Chapter Three: Allergic Removal
All eyes were instantly drawn to them, and the scene erupted in an uproar:
"Red spots! How scary!"
"It looks like poisoning?"
"Everything was fine just now, how did it suddenly..."
The parents' expressions changed drastically. If this was poisoning, and it happened right under the Crown Prince's nose, the Song family would truly be finished.
"Yiqiu! What's wrong?"
Song Yiqiu pretended to be startled by the crowd's exclamations and fell to the ground. She covered her itchy and stinging cheek with one hand, while the other hand, hidden in her sleeve, quietly tightened its grip on the end of the hairpin.
She must take the initiative.
"Sangyu, I...I feel so bad..."
Feeling guilty, Song Sangye thought she had been caught drugging someone and blurted out in fright:
"It wasn't me! I didn't poison anyone! Sister, don't make false accusations!"
This blatant attempt to cover up the truth caused a subtle shift in the expressions of some of the more perceptive guests around them.
Looking at Song Sangyu's panicked state, Song Yiqiu sneered and breathed weakly:
"Little sister, don't be afraid. I know it's not poison; I'm allergic to celery."
"I just had some alcohol and I'm a little dizzy. I accidentally ate some celery, so I'm afraid I won't be able to entertain my guests."
"Yiqiu has gone back to her room first. Everyone... I apologize for any inconvenience caused. I will make sure to apologize properly another day."
As she spoke, the hand holding the hairpin in her sleeve used all her strength to plunge the sharp end of the hairpin into her palm.
The intense stinging pain suddenly cleared her almost delirious mind.
It hurts so much! But I have to stay awake!
When Song Sangyu heard that Song Yiqiu was going back to her room, she was overjoyed. This was a golden opportunity, exactly what she wanted.
She quickly suppressed her panic:
"Ah, so that's how it is. Sister, why didn't you say so sooner? Quick! Look at you, how can you walk like this? What if you fall and hurt yourself? Here, I'll help you back!"
As she spoke, she strode forward, simultaneously giving a quick wink to her trusted maid, Hongxiu, who stood behind her.
In her previous life, it was Hongxiu who, after she was drugged, pretended to help her up but actually locked her in the stable boy's room, where she had also been drugged.
With Song Sangyu's support, Song Yiqiu stood up unsteadily.
If I were to let them help me back, I fear I would repeat the same mistake.
Instead of heading towards the back hall, she suddenly stumbled and fainted precisely in the direction of Xiao Yongjing, who had been watching coldly from the sidelines.
Xiao Yongjing, who was originally watching the show, instinctively tried to sidestep to avoid the trouble. However, just as his body was about to hit the ground, Song Yiqiu accurately grabbed the jade belt around the prince's waist, causing the unsuspecting prince to stumble.
The two of them fell to the ground together.
In a physical contact, Song Yiqiu used her last bit of strength to lean close to the Crown Prince's ear.
"Help me..."
Xiao Yongjing was tackled to the ground by a woman, which was absolutely a first in his life.
He was furious, his eyes were cold, and he tried to pry her hand off his belt. He tried three or four times, but her hand was like a pair of pliers, not moving an inch.
? ? ?
He frowned, about to lash out, but when he looked down and saw Song Yiqiu's face so close to his, he paused slightly.
His face was covered in horrifying red spots, and a small patch of bright red blood was rapidly spreading from his cuff.
Was she injured?
The silver hairpin hidden under the sleeve revealed its blood-stained tip.
Hmm? Interesting.
This eldest daughter of the Song family is far more interesting and ruthless than he imagined!
Xiao Yongjing calmly supported himself with one hand on the ground, while using the other hand to firmly hold the unconscious Song Yiqiu's shoulder, half-carrying and half-lifting her up.
He was eager to know what this woman was trying to do.
"Ah, I see."
"I wonder why General Song refused to drink earlier? It turns out that drinking alcohol would cause him to faint. No wonder he couldn't hold his liquor and repeatedly lost his composure."
Upon hearing this, the entire audience was stunned, but then suddenly realized what was going on.
"So that's how it is! Miss Song gets dizzy when she drinks?"
"No wonder you hesitated when offering the toast earlier, and then spilled the wine. You were afraid of fainting and making a scene!"
"So she dared to drink it just now? Was it to prove her innocence to His Highness the Crown Prince?"
"She is truly a heroine, willing to suffer herself rather than be misunderstood and slight Your Highness!"
Seeing the Crown Prince half-embracing Song Yiqiu in an intimate manner, and hearing his words that directly cleared Song Yiqiu's name, Song Sangyu was so angry that she almost gritted her teeth.
Her carefully planned scheme was about to succeed, but it was all turned around by a single sentence from the Crown Prince.
No, she forced a smile that looked more like a grimace, suppressing her jealousy, and stepped forward:
"Crown Prince..."
"My sister needs to change and wash up in her current state. Why don't you let Sangyu take her away? Your Highness is a precious person, how can we trouble you..."
Xiao Yongjing held Song Yiqiu's arm, and as she spoke, his fingertips seemingly unintentionally rested lightly on the inside of Song Yiqiu's wrist.
The pulse was rapid and erratic, and the body temperature was alarmingly high—typical signs of arousal.
He sneered inwardly, instantly understanding the situation.
The drama unfolding in this mansion is all stuff that's been played out in the palace. Judging from Song Sangyu's anxious expression, one can guess about 70-80% of what's going on, but he remains expressionless.
Instead of letting go, he pulled Song Yiqiu closer to him, making her more secure, and then looked at Song Sangyu.
"Second Miss is so thoughtful."
He weighed the person in his arms and deliberately frowned. "However... General Song's physique is indeed worthy of his experience on the frontier; he has real weight to him!"
"The second young lady is delicate and frail; I'm afraid she can't be helped. Though I am not talented, I can still do this small favor. Lead the way."
Although Song Yiqiu was unconscious, she still retained a sliver of consciousness.
...Damn it! What time is it?! This damn prince still thinks I'm fat?! I've spent seven years at the border, honing my skills to kill enemies, not my slender waist!
You're the heavy one! Your whole family is heavy!
Song Sangyu was so speechless at the Crown Prince's words that she almost fainted. She watched as the Crown Prince half-held Song Yiqiu, looking at her with an air of absolute authority.
Her fingernails dug into her palms, but she could only force a smile and temporarily suppress her inner thoughts.
"...Yes, Sangyu obeys. This way, Your Highness..."
She practically gritted her teeth as she uttered those words, her eyes filled with venom as she stared at the unconscious Song Yiqiu:
"Hongxiu, quickly prepare hot water and clean clothes for your sister, the best of everything! You must personally deliver them to the young lady's room!"
She watched the two figures leave and stomped her foot.
She refused to believe that once they were inside the room, Song Yiqiu could grow wings and fly away!
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