Bowing respectfully, Hu Nayin and her fellows walked towards Zhu Di.
"Hey, are you Hu Nayin, the joint author of Xiu Zhen Fang?" Zhu Di looked closely at Hu Nayin, while she was lowering her eyes.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"And I heard that you have a "talent" to examine people just by holding their hands and feeling the aura emitting from them?"
"Yes."
"Ooohh... fantastic! Beautiful, smart, and also talented! You are indeed an extraordinary girl!" Zhu Di nudged Zhu Su again, now patting him on the shoulder with great enthusiasm. "Su, you have to take good care of this beautiful girl, don't let this good chance pass by! Or you will regret it later!"
As the response, Zhu Su choked. While Hu Nayin had her face reddened like a boiled crab.
"Dear Honored Guests, please permit us to serve the dish."
The servants were now walking back and forth, busy bringing large plates and bowls filled with delicious dishes.
"This is what I've waited for!" Zhu Quan said with delight.
"Interesting, Yunnan food is delicious!" Zhu Di was giving a plate full of food to his wife. "You have to eat it, my dear. Only once in a while, we can enjoy Yunnan culinary," He said cheerfully, while his wife accepted it with a broad smile.
Seeing the intimacy between Zhu Di and his wife, Zhu Su suddenly thought of his family, especially his wife - Feng Ruina. He had been separated from his family for a long time. Without being able to know their news, know what they were doing now... in a sudden, an immense longing emerged on his chest. If only he could meet with his wife, right at this moment...
"Your Highness..."
Zhu Su surprised. This voice?! He immediately turned to the origin of the voice that called him just now.
This voice is... Impossible?!
But now, what he could only do was just staring. Staring to this view, which was seemingly impossible but evidently turned to be real.
Feng Ruina was standing before him.
The evening sunset brightened the Wang Fei's beautiful face. She stared back at Zhu Su, her gaze was full of immense longing. Standing next to her, Zhu Youdun, his eldest son, also stared at him. "Fu Wang..."
"Rui... na..." Zhu Su was perplexed. "And... Youdun... how can you come here..."
Slowly but sure, Zhu Su had his feet begin to step, approaching his wife and son. Both of them also stepped forward. They were getting closer to each other.
"Yes, Your Highness... I heard that you have completed an outstanding work... and His Majesty the Emperor has forgiven you... so I ventured out, and come here..."
"Ruina..."
They finally had been facing each other as they were so close this moment. Zhu Su grabbed Feng Ruina's hands, clasping hers tightly.
"Thank Heaven, you're fine... I am so worried about you, and so eager to see you, however, I have so many tasks which must be done... I am very sorry..." His voice sounded chagrined.
Feng Ruina smiled. "Please say no more, Your Highness... I am proud of your achievement. To achieve this, you must have exerted a lot of perseverance as well as a tireless struggle... I can understand... really understand."
Now three of them were sitting on a garden bench. The twilight sun began to slide down, and the dusk's orange-reddish sky had changed its color to purplish-blue. Zhu Su asked again, "I heard that father-in-law has..." He swallowed hard, unable to continue.
Feng Ruina looked down, face filled with sorrow. "Yes... but maybe it is his fault. I should be grateful that his manner did not drag me and other family members into trouble..."
"You will be alright, because I'm here to protect you!" Zhu Su really yearned for shouting bravely like that, but he knew, he did not have any qualifications to say so. He was unable to protect even himself. His wife was precisely right. He must be grateful since God was still willing to protect them.
Therefore, all he could do now was merely holding Feng Ruina's hands tighter. And whispering, "Yes... Ruina... it's all gone. Let it be the past that has gone forever... and now... let me do my duty as your husband. To protect you, and my whole family!"
Feng Ruina looked closely into Zhu Su's eyes. Her mouth curved into a smile. "Thank you... Your Highness..." She said softly.
They turned to silence now, their emotions were mingled as they gazed at thousands of stars emerging one by one and illuminating the galaxy.
Far behind them, without they even noticed, Hu Nayin was watching them. She kept watching them, until she finally chose to leave.