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

Chapter 2182 Returning Home and Meeting Again

Yan Ruyu glanced at the medicinal food shop but didn't pay much attention to it.

"They must be drawn by the prosperity and stability of Youcheng. Youcheng is developing better and better these days, with new shops opening every day, which is normal."

Huo Changhe nodded, and the two continued walking towards the Prince's Mansion.

Upon returning to the Prince's residence, the two first went to pay their respects to the First Madam.

As soon as I entered the courtyard, I heard bursts of hearty laughter coming from inside the house.

Yan Ruyu and Huo Changhe exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of surprise in each other's eyes.

Throughout the journey, they had been worried about the First Madam, thinking she would be listless, but they never expected her to be so cheerful.

As soon as the First Madam saw Yan Ruyu and Huo Changhe enter, she immediately stood up from the rattan chair, her smile growing even brighter. She quickly stepped forward, grabbed Yan Ruyu's hand, and then turned to Huo Changhe, scrutinizing him from head to toe.

"We've been waiting for you to come back!" The First Madam's voice was full of genuine joy.

"Was the journey smooth? Did you get tired? You look alright, but you've lost some weight. You must not have had a good rest while you were out."

Yan Ruyu took the opportunity to grasp the First Madam's hand, feeling the warmth of her palm, and replied with a smile, "Mother, don't worry, we had a smooth journey and didn't suffer any hardship."

"But seeing that Mother is in such good spirits makes us feel much more at ease."

Huo Changhe stood to the side, looking at the First Madam with gentle eyes: "I'm sorry to have troubled you, Mother."

"You have been gone for quite some time, and you have written very little. I look forward to news every day."

The First Madam pulled Yan Ruyu along, then turned to her maid and instructed, "Quickly, go tell the kitchen to add a few more dishes that the Prince and Princess like for lunch, stew that pot of ginseng and black chicken soup, and take out some fresh mushrooms from the storeroom."

Furthermore, issue an order that everyone in the household be rewarded with one string of cash today.

"Yes, Madam." The maids replied with smiles and quickly withdrew.

The First Madam pulled Yan Ruyu to sit down at the table, peeled an orange for her, and handed it to her: "Try it quickly, this is a honey orange that was just transported from the south yesterday, it's very sweet."

Oh, and we also need to send someone to call Changxu back. He's been thinking about you all these past few days; he'll be overjoyed to know you're back."

Then he summoned a servant and instructed him, "Go to the bookstore and find the second young master. Tell him that the prince and princess have returned and that he should return to the manor immediately."

Yan Ruyu took the orange, her fingertips touching the coolness of the peel, and looked up at the First Madam.

She had a simple jade hairpin tucked into her hair. Although there were fine lines at the corners of her eyes, her smile made her look exceptionally gentle. Her complexion was rosy and radiant, and there was no sign of weariness in her eyes. She was nothing like the listless person I had worried about before.

She then asked, "Mother, I heard you weren't feeling well a few days ago, are you feeling better now?"

Upon hearing this, the First Madam smiled and waved her hand, her tone light: "I'm much better. I was thinking of not telling you specifically, so as not to distract you while you're out, but I didn't expect you to still be worried."

"That's good." Yan Ruyu nodded with a smile. "It's our blessing that you are in good health."

Just then, light footsteps came from outside, accompanied by a boy's cheerful voice: "Mother! Sister-in-law and elder brother!"

Everyone looked up and saw Huo Changxu walking in quickly, his forehead slightly sweaty, clearly having rushed back.

He spotted Huo Changhe and Yan Ruyu inside the room, and his eyes lit up instantly. His face was filled with undisguised joy. He quickly walked up to them and bowed, saying, "Brother, sister-in-law, greetings!"

"I was just thinking about you, and here you are," the First Madam said with a smile, instructing a maid to hand Huo Changxu a handkerchief.

Huo Changxu took the handkerchief and wiped his sweat. Yan Ruyu looked at him and remembered what Huo Zhongmao had said in the spice shop. She smiled and said, "Changxu, you've worked hard these past few days."

"Brother Zhongmao has told us everything about the spice shop. You've thought it through very thoroughly and handled it very well."

Upon hearing this, Huo Changxu's cheeks flushed slightly, and he scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly: "Sister-in-law, you flatter me."

I was just thinking that those returned items might come in handy someday, and it's always good to leave some clues.

Moreover, my elder brother Zhongmao also helped me a lot, and I didn't do anything special."

"It's already remarkable that you can think of such details." Yan Ruyu said sincerely, "To be so calm in the face of things and to think so far ahead, you've really grown up."

Huo Changhe nodded, his eyes showing approval: "Well done."

Praised by the two, Huo Changxu blushed even more, but his eyes brightened a bit.

The First Madam watched with delight and said with a smile, "Changxu has indeed become much more composed lately."

You must be tired from your journey back. Take a rest; lunch will be ready soon, and we can all enjoy a good meal together as a family.

The group chatted for a while longer, talking about the trivial matters that had happened in Youcheng these past few days, and laughter filled the room.

As Huo Changxu spoke, his gaze inadvertently swept over Huo Changhe, his brows furrowing slightly before returning to normal. He then subtly gave Huo Changhe a wink, signaling him to go outside to talk.

Huo Changhe was very perceptive and immediately understood. He stood up and said to the First Madam, "Mother, Changxu and I will be right back."

The First Madam smiled and nodded: "Go ahead, come back quickly, lunch is about to be served."

Huo Changxu quickly agreed and followed Huo Changhe out of the house.

The two walked slowly along the pebble path under the corridor. The flowers in the courtyard were in full bloom, and their fragrance wafted through the air.

Reaching a secluded moon gate, Huo Changxu stopped, turned to look at Huo Changhe, his smile fading and his tone becoming serious: "Brother, there's something I want to tell you."

Seeing his solemn expression, Huo Changhe guessed that this was not an ordinary matter.

"What is it? Is it related to Mother?"

“Yes,” Huo Changxu nodded. “You probably know that my mother was unwell a few days ago, and even Dr. Cao couldn’t find the cause.”

"It was thanks to the abbot's spring water that things slowly improved, and my mother found Madam Cao based on the records."

Huo Changhe asked in surprise, "The wife of Governor Cao? She also has the symptoms of her mother?"

“That’s right,” Huo Changxu nodded. “According to my mother, she and Madam Cao went to the same teahouse, ate the same snacks, and drank the same tea.”

Huo Changhe's expression gradually became serious: "You suspect that Mother's illness is related to that teahouse?"

"That's right, but..."

Seeing that he seemed hesitant to speak, Huo Changhe patted him on the shoulder and said, "Speak freely. We're brothers, what can't we say to each other?"

Huo Changxu nodded: "But later I also went to the teahouse and ordered the same tea and snacks as my mother, and secretly brought them back for Dr. Cao to examine."

Huo Changhe frowned slightly: "How is it?"