Chapter 303: Poisoned

Chapter 303

Ye Qingchi's handsome face was tense, his dark eyes flashing with anger. "Gu Ying, take your little paws off me!"

The tenderness mingling with his fury made it clear that if any other woman had dared to treat him this way, he would have slapped her to death. But this one was the pearl in his Ye family's palm.

Gu Ying blinked innocently, not listening to him at all. "Mr. Zhuge, come take a look."

Mr. Zhuge was the most highly skilled doctor in Yueyang with the deepest experience. As he approached, the other doctors voluntarily made way for him. ViiSiit novelbi/n(.)c/(o)m for latest novels

Mr. Zhuge took Ye Qingchi's pulse and leaned in to closely examine the red rash on Ye Qingchi's face. He pondered for a moment, his expression solemn, then waved his hand to dismiss the other doctors.

Only Gu Ying, Ye Qingchi, Zhou Yan and a few others remained in the room.

Mr. Zhuge said remorsefully, "It seems Madam was right. This plague is highly likely to have been caused by someone releasing poison. Just now when I took Young Master Ye's pulse, I discovered what seems to be a poison lingering in his heart and lungs. If I hadn't examined him closely, I wouldn't have noticed it at all. Alas! I'm getting old and muddled, I hadn't considered poisoning at all before..."

"Poisoning?"

Ye Qingchi and Zhou Yan were both surprised.

Gu Ying said, "That's right. So far it's just speculation between me and Prince, we haven't confirmed it, so we didn't rashly tell anyone.

Ye Qingchi gritted his teeth, seeming to relax. He glared at Zhou Yan. "Why haven't you untied me yet?"

Zhou Yan gave an awkward smile and hastily removed the ties.

Ye Qingchi rubbed his wrists. "Tell me everything, Ying Ying."

Gu Ying told everyone about the conclusion she and the Prince had come to last night. Mr. Zhuge immediately said, "Don't spread this for now until I go examine the water sources to confirm it's poison. We need to identify what kind of poison it is before we can find the corresponding antidote, otherwise blindly trying medicines won't work."

Gu Ying's face darkened. "I agree we shouldn't alert them yet. Although Jiang Yin has been captured, his minions are still lurking. We need to find a way to catch them and force them to reveal the antidote. The poison is his doing, so naturally only he knows the cure."

Ye Qingchi had to laugh. "And here I was wearing this ugly, filthy thing for so long. I've never been so disheveled in my life."

Gu Ying's heart swelled with gratitude, her eyes turning moist. "Elder...Ying Ying is truly grateful for your selfless dedication."

No one's life deserves to be freely sacrificed. From when the Prince came to Yueyang, Mr. Zhuge and the others had readily stayed behind at Qingjiang Manor. Later when the "plague" did break out, everyone wanted to survive and protect themselves. Only these doctors had steadfastly remained in the infirmary, diagnosing patients and trying medicines every day.

She sincerely admired Mr. Zhuge.

Mr. Zhuge's old eyes misted over with emotion, the corners of his mouth stretching wide beneath his neatly trimmed, snowy beard. "It's the people of Yueyang who should thank you, Madam. If not for you, who knows how many more would have died. So you must take care of yourself for the sake of the child. When the plague passes and we've cleaned up Yueyang, you and His Highness can stroll the streets to see the sights and sample local delicacies."

Gu Ying truly could not dissuade the elder. She could only remain behind to help distribute medicines to the patients.

Since she had come, the once dreary infirmary had livened up considerably. Beautiful and approachable, she was also excellent at soothing words to comfort people.

Despite their illness, everyone still greatly enjoyed chatting with her. Many girls her age clung to her, asking about her love story with the Prince.

Gu Ying patiently and gently recounted her past with the Prince. All the infirmary's patients listened with great interest.

...

Zhao Changdu woke up groggily. Since the plague had started, he hadn't slept well.

Only after Gu Ying came to the manor could he finally sleep deeply.

Waking up to bright daylight and an empty bed, he panicked and abruptly sat up.

Hearing the movement inside, Huai Ying brought in warm rice porridge and freshly made potstickers. "You're awake, Your Highness. Madam went to the infirmary early to find Mr. Zhuge."

Zhao Changdu's expression softened slightly. After dressing, his solemn gaze fell on the potstickers in surprise as he scanned the tidy, clean study. "Who made these?"

"It was Madam."

Zhao Changdu's movement of spooning porridge paused briefly.

Huai Ying stammered, "Your Highness, I find it quite strange."