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

Chapter 2169 Worries in My Heart

Yan Ruyu hung up the call, her drowsiness completely gone, leaving only a heavy heart.

She got up and opened the window. The fresh scent of grass and trees filled her nostrils. Huo Changhe, dressed in a black martial arts outfit, was concentrating on practicing his boxing.

Yan Ruyu leaned against the window for a moment, then turned around, changed her clothes, and slowly walked up the steps.

The morning light shone on her, casting a soft glow on her plain dress. She stood there quietly, her gaze following Huo Changhe's figure until he finished his last move and slowly exhaled.

"Why didn't you sleep a little longer?" Huo Changhe turned around, saw her, a hint of warmth flashed in his eyes, and he walked over.

His forehead was damp with a thin layer of sweat, and the hair at his temples was slightly damp. Yan Ruyu raised her hand, took out a plain silk handkerchief from her sleeve, and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"The abbot has sent word that he has something to tell you."

Huo Changhe grasped her wrist, feeling its cool temperature at his fingertips, and frowned slightly: "What happened?"

“It’s about Changxu and his mother,” Yan Ruyu said in a lower voice. “The abbot said that Changxu has recently noticed that his mother is acting a little strange.”

She paused for a moment, then relayed the message from the abbot: "My mother has been feeling sleepy lately. At this time of day, she would usually be tending to the flowers and plants in the courtyard, but now she often dozes off on the soft couch, and she is very tired."

And...it seems like my mother's sense of smell is also having problems.

"Smell?" Huo Changhe raised an eyebrow, somewhat puzzled.

“Hmm,” Yan Ruyu nodded. “Changxu said that the incense that used to be a common stimulant at home now smells bad to his mother. Even when Changxu smells of the spice shop, his mother says it’s unpleasant and tells him to take a bath right away.”

Huo Changhe's expression darkened.

My mother has always been in good health, and her sense of smell is especially keen. In the past, she was always the first to taste the new incense products from Huo's Spice Shop. How could such a strange thing suddenly happen?

"Has Changxu found the cause?"

“Not yet,” Yan Ruyu shook her head. “He wants to ask a doctor to examine Mother, but he’s afraid she’ll become suspicious. After all, Mother has always been in good health, and if a doctor is suddenly asked, she’ll inevitably overthink things.”

“I’ll send Doctor Cao over,” Yan Ruyu said. “Just tell him that this is something I specifically instructed before I left. Everyone in the household needs to have regular physical examinations. It’s also to take responsibility for everyone’s health. That way, Mother shouldn’t suspect anything.”

Huo Changhe nodded. This arrangement was indeed appropriate. Doctor Cao was highly skilled and reliable, making him the perfect choice to examine the First Madam.

"Did the abbot mention anything else unusual about Youcheng?"

“The abbot said he’s been busy with city affairs lately and hasn’t noticed anything wrong with it,” Yan Ruyu recalled her conversation with the abbot.

"However, Changxu discovered that many people have been returning spice products to the spice shop recently. Huo Zhongmao and the Qian family shopkeeper have also met, and their spice shops have encountered the same situation."

He will keep a close eye out and look for similar situations in other parts of the city.

She paused, then added, "I told the abbot not to make a fuss about it, so as not to cause unnecessary panic."

Yan Ruyu didn't say anything, but she also asked the abbot to use the spring water from the space to make tea for the first wife, to see if it would have any effect and perhaps alleviate her mother's symptoms.

Huo Changhe gently grasped her hand: "With Doctor Cao's examination and the abbot's help to keep an eye on things, we should be able to find the cause as soon as possible."

Yan Ruyu gave a soft "hmm," but she still couldn't let it go.

"I have already instructed the abbot to contact us immediately if any discoveries are made."

Huo Changhe looked at the worry in her eyes and said gently, "Things here are almost done. Once the cleanup is done, let Su Zhenhai's people handle it, and then we'll return to Youcheng as soon as possible."

Yan Ruyu nodded, gazing into the distance as if she could see through the layers of mountains to the scene inside the Youcheng Prince's Mansion.

She only hoped that the First Madam was safe and sound, and that this sudden strange occurrence was just a false alarm.

Inside the Prince's Palace in Youcheng.

Huo Changxu was standing in the First Madam's courtyard, watching the maids busily tidying up the courtyard, but his heart was heavy.

Ever since his mother said he smelled bad yesterday and expressed her disgust with the stimulant, he felt that something was wrong.

My mother used to love the spices most, especially that invigorating one, which she would light every day. How could she suddenly find it smelly?

As he was pondering, he heard footsteps outside the courtyard gate. Turning around, he saw that it was the abbot.

The abbot was dressed in a gray monk's robe, with a peaceful expression, and was carrying a large water bucket in his hand.

"Abbot, you've arrived." Huo Changxu greeted him, his voice tinged with urgency.

The abbot nodded, his gaze sweeping across the courtyard, and smiled, "Is the Second Young Master still thinking about the First Madam's matter?"

“Indeed,” Huo Changxu sighed, “Mother still doesn’t seem to be in much spirits today. When I came in just now, she was asleep on the soft couch again.”

The two walked into the main room side by side. Sure enough, the First Madam was reclining on the soft couch, her eyes lightly closed, her breathing even, and her expression showing some weariness.

When the maid saw them enter, she was about to step forward to announce their arrival when the abbot raised his hand to stop her.

"Let the First Madam sleep a little longer," the abbot said in a low voice. "There's no need to disturb her."

The two tiptoed to the outer room and sat down. A maid brought tea, which Huo Changxu accepted, but he had no appetite for it.

"Second Young Master, don't worry too much," the abbot comforted him. "The Princess Consort made some arrangements beforehand. Doctor Cao will come over later to examine the First Madam."

Upon hearing this, Huo Changxu's face lit up with joy: "Sister-in-law is indeed very thoughtful."

The abbot nodded: "I've already sent someone to wait at the entrance. Please come over as soon as you arrive."

He pointed to the large water bucket at the door: "That's water that I've chanted sutras over and blessed. I'm giving it to the First Madam to drink, to see if it can alleviate her symptoms."

Huo Changxu: "..."

“Second Young Master, don’t underestimate it. My water has always been quite effective,” the abbot said meaningfully. “Now have the maid make some tea, and when the First Madam wakes up, let her try it.”

Huo Changxu was too embarrassed to say anything else, so he immediately nodded in agreement and asked someone to make the arrangements.

About fifteen minutes later, a slight noise came from the inner room. The First Madam slowly opened her eyes, still looking somewhat sleepy.

"Changxu? When did you arrive?"

“Mother, I’ve been here for a while. Seeing that you were sleeping soundly, I didn’t want to disturb you,” Huo Changxu quickly got up and went into the inner room, helping the First Madam to sit up. “How are you feeling? Would you like some water?”

The First Madam stretched and yawned, her voice languid: "I still don't have much energy, I always feel like I haven't slept enough."

She sniffed the air, her brow furrowing slightly. "What's that smell in this room? It's weird."

Huo Changxu's heart skipped a beat. There was no incense burning in the room, only a faint scent of grass and wood. His mother found it strange.