MRE – Chapter 11

Chapter 11

 

Xue Yang invited Xiao Xingchen to the pub without knowing that Wei Wuxian will be joining them. He thought that it will be their usual meeting and as Lan Zhan’s subordinate since the emperor informed them that the empress will be joining their alliance against the Wen Clan.

 

Upon arriving of Xiao Xingchen to the pub, he was stunned by the number of people inside the room and thought that this might be the reason why they are not using their secret meeting room. Xue Yang whispered to him that they will postpone the secret meeting because of the minister of war insisted to join and the empress thought that they will just drink on the pub and unwind.

 

“Greetings My Emperor and Your Highness,” Xingchen said and bows.

 

“Oh, you’re here! Come sit here!” Xiao Zhan said as he moves and taps on the seat between him and the emperor. Lan Zhan was somehow felt a pang on his chest by his action and Xingchen refused but Xiao Zhan eagerly insisted.

 

“My apologies Your Highness, but this should really be your seat,” Xingchen said.

 

 

“Aiyoo Xingchen! You will be the future wife as well of the emperor no need to be shy!” Xiao Zhan happily said, however the people around him became silent and realized that it might sound sarcastic to them as they like Xingchen as an empress instead of Wei Wuxian, but now he will only become a concubine.

 

 

“Ah! I didn’t mean to be sarcastic, don’t be offended, since you two like each other I should give way right hehe,” Xiao Zhan added, which is basically true, and he believes that he should give them the happy ending that they deserved for him to go back to his real world.

 

Youwen glance at him worriedly and with a sad look on his face. While Lan Zhan felt that he should be happy knowing that Wei Wuxian already recognized Xingchen as his lover, but he feels otherwise. He decided to believe Wei Ying when he said that he came from a different world, but he is still giving him a benefit of a doubt that maybe, it was because of his injury as well that he was confused. Xingchen sat after that discussion between the emperor and empress, and Lan Zhan just gave him a reassurance smile. Xiao Zhan also invited Lan Xichen and Xue Yang to sit instead of standing in front of the door, and they comply as they pour the alcohol on each cup.

 

“Thank goodness! It’s been so long since I last drinnkkkk! Can I visit this pub more often?” Xiao Zhan said excitedly.

 

“You can, but you should inform me so I can escort you outside Wei Ying,” Youwen said as he drinks his share.

 

“Yes, yes, I understand, that won’t happen again so do not worry, ‘kay!” Xiao Zhan said sarcastically. While two busy talking to each other Lan Zhan heard what they are talking about, Lan Zhan originally has a low alcohol tolerance, but he decided to drink until he secretly builds his stamina in alcohol as it might put him at risk if they take advantage of his drunken self, although he can still protect himself.

 

“Wouldn’t it better if the empress goes with me instead of Minister of War?” Lan Zhan abruptly said. Everyone almost choke by the sudden question of the emperor, even Xiao Zhan was choking and coughing hardly.

 

“Aiyoo actually I am fine being alone, I don’t need escort if you ask me,” Xiao Zhan proudly said, he wanted to be alone, it will be his me time like the last time.

 

“No!” Both Lan Zhan and Youwen said.

 

“Why?! Even you guys wanted some time for yourself, why can’t I do that? Right Xingchen?” Xiao Zhan said as if he is close to Xiao Xingchen and asking for his support while still trying to be friends with him, aside from being his type he is irritated because he is surrounded by this proudful alphas.

 

“I do not dare to decide something about that, You Highn—”

 

“Ah! I know, we should hang out together Xingchen since we are both omegas, right?” Xiao Zhan coyly said and clings to Xingchen’s arm, the latter man is obviously uncomfortable by the sudden closeness of the empress. Youwen was confused by the sudden action of the empress. It was well known that the empress loathes the lover of the emperor.

 

“I dare not to do that Your Highness,” Xingchen said as he is trying to release himself from the tipsy empress. Before, the young Wei Wuxian likes to bring alcohol to their school in Gusu, but when he became the empress-in-waiting, he’s decided to drink only if necessary, that is why Wei Wuxian’s alcohol tolerance dropped. However, since Xiao Zhan loves to drink, he thought that he could still handle this alcohol.

 

Youwen was trying to separate the tipsy empress from Xiao Xingchen, but the empress is getting naughty and insisted on hugging Xiao XIngchen.

 

“Aiyoo, Xingchen don’t be shy we are both omega! We should have hic fun together,” Xiao Zhan said as he lifts Xiao Xingchen’s face through his chin as if he was trying to seduce him. The other omega shuddered and flustered with the seductive action of the empress.

 

Wei Wuxian is the most beautiful omega in Gusu in par with him, but people hated him due to his connection with Wen Clan despite being an adopted son of the Jiang family. The two alpha quickly separates them as Xiao Zhan tried to kiss Xiao Xingchen on his lips. All of them was flustered and embarrassed by the sudden action of the empress. Good thing that Youwen and Lan Zhan was able to grab them.

 

“What are you doing Wei Ying!” Youwen said flustered. While Lan Zhan stares at them coldly while holding Xingchen shoulders.

 

“Why Youwen, I am just hic expressing my love for another beautiful omega like me, right Xingchen? But why do you hate me? Is it because of Lan Zhan?” Xiao Zhan drunkenly said who drank the whole bottle of Emperor’s Smile earlier.

 

“Don’t worry you can have hic him,” he added. Lan Zhan unconsciously clenched on Xingchen shoulder and flinched by the sudden pain.

 

“I’m sorry,” Lan Zhan mumbled and removed his hands on the omega’s shoulder. While Youwen was confused by the sudden change of heart of his childhood friend.

 

“The emperor is not a thing that you can just give Your Highness, please take back what you said,” Xiao Xingchen said and bows.

 

“But you two love each other, right? Don’t worry I will fully support you, ah! Another bottle!” Xiao Zhan said as he grabs the other bottle of another wine and happily drank it while the people around him are awkwardly quiet.

 

“Your Majesty, I think the empress is drunk already, we will escort him back to the palace,” Lan Xichen suggested.

 

“No need, I will bring the empress home,” Youwen said, but Lan Zhan beat him into it as he carries the already unconscious empress in a bridal style.

 

“No need, we will use the room here, you two please escort Xingchen back to his home, please take care.” Lan Zhan said as walked past Youwen with the sleeping empress in his arms.  Youwen tries to follow them, but Lan Xichen stops him with a sheathed sword. While Xingchen looks hurt by the sudden action of his beloved emperor but cannot do anything since the two are legally married, unlike the two of them.

 

Xue Yang assisted Xingchen outside the room and prepares to depart while Youwen coldly stares back at Lan Xichen.

 

“You cannot follow them Minister, the empress is in a good hand,” Xichen said.

 

“So, the emperor must have really like it here that he has a room here?” Youwen sarcastically said but suddenly a crow entered the room and landed on Youwen’s shoulder. He wanted to stay longer for the empress, but the crow is messenger for Wen, and asking him to urgently visit them.

 

“If something really happened to the empress, tell your puppet emperor that I will personally kill him.”  Youwen threatens Lan Xichen and left the pub while the other man just clenched his hand in the sword. As a loyal subject of the emperor, he wanted to behead the insolent Minister of War for threatening the emperor, just because of the empress.

 

On the private room in the pub, Lan Zhan tucked the empress on the bed and recalls how the minister casually holding him everywhere.

 

“I should be happy that you are giving up and supporting us, but what is this uncomfortable feeling, Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan said softly.

 

“You should smile and laugh often, it suits you than being cold and frowning, you are not from other world, you have been always like this,” Lan Zhan said as if he was convincing the sleeping empress.

 

“Ever since when we were students, you were always like this, but since you pledged your alliance with the Wen, I never saw you genuinely happy, except when you are the presence of your sister and brother,” Lan Zhan added.

 

“Mm, more Emperor Smile please!” Xiao Zhan said in his sleep.

 

“Who am I kidding? What rights do I have to say that you have always been like this. Good night, Wei Ying.”

 

 

 

“Lan Zhan! You are Lan Zhan, right?! I am Wei Wuxian, but you can also call me Wei Ying! Hehe!” fourteen-year-old Wei Wuxian said, while the fourteen-year-old Lan Zhan ignored him and continued what he was reading.

 

“Hey fuddy-buddy! We are the same age you know, why are you so strict and why are you wearing all white, you look like someone attending someone’s funeral,” Wei Ying said as he continuously disturbing Lan Zhan while he is reading.

 

“Ah, that book, that’s boring! Let’s hang out! You are from here, so you should know where we can hang out discreetly! Rig—” But before Wei Wuxian can continue what he was saying, Jiang Cheng pulled his robe and smacked his head.

 

“Stop disturbing him! Shijie and I have been looking for you since earlier! I’m sorry Prince Lan Wan Ji, please forgive this feral one!” Jiang Chen as he forcibly bows Wei Wuxian’s head.

 

“Mn,” Lan Zhan simply answered.

 

“We will leave now, thank you for your grace,” Jiang Cheng said and pulled the naughty Wei Wuxian.

 

“Ah wait!” Wei Wuxian said as he ran back to Lan Zhan, “I’ll give this to you in exchange, you will tell me the best place to hang out, okay? Bye!” Wei Wuxian said and ran back to Jiang Cheng.

 

Lan Zhan just stares at the flower that was given by Wei Wuxian, and he was mesmerized by the flower in his hand. It was a freshly picked peony, which obviously came from his palace’s garden.

 

The prince put the peony in his book and looked in the direction of that oblivious kid, who gave him his own garden’s flower.