On her wedding night, she went into exile with her pharmacy arsenal

Chapter 2190 Same Symptom 1

The First Madam smiled gently.

"I'm fine, but you must be exhausted after guarding Madam Cao all night. You should get some rest."

"Mother's health cannot be taken lightly," Yan Ruyu insisted. "With the affairs of the household so complicated and these strange changes, Changhe and I will be worried if you are unwell. Please put my mind at ease, okay?"

Seeing her resolute attitude and the concern in her eyes, the First Madam stopped refusing and nodded, "Alright, I'll listen to you. After you've finished dealing with Madam Cao's affairs, you can take a look at me."

When Yan Ruyu returned to her room, Madam Cao was still sleeping soundly, her face had a bit more color in it than before, no longer that frightening paleness.

She walked to the bedside and gently checked Madam Cao's temperature again. Only after confirming that it hadn't fluctuated did she feel relieved.

A maidservant entered and asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, would you like some liquid food prepared for Madam?"

Yan Ruyu shook her head: "Let's wait a bit longer, until she wakes up next time and is feeling better."

You stay here and observe the lady's breathing and expression. If there are any changes, tell me immediately.

Also, is the herbal medicine ready?

"Your Highness, it's ready and has been kept warm," the maid replied respectfully.

"When Madam wakes up, feed her half a bowl of herbal medicine. Remember to be gentle," Yan Ruyu carefully instructed. "Also, if Madam wants to drink water, use warm water and feed her small amounts frequently. Do not give her too much at once."

"I understand," the maid replied quickly.

Yan Ruyu stayed by the bedside for a while longer, and seeing that Madam Cao was sleeping soundly, she quietly withdrew.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw that Huo Changhe had returned, with Governor Cao following behind him. His complexion was better than before, presumably because he had eaten something to replenish his strength.

"Your Highness, Governor Cao has already had breakfast," Huo Changhe said, his gaze falling on Yan Ruyu with a hint of concern. "Would you like to have some too?"

Yan Ruyu shook her head: "No rush, let's find out the situation first."

She turned to Governor Cao and said, “My lord, I have a few questions for you regarding Madam Cao’s recent diet and daily life, as well as the medicinal cuisine from Yishengtang. Please answer them truthfully.”

Governor Cao nodded quickly: "Your Highness, please ask. I will answer to the best of my knowledge."

"How long has Madam Cao been taking Yishengtang's medicinal diet?" Yan Ruyu asked first. "Have you been following Yishengtang's instructions regarding the dosage and timing each day?"

Governor Cao thought carefully for a moment and slowly said, "It has been about ten days. The lady has been taking one dose each morning and evening, and the dosage has always been prepared by Yishengtang without any increase or decrease."

"After taking the medicinal diet, did Madam Cao mention any discomfort or unusual symptoms?" Yan Ruyu continued to ask.

Governor Cao frowned and pondered for a moment before saying, "At first there was nothing unusual. The lady even said she felt a little lighter and her complexion was much better. I thought the medicinal diet was really effective."

Until a few days ago, my wife would occasionally complain of chest tightness and cough a few times, but it wasn't serious. I just thought it was because she caught a chill during the change of seasons and didn't pay much attention to it. I never expected..."

At this point, his voice lowered again, filled with self-reproach.

Yan Ruyu understood. It seemed that Madam Cao's symptoms did not appear suddenly, but had been foreshadowed.

She then asked, "Have you ever tried the medicinal cuisine from Yishengtang?"

Governor Cao nodded: "I've used it twice. It happened when I went to see my wife, and she was using it. She shared some with me. I only thought it was a medicinal diet to regulate the body. I heard from the people at Yishengtang that it was made of precious tonic herbs, so I didn't think much of it."

He was taken aback: "Is it because of the medicinal cuisine?"

Huo Changhe said in a deep voice, "It's not certain yet. The secret guards have already gone to investigate."

Yan Ruyu nodded, her expression turning serious: "Besides the medicinal diet, has Madam Cao used any other medicine?"

Upon hearing this, Governor Cao thought carefully and said, "Other medicines... there's also the medicine for the lady's excessive sleepiness. We consulted several doctors and used some of the medicines. The prescriptions are still available. I'll send someone back to get them."

Yan Ruyu looked at him and slowly said, "In addition, Lord Cao needs to think carefully about whether Madam Cao had any other special foods or met any suspicious people during the period of taking the medicinal diet. Any detail may be helpful, so please think carefully."

Governor Cao nodded, closed his eyes, and began to carefully recall the events of the past month.

A figure strode quickly into the courtyard, the hem of his clothes fluttering slightly in the morning breeze.

Huo Changxu's face was full of anxiety, and his forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat. He walked straight up to her, his voice filled with barely concealed anxiety: "Sister-in-law, something has happened!"

Yan Ruyu stopped in her tracks. Seeing his flustered expression, which was unlike his usual composure, she had a bad feeling. "Tell me slowly, what's wrong?"

Huo Changxu took a breath, composed himself, and spoke rapidly: "A friend of mine from the academy suddenly fell ill this morning. He was weak all over, coughing badly, and eventually fainted."

The teachers and classmates at the academy were all at a loss. Knowing that my sister-in-law was a skilled doctor, they asked me to come and beg you if you could take a look.

As he spoke, his eyes were filled with earnestness, and his hands unconsciously clenched together: "His breath is getting weaker and weaker. If we delay any longer, I'm afraid..."

Yan Ruyu's heart tightened upon hearing this.

Last night, Madam Cao suddenly fell seriously ill with dangerous symptoms. Now another patient with an acute illness has appeared. This is too much of a coincidence.

Without the slightest hesitation, she immediately said, "Quickly, bring the person in and settle them in the front hall. Go and fetch Doctor Cao, tell him there is an emergency patient and ask him to come immediately."

Seeing that Yan Ruyu had agreed, Huo Changxu quickly said, "Thank you, sister-in-law! I've already had someone carry a stretcher and follow behind; we should be there soon."

No sooner had the words been spoken than a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate. Several students from the academy carried in a simple stretcher, on which lay a young man.

His face was pale, his eyes were closed, and he looked somewhat similar to Madam Cao when she was brought back last night. However, his breathing was even weaker than Madam Cao's at that time, his chest rose and fell slightly, and each breath was accompanied by a slight cough.

Governor Cao, standing to the side, saw the man's appearance and his expression changed instantly: "These...these symptoms are so similar to my wife's last night?"

Huo Changhe frowned and said in a deep voice, "Let's carry it to the front hall first."

Several students quickly agreed and carefully carried the stretcher into the front hall, gently placing it on the soft mattress that had been laid out.

Yan Ruyu quickly followed and walked to the stretcher. Just as she was about to reach out to check the patient's pulse, Doctor Cao entered and asked, "Your Highness, where is the patient?"

"Dr. Cao, this way." Yan Ruyu stepped aside to make room.

Doctor Cao strode forward, his gaze falling on the patient's face. He paused for a moment, then squatted down, placing his fingertips on the patient's wrist to carefully take the pulse.

His brows furrowed deeper and deeper, his fingers gently stroking the beard on his chin. After a moment, he withdrew his hand, his tone carrying a hint of seriousness and doubt: "These symptoms... seem similar to Madam Cao's."

Her pulse was equally weak, her breath faint, and her internal organs seemed to show signs of severe damage, only the onset of her illness was even faster than that of Madam Cao.

Yan Ruyu had already anticipated this, and upon hearing this, she slowly nodded, her gaze falling on the patient. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

When he opened his eyes again, a strange glint flashed in them; his eyes seemed to penetrate flesh and reach deep into his internal organs.