Harem Daily Life

Imperial Physician Wang arrived quickly and, after examining Empress Tao's pulse, said, "Your Majesty, you're probably exhausted. Just get some rest. Also, be sure to eat on time to replenish your energy."

Tao Yanyan sighed. These national affairs were too taxing on his brain. He had no time to eat when he was busy. The dizziness was probably caused by low blood sugar.

Prince Yong frowned and said, "Your Majesty is indeed a delicate woman. How about you attend court once every three days from now on? If there is an emergency, we can handle it specially."

Tao Yanyan thought his suggestion was good, but she still had to discuss it with His Majesty and could not reply to Prince Yong immediately.

After Prince Yong left the palace, Tao Yanyan rested for a while before getting up and returning to the emperor's bedroom.

He Linzhang looked a little weaker today than he had yesterday. His gray hair hadn't increased, but a few fine lines had appeared around his eyes. Tao Yanyan observed his changes, feigning indifference. Inside, he was genuinely anxious. Imperial Physician Liu hadn't received any news yet, and by the time he did, he didn't know how long it would take to find medicine.

"You look haggard. Are you tired these days?" He Linzhang asked with concern while picking up some food for Tao Yanyan.

Tao Yanyan glared at him and said, "It's all because of Your Majesty last night... I told you to stop, but Your Majesty never listened and had to make trouble so late..." After saying that, she quickly finished the food in the bowl, drank another bowl of soup, and put down her bowl and chopsticks.

"I haven't had enough sleep. I need to go wash up and rest quickly. I must have a good sleep tonight to make up for the lost sleep."

Watching the young queen swiftly enter the inner chamber, He Linzhang helplessly held his forehead. How could he be blamed for losing control? It was clearly her fiery passion that had drawn him in. All the charming scenes of last night flooded into He Linzhang's mind again, and he instantly felt his blood boiling, unable to sit still.

But He Linzhang was indeed very well-behaved tonight. He gently hugged Tao Yanyan and asked about state affairs.

After Tao Yanyan talked about several important matters, he asked whether he could attend court once every three days.

"Your Majesty, every time I discuss matters with the court, my ears hurt from all the noise, and I'm really tired. So Prince Yong suggests changing the court session to once every three days, and if there's an urgent matter, we can handle it specially. What do you think? Is it feasible?"

He Linzhang thought for a moment and stroked her hair: "It's my fault that I have implicated you and caused you to suffer. Then I'll change it to once every three days. Also, I think it's a waste to rest all day long. Why don't I share some of the memorials to reduce your burden." Since no court officials could see his face while he was reviewing the memorials, it didn't matter.

Tao Yanyan was a little worried about him. The imperial physician had repeatedly warned him not to overwork during this period, otherwise it would accelerate aging.

"Forget it, I can do it. Your Majesty, just focus on recuperating and wait for Doctor Liu and others to bring back the medicine." Tao Yanyan refused. The most important thing at the moment was his poison.

As for Prince Yong, after returning to his mansion, he had no intention of visiting Lin. He went straight to the study and copied an entire book of the Meditation Sutra.

Today he picked up Tao Yanyan, the beauty in his arms. The faint scent of jasmine from her body penetrated his nostrils, making him unforgettable for a long time.

He didn't expect that she looked so thin, but her body was not skinny at all, and she looked so delicate and soft.

The more Prince Yong thought about it, the drier his mouth became. He gulped down a large pot of tea, which only slightly relieved the inexplicable heat.

Princess Yong came to the study room with the food. After being informed, she came in and placed the food on the table. "Your Highness, you haven't had dinner yet. Please eat a little."

Prince Yong actually had no appetite at all, but he still stood up and walked to the table, picked up the bowl and ate slowly.

Princess Yong was setting the table, and when Prince Yong had almost finished eating, she spoke, "I've previously suggested to Mother that after Lady Lin's baby is born, she should be brought to my courtyard to be raised after a month. From then on, the little boy will be considered my legitimate son. I haven't mentioned this to Lady Lin yet, so could Your Highness please bring it up with you?"

Prince Yong paused and glanced at Princess Yong. "Nominally, the child is under your name, but the upbringing should be left to Lin. After all, it's her biological child, so she'll be better at raising him."

Princess Yong clenched her hands tightly in her sleeves, thought for a moment, and said, "I am the legitimate daughter of the Duan family. I have been learning music, chess, calligraphy, and painting since childhood. The young master will be raised by me, and he will definitely be an outstanding child in the future. Lin...she has some beauty but only knows a few words. Is Your Highness really confident in letting her raise the child? Your Highness, don't forget that Princess Qinghe...died at her hands."

Prince Yong's heart skipped a beat and he began to hesitate.

Lin's methods at the time were despicable and reckless, and they took human lives lightly. They were indeed cruel and ruthless.

As the mistress of the palace, the princess was much superior to Lin in terms of status, position and knowledge. Most importantly, the princess had no murder on her hands.

Seeing that Prince Yong had a strange look on his face, Princess Yong continued, "A child is just a blank piece of paper. He needs to be guided and raised well. Don't worry, Your Highness. I will treat this child as my own, and our Duan family will also treat him as one of our own." Princess Yong had already shown her sincerity, and had paved a smooth road for the child to have food and clothing without worries.

Prince Yong finally nodded and said, "Okay, thank you for your hard work, Princess."

Lin Yuanyuan never dreamed that just two days after she gave birth to her son, this son would no longer be hers.

She ignored the custom of not crying during confinement and sobbed, "Your Highness, please don't separate us. The child is so young, how can he leave his mother? Your Highness, please be kind and let the child stay with me. If your Highness likes the child, I promise to bring the child to pay my respects to you every day. What do you think?"

Prince Yong wiped her tears and advised, "The princess is the head of the family. If she raises the child, he will be the legitimate son. Isn't it good to be the legitimate son? He will be the heir to Prince Yong's mansion in the future."

Lin Yuanyuan hesitated for a moment, but then she thought about what she would do if she didn't have her child by her side and Prince Yong fell in love with someone else after a long time? Wouldn't she be unable to survive with such a low status as a concubine?

"Your Highness, he is a piece of flesh and blood that fell from my body. I cannot bear to let him go." Lin Yuanyuan felt insecure without a child.

But Prince Yong had made up his mind and would not allow Lin Yuanyuan to refuse.

"Your Majesty..."

"Alright, alright, don't be so short-sighted. Wait until the baby is one month old and let the princess take the baby." Prince Yong said, then stood up. "Don't cry. Crying is bad for your eyes. I made these decisions for the good of you and the child. We live in the same mansion anyway. If you miss the child, just visit the princess in her courtyard."