Harem Daily Life

With so many people watching, it would be unbecoming to ignore her; if I had to pay attention to her, I would want to argue with her as soon as I opened my mouth, but there were clan relatives and court officials around, and if people saw the concubines arguing with each other, it would be embarrassing for the royal family.

Tao Yanyan thought for a moment and said, "The production cycle of jade is long, and I didn't make it in time. I could only embroider a purse, but I forgot to bring it with me when I went out today. I can only wait until Your Majesty goes to Yingyue Pavilion to give it to Your Majesty."

When He Linzhang heard this, the image of the beautiful girl concentrating on embroidering a purse flashed through his mind, and he was quite moved. No wonder she insisted on having him go over there that night, saying that she wanted to give him a token of her love.

In order to fulfill his promise, he went to Fengyi Palace last night, so he doesn't have to accompany the Queen tonight.

When Concubine Shu heard it, she thought it was a purse and said with a smile, "Isn't it too perfunctory for Lady Tao to give your Majesty a small purse for his birthday? Oh, don't worry about it. The gift is small but the sentiment is great. Whatever you give is from your heart. I'm sure your Majesty will like it."

Tao Yanyan: “…”

You've said everything, what else can I say?

Taking a deep breath, Tao Yanyan said, "I think the gift sent by Concubine Shu must be very valuable. I didn't see her delivering it just now. I wonder what valuable gift it was? Oh, it must be so valuable that it can only be delivered in private, so as not to be seen by the sisters."

The imperial concubine and others did not see what Shu Fei sent, and they were all a little curious.

Shu Fei's face turned red. She had indeed sent it in advance. It was a nightgown she had made herself. It was not expensive but it was a thoughtful gesture. After learning that Concubine Tao stayed in the Qinzheng Palace, she invited His Majesty and gave her a gift. His Majesty was quite moved that night.

In fact, compared with a purse, pajamas are also considered a small gift but a big token of sentiment. Now that she was tricked by Lady Tao, she felt a little embarrassed.

The Empress Dowager and the Emperor knew what Shu Fei had sent. When they thought about how Shu Fei had started the conversation and how Concubine Tao had fought back later, they couldn't directly blame Concubine Tao for not giving face to Shu Fei.

The Queen Mother gave Shu Fei a warning look and said, "Whatever you send is a token of your heart, and tokens of your heart cannot be measured by money. The Emperor will be happy to receive it, because he knows that you have him in your heart. Well, today's dinner is carefully prepared by the Queen. Everyone gathers together to celebrate the Emperor's birthday. Let's raise our glasses and wish the Emperor a happy birthday every year!"

Everyone stood up and celebrated the birthday together.

Shu Fei became much quieter after that and didn't say much, but she didn't drink any alcohol either. She drank tea instead. The Queen and several high-ranking concubines saw it. De Fei winked at Gui Fei, who nodded slightly.

After confirming that Shu Fei might be pregnant and didn't dare to drink, everyone had their own thoughts.

When Concubine Xian thought about how Concubine Tao, Concubine Shu, and the Queen successively received favor after her miscarriage, she couldn't help but squint her eyes. The Queen continued to drink as usual, so she should not be pregnant; Concubine Tao had a low status, so even if she was pregnant, it would not be a big deal; but Concubine Shu was on the side of the Queen Mother, so if she was pregnant, wouldn't the Queen Mother be so happy?

The virtuous concubine picked up the wine glass, hiding the calculating gleam in her eyes.

In the second half, everyone was busy trying to grab the emperor's attention and flatter the empress dowager and the emperor. No one bothered Tao Yanyan anymore, and she accidentally ate too much.

Seeing that the banquet would not be over for a long time, she asked Qingfeng to go out with her for a walk to help digest the food.

It is said that the moon is fullest on the 15th and 16th. The moon tonight was so big and round that Tao Yanyan couldn't help but look at it for a while longer.

Seeing that the beauty didn't go back for a long time, Qingfeng couldn't help but remind her: "Beauty, it's not appropriate to stay out for too long."

Tao Yanyan said: "It doesn't matter, nothing will happen when my little beauty is not here, maybe no one will notice me."

Just as he finished speaking, he heard a familiar voice: "Who said no one noticed? I noticed it."

Tao Yanyan turned around and fell into a warm embrace.

Qingfeng, Eunuch Zhang and others immediately retreated, moving more than ten meters away, leaving space for the two to talk in private.

Tao Yanyan snuggled in He Linzhang's arms and said coquettishly, "Without your Majesty, the birthday girl, here, there will be a lot less excitement."

He Linzhang lowered his head slightly, the aroma of wine mixed with his breath floating on her face: "So what if it's lively? Without Yan Yan, it's less fun."

Tao Yanyan smiled and said, "Your Majesty, did you eat too much candied fruit tonight? It tastes weird."

He Linzhang laughed, lowered his head and kissed her, and after a long time, he let go and said, "No candied fruit is sweeter than Yan Yan."

Tao Yanyan glared at him and looked at the attendant not far away: "Your Majesty, have you secretly learned some magic recently? Otherwise, how could you make me faint in an instant?"

He Linzhang rested his forehead against hers and said in a hoarse and joyful voice: "Maybe it's the aroma of wine, or maybe it's my appearance. As long as Yan Yan likes it, I'm happy." After saying that, he wanted to kiss her again, but was interrupted by Eunuch Zhang who came in hurriedly.

He Linzhang frowned unhappily and looked at Eunuch Zhang. His eyes seemed to say: You'd better have something urgent to do, otherwise I'm going to get mad!

Eunuch Zhang said anxiously, "Your Majesty, Concubine Xian and the Queen Mother are arguing!"

He Linzhang: “…”

Tao Yanyan: “…”

The two of them didn't have time to show any affection to each other and immediately returned to the banquet one after the other.

Tao Yanyan walked in a little further back and saw that the scene, which had been bustling with activity before, was now so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

Xian Fei knelt on the ground, tears welling up in her eyes: "The Queen Mother dislikes me. I know I can't change her preference, but I just lost my child. Please forgive me this time for the sake of the child."

Tao Yanyan was puzzled by what she heard and looked at the concubines around her. She thought that even if she asked these people, they might not pay any attention to her. Finally, she chose a little palace maid behind her and waved to her.

The little palace maid came over quietly and whispered the whole story to Tao Yanyan.

It turned out that after seeing His Majesty leave, Concubine Xian started to bully Concubine Shu. She said that Concubine Shu was aloof and that she refused to drink while everyone else was drinking. She even toasted Concubine Shu several times, which was unprecedented. Others did not try to persuade her or try to stop her, but the Queen Mother did.

Seeing that Concubine Xian was using her status to pressure Concubine Shu and forcing her to drink, the Queen Mother became unhappy and reprimanded Concubine Xian, saying that she had not yet completed her confinement and if she wanted to abuse her body, she could do so herself and not bully other concubines.

The virtuous concubine could no longer hold back her temper. Regardless of the occasion, she knelt down and begged for mercy with tears streaming down her face. This was the scene that Tao Yanyan saw when he came in.

Tao Yanyan looked at the clan members, then at the court officials and ladies, then at the empress dowager with a look of disgust and He Linzhang with a gloomy face. She felt really sorry for him.

The person he doted on so much made such a scene at his birthday party, in front of his uncles, brothers, sisters, concubines and ministers, which made his mother lose face and she felt embarrassed for him!

How do I break this game?