THE REVENGE BEGAN 5

Wu Qi and Hu Nayin were those who changed most drastically among all of the occurring changes. Wu Qi was now very skillful in martial arts. Thereby his all arrows could be right on target and saved Zhu Su. Meanwhile, Hu Nayin had become the most famous female physician in Yunnan. She was no longer solely using shamanic healing, she also applied the structured diagnosis of Chinese Medicine. Besides, her participation in writing Xiu Zhen Fang raised her prestige a lot. Not only the female family members of Yunnan government officials who requested her help, the female family members of the officials from neighboring provinces such as Sichuan and Guizhou also often called for her help. She had even been once invited to treat the princess of the Ava Kingdom (a famous ancient kingdom located in Myanmar). Often contacting with nobles and government officials, Hu Nayin knew every information spread in the government. So when the soldiers captured Zhu Su in his palace, Hu Nayin could also know about it. It was she who immediately told Wu Qi and the Team of Wellbeing to help their former lord.

"I am really sorry, I can only call them for help. Because they are the only ones who will not betray you for sure," Casting her eyes down, Hu Nayin said in a low voice. She looked so regretful since she could not help Zhu Su in a way she actually wished.

The afternoon breeze in this autumn was chilly. The breeze passing through the footpath in Mount Laojun was now playing with Zhu Su's hair. He brushed a strand of hair covering his eyes.

"Don't say so, Nayin. Your help is more than enough. I really appreciate that," Zhu Su said solemnly. "Nayin, just act casually to me. You don't need to be so subservient. You're an outstanding woman, Nayin. Don't look down on yourself." Now you are even more prominent than me...

Hu Nayin's face blushed. "I... don't dare... you are a Fan Wang..."

"That has become the past, Nayin. Now I'm not a Fan Wang anymore. Jianwen Emperor is different from my father. He really humiliates me. He has lowered my status to be an outcast."

"B... but... in my eyes, you are still a Fan Wang..."

"Thank you very much for your kindness, Nayin. But really. I often feel uneasy seeing you act in such a way. I want you to dignify yourself, by virtue of your current situation. You can do it?"

'Ah... uh... if that is your request... then... I will fulfill it!..."

Zhu Su smiled. He raised his hand, his instinctive motion to pat Hu Nayin on her shoulder. But suddenly something stopped him. His hand stopped in the air. He quickly pulled his hand back to the original position.

It really can't be like it used to be. Everything has changed. Nayin, Yunnan, and I...

"My Lord... To be honest, I am very happy to see you again... But why does it have to be in this way? If only we could meet in a normal condition, you were still the Zhou Wang as before. Of course, it's my greatest pleasure to meet with you."

"Yes, Nayin. I've yearned to meet with you, too. After returning to Kaifeng, I was often reminded of you, sad to say the government regulations require that as Fan Wang we must not leave our Fan Wang Guo as we wish. And I also have to handle plenty of Fan Wang Guo affairs." Zhu Su gazed heavenward, gazing at the small birds perching on a tree branch. "And finally, we meet here... under these circumstances. It is also my wish to meet with you in normal condition..." He looked down again, and now stared deeply into Hu Nayin's eyes. "Thank you very much Nayin, for your great assistance to me."

"Ah!... That's what I'm here for!..."

"No. I really have to thank you. Even though I'm no longer a Fan Wang, you're still willing to help me. Although by helping me you can be accused of supporting the rebels and being punished. But you still do it anyway. I am... really touched..."

Hu Nayin's hands were squeezing one with another. Her head was slightly bent down. But she could not hide the broad smile tugging on her lips.

"It's true. I am truly grateful to be surrounded by kind women. Like my wife Ruina, who was willing to follow me to exile, and ended up dying in prison. But... her kindness makes my heart painful. She makes me feel guilty. She died... because of me..."

Hu Nayin's smile faded. Her hands were no longer holding each other tightly.

"Ah, how can we discuss something like this on this sunny day! It's unpleasant to hear, huh! Don't mind it!" Zhu Su waved his hand. "Nayin, can you tell me what you and the others have been through all this time?"

"Thanks to your appreciation for making us members of Team of Wellbeing, our lives have all much improved. We no longer live as hamlets, we can now live and work in the city. Xiong opens tuina * and acupressure practices, Di Na opens a large restaurant in Dali city, with Liao Zhan and Lin helping in the kitchen. Rui, Han Zhong, and Payloth have their own plantation fields. The others continue their original lives. I often join with Xue Mei. After I diagnose the disease and prescribe the herbs, Xue Mei will help in the tuina section. High-class women like Xue Mei very much, because Xue Mei is serious and full of dedication with her work."

"I've heard that you manage to cure the Princess of Ava Kingdom, is that right?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Can you tell me, what does Ava Kingdom look like?"

"Ava Kingdom is a very beautiful kingdom. And their culture is also unique. Their palace design is completely different from Ming palaces. The clothes they wear are also different from ours. As vehicles, the nobles and royals ride elephants. The king and queen are very kind and friendly, sometimes kinder than Ming nobles. The Princess also gave me so many facilities, making me very uncomfortable."

"The king and queen of Ava are kinder than Ming nobles?"

"Yes... Or maybe it's just because of cultural differences? In my opinion, Ava residents are more polite and friendly than ours..."

"Haha, I guess it can happen simply because they basically like you so much, that's why they are very friendly to you."

"No, that's right..." Hu Nayin suddenly realized that she had mispronounced, nevertheless, Zhu Su was a member of Ming aristocrats after all. "Oohhh... I am so sorry... when I mean the Ming nobles, you are excluded from them!..."

Knowing Hu Nayin was uneasy with her words, Zhu Su assured her, "Take it easy. I'm not offended, really. I've told you that I'm not a noble anymore. Just speak as you like to me, it's okay!"

Behind Zhu Su's cheerful voice, Hu Nayin could catch the sadness inside it.

"Your Highness... I believe, all of this will pass. This ordeal will end soon. And you will get what you want. I have a hunch, the current emperor will not have his reign last long. He will end quickly."

...

* tuina = part of Chinese medicine. A form of intense, deep massage is used to balance energy flow.