After a few minutes, Nalan returned with the plate, neatly covered. With just a glance from him, she understood to take it to his room. She turned and walked away, grumbling internally about the uselessness of his wife who couldn't even see to his basic needs. They shared a home, yet everything was left to others, as though she preferred to sit idle just as she had done in her parents' house.
"We spoke with His Majesty. He said we should return home soon, as many people wish to come and pay their respects," the Queen said gently. He nodded and replied,
"So when should we leave, since it's only a matter of getting tickets?"
She paused briefly, then added,
"If it's okay with you, we should go the day after tomorrow."
He nodded again.
"Alright, that's fine. Tomorrow I'll go and collect Su Han's death certificate. The day after, we'll leave."
The Queen let out a heavy sigh and said softly, "May she rest in peace."
"Amen, amen," he murmured, lowering his gaze.
The sitting room fell into silence for a few minutes. Then he rose, said goodbye to the Queen, and went inside his room.
He found Qiantang freshly bathed, seated quietly on the edge of a chair, doing nothing. Her eyes were red and swollen. He approached, deliberately avoiding her gaze, and sat beside her. He placed the carton of milk on a small table, opened it, filled a cup, and offered it to her.
She hesitated as if she wouldn't take it, but seeing the firm look in his eyes, she reluctantly reached out and accepted it, sipping slowly while he kept watching her. She drank more than half before putting it down and saying she'd had enough.
Without a word, he opened another carton for himself and drank slowly, until he'd finished about half. Then he leaned back, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.
****
After resting for two days due to the headache that began on the day of Su Han's death, Zhan prepared early that Wednesday to visit the hospital. Over those two days, he had endured endless calls from Dr. Adrian, who had wanted to pick him up himself. The doctor had complained about not being given his address, saying it would have been easier than wandering around, but had sworn he wouldn't give up and would find the house somehow. His persistence had made Zhan smile; he had simply returned the smile without replying.
Today, he felt free, knowing Jianghu wouldn't pester him to take him along. Aunt Anu was coming to pick up Jianghu and the others to attend a baby-naming ceremony for the wife of Papa's friend who had recently given birth. Since they were like family in that town, they all planned to go together.
As Zhan stood before the mirror applying expensive cream, his phone lit up with a message from Nanjue. He picked it up, unlocked it, and read:
A message of goodwill and warm wishes to the king of beauty and ruler of my heart. I hope you woke this morning in good health. May the one who holds my heart be treated with the fairness that will allow him to thrive and continue to bring joy to my life. Rest well, my king.
Zhan smiled....messages like these from Dr. Adrian filled his phone. He returned his gaze to the mirror, remembering the conversation he had with Nanjue the day he gave him permission to visit. They had been sitting on the spacious balcony of the house.
"May the changes in life and the passage of time never make you forget that Nanjue is still among your many admirers. Even if you have forgotten, I have not, and I will keep reminding you." He adjusted his seat and looked at him earnestly.
"As I told you before, I, Nanjue, see Zhan, and I love him deeply, with all my heart and soul. I want to marry him and make him my rightful spouse. I need your support and love. I don't want to lose you again like before. I beg you...please, for my sake."
The weight of his final words made Zhan lower his head, playing with his fingers. Many men had tried to court him over the years, but he'd always felt a special respect and fondness for Nanjue. Quietly, he said, "Thank you for holding onto your love for me all these years. I appreciate it deeply. If it's meant to be, let's keep hoping and wishing together, and may the future bring us good fortune."
Though he hadn't given a direct yes or no, his words encouraged Nanjue. He hoped that one day he would get a clear and affirmative answer.
Zhan sighed and moved to his wardrobe, filled with clothes of all kinds and prices. He chose an outfit and dressed neatly within minutes. He checked his reflection; today, he thought, he looked better than ever. He saw in himself the charm and class that people...both men and even some women....often praised.

He shook off the thought, seeing no use in it. Grabbing his bag and shoes that matched perfectly, he headed out.
Just as he finished parking at the hospital, he spotted Dr. Adrian's car nearby. Zhan quickly looked away, silently wishing the doctor hadn't seen him. He wanted Dr Adrian to go inside first so he could follow alone....he hated the idea of being forced to walk in together.
But his wish didn't come true. He heard knocking on his window. Even before turning, he knew it was Dr Adrian. Left with no choice, he stepped out, his arms full of his belongings.
Dr. Adrian's face lit up with a smile.
"What a beautiful Wednesday! I'm so happy to see you. If you hadn't come today, I would've ask my mother herself to ask you for your address so I could find you before my heart gave out!"
He reached to take the bags from Zhan's hands. Though Zhan hesitated, he didn't want to argue, so he let him. A smile escaped him at Dr Adrian's dramatic words.
"Aren't you embarrassed, Dr.?"
Dr Adrian widened his eyes playfully.
"Oh? In China, is this something to be embarrassed about?"
Zhan started walking ahead without answering, leaving the question hanging with a simple morning greeting, which Dr Adrian answered as he hurried to match his pace.
What Zhan had been trying to avoid happened anyway.... Dr Adrian ended up walking right beside him. As they walked, they encountered staff members who greeted them with respect and courtesy. Ever since everyone realized how much Dr Adrian cared for Zhan, they began treating him with a special kind of deference, as if he were Dr. Adrian himself. This, of course, stirred up jealousy among some of the female doctors who had tried and failed to win Dr. Adrian's affection. But Zhan couldn't care less; none of that bothered him. At this stage in his life, he had promised himself not to let trivial matters like these disrupt his peace. He felt he'd already had his share of troubles early on, and now that things were falling into place, he wouldn't let petty issues cloud his path.
Dr Adrian didn't leave his side until they reached Zhan's office. He even opened the door for him and placed his things neatly on Zhan's elegant desk. Then he said, "Those people still haven't collected Su Han's death certificate."
Zhan looked up at him. "I thought you dismissed them the day I left?"
Dr Adrian shook his head. "I couldn't relax. The way you left, I knew something was wrong. But everything went well tho."
Zhan shrugged lightly. "It's fine. In an hour everything will be sorted. Even if they come for it later, it won't be a problem."
Finally, Zhan managed to get him to leave for his own office and give him some space. But not before he called his mother, handed the phone to Zhan so they could greet each other, and lingered for a bit while she once again pleaded on behalf of her son's feelings for Zhan. They chatted for a while before ending the call, Dr Adrian leaving with a grin as his mother scolded him playfully, while he only laughed.
Once Zhan finished preparing the certificate, he contacted the hospital's printing department. They came and collected it. Then, along with his team of nurses, he went to check on his patients....those Dr. Martin had been covering during his absence.
He spent a good amount of time making sure everything and everyone was doing well. Only after he was satisfied did he return to his office to tackle the remaining work on his desk.
Just as he was about to unlock his office door, someone called out to him respectfully. He turned to see one of the print staff holding out the completed certificate. He accepted it with a word of thanks, as was his habit, and pushed open the door while scanning the document, mentally counting how many days had passed since the girl had been laid to rest.
"There's a visitor waiting for you," someone announced politely from behind.
"A visitor? Who is it?"
"He's here to collect the certificate."
Zhan nodded. That must be Su Han's father. There was something he'd wanted to say to him...about leaving the child behind without either parent. The thought always pained Zhan and still did now.
"Let him in," he said as he stepped inside. The staff member left to fetch the visitor.
Zhan settled into his chair, swiveling slightly while waiting for the man to enter. When a few minutes passed and no one came, he slipped on his glasses and started reviewing a patient file to make use of the time.
The door opened quietly after the visitor was granted entry. The man stepped inside, dressed in matching clothes....both in colors that suited him perfectly. His shoes were polished, his hair neat and shining from a fresh cut. Though not overly long, the style highlighted his natural handsomeness and the quiet authority he carried. A luxury Rolex watch glinted on his wrist, and stylish glasses framed his face, enhancing his striking features.

Since Prince Yibo arrived at the hospital, he had drawn attention from women of all kinds....especially those who recognized the worth and rarity of the car he drove up in. Even the way he walked was enough to catch the eye. Yet none of this mattered to him. He seemed oblivious to it all, his expression entirely serious, as if a smile had never touched his lips.
He carefully closed the door just as it had been, following his usual habit of respecting rules and order. Then he stepped back inside the office, intending to speak.
But the words froze on his tongue. His throat tightened, unable to produce a sound, and his tongue wouldn't move. It was as if his entire attention had been pinned to the face before him, the face bent over the document in his hand. In that instant, the features before him seemed to merge....the face from years ago, and the one before him now.
It was the same. The very face that had haunted his thoughts for eight long years, denying him peace. Yes, time had marked changes....skin tone, style of dress, education, refinement....but none of that mattered.
To Prince Yibo, even if a thousand years passed, as long as his soul remained within his body, he would always recognize that face. That face, so precious and dignified, would never fade from his memory. Even if someone tried to alter it, his heart would tell him it was Zhan, and his spirit would insist it was Zhan.
He didn't even know how he reached Zhan's desk. He had no idea how he'd gotten so close. All he could register was Zhan looking up at him with those clear, large eyes that seemed to glisten, as if someone had dropped oil into them, making them shine. And the faint scent of Yibo's cologne hit Zhan's senses, sending a shiver down his spine.
Zhan tried to stay composed, but his heart raced beyond control. And, overwhelmed by that scent, couldn't even tell where it was coming from. It forced Zhan to look up, to see the famous young business tycoon standing right there before him. What on earth had brought him to his office? Zhan didn't know either. All he could do was scowl, Yibo still staring at him, desperate to understand what had led him here.
Zhan, for his part, hadn't expected this. The sight of Yibo's features....especially the intensity of his gaze....made his heart pound in a way he'd never felt before. Against his will, Zhan felt his eyes flutter shut for a second, shaken by the depth of Yibo's stare.
Zhan quickly told himself, No....this can't be connected to Jianghu's father or his people. Let this man have no link to them. Let there be distance between us.
When Zhan looked again, Yibo was still standing there, arms folded over his chest, his gaze heavy on him....eyes that seemed to carry weight, unlike any eyes Zhan had seen before.
Something deep within him stirred, but Zhan forced himself to focus elsewhere. He turned his attention to the file in front of him, trying to break the strange pull between them. Zhan's expression hardened even more, annoyed at him for standing there like a bodyguard, wordless.
Zhan finally spoke, his tone sharp: "Is everything okay, sir? You walk into someone's office without a word and just stand there. Care to explain?"
He didn't even glance up fully, still pretending to study the file. But deep down, Zhan was stunned by Yibo's resemblance to his twins, expecially Jianghu...and unsettled by the silent tension filling the room. His ears strained, waiting for Yibo to speak. When the silence dragged on for what felt like minutes, Zhan lost patience. He raised his head, frustration in his voice.
"Look mister....if you have nothing to say, you can leave. I have a mountain of work ahead of me."
And then, to his shock, Yibo grabbed his hand holding the document. Yibo had to know....was this a dream, or real?
Startled, Zhan yanked his hand free and stared at him. Yibo straightened, Zhan frustration spilling over.
"What do you think you're doing? Have you lost your mind?"
Yibo let go, and for the first time, words tumbled from his mouth....rushed, anxious, as he faced the man he'd longed to see for so many years.
"I'm so sorry. That's... that's the first thing I thought I should say to you."
Zhan fell silent, staring at him, confused by the stranger's words. What's going on? Who is he? Even the sound of Yibo's voice made Zhan's heart skip....it sounded familiar.
Yibo caught the look of confusion in Zhan's eyes, realizing Zhan didn't recognize him, didn't understand what he meant. His voice softened.
"I'm Mo Wang Yibo... the Crown Prince of Tianjin city...."
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛