Romancing the Son of Heaven

Stratagem 2: Holding a Council of Love (5)

When Qiu Ling returned to the Nine Heavens the next morning, he wasn't let in and instead met with a higher number of guards than the day before. They weren't as courteous anymore, either. After all, the story of how the dragon king had dared to have indecent thoughts about their Son of Heaven had already spread and most of the guards had a not so secret crush on their crown prince that they just didn't dare speak about.

Unable to see his beloved, Qiu Ling threw himself into painting portraits of him for the rest of the day and the following night. He was sure that the Heavenly Emperor would calm down after a while and let him in again.

Unfortunately, when he returned to the Nine Heavens the next day he was still met with the same greeting and had to return to his own kingdom without having achieved anything. He hadn't even been able to take a look at his beloved from the distance!

It couldn't go on like this! He had to do something. But what? How was he supposed to make his beloved fall in love with him when he couldn't even see him?

Qiu Ling frowned handsomely. He had no idea what to do. In that case ... he had to ask for help!

He ran to the gate and waved one of the guards over. The man stumbled over and hurriedly dropped to his knees with his hands clasped in front of his chest.

"Your Majesty! What may your servant do for you?"

"Go and get me those guys."

"Uh ... those ... guys? Who is Your Majesty talking about?"

"Er ..." Qiu Ling frowned even more. What were they called again? "Fu ... something."

"Fu Min? Fu Heng?" the guard proposed.

"Yeah! Those two! And the others."

The guard hesitantly looked up. "You mean ... Qiang Wei and Yi Zan?"

"Mn! And the rest." He still remembered that he was supposed to have six people at his beck and call for such things.

The guard's lips twitched. "Your Majesty is talking about Xiang Yong and An Bai?"

"That sounds about right ... Yeah, go inform all of them. I want to see them. Now."

"Here?"

"Uh, no. Send them to that ... uh, that place where they held those military discussions before."

"Yes!" The guard hurriedly bowed deeper and then retreated. He definitely didn't want to get something piled on top. This kind of giving a command ... it was just too strange.

Qiu Ling didn't bother thinking about it any longer. He grabbed everything he needed and then hurried over. Meanwhile, the guard went to inform the six men his king wanted to see.

When it was Qiang Wei and Yi Zan's turn, the two exchanged a glance before they looked back at the guard in front of them. Qiang Wei rubbed his ear and leaned forward. "What did you say just now?"

The guard cleared his throat with an uncomfortable expression. He certainly didn't want to play the messenger for these types of people! They were all strange! "His Majesty wishes to see you."

Qiang Wei pointed at Yi Zan, then at himself. "Which of us?"

"Both."

The two dragons exchanged another glance before Qiang Wei waved at the guard. "Alright, we'll be right there."

The man nodded, bowed and hurried away.

Qiang Wei turned to Yi Zan. "What could have happened?"

"No idea."