Dance Of The Dragons
Chapter 196 : Suspicion (2)

Chapter 196: Chapter 196 : Suspicion (2)

As soon as they closed the door behind them, Zhang Fengxi asked his father, "Father, how did the Emperor respond to the proposal?"

Zhang Zhiyuan cleared his throat.

"He was as surprised as I was when I first saw the notice from the Granny of Love and Devotion. Fengxi, ah... this is highly improper. Your mother was right. You are marrying the Crown Prince of the Heavenly Empire. You cannot just drag him to the Sun and Moon Temple without completing the preceding steps."

"But he was not against it, right?" Zhang Fengxi dug further.

He was expecting the Emperor to send for him with a battalion of soldiers, or at least rip the wedding proposal into two.

"No. He only gave out the order to postpone Liu Yichen’s execution."

Zhang Fengxi raised his eyebrow at this unexpected news.

"Liu Yichen? What did that old wolf do?"

Zhang Zhiyuan sighed deeply.

"It was not him but his omega son -- your former betrothed, Liu Wenyuan. When soldiers came to Wuyang Palace to seize him, Liu Yichen informed them that his son was kidnapped by an unknown party."

Again?

Zhang Fengxi furrowed his brows. His men had not reported any suspicious movement, so Liu Wenyuan definitely had not stepped a foot outside of Wuyang Palace. News about the omega’s disappearance was nothing short of surprising.

"It seems to be the First Demon King again," Zhang Fengxi concluded. "Unless the Emperor thinks that Wuyang Palace Master lied to protect his son."

Liu Yichen might have noticed unwanted eyes and ears lingering around his palace. For a palace master, it should not be too difficult to smuggle someone out of the palace.

"Judging from the way Liu Yichen acts, we can conclude that he is lying. He seems to be determined to protect his son, to the point of sacrificing his life."

Which was not the wrong thing to do as a parent, because Liu Wenyuan’s crime was not pardonable.

"Fengxi, do you plan on doing something?" Zhang Zhiyuan asked.

Zhang Fengxi had yet to come up with an answer when a servant arrived and announced, "His Majesty, the Crown Prince has come to visit!"

The last time Xie Jianyu came, he came as only the Crown Prince. This time, he was also Zhang Fengxi’s betrothed, and they were set to marry in nine days.

Understandably, Lady Song was unable to contain her excitement.

"Your Majesty, may I please hug you?" She asked with bright eyes that were brimming with hope.

Xie Jianyu could not help but stare at the palace mistress, who interpreted his silence as a "yes".

Squealing happily like a little girl, Lady Song put her arms around Xie Jianyu and squeezed him.

"Oh, I have always liked seeing you and Fengxi together," she lied without batting an eyelid. "We would love to have you join our family soon. We are going to take very good care of you!"

Zhang Zhiyuan gasped audibly when he saw his wife hanging from Xie Jianyu’s neck.

"Your Majesty! I am so, terribly, sorry!!!" He said as he wrenched his wife away from Xie Jianyu.

Xie Jianyu shot the couple an awkward smile.

"It’s alright," he then said.

"Did you hear him??? He said, ’It’s alright’!" Lady Song tossed out enthusiastically.

"It’s ’His Majesty’. Dear..."

Zhang Zhiyuan’s head started to throb.

"Jianyu."

Xie Jianyu turned around, his eyes met with Zhang Fengxi’s. The alpha smiled as he took Xie Jianyu in his arms.

"Fancy seeing you here. Look, my mother is so happy to see you. You should come more often."

"Absolutely!!!" Lady Song could not agree more.

Zhang Zhiyuan cleared his throat. He had to use his steely grip to prevent his wife from giving Xie Jianyu more hugs.

"Dear, aiyah, let the two young people get to know each other. We should remove ourselves for now. Your Majesty, please stay as long as you wish. Fengxi -- don’t be rude, take His Majesty to the inner chambers to rest."

"Thank you, Father."

Zhang Fengxi took Xie Jianyu by his hand and pulled him toward his private chambers.

"Zhang Fengxi!"

Xie Jianyu pulled against the alpha’s grip.

"It is not proper. There is no chaperone... ah!!!"

Zhang Fengxi shut the door behind them and pressed Xie Jianyu against the door.

The alpha was so close that Xie Jianyu could smell the desire in his breath and see the longing in his eyes.

Zhang Fengxi cupped Xie Jianyu’s face with both hands and gently squeezed his cheeks.

"Is the dragon afraid that the tiger might take a bite?" he teased.

Xie Jianyu glared at him in return.

"I am not here to fool around."

"No? Although we are going to be married soon?"

Xie Jianyu averted his gaze out of shame. His chin was quickly captured by the alpha, who loved to see his bride’s cheeks blossom like cherry flowers in early spring.

Zhang Fengxi tilted his head slightly and whispered into Xie Jianyu’s ear, "Can I kiss you?"

Xie Jianyu’s heart skipped a beat.

The mission, he told himself.

The mission. The mission.

You must not forget yourself.

Get ahold of yourself!

"No," the Crown Prince answered.

Zhang Fengxi pouted.

"Why not? Do you still hate my kisses?"

"Yes," Xie Jianyu answered confidently.

Zhang Fengxi raised his eyebrow at the little liar who was trapped between his arms.

"Oh, really," he snarled in displeasure. "Then I better practice a lot prior to the wedding."

"Zhang Fengxi!"

Xie Jianyu pressed both hands against Zhang Fengxi’s lips.

"I am not ready yet," he said. "Give me time."

Zhang Fengxi pressed tiny kisses against Xie Jianyu’s fingers.

"Of course. We have all the time to get used to each other."

If we actually stay with each other, Xie Jianyu thought to himself. He hated himself for doubting Zhang Fengxi’s motives, but he could not help it. His father’s suspicion was not completely groundless.

Xie Jianyu gently extricated himself from Zhang Fengxi’s arms. He grabbed the front part of his betrothed’s clothes and spoke, "I am here to investigate Liu Wenyuan’s disappearance. Do you know anything about it?"