Xie Anbai instinctively turned to look at Ye Chutang.
"Second Miss Ye, my father is—"
"Second Young Master, please be calm. I will take the Marquis's pulse first."
Ye Chutang spoke in a gentle voice and took another step forward to sit down.
Xie Pei had coughed up several mouthfuls of dark blood. His face was deathly pale. He struggled to lie back down, looking utterly drained of strength and not even fully conscious.
Ye Chutang studied his complexion and reached out to take his pulse.
The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Even the air seemed to have frozen.
While taking his pulse, Ye Chutang asked, "Has the Marquis eaten any spicy or irritating foods in the last few days?"
Xie Anbai froze, then instinctively looked toward Xiao Jiayi.
Xiao Jiayi shook her head. "No. The Marquis has had a poor appetite recently, only eating some light porridge and simple dishes each day."
Ye Chutang asked again, "Then has he had any alcohol?"
