When Hli Ja heard the talk among town, her face became solemn. She thought that as time pa.s.ses by, his name would affect her less and less, but her feelings for him haven"t change at all. Hli Ja thought, didn"t he already have a wife? Why was he taking in another wife? She felt depressed hearing the rumors among the townsfolk. Although she tried not to think of him, the talk of him from others still causes pain in her heart.Hli Ja was not sure if she could remain in the same country that Mua Kong will rule over. Seeing him being happy is all she ever wanted but she does not have the confidence to face Mua Kong and his wives. In her selfishness, she made the choice to journey farther up north and cross the border to the Northern country with hope to find a place to settle down. If she stays, the news of Mua Kong would just caused unsettling feelings in her heart. She has been trying very hard to bury him in her past.
After the family of three left town, Hli Ja took her brother and baby and made the journey up north.
A few days later, they crossed the border to the northern territory, where they met a group of bandits.
When the bandits surrounded them, Hli Ja ordered, "Take Hue Houa with you and run. Don"t turn back. I will find you later." Hli Ja was not sure if she could beat them, but she can distract them and create opportunity for her brother and son to escape.
Hli Ja strapped a bag onto her baby, cut off the rope to one of the horses. She put Pao Hua and Hue Houa onto the horse and patted it to gallop away. The bandits didn"t think much of the two boys who escaped with barely nothing. They get the woman and the stuff in the carriage. They will not make a big deal out of two mere children.
In the study chamber, Pao Hua trembled and wiped his tears. "I took Hue Houa as far as I could before I stop. There is nothing I could do and I know my sister"s only wish is that we get away safety. When we arrived in the next town, I looked to see what"s in the bag. Inside, I found the book that my sister wrote. I read it and decided to make the journey to see you. It took us 3 weeks to reach this place. I wasn"t sure if I could infiltrate your palace, but I thought, I could beg my way to work in your palace with a sad story. Elder Mae took us in right away after she kept staring at Hue Houa. I wasn"t expecting to see you so soon but here you are."
Mua Kong gripped his sword as he stood up. He huffed and yelled, "Dispatched some troops, we"re going to the northern border to look for Hli Ja. Find out what bandit was occupying the Northern border!"
Seeing the furious flame in his Lord"s eyes, Yee Len calmly replied, "My Lord, the festival is in two weeks. You should stay behind. I will lead a group up north to find her highness. Don"t you have some business to take care of?"
"How could I stay behind knowing that she is alive and in danger?" Mua Kong replied feeling helpless.
At first Mua Kong hesitated, he wanted to see Hli Ja but then Yee Len was also right. There is business he needs to take care of back at home.
Mua Kong looked at Pao Hua, his only witnessed so far. To take down the Prime Minister"s family, he needed evidence. Mua Kong calmed down his raging heart before his mind could think clearly. He have to thank Pao Hua for taking care of Hli Ja and his son. He leaned down to Pao Hua"s level and asked, "What do you want to do when you get older?"
Startled, as Pao Hua was not expecting to be asked with such question, he thought for a moment before he replied, "I want to be a doctor who helped people." He was influenced by Hli Ja and wanted to become a doctor so he could help people.
"Mm.. I thought so." Mua Kong replied. He knew the kindness and skills of Hli Ja probably rubbed onto Pao Hua. He walked outside and called one of his bodyguard, "Xixu."
A man in black cloaks jumped down from the roof and bowed in front of Mua Kong. "Yes, my Lord."
"Find someone with a clean background and hired that person to tutor Pao Hua. That person has to live inside the palace during the time."
"Yes!" Xixu answered before disappearing.