Harem Daily Life

Tao Yanyan didn't understand what was going on, so she just let him lead her back to the bedroom obediently.

He Linzhang looked at her carefully again and felt relieved when he saw that she was intact and not scared by the two men.

"Fortunately, there are people with excellent martial arts in your palace, otherwise I would be hurt tonight." After he said that, he hugged Tao Yanyan in his arms and held him for a long time.

"However, why does that palace maid have such good kung fu?" He Linzhang thought of some possibilities, frowned, and leaned over to ask in Tao Yanyan's ear.

Tao Yanyan got out of his arms and saw his suspicion at a glance. Thinking of what Li Zongguan had said, she said, "Shuang'er has been practicing martial arts since she was young. Later, she entered the palace as a maid because her family was poor. Li Zongguan thought she was reliable and had martial arts skills, so he transferred her to Changle Palace."

Anyway, Shuang'er's identity had been arranged by her uncle and Steward Li when she first entered the palace. Even if His Majesty sent people to investigate, they would not be able to find out that she had any relationship with the Ningyuan Marquis' Mansion.

Although Tao Yanyan was a favorite concubine, the emperor was also wary of the harem being too deeply involved with the previous dynasty.

He Linzhang's brows relaxed, and he let go of his doubts. He did not continue the topic, and sighed, "I will never forgive Concubine De this time. Today's incident has become a big deal, and there will be another contest with the Loyal and Brave Marquis tomorrow."

Tao Yanyan sensed that he was a little depressed, and gently stroked his hand: "No matter what, he is a subject, and Your Majesty is the king. He can never surpass Your Majesty."

The next morning, the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery waited outside the palace gate, wanting to be the first to enter the palace to see the emperor. However, He Linzhang did not summon him individually, but attended the court as usual.

Marquis Zhongyong's heart was in turmoil. Last night he received news about everything that had happened in the palace. He knew that this time there was a real disaster. He wanted to enter the palace overnight, but he had no way of getting the token to enter the palace. He had to wait anxiously for dawn.

After the court session, the matter of Concubine De was not discussed for a long time. Marquis Zhongyong was on pins and needles. He didn't even know whether his daughter was dead or alive.

When the court was about to be dismissed, Lord Lu stepped out of the line, knelt down, and cried bitterly: "Your Majesty, my daughter Lu Lianyi died in vain. Please, Your Majesty, make a decision for me!"

The court officials had heard about what happened last night, but no one knew the details. Seeing Lord Lu kneeling and crying, everyone's eyes were focused on the Loyal and Brave Marquis. Those who had previously supported Concubine De's team now wished that time could go back and let them choose again.

He Linzhang glanced at Lord Lu and said, "After you and Marquis Zhongyong leave the court, go to the Imperial Study and discuss this matter with me."

When Marquis Zhongyong heard this, he knew that His Majesty was still considering the reputation of his mansion and wanted to mediate privately.

He breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that if he was more sincere and tried his best to compensate the Lu family, the matter should be resolved.

Lord Lu had no choice. He used to be able to curry favor with His Majesty by relying on Li Cairen, but since Li Cairen fell out of favor, His Majesty had shown him no mercy. He stood up and wiped his tears. After leaving the court, he and the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery followed Eunuch Zhang to the Imperial Study.

Lord Lu started to cry, his voice full of emotion: "Your Majesty, my daughter has been in the palace for three years and gave birth to four princesses. She was killed at such a young age. All this is because the Rong family violated the palace rules and sent people into the palace without permission with evil intentions. My only son has died, and my second daughter is also buried in the palace. I ask your majesty to severely punish the Rong family and Concubine De, and seek justice for me!"

After saying this, Lord Lu kowtowed three times. All of his children died, and anyone who saw this would be unable to help but sigh.

The Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery knew that he was in the wrong, so he knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I heard that Concubine Shu was targeting the eldest prince, so out of concern and worry, I sent guards to Concubine De. Concubine De only wanted to protect the prince. What those two did was their personal behavior, not Concubine De's instigation, and it has nothing to do with the Rong family!"

Hearing the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery's sophistry, Lord Lu said angrily: "Humph, my daughter died tragically, so many lives were taken, can you just brush it off with a word from the Marquis that it has nothing to do with it?" Lord Lu was furious.

He Linzhang raised his hand, signaling Lord Lu not to get excited. He said to the Loyal and Brave Marquis, "Defei is the assistant to the six palaces. She should be a role model for the six palaces, but she took the lead in violating the palace rules. I cannot offend her, and I have already imprisoned her in Yongxing Palace last night."

Marquis Zhongyong almost fainted. If his daughter had been imprisoned, how could she help the eldest prince ascend the throne in the future?

Before he could react, He Linzhang said, "Today, I will tell you in front of you two how I will deal with Concubine De."

Marquis Zhongyong and Lord Lu both focused their attention.

He Linzhang said: "It is heartbreaking that Lu Cairen has suffered such an unexpected disaster. Considering her contribution in giving birth to the fourth princess, I have decided to posthumously confer the title of Zhaoyi on her and bury her with Zhaoyi's ceremony."

"Considering that Concubine De has contributed to the country by giving birth to the eldest prince, and that she has not colluded with evil people to do anything immoral, I will not kill her. However, the death penalty can be spared, but the punishment for living cannot be escaped. From today on, she will be demoted to a talented person and moved to the cold palace. She cannot leave without pardon."

Lord Lu was quite satisfied with this decision, so he kept silent. However, Marquis Zhongyong secretly thought that something was wrong and begged for mercy, "Your Majesty, Concubine De had nothing to do with this matter. It was all caused by those two people who acted recklessly. Please, Your Majesty, have mercy and don't send her to the cold palace!"

He Linzhang said coldly, "What do you mean there is no involvement? If she hadn't violated the palace rules, how could she have let a wolf into the house? Marquis Zhongyong, if it weren't for your Rong family's loyalty and the fact that Concubine De gave birth to a prince, do you think the charge of defiling the harem could be easily removed? If I hadn't remembered our years of friendship, I'm afraid it wouldn't be too much to punish all nine clans!"

Under the pressure from the emperor, Marquis Zhongyong could no longer defend Concubine De. He felt extremely powerless, anxious and angry, secretly hating himself for being so rash in the first place and not making adequate preparations by sending two real eunuchs in.

But now that things have come to this, time cannot be reversed, and regret is of no use. All I can do is make further plans and find a way to rescue Concubine De in the future.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!" The Loyal and Brave Marquis swallowed down his bitterness, but his heart became stronger and he was more determined to get the supreme power. Only power is everything!

"Your Majesty, I have only one daughter. The late emperor chose her to enter the Eastern Palace, and she has been with Your Majesty for many years. I hope Your Majesty will take better care of her because of the Rong family's dedication to the Great Zhou Dynasty. I don't ask for her to be as well fed and clothed as usual, but I hope she won't go hungry or cold. I hope Your Majesty will fulfill my love for my daughter." The Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery made his final request.

He Linzhang was not a king who treated his concubines harshly, so he nodded immediately.

When Lord Lu left the palace, He Linzhang rewarded him with a thousand taels of silver as compensation, and also allowed him to meet Li Cairen.

Li Cairen's face was pale. She was frightened by the death of her concubine's sister and was still a little frightened.

The two met in a side hall and cried for a while. Lord Lu saw that there was no one around, so he said, "Your sister died in vain this time. Although His Majesty punished Concubine De, we have also formed a feud with the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery. It is said that you have to uproot the grass. Concubine De has entered the cold palace and is isolated and helpless. You keep an eye on her. If there is a chance..." Lord Lu made a gesture of wiping his neck, and Li Cairen understood what he meant.