THE DEATHLY MAGGOTS 2

"It just comes to my mind. Maybe His Highness isn't contaminated by the vegetables he has eaten, but instead, from the plants he researches. Perhaps he had been scratched by a sharp thorn, and the disease transmitted from plants to him through the scratch."

Guo Songmi opened his mouth so wide that it formed an "O" letter. "Oh, right! Then we also must be alert... yes! Who knows, we are also contaminated by the plant!"

"You're too cheerful, Boy. I'll bet that you are healthy one hundred percent."

"But, thank Heaven, Wang Fei doesn't catch the disease." Guo Songmi leaned against the wall. "She is pregnant. If she gets infected then it'll be hazardous to her pregnancy."

True, Hu Nayin should be grateful. The infectious disease spread so fast that nine people had been found with the symptoms right now. And all of them were in severe condition. It turned out that these nine people had felt tired and got headaches since a few days ago, but because they assumed it as common fatigue, while they were too enthusiastic in their work, they ignored it. This time rashes began to appear on their skins. Li Heng told them to return to their houses and avoid meeting with anyone during the healing phase to prevent others from being infected. However, because there had been contacts between the sick and other members of the Team of Wellbeing, Li Heng decided to treat the entire team too, including the negative ones.

"Nayin... don't be too close to me... you are with child... if you catch the disease, it will be bad..." Since Hu Nayin kept sitting next to his bed without even moving an inch, Zhu Su instantly disallowed her.

"But according to Physician Li, someone just catches the disease if he or she is scratched by the contagious plant..."

"We'll never know... Nayin... so stay away... moreover, you are with child..."

Zhu Su gasped for breath as he spoke up. Hu Nayin was perplexed. She really wanted to take care of Zhu Su, but she was also afraid of getting infected and then caused a bad impact on her womb. Finally, she made up her decision. She stroked Zhu Su's hand, said, "Alright, Your Highness... I'm so sorry, I can't take care of you..."

"Yes... you must take a rest... Take care..."

Hu Nayin nodded. "Sure." She rose from her seat, then left the bedchamber, although she was so reluctant to leave Zhu Su.

***

"Nah, nah, nah. You want to get rid of this contagious disease? It won't be that easy. Because, it is not an ordinary disease. I have spent dozens of years to research this disease!"

Rumilie folded his arms, smiling with great satisfaction at the response of Wan Ya's report.

"Sir Rumilie, you are so great. The time to avenge Xie Wang will arrive soon," Wan Ya uttered. He looked at Rumilie closely, said sincerely. "And, don't be sad anymore, Sir. I always find you lethargic and sad these days. But now, you can smile happily, Sir!"

Rumilie stared back at Wan Ya. "Yes... sure, Wan Ya. I... will not be sad anymore. Because I will see a super pleasant thing. The death of Zhou Wang!"

***

Just as Rumilie said. It was indeed not a common disease. All kinds of medicine and therapy had been given to Zhu Su and the other infected members, but it did not work at all. Moreover, their conditions worsened because their energy drained as the result of overtime works. No doubt, Rumilie hoped for Zhu Su's death. Of course, the disease would not be so easy to get treated, not even by the imperial medic. And slowly their body condition was getting worse.

"What?! Liao Zhan is dying?!?" Li Heng was so shocked when he heard that terrible news. "I want to meet with him!"

All members of the Team of Wellbeing paid a visit to Liao Zhan.

Liao Zhan's seemed to asphyxiate. His face was entirely red, and he was sweating profusely. He must exert himself to speak. "You are... here?..."

"Liao Zhan!" Li Heng exclaimed in worry. He examined Liao Zhan, and a second later he took a very deep breath, a sigh filled with sadness and outrage.

"Don't... be sad... Physician... Li ... as a medic... this is... a risk... I ... must... bear... cough cough!"

Lin could no longer hold back her tears, she started to sob. Rui could only look at Liao Zhan with a wistful gaze. And Li Heng, said softly, "You are a medical expert who deserves high respect... All of us should pay homage to you..."

"How... is... His Highness?..."

Li Heng shook his head sadly. "Same with you, still in poor health..."

"Ooohhh..." Liao Zhan looked even weaker. "I just... hope... to see... his work gets published... and our efforts can... be achieved... cough! Huff, huff..."

Liao Zhan seemed to be so weak to speak. Li Heng said, "Liao Zhan, you're sick, don't force yourself to speak!"

"My only wish... is... His Highness' project can be... finished soon... so that... no one... has to... die... of... illness... again....."

Liao Zhan's word vanished. So did his breath. Liao Zhan's eyes closed. His whole body activities had stopped completely.

Liao Zhan had left this world forever.

"Liao Zhan!!!" The members of the Team of Wellbeing who came from Yunnan immediately sobbed. They were the most devastated by Liao Zhan's departure since their closeness had been tightly knit for a dozen years. But Liao Zhan's death truly brought great sorrow for Kaifeng Palace. As if the whole palace was covered in gray clouds. They had not yet overcome the disease, but a man had to die from it.

"Let me see His Highness!" Hu Nayin protested as two court ladies forbade her from entering.

"We apologize, Wang Fei, but His Highness' condition is so bad."

"That's why I have to be by his side to take care of him!"

"This is His Highness' order; Wang Fei is prohibited to be near him."

Hu Nayin was stunned. She looked at the senior court lady who uttered just now. "Really?"

"Of course, Wang Fei!" The lady said firmly. "Nevertheless, it's for your own sake!"

Hu Nayin stared at the senior lady, who responded with contempt. She did know that many senior ladies looked down on her due to her less honorable status to become the spouse of Zhou Wang. This senior lady was undoubtedly one of them. She pressed her lips together. A second later, she stepped backward. Her behavior made the court ladies lower their hands, no longer blocked her way.

But it was apparently no more than her strategy. Suddenly she ran fast, bumping into the unprepared court ladies and making them stagger backward.

"Wang Fei!!!" The ladies tried to catch her, but it was too late. Panting, Hu Nayin managed to stand in front of Zhu Su, who was staring at her in surprise.

"Your Highness..." Hu Nayin stuttered as she found that Zhu Su became much weaker than before. She grabbed his wrist.

"Nayin! Why do you come here?!..."

"I'm so worried about you, Your Highness..."

"Wang Fei!" The court ladies had been aside Hu Nayin, now tried to pull her away. But Hu Nayin snapped their grip furiously, and then back concentrating on holding Zhu Su's wrist.

"Leave me alone!" She snapped, irritated by the court ladies. "I'm examining His Highness!"

This sentence proved to be effective in making the ladies stunned, forced to bow down in respect.

Abruptly Hu Nayin felt an extremely terrifying aura. Her heart was beating fast as she got the aura. Her hands were shaking, very violently. And all of a sudden, she burst into tears.

Hu Nayin cried uncontrollably.

"Nayin... why are you crying?" Even though Zhu Su was very weak, he was still aware of everything that occurred. Still holding Zhu Su's wrist, Hu Nayin said tremblingly. "Your Highness... no... Your Highness..."

"Nayin..."

"Nooo!!!..." In a sudden, Hu Nayin released her grip from Zhu Su. Then she dashed out of the room. She ran, and ran. Traversing corridors, passing through gazebos, she finally arrived at one of the botanical gardens. To be precise, she was standing in a vast flower garden.

The flowers swayed to and fro in the strong wind. Clouds drifted across the blue sky above. Standing there, Hu Nayin seemed petrified as she looked at the flower beds that were flowing left and right. There was no any beauty to be seen by her eyes.

Only sadness filled her whole mind right now.

"His Highness... will pass away soon."