It was impossible for Song Xibai to leave the palace. At least before announcing her pregnancy, she could not stay overnight outside the palace, otherwise it would affect the child's origins.
The Crown Prince had been waiting for this child for several years. Whether it was a boy or a girl, he cherished it dearly. How could he possibly allow the child to be questioned in the slightest?
Song Siyuan stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Now that you mention it, it's true. This girl's constitution is a little colder than before, but it's not a big deal. Just make sure she keeps warm, eats less cold food, and eats more foods that warm the uterus."
The prince pressed on, "What would you like to eat?"
"Red dates, donkey-hide gelatin, angelica... Oh dear, I'll write them down for you!"
The room was a small study, and the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were readily available. The prince immediately got up and fetched the writing brush and paper.
Song Siyuan stroked his beard, and considering his daughter's tastes, he wrote down a menu after making some revisions.
When he handed the list to the Crown Prince, he didn't forget to give him some instructions.
“Xixi loves to eat fruit. In the height of summer, she practically eats fruit like it’s food. Your Highness, you must have someone keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn’t eat too much.”
After carefully examining the list, the Crown Prince folded it up and tucked it into his sleeve, nodding occasionally as he listened to Song Siyuan's instructions.
"Father-in-law, rest assured, I will take good care of Xixi and never let her suffer. As for the Eastern Palace, there may be some matters, but they are all under my control, so you can rest assured."
Song Siyuan also knew that once his daughter entered the palace, she was no longer one of his own family members, and it was impossible for him to bring her home.
He said that, but he didn't have any hope at all.
Upon hearing the Crown Prince's reply, Song Siyuan could only sigh softly.
Once the concubines entered the palace, they basically had no chance to leave.
Only the Empress Dowager was allowed to leave the palace each year to stay in a temple in the suburbs for a period of time.
If only my good daughter could become Empress Dowager soon...
Song Siyuan was startled by his own thought and quickly glanced at the Crown Prince, afraid that the Crown Prince would see through his thoughts.
My apologies, my apologies... This is utterly rebellious! How could I think such a thing?
Song Siyuan quickly banished the thoughts from his mind, tried his best to appear nonchalant, and began to talk to the Crown Prince about the matter in the West Side Hall.
The prince initially didn't take it seriously, but when he heard that the rats hadn't been poisoned but had their necks broken, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
"This matter is a bit strange, but it's nothing serious. It's just some dead rats. I will have someone investigate it thoroughly, so please rest assured, Father-in-law."
The crown prince gave a perfunctory reply with an earnest expression.
Song Siyuan didn't care how the rats died; he was only worried that his daughter might be targeted by the person behind it all.
The crown prince repeatedly assured him that he wouldn't, almost to the point of swearing an oath, before Song Siyuan finally let him go.
"I am somewhat relieved to have received Your Highness's assurance. It is getting late, so I shall take my leave now. Your Highness need not see me off."
Song Siyuan stood up, rubbed his knees, cupped his hands in greeting, and walked out. But when he reached the door, he suddenly stopped, turned back, and said something.
"Your Highness, please address me as Physician Song from now on! I am truly unworthy of being called Father-in-law."
He paused, then added a sentence.
"This will also prevent others from having any leverage against His Highness."
The crown prince did not insist, but readily agreed and said, "Imperial Physician Song, please take care," and then summoned a palace attendant to see him off.
The Crown Prince sat alone in the small study for a long time before getting up and returning to the Eastern Palace.
As soon as the Crown Prince stepped into the East Palace, he sensed the unusual atmosphere.
He first went to the Crown Princess's place and asked about what had happened that day. When the Crown Princess saw him, her heart tightened, and she hurriedly called over two nannies to explain.
As soon as Granny Ding and Granny Hu entered, they scolded the two old nannies in the west hall before recounting what had happened.
The Crown Prince listened quietly before finally saying, "I encountered the imperial physician on the way. He said that Consort Rou is fine, and it's not a big deal. Let's put it aside for now!"
The Crown Princess breathed a sigh of relief.
"That's what I think too. Since no one has been hurt, it's not advisable to make a big fuss. As for Consort Rou, Your Highness still needs to offer her some words of comfort."
The Crown Prince glanced at her a couple more times, and seeing the Crown Princess's earnest expression, he hummed in agreement, then got up and left the central hall for the west side hall.
The west hall was quiet. The two old nannies and the other palace maids had been taken away for questioning because of the dead rat. Now, only a young palace maid was serving in the room.
As soon as the Crown Prince entered the room, Consort Rouliang immediately got out of bed and knelt down respectfully to pay her respects.
The crown prince neither called her to get up nor helped her up; instead, he ordered everyone else to leave first.
Only after the two of them were left in the room did the Crown Prince speak in a deep voice.
"Did you do this on purpose?"
Rou Liangyuan raised her head and blinked her slender eyes.
"Your Highness, I don't understand what you're saying."
The prince slowly walked up to her, looking down at her: "Jin Xiang has already investigated those dead rats. They didn't die from poison, but were crushed to death."
At this point, the prince paused, his gaze falling on her hands.
Rou Liangyuan's hand, which was originally on her thigh, clenched unconsciously upon hearing this.
"Since Your Highness has already found out, why ask again?"
She straightened her back, and the usual smile on her face vanished instantly.
"You've been gone for three years, and you don't even listen to the most basic orders anymore?" The Crown Prince looked impatient. "If you act on your own and something goes wrong, who will be responsible?"
Rou Liangyuan gave a soft hum.
"Your Highness is only worried about your Consort Xi, how could you have ever cared about anyone else? In the past few days, I have encountered several unexpected incidents. If it weren't for my caution, I would have been killed several times over."
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince frowned.
Why didn't you report it immediately?
Rou Liangyuan, having deceived him, rolled her eyes slightly: "Your Highness has been busy with affairs of the court and hasn't returned to the inner palace for many days. As soon as you come back, you go straight to the East Palace. Even if I reported this, what difference would it make? Would Your Highness abandon your beloved to come here?"
At first glance, her tone sounded like she was jealous, but the Crown Prince knew this restless subordinate all too well and knew very well that this was just a means for her to achieve her goal.
“Speak like a human being! This isn’t outside the palace, and I’m not Uncle Hui. Stop with your petty tricks.”
The Crown Prince rebuked him coldly.
Rou Liangyuan took a breath before turning her head to meet the Crown Prince's gaze, her defiant eyes fixed on him.
That look made the crown prince instantly understand her confidence.
He's just taking advantage of his need for her, so he's fearless and wants to get more benefits.
The crown prince's eyes suddenly turned cold.
"I hate being threatened by others the most."
He coldly uttered those words, turned around, went to the door, and flung it open.
"Jinxiang!"
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