PDLP Chapter 2187 Sudden Serious Illness
Chapter 2187 Sudden Serious Illness
When the banquet ended, it was already late at night.
The barbecue grill in the courtyard had long been turned off, leaving only a little warmth, and the air was still filled with the aroma of grilled meat and wine.
Governor Cao was half-drunk, his cheeks flushed and his steps unsteady, yet he still held onto Huo Changhe's hand tightly.
He muttered to himself, "Your Highness, it's so good that you're back... I've been feeling quite uneasy these past few days, but now that you're back, I can finally relax..."
As he spoke, he patted Huo Changhe's arm again, his tone earnest, "You had a great time drinking tonight. Another day I'll prepare some more good wine, and we'll drink until we're completely drunk!"
Huo Changhe supported him, a hearty smile on his face: "No problem, no problem, I'll definitely keep you company another day."
"It's late, Your Excellency. You should take your wife home to rest as soon as possible."
Lady Cao stood to the side, her face still flushed with the effects of the wine, her complexion rosy. She gently tugged at Governor Cao's sleeve and softly advised, "Husband, it's getting late. We should go back now, so as not to keep the Prince and Princess from resting."
Governor Cao reluctantly let go of her hand and bowed to Huo Changhe and Yan Ruyu, saying, "Then we will take our leave, Your Highness. Thank you for your hospitality today."
Yan Ruyu smiled and nodded: "You're too kind, Governor. Madam Cao has just recovered. Please be careful on your way back and get some rest."
After seeing off Governor Cao and his wife, the First Madam was also a little tired. She smiled and said to the two of them, "You have been traveling all day and have been busy for most of the day. You should go back to your courtyard and rest early. We can talk about it tomorrow."
"Mother, you should rest early too." Yan Ruyu and Huo Changhe responded in unison, and walked side by side along the corridor to their own courtyard.
The night was quiet, with only the light sound of footsteps on the cobblestone path and the occasional chirping of insects.
Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the branches, casting dappled shadows, and the cool evening breeze dispersed the noise of the banquet.
"Judging from Madam Cao's complexion today, she seems to have truly recovered," Yan Ruyu said softly, her tone tinged with doubt.
Huo Changhe nodded: "It looks better, but the medicinal cuisine from Yishengtang seems too suspicious. There's no news from the secret guards yet, but we should be able to find some clues soon."
"Hmm." Yan Ruyu responded, but the unease in her heart had not completely dissipated. "I hope the truth can be found out as soon as possible to avoid further trouble."
Back in the courtyard, the maid had already prepared hot water and calming tea.
After a quick wash, the two rested.
The days of travel and rushing had left Yan Ruyu physically and mentally exhausted. She fell into a deep sleep soon after lying down, finally getting a good night's rest.
But this peace did not last long.
In the middle of the night, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly broke the tranquility of the courtyard.
Linlang hurried to the corridor and replied in a low voice, "Master! Something terrible has happened!"
Yan Ruyu was suddenly awakened, her sleepiness instantly vanishing.
Huo Changhe also sat up at the same time. The two looked at each other and saw astonishment in each other's eyes.
Yan Ruyu quickly put on her clothes, got out of bed, and walked briskly to the door to open it.
"What's wrong?" Yan Ruyu's voice was hoarse from just waking up.
"Master, Governor Cao and his wife... they're back!" Linlang said in a deep voice. "They said that Lady Cao suddenly fainted shortly after getting into the carriage and hasn't woken up since. The governor is almost frantic with worry and is waiting in the front hall now!"
"What?" Yan Ruyu and Huo Changhe were both shocked.
Madam Cao was perfectly fine at the banquet just now, with a rosy complexion. How could she suddenly faint and become unconscious?
Without a second thought, the two quickly changed their clothes and hurried toward the front hall.
Before they even reached the door, they heard Governor Cao's suppressed sobs coming from inside. The sobs were filled with despair and anxiety, making their hearts clench.
Yan Ruyu was greatly alarmed and wondered to herself, "Could something have happened to Madam Cao?"
She walked briskly into the front hall without stopping.
Lady Cao was slumped in a chair, leaning against Governor Cao's chest. Her eyes were closed, and her face was pale and bloodless, a stark contrast to her rosy cheeks when she left. She looked extremely frightening, barely breathing.
When Governor Cao saw Yan Ruyu enter, he grasped at a straw and choked out, "Your Highness! Please take a look at my wife! She..."
She was fine after getting in the car, but suddenly said she felt dizzy and then passed out. No matter how much I called her, I couldn't wake her; her breathing was getting weaker and weaker. I had no choice but to bring her back. Please, you help her!
Yan Ruyu quickly stepped forward, signaling Governor Cao not to be too anxious: "Governor, please don't panic, let me take a look first."
She sat down in front of Madam Cao and gently placed her fingertips on Madam Cao's wrist.
The moment Yan Ruyu touched that cool skin, her heart tightened.
Madam Cao's pulse was extremely weak, as thin as a spider's thread, intermittent and almost imperceptible. Even her breathing was so weak that it seemed as if it would stop at any moment. The situation was more critical than imagined!
Yan Ruyu withdrew her hand, her expression grave: "We can't linger here any longer. Quickly, have someone prepare a quiet and tidy courtyard, lay out soft mattresses, and bring a basin of warm water."
"Yes! Okay!" Huo Changhe immediately instructed the butler beside him to make the arrangements, his actions swift and efficient.
Yan Ruyu then turned to Linlang: "Go quickly and invite Doctor Cao and the abbot. Tell them the situation is extremely urgent and that they must come as soon as possible. There can be no delay!"
"Yes!" Linlang didn't dare to delay and turned to run out the door, her footsteps sounding particularly hurried in the quiet night.
Meanwhile, the maids had quickly tidied up a nearby courtyard. Governor Cao carefully picked up Madam Cao and gently placed her on the softly quilted bed, his movements tender, for fear of aggravating her condition.
He then stood by the bedside, helplessly looking at his unconscious wife, tears streaming down his face.
Yan Ruyu took out a few bright red and plump fruits from her spatial storage, had her maid find a clean clay pot, washed and crushed the fruits, added water and boiled them to make a thick fruit soup. She then carefully scooped it up with a small spoon and slowly fed it to Madam Cao.
Madam Cao's jaw was clenched, making it difficult for her to swallow. Yan Ruyu patiently fed her little by little along the corner of her mouth. After she finished most of the bowl of fruit soup, her breathing finally became a little more stable.
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door. Doctor Cao and the abbot rushed over one after the other. Both of them were dressed in plain clothes and looked rushed. They had obviously just been woken up from their sleep and hadn't even had time to tidy their clothes properly.
"Your Highness, how is Madam Cao?" Doctor Cao asked anxiously as soon as he entered the room, and quickly walked to the bedside.
"His pulse is as thin as a thread, and his breath is weak. Please take a look." Yan Ruyu stepped aside to make way for him.
The military doctor, Cao, immediately sat down, took Cao's wife's wrist, his brows furrowed more and more, and his expression gradually became serious.