3.28 [P] [Wen Yang's]

"I believed the account has been settled?"

The young man pulled up the loose fabric that was hanging into his shoulder, covering the ambiguous marks as he was bathed with sweats and tears.

The other man frowned and gave him a deep kiss, seemingly dissatisfied, "You have really done it your way." He responded before starting to get dressed.

"General, I hope you won't get back at your words."

"Your highness, I am a man with integrity. Besides, your services was always the best, it's a pity I couldn't marry such a remarkable bed warmer." He commented playfully, finally dressed in a complicated outfit.

The young man on the bed stiffened, he clenched his fist that was holding into the cushion, though he didn't let the flames inside control him, he responded calmly, "General is the best in all aspect. And I believed the General will do what he was asked."

"Don't worry." The latter chuckled and finally walk away from the room.

The young man remained in the bed for a minute, feeling a little painful and sore, he supported his self into the bedside and let his bare feet landed on the floor.

He hissed and the cold fire on his eyes ignited with so many emotions, he blinked again, and the remaining flames dissipated, and the whole water was calm again.

This happened for a reason. After this, the benefits will be more than he concluded. He reminded himself.

After the General left, the light source from the outside seeped through the corner of the room, illuminating some of the edges, including the face of the young man.

He was no doubt, a gorgeous one, even with his hair distorted nor the reddish of his eyes and the sweats of his forehead, he was exquisite and delicate like a doll crafted perfectly full of blossom and florescent. Even though, he had a charm that can trample a whole kingdom, there is a hint of ambiguity and coldness exuding in those eyes.

In a while, the door was pushed in and a youth dressed in a servant clothing rushed in, panting nervously holding a bucket of water. "Your highness, this servant already prepared the bath!" He anxiously announced.

Wen Yang coldly nodded and allowed the other servants supported him to the bathroom.

While sinking in the hot water, his thoughts constantly traveled from afar.

He was the first son born to the Empress of the Shu Kingdom, precisely, he had a very firm position in the palace. However, his father, the present Emperor, was a passionate lover and had countless beauties that filled his harem. Compared to those ladies, the Empress was ordinary, and her only advantage was the family that was backing her. Naturally, the Emperor wouldn't favor his son born from her, and yet, maybe the heaven was fair as the next children born from his other consorts were all girls, putting him in a difficult position and had no choice but to elect Wen Yang as the Crown Prince.

Although, he had now a firm position and a stable life, he wasn't naive enough to enjoy the benefits of that title. Once one of the consorts conceives a prince, the Emperor will most likely execute various methods to kick him out of the palace. So, he started to become useful.

At young, he was aware that his talent was the best of his peers, he was able to read and write at the age of three, not only that, his political strategist and business transactions was considered outstanding and wise.

Perhaps the heaven took pity in his misfortune and compensated him a face that transcended beyond gender. He doesn't look like the Emperor or the Empress, but he looks like his grandmother, who was the number one beauty in the past. He used this face to hook up various officials, including men and women, and finally maintained his usefulness to the Emperor.

And the latter started to softened because of his achievement. His sisters were naturally jealous and gave him a hard time, and for the first time, the Emperor took his side and punish the eldest princess by marrying her off to a minister.

Wen Yang was extremely touched by this, he had long for a father's affection, his mother doesn't care about him at all, and perceiving that the Emperor was starting to favored him, he vowed himself to become much better than anyone else.

He was willing to swim in the deepest river, travel barefooted in the deserted land and embraced the flaming volcano just to convey all his father's request. He became a slave, a dog that was willing to lick his master, and a trapped bird. But he never felt any remorse about this, his father was now loving him, it was worth it.

Not only that, the commoners and nobles showered him love and supports. So, how can he feel bad about all the things he had done?

"Father, General Feng had agreed to the cooperation." He proudly announced.

The man who was sitting in the dragon throne gave a satisfied smile, "Great. The Crown Prince had really exceeded my expectations. You are dismissed now."

He smiled and bowed.

Just like that, all his hardwork will be only rewarded by that sugarcoated praised, even if it was genuine or not, he doesn't care. For him, to be able to live up other's expectation was enough, and to be praised by his father proudly in front of the courtiers, it was more than enough.

But then again, happiness doesn't last for long.

"Yes, this servant heard it from the other servant. Consort Yu had birthed a prince." The firm voice of his shadow guard instantly shattered his whole illusion.

There was a loud crashed in the dim room, several fragments of teacup scattered in the whole floor. Compared to this, Wen Yang's face seems more distorted by the mere fact.

This what scared him the most.

There was another prince in the palace! And it came from his father's most favored consort.

His breathing turned heavy and sweats forming on his forehead. The shadow guard was alarmed and instantly comforted him. Wen Yang only felt ridiculous and pushed his servant away.

It's okay. It's okay. He comforted himself.

The prince was only a newborn, and he already got a firm and stable position in the kingdom. That infant couldn't do anything right now, and it was not too late to disposed that.

But his father...

Thinking of the Emperor's fascinating eyes while holding that child into his arms, coaxing and kissing that he never experience in the past, made his chest feel stuffy. He gnashed his teeth.

Why did the heaven give him a good life only to be stolen once again?!

He hated his mother, who doesn't get the affection of the Emperor. If she could get that, then he wouldn't work hard just to reach this point.

He hated the individuals who was naturally born lucky and doesn't need to take various methods to take what they want, including love, wealth and favor. He hated them. Why can't the heaven become fair and let them experience the equal pain that he had?

Fortunately, his father didn't change the whole night. He was still the same, though he gave attention to his new son, the Emperor still favored him more, which caught him in surprise.

He was filled with excitement. Conceivably, the heaven didn't abandon him completely.

"You are becoming like your father." The Empress bitterly commented, once, he visited her.

Wen Yang had no emotion in his face, "Then it was good."

"Wen Yang!" His mother yelled and tears started to flowed down on her cheeks, "Do you know what you are talking about?! You are turning into him! A greedy and selfish bastard who only wanted everyone's acknowledgement and praises! The people who died... on yours hands... do you not feel any guilt?"

"And what about me?" He coldly retorted, "What about me who was sink in the coldest snow, waiting to carried like any of those children? What about that time when you are grieving yourself out for your lost love, did you remember me? The child who takes full responsibility of his own growth? Why do you care about those deaths when you don't even care about your son?!"

The Empress froze and sobbed more loudly, "I-I'm sorry... W-Wen Yang... M-Mother is sorry... If only—"

"I don't need it."

"W-Wen Yang, don't live like this anymore..."

"I like it this way." He replied calmly, staring directly in her eyes, "I like how people see me as their savior and how father see me as his successor, even with vile method, I will use it just to maintain this life." With that, he walked away, leaving his mother crying loudly.

Unexpectedly, the kingdom experience a huge crisis. Their nemesis country had been constantly targeting them, starting from the transaction and merchandise. Their kingdom was weaker compared to the latter and had no choice but to negotiate.

"Wen Yang, you had known that only you can do this." His father warmly coaxed him.

If this was a different day, Wen Yang will feel delighted by the intimacy, but right now, he wasn't.

The Yong Country wanted to negotiate in terms of giving them the number one beauty in their kingdom to become a sparrow.

He had knowledge what sparrow's role are, isn't it to lick the feet of the Emperor or served the bed of the latter?

Wen Yang was already a proud son of heaven, how can he do such a lowly thing?

He started feeling angry. He had countless sisters, why don't his father send those vases? Why is it him?

At this time, he hated his face for the first time. In terms of appearance, his sisters was indeed inferior compared to him. It is to say that beauty was indeed both a curse and a blessing.

But the follow-up sentences of his father made him lost his vengeance, "You are not really entering as a sparrow, you will enter as a spy. Discover their weakness and strength, once you succeed, you will return here to your home. We will conquer that country so that we won't feel any more threats in the future. Everyone will declare you as hero, love you and support you endlessly, including me."

Everyone will love you...

Yes, that's it. This is only an undercover mission like in the past. He can do this effortless, so he agreed.

Before going to that vile place, he first investigated the likes and dislikes of the Emperor. Wen Yang was expert in seducing and acting in preference of any other. His black shadow gave him too much information and started acting like the picture he wanted to portrayed.

Days by days, his plans doesn't go to what he calculated, making him feel anxious. He knew that he already tempted the Emperor, but why does he keep neglecting him? Right, he had that holy saint in his harem.

Qiao Chen.

His first impression of him was worse, Wen Yang felt that he was not qualified to talk dirty about him. He was only a vase that was only great in the eyes.

What is his qualifications to be treated like a treasure?!

As his plans went in vain, he started cooperating with the second prince. They rolled on sheets and Wen Yang knew that the second prince was only using him, and adding to that, he was also taking this advantage to lure him entirely.

Their plans were conveyed accordingly.

To his surprises, both Qiao Chen and Bai Menxiang wanted to form a cooperation. The benefits he will gain by participating was really huge, although, he will have a hard time acting like he was engaging his part, luckily, Qiao Chen had been locked up by the Emperor making it easier for him to cooperate with Bai Menxiang without breaking the contacts with Qiao Chen.

It becomes peaceful and trouble-free. Their kingdom's armies manage to overcome the security of the Yong country and disguised as normal residents. The information exchanging turned easier and Wen Yang can finally see the result by seeing this information working on their kingdom.

It was almost done. He was not worried anymore, and his father showered him with praises through the letter.

But something was wrong.

Suddenly, the situation was beyond his control. Days by days, his disguised armies were slowly getting discovered, their hide-out and meeting place have been found out.

He tried to save his plans that was going to get doomed by asking the second prince in favor. However, the latter seems not willing to aid him, leaving him no choice but to only gnashed his teeth.

What went wrong?!

Obviously, they were closed at their goals. He can even hear the countless cheers and praises of his kingdom's citizens for his succession. His father was expecting him to succeed, so what can definitely go wrong?

Is someone sabotaging him?

Bai Menxiang? No. Wen Yang doesn't trust him wholly, but he knew that Bai Menxiang will not use this foul method to retaliate against him.

The second prince? No. That bastard still needed his kingdom's backing to his journey in ascending the throne.

Qiao Chen. Yes, possibly. But what, can a locked up bird do something incredible? He wiped out the possibility.

His frustration, anger and anxiousness started to get worst the moment he found out that he actually slept with the Emperor. He felt sick and mostly resentful.

He swears to gave him the most painful death once the situation wasn't in chaos anymore, but the more he tried to resist, the more his body responded like it wasn't his own body anymore.

How could possibly this happen?

He wanted to run away and came back to his kingdom where he was respected like a saint. He wanted to quit because he can no longer endured the humiliation.

But thinking of the tired faces of his people, where they suffered too much because of this country, and those expectance eyes staring directly at him, it boasted his reason to achieve a great result.

Right. He can do this. His efforts will be pay off in the end. His kingdom will become more beautiful and wouldn't suffer any threats once he successfully finish his task.

Just like that, one misstep that took a three hundred and sixty-degree turn, inside out. He fell down into the abyss.

And by good luck, he escaped and run away.

He failed. And he failed miserably.

But it's okay. He can redeem himself. His father will forgive him and his people will comfort him. This is his only mistake, and they will understand him.

But the moment he stepped in the familiar place, his sight didn't see the longing expression of his people, instead it was fright and anger.

What happened?

Before he could ask, a child cries and called for her mother, that followed one by one. They avoided him.

"He's a monster!"

"Why did he return here?!"

"Come on, don't get close to him! He killed the Emperor from the other country!"

The mockery and insults from the adult burned him instantly. He was not welcome by the warm cheers of his people, he was welcome by their ridicule and slander.

He ignored their displeased faces and whipped the horses as he entered the palace.

However, he was stopped by the guard and regardless of how hard he struggled, he was not their match. The guards unexpectedly dragged him into the dungeon.

What happened?

Why is their faces different?

"Tsk. He almost destroys our kingdom." He heard a guard hissed while staring at him disgustingly.

Wen Yang didn't eat for three days because he was hoping to be greeted by the warm embraced of his people, and hearing such comments, he wanted to shouts, but he was weak to do so.

"I don't know why the Emperor still put him into the dungeon, as you can say, the dungeon was not suitable by an evil creature like him!" The other guard replied.

It's funny cause Wen Yang still remembers. This guard was only a beggar when he saw him the first time, Wen Yang tried to raise him together with others and finally obtained a guard job. And not only his good deeds was rewarded in this way, he was also ridiculed by a mere beggar he actually raised.

This people was disgusting. He only made one mistake, and they actually thought that he was a monster? He did that for this kingdom!

Patience. Once he could talk to his father, he will make those who mocked him miserable.

That's the only thing who comforted him as he embraced the night, stomach aching in pain and body that was burning in despair.

The world did not disappoint him because in the morning, he was summoned by his father in the palace.

The guards mercilessly dragged him and didn't give him a room to complain. Wen Yang could only grit his teeth and list the things that they have done, to settle all accounts.

"Father!" He called hoarsely, "Punish those guards, father! They dare treat me like this!"

But then, he saw once again how his father looked at him with such a cold eyes. There were no admiring nor affection in his eyes anymore, only pure coldness that was making his nerve racked.

He was familiar with that sight.

And that's knowledge made him scared even more.

That's the sight when his father saw him the first time, which gave him a nightmare. He lost it. His father was... back in the past.

"F-Father... I know I have done something unforgivable! But I promised to redeem myself! I will work hard!" He tried to persuade his father.

"From now on, you will no longer be a prince. I will strip your title and will have your execution tomorrow morning in front of the temple. Everyone should be reminded to watch."

Just like that, he was thrown away like garbage.

He lifted his eyes, just wanted to say a slight hesitation from his cold eyes, and yet he didn't. "W-Why?..." He murmured faintly, "I-I only did it for our kingdom... It was just one mistake..."

"Your one mistake almost put an end to this kingdom. Luckily, the second prince persuaded them not to declare a war, or you will be known as the human disaster, a person who cut off all his people."

But, isn't all this father's plan all along? He sacrificed his dignity and body just to achieved his goals, but did they ask him once on how he feel?

He smiled sadly as he was dragged again by the guards.

This didn't stop him from proving that they were wrong. With his expert mind, he successfully escaped. He wanted to redeem himself. But before that, he tried to see his father if he will saw a bit of sadness on his eyes because of his mistake.

But what he saw was not sadness, but his gentle father coaxing a child who was not an infant anymore.

There was like an invisible net on his chest that will tighten as the closer he got. He felt stuffy and doesn't know when the tears were starting to flow down on his cheeks. He turned around and left.

If he could proceed his plans, maybe his father will return again. His people will not see him as a monster.

He tried to cover all his body and was mixed in the lively crowd. He had no money and was even hungry. The city was crowded, and the palace guards was distributed in every corner. He was afraid of being discovered and choose to take the narrow path.

Suddenly, he heard a commotion.

"Boo, gave up! Your prince was a monster now." It was a childish voice, followed by laughter.

He was about to ignore but heard something making him stopped.

"You are wrong! The crown prince was only misunderstood! I know he wasn't like that. He was nice and good!"

"My mother was even scared to mention his name. How do you know he is good?"

"Come on, don't bother with this kid, maybe he wanted to become the crown prince!"

"Yes! I wanted to become him."

"Then, I wish you good luck!"

The five children ran away, leaving only the shortest one who was sobbing and sulking. There was a wooden sword on his hands and his legs was bruised. The kid continued to sobbed and unconsciously turned back, facing him.

Wen Yang tightened the cloak on his face, not letting the little kid saw even his eyes.

"Mister, are you lost?" It was the kid who started talking first.

Wen Yang shake his head and was about to leave when the kid pulled his clothes.

"Are you also like them? You also hate the crown prince?"

Faced with such a pure and big eyes, Wen Yang was taken back for a while before he gave a hoarse answer, "No."

"I know it! I am not the only one who like the crown prince!" He said happily.

There was a warm feeling on Wen Yang's heart, he bent down, "Why don't you hate the crown prince? He almost destroys our kingdom."

The kid gave him a pout, "Mister, the crown prince is really nice, and I don't understand why he wants to destroy the kingdom. The crown prince save Menmen in the past, how could the crown prince do bad?"

Wen Yang was silent, but his shoulder was already trembling. He thought he lost all the things that he worked hard to get, but there is still a kid who was willing to believed him. It gave him a comfort.

"T-Thank you..." He whispered hoarsely.

"Huh? Mister—"

He already left.

That kid's words gave him an assurance, and Wen Yang tried to plan out how to redeem himself. His first plan was to blackmail Bai Menxiang, but he had the backing of the fourth prince and Qiao Chen was his only choice.

From their interaction, he knew Qiao Chen value his older sister so much and Wen Yang abducted her.

He was just going to negotiate with Qiao Chen, but his anger didn't let him. He hated Qiao Chen who at least had a person he can rely on, making him unconsciously kill Qiao Yu.

In the end, he got played.

He was weak, but he knew that this weakness will only hinder him. He tried to stand and face the situation. If this is his end, he wanted to see his kingdom once more to see if they really regard him as disaster.

For a week of walking, he manages to enter the gate, others couldn't identify him and only regards him as beggar because of his state.

Wen Yang didn't bother with this anymore and started walking slowly. He saw his faces in different corner, wanted and missing. A criminal. And the opposite was the complete portrait of the young prince. A new elected crown prince.

He watched as the people continued to ignored him, the children who brushed against him, the laughter, the noises and the gossips.

While he himself was only a relic from the past, a failed memory; unwelcome, covered and forgotten.

Wen Yang turned to the other direction, walked on, merging into the bottomless stream of humanity, gushing ahead on the road, completely covered with dirt, ploughing forward to wherever he was going, and as he trudged with them, a step at a time, heading into the unknown.