Harem Daily Life

Eunuch Qin looked at the Queen Mother and knelt down with a plop, wanting to die to apologize, but then he heard the Queen Mother say, "Okay, forget it, but remember to bring it with you next time you leave the palace."

Hmm? Eunuch Qin looked up and examined the Queen Mother carefully. Was this, was it true?

Just as his left and right brains were fighting each other, the Queen Mother said, "What are you still standing there for? Go down and rest. You've become so forgetful. You should eat more walnuts to nourish your brain."

Eunuch Qin's mouth twitched, and he had no choice but to hunch back and leave the hall. However, he was still worried, so he asked another eunuch to ask if the Empress Dowager had behaved in any unusual way in the past two days. The eunuch thought for a long time but couldn't say what was wrong. Furthermore, he asked three people, but the result was the same.

"It seems that Island Master Mu's disguise skills are really good." Eunuch Qin was relieved. He returned to his room, looked after his little turtles, and went to rest happily.

Only two days later, Concubine Xian took the list of promotions to Changle Palace for the Queen to review.

Tao Yanyan took the list, and Concubine Xian explained, "Concubine Liang has been promoted to Concubine De; Concubine Zhou has been promoted to Concubine Shu; Concubine Xu, Concubine Li, and the others have all been promoted to Concubine rank, and the others have also been promoted one rank above their original rank. The lowest rank now is the rank of Fifth Rank Beauty, and there are no lower ranks below that. Everyone will be able to attend the New Year's Palace Banquet, and no one will be absent."

Tao Yanyan nodded: "I agree, but why aren't you on the list, Concubine Xian?"

Tao Yanyan looked through it several times but didn't see the name of Concubine Xian, so he asked curiously.

The virtuous concubine's ears blushed: "I am favored by Your Majesty and am already the leader among all the concubines. I also have the princess by my side, so there is nothing to be promoted for." As one of the four concubines of noble virtue, the virtuous concubine felt that she was already doing well now and there was no need to fight for the position of noble concubine.

Tao Yanyan disagreed and shook her head, saying, "Since everyone in the palace is being promoted, how can I leave you out? How about this? I'll discuss this with His Majesty. Leave the list with me and I'll give you a reply later."

After seeing off the virtuous concubine, Tao Yanyan went directly to the Qinzheng Hall to consult with the emperor. When Eunuch Zhang saw the empress coming, he hurried to greet her: "Your Highness, it's cold today. Why don't you put on an extra cloak?"

Tao Yanyan smiled and said, "I've been walking all this way here and I'm getting hot. If I put on a cloak, I'm sure I'll be sweating all over. By the way, is His Majesty in the Imperial Study?"

Eunuch Zhang opened his mouth and thought for a moment before saying, "His Majesty is in the bedroom. The clothing bureau sent new clothes today, and His Majesty is trying them on. Your Majesty, why don't you wait for a moment."

Tao Yanyan raised her eyebrows and said, "Your Majesty, you can't let me watch you try on clothes?"

Eunuch Zhang quickly shook his head. "No, no, how dare I stop Your Majesty? Then... Your Majesty, please." Zhang Fuhai led the way to He Linzhang's bedroom. From inside, he heard a little girl's charming voice: "Your Majesty looks truly heroic in this attire..."

Tao Yanyan glanced at Eunuch Zhang, who quickly explained, "Shu Siyi is inside. She said this year's new dress has a new fastening method, and she was worried that the maids wouldn't know how to wear it, so she followed him in to help Your Majesty try it on."

Tao Yan understood, asked Qingfeng to knock on the door, and then walked in.

"Oh, this is not how you button it here. Let me do it." Shu Yunyun said coquettishly, pushing the palace maid aside and reaching out to help He Linzhang button his collar. At this moment, Tao Yanyan had already walked in front of her.

"Greetings to Her Majesty the Queen." The two palace maids immediately bowed, but Shu Yunyun stood there without moving.

Tao Yanyan smiled and said, "Your Majesty is trying on new clothes. I came to take a look." After that, she stepped forward and took He Linzhang's arm, looking left and right. "It's well made and the style is beautiful."

He Linzhang pinched her face and asked, "Why are you here at this time?"

Tao Yanyan patted his hand and said angrily, "Your Majesty, you're making advances while others are here." Then he glanced at Shu Yunyun, who was looking downcast, and said, "Shu Siyi, we meet again?"

Shu Yunyun bowed to the Queen and said, "I came here today to deliver new clothes to Your Majesty. I never expected to meet the Queen."

Tao Yanyan asked doubtfully, "Why? You don't want to meet me?"

Shu Yunyun glanced at the emperor and said, "It was just a little unexpected. Please don't misunderstand me, Your Majesty."

"Hahaha, you are just delivering new clothes. This is your official business. How could I misunderstand you? Shu Siyi, you think too much." After saying that, Tao Yanyan reached out and buttoned the collar himself.

"Empress!" Shu Yunyun shouted, "This button is new. Let me do it."

Tao Yanyan didn't move aside, but took a step closer to He Linzhang and continued buttoning. "It's just a small button, what's the problem? But if the button is inconvenient and gets in the way, it's better to stick with the previous style. After all, ease of putting on and taking off and comfort are the most important."

As soon as he finished speaking, he buttoned his clothes: "See, isn't it very simple?" As he spoke, he stroked the front of He Linzhang's clothes to smooth them out.

He Linzhang watched the little queen's jealous behavior the whole time, and his mood was very good. He gently held her hand and said, "Thank you, Queen, for fastening the buttons for me. However, I would like to ask the Queen to check if there is anything that needs to be modified so that they can make some changes."

Tao Yanyan examined it carefully: the collar, cuffs, length, and straightness. She felt the material, smelled it, and examined the pattern. She looked He Linzhang over and over again before saying, "I think this dress doesn't need any alterations. Let's leave it as it is. After all, Your Majesty would look good even in a sack."

The sudden praise made He Linzhang's ears red. He coughed lightly and said, "In that case, I'll wear this today."

"That won't do." Tao Yanyan said, "You have to take it off, wash it, and fumigate it before wearing it."

Shu Yunyun watched from the side as the emperor and the empress interacted with each other, as if forming a barrier that prevented others from getting a word in, let alone intervening.

"Let me do the undressing. After all, there's no need to trouble the Queen with this kind of service." Shu Yunyun stepped forward and wanted to take action.

Tao Yanyan raised an eyebrow and said calmly, "Shu Siyi, you may not know this, but His Majesty really enjoys me taking off his clothes for him. Your Majesty, don't you think so?"

How could He Linzhang resist the provocative Tao Yanyan? Just thinking of the countless nights before when the little queen had undressed him made him feel hot all over.

"All of you leave. I'll trouble the Queen." The emperor said. Everyone else immediately and respectfully left the hall. Shu Yunyun had no choice but to follow several palace maids. Just as she walked past the screen, she heard a cry from inside. She couldn't help but look back and saw a shadowy figure. His Majesty had already picked up the Queen and walked straight to the bed.

"Your Majesty...it's still daytime!"

"You have to take off your clothes anyway, so you can't take them off in vain." He Linzhang's voice faded, and Shu Yunyun was pulled hard by a little palace maid beside her and taken out of the hall.