Harem Daily Life

It wasn't until the door was closed, blocking the view and sound, that Shu Yunyun came to her senses.

The young palace maid pulling her aside rolled her eyes at her. "Shu Siyi is so tactless today. She knew that Your Majesty wanted to be alone with the Empress, yet she stood inside and watched?"

Another young palace maid sarcastically said, "I'm afraid some people have thoughts that they shouldn't have, and they're a little wishful thinking."

Qingfeng and Xianglan were also waiting outside the hall. They looked at each other, said nothing, and waited quietly.

Eunuch Zhang coughed lightly and said, "Since there's nothing else to do, Shu Siyi, please go back first."

There was no need for Shu Yunyun to stay any longer. She was in a bad mood even though the atmosphere was very good at the beginning of the day.

"Would you two like to go to the side hall for some snacks? After all, the Queen won't come out so soon." Eunuch Zhang asked.

Qingfeng and Xianglan hurriedly thanked Eunuch Zhang. Qingfeng said, "Eunuch, go and do your work. The two of us will stay here and keep watch."

Eunuch Zhang followed them and went to the imperial study on his own, so that he would be able to appease any ministers who came to see the emperor first.

"It's been a long time since I felt the Queen's possessiveness of me so directly. It seems that Shu Siyi is not completely useless today." He Linzhang said happily while kissing Tao Yanyan.

Tao Yanyan glared at him: "Why, are you still thinking about Shu Siyi? Your Majesty is not concentrating."

He Linzhang choked and increased his movements, causing Tao Yanyan to groan.

"Alright, I won't say any more... Your Majesty, please be gentle."

It was impossible to be light, and it didn't stop until an hour later.

He Linzhang said with a smile: "Weren't you fighting and scrambling just now, even wanting to button my clothes? Now that there's no one around, you won't fight anymore?" As he spoke, he stood up and put on his clothes.

Tao Yanyan opened her closed eyes a crack and said weakly, "Your Majesty, you have made me tired. I don't want to move at all. Your Majesty, please take the trouble to dress yourself."

After He Linzhang put on his clothes and wanted to go to the imperial study, he asked Tao Yanyan why he came today.

Tao Yanyan glanced at her scattered clothes and pointed, "There's a list in the sleeve pocket. It's the list of promotions for everyone in the palace drawn up by Consort Xian. Your Majesty, please take a look. If you approve, I'll do it."

He Linzhang followed the direction of her finger, picked up the clothes, took out the list from inside and looked at it: "Okay, I agree."

Tao Yanyan continued, "The virtuous concubine did not write herself on the list. I thought that the virtuous concubine had made great contributions in assisting the harem and was promoted."

He Linzhang pinched her face and said, "So, the title of Imperial Concubine Jin? Or should we just give her the character Xian, Imperial Concubine Xian?"

"I think it's very good." Tao Yanyan leaned towards He Linzhang's hand like a lazy cat.

He Linzhang couldn't help but move closer to her, kissing the corner of her mouth, unwilling to let go: "The Queen is kind and has promoted everyone's rank, but it's a pity that the Queen's position can't be promoted any further. I recently obtained a piece of fine jade, let Sizhenfang make jewelry for the Queen."

Tao Yanyan smiled warmly and put her arms around his neck: "Then I will accept it. Thank you, Your Majesty."

If they continued to be so affectionate, they might not be able to finish reviewing the memorials in the Imperial Study today, so He Linzhang did not dare to stay any longer. He asked Tao Yanyan to stay in the bedroom to rest while he went to work.

Qingfeng and Xianglan waited for a long time before coming in to help the queen dress and wash.

"Your Majesty, after Shu Siyi left today, her face turned green with anger." Qingfeng whispered.

Tao Yanyan was dressing up, her hair was already messy and she had to comb it again.

"Your Majesty has been missed for a long time. Tell me, if I hadn't come today, would there be another queen in the palace?"

Qing Feng frowned: "I think not. His Majesty has not accepted a new wife for many years, and his mind is all on the Empress."

Xianglan also nodded: "I don't think so either. Your Majesty, you are a natural beauty. In His Majesty's eyes, there is no one else."

Tao Yanyan smiled and said, "But Shu Siyi is young, not even seventeen yet, in her prime, about to blossom. Men, their tastes are always quite stable. When they were young, they liked eighteen-year-olds. When they were middle-aged, they liked eighteen-year-olds. Even when they were old, they still liked eighteen-year-olds."

Qingfeng hurriedly said, "But the queen is still the most beautiful, the most beautiful in the world."

Tao Yanyan was amused by her. "Alright, I'm beautiful and I know it, so there's no need to speak so loudly. Speaking of which, I actually didn't want to get into trouble with Shu Siyi today, but she kept provoking me, and I couldn't stand it. I just hope she'll be more sober next time and stop being so scheming."

Xianglan shook her head. "It's doubtful. Once this person sets her mind on something, it will be difficult to let her go. But don't worry, Your Majesty. His Majesty still only loves you."

She was so certain that her Majesty and the Empress were a perfect match.

The promotion of all the palace maids came suddenly, and no one in the palace was unhappy. Everyone went to Changle Palace to thank the queen.

"I have been in the palace for ten years, and it was only under the rule of the Empress that my status has risen rapidly. I thank the Empress."

"With a promotion in rank and a monthly salary increase, I have more money in my hands, and my life is much more comfortable."

"That's right. I now listen to music and admire flowers every day, and live a carefree life."

"Following the Queen, we have no worries about food and clothing. The Queen is so kind to us."

Everyone was talking at once, all words of praise. There was laughter and chatter in Changle Palace, and it was very lively.

Tao Yanyan raised his hand, and everyone quieted down.

"This time it was Consort Xian who suggested it, so you should thank Consort Xian as well."

Concubine Xian quickly declined: "Everything is due to the wise leadership of the Empress. We, the concubines, thank you very much."

Everyone stood up: "Your servants thank the Queen and the Noble Consort Xian."

Tao Yanyan asked everyone to sit down and said, "The New Year is approaching. Since you have all been promoted, you should complete the necessary accessories according to the regulations. If there are any shortages, please contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Concubine Xian, please keep an eye on the Sizhenfang and Shangyi Bureau and make as many new jewelry and clothes as possible for each person.

Consort Xian stood up and said, "Yes, I will follow the regulations and implement them one by one. However, there are many styles, so everyone should take the time to choose. Those who choose first can arrange for production first."

Tao Yanyan added, "Don't be afraid to spend money. Money earned is meant to be spent. Use sufficient materials and make fine workmanship. I heard there's a lot of fabric being sent as tribute from Jiangnan this year. Go pick some and choose the patterns you like."

Everyone thanked them profusely and after leaving Changle Palace, Concubine Shu, Concubine Xu, Concubine Li and other concubines went directly to the Shangyi Bureau.

When Manager Zhao saw so many ladies coming, he hurried to greet them and asked someone to take out the album used by the concubines in the harem for the ladies to choose styles.

Shu Yunyun accompanied them, introducing the latest clothing album, pointing to one and saying, "This one was designed by the Queen. Ladies, please don't look at it."

Her words displeased Concubine Xu: "Even if the Empress has forbidden us from using it, what's the harm in taking a look? The Empress is so generous that she won't mind."

Shu Yunyun smiled and said, "This humble servant is only kindly reminding you. After all, the Empress is fussy about even such trivial matters as a palace maid fastening Your Majesty's buttons. I only mention this out of consideration for everyone else. I hope Concubine Xu will not misunderstand."

The three of them looked at each other and said in unison, "Button it?"

Shu Yunyun nodded.

Concubine Xu's eyes sparkled: "Where did you tie it? Tell me quickly."

Zhao, the head of the household, coughed lightly a few times, trying to stop Shu Siyi from gossiping, but her gesture had no effect at all. Shu Yunyun's embarrassed expression lasted less than three seconds before she began to exaggerate everything. She said the Empress was possessive and couldn't stand seeing others serve His Majesty. She was so affectionate with His Majesty in broad daylight in the Qinzheng Hall, wasting His Majesty's time for over an hour, and so on.

I thought the three ladies would be disgusted by the queen's behavior of seducing the king, but unexpectedly, after hearing this, they blushed and became excited.

"So, the Empress went to see His Majesty, first flirting with him until he fainted, and then she proposed to promote us? The Empress is so kind, she fought hard for us."

Shu Yunyun: "..."

"No wonder His Majesty is so generous. He promoted everyone. It's really the Empress's skill. She got everything done easily. This means she has to spend tens of thousands of taels of silver every year to support us. It's not easy! The Empress is so generous."

Shu Yunyun: "..."

"The close and harmonious relationship between the Emperor and Empress is a blessing for us all. I only pray that the Empress will always be favored and remain strong."

Shu Yunyun: "..."

The dissatisfaction and jealousy that had been pent up in her heart were about to consume Shu Yunyun. This time, instead of provoking her, her defenses were broken even more.