After a long while, Song Xibai pulled out the last needle and let out a long breath.

Dingxiang carefully helped the Empress Dowager onto the bed. Just as she was about to speak, she turned her head and saw that Song Xibai's face was as white as paper. Startled, she grabbed Song Xibai's wrist.

After carefully taking her pulse, Dingxiang pulled her outside.

"Leave the rest to me and Uncle Song. Your health can't withstand too much exertion."

Song Xibai nodded and found a chair to sit down.

Fortunately, the most critical moment has passed, and at least the Empress Dowager's life has been saved.

As for whether the Empress Dowager can fully recover, Song Xibai dared not guarantee it, after all, stroke is a difficult disease to treat even in modern times.

This is a long-term process, and acupuncture, herbal medicine, and other health-related methods must be followed.

Dingxiang went in again, took the Empress Dowager's pulse again, and relayed the information to Song Siyuan.

After pondering for a moment, Song Siyuan ran out and discussed the prescription for the herbal medicine with the two imperial physicians.

This matter should still be left to the Dean.

When the Imperial Physician heard that the Empress Dowager's condition had stabilized, he was greatly relieved and praised her repeatedly.

"As expected of you, Lao Song! Your acupuncture skills are simply amazing. Now that the condition has stabilized, we can be a bit bolder with the herbal medicine prescription."

The three discussed in hushed tones for a moment and quickly settled on a prescription. The head physician then instructed the other imperial physician to go to the imperial pharmacy to obtain and prepare the medicine, while he himself went to report back to the emperor.

The emperor breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the empress dowager's condition had stabilized. He left after sitting for a short while.

The crown prince and the others respectfully saw him off as he departed.

Song Xibai sat and rested for a while, feeling that his strength had recovered a lot. He called Dingxiang over and gave her a few instructions before getting up and leaving.

The Crown Prince was waiting anxiously in the side hall. When he saw her come out, he quickly came over and grabbed her.

"How are you? Is anything bothering you? Why did it take so long?"

Song Xibai didn't force herself to stay upright, and leaned half of her body against the Crown Prince: "I'm just a little tired, Your Highness, please help me back?"

The prince felt very sorry for her, so he carefully put his arm around her waist and led her outside.

If there weren't so many outsiders around, he would have picked them up and carried them in his arms.

After returning to the East Palace, the Crown Prince sent someone to inform the Crown Princess, and then, without stopping, entered the East Side Hall.

The Crown Prince gently placed Song Xibai on the bed, touched her cheek, and then touched her hand.

It's terribly cold.

After sweating and being exposed to the wind, Song Xibai's body temperature dropped too quickly. Fearing she would catch a cold, she hurriedly asked someone to make ginger soup.

After drinking a bowl of strong ginger soup, Song Xibai changed into clean nightgowns, wrapped herself in a quilt, and finally felt warm.

"Why does it feel so warm on the estate, but so chilly back in the palace?"

Even when walking outside and the sun is shining on you, you still feel cold.

"Perhaps there are too many shady things going on in this palace!"

The crown prince said indifferently, his heart growing even colder as he thought of the emperor's appearance today.

"Your Highness, please don't worry too much. The Empress Dowager's condition has stabilized, and her life is at least not in danger for the time being. As for other matters... we still need to discuss them in detail. Why don't we think about what to eat for dinner? I was originally planning to have hot and sour noodles! But then I suddenly had to go back to the palace."

Song Xibai looked regretful.

The crown prince chuckled and pinched her cheek.

"Little glutton. Don't worry! Once the cook finishes making it, she'll definitely send you a portion. Who would forget something so helpful?"

Song Xibai thought about it and agreed.

However, once back in the palace, things couldn't be as carefree as they were outside; one had to be much more careful about what one ate. Even if the cook prepared the food and sent it to the palace, it would still have to undergo numerous checks, and finally, the eunuch from the small kitchen would taste it. This whole process would take at least one or two days.

Song Xibai sighed inwardly.

She still preferred life outside the palace.

However, she didn't say anything, but simply held the prince's arm tighter.

The Crown Prince stayed with Song Xibai for a while, and only after seeing that Song Xibai had fallen asleep did he quietly leave.

As soon as he stepped out, the Crown Princess's people came to invite him.

After thinking for a moment, the Crown Prince went to the central hall.

The Crown Princess was quite resentful that he had not returned for many days.

"Didn't His Highness say he'd be back the next day? Why has he been gone for so many days..."

She had barely begun to speak when the Crown Prince interrupted her.

"There's no need for such trivial matters. The Empress Dowager's condition is of greater concern now. Starting tomorrow, the palace staff will take turns attending to her every day. It is estimated that Princess Qin, Princess Wu, and others will also be entering the palace."

The Crown Princess had no time to complain and hurriedly inquired about the situation at Renshou Palace.

Although she learned the news from the servants, she didn't know the specifics.

The Crown Prince downplayed the importance of the matter, only mentioning the merits of the imperial physicians and not mentioning Song Xibai.

The Crown Princess was more worried about attending to the ailing prince.

It wasn't that she was afraid of hard work, but rather that she was afraid of being taken advantage of.

Renshou Palace is not their own territory, and the Empress Dowager is seriously ill. Who knows what might happen?

But she couldn't feign illness to avoid the situation, as Princess Qin and the others were also going to the palace! As the Crown Princess, she couldn't be outshone by several other princesses, could she?

With her mind preoccupied, the Crown Princess no longer cared whether the Crown Prince stayed or left. As soon as he left, she hurriedly summoned the maids to discuss the matter.

After dismissing the Crown Princess, the Crown Prince went to the Wenhua Hall at the front.

The prince summoned his advisors and brought up the discovery of high-yield crops on the estate.

The advisors were no ordinary people; they immediately realized the benefits of this product and were all very excited, eagerly offering their opinions.

Their thinking was similar to that of Yue Zhuangtou; they both wanted to use crops to store grain and then amass troops.

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