Romancing the Son of Heaven

Stratagem 4: Choose a Heartfelt Present (2)

When An Bai and Xiang Yong returned from the Nine Heavens they made their way to their king's palace first to report how their mission had gone. Before they even reached the gates they were ambushed.

Qiu Ling grabbed An Bai by the lapel and pulled him closer. "You!" He knitted his brows and took a closer look at An Bai's face. Ugh. This guy was really handsome! He definitely couldn't let him get close to his beloved. Well, never mind. He would find a way to prevent that later. First things first. "Tell me a good present for my beloved!"

An Bai stared at his king blankly. Why was he asking something like this? "Your Majesty, we've just returned from offering the Heavenly Emperor our apology. I don't think —"

"I don't care! Tell me a good present for my beloved! It can't be some flower though. I want something impactful."

An Bai wanted to turn to Xiang Yong for help but his king turned him in the other direction.

"I didn't ask him! Who is he even?"

"I'm Xiang Yong, Your Majesty."

"I don't care! Now tell me a good present for my beloved." He stared at An Bai intently and tried to gauge something from his expression. Unfortunately, it was completely blank. An Bai hadn't recovered from the shock yet.

Qiu Ling frowned. Could this guy really be planning something? Had he actually thought of a good present but didn't want to tell him? What a bastard!

Behind him, Xiang Yong coughed. "Uh, Your Majesty, even though you didn't ask me, my opinion is that it should be something with a cultural impact."

Hearing a few sensible words did wonders for An Bai's condition. He nodded. "Indeed! That's a good idea. We've already apologized to the Heavenly Emperor but His Highness might also have some misgivings about the way you behaved. Giving a cultural present and explaining its significance to the dragon race would remind him that there are certain differences between our races and thus lessen the impact of your ..." An Bai reeled. He couldn't say 'your rude behavior' to his king, could he?

Qiu Ling tilted his head. "My?"

"Uh, your ... direct approach."

Seeing his friend feeling helpless Xiang Yong piped up again. "Right. It will help him understand that it is considered normal in the dragon race and something he can feel honored by."

Qiu Ling nodded. What this Xiang Yong guy said wasn't wrong. His beloved had indeed seemed calmer after he explained that matter. He already knew now but it probably wouldn't be wrong to reinforce this knowledge again. So, now he only needed an appropriate cultural present. Something really typical for their race ...

Qiu Ling tilted his head further. Come to think of it ... Hadn't his father told him about that super-romantic present he had gotten for that old geezer back then? If he remembered correctly, then his old man had said that it was an old custom of the dragon race. So maybe ...

Qiu Ling's face lit up. Yes! This was certainly the best possible present! He let go of An Bai's lapel and grabbed his shoulders instead, a grin on his lips. "You did well! I'll be generous and forget about your previous offense." Then he dashed off.

An Bai blinked.

Xiang Yong blinked too. "What previous offense?"

"I don't have any idea. But rather than that ... I have a very bad feeling about this. He was so excited. Who knows what he thought of?"

Xiang Yong sighed. "Probably nothing good. Was there anything else in the treasury we could bring the Heavenly Emperor?"

An Bai shook his head. "Not after we offered the phoenix feather in apology. There's nothing greater than that."