Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
âAlright, let us know if thereâs anything.â Second Uncle Gu hesitated before nodding. They knew they couldnât be of much help here.
News of Gu Chengruiâs condition spread quickly.
Mingyu, the sons of King An and King Xian, and several friendly officials arrived to offer support.
Despite her exhaustion, Zhou Ying received them and had Gu Chengxi explain the situation.
The princes briefly visited Gu Chengrui before departing with worried expressions.
Alone again, Zhou Ying reached for water when Guoguo and Chenchen entered. âMommy, is Daddy alright?â Guoguo asked, her voice laced with worry.
âHeâs just very tired, sweetheart,â Zhou Ying reassured her with a forced smile.
âCan I see him?â Chenchen chimed in.
Zhou Ying nodded, and Guoguo led him to the bedroom.
Just then, Gu Chenglin, a recent Hanlin Academy recruit and last yearâs third- place scholar in the second-class exam, rushed in. âSister-in-law, I heard about Brother. What happened?â
Tears welled up in Zhou Yingâs eyes. âI donât know. Nothing seems physically wrong, but heâs unconscious.â
âCould it be sabotage? But that wouldnât explain his normal vitals,â Gu Chenglin asked, his voice tense.
âItâs probably not that.â Zhou Ying shook her head.
Traditional and Western medicine showed nothing amiss.
Her experience with Mother God pointed toward a soul issue, but the cause remained a mystery.
Anxiety gnawed at her. Tonight, she would try entering his dream to investigate.
âDaddy, wake up! You havenât checked Chenchenâs homework!â Chenchenâs voice echoed from the room.
âShould I go check on him?â Gu Chenglin offered.
âLetâs go together,â Zhou Ying replied, rising from her seat.
Inside, they found Guoguo wiping tears. Zhou Ying offered a hug. âDonât worry, your father will be fine.â Guoguo nodded silently.
Gu Chenglin examined Gu Chengrui. Though lacking recent medical training, his knowledge told him his brother wasnât in immediate danger.
âLetâs go. Uncle will check your homework today.â He gave a reassuring nod to Zhou Ying before leading Chenchen out.
âCome on, Guoguo,â Zhou Ying coaxed, âletâs get some food. Your daddy will be alright.â
Guoguo, taking one last lookback, allowed herself to be led out. Zhou Ying instructed the kitchen to prepare food, emphasizing thin millet porridge.
Later, Gu Chenglin finished Chenchenâs homework and took him to Gu Chengruiâs pharmacy. Finding Gu Chengxi engrossed in a book, he asked, âBrother Chengxi, whatâs wrong with Chengrui?â
âStill investigating,â Gu Chengxi replied without looking up.
âAny leads?â
Gu Chengxi shook his head. âNothing yet, but it resembles the Daoist concept of Soul-dissociating Illness.â
Gu Chenglinâs breath paused. âBut we never believe in ghost, let alone diagnosing someone with it?â