Harem Daily Life

He Linzhang looked at Tao Yanyan. In fact, in his heart, he really hoped that Yanyan could raise the third princess. But now she has raised three children, if there is another one, she is afraid that she will be too tired. So even if He Linzhang had this idea, he did not take the initiative to mention it.

Tao Yanyan was indeed in a difficult situation, mainly because the baby was too young and cried day and night, and she really couldn't take care of him.

Tao Yanyan searched for the right person in the harem, and suddenly an idea came to her mind, and she thought of Wang Zhaoyi, who loved gossip. Wang Zhaoyi's father was Lord Wang from the Ministry of Rites, and her family background was not bad. Apart from her love of gossip, she had no other shortcomings.

Seeing He Linzhang's expectant eyes, Tao Yanyan smiled shyly and said, "Your Majesty, there are so many concubines in the harem who don't have children. Why not choose one with good character and raise the third princess under her name? Of course, if she doesn't like it, I can also raise her. I have a candidate here. I just heard Eunuch Zhang also report her name. What do you think of Wang Zhaoyi? She is also surnamed Wang and is from the family of Lord Wang, the Minister of Rites."

He Linzhang thought of Wang Zhaoyi, but was not very satisfied.

"She is a chatterbox and always likes to talk about irrelevant things. I don't want the Third Princess to train her to be a chatterbox."

Tao Yanyan glared at him and said, "But I am really exhausted. If I get pregnant in two years, how will I take care of so many children? I will die of thirst or flood."

When He Linzhang heard that she wanted to get pregnant in two years, he was overjoyed and nodded in agreement with her proposal: "Go and pass on the decree. The third princess will be raised by Wang Zhaoyi of Jiqing Palace."

As long as the child was not given to Concubine Li, Eunuch Zhang had nothing to say, so he happily went to Fengyi Palace and Jiqing Palace to announce the decree, and made sure to tell Concubine Tao that the child was recommended by Concubine Wang Zhaoyi, so that she would remember the favor of the Concubine Tao.

One Wang Zhaoyi left the palace to practice Buddhism, and another Wang Zhaoyi raised her daughter. From then on, the past of Queen Wang would be completely submerged in the torrent of time.

Wang Zhaoyi, the daughter of the Minister of Rites, was also a grateful person. The next day, she brought the three princesses to Changle Palace to express her gratitude and gave them many gifts.

"You have a child with you now, so why do you have time to come here? If anything happens in the future, just send someone to call me and I will go over to look after the child." Tao Yanyan said with a smile.

Wang Zhaoyi was very grateful: "If it weren't for the recommendation of the Queen, I'm afraid I would never have a child in my life. Life in this palace is so lonely. Your Majesty doesn't come all year round, and I live a lonely life. Now that the third princess is born, I find that every day is full of energy. I have hope!"

Tao Yanyan was teasing the third princess. As long as there was someone to take care of the child and he was responsible for playing with her, she would be the happiest.

"The third princess is of noble birth. Although her biological mother is a deposed queen, she still has the support of the Earl's Mansion. You should treat her kindly in the future and never be harsh on her. If I find out that you treat her harshly, I won't show mercy to you for any reason." Tao Yanyan had to say the ugly words in advance to prevent Wang Zhaoyi from treating the third princess badly.

Wang Zhaoyi immediately expressed her loyalty: "Don't worry, Concubine Tao, I finally got a child, so of course I have to take good care of her. I also hope to be able to rely on this princess to retire from the palace in the future."

Anyway, she had no hope in winning the emperor's heart. Everyone knew that his emperor only favored Concubine Tao and would not go to other palaces at all.

Tao Yanyan nodded: "Then I will remember your words today. If you break your promise, I will take the child back."

Wang Zhaoyi immediately vowed not to break her promise, and the two of them skipped the topic and continued to tease the third princess.

From then on, Wang Zhaoyi would visit Changle Palace every now and then, carrying her child with her, looking very contented with her daughter.

Every time He Yue saw Wang Zhaoyi holding her sister, she would always go up to pinch her little hand and rub her little face, acting like a little elder sister. As time went by, Tao Yanyan finally gained a sister in the harem. However, this sister was really talkative, as if there was no news in the palace that she couldn't find out. Even Chang Tai felt inferior to her.

"Empress Tao, you have heard that the Li Cairen sisters have been released from house arrest. They now cling to Empress Defei's thighs and pay their respects to Yongxing Palace every day! People in the palace are saying that the throne of empress will probably be given to Defei. Her family, General Rong's Mansion, is indeed very powerful, and she has worked hard to give birth to the eldest prince. If she becomes the new empress, I'm afraid the eldest prince will be made crown prince." Wang Zhaoyi whispered while teasing the third princess.

Tao Yanyan didn't care at all who would be the queen. Whoever wanted to be the queen could do it anyway. Managing such a huge harem all day long would be physically and mentally tiring. She didn't want to get involved in this mess.

Wang Zhaoyi obviously wanted to hear her opinion, but Tao Yanyan smiled and changed the subject: "It's getting cold. I heard that His Majesty will go to the northern suburbs to worship the God of Winter on the Beginning of Winter Festival as in previous years. Last year, Concubine De went with the eldest prince, and this year they will probably go too."

Wang Zhaoyi shook her head and said, "In my opinion, maybe Your Majesty can take the Second Prince with her this year. With Your Majesty's current level of favor, His Majesty will probably think of Your Majesty wherever he goes. But it's hard to say for sure. Your Majesty will come over today, so Your Majesty can ask privately."

Tao Yanyan was thinking, it was so cold at night, and she didn't want to go in the cold wind to offer sacrifices to the God of Winter and pray for good weather in the coming year. In winter, the warm bed was more attractive to her.

As they were talking, Mingyue came in hurriedly, looking somewhat regretful: "Madam, the Wen family sent someone to deliver a message saying that Wen has passed away."

Wang Zhaoyi was stunned when she heard this. How could Wen Shi, who was less than 30 years old, leave so suddenly?

Tao Yanyan frowned and sighed, "Be careful when you go to pick up Xuan'er today, don't make the child cry. I'll talk to her when she comes back. Oh, send someone to find out when the funeral will be held. I'll take the princess to see it off."

Wang Zhaoyi immediately advised, "Mrs. Wen has been demoted to a commoner. It would be inappropriate for you and the eldest princess to attend the funeral."

Tao Yanyan also knew that the Great Zhou had a strict hierarchy, and it was against the rules for her to take a princess to attend the funeral of a demoted concubine. The censors would probably have complaints and might even impeach her, but Tao Yanyan didn't want to pay attention. This was the last thing the princess could do for her biological mother. If she didn't go, she would never feel at peace for the rest of her life.

The Wen family did not hold a grand ceremony, and only relatives came to send off the guests. However, when they saw Concubine Tao, who appeared in plain clothes with the eldest princess, the Wen family was still quite surprised.

Tao Yanyan told Lord Wen not to make it public, and she quietly took He Xuan to walk in the funeral procession. If you didn't look carefully, no one would know who they were.