Harem Daily Life

Seeing the lovers clear up their misunderstandings and finally get married, Tao Yanyan was happy for them.

Seeing the Empress smiling, a rare sight today, and General Qi finally about to win her heart, Eunuch Zhang said with relief, "That's great! Everything is back on track."

After hearing this, Tao Yanyan was stunned, wondering when he could go back to the past.

She concealed the desolation in her eyes and said, "If there is a letter from Penglai Island, you must give it to me as soon as possible." Seeing that so much time had passed and there was still no news, Tao Yanyan was getting anxious.

Eunuch Zhang naturally knew the importance of this matter and nodded in agreement.

Today was not the day for the court to resume after the holiday, and Tao Yanyan had nothing to do, so he was about to get up and go back to Changle Palace to take care of the children. A young eunuch came in and reported that the virtuous concubine wanted to see her for something.

She hurriedly asked for someone to come in. Seeing that Concubine Xian was covered in snow, she said, "What is it that requires you to come here today? It's snowing heavily outside."

Xianfei's maid took off her cloak, and after she sat down, Xianfei said, "I originally wanted to go to Changle Palace, but I heard that the Empress had come to the Qinzheng Palace, so I came here. It's not a big deal. The Empress Dowager has demoted Concubine Shu to a talented person again. The Empress was not in the palace a few days ago, so I came to report it today."

Tao Yanyan had only just returned to the palace today, and indeed hadn't had time to ask Mingyue what had happened in the palace during her absence. Upon hearing Concubine Xian's words, he wondered, "What did she do wrong to be demoted by the Empress Dowager?"

Xianfei naturally didn't know that it was because of the incident at the New Year's Palace Banquet that Shu Concubine had instigated the conflict between He Yue and the Fifth Princess. After the Queen Mother learned of Prince Yong's report, she told him not to make it public, saying she had her own ideas. She improvised a pretext, and on the second day of the Lunar New Year, she demoted Shu Concubine, who had just been promoted, back to Shu Cairen.

"I don't understand why either. The Queen Mother is tight-lipped, so I can't get any information. I came here today because I received another order from the Queen Mother, saying that Concubine Shu should be given a smaller palace. She can no longer live in Yongning Palace."

Tao Yanyan didn't care what Shu Cairen's position was, let alone where she would live, so he said, "There are so many empty palaces in the palace, you can arrange it."

The virtuous concubine said with some embarrassment, "I have arranged it and selected Liufang Pavilion, but Shu Cairen is not satisfied. She relies on the fact that she is the niece of the empress dowager and entered the palace two years earlier than I did. She really... refuses to accept my discipline."

Tao Yanyan frowned. "Then, Concubine Xian, do you mean to let me talk to her? Persuade her to move?"

Xian Fei's face was filled with guilt. "If Your Majesty is willing, then I thank you."

Tao Yanyan smiled and said, "That's not difficult. Shuang'er—" Tao Yanyan called Shuang'er in and said, "Take my token and bring a few strong palace servants to Yongning Palace to help Concubine Shu move. If anyone disobeys, they will be tied up or sent to the Ministry of Punishment."

Shuang'er took the token, and Consort Xian was shocked. She quickly stopped her, saying, "Your Majesty, you absolutely cannot do this! This Consort Shu is the Empress Dowager's niece!"

Tao Yanyan waved her hand. "The Queen Mother gave me this position, and the move was ordered by her. We are following her orders. Even if the Queen Mother wants to blame us, she can't. Don't worry, this is what I did. Just watch."

The virtuous concubine had no choice but to shut up anxiously and take her leave respectfully. Eunuch Zhang beside him broke out in a cold sweat, thinking that the Empress had been practicing for a long time and had become more and more ruthless and decisive in her actions.

Shu Cairen never expected that she would be kicked out of Yongning Palace, where she had lived for almost ten years.

She watched Shuang'er, the maidservant beside the Queen, directing people to move things, and she was filled with anger: "How dare you send me to Liufang Pavilion?"

Shuang'er said calmly, "In reply to Lady Shu, I was merely following orders. You are no longer a fifth-rank beauty, so it's inappropriate for you to continue living in Yongning Palace. Don't worry, all your belongings will be delivered to Liufang Pavilion unharmed. After Yongning Palace is emptied, it will be sealed. If you return to your position in the future, the palace gates will be opened to you again."

Shuang'er finished her words expressionlessly and waved her hand, "Take Shu Cairen away. If she resists, she will be immediately sent to the Ministry of Punishment."

At first, the people around Shu Cairen would stand up to defend her, but when they heard that she was going to be sent to the Ministry of Punishment, no one dared to step forward. They all quietly packed their luggage and moved on their own.

Shu Cairen was so angry that her hands were shaking. She had really suffered a great humiliation today!

"Okay, wait a minute, I'll go report to the Queen Mother..."

Cuiwei hurried forward to hold her back, whispering, "Talented Lady, please don't anger the Queen Mother again. Don't forget, it was the Queen Mother's order that asked you to move. Let's take a long-term view. Once you've won the Queen Mother's heart again, we can try to move back."

Shu Cairen was persuaded, but she was really unwilling to do so.

The Yongtai Palace, Yongning Palace, and Yongxing Palace in this palace were all residences for high-ranking concubines. Ever since she entered the palace, she had been granted the privilege of living in the Yongning Palace, a privilege that belonged to her. But now that the glory was gone, it was filled with irony.

Shuang'er returned two hours later to report. Tao Yanyan heard that Concubine Shu was furious. She smiled and said, "What's the point of getting angry? If you have the ability, then perform well and strive to regain your high position. By the way, have you reported this to Concubine Xian?"

Shuang'er nodded: "I have sent a palace maid. The virtuous concubine is very happy and has already reported to the empress dowager."

Tao Yanyan said no more. He just watched the twins fighting with Xiaobao for something and just stood there watching silently.

Mingyue stepped forward and said, "The virtuous concubine did not want to offend the Shu family, nor did she want to offend the empress dowager. In the end, the matter was accomplished, but the empress became the bad guy."

Tao Yanyan smiled and said, "People are always selfish. If not for themselves, who else can they serve? Her greatest use in this palace is to share my worries and assist me in managing the harem. If she occasionally asks for help, I will naturally help her. Helping her is helping myself."

"Woo wow..." He Xiaobao moved over with his little body and threw himself into Tao Yanyan's arms: "Sister, grab it, sister, grab it."

Yunuo came over with a pout, spread out his hands, and took out a small wooden car: "I just wanted to teach him how to play, so I brought it here to demonstrate to him, but I didn't expect him to start crying, humph, little crybaby."

Tao Yanyan took the car and handed it to Xiaobao: "Sister is helping, not trying to steal your things. Xiaobao, please stop crying, okay?"

He Xiaobao took the car back as his own, and immediately burst into laughter. He happily went to play with Yunuo again.

"Mingyue, with so many children around me, it should be lively, but why do I feel so empty inside?"

Mingyue opened her mouth, not knowing how to comfort her.

A few days ago, Yingyi came to see her and gave her a holiday gift. She also asked about the whereabouts of His Majesty, but Yingyi kept his mouth shut and refused to say anything no matter how she asked. She was so angry that she returned all the gifts to him, and the two ended up arguing.

The Queen is worried about His Majesty, and they, the servants, are completely helpless and have no idea what to do.