The crown prince held her close and gently comforted her.

Song Xibai recalled the past.

After the accident, the two older brothers didn't want their wives to suffer and wanted them to divorce and return home. But the eldest sister-in-law couldn't bear to leave her daughter or her husband, and threatened suicide to force them to go with her.

As for the second sister-in-law, she had only been married for a short time and had no children. She was persuaded by her family to take the divorce papers and return to the Tian family.

Song Xibai had once visited the Tian family, intending to discuss sending gifts to her father and brothers with her second sister-in-law. However, upon arrival, she discovered that the entire Tian family had already left the capital and returned to their hometown, even selling their house and shops in the capital.

At that moment, Song Xibai's mood was as cold as the dead of winter.

It took Song Xibai a long time to come out of her thoughts and force herself to cheer up.

"Dingxiang said her father is helping to renovate the house, and they can move in when he and her brothers return. They also need to prepare daily necessities like firewood, charcoal, rice, flour, bedding, and curtains. Oh, and silver too..."

She chattered on and on, her bright eyes captivating the prince.

He couldn't help but lower his head and gently kiss her eyes.

"Qingqing, don't worry. I've already sent the money to the Ding family. The Ding family can also think of what you've mentioned."

Song Xibai nodded.

She also wanted to inform her sister-in-law's family, but after thinking about it, she realized that the imperial edict had just been issued and it was not appropriate to act rashly at the moment. She could only wait until her father and brothers returned before informing them.

For the next few days, Song Xibai was absent-minded and lost in thought.

One moment I was worried about the road being difficult to walk on, and the next I was worried about my father's health. I couldn't even eat.

To divert her attention, the Crown Prince personally went to Kunning Palace and persuaded Granny Fangqi.

Granny Fangqi originally had no intention of moving. She wanted to live out her days in Kunning Palace and even thought that after she died, she would become a ghost and guard Kunning Palace to prevent the emperor's other concubines from moving in.

But the Crown Prince pleaded with her to take care of Consort Xi, so Granny Fangqi hesitated.

Finally, the Crown Prince played his trump card, saying that Song Xibai was likely pregnant, but she didn't have an experienced nanny to take care of her, which made him very worried.

Although Granny Fangqi had never given birth herself, she had watched the Crown Prince grow up and was therefore experienced.

She couldn't sit still any longer.

That was the Crown Prince's first child!

I heard that Consort Xi is a commoner from outside the village. Her mother died early, and she has no other relatives to guide her. Young people are naive; what if something goes wrong? How could we face our late Empress?

Fangqi's expression turned serious upon thinking about this. She couldn't wait for the Shanggong Bureau's notification and immediately grabbed a small bundle and went to the East Palace.

Her arrival was so sudden that the Queen Mother didn't receive any prior notice.

Song Xibai didn't even realize what was happening when Wei Hong came in to report.

Who are you talking about?

"Granny Fangqi!"

Song Xibai's eyes widened slightly: "Why so suddenly? Her Highness didn't tell me! Where is she?"

"They're waiting outside the hall!"

Song Xibai sat up straight: "Then let's quickly invite her in! She is Du Chenghui's aunt after all, we can't neglect her."

Wei Hong turned around and went to call someone.

A short while later, Wei Hong led Granny Fangqi in.

As soon as Granny Fangqi entered the door, she immediately knelt down and performed a grand salute.

"This old servant pays respects to Consort Xi."

"Please rise, Granny. Wei Hong, please bring a stool for Granny to sit down!"

Song Xibai smiled warmly, but Granny Fangqi shook her head and refused the seat offered to her.

"There is a proper distinction between master and servant; this old servant may reply while standing."

Song Xibai sized her up.

Although she was called "Grandma," Grandma Fangqi wasn't actually old; she was only in her early thirties. However, she wore a dark blue top and a brown skirt, her hair was neatly combed, and there was a deep vertical line between her eyebrows, making her look quite stern.

Song Xibai didn't think that such a person was difficult to deal with at all. In the palace, it was always better to be assertive than weak.

With this in mind, Song Xibai felt relieved and didn't ask her why she had come so soon. Instead, she smiled and exchanged pleasantries with her.

"You've come at the perfect time, Granny. I've been needing a prudent and experienced nanny! Now that you're here, you can take care of the young palace maids for me, okay?"

Granny Fangqi nodded, but her gaze kept lingering on Song Xibai's stomach.

Song Xibai didn't think much of it and asked her what her requirements were for the accommodation. Unexpectedly, Granny Fangqi waved her hand and said curtly.

"There's no need to arrange any other accommodations. This old servant will stay in your room so that you won't feel uncomfortable at night. I'm old and don't get much sleep at night, so I can take good care of you."

A question mark slowly appeared in Song Xibai's mind.

Seeing this, Wei Hong explained to Granny Fangqi, "The mistress doesn't like anyone to be close to her when she sleeps at night."

I thought Granny Fangqi would understand, but to my surprise, she frowned and her face turned stern.

"How can that be allowed? You little palace maids are serving too carelessly. If the master is not happy, are you just going to ignore it? What if the master gets up in the middle of the night and there is no time to light a candle, and he accidentally falls?"

Song Xibai raised her little hand: "I don't get up at night..."

Granny Fangqi didn't hear her and continued lecturing Wei Hong.

"Or if the master has acid reflux and wants to vomit, should the master go and get a basin himself?"

Song Xibai's expression turned strange.

That sounds so strange...

Wei Hong was completely dumbfounded: "W-what? Acid reflux and vomiting? Is Master sick?"

She suddenly turned her head to look at Song Xibai.

"Pah! Pah! Pah! Children say the darndest things, spit it out right now! How can a servant curse his master to fall ill?"

Granny Fangqi pressed down on the back of Wei Hong's head, insisting that she spit out what she had just said.

Wei Hong was even more bewildered.

who I am?

What am I doing?

Granny Fangqi turned around and curtsied to Song Xibai.

“If Your Highness dislikes this old servant, then arrange for the young maids to keep watch at night! You can’t be willful in your current condition. His Highness sent this old servant here to take care of Your Highness…”

"stop!"

Song Xibai quickly stopped her from speaking and then asked.

"What did His Highness tell you?"

Fangqi, the old woman, had no suspicions and recounted in detail the Crown Prince's persuasive words to her.

After hearing this, Song Xibai raised her hand and covered her face.

The Crown Prince is simply... Is it really necessary to be so "unscrupulous" just to hire someone?

She had no choice but to explain to Granny Fangqi.

I am not pregnant.

Granny Fangqi looked disappointed, but quickly recovered and comforted Song Xibai.

"It's okay if you're not pregnant yet; you'll get pregnant eventually. But we still need to arrange the night watch, just in case."

The last four words she spoke carried a rather chilling tone.

Song Xibai wasn't intolerant of having palace maids in the room, but the noise at night was too much, and he always felt embarrassed.

"Then when His Highness arrives, Granny will speak to him!"