Half a month passed and Wen Qian is getting sicker day by day. During the night, she'll feel dizzy but it will be gone the next day. But because of it, she got sleepless nights. Her complexion looks really bad.
It's been a while since Xiu Ying visited Wen Qian as he was immersed in his study of poisons. He was shocked when he saw Wen Qian.
"Qi- Qian... Wh- what's wrong with you?! You're too pale and you're losing lots of weight." Xiu Ying groping Wen Qian's shoulders and arm, measuring it.
Wen Qian faintly smiles. "Lately, I keep having a headache every night and my stomach feels a bit uncomfortable. But, don't worry. I always feel better the next morning."
Xiu Ying frowns, "Headache every night? And stomach ache too? How often did it occur?"
Wen Qian hesitates, "We- well... about every 2-3 days. I'm fine Xiu Ying. Don't worry." Wen Qian didn't want to trouble her only friend.
Without saying anything, Xiu Ying grabs Wen Qian's wrist and read her pulse. Since he worked at the imperial pharmacy, his pulse reading is getting much better. He learned it diligently because in this world there's no stethoscope and ultrasound scanner that can do the work.
Once he got the reading, the knitted brows become deeper. "Seems like there's a problem with your heart and stomach..." Xiu Ying can't give the details based on her pulse only.
"Do you remember, when the exact time you started to feel like this?" Xiu Ying's totally changed into a strict doctor mode. Making Wen Qian flinched.
"Around 2-3 weeks ago."
"Before that, do you remember what you did, where did you go or who you met?" Xiu Ying squints his eyes, stressing on 'who you met' part.
"I- I just do my daily routines. Staying in my courtyard. I didn't go anywhere. I only met you and sometimes His Majesty came at night. I think that's al- ..."
"What's wrong? Did you remember anything?" Xiu Ying asked impatiently.
"It's ... Yu Li Na and Lin Hui Yin. They came here a few weeks ago. I think a few days after they came, I started to feel extreme pain in my head."
Xiu Ying's face turns cold. He grips his fist tightly. 'You already started, huh? Taking advantage when I'm not around.'
"Did you remember anything out of place when she came? Did she give you anything to eat or drink?"
Wen Qian slowly shakes her head. "No. Everything was prepared by my own servants. She also didn't bring anything for me. But she..."
"She what?"
"I'm not sure whether it has anything to do with this but that day, she's holding my hand in a weird way." Wen Qian holds up her right arm.
"How?"
"At first, I thought she tried to comfort me but she kept rubbing my wrist. Her thumb keeps caressing the pulse area. I didn't take into much care because her fingers don't feel oily or powdery. Her fingers are dried and clean. So, I didn't suspect anything."
"There are many kinds of poison that are too fine in texture and odorless." Xiu Ying mumbles.
"Then, when you feel the pain, did you take any painkillers?"
Wen Qian nods. "Yes. I think it's the one you brought to me before. It's really effective. Adding with the lavender incense, in just a few minutes, the pain subsides and I sleep really well."
Xiu Ying raises his eyebrows, "What lavender incense?"
"Oh. Xiao Lu, my servant said lavender incense can help to treat headaches and has a calming effect. So, almost every night I'll burn the incense to help me sleep better."
Xiu Ying abruptly stands and drags Wen Qian, "First, you need to show me where is the incense burner. Next, you're coming with me to the imperial pharmacy."
Wen Qian still didn't understand what just happened, obediently followed Xiu Ying. Guo Wei and Chang Ming that stands not far from them look at each other. They nod and then Guo Wei quickly walks out of the courtyard, heading towards Imperial Study Room.
Inside Wen Qian's bedchamber, there's a small incense burner beside her bed. Xiu Ying inspects it. He raises it to his nose and takes a sniff on it. His eyes bulge. He closes the incense burner and slams in on the bedside table.
"Xi- Xiu Ying... Wh- what's wrong?" Wen Qian feels a bit scared with the intimidating person in front of her.
Grabs the incense burner with one hand, the other hand grabs Wen Qian's wrist. "Come. Let's go to the imperial pharmacy."
Meanwhile, in the imperial study room, the air suddenly turns heavy after Guo Wei reported what he heard just now.
Wu Zhang Wei supports his head using one arm and the other hand tapping on the table slowly. "So, where is Consort Li and Concubine Wen right now?"
"Before I left, Consort Li was about to go to Concubine Wen's room to check on the incense burner. After that, Consort Li said he'll bring Concubine Wen to the imperial pharmacy."
Wu Zhang Wei stays silent. Beads of sweat rolling down on Guo Wei's nape. He patiently waits for the order from the emperor. "Alright. You can return to Consort Li first. Try to get info about the incense. Zhen will handle the rest." Guo Wei bows then quickly left.
Back to Xiu Ying and Wen Qian. The latter is being dragged to the imperial pharmacy. Xiu Ying feels a little bit impatient but still, he slowing down, considering Wen Qian's weak state.
Once they've arrived, Xiu Ying asked Wen Qian to lay down on the table that is half of the average human's height. Or people would call it the surgical table or hospital bed.
Seeing the restless state of both of them, the Chief of physicians approached. "Consort Li, what's wrong with Concubine Wen?" He glances between Xiu Ying and Wen Qian who already lays flat on the table.
Xiu Ying takes a blanket, covering the lower body and leaving Wen Qian's upper body for him to examine. "I think Concubine Wen has been poisoned but I'm not sure yet. I need to thoroughly check first."
The chief stays beside Xiu Ying, watching his movements. Xiu Ying pressed on Wen Qian's stomach. He moves from one side to another and asked whether it is hurt or not.
When Xiu Ying moves slightly lower, Wen Qian groans. "...Y- Ying... it hurts.."
Xiu Ying gently pressed on it again, and Wen Qian has the same response. 'It's not stomach. It's her... womb.'
Xiu Ying takes the incense burner from Jing Yi's who followed him everywhere, then pass it to Chief. "Chief, try to sniff on this. Can you detect what it is?"
The chief received the incense burner and did as he was told. It was a few inches away but Chief still can smell it.
"It's lavender... and a strong one." Chief quickly puts it away. The strong smell hurts his nose.
Xiu Ying rubs his chin. "Lavender incense does help in calming mind and eases the pain in the head but if it was used in a high dose or a very strong concentration, plus it was added with some other types of perfume it can affect someone's inside. And if it's a woman it can affect her... womb."
All of them present at the imperial pharmacy fell speechless.
"Strong concentration and using it for a long time can cause a woman to be... infertile." Wen Qian unconsciously touches her lower stomach and tears flowed down her side-eyes.
Being able to give birth is one of the most important things for women. If a woman failed to carry a child, it was like she was failed as a woman and no better than a guy. Well, that's what women tend to feel.
Xiu Ying grabs on Wen Qian's shoulder, "Don't worry. I'll do my best to help you. I'll make sure your children can even set into two teams of mahjong."
[One team : 4persons]
Wen Qian takes a hold on the hand on her shoulder and mutters, "Thank you." Xiu Ying nods.
"As for what caused you to have a headache, I need more time to figure it out. But! Rest assured, just take the decoction I personally prepared for you, and nobody else, including your servant, got it?"
Wen Qian nods vigorously. "And stop using this incense. If your servant brings it, just put it off and throw the incense away. Do it without your servant notice." Wen Qian nods again.
Xiu Ying takes out the acupuncture needles, "Stay still." He calmly inserts the needles on few parts of Wen Qian's forehead. The latter fully trusted his skills so she lays unworried.
"Wait for a while. I'll make a concoction for you." While waiting for the acupuncture to do its work, Xiu Ying went to the inner side of the pharmacy.
He mixes some licorice, Manchurian wildginger, Dahurian angelica root, Achyranthes root, ginseng, and Motherwort herbs. He decocts all of those herbs for about half an hour and then divides it into 10 small glass bottles. Then, he returns to Wen Qian's side. Even if it's just a slight difference but Wen Qian does look better and not too pale like before.
Xiu Ying pulls out all the needles gently. "How do you feel?"
"Much better. Thank you, Xiu Ying." She slowly gets up from the table. Xiu Ying passed a small sack to her.
"Here. Drink this every day for 10 days. After that, come and see me again. And please... hide this well. Put it somewhere only you could find. Understand?" Wen Qian got a lot of questions but she keeps it in her heart and decided to trust in Xiu Ying's decision.
Wen Qian is about to leave the pharmacy but Xiu Ying holds her back. "Wait." The girl only blinks her eyes when she was pulled back into the table.
Xiu Ying stares at Wen Qian's face, squints his eyes. Then he turns to Chief. "Chief, do you any makeup in here?"
"Ma- makeup?" The chief bewildered. They're in pharmacy why Xiu Ying asked for makeup? "Wait a second. I think one of our herbalists had created some makeup from herbs before." The chief quickly rummaged the store.
A moment later, The Chief came back with powder, blush, and some other stuff.
"Jing Yi, you know how to do makeup right? Help me out. Make Wen Qian looks sick."
"Looks sick? I thought Young Master wants to make her look healthier?" Jing Yi can never understand his young master's mind.
"Nope. Let us make them think their plan is still going on smoothly. We don't want them to put their guard on us. Let them feel like they've succeeded." Xiu Ying smirks.
For the nth time, all of them look at Xiu Ying in full of admiration. His thinking is so out of this world. Looking at Jing Yi's work, Xiu Ying shows his thumbs and winks.
...
As Xiu Ying guessed, as soon as Wen Qian stepped out of the pharmacy with the help of Chang Ming, someone returns to her master. Xiu Ying stays at the pharmacy to do some study.
"What?! She went there? Then, how does she look? Better or the same?" asked Li Na impatiently.
"My lady, rest assured. Concubine Wen still looks pale and weak," said MianMian, who is Momo's twin sister.
Li Na sneers. "Good. Of course, it won't be easy for them to treat it. My uncle sends the best one for me. Even one day they get to know how to cure it, it will be too late."
Unbeknownst to her, she's actually being played in a game that she started.
...
During dinner, Wu Zhang Wei went to Wen Qian's room. He feels guilty for using Wen Qian to get close to Xiu Ying and because of that, she was targeted.
"Wen Qian...Zhen...sorry. All this won't happen to you if Zhen didn't come here often just to ask about Xiu Ying. Sorry.." He lowers his head apologetically.
It should be wrong for the country's monarch lowers his head in front of someone else, except his imperial father and mother. But still, Wu Zhang Wei didn't care about all that.
Wen Qian shakes her head. "Your Majesty, don't worry. Even if Your Majesty didn't come here, sooner or later, the other person might still try to get rid of me. So, don't blame yourself. Plus, I'm getting better. Consort Li is a very good physician. His medical skills are no joke and the concoction he made is much better than any medicine out there. Because of him, I'm slowly recovering."
Wu Zhang Wei doesn't want to disturb her rest time, he left right after he's done with dinner. Wu Zhang walks towards his room but after a few steps, he stopped and make a u-turn. Heading to Zhongcui Palace.
Xiu Ying sitting by the window, reading another medical book. Wearing his night robe, which is only a thin layer of white clothes. His hair falling down loosely, swayed left and right when the night breeze hit it. The moonlight reflects on his face makes Xiu Ying looks like an angel descended from heaven.
Xiu Ying was too immersed in his reading. He didn't realize someone secretly entered his room and has been staring at him for a few minutes.
Wu Zhang Wei didn't allow the servant to announce his arrival. He quickly dismissed all of them when arrived at the door. Jing Yi reluctant to leave but he's powerless to go against the emperor. With his great skills in martial arts, Wu Zhang Wei managed to make his presence unnoticeable. He intended to surprise Xiu Ying but when his eyes fall on the beautiful figure near the window, he was stunned instead.
Wu Zhang Wei was jerked out of his trance when a cute sneeze sound was heard. He quickly collected himself back. "Don't sit there with only your night robe. It's cold during the night." The deep voice makes Xiu Ying jolts.
"Yo- Your Majesty." Xiu Ying puts aside the book and bows.
"Rise." Wu Zhang Wei saw an outer robe on the couch, he picks it up. He moves closer to Xiu Ying then put it over him.
"Take care of yourself. I know you're a great physician, you can heal any kind of diseases but still, your health is the priority. Understand?" His words are full of concern.
Xiu Ying bewildered with what the emperor just did. He blinks his eyes, then hesitantly nods.
Ignoring the puzzled look on Xiu Ying, Wu Zhang Wei grabs on his hand, drags him to the couch.
"How are you doing?" asked Zhang Wei.
"Good, Your Majesty."
"I heard about Wen Qian." He sighs. "Can you heal her?"
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I'll try my best. For her fertility, maybe I can help to improve it again. But for the thing that caused her headache, I might need some time to discover and fully get rid of it. I- I'm sorry for being incompetent." Xiu Ying lowers his head.
Since Wu Zhang Wei came, never once Xiu Ying looks into his eyes. And now, he lowers his head even more. Zhang Wei lifts his hand, gently caressing the flawless cheek and pull up the chin. Now, they are eyes-to-eyes. "What are you sorry for? You've done such an excellent job. Even other physicians can't do what you did. There's no need for you to say sorry. You should feel proud of your work."
This is the first time Xiu Ying stares directly into Zhang Wei's eyes. He can see gentleness, care, and...love.
Xiu Ying quickly lowers his head again, hiding the faint blush. 'Damn you heart! Calm down a little will ya?! He's just a little bit handsome. No need to be so worked up!' Xiu Ying cursing in his heart.
"Ying-er..." Zhang Wei called.
'Okay, now he's playing the 'intimate nickname' card.' Xiu Ying stays silent.
"Can...Zhen get to know more about Ying-er?" Zhang Wei grabs on Xiu Ying's hand.
Xiu Ying frowns. "What do you mean, Your Majesty?"
Zhang Wei sighs. "Zhen knows, in the past, Zhen did so many wrongs towards Ying-er and Zhen really sorry for that. Zhen shouldn't do like that. In the past, Zhen disliked you even before tried to get to know you. Zhen regrets that."
"Why would Your Majesty feel regret? It's not like I've changed. I'm still the same Xiu Ying." Xiu Ying said with a bit of sarcasm.
Zhang Wei shakes his head. "No. You're different. You're totally different. You're not the same Xiu Ying. Zhen doesn't know what you've gone through or what happened to you when you were in a coma but Zhen doesn't mind. What Zhen knows, from the first time Zhen saw you after you woke up, Zhen feels something in my heart. And the more Zhen gets to know you, the more Zhen... fall for you."
Xiu Ying faintly smiles. "When I chased after Your Majesty, you avoid me. Then when I avoid you, Your Majesty suddenly said you fall for me? Are you a tsundere?"
"...ts- tsun- dere? What's that?" Zhang Wei knitted his brows. Xiu Ying's always confusing. He didn't know where Xiu Ying learned all those foreign words.
Xiu Ying smacks his forehead. "No. Nothing. Forget it."
Xiu Ying slowly removes his hand from the grips. "Your Majesty, I thought you're close to Concubine Wen? You keep spending time at her place and even gave her lots of presents. Then, tonight, suddenly Your Majesty said you're in love with me? What are you thinking?" His voice was slightly raised.
Seeing the emperor didn't say anything and didn't dare to look at his face, Xiu Ying continues, "Or actually Your Majesty thought that she might not be able to give birth, then Your Majesty suddenly turn your interest towards me?" Xiu Ying huffs.
"No! No! It's not like that. Zhen never thinks like that. Zhen might not be a good man but Zhen will never play with someone's heart."
"Then how Your Majesty gonna explain about Concubine Wen? With the way Your Majesty treated her, she might think Your Majesty loves her! And unintentionally, Your Majesty is giving hope to her!"
Zhang Wei shuts his eyes tightly. 'Never know my love can be so fierce when he's angry.'
He slowly opens his eyes and steals a glance at the fuming guy in front of him. "Y- Ying-er..."
"Don't call me that! Only my parents can call me that!" Zhang Wei flinches.
"B- but I'm your hu- husba.."
Xiu Ying gives a deathly stare. The mighty emperor can only swallow back his words.
"Xiu Ying... first of all, Zhen wants to apologize. Actually, Concubine Wen knows that Zhen... likes you.." Xiu Ying's head automatically turns to Zhang Wei with his eyes widen.
"Yes. Concubine Wen knows about it. And the truth is, Concubine Wen wished to be sent out of the palace and Zhen already promised her. Zhen will find a good family for her to be married into so she won't have to return to her home. As for the gifts, that's considered as her wealth or savings so she'll live an easy life when she's out of here."
Xiu Ying squints his eyes, looking disbelief with his words.
"I- it's true! Zhen always went to Concubine Wen's room be- because... Zhen... asked her to be friends with Xiu Ying. Zhen wants to get to know Xiu Ying but Zhen knows you're not willing to tell everything about yourself to Zhen. So... Zhen had to use an underhanded method like that... Sorry..."
If Zhang Wei is a dog, Xiu Ying can see his tail and ears drop.
'How dare Wen Qian cooperate with this guy! If she's not a girl, I'll spank her!'
Zhang Wei lowers his head, playing with his fingers. Xiu Ying sighs. 'What a pathetic sight. Is he really an emperor?'
"If Your Majesty plotting with Concubine Wen before this, then what makes Your Majesty suddenly said wants to know me, direct on my face? Does your Majesty think I've softened for you? Or maybe lately I'm being lenient towards Your Majesty?"
"No. Zhen just wants to protect Xiu Ying. Being closer to you, it will be easier for Zhen to protect you. What happened to Concubine Wen makes me realized that someone has started to make her move and Zhen doesn't want Xiu Ying to get hurt."
Xiu Ying scoffs. "Only when there's a victim, Your Majesty wants to take action? What if I'm the first victim?"
Zhang Wei never thought those people would target Concubine Wen first. He thought they'll try to get rid of Xiu Ying because of the ranks promotion and the title given. That's why he gives all of his attention to Xiu Ying and didn't notice that someone else was being targeted.
Again, Xiu Ying looks at the emperor in disbelief. 'How shameless this guy can be... How can he say things like that with a straight face.'
Zhang Wei scoots closer and Xiu Ying quickly distance himself. "Please, Xiu Ying... Let Zhen get to know you better." Zhang Wei pleads.
Xiu Ying leans back, crossing his arms. "So Your Majesty, what do you want to know? My name, age, where I lived, my hobby, then what else?"
"..."
"Say it what Your Majesty wants to know. Make it fast, please. I'm sleepy."
The word 'sleepy' makes the emperor's eyes light up. "Sleepy? Then, let's sleep." He pulls Xiu Ying to the bed, forcing him to lay on the mattress, blows out the candle, and pulls the other person into his arm.
It happened so fast and Xiu Ying didn't have time to react. He only realized when he feels the warm temperature engulfing his whole body. He wiggles to release himself from the embrace.
"Yo- Your Majesty! Le- let me go, please!" He keeps pushing Zhang Wei but the sturdy guy didn't budge even an inch.
Zhang Wei tightens his hold and pushes Xiu Ying's head onto his neck. "Sleep Ying-er. Zhen won't do anything."
Xiu Ying's body becomes stiff.
Zhang Wei lowers his head and inhales the scent of Xiu Ying's hair. "Ying-er feels so warm and smells so good..." He mumbles.
Luckily, his face was hidden if not, for sure the beast inside Zhang Wei will awaken once he looks at the Xiu Ying's red face.
...
Feeling like he was being crushed by a big dog, Xiu Ying tried to push away the 'dog'. "G- go.. aw- away..." He whines.
Xiu Ying stops moving around when he heard chuckles. He lifts his eyelids and meets a broad chest. Slowly he raises his head.
"Morning, Ying-er," The person who staring down at him, caressing the top of his head.
Too shocked with this kind of view, Xiu Ying pushes as hard as he can and jerked back. Zhang Wei immediately turns sullen.
Xiu Ying looked under the quilt and breathe a sigh of relief as he's still wearing his night robe and there's no mysterious 'dog's bites' left on his skin.
Zhang Wei sits up and gets off the bed. While straightening his robe, he mumbles, "You really don't trust me, do you?" He turns to Xiu Ying, looking dejected.
Zhang Wei sighs, "Fine. Since you really hate the idea of Zhen sleeping here, Zhen won't do it again. Zhen doesn't want Xiu Ying to hate Zhen more than you already are." With that, he left the room. Walking straight to his room, ignoring the murmurs from the servants.
Xiu Ying stares at the door, dumbfounded.
'Did he just sulking just because I pushed him away as I'm too shocked?! What the hell is his problem? Is he three years old kid?!'
Xiu Ying trashing on the bed, punching the pillow, trying to tear apart the quilt. Venting his frustration. Done venting towards the innocent bed, Xiu Ying releases a long exhale. "That feels better." He scoffs.. "Sulking? Do you think I'd care? Let's see how long you do that."
The air inside the imperial study room couldn't be more heavy and dark. Even so, General Huang Fei Hong is having fun watching the emperor's gloomy face.
It's been two weeks since Wu Zhang Wei left Xiu Ying's room that morning. He hoped that if he acted like he was hurt by Xiu Ying's act, the latter will come and apologize or maybe comfort him. But, he calculates it wrong. Xiu Ying didn't care about him at all. Wu Zhang Wei asked Guo Wei and Chang Ming did Xiu Ying acted a bit differently, staring in a daze or maybe talked about him. Guo Wei and Chang Ming just shake their heads.
Guo Wei and Chang Ming said Xiu Ying even looked happier as he thinks he already found what caused Concubine's Wen headache and he even has prepared the cure for it. Wu Zhang Wei feels happy when he heard that Xiu Ying has found the poison and has the antidote but then he turns sullen again.
'So, I'm lost to poison and its medicine?' He snorts.
"Stop being egoistic. If you miss him, just go to him," Fei Hong who can no longer watch his frowning friend finally said.
"B- But shouldn't he feel a litttttt- le bit guilty for pushing me away like that? I cared for him and is that how he should repay me?" Zhang Wei whines.
Fei Hong rolls his eyes. "Then, when you pushed him away before, avoiding him like a plague when he tried to care for you, don't you think about his feelings?"
Wu Zhang Wei fell speechless.
Fei Hong sighs. "Want me to help you?" Zhang Wei squints his eyes.
"I can help to improve your image in his eyes. Who knows when he heard about what you tried to do for him from someone else's mouth, he'll change his perception about you." Fei Hong shrugs his shoulders.
Zhang Wei stares at the great general and smirks, "Don't you think I don't know that you're not really want to help me. You just want to disturb that little servant of my consort, aren't you?"
"Wh- what are you talking about?" Fei Hong stutters.
"When we went to meet Xiu Ying, I saw your eyes stealing a glance at Xiu Ying's servant. Staring a hole at his face. And you think I didn't know, sometimes you secretly went near Zhongcui Palace and pretend to 'accidentally' bumped into him. Now you want to fool me?"
Both of them start the staring competition. Fei Hong breaks the silence with a chuckle. "Well, at least he didn't openly reject me. He didn't PUSH ME AWAY when I tried to help him carry something."
Looking at the emperor clenches his fist and gritting his teeth. Fei Hong laughs out loud then quickly exit the imperial study room. He feels satisfied when he gets to annoy Wu Zhang Wei.
Some part of Fei Hong feels that Zhang Wei deserves to be treated like that because of what he did in the past. But another part of him thought that Zhang Wei is still immature in love. He had been strictly trained since he was a child.
When the previous emperor was still alive, he can never live a carefree life. He didn't get to feel father's love. He can only meet his imperial mother once a week. Other days are filled with sword training, horse-riding training, martial arts training, and study.
Only after his imperial father has died, he can spend more time with his imperial mother and sister. But being an emperor had trained him to be strict and emotionless. He had watched how his father's concubines tried so hard to get rid of his imperial mother but luckily his imperial mother is not easy to be trampled on.
That is why Zhang Wei always goes against the idea of having a harem. When he met with the old Xiu Ying, he hated him so much for using Prime Minister Li to invited himself into the harem. Old Xiu Ying who always tried to get close to him, visiting him, prepared desserts and snacks for him, acting like he cared for him makes Zhang Wei despised him.
Why?
Because that's the same way how his imperial father's concubine did. Some of them drugged his imperial father so they can conceive his child. Luckily, the children born were princesses and some of the princes died when those concubines gave birth. Other people thought heaven is clearly protecting Wu Zhang Wei from future conflicts that will be caused by those princes.
When old Xiu Ying made those snacks and desserts, Zhang Wei unconsciously throws the plate away as he can't help but remembered how he accidentally saw his father losing control and embracing the concubine in front of his eyes. Zhang Wei was 12 at that time and he already understands what were they doing. He only knows about the drug inside the desserts after his imperial mother's spy told him and his imperial mother.
Being an emperor is destined to live in a tough life. Zhang Wei has been surrounded by 'snakes' since he was a kid. He thought after he sent away his imperial father's concubine, he doesn't need to face all of this anymore. But now, the problem occurred because of his own harem.
Huang Fei Hong does realize that Wu Zhang Wei started to fall in love with Li Xiu Ying when he saw that Xiu Ying has changed. Xiu Ying looks like a calm sea and people cannot predict the waves that will drown you. The new Xiu Ying acted like a scholar more than a concubine.
When Li Xiu Ying doesn't care for the emperor's attention anymore, he doesn't want to have anything to do with the ranks, position, and whatnot and the way he bravely glared back at Wu Zhang Wei made the emperor's heart thumping loudly.
When Guo Wei or Chang Ming came to report about their master, Zhang Wei's face changed 180 degrees. He's happy when he heard Li Xiu Ying is having a good time and he's frowning and worried when he heard someone is spying on him.
Huang Fei Hong can only wish him good luck from inside his heart and pray for his happiness. After what he has been through, he deserves to be happy even if it's just for a moment.
Huang Fei Hong head to the imperial pharmacy. When he entered, the first person he noticed was Jing Yi who diligently helping his master. Acting as cool as ever, Huang Fei Hong talks to one of the physicians, asking for ointments and some concoction that can help to regain energy fast.
While the physician preparing what he asked for, Fei Hong swiftly moves towards Xiu Ying, watching what he was doing... but more like stealing a glancing at the oblivious servant.
He fakes a cough, "My lady, I heard you already found out about the poison inside Concubine Wen and has prepared the antidote. Is that true?"
Xiu Ying looks up, stares at him for a few seconds then answered, "Yeah. How My Lord knows about it?"
Fei Hong points at Guo Wei and Chang Ming that guarding outside the imperial pharmacy. Xiu Ying's mouth forms an 'O'.
"May I know, what kind of poison is it?" He inquired and at the same time stole a glance at Jing Yi.
Xiu Ying noticed his flash eye movements but choose to ignore it. "It is wolfsbane poison."
Fei Hong squinted. "Wolfsbane? I thought people usually use it for the poisonous arrow."
Xiu Ying nods. "Well, that's also true. But wolfsbane actually can be absorbed through the skin. This wolfsbane is a perennial herb often grown as an ornamental plant due to its attractive blue to dark purple flowers. They are used as herbs only after processing by boiling or steaming to reduce their toxicity, but if one use the raw plants, it can be very poisonous."
"Wolfsbane usually works fast right? But Concubine Wen only had a headache and not other symptoms."
Xiu Ying patiently explained more, "The perpetrator used in a very small quantity and already mixed with some other herbs to slow down the effect. If they mainly used wolfsbane only, they can be easily caught as they are the last person Concubine Wen met."
"Then the perpetrator must have eaten the antidote as they were fine even though they're also directly in contact with the poison." Xiu Ying nods repeatedly.
"What about the antidote? Isn't wolfsbane has no cure?"
"That's the case we should be glad the person who did this tried to hide themselves from being exposed so the concentration was lowered and it became a mild poison so I can just treat Concubine Wen with the antidote that I already created. If they decided to use real wolfsbane, nothing can save her."
Huang Fei Hong smiles faintly. "Never thought My Lady is well informed about medical practices. The imperial physicians are nothing compared to you, My Lady." He whispered the last part to not offend them.
Xiu Ying just shakes his head, "I may look idiot but my hobby is reading. The more you read, the more you know. Maybe My Lord should start reading from now. Who knows, it will be a great help to your army."
Fei Hong quickly shakes his head. "It's okay My Lady. I prefer to use my body to protect this country, having wounds all over than sit and read those long and difficult words."
Fei Hong saw Jing Yi smiles with his jokes. His heart is blooming in happiness. Their conversation was interrupted when the physician came back with the things Fei Hong asked before. He thanked him but no intention of leaving.
He turns back to Xiu Ying. "My Lady, can I ask you some more questions?"
"Sure My Lord. Feel free to ask anything."
"My lady... you... don't have anything to say to His Majesty?"
Xiu Ying's hand stopped writing. "Say? Say what?" He tilts his head.
"My lady... You do realize he was hurt when you pushed him away." Xiu Ying about to retort but Fei Hong raises his palm.
"Let me finish first. I'm a general but I also his closest friend. Besides me, Her Majesty and Her Highness, he got no one else. That's why I know everything happened to him." Fei Hong started to tell Xiu Ying about Wu Zhang Wei's past and the reason behind his rejection towards old Xiu Ying's approaches.
The story about the previous emperor and the concubine was no longer a secret but most people already forgot about it as it was a long time ago and people won't bring up such a bad story. Only certain people that close to Wu Zhang Wei or the royal officer that still clearly remember the incident.
When Xiu Ying heard it, he can't help but feel pity towards the emperor. How would you feel if you see your own father ravaging another woman like a beast in front of your eyes? If it's happened to Xiu Ying, he can no longer look at his father the same way again. But luckily, in this lifetime, he got faithful and kind parents.
Fei Hong feels a little bit relieved when Xiu Ying listened attentively without interrupting. He even saw Xiu Ying frowned at a certain part of the story. This means Xiu Ying is not totally heartless and emotionless towards the emperor.
"I leave to My lady's judgment. I said this not because I want to defend for what he did or side with His Majesty. I said this because I just want My lady to know why he did like that. It's not like he is arrogant or acting high and mighty when someone tried to care for him, but he just can't help to remember what had happened."
Xiu Ying lowers his head, fell into silence.
"His Majesty never had many people around him but the ones that close to him, he sincerely cared for them. I hope, My lady can try to get to know him first. If you think he's too overbearing, just tell him what he should change in his self. If one day, he becomes a little bit out of control and oppressive towards you, I promise, I'm the one who will take you out of this place." Fei Hong stands straight and looking serious.
Xiu Ying was surprised when the Great General promised him something like that. But that's mean, Fei Hong only tells the truth and not make a song and dance just to soften Xiu Ying's heart or to make Xiu Ying feels pity towards Zhang Wei.
Seeing Xiu Ying has no intention of saying anything, Fei Hong sighs. "Alright, My Lady. Thanks for your time and thank you too for telling me a lot about the poisons. I hope you think through about what I said."
Fei Hong takes concoction and ointment, then leaves the imperial pharmacy.
In a bedchamber at Zhongcui Palace, certain someone still wide awake around Zi hours (11-12 pm). Xiu Ying lays on his left, then turns to his right and then lays flatly, looking up the ceiling. Sleepiness still didn't come.
Huang Fei Hong's words keep on lingering in his mind. Wu Zhang Wei does look pitiful. Even though Xiu Ying never knows the real life in the palace, but he is sure it is more or less the same as what he watched in the drama.
Corruption, scandals, full of treacherous officer, envy between concubines, rebellion. Words can never be enough to describe the deviltry inside the palace. It is almost impossible to rule a country without having slimeballs in the ministry departments.
Xiu Ying sighs. It's not that he's not willing to get to know the emperor but how can he does that when he clearly knows the emperor is looking at him in 'that' way.
Xiu Ying is never attracted to boys but not to girls too. Involving in a romantic relationship never crossed his mind. To be friends, maybe Xiu Ying can consider it. But to be more than that, it is a little bit hard.
Xiu Ying fell asleep while thinking whether he should apologize or let the emperor came to him on his own.
Another week passed but Xiu Ying buried himself in curing Wen Qian to distract himself from thinking about the emperor. The poison inside Wen Qian is almost gone. She only needs to drink the concoction for another week and she'll be free from it.
However, Xiu Ying asked Wen Qian to keep pretending she is still sick. He also advised her to keep a distance from her servant. To change to another servant might be too obvious so they can only be extra careful.
...
Meanwhile, in the Yanxi palace, the resident of this palace is having a good time thinking that her plan is going on smoothly. She already imagined herself wearing the red robe, sitting on the throne beside the emperor.
"One down... one more to go..." Yu Li Na mumbles. While continues her knitwork, she calls, "Momo."
The female servant moves closer. "Yes, my lady."
"Can you send an invitation to Consort Li? Tell her I want to invite her for a tea time together." Her corner lips curved into a smirk. Momo bows and quickly carried out the order.
When Momo personally came to Zhongcui Palace to send the invitation, Xiu Ying squinted his eyes. He didn't say anything and let the girl knelt for a while.
Momo is cursing in her heart but she can't do anything as she's still a mere servant and Guo Wei and Chang Ming are still guarding near him. If she dared to do anything, the tiniest punishment will be flogged 100 times. Noticing the female servant starting to tremble a little bit, Xiu Ying asked her to raise. Momo almost falls down back to the ground due to numbness in her knees.
Xiu Ying agreed to come but not without any preparation.
...
Xiu Ying calmly heads towards Yanxi Palace. Jing Yi who strutted behind him keeps asking him to not meet Yu Li Na. He comes up with various ideas for excuses. Meeting with His Majesty, emergency cases at the imperial pharmacy and the worst is...stomachache.
Xiu Ying rejected all the ideas. He can't believe Jing Yi asked him to pretend to have stomachaches just to avoid meeting Yu Li Na. The male servant lowers his head dejectedly. He said it without thinking as he's too worried about his young master's safety.
And for the nth time, Xiu Ying reassures that he'll be fine. If something did happen to him, Xiu Ying asked him to call the Chief of the physician as Xiu Ying already instructed him what he needed to do.
"Greetings, my lady," said Xiu Ying.
Killing intent glints in Li Na's eyes but it's just for a moment and no one else noticed it. "Please, have a seat, Xiu Ying-meimei."
"Momo, get the pear syrup to make the honeyed tea and bring also some pastries for our guest." She flicks her hand.
When she turns to Xiu Ying, smiles never ceased from her lips. Xiu Ying's eyes twitched. He can't believe the woman in front of him tried to act when she's so bad at it. If it's in the future, she came to the audition to be an actress, for sure she'll be kicked out after saying four or five words.
A fake smile is returned with a fake smile too. But the difference is, Xiu Ying's smiles can melt the heart of all the guys who see it but Li Na's can only make her look like a retard.
Momo came with the honey tea and another servant brings a tray of snacks. The snacks look tempting and appetizing. Xiu Ying is having a hard time holding himself from tasting those mouth-watering snacks.
Jing Yi who noticed his young master glances at those snacks said it inwardly, "Young master, I can get it for you if want later on. Please, don't be tempted." Jing Yi knows his young master has a sweet tooth and he's a glutton one.
Xiu Ying picks up the teacup, staring into the tea. He sniffs it, "Hmm... what a good smell. Li Na-jiejie, what kind of tea you used?" Xiu Ying swirls the cup then puts it back.
Li Na frowns for a second when she saw Xiu Ying didn't drink it. But she continues to smile, stiffly. "Simmer the pear to make pear syrup then put it into tea instead of honey. It will enrich the smell and taste compared to when you only put honey."
Xiu Ying acts like he's astonished, "Wow! No wonder it smells so good. It is such a good idea Li Na-jiejie. Pear contained a lot of good things in it and can help to soothe sore throat and cough."
Xiu Ying rubs his chin, "This is a good idea. Maybe I can use this to create a new concoction. In that way, people won't hate the idea to drink it as it tastes so good!"
Li Na forced another smile but her eyes still glancing at the teacup that Xiu Ying holds. Feeling impatient, she sounds a bit forceful, "Then Xiu Ying-meimei must try it."
She emptied her cup, "See? Even I've finished two cups. It's really good. I can never have enough of it. Luckily, my uncle always brings those sweet pears for me. Come on, try it." Her smiles didn't reach her desperate eyes.
Xiu Ying clenches on the teacup. He already prepared all kinds of antidotes and cures but still, he didn't know what type of poison that she used. What if, something went wrong? But, he needs to do this to catch her red-handed.
Xiu Ying takes a deep breath and slowly brings the teacup to his mouth...
"His Majesty is here." Announced the eunuch.
The teacup stop right in front of Xiu Ying's lips. Li Na's eyes bulge and she quickly turns to the emperor that approaching them.
Both Xiu Ying and Li Na raise, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Wu Zhang Wei manages to steal a glance at a figure that he didn't meet for weeks. "Rise."
He calmly walks and takes a seat on the wooden stool. He scans everything on the table. "Have a seat with Zhen." The two consorts obeyed.
Li Na somewhat nervous when Wu Zhang Wei suddenly made his appearance. "Zhen was a little bit upset. Why Consort Yu didn't invite Zhen? It will be lonely if it's just the two of you only."
Li Na immediately lowers her head, "Forgive this servant, Your Majesty. I thought Your Majesty is too busy and didn't have time for simple tea time. If I know it earlier, I'll prepare a better and more sweet course. Only then, I dare to invite Your Majesty."
Wu Zhang Wei chuckles. "Well, Zhen didn't really mind. Any kind of delights is fine by Zhen." He glances at the teacup in front of Xiu Ying. The tea was filled to the top and it was still untouched.
In a swift move, he reached out his hand and picks it up. Both consorts were too shocked. Before Yu Li Na could prevent him from drinking it, Wu Zhang Wei already gulps it down. "Hmm... Nice tea. It tastes so sweet."
Cold sweat formed on Li Na's nape. Her hands slightly tremble under the table. She didn't dare to look at the emperor. In contrast, Xiu Ying stares at Zhang Wei, mouth agape. He can't believe the emperor easily drinks the tea when he clearly knows the person who served this had any ill-intention.
Wu Zhang Wei stays until it burns a joss stick (30 - 40 minutes). Then, he quickly excuses himself. After Wu Zhang Wei left, Xiu Ying also left. Li Na already can't think straight has no intention to stop him from leaving.
Under the long sleeves, Wu Zhang Wei clenches his fists tightly. His steps slowly reduced in speed. And when he's already far from Yanxi Palace, he lost his stability. Zhang Wei puts his hand on the wall to keep his balance.
Sweats formed all over his face and back. All the eunuch and guards surround him in a flash. The truth is he already feels pain in his stomach for a while but he has to wait until he's far away from Yanxi Palace.
The situation becomes a bit chaotic when Zhang Wei can no longer support himself and slumps onto the floor. "Move!" A voice shouted from behind. All eunuchs and guards turn around. They quickly clear the path when they saw Xiu Ying walks towards them.
Xiu Ying puts his palm over Zhang Wei's forehead then he takes his wrist to read the pulse. His eyes widen. "Quick! Bring His Majesty to his room!"
Xiu Ying then turns to Chang Ming, "Go and bring my wooden box here." The guard nods. Xiu Ying followed the unconscious emperor to his room. Zhang Wei started to shiver and his face has turned so pale.
Chang Ming came with a wooden box. The wooden box is a first-aid kit. Xiu Ying puts the acupuncture needles and all kinds of antidotes that he has prepared.
Xiu Ying first inserts the acupuncture needles on Zhang Wei's arms, chest and wrist. This is to slow down the poison's effect from reaching the vital parts. Then, he takes out a mini glass bottle that contained dark green liquid. He sits by Zhang Wei's side, supports his head using his hand then pours the liquid into Zhang Wei's mouth. He pours it bit by bit, to avoid choking.
Next, he takes another small pouch from the wooden box and gives it to Jing Yi. "Boil it."
Many people are waiting anxiously outside the room. All the eunuchs and guards were chased out by Fei Hong who also came as fast as he can after he received the news.
Now, inside the room, other than the unconscious emperor, there are Xiu Ying, Fei Hong and Empress Dowager who just came. "Ca- can you save him?" asked Wu Jiaying. She almost fainted when she heard her son collapsed. Fei Hong at the side also shocked as the things happen too sudden, meaning it was a strong poison.
"I'll try my best." Xiu Ying can't promise anything. All he can do is feeding the emperor with all herbs, concoctions, and antidotes that he has.
The three of them started getting worried as Zhang Wei didn't stop shivering. After a burn of three joss sticks, they breathe a sigh of relief when Zhang Wei slowly stopped shivering but his body remains hot.
Empress Dowager Wu Jiaying was escorted back to her palace after Xiu Ying had promised to take care of the emperor.
Looking at the unconscious guy, Xiu Ying has this indescribable feeling. He takes a seat beside him, pushing aside the hair that covering his face, wipes his face using cold water.
Face, neck, chest, and hands. He wipes it all over, trying to lower his body temperature. Jing Yi came with a bowl of concoction. The concoction is so thick because it can give a better and faster effect when it has a high concentration. The concoction is quite a lot so Xiu Ying feeds him using a spoon.
One hand holding the spoon, another hand holding a handkerchief to wipe the liquid that spilled when Zhang Wei suddenly coughs.
Looking at how gentle Xiu Ying tending the emperor, Fei Hong's lips curved. Glancing at the shorter guy beside him, Fei Hong grabs his hand, startling Jing Yi. "Let's go. Let's leave them alone. I think Consort Li can handle this.." Ignoring the weird look from Jing Yi, Fei Hong drags him out of the room.
Inside the royal bedchamber, the emperor is lying unconscious. Two days had passed. Wu Zhang Wei had passed the critical stage. His complexion is still paler than usual but his condition is getting better.
Xiu Ying takes very good care of him. Other than it is his obligation as "Divine Doctor", Xiu Ying also owes the emperor. If it's not because of him, Xiu Ying is the one who will lays on the bed.
Yu Li Na and her servants have been detained by Huang Fei Hong. However, the punishments will be decided by Wu Zhang Wei himself after he has fully recovered.
[Flashback]
Taking advantage that there are only him, Huang Fei Hong, and Jing Yi inside the room, Xiu Ying turns to the great general.
"My Lord, I think you should do a thorough search inside Yanxi Palace." Xiu Ying asked with a low voice, not wanting the people outside the room to hear their conversation.
Fei Hong squints his eyes. "Search? What do you want to search?"
Xiu Ying takes out a small teacup from inside his robe. He slams it on the table. The teacup was the one that Wu Zhang Wei used to drink. Xiu Ying secretly hides in his sleeve when he's about to leave the Yanxi Palace. Yu Li Na who already can't think straight, for sure won't notice it.
"I've checked on this teacup. The problem doesn't lie in the tea but this teacup. If she puts the poison inside the tea it will be harder to avoid suspicion as she needs to drink the same tea. So, she smears the poison around the rim. In that way, no matter how many people check using a silver needle, it won't turn black." Xiu Ying raises the teacup and observes it with a smirk on his face.
"Do you know what kind of poison it is?"
Xiu Ying nods. "It's Tancha powder. A very strong poison."
"Tancha? Strong poison? Then... how could His Majesty still be saved?"
Xiu Ying explains everything he knows. Tancha powder is a very strong poison. Colorless and odorless. If someone puts it inside the normal drinking water, no one will ever notice. But, the way to fully utilize its power is by measure the exact amount that you want to use based on the victim's physical which is height and weight, and also the period for the poison to take its effect.
Yu Li Na already measured and fixed the poison based on Xiu Ying's physical and also the time when she wants Xiu Ying to die, therefore Wu Zhang Wei who has totally different features from Xiu Ying still could be saved. Added with Wu Zhang Wei's body that immune to several types of poisons, that makes he's still breathing until now.
Fei Hong knitted his eyebrows. "Alright. I'll go now but how to recognize it?"
"I think she not only has this one type of poison but many more, so just find any weird or suspicious-looking box. This Tancha powder might look like salt but with a finer texture."
Without delay, Huang Fei Hong gets his men to search inside Yanxi Palace and also take the perpetrator behind the bars.
[End of flashback]
Xiu Ying sitting on the couch opposite the bed, reading a book. Empress Dowager Wu Jiaying had ordered Xiu Ying to always stay with Wu Zhang Wei. At this moment, she can only trust Xiu Ying to save her son so Xiu Ying must always present at the imperial bedchamber until Wu Zhang Wei regains his consciousness.
At some point, Wu Jiaying was too worried and asked Xiu Ying to sleep in the imperial bedchamber. This is to make it easier for Xiu Ying to tend him in case Wu Zhang Wei shows some reaction in the middle of the night.
However, Xiu Ying politely rejected the idea and promised he'll come as fast as he can at anytime if something occurs.
Xiu Ying puts down his book when he heard rustling sounds. Slowly he approaches the emperor who starts to wake up.
Eyes still closed and knitted eyebrows, Wu Zhang Wei slowly lifts his eyelids. When the bright light enters his view, he shuts his eyes back, tightly.
"Your Majesty?"
Hearing the soothing voice, Wu Zhang Wei trying to open his eyes again. Slowly and slowly. The figure starting from blurry and now it is clearer. The beautiful person is looking down at him with some worried expression on his face.
"Your Majesty? Can you hear me? See me?" Xiu Ying asked.
Zhang Wei hesitantly nods. He can't believe the first person he saw as soon as he opens his eyes is this person. The person that he's willing to risk his life for.
Seeing the emperor could hear and see him, Xiu Ying breath a sigh of relief. He takes hold of Zhang Wei's wrist to read his pulse. Done analyzing the pulse, Xiu Ying raises to call Huang Fei Hong and Empress Dowager, but his robe was grabbed.
Xiu Ying looks down at the hand grabbing his robe then looks up at the emperor's puppy look. "St- stay here. Just for a while. Please." An emperor should never beg or asking towards his servants but now he doesn't care about all that. If it is Xiu Ying doesn't matter how many times he is willing to beg, as long as the other person will stay with him.
The pitiful sight of the emperor only makes Xiu Ying sighs. "Alright. I'll stay with you." Xiu Ying steps back then sits on the empty space that Zhang Wei has reserved for him.
They are not talking or lying intimately but just having Xiu Ying beside him already makes Zhang Wei feels contented.
Breaking the silence, Xiu Ying asked, "Your Majesty, why did you drink the tea? You do know that Consort Yu intends to poison me, but still..."
Zhang Wei faintly smiles. "Yes. Zhen does know but how can Zhen let you drink it? You're the most capable compared to imperial physicians so if you're poisoned, who can save you? Zhen drinks it because Zhen fully trusts in your skills."
"But Your Majesty..." His words were cut off.
"Not only that. Consort Yu's uncle, Lord Yu Chenyi has a strong backup from the country in the South. Regent from South country is a relative of Lord Yu Chenyi. If I punish Consort Yu severely just because of another consort, Yu Chenyi won't tolerate it. But, when the victim is Zhen, Yu Chenyi doesn't have any right to argue my decision."
Xiu Ying's mouth forms an 'O' and he slowly nods, understands.
But suddenly Xiu Ying looks at the emperor and squints his eyes, "How did Your Majesty know that Consort Yu invited me to her courtyard?"
Zhang Wei turns his head away, avoiding Xiu Ying's gaze.
"Your Majesty sent your men to spy on me?" Xiu Ying asked sternly. The emperor has no choice but, to tell the truth.
"Actually, Guo Wei informed Zhen's men. Zhen worried something might happen so, Zhen asked Guo Wei to inform Zhen anything about Xiu Ying. Zhen doesn't mean to invade Xiu Ying's private life, Zhen just..." Zhang Wei chokes on his words when he sees the beautiful smile.
"Hmn. I'm not really angry. It is Your Majesty's right to do anything and because of it also I was saved. So... thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you for what you did for me. I can never repay for what Your Majesty has done."
Looking down at the hands that were placed on the mattress, Zhang Wei hesitantly takes hold of it. Only when he senses no rejection from Xiu Ying, he tightens the grips. "Th- then...stay with Zhen? Let Zhen get to know Xiu Ying better so we can get closer...can we?"
Xiu Ying lost for words. He can't say yes but how can he says no after he just mentioned the "debt repayment". Zhang Wei tightens the grip on Xiu Ying's hand, it's like he's begging Xiu Ying to say yes.
Xiu Ying is about to open his mouth but someone knocks on the door and pushed it open. In reflex Xiu Ying yanks his hand away, unaware of the sullen looks of the emperor when the air hits his empty hand.
Xiu Ying rises from the bed and greets, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Empress Dowager Wu Jiaying and Huang Fei Hong came to check up on Wu Zhang Wei. Seeing her son looks towards her, Wu Jiaying cries and embraces her son. No words needed to show how relieved and happy a mom is when her son is 'revived'.
"Mother... I'm fine..." Zhang Wei wipes off the tears that stain all over his mom's face. Wu Jiaying nods and smiles at him. Then she turns around and approaches Xiu Ying.
She grabs both Xiu Ying's hands, "Li Xiu Ying, thank you. Thank you so much for saving my son."
Xiu Ying smiles, "No need to thank me. It is my responsibility, Your Majesty." Xiu Ying takes a few steps backward, "I'll leave first. I have something to do at the imperial pharmacy. Your Majesties can take your time to talk with each other." Xiu Ying bows and turns to leave.
Wu Zhang Wei can only watch the latter walking further away and out of the room. He sighs. Huang Fei Hong also excuses himself, leaving the mother and son to be alone and quickly runs after Xiu Ying.
Hearing the sounds of fast footsteps behind him, Xiu Ying halts his steps and wait for the other person. "Wanna meet up with Consort Yu?" asked Fei Hong. He deliberately stops slightly behind Xiu Ying, exactly beside Jing Yi.
Xiu Ying shakes his head. "No need. No reason for me to meet her. Let His Majesty handle her. What about the poison?"
"We've found a box that was hidden well. Luckily my men turn Yanxi Palace upside down and no place was missed. My lady is heading to the imperial right? I'll bring it to you later."
"Alright. Thank you, My Lord. I'll wait for you at the pharmacy." Xiu Ying bows and walks ahead.
...
Huang Fei Hong came to the imperial pharmacy with a black box in his hand. But only Jing Yi stands inside the pharmacy and Xiu Ying is nowhere in sight. Approaching Jing Yi, Fei Hong asks, "Where is your master?"
"Young master is inside, decocting some herbs for His Majesty."
"Oh okay. Then, I'll wait just for him." In a swift move, he pulls a chair and puts it beside Jing Yi, making the latter flinches.
"Don't you feel tired standing? Come, sit here." Fei Hong pats on the empty chair near him. Jing Yi only shakes his head, with no intention of sharing a table with the Great General.
Fei Hong bends his head to one side and supports it using his knuckles, staring at Jing Yi. He stares without saying anything and he has no intention of hiding his gaze. After a while, Jing Yi can no longer stand the heated gaze, speaks up, "My L- Lord... is there anything wrong?"
"No. Nothing is wrong." He shamelessly said.
"Wh- why My Lord...looking at me like that? Did I wronged you in some way?" Jing Yi playing with his fingers. He feels it is better to be beaten black and blue by guards or concubines than to face someone like Huang Fei Hong. He can never read his mind.
"I just want to look at you, can't I? And yes, you wronged me. You avoided me. Not only just now but also before this. Why?" Fei Hong leans back and crossed his arms, looking like he's interrogating.
"Because there is no reason for me to stay close to you, My Lord. I'm a servant. If other servants saw me getting close with another superior other than my master, they will have bad assumptions. It will do no good for your reputation, My Lord." The several times he got helped from Huang Fei Hong already received many leering eyes. If they were seen together more frequently, it will cause lots of rumors.
Fei Hong inclines his head and smiles, "So, Jing Yi is worried about me?"
Jing Yi flatly replies, "Well, it's not good for you to involve in any rumors. Plus, the girls who want to get close to you won't like the idea of a mere servant like me standing next to a great general like you, My Lord."
Fei Hong stares unbelievably with his jaws open. 'Is he that dense or oblivious or he just pretends not to know why I'm OPENLY flirting with him?!'
Fei Hong wants to straighten the facts inside Jing Yi's head but Xiu Ying's voice interrupts, "Oh, My Lord? You're here? Why didn't you call me?"
Fei Hong clears his throat, side glances at Jing Yi, and rises from the chair. "It's okay. I don't want to disturb you. Here, the box we found. We didn't touch anything inside, afraid that it might be dangerous."
Xiu Ying thanked him and takes the box. He opens the black box and as he suspected, everything inside the box is poisonous. The remaining wolfsbane that was used on Wen Qian and the Tancha powder are also inside the box.
Xiu Ying noticed on the bottom of the box, there is a bottle wrapped with a yellow cloth.. Slowly he unwraps it when he sees what inside, his eyes bulge.
Xiu Ying froze when he saw what's contained inside the bottle. Huang Fei Hong who noticed his indifference when he looked at the bottle, asked in worried.
"What's wrong? What's that thing?"
"It is the expertise of people from the South. Gu poison."
Huang Fei Hong now has the same reaction as Xiu Ying just now. He has heard about Gu poison but never sees one.
"You mean 'that' Gu poison? The one that bewitched on another person?"
Xiu Ying nods. Gu poison was created by sealing venomous creatures inside a closed container, where they devoured one another and allegedly concentrated their toxins into a single survivor, whose body would be fed upon by larvae until consumed. The last surviving larva held the complex poison.
Gu was used in black magic practices such as manipulating sexual partners, creating malignant diseases and causing death. A gu spirit could transform into various animals. And the one inside the bottle is a larva of a worm.
"I'm sure she intends to plant this Gu inside His Majesty and make him her puppet." Xiu Ying wraps the bottle and keeps it back inside the box. It is dangerous if it falls into someone else's hands.
Fei Hong slams the table. His expression turns dark and cold. Xiu Ying and Jing Yi never saw Huang Fei Hong in his "general mode" can't help but shivers.
"That woman is digging her own grave." In an instant, Fei Hong leaves the imperial pharmacy, heads to the underground prison.
After Fei Hong left, Xiu Ying turns to Jing Yi and taps on his shoulder. "You're lucky. If someone tried to hurt you, I guess the general will make sure that the person's seven descendants won't live a peaceful life."
"What do you mean, young master?"
Xiu Ying just smiles and inwardly feeling sympathy towards Fei Hong.
...
Inside the underground prison, the sounds of women's scream echoed. Huang Fei Hong stands with arms crossed, looking down at the prisoners with a sneer. When the hot iron branding on the thighs, steam floating in the air, and the hissing sounds of skins being burnt until it showing the red flesh, it almost makes Yu Li Na peed in her robe.
Momo and Xiao Lu (Wen Qian's servant) were taken into interrogation. Huang Fei Hong intentionally did the torture in front of Yu Li Na's cell, so she can clearly how worse her punishment is going to be.
Yu Li Na already lost her mind, trembles and screams along when she saw her minions were tortured mercilessly. When she and the others were arrested, they tried to threaten using Yu Chenyi's name but Huang Fei Hong asked the guards to give them fifty slaps in return. Now, Yu Li Na's face looks like it was being stung by bees. There are bloodstains all over her robe and she no longer looks like a Noble Consort but more like a beggar.
"So now, are you willing to tell me everything?" Fei Hong's low voice makes even the guards shiver.
Momo and Xiao Lu are in pain and it feels like they almost lost their voice due to continuous screams.
"Well, if you still won't tell me anything, I don't mind taking out other 'gifts' for both of you. We have plenty of 'gifts' and some of it both of you should be glad because your girls are the first ones to receive it."
Xiao Lu lifts her head weakly. In a trembling voice, she said, "I- I'll... tell you...My lord... I- I'll tell everything."
"No! Don't you spit dare spit out any nonsense! Or else my uncle won't let your family go!" Yu Li Na went mad, keep banging on the cells.
Huang Fei Hong shot a deathly glare towards Yu Li Na and then he turns back to Xiao Lu. "Don't worry. If you're willing to tell me everything, I'll make sure His Majesty will lessen your punishments. Plus, you're an accomplice to drug a consort, not the emperor so it won't be severe like them. And I promise you, no one will touch will your family."
Xiao Lu weakly nods. "Y- yes.. I'll say everything... please... keep my family safe..."
After Fei Hong reassures him that he'll ask his men to bring Xiao Lu's family to a safe place, Xiao Lu starts to tell everything that happened.
Just like most of the servants, Xiao Lu came from a poor family. Her mother was sick and her father barely got the money to support her younger brothers. Most of the money she got was given to her dad to buy the medicine for her sick mother.
When Yu Li Na knew about her situation, she offered her almost a hundred silver taels. All she need to do was keep burning the incense that Yu Li Na gave to her. Xiao Lu knows that Yu Li Na's intention might not be good and if it's possible, she doesn't want to involve in any crimes but thinking about her mother, she agreed.
Every day, she'll burn the incense and she was asked to put a mild poisonous powder inside Wen Qian's tea. That's why Wen Qian's headache never gets better as the poisonous powder will enhance her headache that was caused by the wolfsbane and the incense burner is also another poison in disguised.
[A/N : wolfsbane - cause headache; mild powder - enhance wolfsbane reaction; incense - reduce headache but actually decrease fertility]
It was like a cycle thus will cause a neverending pain and in the end, Wen Qian can no longer get pregnant. Xiao Lu wants to stop do as she was ordered but Yu Li Na threatens to harm her family. She also sent some men to hit her father caused her father lays on the bed for a week.
"You liar! You slut only know how to lie! Don't you dare put all the blame on me when you're the one who agreed to do the job! You got the money now you want to back out! You whore!"
Fei Hong looks at the guard near Yu Li Na's cell, pointing at Yu Li Na using his chin. The guard got the hint. He unlocked the cell and gives her two slaps, one on each cheek.
Being slapped by a big and hard palm-full of callous makes Yu Li Na slump on the ground. She quickly sliding away to the corner, holds her swollen cheek and bleeding mouth. Fei Hong returns her glares with a smirk.
Then, Fei Hong asked the guards to take Xiao Lu back to her cell. Her punishment will be decided by Wu Zhang Wei later. But as for now, Fei Hong asked the guards to give her ointments for her wounds and a little better food.
Done with Xiao Lu, Fei Hong now facing Yu Li Na's closest and most trusted servant. Even after being tortured, Momo didn't intend to say anything. Looking at the silent girl who looks like her soul almost left her body, Fei Hong sighs. He lowers his body until he is eye-to-eye with Momo. "Don't say that I didn't warn you. If you're not gonna say anything in front of me, then prepare to face His Majesty. Just want to let you know, His Majesty is merciless, especially if it involves someone he cares a lot."
He straightens his body back, "I give you two days. Just two days to tell me everything. If not, not only you but your whole family lineage will disappear from this world." The guards drag her away.
Momo and Yu Li Na exchange glances. Momo quickly lowers her head when Yu Li Na sent her warning through her eyes.
...
Meanwhile, inside the imperial bedchamber, the emperor is having fun being taken care of. It wasn't serious but he unconsciously groans when wants to sit up as his body had lied too long causing muscles to sore. Xiu Ying who heard it quickly ran to his side and help him up.
Feeling guilty but Xiu Ying looks cute when he's worried so Zhang Wei keeps pretending to be weak. Now, Xiu Ying is feeding him lunch. Xiu Ying can only ignore the silly smiles plastered on Zhang Wei's face.
"Your Majesty... Stop staring at me." Xiu Ying said but his hand still moves to feed the emperor.
"Why? Look also cannot? It's not like Zhen doing anything. Zhen just admiring a beautiful person." He shamelessly said.
Xiu Ying's hand hanging in the air and face flushed. He takes a deep breath and thickens his skin, pretends like he didn't hear his words just now.
"Xiu Ying didn't eat?" Zhang Wei asked when he noticed Xiu Ying keep feeding him and no extra meals for another person.
"I'll eat in my room later."
"Why don't you just eat here? Isn't it easier that way? You can keep staying here and no need to go back and forth between Zhen's room and yours." After he woke up from the coma, Zhang Wei is more straightforward in his actions and words.
"And that's the reason I want to eat in my room. So I could escape from here, even just for a while." Xiu Ying moves away from the bed to put away the emptied bowls.
In a low and dejected voice, Zhang Wei asked, "Are you that unwilling to stay with Zhen? Does Zhen disturbing Xiu Ying's life so much?"
Xiu Ying turns back to face the emperor. Zhang Wei looking down at his quilt, playing with his fingers. Xiu Ying sighs. "It's not that I'm not unwilling but Your Majesty should restrain yourself from doing... things like that."
Zhang Wei tilts his head, "What things? You mean staring at you?"
"Staring at me... Saying... su- such things... Acting s- so close..." Xiu Ying feels embarrassed but he needs to make it clear so the emperor will understand him.
"But Zhen had told you before, Zhen to get close to you, Zhen wants to you know better, so isn't it normal for Zhen to do and say all that?"
"..."
"Does Zhen makes Xiu Ying uncomfortable?"
"..." Xiu Ying doesn't know how to answer. It's not like he's uncomfortable but it's just too embarrassing! No one ever sweet-talked like to him and no one ever courted him in his past life. So he doesn't know how to react.
"Zhen knows Xiu Ying might no longer have the same feelings towards Zhen but... can you give Zhen a chance? Or... Am I too detestable in your eyes?"
Again, Xiu Ying lost for words. He really doesn't know how to reply to those questions. These kinds of things are a first for him.
Zhang Wei faintly smiles when Xiu Ying just looks at him without saying anything. "Zhen...sorry. Zhen knows what Zhen did to you is just too unforgivable and Zhen can understand if Xiu Ying hates Zhen for that. But... can Zhen asked for one thing? Please... don't leave Zhen. Right now, Xiu Ying still doesn't have anyone in your heart so just stay by Zhen's side and if one day... Xiu Ying has found someone else to give your heart, Zhen will re- release you. Zhen won't stop you from leaving this place and go with your loved one. So, for now, stay with Zhen."
While saying these, Zhang Wei's eyes become watery but he still keeps his smiles. He looks to another side to hide this ugly sight.
Suddenly, Xiu Ying remembered his mom's words in his past lives. "Love doesn't mean we must own the person we love. True love is when you value your lover's happiness more than yours and make their happiness your first priority."
Xiu Ying slowly approaching the bed and takes a seat on it. Zhang Wei turns his head and they're eye-to-eye. Xiu Ying raises his hand and wipes off the tears stain on the corner of Zhang Wei's eyes, brings much surprise to the latter, but he let it be.
"Why... why me, Your Majesty?"
"You can invite love, but you cannot dictate how, when, and where love expresses itself. You can choose to surrender to love or not, but in the end, love strikes like lightning: unpredictable and irrefutable. Does Zhen need a reason for falling for you? Do Zhen needs to explain why Zhen's heartbeat is thumping hard when you're around?" Zhang Wei himself also didn't know what makes him fall for Xiu Ying.
If it's about face, there are a few gers or women that can compete with Xiu Ying. If it's because his father is the prime minister, Zhang Wei had been offered by a country in the east to take in one of the ger princes as his concubine but he rejected. If it's his knowledge in his medical, Zhang Wei thinks he falls for Xiu Ying before he even knows about it.
That's why he can't explain why his heart is beating loudly when Xiu Ying is by his side. Watching from afar is no longer enough. He wants to embrace Xiu Ying in his arms, holding him tight and never let him go. He wants to have a family with Xiu Ying. Sometimes, he even imagined their prince and princess running around the courtyard.
But all that...is just an imagination. A dream that might never be fulfilled.
Xiu Ying sighs. "Get well fast then let's settle Yu Li Na's matter first. After that, we'll talk about this, okay?" Xiu Ying gently caressing Zhang Wei's cheek.
Xiu Ying feels like he saw the emperor wagging his tail just now. "Hmn! Thank you, Ying-er!" Zhang Wei pulls Xiu Ying into his arms, hugging him tightly.
Xiu Ying shakes his head and puts his hand on Zhang Wei's back, returning the hug.
In the main hall of the main palace, Wu Zhang Wei is sitting on the throne, resting his head on his knuckles. There's no other emotion in his eyes, except disgust and anger when he looks at the woman who is sitting on the floor, pleading and begging for her life to be spared.
No matter how much she said, Wu Zhang Wei deafened his ears. He doesn't want to hear excuses. What he needs to know from where she got all those poisons. It's not like Wu Zhang Wei didn't know but he needs her to speak the truth for all people who are present in the main hall, heard what she said. Momo no longer has the energy to speak up after she was tortured by Huang Fei Hong as she sticks to her principle as a servant and tried to protect her master.
The Chief Eunuch noticed that the emperor is not paying attention to the offenders in front of him. The faint smiles make the Chief Eunuch follows where the emperor's eyes linger. Zhang Wei's eyes are like a dead fish when he looks at the former consort but it quickly softened when he steals a glance at Xiu Ying who is standing not too far from him.
The Chief Eunuch fakes a cough and whispers, "Your Majesty...Your Majesty!"
Zhang Wei turns to glare at the Chief Eunuch for disturbing him. He rolls his eyes then it immediately turns cold.
"Former consort Yu Li Na, Zhen doesn't want to hear your lame excuses like doing it for my sake, loves me and bla bla bla... Zhen just wants to hear where did you get those poisons? Did someone lend you a hand? Who is it? Zhen is sure that you can't get those kinds of poisons on your own. It was rare in this country so you must have someone else gave it to you."
Zhang Wei squinted, "Now, tell me...who gave you that?" His voice sends a chill to everyone's spine. Even Xiu Ying flinches as this is the first time he saw this side of Zhang Wei. Before this, no matter how rude or rebellious he was, the emperor didn't really mad at him.
In a trembling voice, she said, "N- no... one... I- I bought it from the black market... I don't even know wh- who I deal with..." She staring at the floor but unless someone truly paid attention to her, they won't notice the eye contact between her and Lord Yu Chenyi.
The Minister of Revenue looks calm even though everyone knows that Yu Li Na is her niece and he really dotes her. The onlooker was a bit surprised when they saw Lord Yu didn't seem bothered with her condition.
Not wanting to drag this matter anymore, Wu Zhang Wei leans back on his throne. In a loud voice, he said, "Yu Li Na was jealous when she heard that Zhen was getting closer with Concubine Wen so she had poisoned Concubine Wen Qian with reasons to make her infertile. Next, when Zhen visited her courtyard during tea time, Zhen was poisoned with a strong poison and Zhen almost lost my life. So, all ministers and officers here, Zhen would like to ask, what's the best punishment for this kind of crime?" He asked sinisterly.
"Beheaded her!"
"Give her a strong poison!"
"Tied her in the middle of the market then execute her!"
"Dismemberment!"
One by one the minister and officer voice out their opinions. Yu Li Na trembles harder when she heard it. Prime Minister Li Shizen remains silent. He, as a man with only wise words getting out from his mouth, doesn't want to involve himself, unless the emperor asked him directly.
Meanwhile, Lord Yu Chenyi clenches his fist but he keeps his poker face. Yu Li Na keeps staring at him, asking for his help but he can't do anything as solid proof had proved her wrongdoings. He shot a glare towards Li Xiu Ying opposite him.
"Alright then, Momo, as Yu Li Na's servant who also helped her a lot in carrying out her plan will be given a strong poison tomorrow. As for Yu Li Na, you will be on a parade around the city and then you'll be... dismembered." He said flatly like he's ordering from the restaurant.
Yu Li Na shakes her head vigorously and keeps shouting, "No! Yo- Your Majesty! Please! I beg your pardon, Your Majesty! This is just a misunderstanding! I never meant to poison you! It was supposed to be for that slut!" She's pointing at Li Xiu Ying.
"He's the one who is supposed to die! A whore like him is not suit to be a noble consort! Don't trust him, Your Majesty! He's pretending to be good, healing everyone but he actually wants the throne!"
Xiu Ying feels pitiful towards her. He remains calm no matter what nonsense Yu Li Na spouted. Because of her words, some ministers started to pay attention to Xiu Ying. Looking at him at a closer distance, they can't help but mesmerized by his beauty. And of course, it didn't miss from Zhang Wei's eyes that those perverted minister eyeing his beloved.
He speaks up to distract their attention, "So now, you admit you tried to kill Consort Li? Even if he did has ill-intention towards Zhen, who gives you the right to kill him? And what about Concubine Wen? She suffered just because of your stupid jealousy. You call Consort Li a slut? Then, what about you? Sleeping around with men when you've already become Zhen's consort. Don't you ever deny it because Zhen can easily bring those guys here and also... the old physician that you paid to abort your child." He sneers.
He already knows Yu Li Na had slept around with a few guys to vent her sexual frustration and she even pregnant with one of the guys but she aborted it.
Wu Zhang Wei didn't punish those guys as he didn't really care whatever Yu Li Na wanted to do. Those guys were also willing to admit their faults so he let them go. Plus, they didn't even know the girl they slept with is a consort.
Now, everyone's attention has turned to her again. They loathed her insight. Lord Yu's face is flushed with anger and embarrassment. Veins pop out on his forehead.
Zhang Wei flicks his hand, "Guards, take them away."
Yu Li Na keeps screaming out when she's been dragged away. She struggles to release herself from the guards. All the words that came out are either begging for forgiveness or cursing Xiu Ying. However, her words didn't affect Xiu Ying.
Xiu Ying looks at Li Na being dragged away, sighs, and shakes his head. 'How can someone be so shameless like this? It was clearly you're guilty but you dared to push the blame onto another person? I admire your thick skin, girl.'
After Yu Li Na and Momo have left, Zhang Wei turns to Lord Yu. "Lord Yu, do you blame Zhen for the punishment that Zhen decided?"
Lord Yu Chenyi bows and folds his hands to the front, "Your Majesty, this servant didn't dare. Whatever Your Majesty decided, it was the best decision. No one dares to question it."
Zhang Wei raises his eyebrows and his face like 'ohoo..really?'
"But, isn't Yu Li Na is your beloved niece? You must feel sad as she will be dismembered for the next two days." He's adding fuel to the fire.
Lord Yu's mouth twitched. "Yes, I cared for her like my own daughter but her crimes are unforgivable and her immoral acts... disappointed me so much."
"Good if you think like that. This is a reminder to all of you. Please look after your daughters or close relatives. Don't let them go astray and you also... don't ever think of supporting any kinds of acts that will lead to a rebellion. Zhen might stay in this place all the time but Zhen got eyes everywhere and none of your activities will be missed from my knowledge. Bear this in your mind." He said it was a reminder for all but his eyes focusing on Lord Yu.
...
Wu Zhang Wei went to visit Wen Qian. It's been a while since he visited her. "How are you feeling now?" Zhang Wei asked.
"Much better, Your Majesty. Thanks to Consort Li. He had been a great help. I feel like my health has improved and better than before I was sick." Besides healing her, Xiu Ying also gave her some herbal drinks. The function is like a vitamin or energized drink. Wen Qian feels like her body getting much lighter and she feels energetic all day.
"That's good." Zhang Wei faintly smiles. He always likes it when someone praising Xiu Ying.
He clears his throat, "Actually, Zhen has found a suitable household. The master of that house is a governor in a small prefecture in the city while his son is a scholar. The young master has reached marriageable age so the master is looking for a suitable wife for his son. So, do you want to meet him?"
Wen Qian was a bit surprised. She did agree to be sent out of the palace but marriage... she has mixed feelings about it. Her experience with her stepmother makes it hard for her to trust other people.
"I know you're worried but please don't worry. Zhen will make a deal with the master. If any of the family members dared to hurt you, they'll have to face Zhen. He'll be stripped off from his position and they'll be punished. That's what Zhen promise to you." Zhang Wei reassures when he saw the hesitance in her eyes.
Wen Qian takes a deep breath. She nods, "Alright, Your Majesty. I'll go and meet him. Your Majesty can set the date and I'll be there."
Zhang Wei feels relieved. Wen Qian is a good lady and he also wants her to live a happy life. If there's no Xiu Ying in his heart, he might consider keeping her in the palace. Even if he might not fall for her but at least he can keep her safe. But now, Xiu Ying has occupied his heart so he has no intention to keep the imperial harem.
If one day Xiu Ying accepts him and be his empress, Zhang Wei will immediately dismiss the imperial harem. He doesn't care what those ministers will say. What important to him is making Xiu Ying happy and there's no need for other people.
After he had done talking with Wen Qian, Zhang Wei quickly strutting towards Zhongcui Palace. Day by day, he feels a little bit closer to Xiu Ying. Even though Xiu Ying still won't act friendly and won't talk to him, but at least Xiu Ying didn't push away.
Sometimes he thought, being poisoned was not so bad. Because of it, Xiu Ying took care of him day and night, feeding him, helping him to change to clothes, and always stay beside him. At first, Xiu Ying keeps avoiding and ignoring him but due to his persistence, Xiu Ying gives up and let him do as he wished.
Xiu Ying is about to have his dinner and once again it was interrupted by Zhang Wei's presence. "Greetings, Your Majesty." Xiu Ying rises from the stool. Zhang Wei didn't say anything and leisurely walks towards him and take a seat.
Once he is seated, he pulls Xiu Ying's hand, making him sit too. "Zhen had told you, no need to be formal if it's just two of us."
Xiu Ying ignores him and continues to dig into his food. Looking at Xiu Ying having a good appetite, brings joy to Zhang Wei's heart.
While eating, Zhang Wei strikes up a conversation to break the silence. "Zhen had found a good household for Concubine Wen to be married into. It is a good household. The master is a governor for a small prefecture and the husband candidate is a scholar."
Xiu Ying's chopstick hangs in the air for a while then it moves into Xiu Ying's mouth. "Did she agree to it?"
"Hmm. Zhen has asked Concubine Wen and she said she will meet the guy." Zhang Wei picks a slice of meat and puts it into Xiu Ying's bowl. He still did it even though Xiu Ying keeps saying not to do so.
After having their dinner, Xiu Ying wants to read a book before sleep but the other person inside his room is taking his sweet time walking around his room, stretching his body then lands on his bed.
Xiu Ying stands straight beside the bed, staring at the emperor who already lying with both his hands behind his head. The emperor look at him, pretend to be innocent, "What's wrong? Come." He pats the space beside him.
Xiu Ying sighs. "What are you doing, Your Majesty?"
"Sleeping."
"Then please return to your bedchamber. This is mine." Xiu Ying crosses his arms. He got no energy left to argue with the childish emperor.
"Well...technically everything in the palace is mine, right? So... I can sleep wherever I want." He shows his silly smile. But then he quickly gets off the bed, running after Xiu Ying who is about to leave the room.
He grabs Xiu Ying's arm, "Where are you going?"
"Sleep in another room. Maybe with Jing Yi."
Xiu Ying's eyes widen when his back meets the sturdy chest and a warm body engulfs him. "No. Please don't go. Zhen promise Zhen won't do anything. Zhen just wants to sleep here with Xiu Ying. So, please..."
Xiu Ying removes the hands around his tummy and turns to face Zhang Wei. He looks at the puppy eyes and can't help but gives in. "Fine. But promise! Don't do anything! Or you can't even step into this room anymore."
"Hmn!"
And so, the two of them sleeping on the same bed. At the earlier time, they are far apart that even another person can squeeze between them.. But the next morning, Xiu Ying wake up in a warm embrace and sees someone's neck as soon as he opened his eyes.
The day that Wu Zhang Wei had waited so long, has come. The day when he finally gets to remove one of the ladders that can help Lord Yu Chenyi to widen his influence and climb to the top. Zhang Wei never afraid of Lord Yu Chenyi but he doesn't want to cause any harm to his people.
If Lord Yu Chenyi decided to ask for help from the South Kingdom, there will be a lot of death and losses that his people have to suffer. While suppressing Lord Yu's power, Zhang Wei gave Huang Fei Hong time to increase the number of his army. Honed their skills and trained them to be merciless killers.
Yesterday in the morning, Momo had been brought to the main hall and she was given a strong poison. Momo knows that there's nothing that can save her life so she took the poison without much trouble. A minute after the poison flowed down her throat, she started to tremble and then she spits out a mouthful of blood.
Next, during the afternoon, Yu Li Na was led in shackles and cangue, parading around the city. When the guard shouting her crimes, all the people keep throwing eggs, vegetables, or whatever their hands could reach. Yu Li Na's furious eyes didn't affect them and it only makes them cursed her more.
So today, early in the morning, all the ministers, officers, and even normal citizens are allowed to come to the field. Actually, this field is the training ground for the imperial army but it is also used for a certain occasion.
Many people came to witness the punishment that was rarely being sentenced to an offender. But if it was carried out, it means the crime is not a light one.
As it won't take too much time, Zhang Wei preferred to stand under a tent. On his left, Wu Jiaying and Wu Xiaoqing stand together. On his right and slightly behind, Li Xiu Ying was forced to stand there. Wen Qian didn't come in excuse of still in treatment but actually, she didn't dare to watch a bloody scene.
The presence of Xiu Ying near Zhang Wei brings much questions to the people. They're wondering who is the beautiful person near the emperor. But most of them guessed he might be the most favored consort. Some people who had seen Xiu Ying when he returned home were surprised that he's actually related to the royal family.
When Yu Li Na was dragged into the middle of the field, people start murmuring. They look at her in disgust and Lord Yu also didn't escape from their judgments but the latter ignored them all. Hands on the back and poker face, no one would have thought he's planning to destroy someone.
Back to the middle of the field, Yu Li Na was laid on the ground. Each of her hands and legs was tied to a chariot. Her tears start to fall down but her hatred towards Xiu Ying only increases and she didn't reflect on what she did despite her current condition.
As soon as the plate that has Yu Li Na's name written on it was thrown onto the ground, the execution started. The guards who driven the chariots started to pull the rein and horses started to move.
Yu Li Na's arms and limbs immediately being stretched. It was a slow and extremely painful way of execution. Loud screams and shrill voices can be heard by all the people present in the field. Warm blood gushes out when one by one, her arm and limb start to tear apart. The blood splattered all over the sandy ground.
Most people lower their heads, didn't dare to watch such a gore scene in front of them. Wu Zhang Wei didn't avert his eyes and watch in satisfaction. But then, he noticed Xiu Ying shuts his eyes tight and frowns. Pulling by the waist and reducing the distance between them, now Xiu Ying is embraced in Zhang Wei's arms. He gently pushes Xiu Ying's head onto his chest as not to let him see the brutal way of death.
The last scream before Yu Li Na finally lays on the ground armless and limbless makes Xiu Ying flinches and he unintentionally clutches on Zhang Wei's robe. The latter pulls him closer and gently pats his back.
Zhang Wei smirks when he saw the pathetic sight of the dead woman. He glances at Lord Yu and sending a message through his glares, 'That's what you got if you dare to mess with me.'
Lord Yu clenches his fist.
Not wanting to stay longer, Zhang Wei intertwines his fingers with Xiu Ying's and drags him to his chamber. Xiu Ying who is still lost in his thought obediently followed. Once they're alone in the chamber, Zhang Wei sits on the bed and pulls Xiu Ying to sit on his lap. "Are you okay?" Xiu Ying's pale complexion worries him.
Suddenly recollecting the screams and blood, Xiu Ying puts his palm over his mouth. The wave of nausea hits him but he is forced to hold it. Zhang Wei keeps patting his back and wipes off the cold sweat all over his forehead.
Zhang Wei calls Jing Yi who is standing outside. When Jing Yi entered the chamber, he was shocked by the weak state of Xiu Ying, sitting on the emperor's lap, leans his head on the shoulder and the emperor's hands wrapping around Xiu Ying.
He quickly lowers his head, pretends to see nothing.
"Quick. Bring something to ease the nauseousness." Zhang Wei ordered but his eyes still looking at the fragile figure in his arms.
In a flash, Jing Yi returns with ginger and chamomile tea. Wu Zhang Wei took the tea from Jing Yi and bring it to Xiu Ying's mouth, feeding him. Zhang Wei returns the emptied cup to Jing Yi then he waves his hand, ordering Jing Yi to leave the room.
Letting his male consort sleep on his shoulder, Zhang Wei feels contented when Xiu Ying depends on him like this. When he senses that Xiu Ying has dozed off, he carries him in a bridal style and tucks in under the quilt. Gently caressing the flawless face, Zhang Wei smiles. Then, he walks out of the room, to meet Huang Fei Hong. But before he managed to order the servants not to awake Xiu Ying.
...
In the imperial study room, Zhang Wei is having a meeting with Prime Minister Li Shizen and Huang Fei Hong. These two are the person that he trusted the most to talk about this secret matter.
Before Zhang Wei speaks up, Lord Li opens his mouth, "Your Majesty, may I ask... Li Xiu Ying, is he alright?" Li Shizen can't help but worried when he saw the emperor dragged away from his son who looked like he just met with a ghost.
With a faint smile, Zhang Wei said "Zhen guess, what he saw just now was a little bit too much for him so he can't stand it. But worry not Lord Li. Li Xiu Ying is fine. He's resting right now after taking some tea to ease his nausea."
Li Shizen breathes a sigh of relief. He feels happy when he knows that the emperor is treating his son well. Done with the little chitchat, Zhang Wei's face turns serious, and smiles disappear. "General Huang, Zhen needs you to increase your army's power. Train them to be as good as you and Zhen don't care what method you gonna use. And Zhen wants you to make them get used to the strategic formation. Zhen knows strategic formation is only for a high skills army but at least teach the others the basic one. Who knows it might be useful someday. Weapons and armors, prepare more too."
Fei Hong knows so well the reason behind all this preparation. He bows understood.
Zhang Wei then turns to Li Shizen, "Lord Li, Zhen need you to send a representative to our neighboring countries that are having a dispute with the South Kingdom. Try to make an alliance with them. One more thing, if it's possible, gather proof of Lord Yu's dirty job, especially the one that involves his connection with the South Kingdom. Bribes smuggle, or anything. Find it out then report it to me."
Just like the great general, Li Shizen folds his hands to the front and bows. Huang Fei Hong crosses his arms and asks, "Do you think he's gonna make his move now?"
Zhang Wei shrugs his shoulders. "Better if we make early preparation. What I know, he's holding a grudge against me and also... Li Xiu Ying. From the way, he can easily get all those poisons on his hands, this means he's frequently in contact with them. After what I did to his beloved niece, I'm sure he won't sit still and will start to make his move."
"If you know, then why would you decide to execute her? You can banish her to Cold Palace let her live a lonely life there."
Zhang Wei squinted his eyes, "That's what she gets for trying to hurt MY Xiu Ying. If she lived in Cold Palace, there's a possibility her uncle will try to bring her out from that palace later. So, better let her be gone for good."
Zhang Wei clearly stated he punished Yu Li Na with such punishment because of Xiu Ying. Li Shizen who is still in the room was surprised by the emperor's words. He never thought the emperor treasure his son so much. All this while, he heard that his son was ignored by him but now everything seems different from the rumors.
Suddenly realized the father of his beloved still didn't leave, Zhang Wei lowers his head, feeling slightly embarrassed.
Lord Li looks at Zhang Wei with a faint smile. Now, he can feel at ease knowing that his son is in good hands.
...
Meanwhile, at night in a private room at a brothel, the air is tense. Two middle-aged men and one man in his late 30s, sitting around the round table.
"So My Lord, what do you want to do?" asked the youngest guy.
"He needs to pay for what he did. I'll give him the most painful revenge." The oldest guy tapping on the table.
"You want to rob his throne? You do realize it won't be that easy. He got a powerful army and before you can do that, I'm sure all of us will be killed." The second middle-aged man said.
The oldest guy said again, with a sneer, "No. No. Before we throw him away from the throne, I'll make him suffer emotionally."
The other two look at each other and said at the same time, "What do you mean?"
"You guys should see how he protected his male consort at the field before. He never gets close and being so gentle openly like that to other concubines. I'm sure, that consort, who is also the son of Lord Li Shizen is special to him. If someone that he truly cares went to another man's arm, can't you feel how devastated he'll be?" He laughs sinisterly.
"My Lord... Do you take an interest in the male consort?" The youngest one asked.
"No. Not for me. I admit that male consort is a true beauty, but I'm not into that sort of thing. However, he fits perfectly with someone's taste."
"Who?"
"The regent from the South Empire."
Xiu Ying's eyelashes are fluttering as he is trying to keep his eyes open. But it was so hard. With the soft mattress underneath him and the warmth of the sheets around him. His eyes began to drift close back. But soon, the image of him sitting on the emperor's lap and how the emperor took care of him before makes him wide awake. Xiu Ying puts his hand on his forehead, massaging his temple.
"You're awake?" The deep but gentle voice makes Xiu Ying turns his head to the side.
Wu Zhang Wei puts aside the memorial in his hand and walks towards the bed. He sits in the empty space beside Xiu Ying, caressing his face. Xiu Ying averts his gaze, but his reddened face cannot be hidden.
"How do you feel now?" Zhang Wei asked again and his hand still on Xiu Ying's cheek.
"I'm fine. Thank you, Your Majesty." Xiu Ying unconsciously pulls the quilt and grips it tightly.
"You haven't eaten since afternoon. So, I'll ask Jing Yi to prepare food for you, okay?"
Xiu Ying wants to say no but the grumbling stomach betrays him. So, he just nods his head.
A little later, Jing Yi returns with porridge with minced meat in it. Xiu Ying is about to get off the bed but Zhang Wei prevents him from doing so. Zhang Wei takes the tray from Jing Yi. Xiu Ying wants to take the bowl of porridge but Zhang Wei beats him and takes it first. He scoops a spoonful and blows it. "Here. It's not hot anymore."
Xiu Ying looks between the porridge and Zhang Wei. The latter ignored his questioning eyes and waiting patiently for Xiu Ying to open his mouth. Xiu Ying sighs. It is no use to argue with the stubborn emperor. When he obediently opens his mouth, the gentle smile can't be missed from Xiu Ying's eyes. He lowers his gaze, avoids from looking at it too long as it is bad for his heart.
Xiu Ying eats in silence. Wu Zhang Wei patiently feeds him until he finished till the last spoon. Zhang Wei picks up a handkerchief and gently wipes off Xiu Ying's small mouth.
"Th- Thank you, Your Majesty." He plays with his fingers.
"No worries."
Xiu Ying just noticed the piled-up memorials on the table. Then, he suddenly realized, Jing Yi brought a meal for one person only.
"Your Majesty... have you had your dinner?" Xiu Ying doesn't want the emperor to focus on him and ignore his own health.
It's a simple question but to Zhang Wei, it means a lot. He feels like Xiu Ying started to care a little bit about him. "No worries. Before you wake up, Zhen has eaten this same porridge. Zhen can never allow myself to get sick because Zhen wants to take care of you."
Xiu Ying thinks his blood circulation is very good today. His face keeps getting red even by a simple comment by Zhang Wei.
In order to have a healthy heart condition, Xiu Ying decides to return to his room. But before both his feet can step on the floor, Zhang Wei already rushed to his side. "What are you doing? You should rest more."
"I don't want to disturb Your Majesty so I want to return to my room."
Zhang Wei huffs. He lifts the quilt then grabs both Xiu Ying's legs and pushed it back under the quilt. "No. Just sleep here tonight. Zhen will feel more at ease if you're by my side. It will be easier to look after you when you're around."
Zhang Wei cupped on both sides of Xiu Ying's cheek. The cheek fat being squished makes Xiu Ying look like he's pouting and it's too cute!
Zhang Wei can't help but stare at the luscious and tempting lips. His desire to cover those lips with his own is too strong but he doesn't want to scare off his loved one right after he said he wanted to take care of him.
Xiu Ying knitted his eyebrows when the emperor's face is a little bit too close to his. And his eyes are focusing on a certain part of his face.
"Yo- Your Majesty?" Xiu Ying muffled voice jerked him out of the trance. Zhang Wei quickly released Xiu Ying's cheeks and takes a few steps back.
"So- sorry..." Zhang Wei rubs his nape. "Xiu Ying... ju- just sleep again. Zhen needs to go to the imperial study. Don't go back. Just st- stay here." In a flash, Zhang Wei picks up all the memorials on the table and walked out of the room.
He bet Xiu Ying won't talk to him or stay near him ever again if he saw the "little emperor" who was saying hello just now. Xiu Ying got too many questions that he deemed the answer from the emperor but before he could ask, the emperor already slammed the door and fled. Xiu Ying shrugs his shoulders then lays back on the bed. The way the mattress dipped when he laid shows how soft it is. Xiu Ying can't help but snuggle into the quilt, making himself comfortable.
Meanwhile, the emperor walked in haste towards his imperial study room. It was too fast until the guards feel there's only a gush of wind when he walked past them.
As soon as he reached the study room, he slumps onto the chair. He takes a deep breath and slowly releases it. He did it until the "little emperor" has calmed down. Zhang Wei needs to distract himself with other matters. If not, it will be hard to handle it.
"Wei Min," Zhang Wei called.
As usual, the man in black shows himself right after he was called. He knelt, "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Zhen need you tailed Lord Yu. Follow him wherever he goes. Make sure he didn't lose from your sight. Every day, tell me who he met and where he went."
Wei Min nods. "I got it, Your Majesty."
Zhang Wei waves his hand, "Alright now you can go."
SWOOSH.
Wei Min jumping out of the window without making any sounds. Zhang Wei leans back on the chair and covers his eyes using his arm.
He wants to go back and cuddles with Xiu Ying. But the fact that Xiu Ying is lying on his bed with his defenseless face makes him feel excited and wants to embrace him tightly and kissing him all over.
But if he did that, the results will be either two. A handprint will be plastered on his face or he'll be kicked off the bed. Besides that, his dream to get closer to Xiu Ying will perish automatically.
Zhang Wei took almost an hour to make a decision. Finally, he grips his fist tightly and makes his way to the bedchamber.
Slowly, he pushed open the door. Only the dim light of the candle lights up the room. Zhang Wei almost tip-toed to reduce as much noise as possible.
Xiu Ying's back is facing him so Zhang Wei lengthens his neck to take a peek. The gentle snuffles and rhythmic rise and fall of his chest make the emperor smile. Zhang Wei walks around to the other side of the bed.
He takes off the outer robe, pulls up the quilt and lays beside Xiu Ying. Zhang Wei lays on one side, staring at the sleeping beauty. Maybe due to the warmth emitted by Zhang Wei's body, Xiu Ying spreads out his arm and embraces the sources of the warmness.
Zhang Wei froze. He glances at Xiu Ying but the latter is still deep in sleep and didn't realize his own doing. Xiu Ying pulls himself closer and nestled on his chest.
If Zhang Wei wants to describe how he feels right now, it will be like those big fireworks on New Year's night. He wants to squeal like a girl found his prince charming but he holds it inside. Smoothly, he puts his hand on Xiu Ying's back then pecks on top of Xiu Ying's head.
He knows he still got a long way to go but for now, he feels contented being able to sleep and cuddling together, even though Xiu Ying did it out of consciousness.
The next morning, Wu Zhang Wei skips the morning court. He can't bear to remove the head on his arm. The numbness he felt on his arm has been kicked aside by the euphoria.
Zhang Wei removes the strands of hair that's hiding the angelic face. He can't stop staring at Xiu Ying. Xiu Ying wiggles in his sleep and his face hit a hard wall. With half-opened eyes, Xiu Ying keeps groping the hard wall. Meanwhile, Wu Zhang Wei gulps down his saliva. 'This baby is really testing my patience.'
Xiu Ying slowly lifts his head and his eyes widen. He's about to push the other person away but the emperor's words stopped him, "Are you going to push me away...again?"
The pleading puppy eyes are like an arrow that strikes through Xiu Ying's heart. BA-DUMP.
They are in trance, staring into each other's eyes. Just like last night, Xiu Ying's lips are truly inviting. Zhang Wei looks between Xiu Ying's eyes and lips. Slowly, he lowers his head. Closer and closer until they are an inch apart. Zhang Wei takes a final glance but Xiu Ying still didn't push him. He reduced the gap and put his lips on top of Xiu Ying's.
Lips on another lip. Zhang Wei has the urge to deepen the kiss but he holds himself back. Xiu Ying blinks his eyes repeatedly. His mind is loading.
When Zhang Wei nibbles on his lower lips, Xiu Ying clutches on Zhang Wei's robe and shuts his eyes tightly. It was a gentle but sweet kiss. After a minute, Zhang Wei pulls away.
The misty eyes of Xiu Ying are too enchanting and he looks sexier. Zhang Wei takes a deep breath. He then pulls Xiu Ying by the waist until no gap between their bodies, he pecks on the forehead, "Thank you, Ying-er." He hugged Xiu Ying who is still in a daze.
As the emperor's scent invading his nostrils, it gives some calming sensation and it makes Xiu Ying feels safe in his arms. Xiu Ying hesitantly put his hands on Zhang Wei's back but in the end, he decided to put aside his ego and return the hug.
Zhang Wei's eyes opened in surprise but then he tightened the hug, feels like Xiu Ying will be taken away from him if he let go.
After the morning bath, separately, of course, the two of them have breakfast together. Zhang Wei diligently serves his loved one and Xiu Ying openly accepted his good intention. Right after morning dines, Zhang Wei and Xiu Ying went to visit Wen Qian.
The concubine feels happy when she saw the two of them came together. And the air around is obviously had changed. Every time they are side to side, it was like there are bubbles floating everywhere and flower petals coming down out of nowhere.
They are now sitting in the courtyard to discuss about Wen Qian's arranged marriage. "The other side letting you decide when to meet. The young master will make time for the meeting," said Zhang Wei.
"Then, how about the first day of next week? I'll meet him during lunch hour. As for the place, I guess I need to trouble Your Majesty as I don't know any proper place." Wen Qian faintly smiles.
"Alright then. Zhen will inform him. As for the place, leave it to Zhen. Zhen will make sure your stepmother won't know anything about this meeting."
Wen Qian bows, showing her gratitude.
Xiu Ying looks at Wen Qian sullenly. He rarely made a gossip friend but when he had found one, the latter will leave soon. Zhang Wei noticed the gloomy face. He pulls Xiu Ying by the shoulder, rubbing it gently. "Don't worry. Zhen will give special permission for Concubine Wen Qian to enter the palace and meet you, anytime she wants. It's not like she's going far. You guys still can visit each other."
Xiu Ying just hums.
Wen Qian interrupts Zhang Wei's hidden intention to keep on touching Xiu Ying, she fakes a cough. "Hmm.. Your Majesty... May I ask? What about Concubine Lin Hui Yin? Are you still gonna keep her in the palace?"
"Well, since she didn't do anything, Zhen can't find a reason to send her away. Her father is an acquaintance of Lord Yu so Zhen needs a solid reason to remove her. If not, they'll try to find blame on Zhen. And Xiu Ying might be their victim to vent their anger. So for now, let her be. Zhen sure she won't dare to do anything after what happened to Yu Li Na."
Zhang Wei looks at Xiu Ying in a gaze full of worries. Xiu Ying quickly looks away, feeling embarrassed.
'Oh Gosh. Have some respect towards single community please...' thought Wen Qian.
The meeting between Wen Qian and the scholar went well. Both of them have a good impression of each other. The scholar young master decided to bring Wen Qian to meet with his parents and Wen Qian agreed. Wu Zhang Wei also had permitted her to go outside and meet her future parents-in-law.
Everything going on smoothly as Zhang Wei hoped. He feels happy because a woman as good as Wen Qian finally can have her own life and happiness. The meeting and also the incoming wedding will be done without Wen Qian's family knowledge, especially her stepmother.
Even if the Wen family knew, they can't do anything as Wen Qian's marriage is an imperial decree and no one can object. But, Zhang Wei doesn't want the stepmother to cause any harm or disturb the scholar's family before the wedding.
As greedy as she is, the stepmother could ask for unreasonable betrothal gifts or forcing them to agree on something that can bring her benefits in later days.
Wen Qian's marriage is known to certain people only. Zhang Wei didn't want people to think that she's being despised by him or she was forced to be sent out of the palace. Plus, he doesn't want Wen Qian's father to know about this. He'll inform Wen Qian's father about the marriage after they're officially husband and wife.
Meanwhile, inside the imperial pharmacy, Xiu Ying continues to do his daily routine, immersed in studying about herbs, medicine and poisons.
After the death of Yu Li Na, everything seems better. People are getting more cheerful and no one remembers the dead consort. Xiu Ying is having more fun with all the physicians. Their respect and admiration towards Xiu Ying have reached over the top after he managed to save the emperor from dying.
As for Xiu Ying's relationship with Zhang Wei, he just follows the flow. He no longer resists his approaches and their relationship also has been the talk inside the palace.
Empress Dowager Wu Jiaying and Princess Wu Xiao Qing fully support Zhang Wei. They felt a thousand times relieved and happy when they knew Zhang Wei is getting closer to Xiu Ying. However, Zhang Wei has to face her imperial mother's same question every time they met.
'When can you give me a grandchild?'
That is what Wu Jiaying keeps asking her son. Her "grandma's mode" is actively turned on lately. It's been a while she gets to hold a baby and she missed doing so.
Zhang Wei can only rub his nape, averts his eyes and smiles stiffly. 'What child?! I didn't even do more than a peck and a little nibble. Not even touchy-touchy or suc- I mean intimately together.'
He barely can hold himself back whenever Xiu Ying is around but he forced himself to do so. He doesn't want to scare off his beloved, thus the dim light of hope to reciprocate their feelings will immediately become dark.
However, all that didn't stop him from keep courting the male consort. He's a cold and strict emperor whenever he's in front of his ministers, officers or people. But, whenever Xiu Ying comes in his view, he'll be a henpecked husband.
While Xiu Ying is busy with his work, a man is happily strutting towards the imperial pharmacy. Chief Eunuch and even the servants who followed behind barely could catch up to his long and fast steps.
Ignores the bows and greetings from everyone, Zhang Wei straight away went to Xiu Ying's table. "Xiu Ying, it's lunchtime. Let's eat together." Guo Wei, Chang Ming and Chief Eunuch rub their eyes. They feel like they just saw a wagging tail on the emperor's behind.
Xiu Ying looks up to the silly face of the emperor. "Your Majesty, you can just eat on your own. I still have work right here."
Zhang Wei walks around the table and grabs Xiu Ying's hand. "Yeah? That's what you said before when you missed your lunch and dinner for two days in a row. Now, let's go. All this work can wait and it's not urgent. But your health is more important." While babbling, he drags Xiu Ying out of the imperial pharmacy, heading towards Xiu Ying's courtyard. Xiu Ying can only sigh.
This scene is not unfamiliar for all the servants, what's more to Jing Yi, Guo Wei, Chang Ming and Chief Eunuch who once accidentally saw them in an unexplainable state.
Feeling the heated stares from behind, Xiu Ying looks down at their hands that perfectly interlocked. "Yo- your Majesty..." He whispers only for Zhang Wei to hear.
Zhang Wei slows down his steps and hums.
"Hands... your hands... Stop holding mine." Xiu Ying wiggles his hand but it had the opposite effect. Zhang Wei tightens the grip.
"Nope. Zhen afraid you might run away."
Xiu Ying lifts one side of his eyebrows. "I won't. Where do you think I could run off?! This is the palace. I've got nowhere to run and if I did, you can easily find me."
Zhang Wei blinks his eyes repeatedly. "Yeah... you're right. But still no. Zhen won't let go." He chuckles then pulls Xiu Ying closer to him until they are shoulder to shoulder.
Xiu Ying can still hear the muffled laughs from behind. He can only lower his head, hiding the blushed. In contrast, Zhang Wei walks happily while swinging their hands.
As soon as they arrived at the courtyard, the servants quickly serve their lunch and then leave the two of them alone. Even Guo Wei and Chang Ming have been shooed away by the emperor. Hinting through his gaze, the two guards quickly take the hint and move backward.
Before Xiu Ying could reach for the dishes, his bowl already full of meats and vegetables. Zhang Wei keeps putting it into his bowl. Xiu Ying inwardly facepalmed looking at the childish emperor.
Zhang Wei is about to pick up another piece of meat but Xiu Ying quickly clasped his chopsticks using his own. "Stop picking it up for me. I can do it on my own."
With his silly smiles and the little giggles 'hehe' he said, "It's okay. Let Zhen treat you. If Zhen didn't do this, Xiu Ying will eat so little. You can't do that. Xiu Ying should eat more. You're skin and bones."
Xiu Ying smirks, "Then if I'm skin and bones, Your Majesty won't like me?"
Zhang Wei quickly shakes his head. "Nope. Zhen still likes you a lot but it is better if Xiu Ying has more meat so Xiu Ying will feel plumper when Zhen hugs you." He shamelessly said.
Xiu Ying loss for words. He gaped and stares at the emperor unbelievably. Taking advantage of the opened mouth, Zhang Wei quickly feeds him. Then, Xiu Ying's eyes widen.
Zhang Wei laughs out loud. "Xiu Ying! You're so cute! You're so full of expression." He gently pinches Xiu Ying's cheeks.
Don't know how to handle the emperor anymore, Xiu Ying huffs. Then, he continues chomps on his food as nothing happened, ignores the gaze from the guy beside him. Their lunch went on with Xiu Ying humming to every question directed at him.
After the servants took away the emptied bowls and plates, Xiu Ying rises from the stool. "Your Majesty, I think you should return to the main palace. I also need to return to the imperial pharmacy."
Zhang Wei also rises up, "It's okay. Zhen is not that busy right now. So, Zhen wants to spend time with you. Xiu Ying also doesn't have to go back right away. Stay with Zhen for awhile. Let's take a walk. You'll feel uncomfortable if you do your work with a full stomach."
Xiu Ying lowers his head. Actually, the emperor is right. He feels bloated. Due to the frustration towards the emperor, Xiu Ying keeps on eating with no leftovers.
Seeing that Xiu Ying raises no objection, Zhang Wei intertwined their fingers and drags him to the nearby garden.
Both of them walking in silence, hand in hand, enjoying the breeze. Zhang Wei keeps glancing at the shorter man beside him. Xiu Ying's head reached Zhang Wei's shoulder so he has to tilt his head to get a better look at Xiu Ying's face.
"What?" asked Xiu Ying.
"Do you feel better now?"
Xiu Ying faintly smiles. He hums, "Much better."
But Zhang Wei has no intention of letting go of the hand. He even adjusts the position and grips it tighter. He fakes a cough, "Hmm... How long Xiu Ying didn't go home?"
Xiu Ying tilts his head, thinking. "A...month or so? Why?"
"Do you miss your family? Lord Li said your mother keeps asking about you. So, wanna go home?"
Xiu Ying blinks his eyes repeatedly. "Yes! I want! Can I?"
Zhang Wei releases their hands then pulls Xiu Ying by the shoulders and gently strokes his head, "Of course you can but this time, Zhen wants to come along."
"Co- come along? Are you sure? Wh- what for?!"
With a smug face, he said, "To greet mother-in-law, of course."
Xiu Ying rolls his eyes. "I'm just a consort, Your Majesty. Not an empress. There's no need for such greetings."
Zhang Wei inclined his head, whispers in his ear, "To make you my empress, I have to greet mother-in-law first, am I right?"
Xiu Ying cupped his ear. The breath tickled him. He shoots a glare towards the culprit who makes his ears red. Xiu Ying takes longer steps to get away from Zhang Wei but he was being pulled back until his back meets the sturdy chest.
"Where are you running off to?" Zhang Wei lands his chin on Xiu Ying's shoulder.
"Wh- what running?! I- I have work to do at the pharmacy." Xiu Ying's heartbeat is pumping at 100km per hour, caused him to stutters. The deep chuckles from behind and echoed in his ears only increase it to 120km per hour.
"Stop avoiding me, Ying-er."
'Oh, God. Must you call me by that name right now?!' thought Xiu Ying.
"You do realize my feelings for you, so stop running away from me. I know Xiu Ying didn't really hate when we're being so close like this but then why you still want to distance yourself from me?"
[A/N : Zhang Wei starting to use informal words, like how normal citizens talked to each other]
"..."
"Did I disgust you that much? Are you too unwilling to be like this with me?"
"..."
Zhang Wei sighs. "Ying-er... be honest with me. Do you even the slightest has some feelings for me? A bit more than just an emperor, a brother, friend or an acquaintance? A feeling that you don't feel towards other guys or girls and your family?"
"I- I don't know..." Being engulfed by two strong arms make Xiu Ying shrinks his body.
Zhang Wei buried his face on Xiu Ying's shoulder. He did say he wants to wait. His heart maybe can but his body is slowly losing its control. He doesn't want to hurt Xiu Ying so, in the end, he still has to endure the accumulated desires.
"Yo- Your Majesty...?" Xiu Ying tilts his head. The emperor is burying his head and keep staying silent, froze.
Zhang Wei takes a deep breath then releases a long and heavy sigh. He breaks the hug then makes Xiu Ying turns to face him. Gently pushes aside the bang and slid some of the hair behind his ears.
"Alright. You can go and do your work. We'll go and visit your parents at the weekend." He plants a kiss on Xiu Ying's forehead.
Flustered with the unexpected kiss, Xiu Ying turns around quickly and leaves the courtyard as soon as possible.
Now, his heart is 200km per hour.
