Feeling extremely accomplished, he rearranged his things excitedly praying for a successful confession but he soon realised a flaw in his plan dampening his mood. He remembered Wu Yange's lip hickey that had made a sudden appearance overnight. 'Shit! Does he really have a girlfriend? AHHH…..fuck me!' he freaked out internally with his face not looking good in the slightest.

It didn't make sense to him when did Wu Yange get the time to be with anyone else when they were constantly together? Did Wu Yange sneak out in the middle of the night for some amorous congress? Rong Zian's head was spinning out of control trying to figure out which temptress had such big balls. Devouring his person in the middle of the night. He suddenly had the urge to rip off whatever mouth had the audacity to kiss Wu Yange.

'Maybe it didn't mean anything. Just a random hook up right?' he thought to himself in an attempt to self-soothe his heartache. Successively graduating from the five stages of grief, he finally wanted to know who it was. He more or less knew all the pretty lolis from the village, it had to be one of them and the only other person who would know about the hickey would be none other than Ying Tie, Wu Yange's confidant.

He strode in front of the carriage and hopped on to sit next to Ying Tie who didn't spare him any glance treating him like air but that didn't deter Rong Zian. He looked back at carriage curtain separating him from his crush, unconsciously biting his lower lip. Ying Tie didn't miss any of this through his peripheral view so he nudged and reprimanded him totally misunderstanding why the man was staring at the curtain.

"Don't make trouble, he's in a bad mood," whispered Ying Tie in a tone that made Rong Zian feel like he was been scolded by an old aunty. Pouting he looked forward trying to figure out the right words to use since he was asking a fairly sensitive question.

All the whispering happening outside was not missed by Wu Yange but he could barely make out what the two were talking about. He really wished he had infra-sound hearing so he could hear what they were discussing. The prince could easily lean in to eavesdrop on them but his nature prevented him so he could only ask Ying Tie later.

He wanted to know why Rong Zian didn't join him in the carriage, the prince had been waiting for such a long time but the object of his affection didn't bother showing up. Whatever the reason, Wu Yange still asked Ying Tie to slow down the carriage so Rong Zian didn't have to walk fast to keep up with them. He just hoped this wasn't going to be Rong Zian's new thing, avoiding him like the plague.

While the solemn prince wallowed in despair, Rong Zian was being a busybody trying to get Ying Tie to talk. "Hey," whispered Rong Zian but Ying Tie didn't respond, "hey, psst…..stop ignoring me. I want to ask something important," gently poking him with his index finger.

"Do you want to lose your stubby finger?" yelled Ying Tie seeming really irritated by Rong Zian. The prince's bad mood was all due to him so Ying Tie didn't really feel like talking. Rong Zian looked down at his finger feeling aggrieved, his finger had been insulted and it wasn't stubby in the least.

He placed his finger on his mouth gesturing him to lower his voice, "Ssshhh…..you making noise. I really want to ask you something very important."

Ying Tie sighed heavily as though trying to calm himself down and replied, "Ask," while gritting his teeth.

Rong Zian showed a satisfied smile on his face and asked, "The lip hickey on Wu Yange, how did it happen? Does he have a girlfriend that I don't know about?"

Slack-jawed, Ying Tie couldn't believe Rong Zian had asked such a personal question as though asking for water. He couldn't help but admire Rong Zian's ability to ask a shameful question with a straight face. Observing Ying Tie's expression he could only assume that the guy knew all the details so he interrogated him further, "Tell me who is she."

"Even if l knew I would never tell you," replied Ying Tie constantly checking the curtain just in case the prince happened to show up while they were having an appalling conversation.

"Okay I get it, nothing is for free right? What do you want then? Name your price," said Rong Zian out of desperation. He had to get Ying Tie to break their bro code at any cost but he underestimated Ying Tie. The brother kept his mouth shut no matter what he said with no signs of yielding.

"You think I would be stupid enough to tell you any of the prince's secrets? Do you want him to burn my skin off? Be a good boy and not meddle in a grown up's business," replied Ying Tie effectively ending the conversation.

'Tsk, tsk, tsk. Grown up's business? Aren't we all the same age?" he thought now curious of Wu Yange's age.

***

With Tebie visible on the horizon, Rong Zian couldn't contain his excitement. He already had the recipe in his mind and couldn't wait to make it and confess his feelings to Wu Yange. In all his excitement, there was still a bit of nervousness in fear of karma coming in to bite his arse. Through-out both eras, he had rejected countless confessions at times making a few girls cry. Having never confessed to someone before, he had always been at the receiving end and now that it was his turn, he was a bit terrified.

As they entered the city gates, Rong Zian awed in amazement at the beautiful city. Tebie was indeed a prosperous city with architectural advanced buildings and industrious markets selling all kinds of luxuries. The streets were fully packed with all sorts of tantalising foodstuffs being sold giving Rong Zian a nostalgic feeling. He wanted to eat everything and down it with some wine to his heart's content.

As though Wu Yange had read his mind, he asked Ying Tie to stop in front of a famous restaurant run by his father's friend, retired Prime Minister Zhao Huang. The man who would have been his father-in-law, if he hadn't broken off the engagement. Despite the unfortunate engagement annulment, Zhao Huang and Wu Yange still had a congenial relationship with no bad blood between them. Thus the prince could still show his face at Zhao Huang's restaurant and home if it need be.

Wu Yange disembarked from the carriage averting his gaze from Rong Zian to avoid a serious confrontation as Rong Zian was still avoiding him as though he had an incurable venereal disease. At some point, the prince even thought that maybe Rong Zian knew of his feeling and chose to avoid him.

He led them into the restaurant where they were met with friendly hosts who instantly settled them in a lavish private booth overlooking the street. The prince didn't waste any time, ordering various dishes hoping to coax Rong Zian with food and as expected, the foodie Rong Zian was practically drooling with each dish mentioned. He especially wanted to get his hands on some braised pork belly noodles and steamed chicken with chilli sauce. Seeing Rong Zian ecstatic, Wu Yange couldn't resist ordering the finest wine for him though he rarely approved of his drinking habits. His plan seemed to be working as Rong Zian voluntarily fell into his trap.

Just as the server left, the door was abruptly opened and a tall elderly gentleman dressed in the finest clothing walked in followed by a maiden carrying a jar of alcohol. The man who had rudely barged in and was unapologetic in the slightest, bearing with him an aura of an autocratic leader as though he owned everything in the room. Wu Yange stood up and addressed the man who turned out to be Zhao Huang. As soon as he heard of Wu Yange's arrival, he dropped everything to meet the prince.

Zhao Huang saluted the prince ignoring Wu Yanges's associates as though they were nonexistent. Facing the prince he spoke his mind, "What an honour to have his Highness visit my humble city once more."

"The honour is all mine Prime Minister. I am merely here for pleasure so there is no need for you to accompany me," replied Wu Yange hoping to get rid of this man as soon as possible, he had a baobei to feed.

Zhao Huang seemed a bit disappointed but didn't want to impose, he replied, "I understand Your Highness but this humble servant has one request he would like for you to grant considering our relationship."

"Speak and I will surely grant it at the best of my abilities," said Wu Yange trying to push the conversation to an end. At this rate, he would even give him Li Wei, his sword, for a day just to be rid of him.

The man bowed and passed on his request, "would his Highness allow me to host you and your guests for the duration of your stay?" Ying Tie who had been expressionless throughout this conversation suddenly frowned and mumbled in a very low voice, "Not good." He was well aware of the Prime Minister's intentions which had remained the same over the years.

The man wanted his daughter Zhao Lee married to Wu Yange no matter the cost which would not only give him power but also a powerful grandchild he could control. Though he acted civil when the engagement was annulled, he threw a fuss in the background and vowed to achieve his ultimate goal when Wu Yange was mature and sensible enough. His daughter Zhao Lee, with the influence of her father, remained unmarried even though most of her peers had families of their own. This was another of Zhao Huang's chances to pull some strings and hopefully bring the two together as a couple.

Wu Yange knew too well that residing in the Zhao mansion was not an option for him as they would separate him from Rong Zian. There was no way he was letting that happen especially if the minster ever found out how powerful Rong Zian was, he would surely trick him into marrying his other daughters. But it was also impolite to refuse the man considering their relationship, he could only compromise.

"I truly apologise but I would have to decline on account of personal reasons. Since the Prime Minister has invited me, how about I make a personal visit at your residence as a compromise?" replied Wu Yange crossing his fingers that the man would be reasonable and take his leave but the maiden poured out some wine as per her master's instructions. Was Zhao Huang planning to stay for dinner