THE DANGEROUS THERAPEUTIC PROCESS 1

There was still no improvement in the condition of queen dowager. All of royal physicians had tried their best to cure her, but their efforts were ended up in vain.

"Your massage makes me even aches!" The queen dowager shouted angrily at one of the royal physicians, who hurriedly bowed and begged for forgiveness.

The princess, who was just watching in silence, now opened her mouth, "Your Majesty, what if we summon Mr. Su to treat you?"

Instead of the queen dowager, it was the senior court lady who answered, "Your Highness, it is Mr. Su who makes Her Majesty suffer from this illness..."

"I'm not talking to you, I am asking the Queen Dowager. Close your mouth!" Princess rebuked. Frightened, the court lady quickly bowed reverently.

The king sighed. "I've also been thinking of that... but I didn't see what actually has happened, and all eyewitnesses said Mr. Su is to be blamed for making Mother palsied... There are many witnesses as the proof to enforce the law, Sis..."

"Now it's not the right time to talk about law enforcement. Sire, please prioritize the Queen Dowager's health. As you see by yourself, no physician can cure Queen Dowager. Of course, it's better to let Mr. Su try to treat her, before you sentence him to death."

The king sighed again, longer than before.

"Take out Mr. Su and Miss Hu from prison, and bring them here!"

"Your Majesty!" The senior official shouted. "It's clear that Mr. Su is guilty in this incident, but you still intend to call him one more time?! You are supposed to be careful, aren't you?!"

"Of course I'll be careful! That"s the reason why I call him back." The king did not heed their protests anymore. "Come on, hurry up and do my order, don't be like a dum-dum!"

The courtiers quickly knelt down. "At your service, Sire!" And they rushed to the dungeon.

***

"Your Highness... Your Highness!"

Did someone call him "Your Highness" whereas he was only a stranger with lowly status, and even would be almost sentenced to death shortly after? He must be dreaming. But, this dream was so real. Oh, that meant it was not a mere dream. It was the Vision, he was now stepping through the Path of Death. There was a saying that walking the Path of Death was as similar as dreaming, the dream would be very long and it would tell the whole life he had until now. So, he would die soon. And what he was experiencing right now, was the memory of his past when he was still the Prince of Ming.

"Your Highness... are you alright?! Please don't make me afraid, Your Highness. Please wake up!"

I don't want to wake up. Because I am going to the Hereafter. I will meet Fu Huang, Mu Hou, Ruina... They might scold me due to my apostasy on betraying the Ancestor, but... it has been my consequence that I must bear for!

Zhu Su jerked. The pain he felt was so intense he was now thrown back and got his position change into leaning on the wall.

"Aaa!" Grimacing in pain, Zhu Su opened his eyes. He looked around. Hazily, he viewed Hu Nayin was squatting beside him, her cheeks turned crimson, tears filled her eyes as well as her whole face. However, she looked very happy.

"Thanks Heaven, you're awake... thanks Heaven!"

Zhu Su blinked his eyes. "Is it you who call me, Nayin?..."

"You've passed out just now! I'm so scared, I think you have..."

"I just fell asleep, didn't I?"

"You didn't breathe for quite a minute, and your heartbeat was also irregular! Fortunately, I still carry some acupuncture needles to help you!"

"I... have fainted?" How could he not even know that he had fainted? Ah, his depression must have reached its peak, and thence made his nerves break down, since he could not hold all it all.

And, the most important reason why he was so depressed was, his regretful of abandoning his own ancestors.

Zhu Su drew in a long breath. He said wearily, "I just thought that it was the time for me to face Fu Huang... I was just arranging the sentences about what I would tell him... I am sure he must be very angry with me, who have abandoned my ancestors and left my motherland."

"Your Highness..."

The sound of boots thudding nearer filled the entire dungeon. Hu Nayin quivered one more time. She automatically stepped back, leaning against the wall. Zhu Su himself, did not budge. With a glazed look, he stared at the courtiers and hefty soldiers who had stopped in front of the cell.

A courtier said with a stiff expression, "Mr. Su, His Majesty the King is calling you to treat the Queen Dowager."

Zhu Su and Hu Nayin stood up abruptly, shocked. When Zhu Su was getting to his feet, he felt unsteady, lacking balance.

"Come on, hurry up and go. Don't waste time." Still with stiff expression, the courtier continued.

Zhu Su felt a little shaky as he came out of the dungeon and followed the courtiers. Perhaps it's because I've just fainted earlier? Ah, it's so bad if I get sick at such this crucial time!...

No, no! This is my chance to be free. I must be strong. And do it brilliantly!

***

"Your Highness, we have brought Mr. Su and Miss Hu as you order."

They had arrived at the queen dowager's bedchamber. The king stared sharply at Zhu Su and Hu Nayin who were bowing to pay their respects. Queen dowager looked with dull expression from the bed, while the princess watched from the end of the room with a worried face.

"We, Su and Hu Nayin seek your audience, Your Majesty." Zhu Su said reverently, his mind did not stop praying that his dizziness could disappear.

The king said coldly, "Mr. Su, if you are severely punished, that has been your consequence you must take. You do malpractice towards Queen Dowager and harm her, everybody has become the eyewitness."

Zhu Su was about to say something, but he quickly changed his mind and chose to remain silent.

"But, I will give you a chance. If you manage to do it, I will release you." The king pointed the queen dowager. "Heal the Queen Dowager, and help her to move normally as before."

Once again, Zhu Su bowed respectfully. He approached the queen dowager, and began to examine her thoroughly.

At the same time, his vertigo began to recur again.

My Heaven... don't relapse now! Zhu Su thought in horror. Not now! If I collapse here, I'll be finished!

His hands trembled violently as he was taking the queen dowager's pulse. His vertigo was getting worse. His eyes began to sway, and it was difficult to control his balance.