When they arrived, Rong Zian was led through various confusing passageways as though preventing him from successfully running away when the punishment was being executed. He was led to a miniature version of the main hall with the overbearing empress seated on her throne wearing an eerie smile on her beautiful face, a face that had similar features as Wu Yange. Rong Zian would have been venerating her for building such an amazing city and applaud her for paving the way for women in politics but that smile made him clearly see what this meeting was all about.

'Bring it on mama bear, show me yours and I will show you mine,' thought Rong Zian saluting Wu Yange's mother. The woman didn't respond for a long time hoping to intimidate Rong Zian but the man was unshaken still maintaining a gentle smile on his face as though he had no idea why he was here.

After a good minute, she finally stood up revealing her white pearly teeth with some red lipstick smudged in her front teeth destructing Rong Zian's attention. It looked like she has a beetroot stuck in between her teeth, 'At least if you are going to fucking intimidate me check the mirror first,' he thought pondering on whether to tell her or not.

"I am sure you know why you are here so I will get straight to the point. I have received a case against you for assaulting Zhao Lee, my future daughter in law. Are you familiar with her?"

'Oh gosh not this fuckin' bitch again,' he thought suddenly regretting not squeezing her neck a little tighter. "I know her and I admit strangling her though I truly wish I had held on a bit longer otherwise she wouldn't be causing trouble now," he replied with no ounce of remorse.

Empress Tao was stunned by his response, she couldn't figure out what was making Rong Zian so brazen. Did he believe Wu Yange would be able to save him on time? Is that why he didn't watch his words admitting to the crime with such arrogance.

"I like your honesty, it's stupid people like you that I love the most. You don't waste time going around in circles," she said carefully observing his face. He was handsome, too bad he had screwed with the wrong person.

Rong Zian smiled while mocking her, "Since we are being honest then Your Majesty needs to take a look in the mirror. There is a smudge of lipstick on your teeth right there," pointing at her teeth, "It's just too fuckin' distracting. I can barely hear what you were saying when that was staring right in my face."

The empress was livid enough to slap Rong Zian across his face and screamed at her servants with such a deafening high pitch voice. Rong Zian knew if he acted now he would probably kill her without even lifting his finger which he thought wouldn't help his confession. He could picture telling Wu Yange, "I love you but I kinda killed your mother in a fit of rage." 'Haha, he'll probably dump me before the relationship even started. Better safe than sorry,' he thought getting ready for a long stay. As long as they didn't challenge his bottom-line, he would wait for Wu Yange to come to get him and deal with his mother.

"Take him away!" she yelled while tossing whatever she could get her hands on in his direction.

***

Just a short distance away, Wu Yange finally rose from his slumber like sleeping beauty with his hair and clothes in-place despite having slept for so long. He was disoriented with little comprehension of where he was but he was certain of one thing, the man who owned his heart was missing. He checked the room in panic when he recollected what happened before he passed out. They were both out of it and crashed into a forest and now Rong Zian wasn't by his side.

Fortunately for him, he found the note Rong Zian had left for him on the table otherwise he would have gone on frantically searching with no avail. The note was clearly written inviting him to meet at sunset just outside, in the garden so they could gaze at the stars together. He chuckled reading the note over and over again attempting to engrave it in his memory word for word. This was perfect he could finally give him the ring and tell him what he's been holding onto for so long.

Today was going to be a special day, the day he would make Rong Zian his and with that ring, everyone will know his taken. Though his energy levels were still low he managed to get ready as fast as possible before meeting with Ying Tie for lunch. His heart itching through-out the day in anticipation that even Ying Tie could hardly stand it anymore.

"Your Highness, if you want to see him that bad why not go looking for him?" he suggested pouring out some tea in the prince's cup. The brawny man could clearly see the prince nervously squeezing his hand and biting his lower lip. This is a version of Wu Yange he had never seen before.

The prince wasn't listening at all, he was wondering how he got the bruise on his neck and lip which he had noticed while facing the mirror earlier. Of course, he hoped his attacker would be none other than Rong Zian otherwise if Ying Tie let some stranger near him and did this, the consequences would be dire. "How did I get these?" he asked pointing at the bruises.

Ying Tie couldn't hold in his laughter, this was just incredibly funny. The drunk Rong Zian was extremely bold but didn't even remember his crime. "Haha…..that is courtesy of physician Rong. He said that he was giving you a medical check-up. You would have to ask him for details because I have no idea how a check-up led to that."

As if he had touched the sky, Wu Yange was exhilarated as a flush of red crept up from his neck all the way to his face. The prince was blushing imagining what he missed out on. He suddenly wanted to push physician Rong onto the bed and do things couples do behind closed doors. His heart was beating as fast as war drums in times of crisis, his breathing accelerated as his imagination went on a wild ride.

Parched, he hastily grabbed the cup of tea disregarding how hot it was and chugged it all into his mouth but soon spit it out. It was scolding hot.

"Your Highness, how can you be this careless? Are you alright?" asked Ying Tie as a servant cleaned up the table.

"You really want to ruin things for me, don't you? How am supposed to kiss him if my palate is full of blisters?" said Wu Yange with a pained expression while wiping his mouth.

"Wow you have flaming dragons but you can't handle a cup of tea," mocked Ying Tie jokingly but his smile soon disappeared as he was faced with Wu Yange's glowering look which seemed to be daring him to say one more thing and see what happens.

'Such a temper,' thought Ying Tie averting Wu Yange's gaze. "Your Highness allow me to ask something," he said trending with caution.

"Mm," answered Wu Yange eating some congee.

"Are you serious about Rong Zian like spend the rest of lives together serious?" he asked genuinely interested to know the answer.

He had watched these two evolve from stepping on each's toes to groping one's butt which he accidentally witnessed the other day. The image was seriously disturbing, the once expressionless stiff prince was now busy groping another man's ass out in the open. The change was too terrifying but at least Wu Yange was happy, the happiest he had seen so far. With a mother like his, it was a surprise that he found love in the first place otherwise if he had a weak personality like his late twin brother, he would fallen victim to his mother's bossy character and married a girl he didn't love.

"Mm, I am serious. I will do anything to be with him," replied Wu Yange with a grave look on his face, He wasn't messing around, he truly loved Rong Zian, without him, there was no meaning to life. This was the man he would pledge his life to and follow him to the ends of the earth. He would willingly surrender his sapphire flame as long as he had Rong Zian by his side.

"Oh," replied Ying Tie unable to find the right words to use in asking the other burning question, "Sooooo...if you're serious about him, do you know how things between, um, between two men work?" he asked nervously rubbing the back of his neck looking away. He was really uncomfortable but just had to talk about it otherwise who else would be concerned about the prince's affairs other than him.

Wu Yange smiled with his eyes downcast as he responded, "I don't know. Do you?"

Ying Tie shook his head, he didn't know either and couldn't be of any help. "I don't know either."

"Well it's your job to do some research and don't think of it as it only helping me but also you otherwise you won't know what to do when my wild cousin jumps on you," he said with an evil smile. Knowing Wu Fan, it wouldn't be much longer before the gates of Valhalla were opened.

Ying Tie buried his face in his hands covering his embarrassment when he recalled Wu Fan kissing his check. 'Fuck! Wu Fan will probably do that. I will have to fend him off with a stick like a dog,' he thought trying to get rid of such a shameful memory.

While Ying Tie was busy shying away, a servant led the jeweller to their table to deliver the prince's package. "Ying Tie why are still lazing around? Don't you have some research to do?"

Ying Tie was startled by the prince's words, he didn't think he meant for him to go now. He quickly left before the impatient prince could scold him some more. On the other hand, Wu Yange studied the ring the jeweller had delivered seemingly pleased with his handy work. He sincerely hoped Rong Zian would accept him and despite all his flaws.