Harem Daily Life

On the Xia Kingdom's side, the people sent have been guarding the palace gate for more than a month. They have delivered many messages to the palace but have received no response. The anniversary festival is approaching, and if they continue to waste time, the Zhou court will soon be on holiday.

"Master Ji, what do you think we should do?" Several accompanying officials gathered in the main official's room of this diplomatic mission, with worried looks on their faces.

Lord Ji was also at a loss.

"The Second Prince's letter has been delivered to the Empress of Great Zhou, but it has fallen on deaf ears. The Second Prince has sent several letters urging me to do so, and I don't know how to respond."

"Sir, even our promises of gold, silver, and riches could not sway Queen Tao's heart. What else can we do to attract her?"

Lord Ji sighed, "When I came to the Great Zhou, the Second Prince said that a single word from Queen Tao was worth a hundred thousand troops. He said Queen Tao prioritized her own interests and promised her ten years of money that she would speak for us. Now I have no other options. You ask me, but I can't answer you."

An older subordinate said, "Or, we can increase the amount. We previously agreed to give her 30%, how about raising it to 50%? My lord, without these supplies from the Great Zhou, how can our Xia Kingdom survive? This trade must be opened and can't be delayed any longer!"

Lord Ji paced back and forth. After listening to his subordinates' words, he said anxiously, "Do you think I haven't tried to test the waters and promised them huge benefits? The eunuch Chang beside the queen is not moved at all. There is nothing I can do!"

"If we keep waiting, our money will be almost gone. Oh, I'm so ashamed to have failed the Emperor!"

Listening to everyone sighing, Lord Ji felt uncomfortable.

"What exactly does Queen Tao want? How can we win her heart and open a backdoor for us?"

A group of people were puzzled, but someone suggested a roundabout way to save the country. They went to Ningyuan Hou to inquire about it. Only then did Lord Ji get some clues.

At the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion, upon hearing that the envoy from the Xia Kingdom had come to seek a meeting, the Ningyuan Marquis raised his eyebrows and said, "No one comes to visit you for no reason. You go to the front hall to entertain the guests first, and I'll come later." The Ningyuan Marquis asked the housekeeper to go and deal with it first, while he recalled what he had discussed with Tao Yanyan, and then slowly went to the front hall.

Lord Ji of the Xia Kingdom and several of his subordinates had already refilled their tea twice before they saw Marquis Ningyuan arrive late.

"I'm sorry, I was busy with some other chores just now. Please forgive me, envoys." Ning Yuanhou was quite polite, looking at the pile of leeks with a smile in his eyes.

Lord Ji quickly stood up to greet him: "Your Majesty, you can come to see us in your busy schedule. We are very grateful."

After they sat down, Ning Yuanhou asked about everyone's well-being, sometimes asking if they were used to the food in Da Zhou, sometimes asking if they were living well. In short, he was very polite, but he never talked about business.

The subordinates gave Lord Ji several glances. Lord Ji was anxious, but he couldn't get the initiative from the old fox Ningyuan Hou, and the topic was always led around.

"Ahem, Lord Marquis, thank you for your concern. I brought a few colleagues here this time because I actually have something to ask for." Lord Ji had no choice but to get back to the business.

Ningyuan Hou sat upright and asked, "I wonder what Master Ji is up to?"

Lord Ji then explained the reason: "My Lord, we have been ordered to visit the Great Zhou on this mission to facilitate the trade between our two countries. We have been stranded in the capital for almost two months. If we wait any longer, the Great Zhou will be closed for the Anniversary Festival, and work will resume after the Lunar New Year. Time waits for no one, and we can't afford to waste any more time! I beg you, for the sake of your long-standing friendship with our Second Prince, to help us open this trade as soon as possible. It will benefit us and the Great Zhou in every way!"

Ningyuan Hou sighed. "To be honest, I'm glad you've come to me and think highly of me. But I've long since stopped participating in government affairs and attending court. If I suddenly go to the palace and ask for an audience with His Majesty, I'm not sure His Majesty will even see me. And how can I discuss trade between our two countries when I'm not in the court?"

Lord Ji choked and coughed lightly, saying, "But you are Empress Tao's uncle. An uncle can always have a say when he sees his niece. If you can help us convey our message to the Empress and ask her what she needs in order to reopen the trade, then we are willing to give you 20% of the annual cloth trade profits as a thank you gift for ten years. What do you think?"

Ning Yuanhou pretended to be embarrassed and waved his hands: "No, no, no, first of all, I will never do anything like taking kickbacks. Secondly, if the tens of thousands of taels of silver you gave me were discovered, my entire Ning Yuanhou Mansion would be wiped out by His Majesty. I don't want to do anything risky. Please don't harm me."

Lord Ji felt as if he was the villain who forced a good woman into prostitution, and his face turned pale and blue, and he was embarrassed.

Seeing the conversation was getting stuck, Ning Yuanhou pretended to be magnanimous and said, "However, considering the long-standing friendship between your Second Prince and me, I cannot leave you alone. How about this? I will go to the palace this afternoon to help you investigate, but I can't guarantee that I can get any information."

As the situation took a turn for the worse, Lord Ji and his followers almost knelt down before Marquis Ningyuan.

"Oh, you are so kind, righteous and upright, you are indeed the best friend of our Xia Kingdom in the Great Zhou! Please accept my bow, My Lord!" Lord Ji said, and was about to bow down, but was stopped by Marquis Ningyuan.

"We are all old friends, why are you being so polite to me? I treasure the rare music books that your Second Prince sends me every year! You guys go back first and wait for my news."

Lord Ji and his companions left the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion full of hope. The Ningyuan Marquis asked the housekeeper to prepare the carriage and horses, and went out with a servant, pretending to be seen by the Xia envoy. He waited in the mansion until the carriage and horses entered the mansion again, and then sent someone to the inn to find the Xia envoy.

After the whole trip, it can be said that the performance was done perfectly, and the envoys from the Xia Kingdom could not find any mistakes.

The envoy from the Xia Kingdom entered the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion again overnight, and this time the Ningyuan Marquis came out to meet him very quickly.

"I wonder if the Marquis has found out anything?" Lord Ji was full of hope. He felt that there should be results this time.

Ning Yuanhou said with some embarrassment: "I have found out a little bit, but... I am afraid that you will get angry if you hear it."

Lord Ji and several of his subordinates were startled, their faces solemn, and they pricked up their ears to listen carefully.

Ning Yuanhou smiled helplessly and said, "I only learned today when I entered the palace that you had already promised Empress Tao benefits for ten to ninety thousand years. Empress Tao confessed to me today that she is indeed a little moved. However, if you inquire about her annual income, you will understand that this little bit of attraction is not enough to make Empress Tao come to Your Majesty."

Lord Ji and his subordinates exchanged bewildered glances. Was a stable income of ninety thousand taels not enough to impress anyone? Just how big was Empress Tao's appetite? Besides, how much could a concubine in the harem earn? The mere sight of such a large sum of silver only piqued her interest. It was a bit heartbreaking!