The deep and cold voice rippled in a small area, spreading layers of ripples, and gradually causing an uproar among the crowd.
Wen Wuyou, who was the closest, frowned tightly upon hearing this. "What?!"
Ning Yanzhi's cool and calm tone was tinged with a hint of annoyance. "I noticed her weak pulse when I carried her here just now. Now..."
Wen Wuyou stared at Qu Yue's charming face for a while, then gritted his teeth and warned, "Bookworm, don't talk nonsense."
Ning Yanzhi gently placed Qu Yue's hand back in place. "I hope I misdiagnosed her pulse."
As he spoke, he brushed aside the stray hairs on Qu Yue's cheek.
His knuckles accidentally grazed her face. Her soft and smooth skin was as silky as water. The slight touch sent a small electric current flowing into his heart.
It wasn't strong, but the tingling sensation was like a scorching sun, lingering in his mind for a long time.
A look of fear welled up in Ning Yanzhi's cold eyes. If Qu Yue were really dead...
"The imperial physician is here!"
The servant's shout pulled him out of his daze. Ning Yanzhi withdrew his hand and stood up in a bit of a hurry, losing some of his usual composure.
Wen Wuyou glanced at him, and a hint of coldness spread in his fox-like eyes.
The imperial physician, who was over fifty years old, crouched down beside Qu Yue and placed his hand on her pulse.
For some reason, Wen Wuyou felt as if his own wrist was being grasped. The tension flowed through his blood vessels and into his body.
After all, Ning Yanzhi's absurd judgment earlier had left a faint sense of unease in his heart.
As time ticked by, the imperial physician's every movement while feeling the pulse was magnified to the extreme.
Wen Wuyou lost his patience. "How is she?"
The imperial physician was startled. His gaunt body trembled, and his confused eyes couldn't hide his surprise.
"Please be patient, gentlemen! Let me examine her again!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he quickly stopped feeling the pulse and instead lifted Qu Yue's eyelids.
As her thin eyelids were lifted, her once bright and lively eyes were now dull and lifeless, with her pupils dilated to twice their normal size.
Everyone present knew exactly what this sign meant.
The imperial physician had seen many things in his life. Facing this situation, he calmed his surprise and gently shook his head at the people around him. "My condolences, gentlemen."
These six simple words were like gunpowder, exploding among the crowd.
Mu Wang's angry shout came from the tomb. He put down the tools for Mu Yuan's burial and rushed over to the tree in a hurry.
Under the lush tree, Qu Yue was quietly leaning against the trunk. Her beautiful features were gently closed, and her hands were placed on her legs, as if she was in a deep sleep.
His rushing steps suddenly slowed down. His almond-shaped eyes trembled. "It's impossible!"
He reached out and grabbed the imperial physician. "Wasn't she fine before the funeral?"
The imperial physician was grabbed by him and let out a yelp. Then he quickly explained, "I just felt Madam's pulse. Her heart was in chaos. Most likely, it was due to excessive anger and stress that..."
Mu Wang didn't understand medicine. "Can you speak in plain English?!"
"I guess that Madam, perhaps because of General's passing, was so grief - stricken that she followed him."
The collar of the imperial physician was pressing against his neck, making it extremely difficult for him to breathe. His whole face turned red.
Seeing that the man was about to suffocate, Mu Wang let go. Beneath his harsh tone was a deep disbelief. "Her? Grief - stricken?"
The unease in Wen Wuyou's heart gradually turned into a black hole with the imperial physician's words. He lowered his eyes and stared at Qu Yue's pale face. "Yue'er is really affectionate and loyal."
Ning Yanzhi didn't say a word, but his slightly pursed lips still revealed his shock at that moment.
The hot summer heat couldn't dispel the doubts of the people under the tree. How could a person who was fine in the morning suddenly pass away?
"You're just making things up. I think you're tired of living!"
Mu Wang rushed straight at the imperial physician, grabbed his collar, and dragged him in front of Qu Yue.
Just as the imperial physician was panicking, Mu Qing arrived.
"Mu Wang! Have you had enough of this nonsense!"
He walked out of the whispering crowd. The white silk ribbon on his head made his face look even thinner, darker, and more wrinkled at the corners of his eyes, revealing his endless greed.
"The imperial physician has already said that she's gone. What else do you want to do?"
His solemn and angry shout spattered a few drops of saliva. Mu Qing glared at Mu Wang, hating this troublesome son in his heart.
Mu Wang sneered. "Nonsense?"
"Declaring a person dead without even trying to treat her. Is that appropriate?"
"Imperial Physician Shen used to serve in the palace. He only left in recent years. Are you questioning the Emperor?" Mu Yao walked over with her arms crossed and her chin held high.
These words gave Imperial Physician Shen a great boost. He straightened his chest and tidied his clothes. "I understand that Second Young Master Mu can't accept this for a while, but since Madam has passed away, please show some respect."
"Respect my ass!"
Before Mu Wang could say anything, Liu Xu rushed to Qu Yue with red - rimmed eyes, hugged her tightly, and rubbed her tear - stained face against Qu Yue's slightly cool cheek.
"You quack doctor, stop talking nonsense! Our miss is not dead!"
She shook Qu Yue frantically, trying to wake up the "sleeping" girl.
But unfortunately, Qu Yue didn't hear her call and couldn't wake up.
"Miss! Wake up!" Liu Xu's tears poured down like rain. She never thought that just because she was at the end of the procession and separated from Qu Yue for a short while, this would happen...
At the moment, she didn't care about the address. Her heart - rending cries hit everyone's hearts.
Imperial Physician Shen was good - tempered and had seen all kinds of things in the world. He didn't hold too much resentment even when he was scolded to his face.
He just let out a soft sigh at this parting scene. "Alas, my condolences."
"Perhaps, Madam missed the General too much."
He packed up his silver needles, sighed faintly, and walked out of the crowd.
Liu Xu's cries were like sharp claws scratching at everyone's hearts.
Mu Yao's ears ached from the noise. She couldn't help but shout, "Liu Xu, right? Stop crying when you've had enough."
"It must be you!" Liu Xu raised her swollen red eyes and pointed at Mu Yao with a forceful finger. "You killed our miss!"
"Me? She doesn't deserve it!" Mu Yao paused for a moment, then snorted disdainfully.
"Our miss was fine this morning! She definitely..."
Mu Yao frowned tightly and winked at her servants. "It's so noisy. Drag her away."
The next moment, many servants stepped forward and silently tried to drag away the crying Liu Xu.
Ning Yanzhi stepped forward and reached out his hand to block in front of Liu Xu. His gentle tone carried the last bit of respect. "Miss Liu is Madam Qu's personal maid. Their bond is deep. It's only natural that she can't accept this for a while. Why do you have to push her so hard, Miss Mu?"
"Fine. I don't have to force her to leave." Mu Yao lifted her chin. "Hand over my brother's reward."
"I don't care how much she wants to cry while hugging her miss's body."
Liu Xu was shocked. "Our madam's life or death is still uncertain! How can you be so eager to take away her reward!"
A fierce look flashed in Mu Yao's eyes. "Oh, now she's madam again. Weren't you calling her miss just now?"