Harem Daily Life

As the Empress Dowager had expected, the concubines in the harem were indeed quite dissatisfied with the Emperor and Empress's decision to take the princesses and princes under the Empress' name to live in the temporary palace for a while. However, Eunuch Qin said that it was the Empress Dowager's intention to go to the temporary palace early to escape the summer heat, and the Emperor and Empress, out of filial piety, would accompany them to take care of them. After hearing this, the harem naturally dared not say anything, otherwise they would offend the Empress Dowager.

Especially Concubine Xian and Concubine Liang, who raised the two princesses, although they felt that they were qualified to take the children with them, they did not dare to speak out and could only endure it.

The only one who made trouble was Shu Cairen. When she learned about the empress dowager's arrangement, she was very dissatisfied and hurried to Changchun Palace to ask for a meeting.

"Hmph, does she think that by accompanying me on a year-long trip, she can get closer to me again? She is really dreaming." The Queen Mother was very unhappy and was too lazy to see Concubine Shu.

Eunuch Qin also felt that Shu Cairen had gone too far. The Queen Mother had taken such good care of her in the past, but she was not up to the task and often caused trouble, so much so that in the end even the little affection between them and the Queen Mother was gone.

"Then, I will find an excuse to persuade her to go back?" Eunuch Qin was at his wit's end and could only ask the Queen Mother for permission.

The Queen Mother rubbed her brows and said, "Let her in first. Humph, if her last name wasn't Shu, I wouldn't even bother to give her a glance!"

Eunuch Qin had no choice but to invite someone in.

When Shu Cairen saw the Empress Dowager, she said sorrowfully, "Empress Dowager, I heard you were going to the temporary palace to escape the summer heat. I, your concubine, would like to accompany you and show my filial piety. I hope Your Majesty will grant your permission."

The Queen Mother drummed her fingers on the table. "You should understand that even if you go with her, you won't be able to get a share of the Queen's profits. The Emperor's heart is completely with the Queen. No matter you or anyone else, it won't work."

Shu Cairen's eyes dodged for a moment. She didn't expect that even though she said she went to fulfill her filial piety, the empress dowager still thought she was going to compete for favor with the queen.

Even though her thoughts were seen through, she refused to admit it and continued, "Your Majesty, you have misunderstood. I naturally know that Your Majesty's heart has been seduced by the Queen. I am now completely focused and only want to be by Your Majesty's side. I hope Your Majesty will grant me this."

The Queen Mother almost rolled her eyes, thinking that it was ridiculous that you had such little skill and yet you dared to show off in front of me. She was almost unable to maintain her dignified appearance.

"Your Majesty, please let me go. The Shu family has no one left to support it by my generation. I am anxious and want to do my part for the Shu family."

Speaking of family honor, the Queen Mother's heart softened a little. Thinking about how she had lived her entire life for the Shu family's honor and disgrace, and how she had been exhausted by this deep palace for decades, she felt a little aggrieved.

Looking at Shu Cairen, who was also from the Shu family, the Queen Mother could only sigh and say, "Forget it. I'll give you another chance. But let me be frank. You must understand the current situation. The Queen is at the peak of her power. Her position is unshakable, and her authority cannot be challenged. You should be careful and don't cause trouble when you arrive at the palace. Otherwise, I will not let you off easily."

Shu Cairen was furious. The Queen Mother was warning her in advance, telling her not to confront the Empress. She had no choice but to swallow her anger and get under the Emperor's nose first.

In Changle Palace, Tao Yanyan heard from the person sent by Eunuch Qin that Shu Cairen would also go to the palace, which made him quite surprised.

However, the presence of Shu Cairen had no real impact except that he was an eyesore, so Tao Yanyan didn't bother to care about him anymore. He packed his luggage with everyone and prepared to set off in two days.

The children were extremely excited and immersed in the joy of being able to leave the palace.

On April 26th, the procession set off. A long procession emerged from the palace, marking the departure of the most distinguished members of the Great Zhou royal family. The procession was heavily guarded, and wherever they passed, the common people knelt to see them off.

Mu Yu and his men were strolling on the street when they saw a carriage coming out of the palace. After asking, he found out that it was the team of the Queen Mother taking the Emperor and Empress to the temporary palace. He thought about it for a while, then quickly went back to pack his luggage and prepare to go there together for a vacation.

The team walked for a day and arrived at the summer palace in the evening. Everything had been arranged here. The empress dowager went to the east courtyard, the emperor and empress took the children to the west courtyard, and Shu Cairen was arranged by Eunuch Qin in a small courtyard near the empress dowager.

"Hmph, your intention to keep me so far away from His Majesty and to be on guard against me is really obvious." Shu Cairen was very unhappy, but she could only wait helplessly and furiously, and had no way to resist at all.

"It's a good thing for talented people to be closer to the Queen Mother. It's just right for them to show off more in front of her." The palace maid Xiao Tang comforted her while packing her luggage.

"That's all we can do." Shu Cairen looked at the other two palace maids, Xiaoxin and Xiaolan, and instructed, "Tomorrow, the two of you go out and ask around. It would be best if you could bribe someone in the West Courtyard. I want to know the Emperor and Empress's daily whereabouts."

Shin-chan and Ran had no choice but to do as they were told.

Fortunately, Tao Yanyan brought enough people with her. She only left Mingyue in the palace, and brought all the other senior palace maids with her. Otherwise, she really would not be able to take care of so many children.

He Xiaobao felt a little insecure after changing his environment and insisted on living with his mother. Tao Yanyan had no choice but to bring him with her and sleep with him at night.

He Linzhang was speechless when he saw the chubby He Xiaobao who took up most of the space.

"He's so small, but he has a big place to sleep." The youngest son's sleeping posture was really heroic. His little hands were flat, his legs were stretched out, and his whole body was like a big character, lying in the middle, which separated him from Tao Yanyan by a distance.

Poor thing, he slept on the outside, leaving only a small space.

Tao Yanyan lay on his side and said with a smile, "Ordinary people sleep like this at home. If Your Majesty feels crowded, how about you stay in the study for a few nights?"

He Linzhang glanced at her and said helplessly, "What's the point of sleeping in the study? Unless the Queen sleeps with me."

Tao Yanyan glared at him, too lazy to say anything more, and closed his eyes to pretend to sleep.

He Linzhang looked at the little queen's red ears, chuckled twice, tiptoed over to He Xiaobao, and took Tao Yanyan's hand: "You sleep in the middle. I'm worried that if I turn over at night, I'll crush the child."

Tao Yanyan had no choice but to get up and change seats.

"Be careful, don't wake him up!" Tao Yanyan couldn't help but whispered as he watched He Linzhang moving He Xiaobao inside.

However, He Xiaobao had been riding in the carriage for a whole day and was too tired to be woken up. He slept like a pig and made no sound no matter how he moved. He was soon moved inside.

He Linzhang got his wish and lay down with Tao Yanyan in his arms. Their bodies were pressed tightly together, and Tao Yanyan was so hot that he didn't want to cover himself with a blanket.

"Your Majesty, please move outside. I am trying to squeeze in."

He Linzhang instead held her tighter: "If you go any further, I'll fall."

Tao Yanyan had no choice but to move towards the child, but He Linzhang held him back: "Don't go in, be careful not to bump into the child."

In the end, Tao Yanyan could only be held tightly and slept perfectly in He Linzhang's arms all night.