"I don't care!  Anyway, when she wakes up, we will get married.  Let's see what those people outside have to say......"  Ying Xue Wen looked at Hua Ming Zi and his voice became slightly lower.

"Didn't you say you don't want to get married?"  Song Qing Lian looked at her younger son and of course, she also did not miss the taut expression on her eldest son's face.

"Initially, I thought she has three heads and six arms but now I know she doesn't."  Ying Xue Wen felt a little embarra.s.sed and scratched his head.  He could not help but want to sneak a peek at her.

"Do you know the actual situation of her health?"  Ying Yan Long folded his arms across his chest and looked at his younger brother coldly.

"What business does our Ying Family do?  Isn't it easy to nurse her back to health?  We were even able to save her from her serious injuries, what other major problem is there?........."

"She won't be able to give birth in future, she can't be tired out, she........"  Ying Yan Long did not want to mention how long she is able to live and he continued to say in anger.  "It is best for her to live as a wealthy idler for the rest of her life!"

"Then isn't that suitable for me?  I am the second child, so it doesn't matter if I don't have any children.  Anyway, you can marry a few more wives and carry on the family name for us."

"All you only know is to say this kind of irresponsible words.  Why don't you say that since you are always idling your time away without doing anything, you should shoulder the responsibility of carrying on the family name?" 

Ying Yan Long glared at him.  Now, as long as Ying Xue Wen mentioned anything about the marriage, he would be full of displeasure.

"It is because Elder Brother's children will live up to his expectations as compared to me.  Just look at the difference between you and me, then you will understand."  Ying Xue Wen's face turned slightly gloomy and then he pulled his lips into a smile.  "If anyone is to have children, it should be Elder Brother.  Mother, do you agree with me?"

"Mother only hopes to have a grandchild and I also hope that both of you will have happy marriages.   As for now, Mother only wishes for Lady Hua to get well soon." 

After that, no matter who Hua Dangjia wants to marry, hopefully, it would not affect the brothers' affection for each other.

"Mother, you are so kind-hearted."  Ying Xue Wen clung to his Mother with a smile.

"Mother, I am going out to the Ying Medical Halls."  Ying Yan Long nodded towards his Mother before he turned around to leave.  Just as he was leaving, he instructed Cui Yu.  "If she feels hot or cold, you have to call the doctor immediately.  Remember to sprinkle the powder on her wounds every two sichen........"

"Yes, I will remember."  Cui Yu said and bowed respectfully to Ying Dangjia after he had finished giving instructions.

Song Qing Lian looked thoughtfully at the retreating back of her eldest son without saying a word.

"Mother, Elder Brother is showing so much concern for Hua Dangjia.  This shows he must regard her as his sister-in-law but he still doesn't admit it.  Elder Brother is really not a likable person."  Ying Xue Wen said in a low voice.   

Song Qing Lian s.h.i.+fted her eyes from her eldest son's back and looked at her younger son, at the same time, she pinched his cheeks.  "Don't always be so hot-headed.  Do you think that everything you want will become a reality?   Hua Dangjia will decide who she wants to marry and no one can make that decision for her."

"Then I will pester her until she is willing to marry me."  Ying Xue Wen lifted his head to look towards Hua Ming Zi.  His only thought was that even though she looked so weak, her beauty could still make people would want to take a few more glances at her.

"If there is already someone in her heart, it will be useless for you to pester her."  In her opinion, Yan Long's heart is already tied to Lady Hua.  Song Qing Lian sighed in her heart.

"If she already has someone in her heart, she would not have held the recruitment."  Ying Xue Wen smiled with confidence.

"She had once proposed marriage to your Elder Brother.  What if your Elder Brother has a change of mind now?" 

Instantly, Ying Xue Wen's smile disappeared and he began muttering to himself saying words like......how can this be, and..........it is not fair........

At the side, Cui Yu who had her eyes lowered, was listening to the conversation between the mother and son.  In her opinion, Ying Dangjia is a better man.  Not only is he willing to silently keep their Dangjia company, but he is also constantly worried about Hua Dangjia's injuries.  Hua Dangjia should be well-matched with Ying Dangjia, this kind of talented man.  That is......if their Dangjia can wake up........and if Ying Dangjia is willing to marry a woman who will not have long to live.......

Ai........

Hua Ming Zi felt that she had had a long dream........so long that she thought she would never wake up again because the pain was so unbearable that she wanted so much to die in her dreams.

She was aware of people coming and going, moving around her and there was that big pair of hands holding her hands, caressing her.......  There was also a steady voice that was always talking to her.  The voice told her not to be afraid and said that after she wakes up, he will help her with everything.  He also told her to wake up and not let everyone in the Hua Family* worry about her.

(Everyone in the Hua Family does not mean the family members since HMZ does not have any 'close' relatives, so this refers the servants, stewards and all the workers in the Hua Ji Restaurants.  Even though they are only workers or slaves of the Hua Family, they are also considered as part of the Hua Family.)

That's right!  Her Father had left and if she is to leave as well, then the Hua Ji Restaurants would be taken over by those wolf, tiger and leopard relatives of hers.  If she does not wake up, then it would mean letting Luo Ji Cai get away unpunished!  So, in her dreams, she prayed to G.o.d and said that if her predestined lifespan* is not up yet, then let her wake up soon........

(It is believed that a person's lifespan and destiny are charted and determined by Heaven before the person is born into the world.  There is a Chinese saying that if a person's life is to end on a particular day, the person will never be able to live past the third geng* i.e. midnight of that day.)

Hua Ming Zi wrinkled her eyebrows and after a few fluttering movements of her eyelashes, she slowly opened her eyes........

"Dangjia!  You are finally awake!"  Cui Yu stopped her action of wiping sweat from her Dangjia's forehead and instantly her eye rims turned red.  Excitedly, she grabbed Hua Ming Zi's hands and shouted loudly towards the outside.

"Is there anyone outside?  My Lady is awake!  Hurry, call for the doctor!  Inform Ying Dangjia!"

"Quickly, send someone to summon Doctor Qu and the Divine Doctor!  Just invite whichever doctor who is now in the capital city to come over!"  Ying Xue Wen who had just entered the courtyard heard the commotion and quickly caught hold of a servant to give him instructions.  "And also, hurry to the Steward and tell him to inform my Elder Brother!"

"Dangjia, can you talk?......."  Cui Yu choked as she spoke.

Hua Ming Zi looked at Cui Yu and then lifted her eyes to look at the unfamiliar decorations around her.  When she opened her mouth to speak, she had to suck in a few breaths of air before she could talk. 

"Where.......am.......I........?"  She said a few words weakly and soon after she started to cough.

"You are in the Ying Mansion."  Cui Yu caressed the back of Hua Ming Zi's hand.

After her breathing became steady, Cui Yu served up the bowl of medicine that Doctor Qu had instructed Cui Yu to let her drink when she wakes up.  Cui Yu held the bowl of medicine next to her lips and at the same time, told her all that had happened while she was in a coma for the last seven days and the reason why she was in the Ying Mansion.

It turned out that she was saved by the Second Young Master of the Ying Family.  It seems G.o.d also felt that they have fate, so G.o.d let him save her life.  So, the person who was always talking into her ear for the past few days.......is Ying Xue Wen?

But why does she feel that the calm voice tone was the voice of Ying Yan Long?  The fuzzy memories of him staying by her side while she was delirious flashed in her mind.

"Ying Dangjia........trouble........"  Hua Ming Zi said in a trembling voice.

"That is correct........No words can describe how well Ying Dangjia treats you.  He sent a lot of magical pills and medicines to you and no matter how busy he is, he would still allocate time to see you every day......"   Suddenly Cui Yu lowered her voice because, at the corner of her eyes, she spotted someone entering through the door.

Cui Yu looked towards the door and saw Ying Xue Wen arranged his clothes before he entered the door.

"Hua Dangjia, you are awake!"  Ying Xue Wen said with a smile and entered the chamber with his most das.h.i.+ng pose.  Hua Ming Zi looked at the young man wearing a blue embroidered robe in front of her.  Then she looked at Cui Yu gesturing with her eyes for Cui Yu to support her up,

"Just lie still!"  Ying Xue Wen quickly waved his hand and prevented her from getting up.

"I wish to thank Young Master for saving my life."  Hua Ming Zi said.

"It is fortunate that I was pa.s.sing by when the incident happened.  Later, it was Doctor Qu and the Divine Doctor who was coincidentally in the capital city who helped you.  Furthermore, it was my Elder Brother who was willing to take out all those pills and medicines to save you........"

Hua Ming Zi looked at the radiant expression on Ying Xue Wen's handsome face and just listened to him quietly.  Her eyelids slowly began to sag.........she seemed very tired.

"Dangjia, Doctor Qu is here."  When Cui Yu saw the doctor, she immediately went up to him and helped him to carry his medical box.  Then on the table, she prepared a brush and ink with paper to make it convenient for the doctor to write out the prescription.

"If you still don't wake up, then I will have to smash my signboard*."  Doctor Qu sat down at the edge of the couch and immediately lifted up the wrist of Hua Ming Zi.

(The word Signboard used here means his name or his reputation as a doctor.  Since Doctor Qu is an imperial doctor, he is based in the palace and therefore he should not have a clinic or a signboard.)

"Thank you, Doctor........"  She bowed her head towards the doctor.  She could feel Ying Xue Wen's burning gaze on her but she really did not have the energy to respond.  So, she closed her eyes and let the doctor take her pulse.

"After being so seriously injured, it is a blessing that you are still alive.  It is easy for flesh wounds to heal but once the internal organs and lungs stamina are injured, you need to rest at least another three to five months to recover.  Fortunately, you are now awake and you will be able to drink and eat to nourish your blood which in turn will speed up the recovery process. In addition, you have the Ying Medical Halls to support you which is like having the whole precious medicinal mountain placed in front of you.  So, it is best for you to just rest."  Doctor Qu said and released her hand. 

"Thank you, Doctor Qu......"  Hua Ming Zi opened her eyes and said in a gasping voice.  She only felt that her breath and lips all smelled of medicine.

"If you want to thank anyone, you should thank Ying Dangjia.  He was the one who used a lot of effort to dig me out of the palace.  Otherwise, how is it possible for me to stay outside the palace for such a long time?"  Doctor Qu smiled at her and regarded her as Ying Dangjia's beloved.

"I would like to ask Doctor........  When can I recover my health?  Will there be any after-effects?"  Hua Ming Zi asked.

Doctor Qu smiled and had a frown on his face but he did not reply.  This Hua Dangjia does not have long to live and Ying Dangjia had told him not to say anything.

Hua Ming Zi saw that Doctor Qu did not speak and her heart sank.  She threw a glance at Ying Xue Wen and saw the serious expression on his face.  She took a deep breath.

Anyway, she has nothing to lose, so why should she be afraid?

If there is still time for her to settle the matters regarding the Hua Ji Restaurants and the people of Hua Family, it will be good enough.  Although she had this thought, cold sweat still broke out at the back of her neck.

"Doctor, you can tell me the truth."  Hua Ming Zi said to the doctor.

"Let me tell her."  A voice floated in from the door.

Hua Ming Zi and everyone present looked towards the door and they saw Ying Yan Long, who was dressed in an ink blue long robe, with a solemn face, striding into the chamber towards them.

"Elder Brother, why are you here?  Are you not in a meeting with all the Shopkeepers?"  Ying Xue Wen gave his Elder Brother a strange look.

The monthly meeting between his Elder Brother and the Shopkeepers would always go on until the evening and no one was ever allowed to interrupt the meeting.

Once in the past, he had something to discuss with his Elder Brother and wanted to talk to him.  As a result, the moment he entered the room, his Elder Brother shot him a piercing look with his sharp eyes which scared him so much that he froze on the spot.

"It is not important.  There are only a few matters left that they can decide."  Ying Yan Long stood beside the couch and looked at her pale face. 

Even her pair of beautiful eyes had lost its brilliance.