Prince and His Fool

Rong Zian ambled along for a few minutes before reaching the enormous heavily guarded iron gate of the Primrose Mansion. This was one of many mansions owned by the emperor all across Hepeng but the most dazzling with pillars of gold bedazzled with pink diamonds. This Mansion was worthy of signifying the wealth of Tebie.

As soon as he entered the property, Rong Zian was treated like royalty, presented with the finest service he had never experienced before. The maiden tending to him escorted him to his designated room with floor space as big as the entire house he grew up in. Across two corners of the room, they were two separate canopy beds with dancing twin dragons design and blue silk curtains. The reading desk, bookcase, wardrobe and the rest of the furniture was in doubles as though it belonged to two siblings.

Curiosity got the best of him and he asked the maiden who the room belonged to. She happily divulged details especially faced with such a handsome face, "This was the twin Princes, Wu Yange and Wu Qingsong's room whenever they visited Tebie. Known as the twin dragons the pride of the empress," she said with her head down as though shy.

Rong Zian barely paid attention to her but her words had opened up his eyes, he had no idea Wu Yange had a twin. It was hard for him to imagine that there was actually someone in this world that looked like Wu Yange. He wondered why the prince had never mentioned his twin before but he could understand, Wu Yange barely said much anyway so he could only ask the maiden who seemed quite knowledgeable.

"Is Prince Qingsong currently at the capital?" he asked pacing around the room admiring the interior design.

"Oh, I thought young master knew. The ninth prince is no longer with us and some of his older brothers as well," she said in a coarse voice as though overwhelmed by her emotions. Rong Zian felt like he had been struck by lightning, what else had Wu Yange been through but never spoke about it. He seemed to recall the second time they met, he had angrily spoken of his brothers' death but he didn't think one of them could have been his twin.

"I will be leaving to prepare your bath, please don't hesitate to call if you need anything," she said before closing the door behind her.

He couldn't relate to the pain Wu Yange felt but his heart hurt for him and really wanted to give him a hug. Feeling rather depressed, Rong Zian settled on the table and took out all the materials he needed to make the fragrance. The process didn't take him long mixing the essentials oils in with the alcohol and rose water. He admired his handy work, his best work yet. Just as he closed the carved jade bottle, the maiden informed him that his bath was ready.

The hot soak worked miracles succeeding in uplifting Rong Zian's downcast spirit, no longer feeling as depressed. Now that the gift was ready, Rong Zian had no idea how he could make it a grand confession, it had to be perfect hoping to leave no room for rejection.

He remembered one time a girl confessed to him while bungee jumping. She had yelled, " Zi Zi I love you," while falling from a great height which echoed through the valley and everyone heard her. That right there was a grand confession but unfortunately for her, he had slipped through the crowd by the time she came back up otherwise he would have been compelled to say yes.

He was definitely going for the awe-inspiring gesture with no chance of Wu Yange running. Though he had no idea what kind of confession he was going for, it still required a lot of money so he decided to make fast cash by making more perfumes to sell at the market tomorrow. Off course, they would be different from the one he had made for Yan Yan, his cologne was unique.

Thinking of Wu Yange, Rong Zian took out the sketch from his clothes hanging on the rack. "Time to put you to good use," he said doing god knows what behind closed doors. All we know was that sketch was no longer as pure is it was before that long bath.

On the other side of the bathroom door was a contemplating Wu Yange currently pacing nervously waiting for Rong Zian to come out. He couldn't just get in even though he had already seen him naked before. Things were different now, he had impure thoughts towards him and couldn't trust himself enough to go in.

It didn't take long before the door opened and a stream of steam escaped making Wu Yange wonder how hot was that bathwater in the first place? He soon got his answer when Rong Zian came out resembling a gorgeous merman emerging from the sea. The water droplets, softly dripping down on his still-damp hair, flowing till they made contact with his slightly pinkish skin before disappearing below his collarbone. His phoenix eyes slightly bloodshot, his full lips slightly red begging to be kissed while emitting an aphrodisiac scent that was blown by a cool breeze straight into Wu Yange's nose.

Wu Yange suddenly felt hot with a parched throat unable to say a word. He definitely couldn't speak to him like this, he had to leave this instant otherwise he would make a fool of himself. All this was witnessed by a slightly confused Rong Zian as he watched the prince scurry away without saying a word.

The prince suddenly had to pay Ying Tie a visit to punish him for his transgression. He caught the brawny guy chopping some wood with his legendary blade while showing off to some blushing maidens. Poor blade, it had slaughtered numerous monsters but was reduced to an axe by its master. If it could talk, it would have cursed him out a long time ago.

Seeing Wu Yange approaching, he instantly stopped his actions and saluted him but the solemn prince was in no mood for pleasantries. He gestured with a hand for the maidens to leave and only spoke when they had all crept away.

"Make ten copies of all the books in my collection and don't go anywhere until you are done," he said in a tyrannical tone before turning to leave.

"But Your Highness, your collection has twenty books minimum two hundred pages each. How am l supposed to finish all that?" complained Ying Tie carrying his blade over his shoulders.

"Figure it out," replied Wu Yange running out of patience.

Ying Tie sighed heavily unable to understand what crime he had committed to deserve this punishment, he just had to ask, "If you don't mind me asking, what did I do to offend His Highness?"

Wu Yange chuckled in a scoffing manner before he replied, "You told Rong Zian to confess."

The brawny man scratched his head confused on why that would warranty punishment. Seeing the confusion on Ying Tie's face, he finally confessed, "It's because I like him."

Ying Tie was stupefied and could only enunciate one word, "Crap!"