Chapter 129: Yaoyao Has an Allergic Reaction

Just that one sentence significantly eased Lian Yue’s dissatisfaction toward him; she hadn’t expected her brother-in-law’s words to suit her taste so well.

Meanwhile, Zhong Yufei’s expression became even more dramatic. First, she froze, then disbelief washed over her face, quickly turning into a darker gloom than before. Several concubines nearby, witnessing the usually domineering Zhong Yufei being reprimanded by Qiao Bin, could barely conceal their schadenfreude, which only earned them Zhong Yufei’s resentful glares.

Though she had never won the favor or intimacy of Prince Nanping, her status was undeniable. Prince Nanping Qiao Bin had never disrespected her like this before. Her phoenix-shaped eyes looked at Qiao Bin with deep grievance.

Lian Yue wore a smug expression but didn’t forget to glance anxiously at Yuwen Lingxi, who frowned deeply. She felt a growing urgency.

No, she needed to devise a way to get Yuwen Lingxi to examine more closely. Silently, Lian Yue conveyed her plan to Meng Chuchen, who pondered for a moment, then whispered a few words into the ear of Yaoyao. Yaoyao’s bright eyes sparkled with excitement; she nodded at Lian Yue, who sat beside Lian Yu, and flashed a peace sign.

Lian Yue was still puzzled and asked silently, “Second Brother, what are you having Yaoyao do? Don’t let her reveal the ruse.”

“Don’t worry. Just watch,” Meng Chuchen replied, then said a few more words to Yaoyao before signaling her to begin.

Yaoyao, previously so excited, suddenly wore a face of pain, softly groaning, “Ouch... ouch...” Her voice wasn’t loud but enough to draw the attention of everyone in the hall.

Lian Yue immediately asked with concern, “Yaoyao, what’s wrong? Did you eat something bad?” Her tone was sincere, with no hint of pretense.

“My stomach suddenly hurts so badly... so painful...”

“How could your stomach hurt all of a sudden? Quickly send for the imperial physician,” Lian Yu, unaware this was a staged act by Lian Yue and Meng Chuchen, was truly worried. Though separated since childhood, it hadn’t diminished the sibling bond between Lian Yu and Meng Chuchen, and Yaoyao was Meng Chuchen’s beloved. They would be family soon enough. As the eldest sister, how could she not care?

Nearby, some of the concubines feigned concern or simply watched the spectacle unfold. None of them had the right to speak here. Zhong Yufei, recently wounded by Qiao Bin’s words, was too sullen to speak and instead cast a malicious glance at Yaoyao and Lian Yue together. As for Nan Xiangmo, she put on a facade of concern but said nothing.

Qiao Bin looked at Lian Yue and Yaoyao and quickly understood the situation. Naturally, he had no intention of summoning the imperial physician. If he did, the two girls’ performance would surely collapse. “Yu’er, let the Young Master Yuwen examine Yaoyao first.”

Lian Yu, reminded by him, remembered Yuwen Lingxi was a skilled doctor. “Please, Young Master Yuwen,” she said politely.

“You are too kind, Your Highness and Prince,” Yuwen Lingxi stepped forward and took Yaoyao’s pulse. Amid Yaoyao’s soft groans of pain, a slight twitch appeared at the corner of his mouth. Calmly, he slipped a pill into Yaoyao’s mouth during a brief pause.

Yaoyao sensed something strange and glanced at Yuwen Lingxi, who rarely blinked. Complying, Yaoyao swallowed the pill, silently praying it wasn’t poison.

Before long, an unbearable itch spread all over her body. Before she could figure out what was happening, Yuwen Lingxi said coolly, “This is an allergic reaction.”

An allergic reaction causing stomach pain? Lian Yue thought Yuwen Lingxi must be losing his mind. She had hoped Yuwen Lingxi would claim Yaoyao was poisoned so they might have a chance to investigate the culprit and get closer to the other women. But she quickly dismissed her own thoughts.

As Yuwen Lingxi examined Yaoyao’s pulse, Lian Yue had moved close to offer symbolic comfort. Looking down, she saw Yaoyao writhing, scratching herself furiously with tiny hands, wincing, and moaning. Raised arms revealed large patches of red rashes.

Now Yaoyao understood—it was definitely the pill causing the itching. It was maddening. Meng Chuchen’s face darkened. After all, this was just an act—why did Yaoyao have to suffer like this?

Though angry, he trusted Yuwen Lingxi and knew this made the act more convincing. He suppressed his anger and sincerely asked Yuwen Lingxi, “Brother Yuwen, your medical skills are superb. Do you have any medicine to alleviate the symptoms for now?”

He reached out and gently held Yaoyao’s hands to stop her frantic scratching.

Lian Yue quickly responded, “Yes, yes! With your many miraculous remedies, do you have something for allergies? Yaoyao looks so uncomfortable.”

Yuwen Lingxi produced a porcelain bottle and poured out a pill. “This will relieve the itching for half an hour. We must find the source of the allergy quickly. Avoiding contact will prevent future reactions.”

Meng Chuchen hastily took the pill and helped Yaoyao swallow it. She, still wriggling, finally felt some relief. She now wanted to leap up and bite Yuwen Lingxi hard—this was worse than taking poison! Just wait; she would make him pay later.

Lian Yu watched as Yaoyao gradually calmed and finally relaxed slightly. She gratefully said to Yuwen Lingxi, “Thanks so much, Young Master Yuwen.”

Yaoyao felt wronged—if not for him, would she be suffering so?

“Brother Yuwen, do you know what Yaoyao is allergic to? It would help us avoid it in the future,” Lian Yue pressed on, determined to see the act through.

“Has she shown such symptoms before?” Yuwen Lingxi, fully committed to his physician role, spoke with a rare abundance of words, though his tone remained cool and detached. “Allergic reactions vary in severity but must never be ignored. Her current symptoms are mild from slight exposure. If she stays too long near the allergen, it could be life-threatening.”

“Gasp... gasp...” Some nearby couldn’t help but exclaim, unfamiliar with medicine and unaware allergies could be so dangerous. Others felt lucky they had never experienced such symptoms, thankful they wouldn’t suddenly die for no reason.

Meng Chuchen’s face grew tense. “Then we must trouble Brother Yuwen to identify the source as soon as possible.”

Since the banquet began, Qiao Zhi had remained silent, unsure what drama was unfolding. But as a fellow allergy sufferer, he understood. Each allergic episode robbed his voice and covered his face with hives, much like the ones on Yaoyao’s arm. Once, he nearly died, but Yuwen Lingxi had diagnosed the allergen—a spice called Sichuan pepper. Since then, he had been careful with his meals.

Seeing Yaoyao’s plight, he sympathized and comforted Meng Chuchen, “Don’t worry, Brother Meng. Yuwen will find the cause.”

“How do you know?” Lian Yue, always quick to banter, chimed in.

Qiao Zhi looked uncomfortable hearing Lian Yue but still explained, “He cured my allergy.”

“You have allergies too?” Lian Yue’s eyes lit up. “What are you allergic to?” She immediately regretted asking so bluntly. “Never mind, tell me later.”

Qiao Zhi fell silent again, leaving Lian Yue, who was used to his comebacks, feeling awkward.

“The most common allergens are food, fragrances, and jewelry. Judging by her symptoms, jewelry can be ruled out. If it’s food, His Highness must have the kitchen list all ingredients used in each dish served to her. Then, those familiar with her diet can check for any unfamiliar items,” Yuwen Lingxi advised.

“Wei Kai, you handle this personally,” Prince Nanping complied readily.

“Xiang Ju, you come too,” Lian Yu said, thinking women might be more meticulous than men.

Both left without delay.

“As for fragrances, I’m not sure if this is convenient,” Yuwen Lingxi finally addressed the main issue. To identify the allergen in scents, one must get close and possibly request personal belongings—but only with Qiao Bin’s permission.

“Don’t hesitate over such matters; it’s a matter of life and death,” Qiao Bin replied promptly, glad to have them sent away for now.