Harem Daily Life

Tao Yanyan spent a night with He Linzhang. When she came out to meet the concubines, her face was flushed but she looked listless.

"I'm sure you've all heard that Concubine Shu did something wrong and was demoted to a concubine by the Empress Dowager. She's currently confined to Yongning Palace. I still say the same thing: since you've entered the palace, you've shouldered the responsibility of protecting the family. Don't make any mistakes, otherwise, no one can save you."

All the concubines took a deep breath and understood the meaning of the queen's words. Even Shu Fei, who came from the Shu family, would be demoted, let alone them.

Concubine Ning, now the leader of the other concubines, took the lead and stated, "We will definitely remember the Empress's teachings and stand united with her."

The others all stood up and said, "We will remember the Queen's teachings and stand united with her."

Their voices were in unison and their attitudes were respectful. Tao Yanyan was very satisfied and raised his hand to let them sit down.

She looked around and slowly said, "Many of you entered the palace earlier than me, and some entered at the same time as me. We have been together for several years. I think it is time to promote you to a higher position and make your families happy."

Everyone was delighted, but some looked bitter because they had previously sided with Shu Fei and offended the Queen.

"However, the ultimate position you will be promoted to is up to His Majesty. You can go back and wait for good news. Once it is decided, I will convey the order."

Everyone stood up and bowed to thank the queen.

Originally, Tao Yanyan was going to go to Changchun Palace to visit the Empress Dowager today, but the Empress Dowager sent someone to say that the weather was getting hotter, so she didn't need to go to Changchun Palace to pay her respects every day. If the Empress Dowager had something to do, she would send someone to summon her. Tao Yanyan was naturally happy to agree, so she spent the whole afternoon playing with the two little ones.

The two children, dressed in thin shirts, were chubby. Yunuo had already learned to roll over, and would occasionally turn over onto his stomach, looking around at the world with his big eyes. Yucheng hadn't learned yet and could only lie down, kicking his legs, sucking his fingers, and playing with his fingers.

"Yucheng, why can't you roll over yet? Look, your sister is not only fatter than you, but also better at rolling over. Um... she has more hair than you too." Tao Yanyan frowned, noticing that Yucheng's hair was sparse. Even at over three months old, he still looked like a little monk. Yunuo's hair, on the other hand, was growing thicker and thicker, all spread out like a Monchhichi.

When Yu Cheng heard what his mother said, he stopped sucking his fingers and stared at Tao Yanyan with an incredible look.

"What? You don't believe it?" Tao Yanyan picked up his son and asked Mingyue to pick up Yunuo as well, and go to look in the bronze mirror together.

The two little ones were amused by the little man in the mirror and kept kicking their legs. But Yu Cheng's mouth drooped as he kicked, and he burst into tears.

Tao Yanyan: “…”

Very good, I successfully made my son cry. Today the little crybaby is online.

Realizing that he had no hair, Yu Cheng was sad for the whole afternoon. He was still feeling aggrieved until He Linzhang came over.

"Wow, wow, wow..." Yu Cheng rarely spoke so much to his father, and he kept complaining about his grievances like a little chatterbox.

"What's wrong with Cheng'er? He seems to be particularly clingy to me today." Usually he ignores me and would start making a fuss to go into someone else's arms after I hold him for a while.

Tao Yanyan glanced at his son and touched his round head. "Maybe he feels that his hair is too thin and is asking Your Majesty how to grow it longer."

He Linzhang: “…”

He glanced at Yunuo, who was busy practicing somersaults. His thick hair was adorable on top of his head. Then he looked at the little bald man in his arms, who looked aggrieved...

"Don't worry, Cheng'er. Just because a baby has less hair doesn't mean it will have less when it grows up. Besides, with the imperial physician here, any problem can be solved."

Yu Cheng seemed to understand and finally went back to playing with his little hand.

"Your Majesty, since I have to take care of several children, I have divided up some of the palace affairs and asked Concubine Ning and Lady Xu to help out. They both do a great job. I thought that since the concubine position is vacant, I might as well promote them all. Firstly, it will give everyone something to look forward to. Secondly, they all entered the palace earlier than me, and now I am monopolizing Your Majesty's position. I feel a little guilty about this, so this can be considered as compensation."

He Linzhang smiled and said, "Okay, then everyone will be promoted one level higher. If there is anything you feel is inappropriate, you can make your own decision. There is no need to ask me for everything."

The emperor delegated power and fully respected and trusted her as the queen. Tao Yanyan felt as sweet as if she had eaten honey. She didn't care that Mingyue and the others were present, so she took He Linzhang's arm and leaned her head lightly on his shoulder.

He Linzhang enjoyed the little queen's coquettishness very much. He couldn't help but curl up the corners of his mouth and felt sweet in his heart.

When Eunuch Zhang came in, he was reluctant to interrupt the beautiful scene before his eyes, but the military situation was urgent, so he had no choice but to clear his throat and step forward to report: "Your Majesty, the battle report from the front has arrived. The Minister of War is already waiting in the Imperial Study."

He Linzhang frowned. He had already finished his shift, but the Minister of War had come to the palace overnight. This must mean that the military situation was urgent. Reluctantly, he placed Yu Cheng in Tao Yanyan's arms and said, "Go to bed tonight. There's no need to wait for me."

Tao Yanyan didn't dare to delay him and quickly sent the man out.

Chang Tai closed the palace gates and then returned to the hall to report, "Your Majesty, in Yongning Palace, Fuxin and Ziling were seriously injured. Concubine Shu sought treatment from the imperial physician, but it was too late. Both are dead. Concubine Shu was not in a good mood. The imperial physician said that she might have been stimulated and was talking nonsense. She was given some medicine and fell asleep."

Although the Queen Mother had now announced that Concubine Shu was to fend for herself and was no longer interested in the affairs of Yongning Palace, Concubine Shu was still a daughter of the Shu family. Tao Yanyan did not dare to take her lightly. After some thought, she instructed Chang Tai, "Have the imperial physician use the best medicine, and also keep an eye on her nonsense. If anything is inappropriate, stop it immediately."

Chang Tai nodded and said, "Yes, I have already established a rule with everyone in Yongning Palace. Nothing Shu Cairen says is allowed to be spread outside. Your Majesty, rest assured."

Tao Yanyan nodded, and Chang Tai continued, "Madam Qi has sent this month's accounts and dividends. I have already given them to Mingyue. Madam Qi also sent a message saying that Miss Jiang accompanied General Qi on a trip abroad and brought a letter to Your Majesty. Miss Jiang said she must pass the letter on to Your Majesty, but letters are not easy to deliver to the palace. I would like to ask Your Majesty how to pass it on."

"A letter from Jiang Yingying to me?" Tao Yanyan was a little surprised, and when he heard that it must be passed on to her, he became more suspicious.

"How about this, there's nothing going on in the palace lately, and I want to go inspect the imperial property. When the time comes, I can send Shuang'er to get the letter."

The next day, after the concubines paid their respects, Tao Yanyan instructed Mingyue and the others to look after the children, and then left the palace with Qingfeng and Shuang'er. Shuang'er first went to Xiangman Garden to get a letter, and then rushed to the city gate to meet up with the queen's troops.

Tao Yanyan only waited for an incense stick of time before Shuang'er came riding on a horse.

Taking the letter, which had the wax seal intact, Tao Yanyan tore it open. The more he read, the deeper his frown deepened.