The fragrance was so strong that even with Song Xibai's keen sense of smell, she couldn't immediately discern what medicine was being masked.
Song Xibai glanced in the direction of the inner room and took a small step forward without making a sound.
"Is the Crown Princess still busy? Although the Empress Dowager values her highly, Your Highness should still take good care of your health! It's getting colder lately, and the road to Yongshou Palace is so long. You should remind Your Highness to wear more clothes and bring two hand warmers."
Ding Mama's expression froze for a moment when Song Xibai was halfway through her speech.
Ding Mama glanced down at Song Xibai a few times and saw that her eyes were full of sincerity and that she did not try to probe further. Ding Mama's expression relaxed slightly.
"Thank you for your concern, Consort Xi. This old servant will convey it to Your Highness."
Song Xibai smiled, handed the list that Fu Liu had copied to Granny Ding, exchanged a few more polite words, and then returned to the East Side Hall.
Upon returning, Song Xibai gave instructions to Fuliu without even taking off his cloak.
"Go and call Dingxiang here."
Not long after, Dingxiang came in through the wind and snow.
"It's so cold!"
She shook herself, ran a few steps to the brazier, warmed her face and hands, and couldn't help but let out a long breath.
Wei Hong promptly handed over some warm tea.
“I was treating the palace maids when you called me here. You don’t know, the palace maids aren’t treated like human beings. They’re not allowed to see a doctor when they’re sick, and they have to keep working. The maids say that if the higher-ups find out they’re sick, they’ll be moved to some garden north of the palace, and they won’t be allowed to see a doctor. They’ll just have to tough it out. If they survive, they can be reassigned to other jobs, but if they don’t, they’ll be taken out of the palace and buried.”
Dingxiang became increasingly angry as she spoke.
Song Xibai remained silent.
Under imperial power, everyone is a servant, differing only in rank.
Take the Song family, for example. They were originally high-ranking officials, revered by the common people. But what happened? They were implicated by the emperor, and before the truth could be found, they were sentenced to have their property confiscated and be exiled, becoming criminals.
Song Xibai sighed, "You can still treat their illnesses, but I can't do anything."
Her current status is too restrictive; at least until the Crown Prince's illness is cured, she cannot reveal her medical skills.
Song Xibai felt somewhat irritated.
But this was the deal she proposed, and no matter how frustrated she is now, she cannot break the agreement she made back then.
Dingxiang sat down next to her, finished her jujube and ginger tea, and couldn't help but stick out her tongue.
"Putting in so much ginger, who are you trying to kill with the spiciness?"
For once, Wei Hong suddenly interrupted.
"His master ordered this to be made for His Highness, but His Highness doesn't like ginger."
Dingxiang paused for a moment, then pointed at Song Xibai and burst into laughter.
"You're still so mischievous. People don't like ginger, but you deliberately put in so much."
Song Xibai said helplessly, "I didn't mean to tease the Crown Prince, but if you put more ginger in, he'll drink more with every sip!"
"Didn't you ever consider that it's so spicy, he might not even drink a drop?"
Song Xibai waved his hand dismissively.
"No, the Crown Prince has a good habit. Even if he doesn't like something, he'll still take a bite if someone hands it to him."
Dingxiang suddenly stopped talking, tilted her head, and looked at Song Xibai with bright eyes.
"You know your prince so well? Tsk tsk, it seems you two get along very well! I was worried before."
Dingxiang has been at the East Palace for quite some time now and has seen the Crown Prince and Song Xibai together a few times. She always felt that the two were very polite to each other and didn't seem like a married couple.
Although strictly speaking, Song Xibai was not the Crown Prince's "wife," Dingxiang didn't care about that.
Song Xibai glanced at her sideways: "Stop fooling around. I called you here because I have something important to discuss."
She said that, but didn't continue. Instead, she picked up her tea and took a sip.
Wei Hong understood, made an excuse, and led everyone else out. Soon, only Song Xibai and Ding Xiang were left in the room.
"What exactly happened?"
Even Dingxiang was curious.
Song Xibai put down his teacup, his expression serious, and lowered his voice to speak.
"I suspect the Crown Princess is ill."
Dingxiang blinked: "The Crown Princess is sick? So what if she's sick? What does it have to do with you?"
“Originally, it wouldn’t have been a problem, but she fell ill and didn’t call the imperial physician, and even kept it a secret from everyone. I just can’t understand that.” Song Xibai pursed her lips. “I went to the main hall just now and stood at the door. I smelled a faint medicinal scent, but it was masked by the strong fragrance of incense, so I couldn’t tell.”
Dingxiang understood: "Should I go steal some dregs of the medicine?"
Song Xibai remained silent.
"Are you stupid?! If she wanted to keep it a secret, how could the dregs of the medicine have ended up outside? She must have disposed of them very carefully."
"Then what should we do?" Dingxiang shrugged.
"Let's try a different approach: check the warehouse."
Song Xibai glanced towards the door, paused for a moment, and then continued.
"The Crown Princess has three storerooms. The other rooms are used to store fabrics, jewelry, ornaments, furniture, and other items. There is a small room that is used to store medicinal herbs. The person in charge of looking after this storeroom is Zhao Fen, the Crown Princess's personal maid."
Zhao Fen wasn't brought into the palace by the Crown Princess, but because she knew a little about medicinal herbs, she stood out from the other palace maids and became their personal head maid.
"You want me to get close to her? That's a bit difficult! I haven't said more than a few words to her."
Dingxiang was a little embarrassed; this wasn't her forte!
"No, oh dear, can't you just listen to what I have to say all at once?"
Song Xibai slapped the table.
“I’ve seen Zhao Fen several times and noticed that her complexion is sallow, and even powder can’t cover it up. Moreover, Fu Liu inquired and found out that her periods are irregular and she suffers from unbearable pain every time…”
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