Harem Daily Life

"Family matters?" He Linzhang raised an eyebrow. "Or is it the marriage of our two sons?"

He Linzhang had also heard that the two sons of the Gu family had never found a marriage due to their lack of ability.

Marquis Gu looked a little embarrassed, but he smiled and said, "My wife has been making a fuss all day long, and I am really tired of hearing about it. It just so happened that Your Majesty gave me a mission, so I thought I might as well set off early and serve Your Majesty loyally."

He Linzhang said, "Children and grandchildren will have their own blessings. The two young masters will eventually get married, so there's no need to rush. Well, since you want to leave sooner, then go ahead. But whether this thing succeeds or not, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Safety is still the most important thing. Qi Yizheng is also at the border of Yan State. You can contact him when you get there. He wrote to me last time saying that he found traces of the Canglong Sect there. When you get there, you can also give him some advice."

Marquis Gu agreed, "Yes, I will not be back for a year or two. Your Majesty will be in charge of the Empress's care."

He Linzhang nodded and asked Zhang Fuhai to go to his private vault to withdraw 30,000 taels of silver notes.

"Take these banknotes and send me messages to the capital from time to time to let me know that you are safe."

Marquis Gu did not hesitate. Of course he would accept the silver given by the emperor. Anyone who did not accept it would be a fool.

"Before you leave, have a meal with the Queen and meet some of the children."

Marquis Gu naturally would not refuse the emperor's invitation, so he set a date and invited Empress Tao to bring the princes and princesses out of the palace to reunite at the Ningyuan Marquis' Mansion.

Marquis Gu's resignation was unexpectedly granted by His Majesty. The court officials were puzzled by the situation, and some even wanted to pry into the matter to find out the truth. However, Marquis Ningyuan remained tight-lipped, saying that he had worked hard for half his life and wanted to live a leisurely life for a few years, so he resigned.

Somehow, the rumor spread like wildfire that Marquis Gu was feared by His Majesty, who was afraid that Empress Tao's relatives would monopolize power. In order to dispel His Majesty's doubts, Marquis Gu resigned.

When Gu Hou heard the rumors, he just smiled faintly: "Let them say whatever they want. I travel around with pay, and I don't know how many people envy me!"

The day of the farewell banquet soon arrived, and Queen Tao brought little Jin'an, He Xuan, He Yue, and the two twins, a boy and a girl, to the Ningyuan Marquis' Mansion as promised.

Gu Yi and Xinlan, Lord and Madam Tao, Tao Zhixing and Gu Ning also came. The whole family sat together in a harmonious atmosphere.

"Why did my uncle suddenly leave the court? I have never heard him mention it before." Tao Yanyan was deeply surprised.

"Hey, how can one be busy working for the court all his life? I want to visit more famous mountains and rivers while I can still move around, cultivate my sentiments, and spend a few years as a free and unrestrained wanderer. Besides, now that the court is stable and there is nothing going on in the capital, it's a good time to leave."

Madam Gu rolled her eyes at him and said, "Luckily, before the master left Beijing, he had already arranged marriages with the Fang and Han families. Otherwise, if he had left all these matters to me, it would have been difficult for his two sons to find wives."

Marquis Gu looked at his two sons and said, "Although your marriages have been decided, you must not slack off in your cultivation. The more you improve, the more your in-laws will value you, and the stronger your marriage will be."

Gu Cheng and Gu Xiao immediately responded: "Yes, son, I've made a note of it."

Marquis Gu looked at Gu Yi again and said, "Since your father is not in the capital, the Gu family depends entirely on you to take care of them. You are the prince of the Marquis's mansion, so bring Princess Xinlan over more often to visit and help Madam make decisions."

Although Mrs. Gu didn't like being constrained by others, she also knew her own shortcomings, which was that she was a little short-sighted. So when Marquis Gu asked Gu Yi to help her make a decision, she didn't refute a word.

Her relationship with her stepson was no longer as bad as it had been a dozen years ago. A dozen years ago, Gu Yi was just a young boy, and she could still control him a little bit. But now, Gu Yi's ability was enough to support his independence. Even without relying on the Ningyuan Marquis Mansion, Gu Yi could still make a name for himself.

Several children sat at a separate table, eating in silence the entire time, not participating in the adults' conversation. Only little Jin'an would occasionally glance at Hou, as if lost in thought.

After the meal, the Tao family took the children home first, while Tao Yanyan was accompanied by Mrs. Gu to the backyard for a walk to digest the food. Gu Yi left the military camp early because of something, leaving Jin'an to accompany Marquis Gu to the study to play chess and drink tea.

"Uncle, did you receive some special confidential mission, so you resigned from your official position?" Little Jinan stared at Ning Yuanhou curiously with his big eyes.

Ning Yuanhou was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "How can there be so many secret missions? The Second Prince has probably read too many storybooks."

Little Jin'an blinked, looking thoughtful: "But the emperor doesn't even show any regret, which is unacceptable."

Ning Yuanhou raised his eyebrows. He didn't expect that the second prince was so smart. He could infer so much from His Majesty's expression.

He smiled and said, "Your Majesty has sympathized with me for my hard work and allowed me to go and relax. This is truly a great favor. While I am away from the capital, the Second Prince will be the support of your mother and brothers and sisters. If you need anything, please feel free to ask your uncle for help."

Although the second prince is not Tao Yanyan's biological son, after so many years of living together, Ningyuan Hou also likes this child very much and has long regarded him as a relative.

Little Jin'an nodded, "Don't worry, uncle. I understand." Then, with a hint of regret, he added, "It's just that I'm too young and still have a lot of school to complete. Otherwise, it would be nice for me to travel with you. I've heard mother say a long time ago that reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. Mother also agrees that we should go out more often."

Ning Yuanhou patted little Jin'an's head and said, "Your mother probably never had the chance to go out for a walk in her lifetime. Her range of activities is limited to the capital, and at most the imperial estate outside the city. She can't set foot any further. But when you grow up, if you have the chance, you can go out for a walk. The more you see, the broader your horizons. You can experience more of life than if you stay in the palace."

Little Jin'an was full of longing and couldn't help but ask, "Can the imperial elder sister and the imperial younger sister go out together?" The three little ones grew up together and had a very good relationship. When he wanted to go out and play, he thought of his sisters.

Ning Yuanhou shook his head. "The world is more demanding of women. I'm afraid the two princesses can't leave the palace. Perhaps when they find a prince consort in the future and can establish a residence outside the palace, they will have more freedom and can decide whether to travel abroad or not."

Xiao Jinan frowned and said, "Well, since they have less freedom than me, I will never argue with them again. I won't argue for anything. I will just give in to them."

Ning Yuanhou pinched little Jin'an's face with amusement: "You can fight for what you like, and there is no need to compromise yourself for anyone." This child is too sensible and really makes people feel sorry for him. Ning Yuanhou couldn't help but love Jin'an a little more.

Ningyuan Hou left on the first day of May, first taking a boat south. As for where he was going, no one knew.

Fortunately, he had many attendants following him, so the Gu family and Tao Yanyan were not worried.

June arrived, and the weather suddenly became scorching hot. As a pregnant woman, Tao Yanyan found summer the hardest time. She couldn't eat chilled fruit or drink cold drinks. She could only watch as everyone else ate icy fruit drinks to cool down, while she herself was still drinking warm water.

"Once Your Majesty gets through this summer, you can eat as much as you want at this time next year. Caiyun has made cold noodles. I will bring them to Your Majesty. Every bite will help you cool down!" Qingfeng coaxed and went to the kitchen.

Tao Yanyan looked at the twins playing around with their fat legs exposed and wearing bellybands, then looked at her own long gown and skirt, raised her eyebrows and said, "If you can't eat cold food, it's okay for me to wear something cooler." Then she got up and went into the house, took off her long skirt and outer shirt, and only wore a thin sleeveless inner shirt.

She has modified the dress so that the hem reaches only a little above the knees, revealing her smooth and straight calves, which looks very cool.

It was no use for Mingyue to persuade her, so she could only let her do as she pleased.

When He Linzhang came over and saw such a picture of a beauty, his blood instantly boiled. He sent everyone away and held Tao Yanyan in his arms, unable to let her go.

"Oh, I'm very hot. Your Majesty, please stay away from me." Tao Yanyan pushed him, but the force was so small that it was like a tickle and had no deterrent effect at all.

He Linzhang kissed her collarbone and said vaguely, "I've been a veiled woman for almost half a year. It's not too much to charge a little interest, right? Besides, how can I control myself when Yan Yan is dressed like this?"