Harem Daily Life

Tao Yanyan handed Qi Yizheng's memorial to the Minister of Justice: "This commoner from Yuecheng, a couple, was tragically murdered. What about the Prince of Liang and his wife? While enjoying the wealth they plundered, have they ever considered the plight of those they exploited?"

"This family is just the most insignificant among the many victims. Countless other families in Yuecheng were exploited by the Yixingtang. Merchant ships were heavily exploited, making it nearly impossible to make any profit from each trip. With no profit, they had to raise prices, leading to skyrocketing prices. Ordinary people have even more to complain to the government, but Zhao Songde and the Yixingtang are colluding, leaving the people with nowhere to turn. How disappointed must the people be with the court?"

After Tao Yanyan finished speaking, he said sternly, "Your Excellency just asked whether the Princess of Liang should be held equally guilty. Haha, she was supported by the people, yet she still felt it was not enough. She comfortably enjoyed the money exploited by the Prince of Liang and even used it to support her brother from her mother's family. Her brother has done a lot of bad things. This family is completely rotten. If we forgive them, who will forgive the people who have suffered because of them?"

The Minister of Justice swallowed his saliva. He had indeed wanted to let Princess Liang go before. He thought that she was just a woman, so he could just confiscate her property and demote her to a commoner and spare her life. But after hearing what Queen Tao said, he just wanted to sentence Princess Liang to death as soon as possible.

Tao Yanyan said, "The Princess of Liang is guilty of the same crime as the Prince of Liang. Her brother will be investigated separately. If human life is involved, he will be severely punished as well! As for Zhao Songde, we will investigate him thoroughly and show no mercy."

After hearing this, the Minister of Justice knew what to do and respectfully took his leave.

After everyone left, Qingfeng served the queen some tea. "Have a cup of tea, Your Majesty, to calm your fever. You looked... a little scary just now."

Tao Yanyan was known for his good temper, but when he talked about the Liang Wang couple just now, his expression was really frighteningly cold.

Tao Yanyan was already in a bad mood, and when he heard that the Minister of Justice wanted to show leniency to Princess Liang, it would be strange if he wasn't angry.

Just after finishing a cup of tea, Eunuch Zhang came in to report that Princess Jing wanted to see her.

She had nothing to do, so she invited someone in.

Princess Jing's eyes were red, and she immediately knelt down after seeing Tao Yanyan: "Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

Tao Yanyan frowned, confused: "What crime have you committed? Get up first, and let's talk it over." She winked at Qingfeng, and Qingfeng hurried forward to help Princess Jing up.

Princess Jing wiped her tears and said, "Your Highness, my prince is confused and took in Prince Liang's children without informing me. He raised them on a farm outside. I hope Your Highness will show mercy and not vent your anger on him."

King Liang’s children?

Tao Yanyan asked, "Prince Jing has taken in all three sons and two daughters?"

Princess Jing nodded, looking somewhat cautious. "My prince didn't have that many concerns. He was just thinking about how my cousin's house had been confiscated, leaving his children with nowhere to go. That's why he was kind enough to send them to the manor."

She glanced at Empress Tao's expression and said, "I've already scolded him. He's so stupid. Your Majesty promoted him to be a regent, but he took in Prince Liang's children. He's truly foolish."

Tao Yanyan thought it was some other matter that caused Princess Jing to come to the palace crying and beg for mercy, but it turned out to be just this matter.

She smiled and said, "Prince Liang's case must be thoroughly investigated, and the punishments should be whatever they deserve. However, his children have committed no crime and are not implicated. They are innocent to begin with, and Prince Jing is willing to take them in. How could I blame them?"

Princess Jing was delighted: "So, my prince has not offended the queen?"

Tao Yanyan was a little amused. "Let's talk about the facts. I'm not unreasonable. He just helped his cousin's child. How did he offend me? But you, as his wife, are you okay with him using your shared property to raise someone else's child?"

Princess Jing said, "It wouldn't cost much to keep a few more people anyway, and I can keep them on the farm without seeing them. There's nothing I can't agree to."

She smiled at Tao Yanyan and said, "I'm just worried that the Queen will be angry with him. If she removes his position as Regent, our Prince Jing's Mansion will be unable to hold our heads up in front of the other princes again."

Tao Yanyan raised his eyebrows and said, "We are both princes, so there are still differences in rank?"

Princess Jing complained bitterly, "That's right. There are many powerful people in the capital, but the truly influential ones are those with real power. Among the princes, Prince Yong holds the highest status. Not only is his mother, Concubine Hui, of high rank, but he himself holds great power and is capable, and his relationship with His Majesty is closer than others. Next in line is Prince Yu. Prince Yu's father-in-law is General Duan, who has made numerous military achievements, and even Prince Yu's palace is superior to others."

Tao Yanyan became interested after hearing what she said and motioned for her to continue.

Princess Jing continued, "Next, we divide them based on how close they are to the palace. The Jing Palace and our Jing Palace were originally on par with each other, but ever since Her Majesty promoted my prince to be the Regent, our Jing Palace has finally gained the upper hand."

Princess Jing couldn't hide the smile on her face when she said this, but then she sighed again: "However, the Changping Palace is higher than our Jing Palace. It's all because Princess Xinlan married General Gu, who is your cousin. The Ningyuan Marquis's Mansion is also powerful, so the status of the Changping Palace is also high."

Princess Jing smiled and said, "After all, all high-ranking royal palaces are more or less connected to the Empress. As long as you're close to the Empress, it's hard not to have a high position. It's rumored in the capital that the Shu family once enjoyed great prosperity thanks to the Empress Dowager, with everyone fawning over them. But nothing can compare to the Empress' current heyday."

Tao Yanyan's mouth twitched: "This rumor is taking me too seriously." She was still at the peak of her career, but now she is worried and anxious every day. Outsiders think that Yaofengdefeng is powerful and majestic, but who knows that she can't even hope for a single herb?

Outside the capital, a group of people coming from Penglai Island were queuing to enter the city.

Mu Yu sat in the carriage, feeling very happy thinking that he would see his daughter soon.

He looked at the well-preserved box on the carriage again. Inside was the life-saving herb of the Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty - the Netherworld Grass. Wang Xingchuan had taken great pains to get it from mid-air on the cliff.

Wang Xingchuan had originally planned to personally deliver the herbs to the capital, but Mu Yu was unwilling to manage the tedious affairs of Penglai Island for him, so he quietly took his men away from the island. When Wang Xingchuan discovered that both the men and the herbs were gone, he could only beat his chest and stamp his feet.

After the carriage was inspected, the group entered the capital. More than twenty years later, Mu Yu's heart was filled with mixed feelings as he once again set foot in the capital of the Great Zhou.

"Island Master, are we going directly to the palace?" asked the attendant.

Mu Yu waved his hand: "If we go directly to the palace gate, we may not be able to get in. Let's go to Ningyuan Marquis Mansion first."

He had kidnapped the sister of Ningyuan Hou back then, and now that they meet again, he would probably be scolded.