Harem Daily Life

Tao Yanyan leaned over to take a look. Fortunately, it was just a small red scar, not deep. The child had a strong metabolism and would be healed in a few days. She touched Jin'an's head and comforted him, "I'll apply some ointment on you when we get home. It won't hurt, little man."

Jinan nodded: "Yeah, I don't feel any pain."

Compared to being chased, beaten and scolded while begging before, this minor injury can be ignored.

However, the words that the eldest princess said to him left a deep mark in his heart, burning his heart.

Seeing that he looked normal and unaware of what had happened in the yard, Tao Yanyan thought it was just a minor dispute, so she took his hand and found a place to sit down.

Unexpectedly, the eldest prince saw Jin An sitting at the same table with him and said unhappily, "Mother, why can he sit here? He doesn't deserve it. He is here to take advantage of me."

When Concubine De heard this, she looked at the Queen Mother and then at Lady Tao, and said, "Lady Tao, don't mind it. The eldest prince didn't mean to say that. Since you worked hard to prepare this meal, it won't be a problem for your brother to eat a little."

When the Queen Mother heard what Concubine De and her son said, her face darkened instantly: "How do you usually raise the prince? Jin'an once testified that he saved the emperor. He is a good child adopted by Concubine Tao. He is also half the owner of Yingyue Pavilion, not a relative who is begging for money. A dignified prince speaks without thinking. It's because you, the mother, didn't teach him well!"

De Fei immediately took the eldest prince to kneel down and plead: "Queen Dowager, calm down. The eldest prince spoke out of turn. I hope the Queen Dowager will forgive him. He is still young. I will teach him well when I return."

The eldest prince said aggrievedly: "I said this because my sister said so. My sister said he should live in the Tao family, not in the royal family."

When the imperial concubine heard this, she immediately pulled the princess to her knees and said, "Queen Dowager, the princess is young and ignorant. I don't know where she got the gossip from and why she spoke without restraint. Please forgive me, Queen Dowager. I also hope that Lady Tao will not take it to heart. It's just that children don't know how to behave."

Tao Yanyan's eyes darkened and she looked at Xiao Jinan, worried that he was hurt.

Xiao Jinan frowned and looked at his sister.

Little Jin'an didn't look hurt, but said firmly: "Queen Mother, I was adopted by my sister. Now I am still young and can't support myself. I will go wherever my sister is. When I grow up in the future, I can set up my own family and won't need to live in the palace anymore."

His words shocked everyone.

Neither the Imperial Concubine nor the Virtuous Concubine had expected that such a young child could say such words.

Tao Yanyan felt a little sad. If she hadn't been trapped in the harem, Jin'an wouldn't have to live a dependent life.

The Queen Mother was sad. This child who looked like Zhang'er in his childhood might be her own grandson! Living in her own home but being called a poor relative who was begging for money was like cutting out her heart!

The Queen Mother said kindly, "As long as I am here, you can live peacefully in the palace. I want to see who dares to say something mocking you again."

Then he said coldly to the Imperial Concubine and the Virtuous Concubine: "You two are the first among the concubines, and both have royal heirs. You must set a good example and educate your children with all your heart, so that they become people with measured words and deeds. You must not lose the royal bearing."

The Imperial Concubine and the Virtuous Concubine nodded in agreement, and the Empress Dowager then asked people to stand up and start eating.

Tao Yanyan calmly arranged the dishes and chopsticks for little Jin'an, gave him a reassuring look, and then said to the Imperial Concubine and the Virtuous Concubine, "Children's words are not to be taken lightly. My Jin'an is a generous child and will not take it to heart. Jin'an, serve a bowl of soup to the Empress Dowager first. Today, just serve the Empress Dowager."

Others who look down on you don’t deserve to drink the soup you serve!

Xiao Jinan nodded, stood up and walked obediently to the Empress Dowager and picked up the soup bowl. Under the surprised gazes of the Imperial Concubine and the Virtuous Concubine, he generously served the Empress Dowager a bowl of pork rib soup and also considerately served three pieces of pork ribs.

The Queen Mother nodded and smiled, "Jin'an is really well behaved and filial." After she finished speaking, she saw a scratch on Jin'an's chubby face and said unhappily, "Who made your face like this?"

The eldest princess shuddered and leaned closer to the imperial concubine.

The imperial concubine looked at her daughter and frowned slightly.

Eunuch Qin glanced at the eldest princess and stepped forward and said, "The young master and the eldest prince had a small dispute. The eldest princess helped the eldest prince and accidentally scratched the young master's face. Fortunately, the wound is not deep and will heal in a few days."

The imperial concubine coughed lightly and said, "I think the eldest princess didn't mean it. I have ointment in the palace. I will send someone to deliver it to Yingyue Pavilion when I return."

The Queen Mother seemed not to have heard. She held up little Jin'an's face and looked at it carefully, then ordered, "Get the ointment immediately. I will apply it to Jin'an myself. It's really heartbreaking to have such a pretty little face disfigured."

Concubine: "..."

This wound will heal tomorrow, even without applying ointment!

The imperial concubine clenched her fingers tightly when she saw how the empress dowager was worried about Lady Tao's brother.

Defei's expression was not much better either. Her own grandchildren were right beside her, but the empress dowager clearly favored a child from another family. It was really infuriating!

Although today's meal was rich and delicious, Imperial Concubine Gui and Concubine De had a hard time eating. If they had known that this trip would displease the Empress Dowager, they would not have brought their children with them!

The two children enjoyed the meal, especially the stewed egg with minced meat, which was simply a great dish to go with rice. They both ate half a bowl more than usual without realizing it.

After finishing their meal, the Imperial Concubine and the Virtuous Concubine did not dare to stay any longer and immediately left with their children.

The Queen Mother kept Tao Yanyan and Xiao Jinan to talk. Tao Yanyan thought of what the Queen had mentioned in the morning that the Queen Mother was going to the Hot Spring Palace to spend the winter, so she asked casually. Unexpectedly, the Queen Mother began to introduce the Hot Spring Palace enthusiastically.

"That palace is about a day's journey from the capital, and the good thing is that there are several excellent hot springs. It is so comfortable to soak in them in the winter. I go there every winter. After the New Year's banquet, I come back and stay for a few days, then go back and stay until spring comes. There are little wild rabbits on the mountain from time to time. Catch one and roast it, it smells so delicious!"

Xiao Jinan swallowed his saliva and said, "Queen Mother, I have never eaten rabbit meat. I really want to eat it!"

The Queen Mother raised her eyebrows and said, "Isn't this simple? Just follow me and I will ask someone to catch rabbits for you."

Xiao Jinan's eyes lit up, but he soon became troubled again and shook his head, saying, "I can't go. If my sister doesn't go, I won't go either."

The Queen Mother winked at Eunuch Qin, who gritted his teeth and said, "Since the young master wants to go, Lady Tao should go with him. The winter in the temporary palace is much more interesting than in the palace!"

"Ah? Can I leave the palace too?" Tao Yanyan said excitedly.

Seeing that Lady Tao looked like she wanted to go out, Eunuch Qin said happily, "It depends on why you want to leave the palace. Lady Tao is devoted to filial piety and wants to serve the Queen Mother. She wants to accompany the Queen Mother to the hot spring palace for a few months. Is there anyone who would object?"