Chapter 86 - Jealousy

After defining each one's "role," Feng Long starts deploying his plan. Unknown to them, Xie Yun was nearby, sitting on a bench. Zhong Kunyi tries to get closer to him, bowing:

-His highness, are you ok? May we hold a conversation?

Xie Yun remains silent. He looks at Zhong Kunyi, but he does not have the same hatred towards him as against Feng Long and Yu Lexuan.

Zhong Kunyi walks toward him and sits at his side. They look at each other:

-His Highness, I have travelled a long way away from home to make a deal with you... Meng Zhang wants it, but you have to approve it as well.

-I recognize your noble efforts but, frankly, I cannot approve anything that will benefit Feng Long... 

Xie Yun looks to the opposite side, avoiding eye contact with Zhong Kunyi. Zhong Kunyi moves a bit closer to him:

-Please, his highness... I'm not doing it to make Feng Long happy... But to make Meng Zhang happy. 

Meanwhile, Feng Long suddenly takes Meng Zhang by his right hand, gently looking at him:

-Your majesty, could you show me your palace in more detail? I'd love to know more about it. 

-Oh, yes, no problem... - Meng Zhang raises an eyebrow, then blushes slightly.

They walk hand in hand past Xie Yun. Yu Lexuan also joins Feng Long, caressing Meng Zhang on his nape while walking. Xie Yun looks at Zhong Kunyi, trying to ignore Meng Zhang being caressed:

-It is his choice... He clearly doesn't like me! But who cares?! - He thinks.

-Your excellency, are you ok? May I show you our proposals? - Zhong Kunyi breaks his train of thought.

-Ah... Yeah, let's see it... I don't want anything to do with Zhejiang, but since I know you want it so much, I'll talk.

-Excellent! May I suggest we move to the upper floor? I like the views we have from there. 

-No problem, we can do it.

Not far from there, Feng Long stops walking and whispers to Meng Zhang:

-Meng Zhang, if you haven't gotten it yet, my plan is simply to pretend I'm in love with you. I'm sorry for not telling your majesty about it beforehand, but, being honest, I really liked when you touched my hair. 

Meng Zhang blushes:

-Feng Long! Well, let's try it. I understand what you want to do.  

Zhong Kunyi and Xie Yun sit on a bench located on the balcony. Zhong Kunyi makes sure to sit slightly to the side, so Xie Yun will see both him and Meng Zhang in the open square below. Zhong Kunyi brings some papers with him and starts to negotiate:

-So, this is what I propose to you: reviewing your taxes on imported goods from Zhejiang, and the ones we buy from you...

Meng Zhang and Feng Long sit side by side, chatting happily. Yu Lexuan stands behind them, smiling. Xie Yun can't focus on his talks with Zhong Kunyi:

-Feng Long, you are a hateful person!!! - Xie Yun burns inside.

Zhong Kunyi notices Xie Yun is mad, but he continues to speak with him anyway:

-... so, as I told you, a 35% tariff on some minerals is unfair. They were reasonable a decade ago, but Jiangxi's economy has grown a lot since. Don't you think your excellency?

Xie Yun is lost but pretends he understood what Zhong Kunyi said:

-Ah, well. This is pretty high. We can lower it a bit...

-A bit? I want it to be gone! If you do it, I'll remove other tariffs you think are not appropriate...

Below, Meng Zhang and Feng Long play together closely. Yu Lexuan smiles and blushes slightly seeing it:

-Even though Feng Long said Meng Zhang should only pretend they are in love, something is tingling in my head... Meng Zhang is acting so naturally... His eyes shine... I think he really likes Feng Long. Well, it is impossible not to like him anyway.  

Feng Long smiles and takes Meng Zhang into his arms. Meng Zhang raises an eyebrow and blushes slightly as Feng Long looks deeply into his eyes:

-Meng Zhang... I like your exotic looks... Your personality fits so nicely with your garment.

-I... I can say the same of you... 

Yu Lexuan gets closer to them, smiling at Feng Long:

-I also want to be in your arms, Feng Long! - Yu Lexuan smirks.

-You had always been here... Let me ask Meng Zhang about his feelings. - Feng Long smiles.

-Feng Long! Ok, you can do it, I'll... hmm... ALLOW YOU to do so. - Yu Lexuan laughs.

-Fine, your majesty, I'm the emperor, but who cares. I'm happy to have gotten your permission. - Feng Long smiles back.

Yu Lexuan walks away from them. Feng Long allows Meng Zhang to stand in front of him. Meng Zhang blushes slightly after trying to look directly at his eyes. 

Feng Long notices he may have gone too far. Meng Zhang shows genuine sympathy for him, which he didn't expect. Yu Lexuan is laughing at that unusual situation that might put Feng Long in a difficult spot if Meng Zhang falls in love with him.

Xie Yun is losing his tone with Zhong Kunyi:

-Preposterous! How could you propose that? Are you kidding me? Zero taxes on fruits!!! -Xie Yun gets up.

-Please, your highness, calm down... It might sound absurd, but I have accepted some terms that are unfair to us, so I'm trying to compensate for that...

Xie Yun cools down, sitting back on the chair:

-Ok, fine. Let's continue to discuss other taxes. Some taxes can be lowered or removed as I expect our sales to grow.

Yu Lexuan is now moving back to the palace. Meng Zhang and Feng Long sit together on a bench, caressing each other's hands. Feng Long smiles:

-Meng Zhang... You seem not to be pretending as I told you...

-But, Feng Long, I... Forget about it. - Meng Zhang lowers his head.

-Why? I have no problem if, you know... you want to become my friend on a deeper level.

Meng Zhang blushes deeply but passes his left arm around Feng Long, gently hugging him:

-Feng Long... Later, I want to have a private conversation with you about it... Now is not the right time for it.

-I understand.

Feng Long replicates the hug and tightens it, bringing Meng Zhang closer. From the balcony, Xie Yun sees everything. He burns internally, although not admit, that he is jealous. Meng Zhang had tried to love him, but he avoided any kind of deeper relationship.

Meng Zhang and Feng Long rise, walking towards the river. Zhong Kunyi takes the papers signed by Xie Yun:

-Well, your highness... I think we have had a productive talk, but there are other matters I want to discuss with you next time. 

-Ah... Yes, I agree with you, maybe later we can discuss more... I'm a bit stressed out, so I'll take my leave.

-Stressed out? Ah, fine... Yes, discussing such matters is difficult! No arguing on that. I agree with his highness... Please, take a rest, maybe drink some tea. 

Xie Yun nods and goes downstairs, letting Zhong Kunyi alone. Getting to the floor, he almost bumps into Yu Lexuan, quickly walking away. Yu Lexuan bows to him, but he can't even see it given how fast he walks away from him. He starts to climb the stairs to the upper floor to meet with Zhong Kunyi, thinking while walking:

-Xie Yun seems to be feeling very insecure... I think Feng Long's plan might be working! - Yu Lexuan smiles.

...

◄Previous chapter                  Next Chapter►