"Your Highness, this is inappropriate."
Song Xibai had a serious expression, but what she said was a polite refusal.
"Why isn't it appropriate?"
Song Xibai gathered her thoughts before continuing.
"The affairs of the Eastern Palace have always been managed by the Crown Princess. Even if she is ill, with so many maids and servants around her, how could she possibly be unable to manage them properly? If Your Highness were to suddenly strip the Crown Princess of her power at this time, it would likely cause gossip. Furthermore, regardless of what outsiders think of me, Your Highness should know that I have absolutely no interest in palace power,"
The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow: "You think it was my idea? Not at all, it was the Crown Princess who suggested that you do it."
Song Xibai was somewhat surprised.
The Crown Princess doesn't seem like the type to relinquish power so easily!
The crown prince sighed, sat on the edge of the bed, leaned against the headboard, and began to speak in a low voice.
"I've sent people to investigate what you asked Wei Hong to report. Do you know what's in the Crown Princess's medicine storehouse?"
"The medicine cabinet...isn't that where medicine is stored?"
Song Xibai was confused.
“Those are no ordinary medicinal herbs.” The prince’s expression turned cold. “There are many forbidden drugs among them.”
Song Xibai's eyes widened suddenly.
"Banned drugs?"
The crown prince nodded.
There are potent drugs that can sterilize women, aphrodisiacs that can make people lose their minds, and even some secret medicines whose effects are not yet known.
These items were forbidden in the palace, yet they were unexpectedly found in the Crown Princess's storeroom.
Song Xibai never expected things to develop this way.
"So, what does Your Highness intend to do?"
"I have already had those things dealt with, and I have also warned the Crown Princess to reduce the number of times the Zhao family members enter the palace in the future," the Crown Prince said slowly. "And, we have also removed the people the Zhao family has planted in the palace."
The Zhao family's ambitions were so great that they alarmed him.
For a moment, neither of them spoke, and the room was so quiet that the only sound was the crackling of the candle.
"During this time of recuperation, let the Crown Princess reflect on her mistakes. Naturally, she can no longer control the palace. Now, you are the one I trust most in the Eastern Palace."
The Crown Prince's words did not excite Song Xibai; on the contrary, they made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.
I always felt that his eyes were too deep, mixed with some emotions that I couldn't understand.
Song Xibai lowered her eyes.
"Your Highness, please don't forget that the three-month period is almost up. By then, Your Highness will have recovered, and I will leave the palace. If you ask me to manage this matter, we'll have to find someone else after I leave, which would be even more troublesome, wouldn't it?"
Song Xibai spoke directly, and the Crown Prince's expression froze.
He seemed to have just remembered this.
The three-month period is almost over.
The Crown Prince stared intently at Song Xibai without uttering a word.
Song Xibai pretended not to notice his gaze and looked away.
"Isn't there Consort Guo? She has been with His Highness for a long time and is familiar with the Eastern Palace. The Crown Princess also treats her quite well. Letting her manage affairs is much better than me."
The prince came to his senses.
"Guo? She's always been well-behaved and hasn't caused any trouble. If you don't want her to come, then let her come!"
After saying this, the Crown Prince summoned Eunuch Feng.
"Feng Jia, go to the back hall and inform Consort Guo that the Crown Princess is seriously ill and that the affairs of the Eastern Palace will be temporarily handled by her."
Eunuch Feng accepted the order and left.
Song Xibai blinked.
"Won't Your Highness personally tell Consort Guo this good news?"
"I have other matters to attend to; I'll simply have Feng Jia make the trip."
The prince said this, but his body did not move.
The strange feeling in Song Xibai's heart deepened again.
What exactly does the Crown Prince mean?
She doesn't understand.
Meanwhile, in the rear hall, after seeing off Eunuch Feng, Consort Guo was radiant, her face beaming with undisguised joy.
Her personal maidservant came over and gave a playful bow.
Congratulations, beautiful lady!
"I've finally waited for this day!"
Guo Liangyuan exhaled, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes.
Meanwhile, inside the central hall, the Crown Princess also heard about this.
She was somewhat surprised.
I originally thought that since the Crown Prince liked Consort Xi so much, he would definitely promote her to a higher position. Whether in terms of rank or favor, Consort Xi was more favored by the Crown Prince than Consort Guo.
Unexpectedly, Guo Liangyuan was chosen in the end...
"That would be better."
The Crown Princess believed she knew Consort Guo quite well; she was obedient, well-behaved, and not particularly favored, posing no threat whatsoever.
The Crown Princess was relieved and summoned Ding Mama and the others, instructing them to cooperate with Consort Guo. She said that the Crown Prince was still angry and they should not go too far. It would be fine for them to back down a little.
After the maids left, Yao Huang came in carrying the freshly brewed medicine.
"Your Majesty, it's time to take your medicine."
The Crown Princess drank the medicine and fell asleep quickly.
The Crown Princess was seriously ill. One or two days' worth of medicine could only alleviate her symptoms, not cure her immediately.
On the fourth night, she even developed a fever.
This alarmed the imperial physician on night duty.
After taking the medicine for three days, Song Xibai was almost fully recovered, except for a stuffy nose.
In the middle of the night, the lights in the East Palace were off and everyone was asleep when a sudden commotion woke them all up.
Song Xibai rubbed her eyes and sat up, asking Wei Hong, who was on night watch outside.
"What happened?"
"This servant does not know. It seems to be a sound coming from the inner palace. Should this servant go and investigate?"
"No need, it's so late, any noise we make will attract attention."
Wei Hong then fell silent.
Despite this, after waking up, Song Xibai couldn't fall back asleep. She tossed and turned several times before finally getting out of bed.
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