The Crown Prince finally agreed to Song Xibai's request.

After the Crown Prince left, Song Xibai returned to her bedroom and saw Du Chenghui jump up from the bed and kneel down on the bed to kowtow to her.

"Thank you so much, Consort Xi, for pleading for me. I... I truly have no way to repay you..."

Before she could finish speaking, she kowtowed twice with a loud thud, startling Song Xibai, who quickly went over and helped her up.

"It's nothing, but you have to promise me one thing: if the Crown Prince asks you to identify someone..."

"I'll do whatever you say!"

Du Chenghui hurriedly spoke to express his loyalty.

"You should rest first!"

Song Xibai showed a satisfied expression, patted the back of her hand, and turned to leave.

The crown prince acted swiftly, and that very night, he managed to get the young palace maid to talk.

As for the results of the interrogation, Song Xibai did not inquire further, nor did the Crown Prince show them to her.

However, two days later in the imperial court, Marquis Zhu, the Marquis of Mu'en, was impeached one after another for seemingly minor offenses such as "disrespecting imperial grace" and "exceeding the regulations for his residence".

However, the two chief eunuchs of the Directorate of Palace Attendants and the Directorate of Imperial Household were impeached next, both for the same crime: accepting bribes.

The emperor didn't take Mu Enhou's minor ailments to heart, but the matter of the two chief eunuchs drew his serious attention.

Not long after, the two chief eunuchs were imprisoned. After being subjected to severe torture, they implicated countless palace servants and eunuchs.

Within a few days, the atmosphere within the palace changed completely.

Song Xibai sat in the small study in the north room, listening to the news that Juqing had inquired about.

"His Majesty was furious this time, and the entire palace was implicated. Two eunuchs were taken away from Yanxi Palace and Jingyang Palace! There was also Granny Fu from Renshou Palace, and two eunuchs from Qianqing Palace... Only our East Palace is unharmed."

Song Xibai held the tea lid in one hand, skimming off the tea foam, her lowered eyes seemingly not listening.

Juqing has become increasingly anxious these past few days.

If he demonstrates sufficient value, will he still have a place next to Xi Liangdi?

She now deeply regrets listening to her godmother's advice, thinking that this master wouldn't have much of a future, so she focused all her energy on scheming outside.

Who would have thought that in less than a month, this master would be promoted several ranks and become the second most important person after the Crown Princess!

But now, if we try to reheat the stove, they won't need it anymore!

Juqing was extremely annoyed and cursed her godmother's ancestors for generations in her heart.

"My lord, it's time for lunch. Shall I go and fetch the meal?"

Juqing composed herself and asked cautiously.

Song Xibai was brought back to his senses by her call, and responded casually, tapping the table with his fingers.

Upon hearing that Granny Fu had been implicated, she understood the reason behind this series of events.

However, she never expected that a mere Granny Fu would lead to such a huge incident.

This involves far more than just a few people. In the past few days, according to the news she heard, there have been twenty or thirty people sent to the Censorate!

This left Song Xibai deeply moved.

This palace is definitely not a place for humans!

Because of the emperor's suspicions, everyone in the harem was thoroughly investigated; those without problems were dragged out for questioning. But how many of them were truly guilty? How many were wrongly accused?

The reason why the Crown Prince can remain unscathed is probably because he is transparent enough.

The Crown Prince is surrounded by the Emperor's people, the Empress Dowager's people, the Zhao family's people... and possibly others.

Not to mention the palace maids, nannies, and even the cleaning ladies; the extent of their influence behind them is probably countless.

This Eastern Palace is like a sieve.

Being the crown prince is too difficult for Yuan Shen.

Song Xibai felt sorry for Yuan Shen for a second, but quickly put the matter aside.

Du Chenghui had been recuperating at her place for a few days and had finally recovered today. He came over to say goodbye to Song Xibai.

Every day after that, Du Chenghui would go to the east side hall, sometimes pouring tea for Song Xibai, sometimes fetching things for her, acting as if she were a palace maid.

Song Xibai couldn't stand her pacing back and forth like that, so he pulled her to sit down on the daybed outside the small study.

"If you have nothing to do, you can do some needlework. You're always walking around and giving me a headache."

Du Chenghui sat down by the bedside, and when Fu Liu brought over the sewing basket, she obediently began to do needlework.

In just one afternoon, Du Chenghui embroidered a beautiful purse with fish playing among lotus leaves and ran over to give it to Song Xibai.

Song Xibai noticed the exquisite purse and casually hung it on her waist.

Not long after, Juqing came in to set the table and immediately noticed the extra purse on Song Xibai's waist, which made her even more nervous.

She was just about to change her approach and start by examining her master's clothes when someone beat her to it!

This purse is so vividly embroidered, it has a lot of charm, and it's much better than what I could embroider myself!

Juqing didn't dare to ask. After setting out the meal, she left, feeling anxious and uncertain.

Song Xibai was completely unaware of the palace maid's thoughts. After finishing dinner, she waited for the Crown Prince to come over and gave him acupuncture as usual.

The crown prince had his eyes half-closed, as if he were asleep.

Song Xibai remained silent, and the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

After an unknown amount of time, the Crown Prince suddenly spoke.

"By the way, now that you've been promoted, according to custom, a concubine can bring a personal maid when she enters the palace. There's nothing to do lately, so you can fill that position."

Song Xibai turned her head in surprise.

"Can this be repaired?"

"It's a small matter, no problem. Do you have any candidates? There shouldn't be anyone left in the Song family, right?"

Song Xibai nodded. When the Song family's property was raided, all the servants in the mansion were sold off.

However, the Song family rarely sold their servants; most of them were free individuals with living contracts. Song Xibai was not used to being served by others from a young age, and only had a wet nurse and two maids who did rough work by her side.

Even if she had the opportunity to fill the vacancy, she didn't have a suitable candidate, so she shook her head.

"No need, it's fine as it is now."

The Crown Prince slightly raised his upper body, propping himself up on his elbows as he looked at her.

"Then shall I arrange another one for you?"

Every day when he came over, he saw that Song Xibai was only served by Wei Hong and Fu Liu, and he always felt that it was too shabby.

Although there were many palace servants outside, they had been instructed by the matrons to avoid the Crown Prince when he came.

Because nobody knows what the Crown Prince is going to do inside the room... cough cough...

Wei Hong was the gatekeeper for the two of them. He had only met Fu Liu occasionally. The Crown Prince was not familiar with any of the other palace servants.

Fearing that Song Xibai might not accept it, the Crown Prince added another explanation.

"After all, she is nominally my concubine, so it is not right for her to be so shabby."

As a result, Song Xibai interpreted it as "There are few people around, it's too shabby, and it will embarrass me."

This man's thinking is truly incomprehensible.

Song Xibai tilted her head.

"Alright then! Your Highness, please make the arrangements."

The prince was satisfied and lay down again, closing his eyes to rest.

Song Xibai originally thought that the Crown Prince would send another palace maid similar to Wei Hong.

But to her surprise, five days later, the Crown Prince sent her someone who surprised and delighted her.