Harem Daily Life

He Linzhang frowned, "In the past, at this time, didn't the imperial concubines gather together to celebrate? When I went, they were still restrained, thinking about me and couldn't let go and play. I won't go, you can send a gift."

After saying that, he thought of something and said, "Send one to Concubine De as well. You can decide what to send. The gifts for both of them should be similar. Don't show favoritism to one over the other."

Whenever he thought of Tao Yanyan's accusation that day, that he favored the virtuous concubine and did not take others into consideration, he thought that the harem was indeed related to the previous dynasty, and he should try his best to treat everyone equally in the future.

Eunuch Zhang was a little embarrassed, because the person who came to invite said that Changxin Palace did not invite anyone else but His Majesty.

Thinking of Concubine Xian's current status and her continued favor, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "Your Majesty, Concubine Xian did not invite other concubines, only Your Majesty. If Your Majesty does not go, I'm afraid... Concubine Xian will be sad."

"What?" He Linzhang asked in confusion: "Why didn't she invite anyone else? Is her relationship with the harem so bad?"

He Linzhang had never thought about this question before. He was busy in the front court every day and only entered the harem at night. How could he think about what Concubine Xian was doing during the day and which palace's concubine she was close to?

Eunuch Zhang was speechless for a moment. He hadn't done any special research! So he could only say, "Maybe the Concubine Xian wanted to celebrate alone with His Majesty at this important moment, so she didn't invite anyone else."

I have to say, Eunuch Zhang, you have revealed the truth.

He Linzhang's original plan to go to Yingyue Pavilion was disrupted. He sighed and said, "Forget it. I'll go there. You go pick out the gifts and bring them over. You send someone to deliver them to Concubine De."

After dealing with another memorial, He Linzhang set off.

As for Tao Yanyan, since today was the opening day of the gourmet food shop Xiangmanyuan, she sent Dong Fang out of the palace to help out early in the morning. At this time, she had nothing to do and was listening to Chang Tai's gossip.

Chang Tai described vividly, "I heard that the Queen Mother did not want Concubine Xian to go and express her gratitude, so she left with a cold face and did not invite any concubines to celebrate. In short, she was still aloof. Concubine De invited everyone, even the Queen and the Imperial Concubine were happy to go, but Concubine Shu did not go, saying that she was not feeling well."

Qingfeng asked suspiciously, "Changtai, you were just asking around, how come you got so much information that you even knew the reason why Shu Fei didn't go?"

Chang Tai touched his head and said, "I live with the roommate of the eldest maid next to the queen, and she helped me find out."

After hearing how he had gone through so many connections, Tao Yanyan really knelt down before him.

"Chang Tai, do you have such fellow townsmen in each palace? Otherwise, I am very curious about how you get the news every time." Tao Yanyan asked.

Chang Tai said embarrassedly, "In reply to the beauty, I don't have so many fellow townsmen who entered the palace as slaves. I know one fellow townman in the Queen's Palace. In the Imperial Concubine's Palace, there is a maid who sweeps the floor. I have helped her a few times. After getting to know her, it is convenient to ask her for information. A eunuch in the Defei's Palace sometimes plays cards with me and asks me about things. I haven't expanded my network of contacts with the Xianfei and Shufei Palaces. The other imperial concubines, beauties, and talented women all have familiar faces around them. However, there is rarely any valuable information below the imperial concubines, so I didn't ask much."

Tao Yanyan was very impressed by his ability to be versatile and to connect with many people. He was indeed a talented person.

She thought for a moment and said, "You should pay more attention to Lady Li, Lady Zhao, and Fan Liangyi. I have some grudges against these people. If you know yourself and the enemy, you will never be defeated in a hundred battles."

Chang Tai quickly agreed.

Little Jinan and Little Quanzi came running in, "Sister, sister, we are hungry."

When Tao Yanyan saw that it was time for lunch, he asked Caiyun to set the table, and asked Qingfeng to take Jinan to wash their hands, and everyone prepared to eat.

Since Tao Yanyan sprained her ankle, she has been eating a lighter diet. However, under her guidance, Caiyun can cook delicious food even if it is light, so she has a good appetite. Recently, Xiao Jinan has been exercising a lot and has a good appetite. She has grown some weight and looks rounder and cuter.

The brother and sister ate their rice with slurping sips, enjoying the delicious food.

He Linzhang accompanied Concubine Xian for dinner, but he lost his appetite. The banquet in the imperial kitchen was quite sumptuous, with fish, meat, and everything else, but He Linzhang somehow missed the home-cooked meals made by Tao Yanyan.

Ever since Concubine Xian had a miscarriage, He Linzhang hasn't been to Yingyue Pavilion to eat, and he missed that taste more and more.

"Your Majesty, I would like to offer you a cup of tea instead of wine." The virtuous concubine picked up the teacup and smiled.

"I'll just drink one glass, no more, as I have something to do in the afternoon." He Linzhang picked up the glass and drank it.

The wine tastes good and leaves a lingering fragrance on your lips and teeth. It is indeed a good wine.

"This wine doesn't seem to be produced in the palace." He Linzhang has been drinking the Palace Jade Liquid for many years, but it doesn't taste like this.

"This is the daughter's red wine that my father has saved for many years. He sent it to me to congratulate me on my promotion. It's a pity that I can't drink now, so there's no way for Your Majesty to drink with me." When He Linzhang heard Concubine Xian mention Lu Li, he frowned slightly.

Back then, Lu Li relied on Concubine Li to donate an official position with no real power and held a sinecure.

Later, thanks to the relationship between Concubine Jingli, her son was sent to be a companion to the prince who had been appointed as the crown prince.

Lu Feng was a steady man who worked hard and stayed by his side until he became the commander of the guards. Unfortunately, he was wounded by a poisonous arrow and died during the battle to eliminate the vassal king.

Lu Li was not a talented person, but considering that Lu Feng died to save him, he arranged Lu Li in the Ministry of Works and gave him an idle position as an inspector, where he usually supervised the construction of the project.

Not long after he left the capital for his southern tour, he encountered a landslide on the official road. He ordered the Ministry of Works to conduct a self-inspection, and they found that Lu Li had embezzled the money for the construction while supervising the construction of the official road.

Later, it was revealed that he had been involved in other projects and had been more or less corrupt, which made him extremely disappointed.

"Your Majesty, my father has realized that he made a mistake and is unworthy of your Majesty's kindness. He has raised enough money to return it to the treasury. I hope your Majesty will show mercy and let him return to the court."

He Linzhang said calmly, "Although your father's position is a sinecure, it is also a special second-grade official. According to his true ability, he cannot attend court. Tell him that his position and salary will not change. Let him rest assured to hold a sinecure in the future, and just treat him as a supporter of me. As for attending court, there is no need for him to do so."

The virtuous concubine was stunned. She didn't expect that His Majesty would not agree to her request on this good day that belonged to her!

She found it difficult to accept it for a moment, and tears immediately welled up in her eyes.

If it had been before, He Linzhang might have compromised because he couldn't bear to see the beauty crying, but after the double exhortations from the empress dowager and Tao Yanyan, He Linzhang held his bottom line.

He put down his chopsticks and said seriously, "The harem is not allowed to interfere in government affairs. Your father's matter is not a big deal, but it is not a small matter either. Jingyi, I am the emperor, and any decision I make is based on state affairs. I hope you will not let your emotions get the better of you and be more considerate of me, okay?"