Harem Daily Life

Jin'an seems to be obsessed with his younger brother, whom he likes very much. But He Xuan and He Yue like their younger sister very much, so the three of them start to debate about the baby's gender.

The twins can't speak, but that doesn't mean they won't express their opinions. The two little kids looked at their second brother, then at their two sisters, and joined the discussion uninvited, babbling to express their support.

Tao Yanyan sighed imperceptibly, looking at the five children surrounding her, with a little embryo in her belly, and couldn't understand how she had suddenly become the king of children.

As her appetite gradually deteriorated, Tao Yanyan exempted the concubines from paying their respects every day to avoid misbehaving in front of others.

If Concubine Xian and Concubine Xu had palace affairs that required the Empress's decision, they would report to her separately.

The other concubines were quite considerate. Knowing that the Queen was pregnant and didn't want to be disturbed, they didn't bother her. If there was really something, they would find Concubine Xian to solve it first.

Time flew by and it was already the twelfth lunar month. The front court was busy with various year-end finishing matters, and He Linzhang had not entered the harem for several days. There was also a lot of things to do in the harem. Tao Yanyan finished reading the account book sent by Li Zongguan and reclined on the couch to rest.

"Your Majesty, this year we've collected over thirty thousand taels of silver more than last year. Over twenty large granaries are overflowing with grain, and the warehouses are overflowing with goods from the workshops. We'll even be able to collect even more during this year's festival. Everyone on the farm is working very hard, and according to the agreement, this year's dividends should be over two thousand taels of silver."

Tao Yanyan smiled and said, "Every year is prosperous, and this day is something to look forward to. Tell Yu Jinsheng to prepare enough New Year's goods for everyone. Don't be too picky. After all, they are all produced in the farm and don't cost much. Let everyone have a good New Year."

Chief Steward Li nodded and continued, "The monthly allowance and annual bonuses for the palace have been budgeted, and I have discussed this with Her Majesty. The annual gifts to be sent to the various princely palaces have also been prepared according to their rank. Her Majesty, rest assured, everything will be handled properly."

Tao Yanyan was naturally generous to such a useful subordinate. She smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work for me over the years. Mingyue, go and get the gift."

Steward Li laughed and said, "It is Your Majesty who has given me this opportunity. I have learned from you. Otherwise, how could I have completed my tasks every year, and even exceeded them? I rely entirely on your cultivation."

Mingyue quickly brought up a box and opened it in front of Li Zongguan. It was an exquisite vase. Li Zongguan took one look and said excitedly, "This is... the Plum Blossom and Moon Viewing Vase. It's an antique, priceless."

Tao Yanyan gestured to Mingyue to hand the vase to Li Zongguan: "I only think it's beautiful, but I don't know how to appreciate it. I'll give it to you. You know what's good, so take it back and make it a decoration."

Li Zongguan quickly kowtowed in thanks, "Your Majesty, such a generous reward. I thank you very much."

Steward Li talked for a while in Changle Palace, and then he went back with the vase given by the Queen, smiling. He held it in his hands all the way, and the smile on his face never faded.

His apprentice, Xiao Sanzi, saw the joy on his master's face and asked with a smile, "Master, is this vase very valuable?"

Steward Li glared at him and said, "Can this be measured in silver? This is the Empress's high regard for our family."

After saying this, he touched the bottle in his arms and said, "This Plum Blossom Drinking and Moon Gazing Bottle is said to have been personally crafted by a prime minister of the previous dynasty. Even the patterns on the bottle were painted by that person himself, symbolizing noble character. This is the Empress's praise for my loyalty."

After saying this, his brows turned more serious. "My decision to follow Her Majesty was indeed the right one. Her Majesty is truly discerning and has recognized my loyalty. It seems I need to work even harder. Now that Her Majesty is pregnant again, I must take good care of the imperial property and the harem affairs for Her Majesty."

Tao Yanyan of Changle Palace didn't know that Manager Li had already interpreted so much on his own. She gave a vase simply because there were too many vases in the warehouse, so she picked a beautiful one as a reward. She didn't think too much about it.

Looking at the items Mingyue had selected as New Year's gifts, Tao Yanyan said, "Gu Ning is about to give birth, so let's keep this pair of jade ruyi as a reward for her."

Just as he finished speaking, Chang Tai came in from outside and said hurriedly, "Your Majesty, Lord Tao sent someone to deliver a letter saying that the eldest young lady gave birth to a boy an hour ago. Both mother and child are doing well. Please don't worry about it, and don't go to visit. Let your Majesty take good care of the baby in the palace."

Tao Yanyan said happily: "Brother also has a son, which is great!" Although it doesn't matter whether it is a boy or a girl, Gu Ning has completed his mission of continuing the family line by having a boy, and the pressure on him will be much less.

"Hurry, pack up all the gifts and send them to the Tao residence immediately." Tao Yanyan ordered, "Also, send the Guyuan ointment specially prepared by Imperial Physician Liu to Gu Ning to nourish her body."

Women lose a lot of blood during childbirth and are prone to anemia after delivery. This Guyuan paste contains red dates, donkey-hide gelatin, walnuts, sesame seeds, etc., which is the most suitable warming tonic.

Mingyue and Changtai hurried to make arrangements. The queen's brother and sister-in-law were happy to have a son.

The Tao family was in high spirits, while the Wang family was in decline.

Lord Wang, who was dismissed from office, secretly tried to use his connections to ask people to speak well of him in front of the emperor and have him reinstated. Even if he was not reinstated, at least he would be given a small official position, otherwise the Wang family would really have no chance of recovery.

Unfortunately, when he was in power, people fawned over him, but when he lost power, no one would let him in. He asked for help in many places, but they all made excuses to see him. Even the doormen of two places that had a good relationship with him didn't even come out to say a word. He really experienced what it means to be pushed down by everyone when the wall falls.

Before sending out the New Year gifts, Lord Wang took the gifts back to the palace.

"Master, these gifts..." Madam Wang frowned and said, "You won't accept them at all?"

Originally, five gifts were prepared, but all five were brought back. Mrs. Wang felt very upset.

"What are you collecting? I haven't even seen him." Lord Wang lowered his head. "Go check how much money we have in our account, or... go do business."

Although officials look down on businessmen, there are dozens of people in the family who need to feed and spend money, and without any income, they cannot sustain themselves.

Mrs. Wang burst into tears and sat down, saying, "Where is the money in the account? We've been spending it everywhere lately, trying to find you a job. We've already spent all of it."

Lord Wang slammed the table and said, "Then sell your property and raise money to start a business. Otherwise, you won't be able to become an official, and will you just starve to death?"