Harem Daily Life

Because he confessed his true identity, He Linzhang trusted and valued Tao Yanyan even more, and his love for him grew even stronger. From that day on, He Linzhang would consult Tao Yanyan on any matter he was undecided about, because Tao Yanyan's insights transcended the limitations of the times and could provide him with more inspiration.

Tao Yanyan was still worried for a while afterwards. It wasn't that she didn't trust He Linzhang's sincerity towards her, but she felt that no matter what time it was, the only person one could trust was themselves.

The envoys from the Xia Kingdom finally negotiated the reopening of trade. They did not stay long and left the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty and rushed back to the Xia Kingdom before the anniversary celebration, so as to avoid being treated poorly in someone else's territory and causing a joke.

The New Year's Festival that year was celebrated with great ceremony. Firstly, the Great Zhou had won a great victory and its territory had doubled in size, which was the greatest achievement since its founding. All the civil and military officials in the court praised the wisdom and bravery of the Great Zhou Emperor. Secondly, with the opening of trade, money would flow in and the people's lives would prosper. The capital was decorated with lights and lanterns everywhere, and it was a festive occasion.

In this lively atmosphere, Changle Palace was also infected by the festivity and hung up red lanterns and pasted red window decorations a few days in advance.

"Mother, mother, eat." He Xiaoliu was so overwhelmed with clothes that he looked like a ball. He moved like a fat penguin, which was very endearing. He pointed at the candied haws in He Xiaobao's hand with his fat little fingers, and his mouth was drooling all over the floor.

Tao Yanyan cleared his throat. "Hasn't your skewers already been eaten? Why are you still thinking about your brother?"

Because Xiaoliu was small, Tao Yanyan asked Caiyun to make a mini version of candied haws for him. Xiaoliu finished it in just a few bites. Now he looks at other people's big strings of candied haws with pitiful envy.

He Xiaoliu also knew that he had eaten a skewer, but he always felt something was wrong. Why did he eat it so quickly, but his brother still had so much left?

He frowned, folded his arms, and prepared to lie on the ground and throw a tantrum.

Just when he was about to squat down, Yunuo shouted and he was so scared that he dared not move.

"Xiao Liu, Xiao Liu, your clothes are dirty after lying on the ground. You have to wash them yourself."

He Xiaoliu: “…”

Between lying down and throwing a tantrum and washing his dirty clothes, he chose to squat.

He was in a dilemma, his calves could no longer support him, and he sat down on the ground with a thud.

"Sister, I don't want to wash it, I don't want to wash it." He Xiaoliu got up quickly with a start, and slapped his butt with his short hands: "It's not dirty, it's not dirty, I don't want to wash it."

Tao Yanyan and Yunuo looked at each other and couldn't help laughing.

This youngest child grew up being spoiled by everyone. He usually took advantage of his youngest status to act up and no one could control him. Only Yunuo, who was spoiled even more, could persuade him.

Yunuo walked over with his head held high and his short legs puffed out. He pulled He Xiaoliu to pat him and inspected him: "Well, it's clean. I won't punish you to wash clothes." After that, he crawled into Tao Yanyan's arms and acted coquettishly: "Mother, mother, am I not annoying? I can manage my younger brother now!"

Tao Yanyan pinched her nose and said, "Well, Nuo'er is a good helper to the Queen Mother in raising the baby. That's great. By the way, where is your eldest sister? Why haven't I seen her all morning?"

Yunuo said mysteriously, "The eldest sister was writing a letter in the room. I took a look at it, but there were many words I didn't recognize. I felt bored, so I came here."

Tao Yanyan seemed to be lost in thought. He had recently heard from Xianglan and others that He Xuan would send letters out of the palace from time to time. He wondered how far the two young lovers had progressed in writing their love letters.

"The budding friendship is so sweet!" Tao Yanyan muttered softly.

"Hmm? What's good to eat? Are they freshly roasted melon seeds? Aunt Caiyun, I want to eat freshly roasted melon seeds—" When Yunuo heard about food, he decided to act coquettishly with someone else, and ran towards the kitchen with his short legs.

Tao Yanyan: “…”

Who does this foodie resemble?

In Changchun Palace, the Queen Mother was very satisfied as she ate the dozen or so plates of candied fruits that Mu Yu sent from outside the palace.

"This dish is good, sour and sweet, with a hint of fragrance, it's a great way to relieve the greasiness. You're so thoughtful."

Mu Yu, who was praised, leaned against Eunuch Qin's face and smiled so much that wrinkles appeared on his face.

"Jinse, I'm glad you like it. I specially used roses to pickle it. It has a light floral fragrance."

The Queen Mother couldn't help but eat two more pills, which were then taken away by Mu Yu.

"Yan Yan said you can't eat too much, a maximum of five pills a day. I've already eaten more than ten today, so I can't eat any more."

The Queen Mother glared at him and said, "See, you still listen to your precious daughter and not me."

Mu Yu: “…”

"Yan Yan is right. She's doing this for your own good. Why are you jealous? Why are you just like your son, always jealous?"

When Mu Yu thought about how He Linzhang glared at him for giving Tao Yanyan two extra dishes, he felt upset: "They are really mother and son. They get jealous in all kinds of weird ways."

The Queen Mother glared at him: "Why, are you disgusted with me?"

Mu Yu choked, thinking to himself, "How dare I?" He immediately said in a flattering tone, "No, no, the Queen Mother is so cute when she's jealous. Hahaha, so cute."

The Queen Mother's ears turned red, and she rarely showed a hint of shyness.

"Cute, cute, my Jinse is the cutest." The talkative parrot paced back and forth on the shelf, his voice clear.

"Stop saying these disgusting things in front of that bird. Do you still have the shame to let others hear it?" the Queen Mother scolded.

Mu Yu glared at the parrot, and the parrot shrank its head: "Just don't say anything, why are you glaring at me?"

When the palace maid came in from outside, Mu Yu quickly put away his expression and stood aside meticulously: "What's the matter?"

The maid replied, "Your Majesty, someone from Consort Xian has said that the banquet is ready. Please move to the main hall."

The Queen Mother glanced at Mu Yu, who was a little reluctant: "Okay, go down and get ready first, the Queen Mother will be here soon."

After everyone left, Mu Yu held the Queen Mother's hand and said, "Time flies. I can only accompany you until now this year. I wish Jinse a happy new year in advance and all the best."

The Queen Mother also touched his hand and shook it with him: "I also wish you good health and all your wishes come true."

Mu Yu left the palace and exchanged places with Eunuch Qin who was waiting outside the palace. He looked at the closed palace gate behind him, stroked his aching heart, and quickly took out a pill and swallowed it.

The attendant hurried over to support him: "Island Master, your illness... haven't you told the Queen yet?"

Mu Yu paused for a long time before saying, "Dr. Liu has examined me. This is a chronic illness I've had for years. I can only take care of it, it can't be cured. Fuquan, please send the letter to Xingchuan after the New Year. I don't know how long it will take. Recently, this heartache has become more and more frequent. If possible, ask him to come to Beijing and see him."

Mu Yu was reluctant to leave the capital and the people he wanted to protect, so he had no choice but to ask his adopted son to come over.

Mu Yu felt guilty towards his adopted son Wang Xingchuan. After all, it was his ex-wife's selfishness that harmed Wang Xingchuan's parents. Even though he had raised Wang Xingchuan as his own son for so many years and given him the entire Penglai Island, he could not make up for his debt to him.