Together 2

22. Temporary Relief

The next day, the entire Xiao mansion was extremely gloomy. Despite it being nearly nine in the morning, Xiao Zhan still hadn't left his room. All the maids in the mansion were also feeling bad for their young master. How unfortunate. To think his only beloved fiancé and one and only best friend betrayed him like this.

Yu Bin sneaked into Xiao Zhan's room along with a few servants who were holding flowers and his breakfast. After beckoning them to place the flowers on the table, Yu Bin walked over to the window and opened the curtains, letting the bright sunshine inside the dark room, falling straight on Xiao Zhan's face. Xiao Zhan squinted before slowly waking up. "Good morning Young Master!" Yu Bin greeted Xiao Zhan happily as he was sitting on the table.

Xiao Zhan yawned and walked over to the table to Yu Bin. "Yu Bin, what's the deal with the flowers?" He asked. "Pretty, aren't they? They're wreaths sent by various families to cheer you on." Yu Bin said. "You've already got so many letters on proposals and party invitations." "Oh, I see. What a bother. I'm not interested." Saying so, Xiao Zhan took a bite of his sandwich and smiled. "Delicious!"

Suddenly, Yu Bin teared up, making Xiao Zhan panic. "Huh?! Yu Bin?! Why are you crying? What's wrong?" However, Yu Bin rushed over to Xiao Zhan and hugged him. "I'm sorry Young Master! I never knew those two did that and I was defending them! You must've been very upset!" Yu Bin sniffled as he buried his face in Xiao Zhan's chest.

Xiao Zhan gently patted Yu Bin's back and slowly moved away. "No, Yu Bin! I'm not upset at all. Rather, maybe I should say I feel relieved? All my worries are gone now. Really!" He said as he gently wiped away Yu Bin's tears. Yu Bin was stunned with what he heard. "But you've been quiet lately... you've been in your room the whole day, sleeping. All of that was to manage your heart wounds, right?"

"It was all an act!" Xiao Zhan revealed. "Think about it Yu Bin. Don't you think people will look at me strangely if I look happy and walk on the streets right after breaking the engagement?" Yu Bin was stumped to a loss of words. "Oh... I see..." "Hm. I'm just lazing around with this chance so don't worry!" Xiao Zhan said as he patted Yu Bin's head. "Okay. I'm sorry Young Master." "I'm sorry too for making you worried Yu Bin. And thank you for your concern."

Yu Bin blushed and quickly moved away in embarrassment. "Then... I'll be right back with your clothes to get you changed." Xiao Zhan smiled at Yu Bin as he left the room. As soon as he did, Xiao Zhan turned to look at the small table in his room, which had a letter on it.

'I'm indeed relieved.' Xiao Zhan thought. 'I was trapped in an engagement with a disgusting scumbag, and now I'm finally free.' Wang Zhucheng is under arrest in general Wang's mansion and prince Zhu Zanjin is also on probation, which makes it hard for him to step out of the palace. Thanks to Xuanyu's testimony, they were able to find the poison purchase records. It seemed like everything was going well, but he unfortunately was thrown in prison.

Wang Zhucheng is keeping quiet about his accomplice Zhu Zanjin. 'That day, Zhucheng was the one who completely fell in the trap I made. Since Zanjin got the poison by himself, it is highly expected he already knew the features of green sky chrysanthemum, which was why he tried to stop Zhucheng's anxiety. But my dad stopped him.'

'Since their relationship was already falling apart for a while now, I thought Zhucheng was going to drag Zanjin down a bloody fight. I never expected him to shut up in that kind of a situation. Do you really love Zanjin so much? To the point where you'll risk taking the blame on your own?' Suddenly, Xiao Zhan started laughing. "My goodness! Love of the century!" 'If Zhucheng is serious about this, then what about Zanjin?'

***

At the second imperial palace, Shu Hao was standing outside Zhu Zanjin's room door. He sighed once before knocking the door. "Gege. I'm Shu Hao." He said before opening the door. "What happened to Zhucheng?" Zhu Zanjin asked, while Shu Hao was stunned to see the condition of the room. It was a mess. The table was thrown, the mirror was broken with shards on the floor.

Zhu Zanjin was sitting on the bed, his head in his hands. "He hadn't opened his mouth. It looks like he'd keep the secret until the end." Shu Hao said. However, Zhu Zanjin shook his head. "We can't be sure about that. Any answer from Zhan?" "No. It's been a few days since he locked himself in his room. I've tried to talk to the witness Xuanyu, but it's hard. Everything's been blocked and highly protected by Duke Xiao Jianmin."

Zhu Zanjin clicked his teeth in anger and threw the toppled over chair across the room, making it collide the wall. "Damn it! Everything's that guy's fault! It's already been four days. No matter what general Wang does, he cannot face two dukes." However, he quickly shook his head. "No! My father hasn't abandoned me yet! As long as I can blame someone else!"

Suddenly, Zhu Zanjin lunged at Shu Hao's collar. "You useless bastard!!!" He shouted. "Why didn't you do anything!!! Didn't I tell you to watch over Xiao Zhan!! You want me to believe you don't know anything about it!!" "I couldn't help it." Shu Hao said in a chocked voice. "There were many people at the party. I couldn't do anything."

Zhu Zanjin let go of Shu Hao's collar, letting him breathe. "Shut up! What a pathetic excuse! Hurry up and think of how to think of getting me out of this situation!" Shu Hao gasped for air for a while before turning to Zhu Zanjin. "Gege... why did you do that? Zhan really loved you. Why would you kill an omega who only had eyes for you, despite knowing you never took him seriously?" However, Zhu Zanjin scoffed at this question. "You ask for the obvious! How can the emperor have a fat omega by his side?!"

Shu Hao was stunned. "Don't piss me off with those damn things! What's wrong with you?! We should focus on how to shut him (Zhucheng) up. Well, there's one way. Shu Hao, I need your help with something." Zhu Zanjin said as he smirked. "With what?" Shu Hao asked. "Get some green sky chrysanthemum." He said, making Shu Hao's eyes widen.