THE SECOND FLEEING 2

When the rain had stopped and they decided to continue their journey, and when they had been out of the forest, what was waiting for them there was truly shocking.

"Big city!" Hu Nayin made a small screech. "We have arrived in the big city!"

They had arrived in a crowded city full of hustle and bustle. The entire street was filled with people passing back and forth. Some were walking, some were riding the horses, some were pushing carts, some were driving horse-drawn carriages. The traders were busy selling and being surrounded by buyers. Several people were walking fast into a tavern to order food.

This was a kind of sightseeing Zhu Su had not seen for a long time. He looked at Zhu Youdun, teasing him, "It's your wish to stay at the place we just arrive at? You're really great at divination."

Zhu Youdun smiled back at his father. "Of course I want to stay in this big city."

"But, their culture is far different from Mogaung? We must have far left Mogaung?" Zhu Su thought. "Where are we?..."

"Kingdom of Ava..."

All of them immediately stared at Hu Nayin who was just muttering softly.

"Yes... this is indeed the culture of Ava... I am very familiar with the style of their clothes and behaviors, because I have come here before."

"Geez... so after we are stranded in a foreign country... now we arrive at another foreign country?..." Zhu Youdun sighed.

"Which is further south than before," Zhu Su turned to Hu Nayin. "And now we enter a different kingdom, they are using a different language that we can't understand, right?"

"Not really. Besides Ava language, Shan is also recognized as the national language of this country."

Zhu Su and Zhu Youdun let out a breath of relief as they heard that information.

"Oh, by the way, Nayin, you have treated the Princess of Ava Kingdom, right?" Zhu Su asked again.

This time Gao Qing watched Hu Nayin curiously. Hu Nayin answered, "Well... but it's been a long time..."

"So you know about their customs, how to interact with them?" Zhu Su asked again.

"Oh, about that case, I know it very clearly," Hu Nayin answered confidently. "Leave it to me."

Hu Nayin still remembered the culture of Ava. She did not seem awkward to interact with the locals. She could also recognize places easily even though she could not read Ava letters. She could soon find a restaurant that also functioned as an inn. The inn was not luxuriously decorated, but it was very crowded. It must be the most preferred inn in this city.

"We still own a little money to eat and stay, but we can't be like this much longer. We have to work." Zhu Youdun was confused. "But what should we work as, anyway?"

"We can become physicians, just like we did in Mogaung," Zhu Su answered.

"If you want to start a business in another country, then you must find out the etiquette of the locals first," Gao Qing reminded.

"Well... after finishing our meal we can find out about the customs of medical practice in Ava. Nayin... what are you doing?"

Hu Nayin was listening seriously at the conversation chatted by some people. Ignited by curiosity, Zhu Su and the others also listened to those people who were speaking in the Shan language.

"Pitiful Queen Dowager! Gets such a terrible disease!"

"The whole royal family are in an uproar. Because the King really loves Queen Dowager."

"But, in fact, the King shouldn't be sad all the time. If the enemy figures out, they can use this chance to attack us."

Hu Nayin mumbled. "So the Queen Dowager is falling sick."

"And it seems that this incident has a huge impact in this country," Zhu Su continued.

"And because of that, you have to cure her, Boy."

Zhu Su twitched to surprise with what he had just heard, and with the person who said so. "Mr. Gao, what do you mean?..."

Gao Qing looked at Zhu Su with a serious expression. "If you get the opportunity to regain power, will you take that chance?"

"Well, certainly, Sir."

"Then," Gao Qing now pointed to Hu Nayin. "Take him to the royal palace. You have known Ava royal family, for sure? They will definitely let you in. You have made a great start. The way of bringing you to the next level has opened wide. Good luck."

***

Inevitably, this was Gao Qing's most surprising suggestion. No, it was not a suggestion anymore, it was an instruction. Without caring anymore that Zhu Su might possibly be reluctant to do so, Gao Qing thus instructed everything they should do.

"How did you get chosen to treat Princess of Ava?"

"Uhmm... a few people dressed in different culture clothes suddenly came to my house, and asked me whether I am Hu Nayin. I answered, Yes. Then they introduced themselves, saying that Ava Princess was seriously ill and no physician could cure her. They heard the suggestion from the Ming envoys for the Ava Kingdom about me, thus they came..."

"How could the Ming envoys know about you?"

"I have to thank His Highness the Prince who has trusted and invited me to join in writing Xiu Zhen Fang, many government officials appreciate me..." Hu Nayin smiled.

"Then you must return the favor to His Highness the Prince who has given you such a big help?"

"Of course, Sir! I always try to repay his kindness on all occasions!"

"Yes, you must do it." Responding to Hu Nayin's enthusiastic words, Gao Qing said calmly. "And this is the best time to return that favor."

"You mean?..."

"When you come to meet with King of Ava, tell the King that he is your teacher who has guided you all this time, that he is more brilliant than you and you even trust him to carry out this more difficult task. Let him handle the Queen Dowager from beginning to end, and you only work as his assistant."

This time Zhu Su could no longer hold back his urge to talk. "You mean, I have to cure Queen Dowager on my own?!"

"Absolutely."

"But, Fu Wang's identity can be revealed?" Zhu Youdun asked worriedly.

"You don't need to reveal your identity, Nayin will only tell that you are her teacher who has guided her so that she can become an outstanding physician." Gao Qing watched Zhu Su, his eyebrows furrowed with seriousness. "Don't you want your son to live comfortably, without having to endure much pain, and even getting much luxury? There are many ways to get it, without having to trouble yourself to usurp the throne of Ming. One of them, is this! If you succeed in healing the Queen Dowager, it's impossible if they don't thank you. Then, the lowest position they'll grant to you is Royal Physician... that's the lowest! It can be higher, depends on your skill to win their hearts!" Finding Zhu Su still showed gawking expression, Gao Qing shouted, "What are you waiting for?! Hurry up, go to the capital city of Ava right now!"

Thus, they soon traveled to the capital. About three days later they arrived at Inwa, the Capital of Ava. And soon after, Zhu Su and Hu Nayin had been walking down the palace corridor, to face the King of Ava.