Chapter 684: Chapter 684: Poisoned?

Fan Chengzhuo’s heart sank.

The color drained from his face. "I’m just feeling a bit unwell."

Ye Chutang blinked, feigning confusion. "Is that so? But your driver seemed so anxious just now. It didn’t look like a minor issue. Why don’t I take your pulse for you, Mr. Fan?"

Her tone was composed and natural, making the suggestion sound perfectly reasonable.

Fan Chengzhuo’s immediate reaction was to refuse. "That won’t be necessary!"

He had witnessed this woman’s methods firsthand. ’Who knows what she might find out!’

Ye Chutang paused, taken aback.

The people around them also began to cast doubtful, suspicious glances his way.

Only then did Fan Chengzhuo realize his reaction had been too extreme, too abnormal. Everyone in the Capital City knew Ye Chutang was an exceptional physician. He was clearly unwell, and she had offered to examine him, yet he had refused without a second thought.

’Anyone watching would think something is wrong with me!’

Fan Chengzhuo cursed his luck. ’Today is just not my day!’

He’d been sick for some time, and today it had finally become unbearable. He had been on his way to see a doctor when he just had to run into Ye Chutang!

And in front of all these people, no less!

Fan Chengzhuo took a shallow breath, trying his best to sound calm. "Second Miss Ye, please don’t misunderstand. This is just an old ailment. Any doctor will do. There’s really no need to trouble you..."

Ye Chutang cut him off with a faint smile. "Seeking a doctor’s help is perfectly normal, Mr. Fan. It’s best not to hide an ailment for fear of treatment. As for me... you have even less to worry about. When I had my clinic in Jiangling, I would see dozens of patients every day. Sometimes, the lines would stretch out the door. Examining a single patient now is hardly a burden. Or... is it that you hold a grudge against me, Mr. Fan, and are simply unwilling to let me take your pulse?"

"I—"

Fan Chengzhuo was at a loss for words.

’Even if that’s exactly what I think, I can’t say it out loud in front of all these people!’

After a tense moment, Fan Chengzhuo could only force himself to concede. "In that case, I will have to trouble you, Second Miss Ye."

A slight smile touched Ye Chutang’s lips. "It’s far too noisy here in the market. We should go somewhere else. As it happens, Yunlai Tavern isn’t far. Would Mr. Fan care to join me?"

Fan Chengzhuo had no grounds to refuse.

’Fine!’

’I’ll just play along for a bit.’

Fan Chengzhuo composed himself. "Then... I shall trouble you, Second Miss Ye."

...

「Yunlai Tavern.」

The moment Ye Chutang arrived, she asked Xue Ran to prepare a private room.

Xue Ran was confused for a second, but then he saw Fan Chengzhuo behind her and instantly understood. He smiled and agreed.

"Yes, Second Miss. Should I have some wine sent up?"

Ye Chutang shook her head. "Mr. Fan is unwell; he shouldn’t be drinking. Just a pot of hot tea will do."

"Yes."

Xue Ran replied respectfully and turned to lead the pair to the second floor.

Resistance was written all over Fan Chengzhuo’s body.

The last time he’d come, it was out of sheer frustration, with no other outlet for his emotions. He’d also wanted to take the opportunity to see if there was anything suspicious about Yunlai Tavern.

But this time was different. He had no interest in any of that now.

His mind was completely preoccupied with how to stop Ye Chutang from discovering what was wrong with him.

Fan Chengzhuo truly didn’t dare to take the risk.

It would have been fine if it were anyone else, but it just had to be Ye Chutang!

’If she really finds something out...’

Just as Fan Chengzhuo was wondering how to get through this, someone descending the stairs bumped into his shoulder.

Fan Chengzhuo was jolted back to his senses. When he got a clear look at the person’s face, his heart leaped.

The man had a hurried look on his face, as if in a great rush. He muttered a quiet, "My apologies," and walked away quickly, his eyes fixed forward.

Fan Chengzhuo turned, watching as the man strode quickly out of the tavern.

Noticing Fan Chengzhuo hadn’t followed, Xue Ran looked back with an apologetic smile. "Oh dear, my sincerest apologies. That gentleman must have had too much to drink. That’s why he bumped into you, sir. Mr. Fan, are you all right?"

As he spoke, Ye Chutang also glanced back, her expression questioning.

Fan Chengzhuo quickly averted his eyes. "It’s n-nothing."

Seemingly unsuspicious, Ye Chutang walked to the first private room on the right side of the second floor and gestured. "Mr. Fan, after you."

Fan Chengzhuo hesitated. He followed her to the door but didn’t immediately go in. Instead, he discreetly scanned the hallway a few times before asking with feigned casualness,

"The second floor of Yunlai Tavern is legendary. I’ve heard the cost to book a single room is quite steep, is it not?"

Xue Ran chuckled. "A thousand gold pieces can’t buy what the heart desires. A moment of joy is a rare thing in life, and no amount of Silver Coin can compare to that, wouldn’t you say?"

A strange smile flickered across Fan Chengzhuo’s face.

"Right. Very right."

He gave Ye Chutang a meaningful look. "Second Miss Ye, this Shopkeeper you’ve hired seems to be a rare and insightful man—COUGH—COUGH COUGH!"

Fan Chengzhuo started coughing again before he could finish.

Ye Chutang pushed the door open and entered first. She took out the medical kit from the carriage, placed a pulse pillow on the table, and gestured politely.

"Mr. Fan, please have a seat."

Still coughing, Fan Chengzhuo reluctantly followed her in and sat down across from her.

Seemingly oblivious to his anxiety, Ye Chutang began to take his pulse.

Fan Chengzhuo’s heart felt like it was caught in a vice. He even swallowed the coughs that rose in his throat, his face turning a dark shade of purple.

Time seemed to stretch on endlessly.

Every second was agony for Fan Chengzhuo.

Ye Chutang’s brow furrowed slightly.

Fan Chengzhuo’s heart leaped into his throat. He fought the urge to snatch his arm back, forcing his voice to remain steady. "What is it? Have you found something, Second Miss Ye? This illness of mine... what exactly is it?"

Ye Chutang paused for a moment before pulling her hand back, her expression hesitant.

"Mr. Fan, your pulse... it feels like you’ve been poisoned?"

"’Feels like’?" Fan Chengzhuo repeated.

Ye Chutang nodded, her brow knitting more tightly. "Your pulse is rapid and hurried, with signs of internal cold and external heat. Have you had a high fever these past few days?"

Fan Chengzhuo’s heart clenched, but he could only nod. "Yes, I had a high fever for several consecutive days. It finally broke today, but... I feel even more exhausted, and I get breathless after just a few steps. The other physicians I saw couldn’t determine the cause, so I decided to seek another opinion."

He stared intently at Ye Chutang, not missing the slightest change in her expression as he cautiously probed, "Am I really... poisoned?"

Ye Chutang paused for a moment. "Based on your condition, it does seem to be caused by poison, but... something isn’t quite right. I’ve encountered many different poisons, yet I’ve never heard of one that produces a pulse like this..."

Fan Chengzhuo interjected immediately. "There are countless poisons in this world; it’s impossible for you to have seen them all, Second Miss Ye. What I want to know is, is this poison fatal?"

Ye Chutang considered this for a moment. "It appears to be a slow-acting poison. Let’s do this: I’ll write you a prescription to treat the symptoms. Take it home, have someone prepare the medicine, and let’s see if your condition improves. How does that sound?"

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