Chapter 34 - Eating Dog Food

Three days passed and it's time for Xiu Ying and Zhang Wei to return to the palace. Before this, he'd feel reluctant to leave but now, he didn't mind returning as long as he's together with Zhang Wei.

However, Madam Feng and Li Shizen feel like they were dumped by their own son. It's not 'just feel', they WERE SERIOUSLY dumped by Xiu Ying who now, cares about his partner than his parents.

"Don't forget to come to visit us again whenever you're free. And Zhang Wei, I hope you don't restraint Ying-er to return here," said Madam Feng.

Zhang Wei holds Xiu Ying's hand then smiles at Madam Feng, "Don't worry, mom. I'll never restrict him to return home. If we're free, for sure we'll come and visit again."

Madam Feng nods, satisfied.

Li Shizen said nothing because he still can meet Xiu Ying at the palace. Plus, it's not good to say much as he needs to face the emperor at the palace the next day.

Xiu Ying gives the last hugs and kisses to his parents before gets on the carriage and leaves Li Mansion ground.

Xiu Ying lifts the curtain and takes a look at his home through the window. He still can see his parents who wait until the carriage is out of view.

Zhang Wei pulls him into his embrace, "Don't worry. I'll bring you back again when we're free, okay?"

Xiu Ying just nods and leans his head on Zhang Wei's chest.

As soon as they arrived at the palace, Zhang Wei sent Xiu Ying to Zhongcui Palace, then he goes back to his study room and summons Chief Eunuch.

"Qiu Li Jie, Zhen need you to prepare an edict sending Concubine Wen outside the palace and grant her some golds and jewelry. As for the marriage, no need to mention it."

Qiu Li Jie folds his hand to the front and bows, "Then, Your Majesty, what about... Consort Lin?"

Zhang Wei taps on the table, having a deep thought.

"Just do the same. Said that Zhen wants to dismiss the imperial harem as Zhen has found a suitable empress. Grant her the same amount of gold and jewelry as Concubine Wen."

Qiu Li Jiu bows and leave the study room to carry out the order.

Then, another figure leisurely enters the study room.

With a big smirk on his face, Huang Fei Hong asks, "Seems like everything going well for you?"

Zhang Wei clears his throat and shows his smug face.

Fei Hong's eyes twitched. 'Now you've got your lover, you dare show me that face? Don't you know I played a big part in helping you to get him?! But here I am still being avoided by that little guy!'

"Seems like nothing going well on your side?" Zhang Wei slightly chuckles.

"Going well you asked?! How can anything happened when clearly he followed you and your lover going back home?! I've lost three days of chances to court him."

Zhang Wei scoffs. "It's not like three days gonna make any changes."

Fei Hong stands straight and folds his arms over his chest, "Oh yeah? Then what about you? Before you go back, you guys still like old times, but after you return here, I heard servants keep saying how you guys are inseparable from each other. Going everywhere hand in hand. Now you dare say three days won't make any changes?"

Under Fei Hong's glaring eyes, Zhang Wei lowers his head and rubs his nose. He can't deny that.

He sighs. "Fine. Fine. Later, I'll make Xiu Ying spend time with me, so you can use that time to approach him. It's a win-win situation right?"

Fei Hong huffs. "It's not enough at Li Mansion, even here you want to cling to him and let everyone eating dog food?"

[A/N : Eat dog food = watching a couple's PDA]

Zhang Wei smirks, "He's my future empress, so I can do whatever I want. Consider you're lucky as I'm still holding myself. If not, you'd see something that makes you feel more lonely and single." He puts his palm over his lips, covering his evil smiles.

"Damn you!" Fei Hong storms out of the study room.

After reading a few memorials, Zhang Wei heads to Zhongcui Palace to see his beloved. It's just a few hours but it feels so long since he met Xiu Ying.

When Zhang Wei arrived, Xiu Ying is feeding the fishes in the pond. He didn't notice someone is sneaking up behind him.

"Oh my!" Xiu Ying flinched when he was suddenly pulled into an embrace. He was mad and about to raise his hand but after the familiar scent invading his nose, he calms down.

"What are you doing here? Done with your work?" Xiu Ying asked.

Zhang Wei snuggles on Xiu Ying's neck, inhaling the sweet scent of his lover. "Hmm. Miss you."

Xiu Ying chuckled. "It's just a few hours and you already missed me?" He gently hit the arm around his waist.

"Even if it's just a second away from you, I already missed you." He muffled.

Xiu Ying shakes his head and smiles helplessly. He caressing the head on his shoulder, "Alright. Let me go first. Let's have a walk around here."

Zhang Wei abruptly raises his head and turns to Xiu Ying, "Oh! I forgot. Actually, I want to visit Wen Qian so I came to ask you to go with me."

"Is there any news about her marriage?"

"Well... The truth is I already made a decree to send her out of the palace. But inside the decree, I didn't mention about her marriage, so I need her to prepare herself to face her father's questions."

Xiu Ying nods, understand. It makes sense not to tell her beforehand. For sure, her father will ask why she didn't return home even after the emperor had sent her out of the palace. She needs to prepare an unsuspecting answer.

"Alright then, let's go and meet her."

Zhang Wei breaks the hug and grabs Xiu Ying's hand, drags her to Wen Qian's place.

When they arrived, they could see the big and shy smile on her face. 'Looks like everything going well for her,' both of them thought.

Wen Qian rises to greet them but Zhang Wei asks her to rise and forget about formalities.

Wen Qian eyeing Xiu Ying's hand on Zhang Wei's lap and interlocks with each other. "Seems like this country will get their mother soon," she said.

Realizing what Wen Qian meant, Xiu Ying wants to pull his hand but Zhang Wei won't let it go.

"Hmm. Soon. It won't be long. This emperor can no longer sleep alone on the big bed." Zhang Wei and Wen Qian are having fun but Xiu Ying can only lower his head.

"By the way, Wen Qian, Zhen already prepared a decree for you. But Zhen didn't mention anything about marriage in it. So, if your father asks, just say that you're going to stay at the house Zhen granted for you." Zhang Wei said.

Wen Qian frowns a bit, "But... What if my stepmother knows about the house and..."

Zhang Wei quickly cuts her words, "Don't worry. That house solely belongs to you and no property changes of transfers can be made without Zhen's permission. Just tell her that Zhen gave it to you and doesn't want that house to be left unoccupied. If they insist on staying with you at that house, just show them the imperial decree and tell her that you have the right to not let anyone else staying with you."

Wen Qian's eyes beaming. "Thank you, Your Majesty! But...Your Majesty really gives me a house?" She asked unbelievably.

Zhang Wei nods. "Consider it as your wedding gift from Zhen." Wen Qian bows a few times, showing her gratitude.

Xiu Ying clears his throat, "Wen Qian, have you decided on the exact date of the wedding ceremony?"

"Well, my future husband said that on the 15th day, a month after I was sent out of the palace. They need to do some preparation, even though I told them not to make it grand but they at least want to do it properly for me." She smiles.

Xiu Ying and Zhang Wei breathe a sigh of relief. "It's good to know he and his family treat you so well."

Wen Qian nods repeatedly. "The truth is, it was too well. His parents keep asking for my opinion and care about my preference rather than their own son. I guess since they know about my situation at my own house, they want me to feel like I'm now one of their family too."

"That's good to hear. If someone dared to find you a gambler husband or abusive in-laws, me myself will leave the palace and take you away," said Xiu Ying while glancing at Zhang Wei.

"Hey! How could say that? Do you think I'm that cruel to let Wen Qian marry into that kind of family?" Zhang Wei pinches on Xiu Ying's cheek, receiving a glare from the latter.

"Alright. Alright. If both of you want to get lovey-dovey, please leave me alone. Looking at you makes me can't wait to get married." Wen Qian rolls his eyes.

"Then, if you said like that, we would like to excuse ourselves. We want to continue being touchy-touchy and lovey- ouch!" The emperor was pinched hardly on his arm.

Wen Qian gives her motherly smile, "Your Majesty, Xiu Ying, thank you so much for everything. The presence of both of you makes my life better and not so lonely anymore. Thank you for giving me a chance to have a happy life without the need to worry about...them," Even mentioning 'father' or 'stepmother' makes her remember her miserable life.

Xiu Ying holds Wen Qian's hand, ignoring the gaze from his right side. "Everyone deserves happiness in their life. We wished you'll enjoy your new life with your new family."

Wen Qian grips Xiu Ying's hand tightly, nods. She quickly wipes off the corner of her eyes that started to get watery.

Later, Zhang Wei drags Xiu Ying back to his imperial bedchamber. "Your Majesty, my bedchamber is in the opposite way. Where are you taking me, Your Majesty?"

Zhang Wei pulls Xiu Ying closer and whispers, "Of course, to OUR ROOM. For sure my Ying-er won't let me sleep alone, right?"

Xiu Ying pushed him away and cupped his ear. The breath makes him feel tingles and he can't hide the reddened ears. As usual, the servants and guards can only eat dog food. Sometimes they wonder, when can they get a partner and teasing each other like the two figures in front of them.

After dinner, Xiu Ying takes a bath. At first, Zhang Wei wanted to join him but after Xiu Ying threatened to return to his room, Zhang Wei dejectedly leaving.

When Xiu Ying just out of the tub, he heard sounds of people talking. While drying his hair, he takes a peek and saw Qiu Li Jie came with an imperial decree.

Zhang Wei noticed Xiu Ying is out of the bath, standing with his thin night robe and wet hair, Zhang Wei quickly dismisses the Chief Eunuch. No one is allowed to see his love!

Xiu Yin who was oblivious walks towards Zhang Wei and takes a seat beside him. While rubbing his wet hair against the towel, he leans forward to take a look at the imperial decree.

With the scent of soap, Xiu Ying's flawless fresh face, the slightly exposed fair chest and legs, Zhang Wei almost lost his mind. His love is testing his endurance!

"Is this the imperial decree for Wen Qian?" asked Xiu Ying. Zhang Wei hums.

"Then, the other one?" Xiu Ying points to the other imperial decree under the one that Zhang Wei holds.

"For Lin Hui Yin." His voice sounds hoarse but still, Xiu Ying didn't notice it.

"Are you planning to send her too? What are you trying to do? Dismiss your imperial harem?"

Zhang Wei rolls back the decree and puts it aside. He pulls Xiu Ying into his arms. "Why not? I just need you. I don't need another. So the imperial harem has no use," He said while sniffing on Xiu Ying's damp hair.

"I know what but... those ministers, won't they get mad?"

"I don't care. This is my country. There are no specific rules stated that an emperor must have a harem. It's all their own plan and games."

Xiu Ying sighs. Then, he snuggles on Zhang Wei's chest.

But that little movement is like Xiu Ying just stepped on a landmine and it goes BOOM!

Zhang Wei awkwardly breaks the hug and pushed him away, "I go and take a bath first," He gently caressing Xiu Ying's face then runs to the bathroom.