Harem Daily Life

The four of them enjoyed the meal very much because of the presence of Tao Yanyan and Xiao Jinan. After the empress dowager was full, she drank half a bowl of peanut millet porridge to sip. She was really satisfied with the meal.

The food was cleared away and a few people left the table to chat in the main hall.

The Queen Mother looked at Lady Tao and asked: "What does Lady Tao usually do?"

Tao Yanyan said respectfully: "Just take care of the child, teach him to write and read books, and I will practice calligraphy myself."

The Queen Mother said, "The child can be sent to elementary school now. Since he is the same age as the eldest prince, why not send him to the Imperial Academy? Emperor, what do you think?"

He Linzhang had never paid attention to these things, as the Queen was in charge. However, he heard that all three children had entered elementary school this year. Thinking that he had never asked about Xiao Jinan's academic problems, he said with a guilty conscience, "It was my fault. Then send them to the Imperial Academy for elementary school."

Tao Yanyan was actually a little reluctant. First, the sarcastic words of Concubine Shu and the Queen that day were still ringing in her ears. Second, little Jin'an looked only three years old, so she said, "Jin'an has just lived with me. In many aspects, he is weaker than other children of the same age. In addition, he has not received adequate nutrition since he was a child. He is not well fed and clothed, and his body is thin. I want to keep him by my side for another year. When he grows taller and stronger, it won't be too late to send him away. Otherwise, he will be too young to be bullied in the elementary school."

The Queen Mother was deeply moved when she heard that she was thinking about the child in everything, especially an orphan with no blood relationship or background, so she said, "You are thinking about Jin'an, and I support you. Then you can send him to the Imperial Academy for elementary education next year."

Tao Yanyan declined politely, "Jin'an is not a child of an official family, nor is he a royal heir. I heard that he cannot enter the Imperial Academy. I don't want the Queen Mother and Your Majesty to break the rules for Jin'an. I want to find a better elementary school for the child in the capital next year. As long as the child works hard, it doesn't matter where he studies."

Seeing how sensible she was, He Linzhang's eyes softened a lot.

The Queen Mother was displeased and said, "I have a liking for this child. Since he has been brought into the palace to be raised, he is a member of the palace. I will let him attend the Imperial Academy. I don't think anyone dares to object!"

He Linzhang looked at the domineering mother, then at the delicate beauty, and said, "Then listen to your mother's arrangements. The Imperial Academy is near the palace, so it is convenient for pick-up and drop-off. If you don't want me to break the rules, it will be the same if your mother comes forward. The censors dare to impeach me, but they dare not impeach your mother."

Queen Mother: "..."

You really are my good son for using me to take the blame!

Having said that, if Tao Yanyan refused, it would be ungrateful, so Tao Yanyan quickly stood up to express his gratitude.

"Well, I will come forward, nothing will happen, it's just a few comments behind your back, it's not a big deal. If you feel bad, come to my place more often when you have nothing to do in the future, cook for me, and show your filial piety."

Eunuch Qin: “…” You’re really willing to risk everything for your stuttering!

Tao Yanyan was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Okay, if the Queen Mother doesn't mind my cooking skills, then I will come over every few days and cook a meal for you."

He Linzhang was somewhat unhappy, because he also often went to Yingyue Pavilion for meals.

"There is an imperial chef in my mother's palace. Just give me the menu for whatever dish you want. Lady Tao will be tired from cooking every day."

The Queen Mother glared at him and said, "How can we do it every day? We only do it every three or five days."

He Linzhang wanted to say something, but Tao Yanyan stopped him and said, "Your Majesty was busy with state affairs in the previous dynasty and had little time to accompany the Queen Mother. Let me accompany the Queen Mother on your behalf. I think the Queen Mother is very kind, just like my mother. I also hope to be closer to her."

The Queen Mother felt completely relieved. If she had known earlier, she would have put in a little more effort to give birth to a daughter.

He Linzhang looked at her helplessly. You little heartless girl, I helped you reduce the burden, but you took it on yourself. Are you stupid?

Somehow understanding the emperor's eyes, Tao Yanyan scratched his palm, tilted his head and smiled without saying anything.

After the meal and the conversation, the emperor left with his people, and the empress dowager was still somewhat reluctant to let them go.

After everyone left, Eunuch Qin sighed, "This is the first time in two years that your majesty has dined in our palace, and he talked so much. It's like a dream."

The Queen Mother leaned back on the chaise longue and sighed, "I am competitive, he is stubborn, and with Concubine Li stirring up trouble, our mother-son relationship is completely strained. But as long as he can't let go of Concubine Li, I will be too lazy to pay attention to him. Let's see who can resist!"

The Empress Dowager, who has been watching Concubine Li for her entire life, just can't stand Concubine Li's coquettish look. She will never accept Concubine Li in her entire life.

Eunuch Qin knew that he could not persuade her, so he kept silent.

He Linzhang asked Eunuch Zhang to move all the unapproved memorials to Yingyue Pavilion, and he went directly to Yingyue Pavilion to approve them.

Tao Yanyan was holding little Jinan. The child was so tired that he fell asleep, nestling in Tao Yanyan's arms like a little pig.

The sedan chair returned to Yingyue Pavilion. Mingyue greeted them at the door. She was relieved to see that the two were fine.

Tao Yanyan handed the child to Mingyue and told Qingfeng to light a few more candlesticks to illuminate the study so that it would be easier for His Majesty to review memorials.

It is said that men who work hard are the most handsome. He Linzhang is so handsome when he is reviewing memorials!

Tao Yanyan was lying on the chaise longue beside her, holding the storybook but not reading a single word. She was only focused on looking at the handsome guy in ancient costume.

"You are drooling." He Linzhang suddenly glanced at the little beauty and said.

Tao Yanyan immediately started to wipe it: "Huh? No?" After saying that, he realized that he had been cheated.

She stood up shyly, walked gracefully to He Linzhang's side, and rubbed his shoulders: "Your Majesty, why are you so good-looking? You don't even leave room for others to survive."

He Linzhang said with a smile: "How can you use the word good-looking to praise a man? You should use "handsome" or "imposing and majestic."

Tao Yanyan massaged his cervical vertebrae and muttered, "A lot of people must have praised your majesty. Your majesty doesn't even care about my praise anymore."

He Linzhang put down his pen, hugged her to his lap, and rubbed her nose: "I have indeed received a lot of praise since I was a child, but the praises are all for my literary and martial arts, and no one has ever praised my good looks."

Tao Yanyan raised his hand and traced his eyebrows, nose, and chin: "What should I do? I am so superficial. I only fell in love with your good looks."

"Haha." He Linzhang laughed out loud, looking at her with smiling eyes: "Then do I have to protect this face well, otherwise my face will not be worthy of you? Hmm?"

"And your figure. You must keep exercising to maintain your body shape and not gain weight like a middle-aged man." Tao Yanyan said seriously.

He Linzhang was stunned: "Will you still despise me when I get older and fatter?"

Tao Yanyan pointed at his finger and said, "Well, I can't say I dislike you, it's just that Your Majesty is nine years older than Yanyan. If you are not good-looking, then Yanyan would not like you that much."

He Linzhang was so angry that he laughed. It was the first time that a concubine made such a request to him.

He is the emperor. Isn’t his domineering nature the reason why his concubines admire him?