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.

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."

The corners of Gu Ying's lips curved up. "It would be best if cousin continues wearing it for now. While this isn't a contagious plague, cousin has been poisoned. Without the antidote, he could die like the other patients. Wearing it avoids alerting the enemy."

Ye Qingchi chuckled lightly. "Don't worry, as long as it's not contagious."

What he feared most was harming others. No wonder when he had touched Prince Zhao the other day, the Prince was fine. The Prince drank only from the well water within Qingjiang Manor, which was heavily guarded to prevent Jiang Yin's men from poisoning it. So the Prince had remained healthy, while he had not only touched the corpse in the infirmary that day, but also drank the water there, thus accidentally being infected.

"That damned Jiang Yin, to commit such an inhuman act!" Fury rising, Ye Qingchi couldn't help but curse.

The corners of Gu Ying's lips curled up teasingly. "Cousin is usually so proper, who taught you to swear like that?"

"Ahem." Ye Qingchi gave an embarrassed light cough, his expression unchanged. "Naturally, the gentleman Zhou Yan."

Zhou Yan silently glared at him, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Don't tell Madam Zhao about this."

Gu Ying said gently, teasing, "Don't worry, Sir Zhou."

Ning Changan pushed the door open, tugging at his collar in confusion. "Don't worry about what? What are you all doing in there? It's time to distribute medicine, the patients are waiting!"

Zhou Yan awkwardly pulled him out. "Let's give out medicine."

The plague in Yueyang finally had a turning point. Gu Ying was in a wonderful mood, smiling much more lightly.

Mr. Zhuge took two medicine boys and hung his usual medicine box over his shoulder, preparing to head out.

Gu Ying wore the men's robes the Prince had prepared for her today. She hurried to follow along.

Mr. Zhuge was increasingly fond of this thoughtful girl. He turned and smilingly persuaded, "Madam is pregnant, it's best not to climb mountains. Yesterday His Highness already assigned two guards to protect my safety. With them and these two medicine boys, it will be enough."

Gu Ying anxiously said, "I just can't stop worrying about you, Elder."

Mr. Zhuge was advanced in years and hadn't rested well. She truly worried the elderly man wouldn't handle climbing the mountain pass easily. Mr. Zhuge laughed. "These old arms and legs of mine are still hardy. I will certainly discover what poisonous substance the culprit used."

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."