Prince and His Fool

While Rong Zian was having a compulsory sex education class burying his head in the sand like an ostrich, Wu Yange was currently unaware that he was missing. After the market incident, he sulkily walked over to Prime Minister Zhao Huang's mansion as promised. He couldn't deal with Rong Zian right now so he thought of fulfilling his promise in the meantime till he was calm enough to face him.

Dropping on the Zhao family with no warning, was the best decision he had ever made, as it turned out Zhao Lee wasn't home. He had only seen her once after the annulment, her teary face rid him with guilt but he was resolute in his decision. Avoiding her didn't ease the guilt though, it was like an overwhelming feeling of emotional blackmail.

As the saying goes, 'there is no rest for the wicked,' Wu Yange jumped from the frying pan right into the fire as things went from bad to worse. Zhao Lee's younger sisters were home and he instantly knew that this was a bad omen. He could deal with Zhao Lee but these two were a pain in the ass. The initial salutations were cordial and tolerable but their true nature soon reviewed itself making Wu Yange feel like he was caught in bear trap unable to save himself.

They kept on babbling nonstop, running their mouths like the yellow river with no foreseeable end. "Your Highness, we understand you were dissatisfied by our dear sister. It's not her fault but I am willing to take her place," said one of them while being given a side-eye by Madam Zhao.

"It's truly tragic, now she's an old hag beyond the minimum age of marriage. She won't be able to give you healthy little princes and princess. You should consider me as well, father said the position is open to either of us," uttered the other contender.

Zhao Huang was mortified by his daughters' unrestraint speech and sent them off with their mother. Part of what they had said was true, he was willing to let him marry either of two girls since the prince was obviously dissatisfied with Zhao Lee.

"Your Highness, you know I watched you grow up and understood why you refused the marriage. You were young and immature at the time but I sincerely believe you have become more sensible with age. I am willing to let you choose amongst my daughters, it doesn't necessarily have to be Zhao Lee. I am sure you will find at least one of them up to standard," diligently explained Zhao Huang pushing his agenda.

In all this discussion, Wu Yange suddenly asked himself why on earth he was even here in the first place? The only good thing about the visit was Madam Zhao's tea otherwise why did he even bother. He missed Rong Zian so much and just had to leave, even if he was still angry, he just wanted to see his face.

"Prime Minister Zhao, I am sure my father has enlightened you before. I never go back on my word. Our families will never be joined in marriage through me so please abandon all hope and marry your daughters to someone else," he spoke in a dismissive tone.

Zhao Huang was extremely angered by his words, clenching his fists tightly to avoid yelling at Wu Yange. "Your Highness, you say you will never go back on your word but you promised to marry my daughter. Isn't that going against your word?"

Losing his patience, Wu Yange replied in a stern voice, "That promise was not made by me but by my mother. How can a one-year-old make a marriage arrangement when they could barely speak? So I will only repeat myself for the last time, abandon hope and marry your daughters off to someone willing," and activated his sapphire flame flying out of the compound.

The old man was enraged, like a bull on a rampage he flipped the table and chairs, throwing a tantrum just like a toddler. Just because Wu Yange was a powerful prince, it didn't mean he should use his sharp tongue at his elders. Zhao Huang vowed to escalate things till he gets his way. "They need to honour their promise and give me what was promised!"

Wu Yange, on the other hand, desperately wanted to see that smile, he sincerely believed it would make the pain go away. Just because he was born this way everyone wanted to take everything from him and never give back. His mother used him to get the title of the previous empress and numerous benefits in Wu Yange's name. The emperor wanted to give him the throne to ground him and use him as a power play for those who dared oppose him. Zhao Huang even his brothers, they were all the same. Cut from the same cloth but then there was Rong Zian and everything seemed colourful, as bright as the light at the end of the tunnel. He just wanted to tightly grab hold that no one would ever take him away from him.

In a few seconds, he landed at the Primrose mansion and headed straight for his room but Rong Zian wasn't there. A bad feeling crept upon him as he asked the servants where he was, none of them had seen him. Armoured with confusion and fear, he kicked open Ying Tie's door with a loud bang frightening the brawny who was covered in ink still copying text.

"Where is here!" he bellowed searching frankly hoping to find him.

Ying Tie silently said a prayer for himself hoping the prince wouldn't lose his sense of control otherwise the whole mansion would burn. "I wouldn't know Your Highness, I have been copying text all day," he responded genuinely concerned. He hadn't checked on Rong Zian all day and now he was missing, feeling at fault, he shut his mouth to refrain from further stimulating the already riled up prince.

In a panic, Wu Yange gathered up a search party before Wu Fan suddenly dashed in unannounced. His face was so pale as though he had seen a ghost. Seeing how angry Wu Yange was, he wasn't willing to be caught in the crossfire and punished for something he had no hand in. So he shamelessly hid behind Ying Tie and addressed Wu Yange standing there the entire time.

"So you chose to deliver yourself to me, good that saves me the trouble!" said Wu Yange with a blazing azure flame aimed at both of them, "Ying Tie move!"

"Aiyo….such a temper. Why would I do such a stupid thing without a reason," he said using Ying Tie as body armour. Feeling disgruntled, Ying Tie tried to shake him off but the man was like a tick burrowing his nails deep onto his back.

"Oh I see so you are protecting him!" yelled Wu Yange trying to get a clear shot. Ying Tie was done with these two cousins, he couldn't wait for them to rip each other apart already so we can all have some peace.

"Don't blame him, he has nothing to do with it," yelled Wu Fan still huddling to Ying Tie who gave me a look that translated to, 'brother, please don't defend me otherwise he will think we are in cahoots.'

Wu Yange had had enough of his cousin's nonsense and hence lunged in separating him with Ying Tie and was about to deliver a massive amount of pain when he heard Wu Fan barb, "I know where he is, I am the only one who can take you to him."

Though vigilant, Wu Yange deactivated his attack and yelled, "Speak!" in a domineering tone. He swore, that if Wu Fan was lying to him then he wouldn't survive the night.