Harem Daily Life

After distributing the last batch of rewards, the harem's affairs for this year were finally concluded. Concubine Xian rolled her shoulders, put down the account book, and took a sip of the tea handed to her by the palace maid Yufen.

"How's the palace banquet going? Hope nothing goes wrong." Although preparations are made every year, she is still worried every year, and Concubine Xian has to ask about every detail.

"Reporting to Her Majesty, everything is ready and we will start the banquet tomorrow. However... because each palace has a new position, not everyone can wear the new clothes for the New Year. The Clothing Bureau is working hard to make them all before the Lantern Festival." Yufen replied.

Consort Xian nodded. "Just keep an eye on it. The other palaces should know that this happened suddenly and understand. Is there anything else?"

Yufen looked at Consort Xian's expression and said, "I heard something recently. I thought I'd wait and see what the situation is before reporting back to Her Majesty."

Consort Xian glanced at her and said, "What's going on? You're hiding something."

Yufen had no choice but to say, "I heard that Shu Siyi said nonsense in front of Concubine De, Concubine Shu, and Concubine Xu about the Queen seducing Your Majesty in broad daylight. Several people heard it..."

Concubine Xian frowned: "How will they react? Are they angry?"

Yufen shook her head. "No, Concubine Xu and the others were very happy and praised the Empress. Your Majesty, would you like me to go and talk to Shu Siyi? How dare she, a mere court lady, make up stories about the Empress?"

Consort Xian smiled and said, "Why wouldn't I be afraid? Don't you see her last name? However, I can't intervene in this matter. Fortunately, Consort Xu and the others haven't been instigated by anyone. Let's just forget it. Shu Siyi is so naive. She thinks she can muddy the waters of the harem with such a trick."

Yufen nodded: "I'm afraid of repeated provocations. If it weren't for the fact that she's a member of the Shu family, who would give her face?"

Consort Xian stood up and stretched her muscles. "But this incident has reminded me. Please tell Headmistress Zhao to keep a close eye on her and make sure this restless Shu Siyi doesn't cause any trouble. The harem has been peaceful and stable for so many years under the leadership of the Empress. I don't want this good time to be disrupted."

Ever since Empress Tao helped Consort Xian deal with the Prince Ding's affairs, Consort Xian has wholeheartedly supported Empress Tao, becoming a devoted supporter. In her interactions with the Empress, Consort Xian also understood a truth: within the harem, as long as one clings to the Empress's support, one can live a peaceful and comfortable life. Conversely, those who are foolish enough to oppose the Empress often face a disastrous end.

Yufen agreed immediately after hearing this, and went to the clothing department after leaving the hall.

The people in the Shangyi Bureau thought that the senior palace maid beside Concubine Xian came to talk about clothes, but they didn't expect that after Yufen arrived, she directly pulled Manager Zhao into the room to discuss the matter, and they talked for a long time before leaving.

Shu Yunyun naturally noticed this as well. After Yufen left, she casually inquired, "Manager Zhao, tomorrow is the Lunar New Year. Does Concubine Xian have any instructions? Is there any urgent work to do?"

Manager Zhao smiled coldly and said calmly, "The masters sometimes give us instructions. If I can let you know, I will tell you. But there are some things that are not convenient for you to know. For your own good, I will not tell you. Go and see if there is any finishing work left. Finish it today and you will have free time tomorrow."

Shu Yunyun looked a little embarrassed. She hadn't expected that Manager Zhao still wouldn't trust her. She cleared her throat and said, "I've already reviewed everything and explained everything I should have explained. Please rest assured, Manager Zhao."

Manager Zhao was satisfied with Shu Yunyun's ability to handle affairs. If she hadn't been intent on opposing the Queen, he would have been willing to make friends with her. However, now that he had seen through people's true nature, Manager Zhao only hoped that while he was still in office, his subordinate Shu Siyi would not commit suicide and bring trouble upon himself.

"Okay, I'm confident in your work. By the way, tomorrow is the New Year, and the masters won't have any errands, so you should take a good rest. If you want to leave the palace to reunite with your family, just go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to get a badge and register. It's not easy for ordinary palace maids to ask for leave, but it is possible for us female officials." Manager Zhao thought, since it's the New Year and other holidays, it's better to send the people out first, so as to avoid any trouble if they stay in the palace.

Shu Yunyun smiled and said, "Thank you, Master Zhao, for reminding me. However, I have only been in the palace for a short time. My father and mother told me to focus on my work and not to rush back. Besides, the Queen Mother will be alone in the palace during the holidays, so I have to accompany her."

Manager Zhao: “…”

You talk as if the Queen Mother cares about you a lot. You've been in the palace for so long, but you haven't seen anyone from the Queen Mother come to summon you once?

However, Manager Zhao looked at her showing off and did not expose her. As the saying goes, it is better to have one less friend than one more enemy. Manager Zhao just smiled and went about his own business.

After Shu Yunyun and the others left, she stamped her feet in anger. She was a concubine in the Shu family, and she had been reading people's faces since she was very young. She would always think twice before hearing what others said, so she was a little angry at Zhao Zhangshi at this moment.

Although Zhao hadn't said anything harsh just now, his eyes couldn't lie. When he mentioned accompanying the Queen Mother, a flash of disbelief flashed across his eyes, but Shu Yunyun still caught it. She was very upset. She hadn't expected that since her last visit to the Queen Mother, the Queen Mother had never summoned her again.

Shu Yunyun became very anxious when she thought about not being able to hold on to the empress dowager's golden thigh.

"Shu Siyi, nice." A little palace maid walked by holding a piece of clothing. Shu Yunyun thought it looked familiar and asked, "Is this clothing from Changchun Palace? Why did you send it there only now?"

The young palace maid replied, "Yes, it was sent to Changchun Palace for repair. The Empress Dowager said she liked it and it had a small tear that needed to be mended. The embroiderers re-embroidered the pattern to fix the damaged area, and I was just about to deliver it."

Shu Yunyun's eyes lit up instantly: "Give it to me, I'll deliver it myself."

The young maid hesitated for a moment, but then, thinking that Shu Siyi was a member of the Shu family, she gave the clothes to her. It saved her the trouble of making a trip, which was also a good thing.

Shu Yunyun first went back to her room to refresh her makeup and put on a pink jacket, then she went to Changchun Palace holding the empress dowager's clothes.

If it was delivered by a little palace maid, the eunuch guarding the gate would have sent her away. However, the person in front of him was a member of the Shu family, and he said that he wanted to deliver it to the empress dowager personally. The eunuch had no choice but to report it and ask the empress dowager's opinion.

Shu Yunyun waited outside Changchun Palace. Soon, the Emperor and Empress arrived. She hurriedly bowed and greeted them: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you, and to the Empress."

He Linzhang got off the imperial sedan chair, hummed softly, turned around and personally led Tao Yanyan down: "Be careful, the road is slippery, hold my hand and walk."