CHAPTER 1-7

*Again, all credit 100% belong to the original author. You can go to the original author acc if you want to read BAHASA INDONESIA version.

CHAPTER 01

COLLECTING HERB

Liu Changyi picked up several small herbs that very much like a wild grass, but he knew it better that it wasn't just a mere grass.

Once he saw the drawing of this herb in one of medical book he read somewhile ago. The image and the description from the book was very much similar with these herbs in front of him.

Putting on the herbs inside his rattan basket carefully, Liu Changyi had a satisfactory expression on his face. Getting his hand on these rare herbs, he knew that he would be getting more silvers when he sold it to the market later.

Carrying the basket on his back, Liu Changyi realized that it was already late in the afternoon. He should hurriedly back.

Even though he knew Mountain Dazhuan like knowing the back of his own hands, but this mountain could be quite dangerous in the night. Getting down at this time from the mountain, he should arrived in the city gate before the night came.

His prediction was quite right. Liu Changyi really arrived in the city gate just when the sun almost had set.

Liu Changyi nodded in acknowledgement toward the guards on duty who stationed around the gate. He was no longer need getting through the guards inspection when entered or getting out from the gate. All of the guards knew him already. Liu Changyi; a pitiful son of a middle ranking goverment officials who seek money from selling herbs from the nearby mountain. That was how everyone recognized him.

However Lip Changyi had just walked for few steps when he heard his name being called by the guard. "Liu Changyi!"

Liu Changyi stopped and turned back.

"Come here," The guard said.

Following the guard's words, Xiu Changyi walked back to the gate with curious expression on his face.

When he reached the guard who called him, he pointed a place on the side, "Stand there. The guard on the tower sees His Highness Eldest Prince Zhao Yuanzhang's troops is getting closer. Stay here for awhile until the entourages is passing the gate. The soldiers who just coming back from battlefield are unusually grumpy, they can hurt you when they see you for being a hindrance on their path." The guard explained.

"Thank you for reminding me," Liu Changyi bowed down as he said his gratitude and then stood where the guard pointed.

Just like what the guard had said, in a few moment, a very large troops entourage could be seen from the end of the road and slowly getting closer to the gate.

When the entourage passed the gate, Liu Changyi followed the gate guards kneeling on the ground. From the corner of his eyes, he still could see the young and handsome prince who lead the troops.

Prince Zhao Yuanzhang was only twenty five years old by this years, but as one of Zhao Kingdom's generals, he already had quite many military achievements contributed to the country. If he was to become the future emperor of The Great Zhao, he should be bringing more prosperity to this kingdom.

Before Liu Changyi never had the chance to see the prince's apperance up close like this. Now he was standing on the side, he could catch a glimpse of the prince from a short distance and immediately he realized that Zhao Yuanzhang was a person who blessed by heaven. Both skill and physical appearance were truly unmatched. Liu Changyi couldn't stop sending the prince his admiring eyes.

When the troops entourages finally passed and far distance, Liu Changyi once again said his gratitude to the guards and started to walk toward the Liu residence in the city.

When he arrived in the residence, Liu Changyi met his family in the middle of having dinner.

"Hmph. Look at your son. He wandered all day seeking the herbs for all people to see how hard working he is. He even go to "Xunfu's office asking for job, clearing their library. If people doesn't now he is your son, then it doesn't matter, he can do everything he wants. But since everyone knows he is your son, everyone is talking about how vernment officer Liu Yu Hao has abandoned his son. Look at his small and thin body, they think that we don't feed him. People talk a lot behind our back that we are cruel family. They even said that I am the cause of this and I am an evil stepmother"

(Xunfu: Governor)

"Everyday selling the herbs, but not even once I see the money. I wonder for what, he was wasting the money."

His father took Chun Min Ah as his second wife when Liu Changyi was ten years old without putting his first wife's feeling into consideration. It was probably because Liu Yu Hao and Xian Li Yun's marriage was out of love to begin with.

At that time, his mother was accidentally getting pregnant with Liu Changyi out of marriage and they had to get married immediately to avoid bad talks.

After he was born, Liu Changyi always thought that his father was indifferent and put a good distance with him and his mother. When they were around, his father chose to pretend that he didn't see them at all.

When his father finally brought in a mistress in Liu residence, his mother's health began to decrease. She rarely ate, lack of sleep and distressed. It didn't take longer for her to get a serious illness and yet his father still didn't care. Until his mother couldn't hold on her misery any longer and passed away leaving Liu Changyi behind.

Few months after his mother passed away, Liu Yu Hao took his mistress as his formal wife.

Chun Min Ah was such a hypocrite. Almost everything she said was actually the complete opposite of what she did. She said she actually worried about this household image about them abandoning Liu Changyi, but actually it was actually what exactly happened.

This stepmother of his always searched for every little mistakes he did as for the reason to punish him. The said punishment was usually she would lock him up on the small room in the back courtyard.

Last year, Liu Changyi was getting tired of that kind punishment that he actually decided to move permanently to the small room.

Chun Min Ah always said that she would sent a maid to give him foods

whenever Liu Changyi was in punishment, but in reality he let Liu Changyi starved all day long.

His father gave the money to Chun Min Ah for her to manage the household, yet Liu Changyi never get any single penny from her. Selling herbs was the only option for him to continue to live on. To have something he could eat.

"Yu Hao, next month the goverment will held annual selection for goverment officials, but look at this hopeless child! I guess he doesn't even have any basic knowledge, let alone to participate in the selection. He will be eighteen soon, but still this useless. No family will be willing to marry their daughter off to him. What will we do then? Support him all his life in this house?"

Liu Changyi pretended that he heard nothing. This kind of talks Chun Min Ah said it too often. Keep silent and pretending like nothing happened was the law of survival in this house. From the corner of his eyes, Liu Changyi glanced toward his eight years old brother and six years old sister ate their food greedily, completely didn't care with everything around them.

"Did you hear what your "Niang Niang said? Do some self reflection. If you are still this useless I will kick you out from my house." His father finally talked. But it was still like usual, he would believe all Chun Min Ah's words immediately and never bother if everything was true or not.

("Niang Niang: Mother)

Liu Changyi entered his small room on the farthest courtyard in Liu residence. He turned on a small oil lamp to light the dark room and put his basket on the table.

There were not many stuff could be found on his room aside from a small bed and a pair of chair along with a small old table. There was a wooden box under the bed where he kept all his books and all kind dried herbs.

It wasn't easy to be able to own the medical books he desired when he never got any money from Liu household. Liu Changyi bought some of them from his own savings from selling the herbs and the rest was the gifts from Xunfu.

After his birth mother passed away, Liu Changyi still didn't know to make money himself. That day he just ran away from the locked small room because he was too hungry. He wandered in busy city streets and stumbled upon the Xunfu one day. Lan Yu Xiang was quite nice to him and immediately took pity on him. He brought Changyi to the Xunfu office and asked him to clean up the library in exchange for foods and silvers.

The following days, whenever Liu Changyi came to the Xunfu office, he would let Changyi to clean the library again. Apparently, Xunfu had quite many medical books collection on his library. It was the beginning Liu Changyi put his interest toward medical books after he read several books owned by Xunfu.

Seeing how interested Liu Changyi toward medical books, he let Liu Changyi borrowed his books and once in awhile he also gave out a few to Changyi.

Liu Changyi was just taking a towel and a new clothes when he heard soft knocks on his room. When he opened the door, he met with worried face of a middle age woman.

"Young master, why are you coming back so late?" She questioned. The woman was one of Liu family's maid, Qian Xiu Yun. She had been working there for twenty years. She was Liu Changyi's childhood nanny.

On these days, after Chun Min Ah became the new madam in Liu

residence, most of servants were starting treated Changyi coldly, Aunt Qian was actually the only one who kept respecting him, still considered him as her young master.

"I was stumbled upon The First Prince's troops when passed the city gate and I had to wait for awhile."

"Ah, that's good if nothing happened to you. Young master, you haven't eaten, don't you?"

When Aunt Qian said that, that was when Changyi realized that she brought two piece of breads on her hand.

Liu Changyi frowned, "Aunt Qian, if you are found out by stepmother, you will get a trouble. You shouldn't bring me foods here everytime."

"No, Madam will not found out. This is my own share, Young Master can eat it without worry."

"Thank you, I will certainly eat it later," Liu Changyi smiled.

Aunt Qian also smiled, but it looked like restrained. "Young master... Does your money is finally enough? If it haven't, this Aunt actually has a little bit savings, you can use it,"

"Aunt Qian, I can't accept that. That's your own money I will not dare to use it. You don't need to worry. There is still a month to search the money. The selection for military physician next month, I will certainly join and make Aunt Qian proud of me,"

This thing about his wish to enter military physician selection, he never told anybody aside from Aunt Qian. If he succeeded and passed the selection, he could finally get a stable job and not need to mention that being a physician was his long desired wish. He didn't need to worry about food and money anymore, and in the end he could leave Liu residence. That was Liu Changyi's the biggest dream.

The Great Zhao Imperial Palace

The Emperor sat on his working room, reading a report when Jiang Teng came to announce that Minister of Law was seeking for him.

The emperor movement paused for awhile then said, "Let him in. Tell all the guards and servants to move to the outer room and don't get close

when Zhen still in the middle of discussion with Minister of Law."

(Zhen: Self addressing himself as someone whose position are above others)

"Yes, Your Highness," Jiang Teng nodded dutifully and proceed to do what he had been told to.

When Minister of Law finally entered the room and paid respect the emperor, the ruler of the Great Zhao looked at the man with curiosity, "Shangshu", the boy Zhen asked you to find, do you finally find him?"

(Shangshu: Minister)

Wu Yi Lun, the Minister of Law bowed his head to the emperor, "Answering Your Majesty, the purpose of my visit today is to report this matter to you. I finally find the boy. He is the eldest son of a middle rank goverment officials living in the capital city. In two weeks he will be eighteen years old, just the right age for marriage. His birth mother had passed away and his father married to his previous mistress. It seems the boy relationship with his family isn't good," "Have you checked the boy's past thoroughly? Zhen can't accept if you bring the wrong person." The emperor said, pressed few tones of his words.

"Yes, Your Majesty, this boy is the right person you've been seeking for,"

When the emperor heard the answer, his facial finally showed a relief expression, "Very good, very good!"

Then he said, "Yuanzhang is back to the capital city. Zhen will immediately talk to him. Until then you prepare for everything, don't let anyone knows about the boy's past."

Minister of Law bowed respectfully, "I understand, Your Majesty."

CHAPTER 02

AN EDICT

Zhao Yuanzhang finished washing himself and then he wore a formal attire had prepared by the maid servants. He was about to go to the Imperial Palace to pay respect to his Imperial Father and The Empress.

The day before, when he just arrived at the capital city, he intended to directly heading to the Imperial Palace because it was the common custom to immediately greet the emperor. However, the emperor sent a guard for a message that the prince was allowed to pay respect the next day knowing the prince must be tired after a long journey.

When he was done with his attire, Zhao Yuanzhang headed out from the room. A maid servant immediately came to him to ask if he wanted them to serve the breakfast which he instantly rejected. He was away from the capital city almost entire year, the emperor would ask him to have breakfast with him in the Imperial Palace. That was why he got ready earlier, not wanting the Emperor had to wait for him and postponed the breakfast.

As the eldest son of the emperor, Zhao Yuanzhang was given a courtesy name and it was Qin Wang. His residence was just in the heart of the capital city, not exactly close but also wasn't that far from the Imperial Palace. He moved out from the palace at the same time when he was appointed as a general.

As he set out from his residence, a carriage had been prepared for him by his head servant, Wu Yang. There were several guards who would guard his trip to the Imperial Palace.

Zhao Yuanzhang climbed at the carriage and it wasn't long until he arrived at the Imperial Palace. Jiang Teng, the Emperor's personal eunuch and servant informed the first prince that the Emperor had been waiting for his attendance in the Garden of Luminous.

Garden of Luminous was the late empress favorite place in the entire Imperial Palace. When he was a child, Zhao Yuanzhang had spent most of his time to play here with his mother. He could understand that whenever he stepped on this garden, he would feel the sense of familiarity. However now seeing his father sat in Garden of Luminous along with another woman who wasn't his own mother nor the woman he could sense motherly feeling from, there was this uncomfortable feeling inside his heart.

Zhao Yuanzhang knelt down, "Chen-di* pays respect to Imperial Father Zhao Yuanzhang knelt down, "Chen-di* pays respect to Imperial Father and Imperial Mother."

(Chen-di: self-addressing himself as servant and someone low)

The emperor accepted his respect and then let him sat in front of him. A moment later, several maids came forward and put tea and dishes on the table.

Zhao Yuanzhang then slowly reached for the tea kettle and poured the tea for the emperor and the empress.

"All of your accomplishments while you stationed in the border had been reported to me. Zhen really had no regret leaving you to handle the border,"

(Zhen: The emperor self-addressing as someone whose position above others)

"Eldest prince's accomplishment while working in the border is indeed undeniable. I heard that the border is more peaceful now. The farmers in the border land are now feeling at ease to plant their farm because there is no conflict and bandits who try to rob their harvest," The empress added just right after the emperor had done talking.

Zhao Yuanzhang glanced toward the empress's fake smile but said nothing since he was getting used to seeing it for these past years. Instead he said humbly, pretended like nothing happened, "Imperial Mother said too much praise chen-di doesn't deserve. It was Imperial Father who carefully thought of the everything while chen-di just follow what was instructed."

"Even though someone denies his own accomplishments, it will not stop other people from telling the stories. Eldest Prince is so humble and talented, as the Great Zhao's young general, every year more and more soldiers wish to join Eldest Prince's troops.

Under Eldest Prince war's flag, I wonder how many soldiers Eldest Prince leads now?" The Empress chuckled, "I wonder if Eldest Prince's troops are larger in number compare to the soldiers under the Emperor himself,"

Zhao Yuanzhang's eyes slightly darkened. Ever since he was being entitled as the general to lead his own troops, the Empress was getting anxious. Her biological son, Zhao Yifeng was younger than Yuanzhang by a few months. Yet those few months difference was being a curse for the pair of mother and son who desired the throne Son of Heaven, the majestic dragon throne.

It was a custom was to take the eldest son from the formal wife to be the crown prince, the heir of the throne.

When Hua Yun Li was just Imperial Noble Consort, she couldn't dream to make Zhao Yifeng sat on the throne since she was just a consort. But then the late empress passed away and she succeeded the position as the empress, she naturally thought that her son should get a fair chance to be the crown prince as well.

When Zhao Yuanzhang was entitled as a general five years ago, Zhao Yifeng was inaugurated at the same time as the head of Junji Chu who lead five Junji Dachen". Ever since then, Zhao Yifeng kept strengthen his influence among the councils and officials. His opinions took very big part in each decisions made by the councils. Not to mention, the Imperial Father quite fond of him as well and always listened to everything he said.

(Junji Chu: Royal Council, Junji Dachen: Great Ministers)

Zhao Yuanzhang being in the battlefield, defending the Great Zhao from the front line, he was far away from the capital. While Zhao Yifeng and his mother kept deepened their root in the palace, the eldest prince's influence was lessened in the court.

With that result, it didn't mean that the Empress and his half-brother would immediately be satisfied. They felt anxious about Zhao Yuanzhang's accomplishments and felt threatened by military power gained by the eldest prince.

In the end, the Empress and Zhao Yifeng were doing every plans possible to diverse Zhao Yuanzhang's military power. Several negative issues to succeed their plans were brought up. Last year, Zhao Yifeng said in front of the councils that the goverment spent too much money on providing the troops near the border. He stated that some of the soldiers were wasting the military budget for drinking and paid for women. On another time, Zhao Yifeng also inflicted that it wasn't good for someone to hold a big portion of military power since it would raise suspicions and possibility of coup d'etat.

Zhao Yuanzhang was so tired of those baseless accusations but he knew that he couldn't be careless. "Aifei", what did you trying to say to Yuanzhang? Many soldiers are willingly want to follow him, isn't it a good thing? Doesn't it mean that the Great Zhao will have a formidable general in the future?" The Emperor interrupted.

(Aifei: Royal wife)

Zhao Yuanzhang saw how the empress' expression showed a deep frown. These past years, many of them started to realize that the emperor looked like he was lead by the nose by his own wife. He rarely objected what Hua Yun Li said. Now she was being reprimanded by the emperor in front of Zhao Yuanzhang for the first time, of course she was upset.

Her upset expression didn't last long though. Once she realized the hidden meaning of the emperor's words, her face immediately brightened.

Zhao Yuanzhang also naturally realized. About who would be the emperor chose to be the crown prince, it seemed the Imperial Father had set his mind. If Zhao Yuanzhang only would be the general in the future, most likely it was Zhao Yifeng who would be the next Son of Heaven.

"Yes, Chen-qie was wrong. How is it not a good thing, having a general with several thousand soldiers, The Great Zhao will be feared up by another countries," The Empress stated cheerfully. Finally clear about the emperor's choice would be her son, Hua Yun Li was no longer interested with Zhao Yuanzhang's soldiers.

"Now let's put the troops matters aside, Zhen has something important to say to Yuanzhang. You already twenty five this year, Zhen wants you immediately settle down. Even though Yifeng also doesn't formally married yet, but he already has few concubines, meanwhile you always refuse. Zhen doesn't want you feel lonely, that's why Zhen already chose a bride for you and he would be your first and official wife. This matter, you aren't allowed to reject,"

(She and he are pronounced the same in Chinese so Yuanzhang doesn't realize about the gender of his future bride.)

Zhao Yuanzhang already knew this matter would be brought up sooner or later, so he didn't too surprised and listened it calmly. Actually when he was about to set a trip back to capital city, he already knew that this was a matter that he could no longer avoid.

"Almost eighteen years ago, Zhen and your birth mother stumbled upon a civilian mother and her baby in a journey. Accidentally we were attacked by a group of fearsome bandits at the same time. This civilian mother helped us and we were indebted to her. Zhen silently promised that Zhen would take her baby to be married off with my son. Zhen will send an edict about the marriage decision to the boy, within these days he will be here and Zhen will prepare a grand wedding ceremony by that time."

After the emperor's long explanation, Zhao Yuanzhang finally realized that he wasn't about to marry a daughter of one of ministers but to a son of unknown family. This marriage was basically a cut off to every possibilities of Yuanzhang heiring the throne. His official wife would be a man and he would never have his own offspring from him. Based on the Great Zhao's laws, the prince who had no son from his official wife wouldn't be able to be the heir to avoid the break off of Zhao's pure lineage.

The emperor's words seemed surprised the empress too. But immediately she was hiding her big smile.

Zhao Yuanzhang's expression was unreadable. He was being unjustified by his own Imperial Father but he couldn't say anything. This was still the Emperor and his Imperial Father. Ignoring the pinch he could feel inside his heart, he said, "Chen-di accepted Imperial Father's decision and grateful of Your Highness's thoughtfulness." That morning Zhao Yuanzhang was barely able to swallow his own breakfast. Everything just tasted bitter.

Liu Changyi was at lost. A dozen of Imperial Guards came to Liu residence to guard a goverment official who would deliver the Emperor's edict. The edict itself stated that the eldest child of Liu family was chosen to marry the eldest prince of the Great Zhao. If they dared to refuse, it would be seen as a crime and severe punishment would be given to the whole Liu Family.

Liu Yu Hao was also so confused. He glanced toward Liu Changyi several times and still couldn't understand anything, "Sir, is it possible that this is just a mistake? My oldest child is a man. I have no daughter who is in marriage age. I only have a daughter and she is only six years old."

"It is clearly your son the one that being mentioned in the edict. Your Majesty the Emperor wouldn't make such a mistake, do you try to ridicule the Emperor's decision, Official Liu?"

Liu Yu Hao hastily kneeled down. "Sir, I dare not!"

"Then we will give a day to your son to prepare, tomorrow we will departure to Your Highness Qin Wang's residence and preparing for the grand wedding,"

When the Imperial Guards left the residence, Liu Changyi was in daze. He still couldn't grasp on the current situation. With mind as empty as the air, he packed his clothes, few important books, and his highly treasured various kind of herbs.

By the time he almost finished, Aunt Qian entered Liu Changyi's room and saw that the boy she used to take care was dazedly sat on his small bed.

"The person I'm about to marry is really the Great Zhao's eldest prince?"

Liu Changyi asked without blinking, his words were barely heard since it almost as quiet as whispers. "The one I met earlier in the city's gate?"

"I'm supposed to enter the military physician selection next month, this is....

"I'm a man, why do they want me to be the eldest prince's wife? Is it possible?"

Aunt Qian knew that her young master just rambling to himself. She wanted to help Young Master to calm his mind, however she also didn't know how to. The emperor wanted Liu Changyi to be the eldest prince's wife, this was indeed very strange.

"Aunt Qian," Aunt Qian heard her name being called by Young Master found that the boy was staring at her with his big desperate eyes, "If... if I run away now, is it possible?"

CHAPTER 03

WHY THIS WANG FEI IS SO PITIFUL?

Ran away was obviously wasn't an option, Liu Changyi knew it since beginning.

Ran away with what? He didn't even had horse but he wanted to outrun the highly trained soldiers and Imperial Guards? He didn't have enough money for a long journey and he didn't have anyone to ask for help. Before he could manage to leave capital city, he must being dragged down to the jail and his whole family and everyones related would be killed.

Liu Changyi didn't really care about his family, though. But Aunt Qian would also suffered because his actions, he couldn't do that to this kind woman.

In the end, Liu Changyi still ended with a red wedding attire and sat alone in his new room. The wedding ceremony was held extravagantly knowing that it was the marriage of the first prince of The Great Zhao. They finished three sacred kowtowing between the newlyweds, exchanged a cup of marriage wine and recited their oaths. Because his husband's titled was Qin Wang, from now on Liu Changyi would be titled as "Qin Wang Fei.

(Qin Wang: Qin Wang's wife, the formal wife of residence's master)

During the ceremony, the guests were making weird expressions on their faces. Liu Changyi never heard it himself before about a man marrying another man. Not even in the countless books he read. He only knew that few people were seeking for pleasure between man to man, but that was it all. After all, a man would never give birth to a heir, and now the first prince of the Great Zhao himself was taking a man as his wife. It was strange indeed.

However no one dared to directly said their problematic minds. This was the emperor's edict, the mandate from Son of Heaven.

"Young master... " Aunt Qian knocked on the newlywed couple's door. It was almost midnight and the wedding ceremony had done since few hours ago. She knew that "Wang Ye, the eldest prince hadn't comeback yet.

(Wang Ye: The husband/the master of a residence)

During the ceremony, she noticed that her young master didn't really touch any food. They supposed to have the dinner as a couple in their newlywed's room, but because the husband never entered the room, the dishes was still untouched on the table.

"Should I bring you a bread to eat first? Probably Wang Ye is still celebrating and will be back quite late. Young master hasn't eat anything..."

Because Liu Changyi was so frightened, when the Imperial Guards came to fetch him the other day, his body was trembling so violently. Even though he tried to keep a strong face, he couldn't manage it until the end. He could only begged to Aunt Qian to accompany him to live in Qin Wang residence. Being with someone who he was familiar with in his new life, in this new house, at least could calm his chaotic heart a little bit.

To believe that the first prince were still celebrating and would come back later, Liu Changyi knew that he was just going to delude himself. For the first time he could see the eldest prince's face up close on their ceremony, he immediately noticed that the seemed highly hostile eyes the man sent at him. Liu Changyi was hated, he knew that.

Liu Changyi glanced at the served dishes on the table. It must be already cold by now. He was indeed feeling hungry but he had no appetite. To hunger himself by one day or two wasn't something new to Liu Changyi, so he still shake his head.

"Aunt Qian, imperial family is a family with a thousand rules, I think you should change the way you addressing me and we can't afford to break any rule here. If Wang Ye hasn't comeback yet, then I can't eat,"

"Ah, yes... Wang Fei," Even though Aunt Qian was feeling sad seeing her young master, but she couldn't do anything. There was some truth in what her young master said. Young master had married the master of this residence, but it didn't seem he wouldn't get any authority here. They would get into trouble if they weren't being careful.

Liu Changyi then let Aunt Qian to retreat and rest for the night.

Zhao Yuanzhang didn't come to the room, only when the morning came he entered. Entire night he stayed on his study room. He expected that he would find Liu Changyi would be still sleeping since it was still early but in surprise he found the smaller man was sitting quietly on the bed. There was dark complexion around his eyes from staying up all night.

He looked like that he was still in dazed for a moment and then in flustered manners he stood up and bow his head respectfully, "Your Highness..."

Liu Changyi only said that and didn't say anything anymore. He only kept his head hanging low.

Zhao Yuanzhang glanced at the untouched foods on the table. Don't say that he didn't eat anything last night!?

Zhao Yuanzhang didn't know if this Wang Fei was stupid or dumb, they served him food in front of him but he chose hunger himself all night long.

Cleared his throat awkwardly, Zhao Yuanzhang made a small nonchalant sound. "Hm," then said, "Today we have to go to the Imperial Palace and pay respect to the Emperor and the Empress, quickly get ready,"

"Yes, I understand,"

Zhao Yuanzhang immediately went to wash himself and getting ready. After a short moment he already sat on a table in the outer room with breakfast had been served. However he still needed to wait for Liu Changyi.

His Wang Fei came just after a short moment later, but his appearance made Zhao Yuanzhang furious, "What is the meaning of this?! That kind of clothes, do you want to make me ashamed in the Imperial Palace? This Wang is the eldest prince of The Great Zhao, you dare to ridicule me!" What kind of clothes it was? Even by just one glance Zhao Yuanzhang knew that it was a cheap and and old attire. The prince knew that his Wang Fei was the eldest son of a middle rank goverment officials, at least he could still afford a clothes better than this.

Liu Changyi stepped back and shrinking his body, looking equally frightened like a little rabbit in front of a wolf. He knew that his clothes was not decent enough to enter the Imperial Palace but this was the best pair he had. No one in Qin Wang residence had prepared clothes for him and he was too afraid to ask for one, so in the end he still chose to wear what he had.

"Then..." Liu Changyi glanced sideway, trembling a little as he asked, "Can I borrow one of Your Highness's clothes? The one Your Highness no longer use is fine..."

Zhao Yuanzhang stunned. He was silent for a moment, then coughing and called for the head of servants in Qin Wang residence, "Wu Yang!"

A man of around forty years old immediately entered the room. "Yes, Wang Ye,"

"Call few maids here and help Wang Fei to get dressed. What kind of negligence is this? Why is there nobody to serve him here?" Zhao Yuanzhang was clearly annoyed.

"Ah... " Wu Yang looked confused for a short moment, before get himself collected, "Ah, yes... I beg your pardon, Wang Ye. This is my own mistake. I absentmindedly forgot to appoint the maids to serve Wang Fei,"

Truth to be told, it was Zhao Yuanzhang who forgot about this detail. But how could he know that his Wang Fei was this poor, a single decent clothes he didn't even have. However in front of Liu Changyi, he needed to save some faces and threw the blame on Wu Yang.

Because Liu Changyi got the trouble to change his entire clothes once again, they ended up late. Zhao Yuanzhang had a little breakfast while Liu Changyi was changing, but by the time Liu Changyi was ready they no longer had time to wait for him to have breakfast.

A luxurious carriage already waited for them in front of the residence.

Zhao Yuanzhang looked like he was in deep thought and didn't immediately enter the carriage. He looked back at his Wang Fei who kept a safe distance between them cautiously and obediently said nothing.

"Sigh... Wu Yang, tell someone to bring few steamed buns and bottle of water here. Be quick!"

Liu Changyi blinked his eyes and still said nothing. He followed Zhao Yuanzhang to enter the carriage sat on the far end of the opposite side where the eldest prince sat. Just when the carriage about to move, Wu Yang handed what his master asked.

Liu Changyi hung his head low. It was his fault they were late. He thought it was because Zhao Yuanzhang wasn't full yet that was why he asked for the food. He just stared dumbfoundedly when Zhao Yuanzhang put the food and the water in front of him.

"Eat!"

"Isn't this for Your Highness? You only ate a little earlier..."

Zhao Yuanzhang sent his Wang Fei a sharp glare, "Eat!!"

Liu Changyi flinched by the loud voice. Hastily he took a steamed bun and ate it. After several of bites, "This is so delicious." He whispered, "The most delicious steamed bun I ever tasted. Thank you, Your Highness...."

That was just a mere steamed bun, right?

Zhao Yuanzhang deeply frowned. This made him very annoyed. Why this Wang Fei of his looked so pitiful?

CHAPTER 04

A SMALL SIGN OF CONCERN

Entering the Imperial Palace, Liu Changyi was in awe. This was the first time he entered such a grand buildings. Several times in a year, in special occasion annual harvesting festival, civilian were allowed to enter the Imperial Palace. However his father never brought Liu Changyi along whenever he went to the palace. Only for few times he had a chance to pass in front of the Imperial Palace's gate, never knowing the situation inside.

This time, even though he felt the amazement, Liu Changyi didn't dare to show it so blatantly. He didn't dare to show his excitement because it would only making the prince embarrassed.

The emperor also invited the newlywed couple to the Garden of Luminous. They were taking turn for few times from the main palace until they reached the garden. Upon reached the garden, Zhao Yuanzhang kneeled down and said his greeting, "Chen-di pays respect for Imperial Father and Imperial Mother,"

Liu Changyi was copying Zhao Yuanzhang's gestures and also said his greeting.

The palace maids served them tea once they sat down. Although Liu Changyi didn't too familiar with the mannerisms in the Imperial Palace, but something like pouring the tea for the elders was just a common manner, he knew how to do it. "Your Majesty, let me help to pour the tea, " Liu Changyi filled the cups for the emperor and the empress first before later filled up Zhao Yuanzhang's cup under his scrutinizing's eyes.

Zhao Yuanzhang of course still had this unpleasant looks on his face, he glanced somewhere else as long as it wasn't toward Liu Changyi. The young boy obviously realize about his husband's gesture and cautiously kept his distance from the annoyed man. On the contrary, in front of him, the empress seemed in a constant happiness with everything.

"Your Majesty, our Yuanzhang's Wang Fei is very polite and has a good temprament, you chose the right person for Yuanzhang, ah." The empress commented, he smiled at Liu Changyi.

The emperor cleared his throat, no matter what, there was this guilty feeling inside of his heart for throwing a male wife to his own son. Now the empress wanted to rub the salt on the prince's still fresh wound, the emperor wouldn't cooperate with her. He chose to change the topic entirely.

"Qian Wang Fei," The emperor called Liu Changyi, "Your husband is the Great Zhao's general. Even though he is married now, in one month or two, he has to be stationed in the border again and leave the capital city for the time being. Zhen knows that this is not going to be easy for you, you just married and later you have to be alone like a widow, but Zhen hopes you understand this situation and continue to support Yuanzhang,"

To tell the truth, instead of feeling sad, Liu Changyi felt relief knowing that his husband would go in near time. This marriage was beyond hope. If they parted away, they could avoid the awkwardness between them.

"Imperial Father shouldn't worry about this, Your Highness' Eldest Prince's situation, Chen-di understand it very well. Chen-di will try to the best of my ability to not being a burden to Wang Ye and continue to support him," It was an amazement Liu Changyi was able to say that without stuttering. After a long tension, somehow he started to feel a strange calmness now.

"When the Eldest Prince is away, if Wang Fei is feeling lonely, you can search for me anytime. You are now. the wife of a master's residence. The feeling of staying inside managing the household's affairs, Imperial Mother knows it the most. Qian Wang Fei can pour your feeling on me without feeling embarrassed." The empress added.

Liu Changyi threw small glance at the empress' smiling face. She said something that intended to show her concern but she looked like she wasn't even a bit concerned.

Probably because Liu Changyi was living with his step mother for too long, seeing everything in silence from the side lines and being a quiet observer, he was quickly catch up for something fake. He immediately knew that the empress was faking his kindness.

Out of formality, he just said, "Imperial Mother, chen-di is very thankful of Imperial Mother's concern."

After few exchanged of small talks, the emperor and Zhao Yuanzhang continued talking about military and the border situation for a short moment before later the emperor had to go to attend the morning court, excusing the newlywed couple to leave.

Liu Changyi originally thought that from the garden of luminous, they would head back to Qin Wang's residence immediately. But in the way, Zhao Yuanzhang took a detour and headed to a small temple. After they arrived there, Liu Changyi realized that it was a small stele for the late empress, Zhao Yuanzhang's birth mother.

Zhao Yuanzhang didn't talk to him at all and acted that he wasn't there, so Liu Changyi just quietly imitated everything Zhao Yuanzhang did. When the eldest prince knelt down, Liu Changyi also knelt down. When Zhao Yuanzhang burned incense, Liu Changyi was also doing the same.

When they were done, once again without saying anything Zhao Yuanzhang left. This time Liu Changyi didn't immediately follow him. He was waiting for a little longer until Zhao Yuanzhang was far enough. He stayed and looked back at the memorial stele table.

Liu Changyi clasped his palms together and positioned them in front of his chest. Closed his eyes, Liu Changyi said, "Imperial mother, I'm your son in law. I know it's not good to be a male wife but I can't do anything about this situation right now. Even though Wang Ye and chen-di will never have a normal marriage and there is no love between us, I pray to Imperial mother in law, at least let Wang Ye be a little kind to me."

Liu Changyi said his pray and quickly stood up. He followed the track where Zhao Yuanzhang headed to earlier. When he reached where their carriage had been waited, Zhao Yuanzhang was already there with sour face.

"What took you so long? Are you a snail?"

Liu Changyi was just softly apologizing and climbed to the carriage, said nothing about his reason for being late.

Since a long time ago, Liu Changyi had an understanding inside his mind that it was not necessary to explain himself to someone who hated him. In the end it would be useless, it was better to just directly apologize and avoid the conflict.

Zhao Yuanzhang would never act like a not sensible person. Even though he wasn't happy with his current situation, he couldn't completely threw all the blame on Liu Changyi when it wasn't his fault either.

His cold demeanors and harsh words to his Wang Fei weren't really because he hated the boy. The eldest prince was just upset with the whole situation and Liu Changyi was an easy target to put his grudge on. He was being unfair to the boy.

Zhao Yuanzhang knew that he made a mistake when he saw that Liu Changyi wore that cheap clothes earlier. They had been married only for one day, yet Zhao Yuanzhang already realized that his Wang Fei was really obedient. Liu Changyi didn't impose his space and forcibly threw himself on Zhao Yuanzhang's way. If anything, he was really cautious of his surrounding. He seemed a person who was so easy to be bullied.

Originally Zhao Yuanzhang didn't want to concern himself with Liu Changyi's matter in the household of Qin Wang's residence. But if he didn't put his hand on this matter, Zhao Yuanzhang knew that Liu Changyi would get ignored and he wouldn't be respected.

After they arrived back at the Qin Wang residence, Zhao Yuanzhang called all the servants and maids to gather in a room.

Zhao Yuanzhang signaled Liu Changyi who stood by the door to sit along. besides him. He faced to the front and stared at the maids and servants.

"Today I'm no longer a single person. I've been married now and this is my Wang Fei here, and as long as he is my Wang Fei then he is also a master in this residence. I expect you all to treat him with respect. Everything about Qin Wang residence's household matters will be Wang Fei's responsibility and you must assist him with it,"

Zhao Yuanzhang told several sentences to the maids and servants, Liu Changyi was immediately surprised. He thought that Zhao Yuanzhang would never acknowledge him as his Wang Fei.

At first Liu Changyi expected that he would be someone whose existence ignored in this residence. Zhao Yuanzhang didn't favor him and he had no ability to give Zhao Yuanzhang a heir, the servants and maids wouldn't see any good future in serving him. The servants and maids had mind on their own, they usually refused to serve someone who didn't bring any advantage to them.

Now Zhao Yuanzhang let all the servants and maids acknowledged him as their master, it was like an assurance for him. Liu Changyi could live at ease in the residence. No one would dare to bully him or made him starving. It seemed prayed in front of Imperial Mother in Law's memorial stele was really effective. In less than an hour Zhao Yuanzhang already changed his attitude. Liu Changyi was very grateful. Later he would go to burn incenses for Imperial Mother in Law's memorial stele again.

After the matters with servants and maids were settled, Zhao Yuanzhang asked for a talk just between the two of them.

"You... what do you think about this marriage?" Zhao Yuanzhang questioned Liu Changyi.

Liu Changyi pondered for a moment. Truthfully speaking, he thought that this marriage was very strange. He heard about the emperor was indebted to his birth mother, but Liu Changyi wasn't sure if his mother had the capability of ever done something that great until make a king indebted to marry his eldest son to a man. However, his doubts, Liu Changyi couldn't tell this to anyone. Their marriage was the emperor's edict, it was a treason to doubt it.

Liu Changyi wasn't familiar with the palace's intrigues, but he was sure his marriage was one of it. This marriage must be a chaos caused by imperial family's struggling for powers and position.

"This marriage..." Liu Changyi thought a lot about this when he was alone. Even last night when he was wide awake all night long, this what he was thinking off, "Has no future and shouldn't be last long," He continued with small voice.

There was a relief expression on Zhao Yuanzhang's expression knowing that Liu Changyi understood their situation. "That's true," He agreed.

"Hum," Liu Changyi hummed. As long as he could live safely here, he could wait patiently until there was an opening to cut this marriage. His dream to be military physician was no longer possible, but at least he could live as an ordinary physician who had his own clinic and stall.

Liu Changyi knew that his patient was as tall as a mountain. He lived in silence, never object, never causing trouble in order to survive in Liu Residence. He thought that as long as he could endure everything he would had a chance to collect money so he could reach his dream.

This time he was thrown in another situation where he had to test his patient, Liu Changyi only could continue to endure.

CHAPTER 05

AMUSEMENT AND HATRED

Ever since he was a child, Zhao Yuanzhang was always an excellent archer. Even on his ordinary days he still often practice to hone his archery skill. Today wasn't an exception.

In the late afternoon once he was done with all military matters, he went to the practice ground in the back yard of Qin Wang residence and practiced for few hours.

The last arrow he shot just pierced through the target when he heard a round of applause.

"Your skill is getting better, isn't it? It's getting so much faster too,"

"It's just a little faster, but I need to work more on the accuracy," Zhao Yuanzhang answered.

"Don't be too hard on yourself, it's not good too much pressure on yourself."

"You bother yourself to come here, Uncle Xu. You must be tired, let sit down for awhile," The eldest prince added and then led the man he called as Uncle Xu to a small pavilion.

"That's true. I know I'm getting old and I'm getting tired easily. I suppose to already rest peacefully at home and no longer have to tired myself with government affairs anymore. But how can I be at peace? A certain someone is just too calm seeing his rightful throne being given away by his own father to his another son,"

Zhao Yuanzhang laughed hearing Uncle Xu's attempt to quip him. The prince didn't feel annoyed by the slightest from the old man remark.

"It's the dragon throne, whoever will be sitting on it is the heaven's will," He said jokingly.

"Oh, I don't know that the eldest prince is so generous, even his rightful throne he doesn't mind being snatched away." Uncle Xu mocked.

Ordinary people wouldn't talk straightforwardly like this to one of imperial family, not to mention that he was the eldest prince of The Great Zhao. But this was Xu Yan Mo, the emperor's closest friend who had been appointed by the emperor himself in charge of Zhao Yuanzhang's education in his childhood days. Uncle Xu was like the second father for Zhao Yuanzhang.

Zhao Yuanzhang sighed. "What kind of person my father is, I think Uncle Xu know it the most. What kind of person I am, Uncle Xu is the one who know the most." He stared to empty air and continue, "I think Imperial Father has something on his mind,"

"I'm growing up together with your father. When he wasn't an emperor yet, people used to say that your father and I were twins with different parents. What he had on his mind, I naturally know about it. But nowadays I can't seem understand him anymore." Uncle Xu fondled on his beard and said again, "Marrying a man to his eldest child was a form of unfairness from an emperor. You could file an objection and asking for the royals and the councils support. Even though you have been away from the Imperial Palace's court for so long, it doesn't mean that there is anyone in the Imperial Palace who is still on your side. I could assist you to form a group to support you yet you refused, saying that you wanted to go with your father's decision. It's not only the emperor's mind I no longer understand, but I also fail to understand yours."

Zhao Yuanzhang chuckled. "Don't stress yourself over this problem of mine, Uncle Xu. You said it yourself that it's not good to put pressure on yourself too much. My reason is quite clear by accepting this marriage. These recent years Imperial Mother and Zhao Yifeng had tried pestering my troops. They tried to cut off the budget and provisions when the situation was already hard enough for the soldiers near the border. They had been doing that because the felt threatened by my troops. Now I'm marrying a man, they no longer saw me as their main threat, my soldiers can breath with ease for a moment,"

"This intention of yours, I also understand it. However is it worthed to sacrifice your own future for your soldiers,"

Zhao Yuanzhang was smiling, "I am the Great Zhao's general now, Uncle Xu. I should put my soldiers on my priority,"

Xu Yan Mo stared at the young man in front of him. The smile on his face, it wasn't a simple smile at all. He knew that the eldest prince had something on his mind. The man internally frowned, he felt like he really couldn't catch up with the pair of father and son at all.

Trying to look at it from every aspect, aside from the safety for his soldiers, Zhao Yuanzhang was marrying a man only could bring disadvantages. Unless, this male wife later died and the eldest prince could take another woman as his formal wife.

Could it be Zhao Yuanzhang only taking the advantage from marrying a man and used him to shield his soldiers? Could it be he really had an arrangement to eliminate his own Wang Fei later?

"I've been here for awhile, but I do not see a glimpse of Qin Wang Fei. Where is he?"

Just a minute earlier, Xu Yan Mo had suspicion of Zhao Yuanzhang would arrange to assassinate his own Wang Fei, but in the next minute Zhao Yuanzhang made him dumbfounded after seeing his amusing smile upon remembering his Wang Fei.

"Qin Wang Fei is very fond of medic and he seems knowledgeable of many kind of herbs. The only thing he asked from wasn't fancy clothes or jewelries, instead he asked a small room for storage and a garden where he could plant his herbs. He is busy all day long, locking himself in that room. I also can see him too often," Zhao Yuanzhang laughed with amusement.

The way Zhao Yuanzhang talked about his Wang Fei was bringing Xu Yan Mo to another level of confuse. Zhao Yuanzhang hated his male wife or not, it was no longer clear.

Behind the main room in his residence, there was a small pond. Usually Zhao Yuanzhang often took a bath there whenever he wanted to relax himself. It wasn't different this time, he walked toward the pond with mediate pace, wanting to take a small time to fresh up in the pond.

However his steps halted midway. From he stood he could see someone's back half covered by strain of long black hair. That back was very thin and it made few bones seemed protruding prominently. The skin itself was so pale, not that pretty with several grazed bruishes from old cuts and wounds.

Zhao Yuanzhang cleared his throat and making it loud so he could be heard. The man inside the pond turned back in surprise. Zhao Yuanzhang immediately faced with his Wang Fei's shocked face, flat and pale chest, prominent ribs and the same grazing bruishes from old wounds.

Zhao Yuanzhang frowned, "If you want to use this pond, can you make sure to use it in different time with me. That...." The eldest prince stopped a moment only continue while threw his face away, "That male body of yours, disgust me."

Upon hearing the words, Liu Changyi was scrambled out from the pond in panic. He carelessly reached for a towel and covered all of his body from Zhao Yuanzhang's sight.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness... I thought Your Highness had..... finished taking the bath... U... usually... it's... earlier?"

Liu Changyi's words were in mess. He was still in panic and he was stuttering badly. However when he lifted his face, he met a cold gaze of Zhao Yuanzhang. Liu Changyi immediately realized that the eldest prince wasn't interested hearing his explanation.

Biting his own lips, Liu Changyi gripped tighter on the towel covering his body. "I'm sorry, Your Highness..." He whispered softly before leaving the pond in hurry.

CHAPTER 06

SPARKLING EYES

One day, Zhao Yuanzhang met with his two childhood friends. One of them was the son of The Great Zhao's minister and the other one was the son of a council officer. They grew up together in around the palace's environment.

During their teenage days, they also used to learn in military camp together and pretty close with each other. After the three of them reached adulthood, they had to separated because they worked in different places.

He Tian Shu was entering the military army just like Zhao Yuanzhang. Meanwhile Zhao Yuanzhang was a general of The Great Zhao, He Tian Shu also almost reached the peak of his military carrier and become a vice general. It was just so unfortunate after so many years of joining military, they never had a chance to be on duty in the same place.

Jin Yuan entered the imperial annual examination and passed the exam then later he became a government officials when he was still twenty years old. Ever since then he had been working in Jinliang province in the southern area of The Great Zhao.

For the three of them were be able to meet like this again in the capital city of the Great Zhao, it was really a miracle. That was why, when the two of them invited him out for a drink, Zhao Yuanzhang couldn't refuse them at all.

"Your Highness, drink more." Jin Yuan said with a smile on his face while poured wine on Zhao Yuanzhang's cup.

Even though they were close friends, status and royalty hierarchy couldn't be ignored, naturally Zhao Yuanzhang's friends couldn't casually call him by his own name.

"That is enough, I drank quite much already, you too, don't get too wasted." Zhao Yuanzhang refused. Jin Yuan always created trouble whenever he was drunk.

"Ah, Your Highness, all these years how can you still be so well reserved like this?" Jin Yuan complained and then moved a bit closer to Zhao Yuanzhang and whispered, "This shop provides many famous beauty, don't you want to try one or two of them?"

Between the three of them, Jin Yuan was always the rebellious type. When they where still teenagers, Jin Yuan often dragged them to make some troubles and they ended getting punishment together.

"Jin Yuan, don't you remember your wife in Jinliang? I thought you said she is few months pregnant?" He Tian Shu frowned.

"This is because she is pregnant! Ever since she has this child inside her stomach, she always find a reason to refuse me. I start to feel deprived. When she is pregnant, I want to respect her feeling and doesn't want to bring in a mistress yet. Paying for a woman is a simple temporary solution for my sexual problems." Jin Yuan reasoned with a grin.

Zhao Yuanzhang chuckled, even after they grew up, Jin Yuan personality had never changed.

"I really feel sorry for your wife," He Tian Shu commented followed by a snort. After a short moment he glanced at Zhao Yuanzhang, "Your Highness, how is your marriage? I know I don't have a right to ask something personal like this, but let me ask you this as your friend,"

"Right! Right! Your Highness, how can you tolerate for having a man as your wife? He certainly can't serve you! You just getting married but can't find a relief. Let's just order a beauty from this shop!" Jin Yuan said excitedly.

Jin Yuan could be quite stubborn when he was drunk. He didn't want to hear Zhao Yuanzhang and He Tian Shu's refusal at all and immediately went by himself to look for the shop owner. He ordered three women, one for each of them.

That night, Zhao Yuanzhang despite reluctantly, entered a room in the shop. There was a girl had been sitting on the bed, a girl who was well known as the shop's number one beauty.

One look on her face, Zhao Yuanzhang immediately understood why people called her number one beauty. She had a pair big and alluring eyes, her nose was small and sharp, and pretty lips like a thin rose petals. She dressed in beautiful see-through pink robe where Zhao Yuanzhang could see a glimpse of her white and fair skin.

The girl immediately stood up and approached Zhao Yuanzhang. Her movements were seductive and her eyes fluttered naughtily. "Your Highness," She threw herself on Zhao Yuanzhang's chest and laid her head there.

Zhao Yuanzhang moved his hand to circle around the girl's body and slowly led the girl to walk back to the bed. They sat together on the bed, facing with each other. The girl hung her face down shyly as Zhao Yuanzhang touched the hem of her robe and pried it open. "Ah, Sir... You are quite aggressive, don't you?" The girl laughed as she felt Zhao Yuanzhang kissed her neck.

"Hm, don't you like it?" Zhao Yuanzhang said.

The girl laughed again, "Yes, I like it, ah..."

"What's your name?" The eldest prince asked as he snuggled closer to the girl.

"Liu Xian Yi, Sir...Ah, it tickles! Hmmm... Sir?" The minute before, the man above her still touched her naughtily, but the other minute, all his movement suddenly stopped.

Zhao Yuanzhang moved away from the girl and his face suddenly darkened.

The girl leaned closer to Zhao Yuanzhang and softly touched his shoulder, "Why do you stop, Sir? We just getting started,"

This girl's name was Liu Xian Yi. The girl's name made Zhao Yuanzhang immediately remember of his Wang Fei and just like a light being switched on, he could see Liu Changyi's figure on his mind, most of all it was the young man's obedient and innocent face. Instantly he felt the heaviness weighing on his heart and he didn't feel like to entertain this girl anymore.

Harshly Zhao Yuanzhang brushed off the girl's hand, "Is there anything you want to say to me?" Zhao Yuanzhang eyed the girl sharply.

"What... what do you mean, Sir?"

"If there is nothing, then that's fine too. I will just search it by myself for whom you are working for,"

Zhao Yuanzhang could see that the girl's face changed from confuse to panic. "Sir... I... please, listen... I..."

Zhao Yuanzhang didn't care at all. He stood up and turned out to leave the room. This girl, he would ask someone to deal with her later, after all he didn't want to harsh-handledly a girl on his own. However, before he reached the door, he could feel a sharp object being embedded on his back followed by the feel of stinging pain.

The eldest prince turned back and gripped the girl's arm. A small blade immediately fell to the floor. Zhao Yuanzhang glared, "How dare you!!! Guards!!"

Zhao Yuanzhang only needed to shout once and his two shadow bodyguards immediately bragged in to the room and pulled the girl away from him.

"No, Your Highness... I'm sorry... I was forced to do this..."

Zhao Yuanzhang refused to listen. "Drag her to the jail." He told his guards.

Because of the incident, there were a loud noise came from Zhao Yuanzhang's room. Jin Yuan and He Tian Shu were hastily come because of the noise. They were very shocked upon reaching the room and saw the mess in the room Jin Yuan had rented for Zhao Yuanzhang.

"What happened?" Jin Yuan asked in confuse.

However, He Tian Shu's eyes were narrowed as he notice something, "Your Highness.... You are bleeding."

When He Tian Shu said that, Zhao Yuanzhang realized once again that the stinging pain was still there. He didn't seriously injured, but he felt his head kept spinning and spinning. After awhile, he lose his consciousness.

By the time he got conscious again, Zhao Yuanzhang already laid sideway on his own bed in Qin Wang residence. There was a senior imperial physician who was in the middle of applying medicine on his wound.

Liu Changyi stood behind the imperial physician as he stood close to observe the old man was doing his work. There was a deep frown on the young man's face as he kept looking at the wound.

Three days had passed after the incident in the pond, when Zhao Yuanzhang carelessly said that Liu Changyi's body made him disgusted.

During those three days, his Wang Fei tried very hard to avoid him. He disappeared from Zhao Yuanzhang's sight as far as possible during the day and locked himself all night long in the small storage room during the night, not getting out until Zhao Yuanzhang left the room in the morning. This was the first time the eldest prince saw his Wang Fei again after not seeing him for three days.

Zhao Yuanzhang wondered, what did his Wang Fei think about this incident happened to him? Imperial physician already made his way to treat him in Qin Wang residence, that meant the Emperor already heard about what happened. Liu Changyi should be realized it too. Zhao Yuanzhang was attacked when he was with a courtesan inside one of a brothel's room.

He wouldn't get trouble for going to a brothel since there was no official rules against a royal for going to a brothel, but in society it was still counted as something inappropriate since the behavior itself came from the eldest prince of the Great Zhao. Strangely enough, Zhao Yuanzhang was the least care about his own reputation as the eldest prince. He was more concerned about what Liu Changyi had on his mind at the moment.

The eldest prince quietly observed his Wang Fei's face, but not even once the boy was looking back at him. Still with the same frown, he eyed the imperial physician every movement. Zhao Yuanzhang also felt curious but decided to wait for a moment before asking.

"That should be done. It is just a small wound, in a week or two, the wound will be completely healed." Imperial physician said with a smile.

After the imperial physician had gone, the newlywed couple was left on their own. There was a strange tension in the air and a wave of awkwardness.

Zhao Yuanzhang glanced at his Wang Fei and noticed that something still weighed on his mind as he lost in a deep thought, "What's wrong?" Zhao Yuanzhang asked.

"Your Highness... That imperial physician just now, how many years he had been working for the imperial palace?" Liu Changyi asked back.

"It should be around thirty or forty years, Imperial Father once said he had been working in the Imperial Palace ever since he was young. Why do you ask?"

"Then it's strange if he didn't notice it." Liu Changyi whispered.

"Notice what?" Zhao Yuanzhang also frowned.

Liu Changyi moved closer to the bed. Cautiously glanced at Zhao Yuanzhang, he asked, "Your Highness, can you believe me just this once? I want to show you something."

Usually his Wang Fei always timid and hesitant, this was the first time Zhao Yuanzhang could see his Wang Fei's eyes were full with certainty. He also got curious about what Liu Changyi had about to do and he slowly nodded his head.

His Wang Fei left the main room and entered the storage room that still connected to each other. After awhile he came back with a candle and a needle. He lighted up the candle and approached Zhao Yuanzhang.

"Excuse me, Your Highness, I need to open your bandage," He said.

The eldest prince just followed what Liu Changyi wanted to do as he stared at everything his Wang Fei did. As his bandage was being opened, Liu Changyi brought the candle into contact with the wound and took a drip of his blood. After that he immediately put the needle around the candle and warmed it up close to the fire.

Several minutes had passed, Liu Changyi brought the needle closer to Zhao Yuanzhang's line of sight.

"Can Your Highness see the yellow substance on the needle?" Liu Changyi asked.

Just like what his Wang Fei said, Zhao Yuanzhang certainly also could see the yellow substance.

"What's the meaning of that substance?"

"Your Highness' wound is poison contaminated. There was reddish spots surround the fresh wound, a physician with thirty or forty experience should notice something wrong with Your Highness' wound but he didn't."

Zhao Yuanzhang obviously shocked to hear this. First, he was attacked by a courtesan, not knowing that the blade she used was poisoned. Second, an imperial physician sent by his father pretended that he didn't know about the poison. As much as Zhao Yuanzhang didn't want to believe, but he also felt his suspicion. He was a soldier, a general of the Great Zhao. A small injury like this should be nothing for him, but this wound made him lost his consciousness earlier. It was only logical if the wound really poison contaminated.

"Is the poison dangerous?" Zhao Yuanzhang asked again.

"Your Highness' wound isn't showing the sign of getting swollen. Most probably the poison is only on the surface for now and it's not lethal kind of poison. If it is cleansed and treated immediately, this poison shouldn't be something dangerous. But it can be contrary if the poison entered the blood circle. Looking at the yellow substance, this poison should comes from poisonous insect. Long period infection in blood circle caused fatigue and ruin the immunity."

Every sentences of his explanation, Zhao Yuanzhang clearly could see the passion reflected on his Wang Fei's eyes. It seemed that Liu Changyi truly liked all about medic and had a big potential on it.

"Changyi, can I ask you a favor?"

Liu Changyi was silent for a moment before he hesitantly nodded, "Keep all about this poison as a secret. Don't tell anybody about it. And can you treat my wound and neutralized the poison?"

Liu Changyi's eyes widened, "Your Highness believed with all my explanation?"

Zhao Yuanzhang was good at observing people and he didn't detect any lies on those big eyes owned by his Wang Fei. If anything, he actually felt surprised Liu Changyi was willing to tell all of this to him after the cruel thing he said to him three days ago,

"Yes, I believe in your explanation," Zhao Yuanzhang said.

For the first time the eldest prince saw a sparkle he had never seen in Liu Changyi's eyes. There was a big smile on his face and he was practically beamed with happiness,

"Your Highness will be my first patient," Liu Changyi said while smiling shyly.

Seeing that smile, Zhao Yuanzhang felt a strange pleasant feeling started to climb on his chest. Earlier, when they were in the pond, he felt unpleasant feeling while seeing the bruises covered thin body of Liu Changyi. He thought it was disgust at first, but only later he realized that it was actually a form of discomfort. He was annoyed seeing those ugly bruises ended up on that fragile body.

"Liu Changyi.... that night... in the pond... "Where Zhao Yuanzhang needed to start? What should he say?

"Hum?" Liu Changyi eyed his husband curiously since his talk had stopped midway.

"No... Nothing, just make sure no one knows about the poison," Zhao Yuanzhang still couldn't find the resolution to talk about the pond incident again, he knew... he knew that night he hurt Liu Changyi's feeling so deeply.

CHAPTER 07

CONFUSED

Everyday Liu Changyi would treated on Zhao Yuanzhang's wound, applied on medicine he made by himself and changed his bandage regularly. If it wasn't because poison contaminated, this should be just mere simple wound, Zhao Yuanzhang got a lot many way worse than this while he was in the battlefield. However, it was probably because Liu Changyi thật the eldest prince was his first patient that the young man tended on his wound with a great care.

Zhao Yuanzhang already asked his people to start an investigation on the incident occurred to him. It was clearly an attempt of an assassination. The courtesan seemed had been paid by someone to hurt him and she could be the starting point of this investigation. But the next day after Zhao Yuanzhang being attacked, his guards reported to him that the girl killed herself by drinking a poison inside the jail. It seemed that she was forced to do this because she didn't want to reveal who was the mastermind behind all of this. The result, Zhao Yuanzhang's people was currently stuck with his investigation.

That afternoon, Zhao Yuanzhang sat on a chair in his study room. Not far from him, Liu Changyi was in the middle of grinding some herbs for his medicine. It was almost the time to applied new medicine and changed his bandage.

At first, imperial physician still came to Qin Wang residence to treat his wound, but Zhao Yuanzhang asked the physician to told his Imperial Father that he got a lot better and it was not necessary anymore to keep sending a physician from the palace to take care of such a small wound. That was what Zhao Yuanzhang said, but in reality it was his own Wang Fei who took a great care of him during these days.

The eldest prince stared at his hard-working Wang Fei on the side. Ever since that night, not even once the matter about Zhao Yuanzhang was being attacked while he was in a brothel house mentioned. Zhao Yuanzhang wanted to explain himself, but he couldn't even start a word of his explanation since Liu Changyi never asked to him.

That feeling was really horrible. He was like a husband suffered on a guilty feeling of being caught cheating while the wife pretended to have blind eyes and kept treating him nicely as if nothing happened.

By the time Liu Changyi had just finished grinding the herbs, Wu Yang came to him to report that his two friends came to visit him which was Zhao Yuanzhang asked to let them entered his study room. When they entered the room, the eldest prince signaled them to sit and wait for him while he was getting his medication.

"Is there any sign of infection?" Zhao Yuanzhang asked while his Wang Fei put on the newly made medicine on his wound.

"Not at all. The wound is healing nicely, not even a sign of getting swollen. Even if Your Highness doesn't want to put a bandage anymore, it shouldn't be a problem. But when the wound being in touch with the clothes, it will feel itchy and uncomfortable. Thus, I advice Your Highness to keep using the bandage until the wound completely dry up."

"If you say so, then go on,"

Liu Changyi nodded and proceeded on putting on the bandage. The pair of husband and wife didn't notice that they were currently being an object of observation by Zhao Yuanzhang's two friends. Zhao Yuanzhang was a big man and a general, but this time he sat very obediently while his Wang Fei wrapped up his wound.

They thought Zhao Yuanzhang's marriage relationship was not good, but what's with this harmonious atmosphere being shown of in front of them?!

After he was done treating Zhao Yuanzhang's wound, Liu Changyi went to gather his equipments and prepared to leave. Noticing this, Zhao Yuanzhang said, "I will tell Wu Yang to serve lunch and eat in this room along with Tian Shu and A Yuan. If you want, you can also eat here with us."

Liu Changyi was quite surprised hearing Zhao Yuanzhang's offer. All this time, not even once they had meal together. What was with this sudden offer?

Liu Changyi was wondering, was it because Zhao Yuanzhang felt thankful to him because treating his wound or was it because he wanted to put a good show in front of his guests? Whichever it was, Liu Changyi understood that his husband didn't really mean to invite him and he shouldn't accept. He glanced shortly to the guests and then shook his head, "I'll be back to my room, there is something I need to do. Your Highness should enjoy your lunch with your friends. I shall leave now."

Nowadays, whenever Liu Changyi said 'his room', Zhao Yuanzhang would realize that it referred to the small storage room that connected with the main room where he kept all the herbs and medical books. Ever since that pond incident, Liu Changyi made a full use of that room as his personal room, a place where he could hide himself from Zhao Yuanzhang's sight. He ate and slept there every night, not even once tried to disturb Zhao Yuanzhang in the main room.

Originally Zhao Yuanzhang prepared the room because he wanted a place where he could save his archery equipments. However he had been always staying in the border all this time and he still hadn't got a chance to move all his archery equipments there, hence the room stayed empty until Liu Changyi asked that room to him.

Because the small room and the main room were connected to each other, no one realized that the pair of husband and wife were never sleeping together.

Zhao Yuanzhang frowned. That small room was small and cold during the night. It also didn't have a bed, wasn't Liu Changyi be uncomfortable? He needed to talk about this his Wang Fei later.

However, Zhao Yuanzhang's friends misunderstood the frown on the eldest prince's face and suddenly felt worried. "Your Highness, do we interrupt you and Wang Fei's time?" He Tian Shu questioned.

"Your Highness, you should tell us that you have a good relationship with Wang Fei. That way I wouldn't dare to bring you to that shop and ordered a woman for you. Wang Fei refused to have lunch here with us, he must be angry. That night when we brought you back injured, he also didn't talk much," Jin Yuan was in panic, afraid he just ruined Zhao Yuanzhang's marriage.

Zhao Yuanzhang sighed. "Wang Fei isn't angry. It is just his personality. He doesn't talk much and well-behaved, he refused probably because he didn't want to interrupt us."

How could be he was angry? Liu Changyi didn't even a little bit care about the fact he was going to a brothel. Zhao Yuanzhang wondered why his heart felt soured?

Put aside his thought about Liu Changyi, Zhao Yuanzhang straightened his position and facing his two friends forward, "That courtesan girl had killed herself after being dragged inside the jail. It seemed she really couldn't open her mouth about whom behind this incident,"

"That night we came to the shop unplanned. It was a bit unexpected for someone still had a chance to arrange the girl to hurt you. Is it possible there is someone had been secretly following you and report it regularly to his master?" He Tian Shu pondered.

"I am thinking the same," Zhao Yuanzhang said.

"But Your Highness, how did you realize that the girl had bad intention toward you?"

"The girl had a slip of tongue in the beginning. I came to the shop with ordinary appearance and we intentionally didn't mention about my identity there. But she called me 'Your Highness' the first time and it meant she knew who I am."

"But isn't it natural to know you are? We are still in The Great Zhao capital city, most of citizen certainly can recognize Your Highness,"

"That's true. However I immediately noticed she was a suspicious person and something wasn't right after she bothered to correct the way she addressed me and then called me as 'Sir',"

"Ah, this is absolutely my fault! If only I wasn't too drunk and stubbornly ordered the courtesan. Your Highness, I deeply apologize to you and Wang Fei." Jin Yuan looked very apologetic, "Wang Fei looks like he is a very gentle person and he doesn't hesitate to take care of Your Highness by himself.

I probably had a wrong impression about Wang Fei before."

Zhao Yuanzhang just smiled a little. It was Jin Yuan who led him into this trouble, but he was also at fault. Not to mention that he was just the same as Jin Yuan. He had a wrong impression of his Wang Fei treated him wrongly.

After He Tian Shu and Jin Yuan left the residence, Zhao Yuanzhang walked back to the main room. Upon entering the room, he couldn't see anyone in there. Instinctively the eldest prince glanced at the closed door of the storage room.

Zhao Yuanzhang walked there and opened the door slowly. As the door opened, he saw Liu Changyi sat on a chair in the corner of the room reading his book. The eldest prince knew very well why the young man had been sitting on that corner and his heart dropped a bit with this realization.

That small room wasn't for living use, it was for a storage purpose so the room didn't have enough windows and didn't have enough lighting. Most of the area in the room was quite dark even though it was still day time. The room only had two high windows as the source of the light during the day. In the afternoon, the light penetrated through the windows and lightened up a certain corner of the small room. It was the corner where Liu Changyi sat.

Realizing someone was entering the room, Liu Changyi's eyes widened as he saw it was his husband. He hurriedly stood up, "Your Highness! Do you need something? Is there something wrong with the wound?"

Zhao Yuanzhang didn't answer but glanced around the room. That room didn't have a bed, but he saw a blanket had been spread out on a small wooden table. It seemed that was where his Wang Fei had been sleeping. The eldest prince sighed deeply and said, "Can you come out for a while?"

After they sat facing each other in the room, Zhao Yuanzhang asked, "Have I ever told you to not show yourself in front of me?"

"..........."

"Have I?" The eldest prince asked again.

"No."

"Have I ever told you to not sleep here?"

"No,"

"It's good that you know this. The bed in this room is quite big, I don't mind if we share it together. Don't ever lock yourself in that small room all day long again,"

"........."

One time, the eldest prince pushed him away. Another time, he acted so kind. Liu Changyi was really confused.