Chapter 130: Yao Yao’s Allergic Reaction (2)

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Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao) first carefully examined Yaoyao, then paused thoughtfully for a moment before slightly nodding and saying calmly, “There are three different scents mixed on Yaoyao. I need to identify them on each of you. Please remain where you are.”

As soon as Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao) spoke, the women began sizing each other up. Some even deliberately sniffed their own bodies, afraid their scent might be the one Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao) was searching for. Those with more composure, like Tao Xinhua, the calm and collected You Yuwei, and Nan Xiangmo, chose to remain silent and observe quietly, while others whispered among themselves.

“What fragrance did you wear today?”

“Yes, how can a scent be so deadly? It’s terrifying.”

“What exactly is the scent? Once Young Master Yuwen Lingxi identifies it, we can just wait quietly.” The chatter died down as soon as Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao) spoke. Taking the lead, Nan Ping Wang said firmly, “Everyone in the room must stay still from now on until Young Master Yuwen Lingxi finds the cause.”

Lian Yue increasingly categorized Yuwen Lingxi as a schemer. Compared to her own startled reactions, Yuwen Lingxi’s expression remained utterly unchanged, a testament to his profound skill.

What Lian Yue did not know was that Yuwen Lingxi had mastered this expression over the more than ten years since he began assuming the role of Yuwen Lingxi. Compared to Lian Yue and the others, he was an expert actor. Otherwise, no one who had interacted with the real Yuwen Lingxi would have ever doubted his identity.

Setting aside Nan Ping Wang’s “backyard,” even if it were just for show, the act could not be too blatant. Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao) began his inspection from the side where Lian Yue and Lan Shui were standing.

Although now standing beside Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao), Lian Yue felt a slight aversion as he approached so closely. She spoke up, “Lan Jie and I always use the same sachets, and Yaoyao has never had an allergic reaction before. It definitely isn’t us.”

Lian Yu clapped her hands to soothe Lian Yue, “Yue’er, don’t make a fuss!”

Lian Yue pouted in displeasure but could only let Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao) come closer. Fortunately, he only sniffed briefly before moving on to the next person, and Lian Yue finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao) lingered for a few moments beside each person, then moved toward the cluster of brightly adorned women. The heavy scent of rouge mixed with various perfumes made the air thick and complicated. Frowning, Yuwen Lingxi’s cold voice rang out, “Could the ladies please spread out a little?”

Though displeased at being addressed by Nan Ping Wang, the women dared not offend the young master of the Yuwen family, especially since he was a dashing, aloof gentleman. Still, the request felt like a man leisurely choosing girls in a pleasure house; two of these women had indeed come from such places, and their expressions soured, but no one moved.

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Nan Xiangmo, who had been silent since coming in and sitting on the mat, was the first to speak: “Spread out.” Her words caused a slight pause among the women, but none argued and they rearranged themselves around Zhong Yufei and Nan Xiangmo. It seemed Nan Xiangmo held considerable authority.

Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao) nodded gratefully and began to carefully identify each woman from left to right, noticeably slowing down his pace.

Lian Yue watched Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao) nervously. Each time he stopped to ask the woman before him about the sachet or fragrance she usually used, her heart twisted as she scrutinized the woman, analyzing the relationships and stakes involved.

Finally, when Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao) reached the last person, Lian Yue couldn’t help but ask eagerly, “Have you found it?”

Turning away from the group of fluttering beauties, Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao) nodded, “The three scents left on Yaoyao have indeed been found.”

“What is it?” This time Nan Ping Wang asked. He knew Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao) had found the person carrying musk and spoke with some urgency. Outsiders would think he was simply concerned about Yaoyao’s allergies.

“I found three fragrances on Yaoyao just now. One is from the sachet she usually carries. Another is a faint citrus scent, like pomelo, which should be the fragrance carried by Miss Yue and Miss Lan. As Miss Yue mentioned, these two can be ruled out. The last scent is more complex. At first, it is a rich rose aroma, then it shifts to the fresh scent of osmanthus, and finally, it has the subtle elegance of orchid. It is a composite floral fragrance typically favored by women from the southern border regions. The northern climate is dry, and women with sensitive constitutions often have allergic reactions to this floral scent.”

At this, Nan Xiangmo stood and removed the sachet from her waist. “Young Master, the scent you described must be from my sachet. Xiangmo is indeed from the southern border, and this fragrance feels like home to me. I never expected it could almost harm a guest today. From now on, I will be careful.”

Nan Ping Wang, sharp as he was, had already understood that Nan Xiangmo’s sachet was just a convenient pretext for Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao). “That’s good. Just be more cautious in the future.”

Zi Zhu stepped forward and took the sachet from Nan Xiangmo, then passed it to Meng Chuchen. “It’s best to remember this scent and make sure Yaoyao doesn’t come into contact with it again.”

“Miss Lan was right. For this kind of allergy, my medicine only treats the symptoms, not the root cause,” Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao) agreed. “We also need to look at the ingredients. The allergy might not be caused by this floral scent alone.”

Just then, Wei Kai and Xiang Ju entered with a piece of paper. At Lian Yu’s gesture, they handed it directly to Meng Chuchen. She glanced over it and said, “Yaoyao has been exposed to everything listed here before, without any allergic reaction. It really seems to be this scent.”

Lian Yue knew these were just excuses and that Yaoyao wasn’t truly allergic. She took the sachet from Meng Chuchen, inhaled the fragrance—it was quite pleasant—and then brought it to Yaoyao’s nose. “Yaoyao, you’ve already taken your medicine. Smell this and remember the scent so you don’t get close to it in the future.”

“I understand,” Yaoyao said, already feeling wronged. The thought of avoiding such a lovely scent made her feel deeply aggrieved.

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Lian Yue then instructed Zi Zhu to return the sachet to Nan Xiangmo, who promptly had one of her attendants dispose of it.

Nan Ping Wang, eager to hear the full findings from Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao) and knowing the purpose of the banquet had been fulfilled, waved for everyone to leave early and rest.

Once the guests had departed, the group took their leave as well. After seeing Lian Yu back to her room, Nan Ping Wang sat for a while before excusing himself to tend to some affairs in the study.

At the door, he sent Wei Kai to invite Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao) and the others to the study.

Lian Yue waited patiently—not because she didn’t want to ask Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao), but because he insisted on waiting until Nan Ping Wang Qiao Bin was present before revealing anything.

Finally, when Wei Kai arrived, Lian Yue, Yue Lingjun, Meng Chuchen, and Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao) went to the study together. Since leaving the main hall, Qiao Zhi had only exchanged brief greetings before silently departing.

Once inside the study and after Wei Kai closed the door and left, Lian Yue couldn’t hold back and asked, “Have you found anything?”

“Mm.” Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao) looked seriously at the anxious group. “This musk isn’t worn by just one person. From left to right, the first, third, fourth, sixth, eighth, and ninth individuals all seem to carry it. The fourth person’s scent comes from the prayer beads on their hand.”

Lian Yue struggled to recall the lineup of women from the hall. She distinctly remembered the fourth person was You Yuwei. The eighth and ninth were Yuan Ruoqing and a woman in pink who had been at Zhong Yufei’s side in the backyard. She did not recognize the other three.

Clearly, while Lian Yue pondered, Nan Ping Wang Qiao Bin was also reflecting—and he was thinking further. “Of those six, the third and fourth were sent by the palace, the sixth and eighth by the prime minister, the first by the governor of Nanping, and the ninth by Zhong Wei.”