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墨書 Inktalez
“Nangong Shuang” spoke with calm assurance, “Madam, rest assured. Although I am young, I have studied medicine under my mentor for many years and have researched many difficult and complicated illnesses. May I first examine Miss Guo’s symptoms?”
Madam Guo nodded and led the two into the bedroom.
Inside, a strong scent of medicine filled the air. A girl of about fifteen or sixteen lay on the bed, her complexion a disturbing shade of blue-purple, eyes tightly closed, and breathing rapid. Several maidservants were busy replacing cold towels to help lower her temperature.
Nangong Shuang approached the bedside and carefully observed Guo Chunyi’s condition. Her skin exhibited an unusual blue-purple hue, especially on her face and arms. Her lips were dark, breathing shallow and quick, forehead burning hot, and her body trembled slightly.
“When did Miss Guo start showing symptoms? Has she experienced any vomiting or abdominal pain?” Nangong Shuang inquired.
“It started shortly after dinner last night,” Madam Guo recalled. “In the middle of the night, she suddenly developed a high fever that wouldn’t subside, and her skin gradually turned this blue-purple color. She complained of a severe sore throat, as if it were on fire. There was no vomiting, but she has been in a daze ever since.”
Nangong Shuang nodded, gently grasping Guo Chunyi’s wrist to take her pulse. It was rapid and weak—clear signs of poisoning. She then lifted Guo Chunyi’s eyelid and noticed that the whites of her eyes also had a faint purple tint.
“Madam, do you know if Miss Guo came into contact with anything unusual yesterday? Or did she eat any strange food?” Nangong Shuang continued to ask.
Madam Guo pondered for a moment. “Nothing special; someone sent over a box of pastries yesterday that Guan Chunyi really liked. She ate several pieces.”
“Are the pastries still here?” Nangong Shuang pressed.
“There should be some left,” Madam Guo called for a maidservant. “Go fetch the box of pastries from yesterday.”
The maidservant quickly returned with an exquisite wooden box containing several uneaten pastries of various shapes. Nangong Shuang carefully picked one up, bringing it close to her nose to smell it before using a silver needle to extract a small piece and placing it in clear water to observe any changes.
The water soon took on a faint purple hue. A glimmer of surprise flashed in Nangong Shuang’s eyes before she regained her composure.
“Miss Guo has been poisoned,” she stated decisively.
“Poisoned?” both Madam Guo and Madam Qian exclaimed in unison.
Nangong Shuang nodded. “This is a rare poison known as ‘Purple Butterfly Poison.’ Those affected will turn purple all over and suffer from persistent high fever. If the antidote is not administered promptly, it will soon attack the heart and threaten life.”
“Purple Butterfly Poison?” Madam Guo said anxiously. “How could the imperial physicians not diagnose this? Quick! Is there an antidote?”
“There is,” Nangong Shuang replied steadily. “However, it requires special medicinal herbs to concoct the antidote. I carry some common herbs with me but lack a few key ingredients. Does your residence have an apothecary?”
“Yes!” Madam Guo responded quickly. “There is a dedicated apothecary in the front courtyard stocked with all common medicinal herbs. If there’s anything missing, I’ll send someone to buy it immediately.”
Nangong Shuang took out paper and pen, swiftly writing down a prescription: “Please prepare these herbs according to this prescription as quickly as possible.”
Madam Guo took the prescription and handed it to the steward beside her. “Prepare this immediately! Don’t delay for even a moment!”
The steward hurried away, while Madam Qian asked from the side, “Nangong Shuang, you seem quite knowledgeable about this Purple Butterfly Poison?”
Nangong Shuang remained composed. “I have seen records of this poison in medical texts; its symptoms are distinctive and easily recognizable. What I don’t understand is who would dare to harm Miss Guo in such a way?”
Madam Guo's face was dark with anger. "Someone must be trying to harm us, the Guo Family! Guan Chunyi is still young and has never made enemies, yet she has fallen victim to such a vile act. It is truly despicable!"
Madam Qian comforted her, "Don't be anxious; saving her is the priority. Once Guan Chunyi recovers, we can slowly investigate where this poison came from."
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