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

Chapter 2156 Mother and Son's "Unexpected" Reunion

Madam Ding moved closer step by step, her fingertips trembling violently. She bent down and used her trembling hands to brush away the loose black hair on the man's face.

The moonlight mixed with the torchlight fell, illuminating a face so pale it was almost transparent, with a sharp chin and a breath so faint it was almost imperceptible.

"Chong'er..."

Madam Ding choked back tears, her lips trembling, and large tears fell onto the boy's hand.

As soon as the call was made, a collective gasp filled the courtyard.

"This...is this Young Master Ding?" an old yamen runner exclaimed in a low voice, his torch swaying and sparks flying out.

"Yes, didn't they say that Madam Ding and Young Master Ding went to visit relatives by boat, but they encountered a storm, the boat sank, and the mother and son disappeared without a trace? How... how is Young Master Ding still alive?"

Another servant chimed in, his tone full of disbelief.

After all, the incident of the drowning on the water back then was widely known in Rongzhou, and even the government issued a notice to confirm it. How come Madam Ding is standing here alive now, and even Young Master Ding has been carried in?

Yan Ruyu turned to Governor Ding, whose face was growing increasingly grim, and asked, "What do you have to say?"

Huo Changhe's voice was as cold as ice: "Whether you are really him or not is still uncertain, but this is Young Master Ding. Aren't you going to come and acknowledge him?"

Governor Ding's Adam's apple bobbed noticeably, and his feet seemed rooted to the spot.

Madam Ding had been staying in the inner quarters for many years, and in recent years, due to the "misfortune" of losing her husband and son, she had become extremely haggard and aged more than ten years. Her figure had also changed a lot compared to before, so it was understandable that she was not recognized.

But Young Master Ding is different. He is only a bit more sickly than before, and the outline of his eyebrows and eyes is almost unchanged. Anyone who has seen him can recognize him at a glance.

Su Zhenhai took two steps forward, holding the torch. The torchlight illuminated Young Master Ding's face. He glanced at him and then exclaimed in a low voice, "It's Young Master Ding! There's no mistake!"

Madam Ding could no longer hold back. She collapsed onto Young Master Ding, her shoulders heaving violently as she sobbed uncontrollably, a sound that made everyone around her feel a pang of sorrow.

Yan Ruyu slowly stepped forward, squatted down, gently probed Ding Gongzi's pulse with her fingertips, and then flipped his eyelids.

She looked up at Madam Ding, softening her voice, and whispered comfortingly, "Don't cry. His pulse is weak, but it's still relatively stable. Your son won't die, don't worry."

Madam Ding raised her head, her face streaked with tears, and knelt down without a second thought, her knees slamming against the bluestone pavement with a dull thud: "Please save my son! I'll do anything to save him!"

Yan Ruyu helped her up, her tone resolute: "Don't worry, I will."

Su Zhenhai had been holding back his anger for a long time, and seeing Young Master Ding tortured like this, he was even more furious. He turned around, his finger almost poking Prefect Ding's nose: "You dog! Even now you still won't tell the truth! Who exactly are you?! What are you up to by doing this to Young Master Ding!"

Governor Ding's expression changed repeatedly; his previous panic subsided, replaced by a sinister look.

He stiffened his neck, and even a cold smile appeared on his lips: "I am Prefect Ding, what is there to say? This son is dying, even if he dies, I can always take a concubine and have another one, what's the big deal?"

He was never close to me; I severed ties with him long ago when his mother had an affair. So why should I acknowledge him as a friend?

Madam Ding was so angry that she trembled all over, pointing at him for a long time without being able to speak: "You!"

Yan Ruyu stood aside, listening to his shameless sophistry, and felt a tightness in her brow. She raised her hand and gently touched her forehead, her tone devoid of any patience: "My patience has run out. Since that's the case, then... let's give him a beating."

These words were spoken lightly, but everyone present knew that he was truly angry.

Yin Ding, who had been unable to contain himself for a long time, rushed forward as soon as he heard this, grabbed Governor Ding's collar, and pulled him out from under the eaves.

Governor Ding struggled a few times, but couldn't move an inch. He could only have his shoulder pressed down by the silver ingot and take a solid punch.

Su Zhenhai, who was watching from the sidelines, was furious and couldn't help but roll up his sleeves and join in. He kicked Prefect Ding in the back of the knee, making him kneel down with a thud: "You imposter, if I don't beat you into telling the truth today, I'm not a Su!"

In an instant, the courtyard was filled with the wails of Prefect Ding and the muffled thuds of fists and feet striking his body.

Yan Ruyu stopped looking over there and squatted back down next to Young Master Ding's stretcher to carefully check his condition.

The space gave a warning as soon as I touched his wrist. Feeling the faint but continuous pulse, I knew what was going on.

Yan Ruyu explained to Madam Ding, whose eyes were red from crying, "Don't worry, he was just drugged and is unconscious but not dead."

He looked thin, but that was only due to long-term malnutrition. It seemed the fake governor didn't really want him dead; he just wanted to keep him around as leverage.

Madam Ding looked at her son, her heart filled with mixed emotions of joy and sorrow, and she wept so hard she could not speak.

All these years of suffering and endurance, all the lurking in the shadows, were because my son was in the hands of the fake governor.

Under the cover of concealment, Yan Ruyu took out a fresh red fruit from her spatial storage and handed it to the guard beside her.

"Boil this in water, quickly."

The guards obeyed and left. Yan Ruyu then took out some of the antidote that the military doctor had given him and gently applied it under Young Master Ding's nose.

There are too many people here right now, so this is all we can do. Other things like nutritional injections will have to wait until there are fewer people around.

Before long, Young Master Ding frowned and slowly woke up.

Upon seeing this, Madam Ding quickly wiped away her tears, stepped forward, and carefully tidied her hair and appearance.

"Chong'er..."

She called softly, her voice trembling slightly.

As soon as she opened her mouth, the tears she had just wiped away started flowing again.

Young Master Ding's eyelids trembled, and the things in front of him gradually became clear. What came into view was Ding Fu's face.

"Mother……"

Although many years had passed and Madam Ding's appearance had changed drastically, he still recognized her at a glance.

"Mother, am I dreaming? I actually saw you."

Madam Ding burst into tears, grabbed his hand, and shook her head repeatedly: "No, it's not a dream, it's real, Chong'er, your mother is here, you've suffered."

Young Master Ding's eyes widened, and his face flushed as he tried to see more clearly.

"Mother, is it really you?"

"Yes, it's me, Chong'er..."

The mother and son embraced and wept bitterly.

Everyone present had tears in their eyes.

Sun Qing and Wu Liang gritted their teeth, cursed angrily, and rushed forward to beat up Governor Ding.

They were all experts; they knew how to hit someone to the maximum pain without killing them, and they beat Governor Ding until he screamed in agony.

The guards brought over the boiled water, and Yan Ruyu instructed Madam Ding to feed it to Young Master Ding while it was still hot.

After drinking a bowl of water, Young Master Ding felt much stronger and his breathing became easier.

"Mother, what are you doing here? Where is this?"