The small forest near the river was actually not very small. Zhu Su was able to avoid the area near Gao Qing's small hut and entered from the other side of the forest. Hu Nayin was unquestionably a real talent in herbs. This forest was indeed full of many effective medicinal plants. Zhu Su and Hu Nayin managed to obtain some medicinal plants to treat Zhu Youdun's wounds which were getting worse.
"But how can that old man know that you are a prince?" Hu Nayin could no longer keep her curiosity. Only Zhu Su and she went to the forest to look for the medicinal plants. Zhu Youdun began to suffer from inflammation - as the progression of the traumatic injury would always be. He also got a fever, and now was taking bed rest in Man's house, their kind-hearted guide.
Zhu Su shuddered. "He looks familiar. I'm sure I've seen him before... but I forget, where..."
"Is he a former government official who got involved in a crash with the Departed Emperor?"
"Maybe. My father was indeed too authoritarian. Just getting a slight disturbed, or a little offense, but he would soon issue the order of severe punishments or death penalties. No wonder if half of Ming hold a grudge against him."
Hu Nayin did not dare to comment on what Zhu Su said just now. Instead, she asked, "But how can a former Ming official choose to stay in Mogaung remote forest?"
Zhu Su could not find a reasonable answer to this question.
"Baiji (Bletilla/Urn Orchid), Xuejie's fruits (Daemonorops Draco), Danshen (Red Sage), Honghua (Safflower), Chuanxiong (Sichuan Lovage), Niuxi (Twotooth Achyranthes Root)... well, just process all of them a little more. After that, we can form Tie Da Sun Shang Ji (Decoction for Traumatic Injuries). And it's done. We don't need that old man's help, right?" Zhu Su said cheerfully.
Suddenly a silhouette appeared in front of them. In the next instant, he robed the basket containing medicinal plants held by Hu Nayin.
"Hey, Graybeard! What the heck are you doing?! Return our basket to us!"
It turned out that the one who took their basket was Gao Qing. His steps were very nimble. Although he was old, his movement was as agile as a young man. Now he growled in an insulting manner, "I've warned you, you can't mess with this forest. It's your consequence by underestimating me. Hahaha! Now take that!"
Zhu Su soon felt his veins pulsed in the temple. He was about to utter a reply full of anger, yet a flash of idea passing through his brain quickly changed his mind. "Okay then... just take it away! Do as you wish! It doesn't bother me at all since I can search once again!" He laughed cynically.
Gao Qing had been in the face of Zhu Su in just a second. A moment later, Zhu Su felt himself got thrown harshly, and now fell onto the ground. Gao Qing had punched him.
"Aaarrggh!" Gao Qing's fist hit the vital point of Zhu Su's body, which was unfortunately the injured part. He was in so much pain now, unable to move even for the slightest.
"Your Highness!" Hu Nayin immediately knelt down, supported Zhu Su. She glared angrily at Gao Qing, however, because the old man was surprisingly proficient in martial arts, she did not dare to act recklessly.
"Eat this, eat this! You all Ming royalty deserve to take this goddamn shit!... no, this is still not enough. It's too good for you! Not commensurate with the suffer my brother has endured!"
"Mr. Gao Qing... who... are you?... Why do you... hate my father and me so much?..."
Gao Qing snorted.
"Perhaps you still remember with Gao Qi, my Lord the Great Prince?"
"Gao Qi..." Zhu Su's eyes went round. Spontaneously he could rise several inches as he was so shocked. "Sir Gao! My goodness! Of course, I know him, Sir Gao is my teacher! But... why do you suddenly ask about him?" Eh, can it be?! "You... Sir Gao's brother?! You have similarity with him?!"
"Yes. I am Gao Qing, the younger brother of Gao Qi, a famous scholar who was brutally executed by the Hongwu Emperor!"
Finally. Zhu Su had understood it all. Totally understood, the reason why this old man could hate him so much to the extent that he was reluctant to help Zhu Youdun although the youth was at risk of losing his life.
Gao Qi was a very talented scholar, his literacy talent was well known throughout the country. Not only skillful in literature, his ability in memorizing was also incredible. Seeing something only once and he could recall the text he just read perfectly. The Hongwu Emperor was very impressed with his talent and intelligence, then after Ming was established, the emperor awarded him with a high position, he even assigned Gao Qi to teach his sons - of course including Zhu Su. Thence, needless to say, Zhu Su was very close to Gao Qi. He truly admired Gao Qi for the high intelligence of his teacher, as well as the teacher nature, which was highly independent and hated to be restrained by anyone, even including the ruling authority.
"Beautiful rivers flow far into the sea... Glorious talents fly through the sky and get remembered by many people..."
At that time Zhu Su was only nine years old. But even that enchanting poem was able to mesmerize a child's heart.
"Sir Gao, you're so great!" He praised, admiration glowed in his eyes. "I want to be able to poise as awesome as you!"
Gao Qi himself, did not seem impressed whatsoever as hearing Zhu Su's praise, even though the whole country was trying all-out to win a praise from a prince, and would be very happy although the praise from the prince was very short.
"You need to practice harder to reach this level," replied Gao Qi briefly. But after that, he smiled. "Yet you will definitely be able to succeed, Your Highness. Just train harder."
"Absolutely, Sir!" answered Zhu Su enthusiastically.
That was indeed the nature of Gao Qi. He was an idealist scholar. He neither liked to flatter and lick the boots of authority, nor liked to blindly obey everything ordered to him. He had his own life principles and convictions, and would defend those principles whatever it took. If he was sure something was right, then he would do it even if it would hurt others' feelings. But, everything he said was not mere sweet talk, yet based on sincerity from his deepest heart. His nature was more or less similar to Zhu Su, so Zhu Su could tolerate him, and would certainly not be offended by all of his actions.
However, the emperor had a completely different opinion from his son.