After the Crown Prince left, Song Xibai returned to the East Side Hall with two palace maids.
It was only a short time before dawn. The main hall and the rear hall were still quiet, but lively sounds were coming from the small kitchen on the east side.
Song Xibai returned to her bedroom, lay on the bed, let out a big sigh, and muttered to herself: Why do I feel like I've been caught doing something wrong?
She shook her head, rolled into bed, and tried to sleep a little longer, but the events of last night kept replaying in her mind, making her feel uncomfortable. She could only hug the blanket and try to distract herself.
Song Xibai only regained his composure after breakfast was served.
Apart from my legs still feeling a bit sore, I don't feel uncomfortable anywhere else in my body.
She stuffed the bottle of white jade ointment into the very back of the small drawer by her bedside.
After breakfast, Song Xibai was just about to read a book when Fu Liu rushed in looking anxious.
"Master, something terrible has happened! Something terrible has happened!"
Wei Hong pulled her over.
"What's all the commotion about? Aren't you afraid of scaring your master? Speak properly if you have something to say."
Fu Liu quickly composed herself, took small steps to Song Xibai, and bowed.
"What happened to scare you like this?"
Song Xibai was somewhat surprised. Fu Liu had become much more composed recently and rarely acted so rashly and impatiently.
Fu Liu pursed her lips and began to speak quickly.
"I was just chatting with the other palace maids when I overheard that the Crown Princess had transferred Wei Zi to the front hall."
Song Xibai paused.
"Wei Zi?"
“That’s right, it’s Wei Zi!” Fu Liu nodded vigorously. “They even said they wanted her to take care of His Highness personally. Think about it, what does that mean? It’s obvious they want His Highness to take Wei Zi as his concubine!”
Generally speaking, when a mistress gives her personal maid to the master, isn't it a way of saying she wants to "open her face" to him?
Upon hearing the news, Fu Liu rushed back to deliver it.
Song Xibai wasn't panicked; she was more surprised.
"Why is the Crown Princess in such a hurry?"
It doesn't look like it!
"How could it be Wei Zi? Even if the Crown Princess wants to win over His Highness or adopt a child, there are so many women in the harem. Not to mention anything else, just take Zhao Xinlan, who comes from the same clan as the Crown Princess and is a proper daughter of an official. Isn't she more suitable than a palace maid like Wei Zi?"
Song Xibai said in a low voice.
Wei Hong and Fu Liu looked at each other, and finally Wei Hong took the initiative to ask.
"My lord, should we inform His Highness about this?"
Song Xibai snapped out of her daze and smiled.
"No need. It's just a small matter. Why make such a fuss? Besides, given His Highness's temperament, he probably wouldn't like being pushed around like this."
Song Xibai knew the Crown Prince to some extent. Although he was also anxious about having offspring, he would rather have no offspring than touch a woman he disliked.
Of course, this is only what she knows for now; we'll have to observe how things develop in the future.
Her composure also influenced the two palace maids. When Fuliu went out again, she had already regained the demeanor of a senior palace maid. When she saw the junior palace maids whispering in the corridor, she scolded them and took them to do their work.
Song Xibai stayed in the room for half a day, finally breaking free from the passion of the previous night and beginning to seriously consider the future.
She had never considered staying in the palace; all she thought about was what would happen after she left the palace, and all her arrangements were made outside the palace.
Now that we're going to stay, we can't just ignore everything.
She recalled the movies and TV dramas she had watched before, where men's love usually didn't last long. Even if he was sincere now, it was hard to guarantee that it wouldn't change in three to five years or ten years.
If that's the case, then we need to prepare in advance.
Song Xibai kicked Wei Hong out and went to the room alone to ponder.
Now that the decision has been made to accept the Crown Prince, then we must be more wary of the Crown Princess... Zhao's fans can be put to use.
Wei Zi is likely a pawn thrown out by the Crown Princess. Whether it's to test her or to stir up trouble remains to be seen.
We need to re-evaluate the people around us and stop treating them as casually as before.
And then there's the matter of the children...
Song Xibai tapped the table with one hand while unconsciously touching her lower abdomen with the other.
On this day, the palace servants serving in the East Side Hall all sensed the change.
The once relaxed palace maids found that Sister Fuliu had become stricter, forbidding them from chatting privately or sitting at the entrance of the side hall.
The palace maids, used to being relaxed, complained bitterly and secretly grumbled when the rules suddenly became strict.
Just then, Juqing, who was secretly watching, caught them red-handed and took the opportunity to drive several people away.
Song Xibai herself did not appear before the people below; she only let Fuliu and Juqing handle it. After some tidying up, the originally noisy East Hall became much quieter.
In the afternoon, just before dinner, the Crown Prince returned.
As soon as he returned, he went straight to Song Xibai's side without even changing his clothes.
"Quickly change into formal clothes, I will take you to see the Emperor."
Although Song Xibai was prepared, she was still inevitably nervous. She woke up the three palace maids and busied herself for a while before changing into a light purple palace dress, wearing a begonia-shaped hairpin given to her by the Crown Prince, and followed the Crown Prince out of the East Palace.
They boarded the sedan chair and headed towards the Qianqing Palace.
Having already met the emperor at a palace banquet, Song Xibai wasn't particularly curious about seeing him again.
After entering the Qianqing Palace, she didn't even blink. She followed the Crown Prince to the center of the hall, and after standing still, she heard the Crown Prince greet the Emperor and then mention her.
"Father, this is my concubine, whom I brought here today to pay my respects to you."
The emperor was clearly surprised, glanced at Song Xibai, and hummed in acknowledgment.
"You seem to be a well-behaved person. You have served well and have made contributions. I just acquired a few new collectibles, so I will reward you with them!"
Song Xibai tucked his sleeves and bowed.
"Thank you for the reward, Your Majesty."
"Remember to ensure the Crown Prince has many children and that his lineage continues to grow."
After the emperor finished speaking, he waved his hand.
The Crown Prince gave Song Xibai a reassuring look, and Song Xibai bowed again before leaving the main hall.
An old man with a pale face came over and led Song Xibai to a side hall to rest.
Song Xibai exhaled and turned her head to see that Wei Hong and Fu Liu's faces were as white as paper, and they both exhaled at the same time.
Then the three of them looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh.
Song Xibai originally thought that since she had memories of two lifetimes, she wouldn't be affected by meeting the emperor, but she still couldn't help feeling nervous at such close proximity.
The emperor's aura was unmatched by that of ordinary bosses or superiors.
Fortunately, we don't need to see each other often.
As Song Xibai was pondering this, the old eunuch returned, this time with two young eunuchs.
"Your Highness, His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince are discussing important matters and will have to wait a while. Please have some tea and rest!"
As he spoke, he waved his hand, and two eunuchs served tea and snacks.
Song Xibai nodded slightly, picked up the teacup and brought it to his lips. Just as he was about to drink, his expression suddenly hardened.
This tea...
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