All eyes instantly focused on her, and the scene erupted in an uproar.
"Red spots! How terrifying!"
"Does it look like she's been poisoned?"
"She was fine just a moment ago, how could this suddenly…"
Her parents' faces changed drastically. If this was poisoning, and right under the Crown Prince's nose at that, the Song family would truly be finished.
"Yiqiu! What's wrong?"
Song Yiqiu feigned being startled by the crowd's gasps and fell to the ground. She clutched her itchy, stinging cheek with one hand, while the other, hidden in her sleeve, had already quietly tightened its grip on the end of a hairpin.
She had to take the initiative.
"Sister Sangyu, I… I feel so unwell…"
Song Sangyu, having a guilty conscience and thinking her plot had been discovered, blurted out in fright, "It wasn't me! I didn't poison you! Sister, don't you dare slander me!"
This protestation, which only served to betray her guilt, instantly caused the expressions of the more perceptive guests to turn peculiar.
Song Yiqiu looked at Song Sangyu's panicked state and sneered inwardly, breathing weakly, "Sister, don't be afraid. I know it's not poison. I'm allergic to celery."
"I just drank some wine and felt a little dizzy. I must have accidentally eaten some celery. I'm afraid I can no longer entertain our guests."
"I will return to my room first. Everyone… please forgive my poor hospitality. I will be sure to make proper amends another day."
As she spoke, the hand in her sleeve that was gripping the hairpin used all its strength to viciously stab the sharp end into her own palm.
The intense, sharp pain jolted her nearly scattered mind back to clarity.
It hurt so much! But she had to stay awake!
Hearing that Song Yiqiu was returning to her room, Song Sangyu was overjoyed. This was a godsent opportunity, playing right into her hands.
She quickly suppressed her panic.
"Ah, so that's what it is. Sister, why didn't you say so earlier? Quickly! Look at the state you're in, how can you possibly walk? What if you trip and fall? How about this, I'll help you back!"
As she spoke, she hurried forward, simultaneously giving a swift, meaningful look to her trusted personal maid, Hongxiu, who was standing behind her.
In her past life, it was Hongxiu who, under the pretense of supporting her after she was drugged, had in fact locked her in the room of a stableman who had also been drugged.
Song Yiqiu used the support from Song Sangyu's arm to shakily get to her feet.
If she truly let them help her back, she was afraid she would repeat the same disastrous mistake.
Instead of heading toward the rear hall, she suddenly stumbled, fainting precisely in the direction of Xiao Yongjing, who had been watching the drama unfold with a detached air.
Xiao Yongjing had been enjoying the show and instinctively wanted to step aside to avoid the trouble. But just as her body was about to miss him, Song Yiqiu accurately grabbed the jade belt at the Crown Prince's waist, causing the unprepared prince to stumble as well.
The two of them fell to the ground together.
As their bodies made contact, Song Yiqiu used her last ounce of strength to lean close to the Crown Prince's ear.
"Save me…"
To be tackled to the ground by a woman was an absolute first in Xiao Yongjing's life.
He was seething with rage, his eyes icy. He tried to pry her hand from his belt, but after three or four attempts, her hand was like a pincer, not budging an inch.
???
He frowned, about to erupt, but paused when he lowered his head and got a clear look at Song Yiqiu's face, which was mere inches away.
He saw the horrifying red spots covering her face, and the small, glaringly red patch of blood rapidly soaking through her sleeve.
She was injured?
The blood-stained tip of a silver hairpin was visible beneath her cuff.
Hm? Interesting.
This eldest daughter of the Song family was far more interesting—and far more ruthless—than he had imagined.
Xiao Yongjing calmly pushed himself up with one hand, while the other firmly supported the unconscious Song Yiqiu's shoulder, half-supporting and half-holding her as he brought her to her feet.
He was very curious to see what this woman was planning.
"Heh, so that's how it is."
"I was wondering why General Song refused to drink earlier. It turns out that contact with wine can induce this fainting spell? No wonder you cannot hold your liquor and have repeatedly lost your composure."
The moment he said this, the entire hall was stunned, then came to a sudden realization.
"So that's it! The eldest Miss Song faints from wine?"
"No wonder she hesitated during the toast earlier and then spilled the wine. It turns out she was afraid of fainting and losing her decorum!"
"Then she still dared to drink just now? Was it to prove her innocence to His Highness the Crown Prince?"
"How resolute! She would rather suffer herself than be misunderstood for slighting His Highness. She is truly a heroine among women!"
Seeing the Crown Prince half-embracing Song Yiqiu in an intimate posture, and then hearing his words completely clear her name, Song Sangyu was so angry she nearly ground her teeth to dust.
Her meticulously designed plot, which had been on the verge of success, was overturned by a single sentence from the Crown Prince?
Unacceptable. She suppressed her jealousy, forced a smile that was uglier than a grimace, and stepped forward.
"Brother Crown Prince…"
"In her current state, my sister needs to change her clothes and freshen up. Why don't you let Sangyu take her down? Brother Crown Prince, your esteemed person should not be troubled with such matters…"
As she spoke, Xiao Yongjing's fingertips, which were on Song Yiqiu's arm, seemed to casually rest on the inside of her wrist.
Her pulse was rapid and chaotic, and her body temperature was alarmingly high—the classic signs of Bewitching Powder taking effect.
He sneered inwardly, understanding the situation in an instant.
These household dramas were nothing but leftovers from the palace. Seeing Song Sangyu's anxious look, he could guess most of the story, but his face remained impassive.
Not only did he not let go, but he pulled Song Yiqiu closer, letting her lean more steadily against him. Then he looked at Song Sangyu.
"Second Miss is very thoughtful."
He gauged the weight of the person in his arms and deliberately frowned. "However… General Song's physique, truly befitting someone tempered on the border, certainly has some substance!"
"Second Miss is a delicate lady of the boudoir, with a light and graceful figure. I'm afraid you won't be able to support her. Though I am unworthy, I am still capable of this small effort. Lead the way."
Although Song Yiqiu was unconscious, a sliver of her mind remained clear.
…What the hell! At a time like this! This damn prince is actually calling me fat? I spent seven years on the border learning how to kill enemies, not how to cultivate a willow-thin waist!
You're the heavy one! Your whole family is heavy!
Song Sangyu was so choked by the Crown Prince's words that she almost fainted. She looked at him half-carrying Song Yiqiu, his posture leaving no room for argument.
Her nails dug into her palms, but she could only force a smile and temporarily suppress her thoughts.
"…Yes, Sangyu obeys. This way, please, Brother Crown Prince…"
She practically gritted her teeth as she said this, her venomous gaze fixed on the unconscious Song Yiqiu.
"Hongxiu, go and prepare hot water and clean clothes for my sister, the very best! You must deliver them to the Eldest Miss's room 'personally'!"
She watched the two of them leave, then stomped her foot.
She refused to believe that once Song Yiqiu was in her room, she could sprout wings and fly away