Harem Daily Life

On the day of the palace banquet, Tao Yanyan got up early and found out that He Linzhang had stayed in the study alone last night and had not returned to his room at all.

She really couldn't figure out the reason, so she didn't bother to think about it. After getting up, she washed and dressed, then took her children to the Queen Mother.

The Empress Dowager looked rather haggard when she woke up today. Tao Yanyan thought it was because her cough had not yet healed and she was a little weak, so he didn't think much about it.

Eunuch Qin was replaced by Mu Yu early in the morning. The Queen Mother and Mu Yu kept their mouths shut and did not tell Eunuch Qin the truth. Eunuch Qin always thought that no one had discovered the substitution, so he happily stayed by the Queen Mother's side and served her diligently.

The ladies of each family came into the palace one after another to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager and the Queen. For a while, Changchun Palace was very lively.

The children gathered together to play, and with the palace servants accompanying them, Tao Yanyan felt at ease. However, the three little ones were too young and a bit naughty. They would always fight with the children brought into the palace, and soon they would fight. Scared, each family hurriedly took their children away to avoid any injury to the prince, which would make them feel guilty.

Concubine Hui came here today, accompanied by He Qing, the daughter born to Princess Qinghe of Yan State. She is now about eight or nine years old. She has an exotic look, with particularly large eyes and three-dimensional eyebrows. She is obviously a beauty at first glance.

Princess Yong did not enter the palace for the banquet today because the young prince had caught a cold. While the princesses were talking, He Qing looked out the door from time to time, her eyes full of longing.

He Yue couldn't sit still either. Asking her to stay beside the adults was like sitting on a pincushion, and she kept moving around. The Queen Mother glared at her several times, so Tao Yanyan had no choice but to let her go out and play for a while, and invited Princess Qinghe's daughter to go out and play with her.

He Yue happily invited people, but He Qing was very shy and hid behind her grandmother, not daring to look up.

"Look at you, you're like this even in the mansion, not at all generous. Come on, this is your sister He Yue. Let her take you to the courtyard to see that the plum blossoms in the palace are more beautiful than those in the mansion."

Since Concubine Hui had spoken, He Qing did not dare to disobey, so she followed He Yue to the yard, and the three little ones also played with a group of other children.

With so many people around, He Qing gradually let go of her reservedness and spent some time with the children from each family.

Now only He Xuan is left by Tao Yanyan's side. He Xuan is sixteen years old this year. She inherited the beauty of her biological mother, the late Concubine Xian. She is tall and graceful, and is very outstanding among the beauties.

"I wonder if the eldest princess has seen anyone? If not, why not come to participate in the flower-viewing banquets of various families and make more friends." Mrs. Zhou's eyes were fixed on He Xuan, with a smile on her face, and she liked her very much.

Madam Li smiled and said, "The Empress will choose a good husband for the princess. Madam Zhou, your family has no sons or nephews of the right age, so you should stop worrying about it."

The two ladies had an unpleasant argument over the flower-viewing banquet they had held on a regular basis, and they didn't expect to have to argue in front of the empress dowager.

Madam Zhao came out to smooth things over and said, "The Empress must have made plans long ago. It would be a good thing for the Princess to go out of the palace more often."

He Xuan blushed. It was truly embarrassing for these people to talk about marriage in front of her. However, ever since Princess Ding tricked her into attending a banquet and nearly caused a disaster, she had lost interest in leaving the palace to visit other people's homes.

In her opinion, these people might not have invited her sincerely, but just wanted to use her identity to elevate the status of the banquet.

Going on a blind date through this kind of banquet only scratches the surface and doesn't reveal what kind of person they are. To understand someone, you still need to spend time with them, so He Xuan appears to be indifferent. If it weren't for her good looks, it would be easy for people to ignore her because of her indifferent mood.

Tao Yanyan listened to the conversations of the ladies and said with a smile, "You may not know this, but Xuan'er grew up by my side. We get along like both mother and daughter, and sisters. To be honest, I can't bear to see her marry off at just sixteen and raise a family. I need to keep this child for two more years and raise her myself."

Madam Zhou said, "But the daughters of families in the capital are often betrothed at the age of fifteen or sixteen. It would be more reassuring if they were settled earlier. After all, it's hard to find a good husband."

Some people agreed with Madam Zhou, while others agreed with the Queen. They thought the Queen was a very insightful person. By keeping her daughter for two more years, she could indeed prevent her daughter from being wronged when she went to her husband's house because she was too young.

Tao Yanyan smiled and said: "In life, if you are a step ahead, you may make a mistake; if you are a step behind, you may miss out. Let nature take its course."

Mrs. Zhou was too lazy to refute the Queen's Buddhist attitude, so she didn't say anything more.

The mothers and sisters of the concubines from each palace were all able to gather in the palace today, so after sitting for a while, they were led by palace servants to the various palaces to reunite with their daughters. If there were no daughters serving as concubines in the palace, they would all gather together to listen to the music. The virtuous concubine had arranged everything perfectly, and no one felt neglected.

After finally sending off another group of guests, the Queen Mother waved her hand and said, "Queen, you should go back and rest. Each palace has been given food, let them eat it themselves. I am also tired and need to rest."

Tao Yanyan stood up with He Xuan and said, "Yes, then, Queen Mother, you should have a good rest. I will take my leave now. See you at the dinner."

When he brought He Xuan out, he saw that all the children in the courtyard had been taken away except for He Yue and the others. Several children were playing in the snow, their bodies and heads covered in snow. Tao Yanyan quickly sent someone to call them back, saying they had to go back and change clothes. He Yue reluctantly said goodbye to He Min, and then followed Tao Yanyan back to Changle Palace.

"Look at you, all of your hair is white. Xiaobao, aren't you cold holding so much snow in your hands? And you're stuffing it into your neck?" Tao Yanyan picked up the youngest He Xiaobao and said with a bit of a smile.

"Mother, snow is really fun, but some people don't. No matter how much you teach them, they won't play." He Xiaobao's words aroused Tao Yanyan's curiosity. She looked at He Yue and asked, "Who is it that doesn't know how to play?"

He Yue nodded: "It's that He Qing. She doesn't play with us. She's so quiet."

Tao Yanyan said calmly, "Everyone has their own personality. Yue'er is lively and active, while He Qing is more of a homebody."

"Homebody?" He Yue tilted her head. "What does homebody mean?"

Tao Yanyan rolled his eyes and said, "The meaning of otaku is that you like to stay at home when you have free time and don't go anywhere else."

He Yue suddenly realized: "Oh, so it's the big sister. The big sister is a homebody."

He Xuan was so angry that she hit her lightly: "I'm not a homebody at all. I still like to walk in the garden."

The two sisters were playing around when Lady Wang, the mother of Concubine Xian, arrived. She seemed to have come specially. Tao Yanyan asked with a smile, "Why hasn't Lady Wang gone to Concubine Xian's palace yet? Is she too busy to receive you?"

Madam Wang glanced at He Xuan before pulling Tao Yanyan aside and whispering, "Empress, there's something I think I should tell you first. After all, you've helped our family so much, taking care of Prince Ding for us. I'd feel bad if I didn't tell you first."

Tao Yanyan looked around, smiled, and whispered, "Let's not talk about that matter anymore. Madam Wang, please tell me, what exactly is it?"

Madam Wang sighed, "My master is the Minister of Rites, and he often has to receive foreign envoys and merchant groups. Besides the Great Zhou, he knows something about the affairs of those countries. I heard that the Xia Kingdom is inquiring about the situation of our Great Zhou princess, apparently hoping for a friendly relationship between the two countries and requesting a marriage for the princess."

Tao Yanyan frowned. "Marriage alliance? Didn't the Great Zhou declare long ago that there would be no marriage alliance?"

Madam Wang shook Tao Yanyan's hand and said, "Anyway, the Queen has a rough idea in her mind. Looking at these princesses, only the eldest princess is old enough. We should make plans early."