DEEP, BLACK PITCH SKY

"My God. Fu Wang has a fever."

The princesses stopped grumbling. They approached Zhu Su. "Fu Wang has a fever? How come?!"

"Get a physician!" Zhu Youdun waved to one of the court ladies who immediately saluted and was about to do her job, when a voice stopped her.

"I'm fine! Don't call physician!"

Zhu Su no longer leaned back on the chair, yet his sitting position was not completely upright. His voice was heavy and limp like a drunken person when he said, "I'm fine... leave me alone, then I'll be fine..."

"Has Fu Wang drunk much wine?" Zhu Youdun got confused.

A princess answered, "We didn't see him drank even for a cup."

"Then, Fu Wang simply doesn't get enough rest. And besides, it's late right now but he is still here talking about something that hurts his heart, how can he not become like this." Zhu Youdun patted Zhu Su's hand, said in a persuasive tone, "Fu Wang, it's late. You should go to bed. Come on, I'll take you to the bedchamber."

Zhu Su nodded weakly. He got up and walked unsteadily. His stare was still out of focus. Worried that Zhu Su would hit a chair or table or other things, Zhu Youdun supported him to ensure that he could truly go to his bedroom.

"Let me support Fu Wang by myself. And you, go back to your room!" In the corridor, seeing the princesses wanting to accompany them, Zhu Youdun quickly gave a refusal. In such a situation, hearing the princesses grumbled with loud voices was not what he wanted. He wanted to pass through the quiet and solemn corridor street with a calm and relaxed state of mind.

"Fu Wang, we have arrived." Zhu Youdun opened the bedchamber door and led him to the bed. "Just leave all problems for today, don't be bothered again by it and thus makes you get insomnia, okay?"

Once again, Zhu Su bowed his head weakly. "Fine," He answered briefly.

Actually, Zhu Youdun was still worried about Zhu Su, but he knew that if he kept staying here, he would instead disturb Zhu Su's rest time. He bowed respectfully, then walked out and disappeared behind the door.

Zhu Su himself, although appeared like a half-conscious person, yet could not fall asleep. He was indeed unfocused, but he was awake. It was his agitated and uneasy mind which did not allow him to relax.

Slowly, he stood up. He walked out of the room unsteadily. His feet led him to the botanical garden.

Right now Zhu Su was standing in the botanical garden which was only filled with flowers, facing directly the vast scenery of the night sky.

The night sky was always the same from day to day. Appearing with the dispersed countless stars which sparkled and illuminated the world. But this time, the night sky appeared very different for him. The night sky gave him a sad impression, made this night to be gloomy and heartbreaking. Severely heartbreaking.

Moreover, Hu Nayin's face suddenly appeared, adorning the starry heaven.

And even, there were lots of Hu Nayin's faces, appeared one by one. Hu Nayin who smiled shyly, Hu Nayin who laughed happily, Hu Nayin who was empathizing, Hu Nayin who was deeply thinking, Hu Nayin who was afraid, Hu Nayin who was angry...

The entire sky was suddenly filled with Hu Nayin's faces in every expression.

And not only that.

It also appeared. The violent Hu Nayin. The cruel Hu Nayin. Hu Nayin who laughed happily with Yun. Hu Nayin who walked towards Wu Qi cheerfully and gave him a hug. And Hu Nayin who left him.

Left him.

"Yes, Your Highness. I believe in you."

"I will do everything to repay your kindness..."

"Your Highness! It is true, that I love you so much!..."

"Nayin... Actually, can I believe everything that you say?..."

Actually, he was unwilling to believe this fact. He was unwilling to believe that Hu Nayin betrayed him. At first, he refused to believe that Hu Nayin joined forces with Yun. When the princesses forced Hu Nayin to be imprisoned in a torture chamber, Zhu Su tried so hard to release her.

"I just caught a glimpse. I only heard bits and pieces, not from the beginning to the end. I haven't even heard an explanation directly from Wang Fei's own mouth. And how dare you lock her without clear and solid evidence, even in the torture chamber?!?..."

This time the first-rank court lady - an elderly strict madam - stepped forward. "Your Highness, you should leave the affairs of women to the harem administrators. It is the area of women, let women take care of all problems by themselves without intervention. Only then will harmony be created in the palace."

"Why does the reason come from? I never heard such a weird reason!"

"This has been a provision from hundreds, even thousands of years ago."

"After all, Your Highness, Hu Wang Fei is a cruel woman! She also masters black magic! Do you remember that when the flood occurred, she spit out centipedes and frogs around the palace? And is it she who spreads the disease in Shuanghu District and even kills innocent people?!"

This time Zhu Su gasped, for a moment he was unable to argue with the senior lady.

Then. The unnatural screams of the princesses and court ladies blared.

"Wang Fei has run away with San Hu Wei Chief Commander!"

And he changed, even until now. He who was full of energy before, had turned to a living zombie whose spirit had almost completely disappeared.

This was even more painful than the news of Hu Nayin allying with Yun. Wu Qi was also the person he trusted the most. And now, the two people closest to him simultaneously raised their respective swords, and thrust them right into Zhu Su's heart.

"Aaah..." Suddenly Zhu Su had trouble breathing extremely. His chest really hurt. He had to bend down, supported his chest with his hands. He was nauseous, his head was spinning, his world was also spinning, he was trembling violently to the extent that he almost lost his footing.

"Nayin..." He was panting. "How... cruel... How cruel you are... Nayin... torture me to this extent..."

"Your Highness! It is true, that I love you so much!..."

The words that Hu Nayin said with glowing eyes full of adoration kept echoing in his mind, kept screwing up his mind. The more he refused to listen, the more intense the sound grew. And the pain he suffered was getting worse.

"Why... why do you torment me with so cruelly, Nayin, by choosing him rather than me? And allying with my enemies? So many people out there, but why is it you who stab me, Nayin?..."

The saddest part of betrayal is; That the one who stabs the knife to you is not your enemy, but instead, the people closest to you, whom you trust and love the most.

Zhu Su was still gripping his chest. It was really painful. The "knife" sliced him into his deepest heart. He was out of breath. He was even sure that he would die soon.

His misery was so deep it was strong enough to take his life right at this moment.