Harem Daily Life

Xinlan entered the palace the next day. Not only did she bring Tao Yanyan specialties from West City, she also came specifically for the matter of Concubine Xian.

"You just returned to Beijing. Why don't you rest for a few more days before entering the palace? And you brought me so many things." Tao Yanyan said politely with a smile.

Xinlan held Yunuo in her arms and pinched the child's small, fleshy legs. "They're nothing valuable, just specialties from West City. Your Majesty, please try some as a snack. But there's something I wanted to discuss with you."

When Tao Yanyan heard this, she remembered Gu Yi's look yesterday and felt a little uneasy. She asked, "What's the matter? Why did you come all the way here?"

Xinlan then recounted the story of Concubine Xian's actions yesterday: "Don't blame me for being suspicious, Your Majesty. Concubine Xian is now assisting Your Majesty in managing the affairs of the six palaces. Her family is also from the Shangshu Mansion, and their status is not low. If she has any evil intentions, Your Majesty will be unable to guard against them."

Tao Yanyan smiled and thanked her: "You are thoughtful, I will pay attention to it. But Concubine Xian has always been very clear-headed and self-aware. She would not dream of something that does not belong to her."

Tao Yanyan felt relieved when he saw that Xinlan was not talking about Gu Yi.

"By the way, I heard that you two are going to live in your own house?" This was mentioned by Madam Gu when she entered the palace last time. Madam Gu felt that it was a bit embarrassing for the bride not to live with her parents-in-law, so she came to talk to Tao Yanyan about it, hoping that Tao Yanyan would give her some advice or two.

Xin Lan blushed slightly and said, "Actually, I don't care. It doesn't matter where we live. It's Gu Yi... he said that before marriage, he didn't like living in the Marquis' Mansion and had his own separate courtyard. So before he came back this time, he sent someone to redecorate the courtyard, saying that he wanted to live alone. Is it true that the Madam... is not happy about it?"

Because Gu Yi always refused to change his way of addressing Marquis Gu's second wife as mother, Xinlan also did not call Madam Gu mother, and always addressed her as "Madam".

Tao Yanyan smiled and said, "I've advised Madam Gu that this kind of face loss can't be used to make a living. The most important thing is to live comfortably. She can understand. Fortunately, our two families are not far away, so it's convenient for us to visit each other if there is anything on weekdays. You can rest assured. It's good that Cousin Gu took the initiative to save you trouble."

Who wouldn't be happy if she didn't have to take care of her parents-in-law and could live her own life? Tao Yanyan felt that Xinlan would definitely live a good life.

After she finished speaking, she thought of something and said a little embarrassedly: "By the way, about the thing you asked me before you left, have you improved since then?"

Xinlan was stunned at first, then her face flushed. She looked at the other palace maids around her and nodded with a blushing face: "Not bad. Once or twice a month, it's... okay."

Tao Yanyan frowned, dismissed everyone, and asked quietly: "Only once or twice a month? He is very busy and has no time to accompany you. Why don't you live together at night?"

Xinlan was mortified by Tao Yanyan's questioning. She bit her lip and said, "At the beginning, the war was intense, so I didn't see me very often. Later, after the peace talks, there was nothing to do, so I returned home every day. But the frequency hasn't increased this time either."

After saying that, he glanced at Tao Yanyan embarrassedly: "Anyway, it doesn't matter if it's there or not, it's all fine."

Xinlan didn't know if other newlyweds were like this, but at least they were not completely separated from each other, so she had no other requests.

"It's not like His Majesty and His Majesty. I heard that His Majesty doesn't go to other palaces now and only favors His Majesty."

Tao Yanyan coughed lightly and said, "Well, the love between husband and wife is also a learning process. I have a few good books here. You can take them back and have a look. They specifically teach people how to act like a spoiled child in front of their husbands. If you learn a few tricks and tease them, it will really work."

Xinlan's face was as red as a monkey's butt, burning hot. Tao Yanyan looked at her like this and patted her, pretending to be calm and said, "I have more experience than you in this area, and you will be right if you listen to me. Just wait, I'll go get it."

Some of these books were given to her by the Minister of Revenue, and some were sent by the Empress Dowager. She no longer needed them, so she simply gave them all to Xinlan. Because it was inconvenient to let Qingfeng and the others know, Tao Yanyan collected them all herself.

She took out a cloth bag and put the book in it carefully before taking it out.

She blinked at Xinlan and said, "Go back and take a closer look. If you don't understand, ask me."

Xinlan blushed as she accepted it. Thinking of the hundred acres of land His Majesty had gifted her, she hesitated, "There's one more thing I'd like to ask Your Majesty for help with. I received the reward for my military exploits, but I don't know how to manage the land to maximize its value. I've been without a mother since I was a child, and no one taught me these household management skills, so I'm asking Your Majesty for your help."

Tao Yanyan smiled and said, "How about this? I'll have Li, the head steward of the Imperial Household Department, take you to the Imperial Farm tomorrow. You can take a look around and learn from them. There's a capable person named Tao Xiang over there. Let her accompany you to see the land you were rewarded with."

Xinlan felt relieved and quickly thanked her, "Thank you, Madam. You have helped me a lot."

Tao Yanyan waved his hand: "Don't be polite with me, we are close. I am happy for you that you are living a good life."

Tao Yanyan finally breathed a sigh of relief after sending Xinlan out. She was really afraid that Xinlan would discover Gu Yi's feelings and cause the two sisters to become enemies. Fortunately, Xinlan didn't mention it. I guess she didn't discover anything.

Xinlan got into the carriage and breathed a sigh of relief. Originally, she had some questions she wanted to ask today, but when she saw Queen Tao's twins, a boy and a girl, and her happy life, she suddenly couldn't ask any questions.

Last night, after Gu Yi returned home, he was in a very low mood. He danced with a sword in the courtyard under the influence of alcohol until he was exhausted. In his sleep, he called out "Yan Yan", which almost scared Xin Lan to death.

Thinking of Gu Yi's unclear look when he looked at Queen Tao, Xinlan's heart sank to the bottom.

She shed silent tears, feeling bitter in her heart, thinking that she would find a chance to ask the Queen when she entered the palace today. However, she hesitated again and again and never asked.

Later, the queen always thought about her and tried to teach and help her, which made it even more difficult for her to speak.

Queen Tao is such a bright and sunny person. Anyone who gets close to her will be infected by her warm temperament. It is too easy to fall in love with her.

So Xinlan didn't ask in the end.

No matter what kind of feelings Gu Yi has for Queen Tao, Queen Tao will not give any feedback, because Queen Tao's heart and eyes are full of her royal brother.

After thinking everything through, Xinlan decided to start by improving herself and becoming a more shining person. She believed that one day, she could do it.