Harem Daily Life

Since the resurrection herb cannot be carried and transported to the capital, the empress dowager can only go to the northern border in person with the imperial physician. Otherwise, even if the herb is found, it will be of no use.

Also, because the resurrection grass starts to grow in summer and withers after winter, it can only grow again in June or July of the following year. The empress dowager cannot wait that long, so He Linzhang thought about it and decided to send people to escort the empress dowager as soon as possible.

If you are quick, you can pick the resurrection grass and use it as medicine before it withers.

It was already winter, and the Lunar New Year was only a month away. The capital was freezing cold, and the journey north would be difficult. He Linzhang stood by the window, looking out at the gray weather, his heart filled with worry.

He knew very well that the empress dowager's carriage would certainly encounter many difficulties in driving in the upcoming snow. The roads were slippery and the weather was cold, which would undoubtedly be a severe test for the elderly empress dowager.

He had originally wanted to escort the empress dowager personally, but it was the end of the year and there were many important matters in the court that needed his decision-making and handling, so he really couldn't accompany her in person.

Tao Yanyan knew that He Linzhang was worried about the empress dowager, and she wanted to share his worries. However, the twins were too small, and He Xiaobao was just a baby who couldn't leave her as their mother. She had to hold back and didn't say anything.

At this time, Shu Cairen stepped forward and volunteered to take care of the empress dowager on her journey north.

"Your Majesty, I have nothing to do in this palace. It is most appropriate for me to accompany the Queen Mother to find medicine. I hope Your Majesty will give me this opportunity. Once the Queen Mother takes the medicine and is in good health, I will be relieved."

Looking at Shu Cairen's sincere face, He Linzhang thought about it and finally agreed. Shu Cairen was a member of the Shu family, and the people who least wanted the empress dowager to be in trouble were the Shu family, so letting Shu Cairen accompany her was indeed the most appropriate decision at the moment.

Tao Yanyan didn't dare waste time and asked Doctor Liu to accompany Doctor Xu to the Empress Dowager. Firstly, Doctor Liu had the "Thousand Gold Prescription" which recorded the method of using the Resurrection Grass. Secondly, Doctor Liu was someone Tao Yanyan trusted, and with him around, Tao Yanyan felt at ease.

On the twenty-fifth day of the winter month, the Empress Dowager and her entourage set out on their journey north. The Emperor and Empress accompanied her to the city gates, and only returned after the Empress Dowager's carriage had vanished from sight.

In the carriage, Tao Yanyan looked at He Linzhang's lonely expression, took his arm and said, "Your Majesty, don't worry. Your cousin will personally lead people to protect you. Nothing will happen." After careful selection, the empress dowager finally decided that Gu Yi would lead the escort team. This means that Gu Yi may not be in the capital during the New Year, and Xinlan will have to celebrate the holiday with her daughter alone.

Tao Yanyan felt guilty and planned to prepare something more expensive for the Marquis Zhenguo's Mansion as a New Year gift to express his apology.

He Linzhang was thinking of the Empress Dowager. He squeezed her hand and said, "The late emperor passed away so hastily, and my foundation was unstable when I succeeded to the throne. It was all thanks to the Empress Dowager's support. She is my strongest support. With her around, I can do whatever I want in the previous dynasty without any worries. I believe that the Empress Dowager can accompany me for many more years. She is obviously in good health..."

He Linzhang's voice was choked with sobs. Tao Yanyan gently hugged him and said, "Your Majesty and the Queen Mother have a close bond and a very good relationship. Your Majesty, don't worry. When the Queen Mother returns soon, she will definitely be in better health than before. Your Majesty can still serve the Queen Mother for many more years. Besides, the children are still young and are waiting for the Queen Mother to help them choose husbands and princesses in the future."

He Linzhang sighed softly, "Let's hope. The north is cold, so I just hope they arrive safely. Fortunately, the State of Yan was driven back, and Wuya City was also captured, so we don't have to worry about external enemies."

The place where the resurrection grass was found is not far from Wuya City. This is one of the reasons why He Linzhang sent Gu Yi there. Ning Yuanhou is in Wuya City, so if anything happens, they father and son will have someone to take care of them.

The first heavy snow in Beijing fell on the 21st day of the twelfth lunar month. It is said that auspicious snow means a good harvest, and this year's snow was heavier than in previous years. The children were delighted, but the adults were not so happy. The heavy snow and slippery roads made it difficult to go out.

Tao Yanyan watched the children making snowmen and having snowball fights in the yard while listening to the news Chang Tai brought back from outside.

"Dong Fang said that due to the drought in the north, grain production has decreased. He can't buy much, and grain reserves have decreased compared to previous years. He is afraid that after the new year, grain prices will rise and there will be some food shortages."

"Manager Li brought the account books. This year's various New Year gifts sold very well. The workshop was well prepared and made a lot of money during the New Year. However, Manager Li feels that the food reserves are a bit low this year and is very worried."

Chang Tai finished speaking and handed over a ledger: "This is the account for the last month, as well as the general ledger for the whole year. Please review it, Your Majesty. The money has been counted and put into the warehouse."

Tao Yanyan opened the account book and was very pleased to see the satisfactory figures.

"Food...we still have to find a way to increase income." Only by increasing income can we solve the problem of food.

Just after finishing the account book, Concubine Xian came in the snow to report about the New Year's Palace Banquet.

"Your Majesty, this is the seating arrangement for the New Year's Palace Banquet. Prince Changping has been unwell recently and has stated that he will not be attending the palace this year. The Marquis of Zhenguo is not in the capital, and Princess Xinlan will not be attending either. These two families are currently the only ones confirmed not to be coming, and I have already vacated the seats. Also, an envoy from the State of Yan will arrive in the capital in a few days, allegedly to pay tribute to Princess Qinghe. I am unsure whether I should arrange seating for them. Please advise, Your Majesty."

The State of Yan suffered a defeat this year and started to seek peace again. Tao Yanyan's eyes darkened and he took the list of the Yan delegation. Mu Chenfeng's name was not on it. Presumably, this time the Yan emperor under a pseudonym would not sneak into the delegation.

"There's no need to make arrangements for them for now. We're celebrating the festival on our own. Why would we want to involve foreigners like them? Their reception will be handled by the Ministry of Rites. I'll speak to His Majesty."

The Yan State provoked the war, causing the Great Zhou to lose a large amount of silver and resulting in heavy casualties. Although the Great Zhou won in the end and occupied the Yan State's Wuya City, the one who provoked first is the one who is inferior, and Tao Yanyan did not want to save face for them.

What's more, because of this battle, Jiang Yingying lost her ability to bear children and left Qi Yizheng, which was also the most annoying thing for her.

Even at this stage, he still dreamed of having a New Year's Eve dinner with the entire Zhou Dynasty? Simply forget it.

Tao Yanyan is just like this, holding grudges. Now she has plenty of money in her hands, and she is confident with money. She can show her displeasure to anyone she wants without any need to compromise.

After the virtuous concubine's problem was solved, she didn't stay long. She said goodbye to the children and went back to the palace. She still had things to do.

Tao Yanyan took Yunuo to the imperial study. Regarding the matter of the Yan people, he had to report to He Linzhang first and get his consent.