Chapter 20: The pulse shows no poisoning
The sunlight shines through the thin clouds into the courtyard of the marquis's mansion.
Chu Ruohan got up early and carefully selected a set of elegant yet dignified clothes.
Gu Junze was also ready to go in a wheelchair. He was wearing a dark brocade robe today, still looking cold and noble, but there was a bit more gentleness in his eyes when he looked at Chu Ruohan.
The two of them rode in a carriage and slowly headed towards the Earl's Mansion. Halfway through, Gu Junze and Ying Qing got off the carriage, while Chu Ruohan continued on her way alone.
Soon, the carriage arrived at the Earl's Mansion.
"I'm here to pay my respects to my aunt. A few days ago, I was so grateful for your kindness and gift of such a precious Ruyi. I'm so overwhelmed that I've come to express my gratitude in return."
"Why are you so polite, child?" the Countess said with a faint smile.
He motioned Chu Ruohan to sit on the brocade stool beside him, and turned to whisper to the maid, "Go and brew my treasured set of Rain-Previous Longjing tea, and treat the young lady well."
She was really satisfied with Chu Ruohan. Although she came from a lower family, she had no faults in terms of etiquette and rules. She was much better than her petty mother-in-law.
"Ruohan, I heard that you've taken such good care of Junze that he's in much better spirits now. You're such a thoughtful and kind child, you're truly a blessing to the Marquisate."
Chu Ruohan bowed slightly and said softly, "Aunt, you are too kind. My husband is the one who will accompany me for my whole life. Taking care of him is my responsibility. I dare not take credit for it."
The Countess nodded and said, "It's rare that you can think this way. Junze is also a blessed child."
As he was speaking, a maid came over with a tea tray and placed the teacups on the table. The aroma of tea rose and filled the air.
"Try it."
"The teas that Auntie treasures are of course excellent," Chu Ruohan picked up a cup of tea and took a sip. "I came to bother you today because I have something to ask of you."
"What's the matter? Tell me." The Countess put down her teacup.
"My niece heard that Ningxiangju is owned by the Cui family, and the prince is used to using the calming incense there. The shop is out of stock, and the prince is not used to other incense. That's why he came to ask my aunt for help."
"It's such a small matter, why would you need to come here in person? The Cui family is my mother's family, so just send someone to inform them."
As she spoke, the Countess called over her trusted nanny, "Hurry up and go to Ningxiang Pavilion. Junze is used to using that kind of incense, and now they are in urgent need of it. Ask them to find a way to distribute some. Don't delay."
"yes."
It only took a cup of tea for the calming incense to be brought.
Chu Ruohan chatted with the Countess for a few more words, then stood up and said goodbye.
The nanny then quietly approached the Countess and whispered, "Madam, Ningxiangju is actually not out of stock."
The Countess was slightly startled, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes: "Oh? If it's not out of stock, why did you come here specifically to ask for this incense?"
The nanny lowered her head. "This old servant also feels that something is amiss. Could it be that the Marquis's son did this on purpose, hoping to get the young mistress and you, Madam, to have closer contact?"
The Countess shook her head slightly, her brows furrowed slightly. "Jun Ze is a man of deep thoughts. If he wants to befriend our family, he could have found other ways. Send someone to secretly monitor the Marquis's residence and see if they can find any clues."
The nanny responded and retreated.
The carriage circled the city before picking up Gu Junze and Ying Qing, and drove shakily towards the Anyang Marquis Mansion.
"How is it? Can it be cured?" Chu Ruohan asked anxiously.
Gu Junze shook his head. "It agrees with Doctor Fang's diagnosis. He didn't see any signs of poisoning in me."
He and Yingqing also consulted other doctors to diagnose his pulse, and the results were the same.
Chu Ruohan frowned even more tightly when she heard this. "How is this possible? You have verified that the mixture of ink and incense will produce trace amounts of toxins, so why can't you diagnose it when you take her pulse?" She muttered to herself, the doubts and unwillingness in her heart surging like a tide.
Gu Junze leaned against the wall of the carriage, looking a little tired, but he still forced himself to analyze: "There are countless strange poisons in the world, perhaps some are extremely hidden and difficult to detect."
"Ying Qing also went to find the doctor who saw the poisoning method and took my pulse, but he also found no signs of poisoning, only that my pulse was too weak."
The atmosphere in the car was solemn and depressing, and the two were caught in a huge mystery.
The person behind the scenes was really cunning. Even though Gu Junze suspected that he had been poisoned, no matter how he checked, his pulse was normal.
Chu Ruohan gave the calming incense she got from the Countess to Ying Qing. After inspection, she found that this calming incense was different from the one Gu Junze usually used.
To be more precise, this calming incense looks the same and smells the same when lit, but when combined with the ink block, it does not produce toxins.
Ying Qing had previously been watching the delivery guy from Ningxiang Pavilion and was sure that the Anshenxiang had been poisoned before it entered the Marquis' Mansion.
It seems that the incense used by Gu Junze is different from the ones usually sold in Ningxiang Pavilion.
Chu Ruohan deliberately went to the Countess in a roundabout way to ask for it instead of letting the servants buy it. One reason was to conceal their tracks and prevent people from noticing that they were investigating the matter.
Secondly, I also wanted to see if the Countess knew about this.
And why was the Cui family involved? Gu Junze was just a child at the time, and he had no deep hatred for the Cui family.
Chu Ruohan's suspicions grew stronger, and her brows furrowed. "Since the problem lies with Ningxiang Pavilion, then arrest the delivery guy and interrogate him thoroughly."
Ying Qing turned his gaze to Gu Junze, and when he saw him nod slightly, he turned around and left quickly.
Gu Junze's idea coincided with Chu Ruohan's. The delivery guy from Ningxiang Pavilion must know something about the inside story. Now that things are confusing, perhaps they can find a way out by starting with him.
The moon was high in the sky, and the servants of Anyang Marquis' Mansion had all fallen asleep. Only in the grass, unknown insects occasionally chirped, briefly breaking the silence, and then blending into the boundless tranquility.
Chu Ruohan paced back and forth in the room, waiting anxiously.
Gu Junze looked at her like this and comforted her softly: "Ying Qing is capable, don't worry too much."
Chu Ruohan nodded in response.
Gu Junze's eyes were fixed on her, and a corner of his cold heart seemed to be melting quietly.
He had originally taken life and death lightly, but now his heart was filled with ripples because of Chu Ruohan's anxiety and concern.
How could he deserve such concern from her?
But Gu Junze didn't know that Chu Ruohan was just worried that he would die too early. According to his previous life, Gu Junze only had half a month left to live.
If he died, Chu Ruohan would be alone and her fate would not be good.
Ying Qing was wearing a black nightgown, carrying a person on his shoulder, and entered Hongmeng Courtyard quietly.
The man's head was covered with a black cloth, and his body was drooping limply...
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