Chapter 590: An Embarrassing Scene

**Chapter 590: A Humiliating Scene**

Xingxing and Lou Ruhui were thoroughly enjoying feeding the koi outside until two maids arrived—one sent by Lou Ruhui’s mother, the Marchioness of Mingguang, and the other by Bai Xiaofeng—to hastily summon them back.

At once noticing the grim expressions on the maids’ faces, Xingxing guessed something had gone wrong. Sharing a look with Lou Ruhui, they hurried back to the banquet hall.

Upon entering, the Marchioness of Mingguang quickly took Lou Ruhui aside, while Bai Xiaofeng ushered Xingxing to their seats.

Bai Xiaofeng lowered her voice and asked, “Did anything unusual happen while you were outside?”

Xingxing paused in thought. Did the young lady singing like a nightingale, who was rebuked by the Crown Prince’s guards, count?

But judging from Bai Xiaofeng’s expression, Xingxing realized it must be something far more serious. She shook her head and replied softly, “Lou-jiejie and I were feeding fish by the lotus pond the whole time. There were even palace maids from the Eastern Palace serving tea nearby. Nothing happened.”

Hearing Xingxing’s composed answer, Bai Xiaofeng visibly relaxed, smoothing down her dress repeatedly. “Amitabha! You gave me such a fright just now. The Crown Princess’s matron came in earlier, coldly ordering someone to be dragged away. The young lady’s family was stunned and tried to follow, demanding an explanation, but the matron was harsh—she even had the mother taken into custody. Everyone was terrified.”

Xingxing glanced around at the anxious faces and knew her aunt hadn’t overstated things.

What could have happened?

Her curiosity didn’t last long. Soon, the head maid of Lady Mu Rujun rushed into the hall, scanning the room before her eyes settled on Xingxing. A relieved smile broke out as she approached with perfect courtesy.

“Township Lady,” she said, bowing respectfully, “you’ve returned? Her Highness requests your presence for a private discussion.”

Instantly, all eyes turned toward Xingxing and Bai Xiaofeng.

Recalling what had just occurred, Bai Xiaofeng paled and grabbed Xingxing’s arm, her voice trembling but firm as she stepped protectively in front of her. “N-no, absolutely not—you’re not taking Xingxing!”

The head maid, perceptive and quick-witted, immediately understood the misunderstanding.

She offered a warm, reassuring smile. “Madame Bai, please don’t worry. The Crown Princess would like Township Lady’s assistance.”

Xingxing gently patted Bai Xiaofeng’s back. “Auntie, there’s no need to worry. It’ll be fine.”

Bai Xiaofeng’s tension eased under Xingxing’s calm tone. She began to realize that when the matron had come for the other noble lady, there had been no courtesy—no hesitation. The girl had tried to flee, only to be forcibly restrained. That was clearly an arrest.

But this time, the Crown Princess’s personal head maid was respectful, courteous, and clearly not here to detain anyone. This was a summons, not an apprehension.

Still, Bai Xiaofeng couldn’t help but worry. After a pause, she hesitantly asked, “Might I accompany her?”

It was an unusual request, but before the maid could respond, Xingxing spoke up gently. “Please wait here for me, Auntie.”

She suspected whatever awaited her might involve sensitive matters. It was better not to drag Bai Xiaofeng into it.

The head maid quickly reassured her. “Madame Bai, rest assured—I will return Township Lady to you unharmed.”

Only then did Bai Xiaofeng reluctantly agree, though her eyes remained filled with anxiety as she watched Xingxing leave with the maid.

The head maid led Xingxing to a side hall.

When Xingxing asked what the matter was, the maid simply shook her head. “Township Lady, please don’t worry. This concerns a noble lady’s reputation. It is best if Her Highness explains it herself.”

Xingxing fell silent, asking no further questions.

Upon entering the side hall, Mu Rujun rose from her seat and walked forward to greet her.

Her face bore a trace of anger as she took Xingxing’s hand and guided her toward the inner chamber. “Xingxing, come with me.”

Obediently following, Xingxing’s gaze briefly swept over the trembling figure kneeling in the hall. —This must be the noble lady her aunt had mentioned, the one who had been taken away.

Her hair ornaments were in slight disarray, likely from being "escorted" here in a less-than-dignified manner.

What's going on here?

When Xingxing and Mu Rujun entered an inner chamber of the side hall, they noticed a strange, unsettling fragrance lingering in the air.

Xingxing hesitated momentarily.

The scent was extremely weak, barely detectable, and such a trace amount was harmless to the human body.

However...

Xingxing couldn't help but glance toward the bed behind the curtains, where a pale, squirming figure writhed under the covers, accompanied by faint, wanton moans.

Xingxing understood instantly.

This must be a young lady suffering from aphrodisiac poisoning.

"Can you treat it?" Mu Rujun asked with a dark expression.

Xingxing was noncommittal but stepped forward. "Let me check her pulse first."

Mu Rujun paused, then waved her hand, summoning two sturdy matrons.

Xingxing said nothing.

As a physician, she knew exactly what these matrons were for—someone under the effects of an aphrodisiac would lose all reason, clinging to anyone nearby in desperate craving.

These two matrons were clearly there to restrain the young mistress’s limbs so Xingxing could safely take her pulse.

Sure enough, the matrons immediately held down the affected young lady’s arms and legs.

But when the disheveled hair parted to reveal the flushed, lust-filled face beneath, Xingxing froze for a moment.

It was Pang Xinyue.

Still, Xingxing recovered quickly and continued professionally, checking the pulse of the bare, heaving Pang Xinyue as she would any other patient.

Pang Xinyue continued to moan softly, while Mu Rujun’s face grew even darker.

Xingxing was still a child!

If possible, Mu Rujun would have shielded her from witnessing such a scene!

But since the palace physicians couldn’t neutralize the love potion, they had no choice but to rely on Xingxing’s exceptional medical skills.

After taking the pulse, Xingxing declared confidently, "It can be treated."

Mu Rujun’s stern expression softened slightly.

Xingxing quickly scribbled out a prescription and handed it to a maid to fetch the medicine.

Mu Rujun swiftly ushered Xingxing out of the inner chamber.

Only when they returned to the main hall did Mu Rujun finally let out a relieved breath.

She truly regarded Xingxing as a younger sister, and even though Xingxing was a physician, Mu Rujun loathed subjecting her to such a sight.

This only intensified her anger—how could they force Xingxing to witness something like this!