If Hua Ming Zi is really the "her" he met in Qingcheng Mountain Villa then Xue Wen"s marriage with her would be out of the question. She actually made him feel concern for her, made him miss her and made him constantly think of her. He had even thought of changing the conditions he had set for his future wife just to accommodate her.
Initially, he did not want a capable wife because of the painful lesson he learned in the past. But he feels she is different from his ex-wife because she treats people with gentleness and she is flexible. Or perhaps she would willingly allow him to take responsibility for the Hua Ji Restaurants on her behalf while she takes care of the internal affairs of the Ying Family. Isn"t this a lot easier for a woman?
Anyway, regarding her Father"s illness, he had made up his mind to help her!
When Hua Ming Zi barged into her Father"s bedchamber, she saw the doctor, who was staying in Hua Mansion for the past month, in the process of administering acupuncture treatment on her Father.
She pulled down her veil and looked at the gray face of her Father with his cloudy eyes half-closed. Immediately, she felt the feeling of fear surged up in her heart.
She grabbed her Father"s clothes and asked in a low voice. "Father, I am Ming Er*. Can you hear my voice?"
(Ming Er is the intimate way her Father calls her. The word "Er" is used by parents to address their child regardless of whether the child is a son or daughter.)
Hua Guang Ren who is unable to move could only quiver his lower lip.
"Just now Old Master is supposed to take his meal and medicine but I couldn"t wake him. So this slave immediately went to fetch the doctor........" The maidservant, Qiu Xiang, who was a.s.signed to take care of Hua Guang Ren said.
Hua Ming Zi gave the doctor a questioning look.
The doctor returned her look and shook his head.
A cold sweat broke out on her back. Although Doctor Cen had told her a few months ago that her Father was very weak and could leave at any time, she always hoped he would still be able to stay for a little longer.......and did not think the day would arrive so soon........
"Father!......" Hua Ming Zi gripped his hand and choking on her words, she cried.
"I am Ming Er....... can you hear me? Do you have anything to say to me? Father.......wake up! I want to tell you........ about today"s recruitment......."
Hua Ming Zi kept on calling until finally, her Father forced his eyes to open slightly.
"Father!" She tightened the hold on his hand.
".......marry......Ying Family......" Hua Guang Ren squeezed out a few words. He could only remember the Ying Family she had mentioned before.
"Father, stay for a bit longer. The Ying Family is outside and in a little while, I will go out and discuss the marriage." She forced out a smile and said.
"Ying Family......really?......." Hua Guang Ren widened his eyes and his breathing became rapid.
"It"s true! If you don"t believe me, you can summon Cui Yu and ask her. Initially, I wanted to settle everything before I tell you the good news. So, you have to rest well......"
Hua Guang Ren squeezed out a slight smile. "........tell Father how he looks like......"
"He is a head taller than your daughter and his figure is slender. His face is elegant and regardless of temperament or momentum, he is extremely outstanding."
Without thinking, she described the features of Ying Yan Long"s appearance.
"Alright......" With a faint smile, Hua Guang Ren nodded weakly. "Tell him to come in. I want to take a look at him........"
"Alright, I will look for him immediately......."
At that moment, Steward Wu entered the bedchamber and after nodding at Hua Ming Zi, he whispered into her ear what Ying Yan Long had told him. She nodded in understanding and her heart knotted tightly.
Perhaps, her Father can still be saved!
After all, Ying Yan Long has the legendary "One-Day Immortal" magical pill with him during this time of emergency. Furthermore, the Ying Medical Halls have many types of medicines in their possession that they do not sell nor trade with riches. In addition, there is the Ying Family"s imperial doctor"s presence...... perhaps, her father can really be saved!
"........Ying Family.......Son-in-law......" Hua Guang Ren held his daughter"s hand tightly and said in a feeble voice.
For the first time in the last few days, Hua Ming Zi felt her Father"s strength. Instantly, her eye rims turned red. "I will call him right away!"
"Quick, quick.......call him.......I want to see him........" Hua Guang Ren looked at her and his face had turned a little livelier.
Quickly, Hua Ming dashed out of the bedchamber and lifting her skirt, she broke into a mad run towards the main hall.
She rushed into the main hall and ran up to Ying Yan Long who had his back facing her, then she said breathlessly.
"Ying Dangjia......I......have two favors to request from you! First, Steward Wu said you are willing to offer the Ying Family"s magical pill "One-Day Immortal"......"
Ying Yan Long turned around........
It is her? It is really her! She is the woman he fell in love at first sight in Qingcheng Mountain Villa!
"Ying Dangjia......."
Hua Ming Zi looked at the smile on his lips and nearly lost her temper. She pursed her lips and glared at him. Then from the astonished look on his face, she suddenly became aware.......
She had forgotten to put on her veil!
"No wonder the people I sent out to check on your background were unsuccessful." Ying Yan Long could not take his eyes off the anxious face of the beautiful Hua Ming Zi.
"It"s not important who I am! What is important is......."
"You don"t have to repeat what you just said. I already heard you, so what is the second matter?" He asked directly. His quick reaction made her paused momentarily and then she remembered where she left off.
"My Father is only concerned about my marriage. He thought I was in the midst of discussing my marriage with the Ying Family........" She paused and swallowed.
"You can speak frankly with me."
"I am willing to take your younger brother as my husband." Hua Ming Zi looked long and hard at him.
Suddenly, Ying Yan Long"s thick eyebrows knotted and a fierce light flashed in his black eyes.
"My Father......" The words choked up in her throat and she took a deep breath before she could continue. ".......may not be able to last for a few more days. Before he leaves, I hope to let him meet my husband. Can you summon your brother to come with haste?........"
"Xue Wen is not in the capital at this moment. I"m afraid he would not be able to rush back in time." Ying Yan Long said blankly.
"Then......" She closed her eyes.
"Let"s go! I will accompany you to see your Father and give him peace of mind." He took a few steps forward.
"Wait......" She pulled his sleeves quickly and asked. "What do you intend to do?"
Ying Yan Long turned around, leaned forward slightly and his black eyes looked directly into her eyes.
"What else can I do? Your Father had never seen me or my brother before and he only wants to see your future husband. It"s only natural for him to want to see me since he thought your marriage with the Ying Family is confirmed. It is only to give him peace of mind, isn"t that it? Or else........is it because you don"t want me to act as your husband?........"
She trembled and involuntarily turned her eyes away. But very quickly she turned back to face him again and said firmly.
"Then I am sorry for placing Ying Dangjia in such an aggrieved situation to put up this act with me."
"I don"t feel aggrieved."
He looked deeply into her eyes and then leading her by her elbow, he turned around to walk out of the main hall.
She walked beside him forgetting to push his hand away but she still remembered something.
"That......do you have the "One-Day Immortal" Pill with you?" She could not help but ask.
Suddenly Ying Yan Long halted his footsteps to face her and being caught off guard, she crashed right into his arms. The scent of medicine on his body drifted into her nose.
Holding her by her shoulders, he pushed her slightly aside with one arm while still embracing her and fished out a thumb-sized pill from his sleeve. Then he held up the snow-white pill in front of her.
"This is the "One-Day Immortal" Pill. If he takes this medicine, he can at least prolong his life for a day and a night." He said.
Hua Ming Zi reached out for the pill and stared at it as she held it in her hand.
"I know of the "One-Day Immortal" Pill. Even if I am to sell off one of my Hua Ji Restaurants, I will still be unable to afford it." She looked up at him.
"Then you should understand that for anyone to be able to obtain this pill, the person must have fate with me........"
"What is the price?" She interrupted his words.
Ying Yan Long first raised one of his eyebrows and then lifted the corners of his lips slightly. A successful businessman will always remember to ask about the price that is payable for benefits received. This is what he normally does and did not expect she is also the same.
"The price is.......I want you as a friend." He looked into her clear bright eyes and said.
Hua Ming Zi"s heart tightened and quickly took a step back. She gave him a long low bow, so low that she bent down almost to the level of her waist.
"I hope as a friend, I am worthy of this price." She said.
"Let"s go. There is no time for delay and Doctor Qu should be here soon. If there is any doctor in the capital who can save your Father, then it can only be Doctor Qu."
He helped her up by pulling her elbows and with quick steps, he led her away.
As Hua Ming Zi walked beside him, she felt very grateful to Ying Yan Long in this current time of panic and worry. In crucial times, when there is someone present to give an opinion, someone present to give support........it feels so rea.s.suring.
What she wants is actually such a husband who can walk with her shoulder to shoulder and be interdependent! But he had rejected her proposal, isn"t that right?
She took a deep breath and told herself that now is not the time to feel disappointed. The most important thing now is that Ying Yan Long is beside her and he is able to make her Father feel at peace.
When Hua Ming Zi and Ying Yan Long entered the bedchamber of Hua Guang Ren, he had once again fallen into a coma. Doctor Cen sighed and told them that they should start preparing for her Father"s funeral.
At this time, because Doctor Qu had still not arrived at Hua Mansion yet, Ying Yan Long told Doctor Cen his ident.i.ty and handed over the pill without telling Doctor Cen it was the "One-Day Immortal" Pill.
When Doctor Cen heard he was Ying Yan Long, he fed the pill to Hua Guang Ren. After a short while, he saw Hua Guang Ren opened his eyes again.
"Magical medicine! Really magical medicine! His pulse has become a little stronger." Doctor Cen was taking the pulse of Hua Guang Ren and clicked his tongue at the same time.
"Father!" Hua Ming Zi rushed forward and her tears were mixed with her cries.
"Ming Er, is he here? The Ying Family"s Dangjia......." Hua Guang Ren widened his eyes and asked.
"Yes, he is here, I"ve brought him." She held her Father"s hand and turned back to look at Ying Yan Long.
Hua Guang Ren"s eyes immediately lit up. In a weak voice, he said. "......quick......help me up."
"Here......let me help you." Ying Yan Long said.
Before Hua Ming Zi could look up, she had already caught the medicinal scent of Ying Yan Long when he stepped up next to her side. With ease, he helped her father to sit up and placed a pillow behind his back for support.
Hua Guang Ren struggled to open his eyes and looked at the impressive man with extraordinary temperament in front of him. Before he could speak, his eyes had already turned red.
"So you are the Ying Family"s Gongzi........"
"Yes, today I came to finalize the marriage discussion and had delayed in coming to pay my respects to you." Ying Yan Long greeted him with clasped hands and performed a respectful bow.
"Good........very good." Hua Guang Ren took a deep breath and held out his hand to his future son-in-law.
"I only have this daughter......Ming Er.......when she deals with matters, she is swift and decisive......very aggressive, but........she is capable and.........I don"t have to mention to you about her being filial........."