had a dream of an impending rebellion, I worked with him to meet the crown prince. By helping her with the matchmaking business, she promised to bring me together with the crown prince. Until finally he just said his honesty, if in fact he himself is the person I am looking for. Regretting right? I could be fooled like that.”

“Is that true? You didn't come when I fell back then. And you didn't give me an explanation yesterday. Do you know, my heart feels like it's been stabbed with thousands of needles watching you ignore me.” Zhang became emotional. It looks like the net is glazed.

“Sorry... I'm forced. I feel so guilty about you that I don't have the courage to explain everything. Then today I can tell you.”

Zhang pulls Shuwan's hand, and drops Shuwan in his arms. “I'm just afraid that I really lost you,” Zhang sobbed.

Is she crying for me? Shuwan then extended his arm to Zhang's waist to return his embrace. “Sorry for making you wait for an explanation is not important to me. But I still have to do my part until this celebration is over. I hope you can understand.”

Zhang let go of his embrace, and took turns holding onto Shuwan's two arms. “Please promise that you will return safely, and meet me again.”

Shuwan nodded slowly. “It's time. I have to go back to the crown prince's side. Tonight, the rebels will be in action. I must protect the crown prince as my last mission.”

Zhang gasped. He just remembered it back ‘Light of the Moon Fading’. When this task is accomplished, Shuwan will leave, disappearing from his side. 

Shuwan just stared at the strange Zhang who was about to cry. Why this guy? Suddenly it turned weird.

Zhang looked at Shuwan's face. “Shuwan... The moon is fading, it's getting closer isn't it?”

Shuwan was shocked because Zhang apparently still remembered that. With a soft look, Shuwan nodded slowly. “It's true.” In short.

Zhang took his breath. “Then I hope you don't reject me anymore.”

“M-means?” Shuwan.

Zhang's two hands grabbed Shuwan's face. “Close your eyes,” he said.

“Why me..”

“I beg...” pinta Zhang with a pinched face.

Because of his pity, Shuwan obeyed him. He nodded slowly, and then closed his eyes.

Zhang immediately brought his face closer to Shuwan's face. He kissed Shuwan's lips intensely.

Shuwan was shocked. He opened his eyes and tried to let go. But somehow the kiss made him weak. It seemed powerless to push Zhang whose tears melted and also touched Shuwan's cheek.

Liem's... Should you come like this because of me? There was a sense of tightness that also burst into Shuwan's chest. But he didn't realize what it was really. He just felt that maybe that was too deep of guilt for Zhang.

After kissing Shuwan for a long time, Zhang let him go. He looked back at the face of the woman he loved so much. 

Shuwan immediately threw away his face. “Liem, you don't need to be so good to me. You know I'm gonna disappear, too. Promise me that after I'm gone, you'll live happily. Not in tears and in sorrow. You and I, come from different worlds. It's impossible for us to be together. Besides, you also know how I am doing, right?”

Zhang grabbed Shuwan's hand with which he put the ring. “If you disappear I will look for you again. Because I just want to live together, not the others. No matter how long I have to wait, I will definitely find you back.”

“Why are you so stubborn? Don't you suffer enough because of me?” Shuwan began to shed tears. He was eager to stop Zhang from loving him so stubbornly.

“It's very difficult to stop the pure feeling that just comes along, Shuwan. When I try to stop it, it will only make me sicker. It even hurts so much,” Zhang said softly.

Shuwan just bowed in silence. He no longer responded to Zhang.

Zhang then gently stroked Shuwan's hand that was in his grasp.

CUPS.

Zhang peeped at Shuwan's back, leaving Shuwan's netra perfectly rounded in shock.

“K-you..”.

KRIETT!

The door to the room suddenly opened slowly. Yu Hao stood there, followed by Xin Ru.

Shuwan directly pulled his hand from Zhang, and wiped his tears. “It's time. I have to go now.” Shuwan immediately left Zhang, leaving with Yu Hao and Xin Ru.

Zhang smiled gently. He touched her lips that had just kissed Shuwan's. “Taste sweet. Is this a feeling of longing?” muttered.

Jiao then entered. He approached Zhang who was smiling to himself. Have they made up? If it is true, then thank God. Jiao was relieved. It was as if the heavy weight on his shoulders had just been lifted.

Zhang who noticed Jiao's arrival immediately turned his eyes away. “Jiao, can you tell me about the impending rebellion?” ask Zhang.

Jiao was doubtful. How could he tell bad things to people who are sick. On the other hand, he did not want to make Zhang even more curious and worried.

“Em... All right, I'll tell you." Jiao finally agreed to tell Zhang everything.