"I'm not a god, how could I know right now?"
Song Xibai fanned himself with his hand, then asked another question.
"Those prescriptions you lost? What did they say?"
"It's a Taipingzi! I use it to practice calligraphy. If I were to actually treat someone, I wouldn't want to leave behind such evidence! I'm not stupid."
Dingxiang snorted.
"Oh dear, what a pity. If I had known they would sneak into your room and rummage through your things, I would have prepared some things to show them in advance."
Song Xibai shook her head, but she didn't really feel sorry for him.
"Let's wait and see how everyone reacts! Don't go to the Imperial Pharmacy these next few days, or someone might find something to criticize you for."
"Oh, I know! You're so long-winded."
Dingxiang didn't take it to heart at all. After packing her things, she left the East Side Hall.
Not long after, Wei Hong returned. Song Xibai called her aside and whispered a few words of advice to her.
Wei Hong nodded silently and quietly left.
Nothing was said that night.
The next morning, Song Xibai kept the door closed as usual, only allowing Wei Hong and Ding Xiang to enter.
"Master, Granny Fangqi has arrived."
Wei Honggang immediately reported as soon as he stepped inside.
Song Xibai put down her half-eaten breakfast and gestured for her to invite Fangqi in.
Granny Fangqi entered the room with a solemn face, first paying her respects to Song Xibai before explaining her purpose.
“Yesterday, both Fuliu and Juqing made mistakes. This old servant punished them with ten strokes of the cane each. What do you think, Master?”
Song Xibai frowned: "Punish with a board?"
She had seen eunuchs being beaten with a board; they were stripped down to their last piece of clothing and beaten directly on their buttocks.
Wei Hong explained in a low voice, "Your Highness, when the palace maids are punished with a cane, they are not punished there, but on their thighs."
Granny Fangqi also said, "The palace maids have made mistakes and should be punished. This is the rule of the palace. Your Highness must not be too soft-hearted, otherwise it will not do them any good. Only if they remember to be punished will they not make the same mistake again in the future."
Song Xibai pursed her lips and said to Wei Hong, "Go check on them for me later."
Song Xibai didn't not want to go herself, but she was still pretending to be sick. If she went out rashly, wouldn't her illness be a waste of time?
Wei Hong breathed a sigh of relief. She was worried that her mistress would stop Fangqi from hitting her!
“Granny, the situation in the Eastern Palace has changed. There are many things that I cannot do myself and can only rely on you.”
Song Xibai was always polite and courteous to Granny Fangqi and would never embarrass her.
The two exchanged a few more words, then Granny Fangqi curtsied and withdrew.
Song Xibai tapped the table with her fingers and turned to ask what Granny Fangqi had been doing these past few days.
Wei Hong thought for a moment before saying, "Granny Fangqi has been in charge of the young palace maids. Because of the flower dew incident last time, Granny Fangqi felt that there was a problem with the layout of the servants. She even discussed with Granny Ding and the others in the central hall about re-layouting the cleaning ladies."
Song Xibai raised an eyebrow slightly.
"It seems that Granny Fangqi has already adjusted her position herself. That's good, it saves me a lot of trouble."
Actually, she doesn't need a nanny to boss her around and give her advice, but she does need a stern-faced, intimidating person who can keep the people under her in check.
Clearly, Granny Fangqi had already discovered this and found her place.
She even took the initiative to add a task for herself: to help Song Xibai make contact with the outside world.
Even Song Xibai herself had to be very polite and reserved when facing someone like Granny Ding, which made her feel awkward. But with Granny Fangqi in charge, there was no such problem.
Although Granny Fangqi was from the East Side Palace, she had previously served the Empress, so she naturally had a higher status than Granny Ding.
In this way, it was as if two things had been resolved, and Song Xibai felt much better. She picked up the bowl again and drank another half bowl of porridge.
After the meal, Song Xibai paced back and forth in the room to digest his food, listening to Wei Hong relay the report from the secret guards.
"The two guards said that no one approached the east hall yesterday, but there were too many people coming and going from the maids' quarters, so they couldn't determine who took the things from Miss Ding's room."
"It's fine, just give me the list of people who have been in and out."
Song Xibai waved his hand.
Wei Hong then stopped hesitating and rattled off a long list of names.
“Fuliu, Juqing, Xiaohong, Cuier…”
After listening, Song Xibai only said, "Have someone keep an eye on these people and see if they have any contact with outsiders."
"Master, should we keep an eye on them all?"
I want them all.
"Do you want Fuliu and Juqing too?"
"Yes, I want to too."
As Song Xibai spoke, she turned to look at Wei Hong with a serious expression.
"You can't tell whether someone in the palace is loyal or not just by looking at them. Remember, you must never act on emotion, but based on evidence. I don't doubt Fuliu and Juqing, but since they are suspects, they must be treated the same as everyone else."
Wei Hong nodded silently and quickly left.
Song Xibai rubbed her fingertips, looked out the window, and started doing some mental calculations.
The Crown Prince dispatched two secret guards, totaling six people, which is not enough to keep watch!
Or, how about we have them keep an eye on each other?
Or can it be proven by itself?
She stroked her chin, lost in thought.
As for the person who instigated the sneaking into Dingxiang's room, Song Xibai believed that she would reveal herself soon enough.
The day passed relatively peacefully in the Eastern Palace.
As evening fell, the Crown Prince did not come as planned, but the Crown Princess sent someone over.
"Xi Liangdi has been ill for quite some time now. Surely she should be feeling better by now? Her Highness the Crown Princess is very concerned about Xi Liangdi and specifically sent this old servant to inquire about her. If the illness continues to linger, Her Highness said that she can use her invitation to invite an imperial physician to come and treat Xi Liangdi."
The one who came was Hu Mama, who served the Crown Princess.
Granny Hu was one rank lower than Granny Ding, and she was usually responsible for disciplining the young palace maids or relaying messages.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. My illness is almost cured and I no longer need the imperial physician's treatment."
Song Xibai replied politely.
"In that case, don't forget to pay your respects first thing tomorrow morning."
After finishing her sentence, Granny Hu turned and left without paying attention to the expressions of the people in the East Hall.
Wei Hong was somewhat annoyed: "That old bastard! He doesn't respect his master at all!"
"What's there to be angry about? She was just following orders."
Song Xibai wasn't angry; instead, she laughed.
"Master, how can you still laugh?" Wei Hong was shocked.
"Why can't we laugh? Look, even the Crown Princess believes this play!" Song Xibai raised an eyebrow.
Previously, the Crown Princess would have Ding Mama relay messages, but now it's Hu Mama who's doing it. This shows that in the Crown Princess's eyes, her importance as Consort Xi has plummeted!
She must be focusing all her attention on the west side hall right now, right?
"In that case, it shouldn't be the Crown Princess who sent someone to Dingxiang's room."
Song Xibai pondered to himself.
One option has been presented; the rest will have to wait until tomorrow's greetings to see.
Song Xibai stretched, ready to get a good night's rest.
There will definitely be a tough battle tomorrow.
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