Ye Qingchi was busy with work early in the morning. When he finally heard some noise from the infirmary, he hurried out of the pharmacy. Seeing his troublesome cousin who had appeared in the infirmary, and hearing that Li Yang had been tied up and put on public display in the yard, his face sank with helplessness. "Ying, what are you doing here? Hurry up and leave!"
Gu Ying obediently leaned against the Eldest Prince's side. "Cousin, since I've already come in, I don't plan on leaving."
Ye Qingchi angrily scolded, "Du, what's going on with you, why are you indulging her mischief?"
Gu Ying helplessly smiled. "Cousin, don't worry. I really won't be in any danger. Last night, Du and I already discussed countermeasures. Today is just a beginning. Later, I will also help the patients with you."
"What do you mean, help? When you're pregnant, you should be properly nurturing the fetus. As for other things, they aren't something a young lady like you should be worrying about."
"Oh, Cousin, can't you just believe me for once? Besides, you and the Eldest Prince are here, so of course I must live and die alongside you all. Aren't you moved?"
"Moved my a--!" Ye Qingchi's upbringing prevented him from uttering the word. He could only glare at her and scold, "If Grandfather heard you say that, he would beat you to death with his cane!"
Gu Ying jokingly said, "I'd rather be beaten to death by Grandfather and die alongside you all than the alternative."
Ye Qingchi was extremely frustrated. He wanted to continue persuading her, but Zhao Changdu had already pulled Gu Ying into the sickroom with a faint smile on his thin lips. "No need to worry, Brother Ye. I'm here."
Seeing their tightly clasped hands, Ye Qingchi became even angrier. "It's precisely because you're here that I feel it's more dangerous!"
"How could I possibly put her in danger? I'm her husband."
"I'd say you're the most dangerous one here!"
As a member of the prestigious Ye family, Ye Qingchi couldn't bring himself to curse crudely at Zhao Changdu. The corners of his mouth twitched for a long time before he let out a long sigh. "I must have committed evil acts in my past life to end up with a brother-in-law like you. Zhao Changdu, if you're going to indulge her like this, then when we return to Bianjing I'm telling my father and mother so that my father can give you a good scolding!"
Gu Ying gave an innocent laugh. "Cousin, I'm going in first."
Since he was infected with the plague, Ye Qingchi didn't dare get too close to Gu Ying. He could only stand helplessly at the door, looking as anxious as a tortured soul.
"Gu Ying, come out here!"
"Gu Ying!"
"Ying, you brat!"
Seeing that the girl had no intention of leaving, Ye Qingchi silently gave Zhao Changdu a glare.
Now that things had already progressed to this point, there was nothing more he could say.
Since the little girl had brought Li Yang here, he should at least go over and see how his condition was worsening. It would be best if his illness became more severe.
He wasn't some saint. Since Li Yang had no regard for their lives and had even pulled his beloved little sister into this, he didn't need to be too comfortable.
Gu Ying's mind was still on Jiang Yin's expression when he left. She was somewhat distracted.
It wasn't until she reached the innermost part of the pharmacy and saw over a dozen doctors gathered around a large iron cauldron, arguing over something unknown, that she regained her senses.
This was her first time coming to where the doctors formulated their medicines. She hadn't known the doctors' circumstances before. Now she realized there were twenty to thirty doctors and medicine boys here. Several dozen medicine furnaces burned day and night. The medicine pots and iron soup cauldrons for decocting medicines didn't stop for a moment. Medicine boys came and went busily, carrying medicines in and out.
A strong smell of herbal medicine lingered inside the pharmacy. It didn't smell very nice—rather bitter and stinky.
She covered her mouth and retched. She felt a bit nauseous.
Zhao Changdu noticed her first. Seeing that she didn't look well, his eyebrows creased with concern as he put his arm around her shoulders and helped her sit down in a nearby chair. "Ying, if you're uncomfortable, do you want to go back and rest first?"
Gu Ying shook her head. "I'm fine. Right, Du, may I take a look at the doctors' medical records and prescription formulas?"
"Of course." Zhao Changdu casually called over Mr. Zhuge. "I'll also trouble Mr. Zhuge to take my wife's pulse and see how the baby in her belly is doing."
Mr. Zhuge put down what he was working on and walked over to Gu Ying with a smile.
Right next to them was a large table piled high with all kinds of handwritten notes.
Gu Ying held out her wrist.
Zhao Changdu lifted her skirt hem and sat down beside her. His eyebrows were gentle, but he watched her stomach with evident concern and care.
Dr. Zhuge carefully felt her pulse and didn't miss the concern and caution on the Eldest Prince's face. He laughed and said, "Your Highness, don't worry. Your wife's fetus is perfectly healthy. Pregnant women don't actually need to be handled too gingerly. Your wife has a good constitution and often takes fortifying medicine and tonics, so once the fetus settles, she can carry on as normal. No need to make too many allowances. Children raised simply and nurtured heartily grow up hale and hardy."
Gu Ying gently stroked her belly. "Thank you, Dr. Zhuge."
Zhao Changdu pressed his lips thinly together. How could he not feel anxious?
This child was of his and Ying's bloodline.
Until he saw the child safely born, he wouldn't feel at ease for a moment.
Gu Ying looked at the fussy man. Seeing his care for their child warmed her heart. "Du, don't be nervous. Nian Bao will definitely be safely born, and we will definitely make it out of Yueyang alive."
The man was embarrassed to admit it. "I'm not very nervous."
"Of course, of course. Our invincible Du would naturally be able to protect me and Nian Bao completely."
In this tense, oppressive environment, all the doctors heard Gu Ying's gentle voice and revealed smiles in response.
For a long time, as he led them to resist the plague epidemic, they had rarely seen any change in the Eldest Prince's expression. He was noble, cold, aloof, stern, and majestic. He didn't show joy or anger on his face—cold and detached like an unfeeling god.
Only with Madam's arrival today did they glimpse a trace of mortal warmth from this abstinent, icy man.
Especially the way he looked at Gu Ying—doting, tender, with a human touch. He seemed closer to a normal person then.
Perhaps because Mr. Zhuge smiled increasingly kindly when facing Gu Ying. "Madam seems to understand some medical principles? If Madam wants to look at the medical records, you can ask this old man for them. If there's anything you want to ask, you can also ask this old man. The Eldest Prince has to oversee all of Yueyang, so there are too many pressing matters for him. This old man is more knowledgeable about treatments and medicines."
Gu Ying modestly said, "Mr. Zhuge overpraises me. I've only casually read some medical texts and am not very knowledgeable about medicine."
"Hahaha, Madam is too modest." Mr. Zhuge handed over the most recently organized medical records in front of him for Gu Ying to see. "If Madam wants to take a look, you can read these directly. These are our latest compiled records."
Gu Ying made a sound of affirmation and accepted them. Then, in the dim light coming in through the window, she slowly turned through the pages one by one.
Time trickled by. She read the doctors' notes attentively and carefully.
She also cross-referenced all the prescription formulas that had already been used, as well as the patients' bodily reactions after taking the medicines.
Voices of discussion rose from the doctors inside the pharmacy, but Gu Ying paid them no mind. She was completely immersed in her own world.
"Your Highness, when did Madam arrive?"
Ye Qingchi was busy with work early in the morning. When he finally heard some noise from the infirmary, he hurried out of the pharmacy. Seeing his troublesome cousin who had appeared in the infirmary, and hearing that Li Yang had been tied up and put on public display in the yard, his face sank with helplessness. "Ying, what are you doing here? Hurry up and leave!"
Gu Ying obediently leaned against the Eldest Prince's side. "Cousin, since I've already come in, I don't plan on leaving."
Ye Qingchi angrily scolded, "Du, what's going on with you, why are you indulging her mischief?"
Gu Ying helplessly smiled. "Cousin, don't worry. I really won't be in any danger. Last night, Du and I already discussed countermeasures. Today is just a beginning. Later, I will also help the patients with you."
"What do you mean, help? When you're pregnant, you should be properly nurturing the fetus. As for other things, they aren't something a young lady like you should be worrying about."
"Oh, Cousin, can't you just believe me for once? Besides, you and the Eldest Prince are here, so of course I must live and die alongside you all. Aren't you moved?"
"Moved my a--!" Ye Qingchi's upbringing prevented him from uttering the word. He could only glare at her and scold, "If Grandfather heard you say that, he would beat you to death with his cane!"
Gu Ying jokingly said, "I'd rather be beaten to death by Grandfather and die alongside you all than the alternative."
Ye Qingchi was extremely frustrated. He wanted to continue persuading her, but Zhao Changdu had already pulled Gu Ying into the sickroom with a faint smile on his thin lips. "No need to worry, Brother Ye. I'm here."
Seeing their tightly clasped hands, Ye Qingchi became even angrier. "It's precisely because you're here that I feel it's more dangerous!"
"How could I possibly put her in danger? I'm her husband."
"I'd say you're the most dangerous one here!"
As a member of the prestigious Ye family, Ye Qingchi couldn't bring himself to curse crudely at Zhao Changdu. The corners of his mouth twitched for a long time before he let out a long sigh. "I must have committed evil acts in my past life to end up with a brother-in-law like you. Zhao Changdu, if you're going to indulge her like this, then when we return to Bianjing I'm telling my father and mother so that my father can give you a good scolding!"
Gu Ying gave an innocent laugh. "Cousin, I'm going in first."
Since he was infected with the plague, Ye Qingchi didn't dare get too close to Gu Ying. He could only stand helplessly at the door, looking as anxious as a tortured soul.
"Gu Ying, come out here!"
"Gu Ying!"
"Ying, you brat!"
Seeing that the girl had no intention of leaving, Ye Qingchi silently gave Zhao Changdu a glare.
Now that things had already progressed to this point, there was nothing more he could say.
Since the little girl had brought Li Yang here, he should at least go over and see how his condition was worsening. It would be best if his illness became more severe.
He wasn't some saint. Since Li Yang had no regard for their lives and had even pulled his beloved little sister into this, he didn't need to be too comfortable.
Gu Ying's mind was still on Jiang Yin's expression when he left. She was somewhat distracted.
It wasn't until she reached the innermost part of the pharmacy and saw over a dozen doctors gathered around a large iron cauldron, arguing over something unknown, that she regained her senses.
This was her first time coming to where the doctors formulated their medicines. She hadn't known the doctors' circumstances before. Now she realized there were twenty to thirty doctors and medicine boys here. Several dozen medicine furnaces burned day and night. The medicine pots and iron soup cauldrons for decocting medicines didn't stop for a moment. Medicine boys came and went busily, carrying medicines in and out.
A strong smell of herbal medicine lingered inside the pharmacy. It didn't smell very nice—rather bitter and stinky.
She covered her mouth and retched. She felt a bit nauseous.
Zhao Changdu noticed her first. Seeing that she didn't look well, his eyebrows creased with concern as he put his arm around her shoulders and helped her sit down in a nearby chair. "Ying, if you're uncomfortable, do you want to go back and rest first?"
Gu Ying shook her head. "I'm fine. Right, Du, may I take a look at the doctors' medical records and prescription formulas?"
"Of course." Zhao Changdu casually called over Mr. Zhuge. "I'll also trouble Mr. Zhuge to take my wife's pulse and see how the baby in her belly is doing."
Mr. Zhuge put down what he was working on and walked over to Gu Ying with a smile.
Right next to them was a large table piled high with all kinds of handwritten notes.
Gu Ying held out her wrist.
Zhao Changdu lifted her skirt hem and sat down beside her. His eyebrows were gentle, but he watched her stomach with evident concern and care.
Dr. Zhuge carefully felt her pulse and didn't miss the concern and caution on the Eldest Prince's face. He laughed and said, "Your Highness, don't worry. Your wife's fetus is perfectly healthy. Pregnant women don't actually need to be handled too gingerly. Your wife has a good constitution and often takes fortifying medicine and tonics, so once the fetus settles, she can carry on as normal. No need to make too many allowances. Children raised simply and nurtured heartily grow up hale and hardy."
Gu Ying gently stroked her belly. "Thank you, Dr. Zhuge."
Zhao Changdu pressed his lips thinly together. How could he not feel anxious?
This child was of his and Ying's bloodline.
Until he saw the child safely born, he wouldn't feel at ease for a moment.
Gu Ying looked at the fussy man. Seeing his care for their child warmed her heart. "Du, don't be nervous. Nian Bao will definitely be safely born, and we will definitely make it out of Yueyang alive."
The man was embarrassed to admit it. "I'm not very nervous."
"Of course, of course. Our invincible Du would naturally be able to protect me and Nian Bao completely."
In this tense, oppressive environment, all the doctors heard Gu Ying's gentle voice and revealed smiles in response.
For a long time, as he led them to resist the plague epidemic, they had rarely seen any change in the Eldest Prince's expression. He was noble, cold, aloof, stern, and majestic. He didn't show joy or anger on his face—cold and detached like an unfeeling god.
Only with Madam's arrival today did they glimpse a trace of mortal warmth from this abstinent, icy man.
Especially the way he looked at Gu Ying—doting, tender, with a human touch. He seemed closer to a normal person then.
Perhaps because Mr. Zhuge smiled increasingly kindly when facing Gu Ying. "Madam seems to understand some medical principles? If Madam wants to look at the medical records, you can ask this old man for them. If there's anything you want to ask, you can also ask this old man. The Eldest Prince has to oversee all of Yueyang, so there are too many pressing matters for him. This old man is more knowledgeable about treatments and medicines."
Gu Ying modestly said, "Mr. Zhuge overpraises me. I've only casually read some medical texts and am not very knowledgeable about medicine."
"Hahaha, Madam is too modest." Mr. Zhuge handed over the most recently organized medical records in front of him for Gu Ying to see. "If Madam wants to take a look, you can read these directly. These are our latest compiled records."
Gu Ying made a sound of affirmation and accepted them. Then, in the dim light coming in through the window, she slowly turned through the pages one by one.
Time trickled by. She read the doctors' notes attentively and carefully.
She also cross-referenced all the prescription formulas that had already been used, as well as the patients' bodily reactions after taking the medicines.
Voices of discussion rose from the doctors inside the pharmacy, but Gu Ying paid them no mind. She was completely immersed in her own world.
"Your Highness, when did Madam arrive?"
