Harem Daily Life

Tao Yanyan asked Ying Si to send the children back to the palace, while she and Concubine Xian went to the Ruyi Gold Shop in the city. Business wasn't great, but there were still several groups of customers choosing jewelry.

Tao Yanyan gave Shuang'er a look, and Shuang'er understood and silently inspected the shop inside and out.

"What would you two ladies like to choose? Our shop has everything from gold jewelry, silver jewelry, pearls, agate, and jade." The shopkeeper came forward with a very enthusiastic attitude.

Tao Yanyan said calmly, "Do you have any Green Phoenix Jade?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the shopkeeper's face instantly broke into a smile: "What a coincidence, we just happen to have some in our shop. Madam, please come this way." As he said that, he took them to the counter at the side and took out a box of jade pendants, which contained eight pieces.

Tao Yanyan picked it up and examined it. It had a very ordinary water content and was not very moist. Even ordinary concubines in the palace would not use it. She exchanged a glance with Concubine Xian and handed the jade pendant to Concubine Xian.

"Why do the patterns on your jades all look the same? Wouldn't it look very ordinary if I wore it outside?" Tao Yanyan said very dissatisfiedly.

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper quickly misled, "Madam, you don't know this. Although every piece of our jade has the same pattern, the carving technique is not simple. Our jade is carefully selected and of the highest quality, and the carving masters have many years of experience. The most important thing is the phoenix pattern on it. Look, it's so lifelike. It can ward off evil and disasters, calm the mind, increase wealth, turn misfortune into good fortune, and facilitate marriage!"

Tao Yanyan said with a smile: "A small piece of jade, but it has so many functions. You are really good at talking, shopkeeper."

The shopkeeper's mouth twitched when he heard this. If it weren't for the fact that the two people in front of him were dressed richly, he would have asked someone to kick them out.

"I'm telling the truth. Many people come to my shop just for this Qingfeng Jade. If it wasn't good, who would be willing to buy it? Madam, don't be dismissive. If you come a little later, these eight pieces might be sold out. If you want one, you'll have to wait for the next batch."

Concubine Xian snorted coldly, "Why, your jade is so popular?"

It seems that Lady Lingxi didn't just deceive her, she deceived many people.

The shopkeeper smiled and said: "Good things will naturally sell well."

Concubine Xian didn't want to buy it anymore and wanted to go back immediately, but Tao Yanyan stopped her and said, "Forget it, buy it first. Even though it's not worth the price, Empress Lingxi has said that she must buy this Qingfeng Jade."

Tao Yanyan emphasized the words "Lingxi Niangniang" very strongly, and the shopkeeper's smile deepened. Her eyes darkened and she glanced at Xianglan, who took out her purse and paid the money.

Since each piece had the same pattern and it didn't matter whether to choose one or not, Tao Yanyan picked up a piece at random and gave it to Xianglan.

"Would you two ladies like to look at something else?" the shopkeeper asked with a smile on his face.

Tao Yanyan glanced at the shop and found a restaurant opposite it, so he said, "I'm hungry after being out for half a day. Let's go eat first."

When the shopkeeper saw that they had no other desire to buy anything, the smile on his face faded.

The two of them didn't care whether the shopkeeper changed his expression or not, and went directly to the restaurant opposite and asked for a seat by the window, which happened to allow them to see the shop opposite.

"You order the dishes, Concubine Xian. Order whatever you want. It's a rare occasion for us to come out, so let's have fun today." Tao Yanyan handed the menu to Concubine Xian, but Concubine Xian was still angry about what happened today.

"It's all my fault. I was too credulous and caused Your Majesty to waste her time." Concubine Xian said with some regret.

Tao Yanyan advised her, "You're fine in the palace, there's nothing wrong with going out for a walk. I just saw that other tables ordered a plate of squirrel fish. Let's order one too. Take a look and see if there's anything else you want to eat. Order everything."

Concubine Xian had no choice but to look at the menu and order three more dishes.

"The more I think about it, the angrier I get. If I knew who was plotting against me and Min'er behind my back, I would make him pay!" The virtuous concubine of the dynasty was tricked and plotted against the princess' marriage. She couldn't swallow this.

Tao Yan said nothing, just staring at the opposite side.

The food arrived quickly and the two began to eat. When they were almost done, a green figure finally appeared on the street opposite.

"Look, who is that?"

Concubine Xian put down her chopsticks and looked in the direction Tao Yanyan pointed. Sure enough, she saw the person she had guessed - Fang Ziming.

She clenched her hands tightly, wishing she could go down right now and punish Fang Ziming for his disrespect.

I saw Fang Ziming wearing a blue shirt and jacket, going in and out of several shops opposite. He didn't buy anything, just walking back and forth, as if he wanted people to see him.

"He's handsome, but unfortunately, his heart isn't right." Tao Yanyan shook his head regretfully. "I just don't know how deeply he's involved with Lady Lingxi, and what benefits he's gained from it?"

When Consort Xian saw him, she was furious: "This Fang Ziming is the third legitimate son of Lord Fang. He has two older brothers. One is a sixth-rank official in the Imperial Academy, and the other is a seventh-rank official in the Jingzhao Yin Mansion. He took the imperial examination last year, but unfortunately he didn't pass."

Tao Yanyan curled his lips: "Have you inquired about everything?"

Concubine Xian's face was momentarily awkward, and she said awkwardly, "I was indeed impressed by him that day. I was deceived by his elegant words and deeds, and sent people to secretly inquire about him."

The virtuous concubine was so regretful that her intestines turned green. She secretly cursed herself for being smart for half her life, but she didn't see through the tricks of a younger person.

Tao Yanyan picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea: "Don't worry, if he dares to deceive us and plot against Min'er, I will not let him off."

The two of them remained calm. After finishing their meal, they boarded the carriage and slowly headed towards the palace gate. After they left, Fang Ziming emerged from a shop, looking in the direction of the carriage, a determined smile on his face.

In Yongtai Palace, He Min saw her mother return and happily asked her if there was any result. Concubine Xian looked weary, "The Empress Lingxi said that your marriage is predetermined by heaven. There's no need to rush. It will come naturally when the time comes. Mother is tired, so go and rest first. If you want to play, go find the Fifth Princess and the others."

He Min didn't suspect anything, so she asked the kitchen to bring a box of snacks and happily went to Changle Palace. Unexpectedly, she ran into Concubine Liang and her daughter on the way. Unable to avoid them, she had to go forward and pay her respects: "Greetings, Her Majesty Concubine Liang."

The fourth princess, He Qian, greeted He Min and saw that she was going to Changle Palace. She smiled and said, "I envy my third sister the most. She has so much free time and can go out and travel."

He Min was stunned: "Why, are you busy?" We are all princesses, and we don't have to go to the study all day like the prince, so what is there to be busy about?

He Qian sighed softly, "Hey, I've just been preparing my wedding dress lately. I didn't expect there would be so much to do. I wish I had a few more hours every day." After saying this, she seemed to realize that her words were inappropriate and hurriedly said, "Oh, look at me, why are I saying this in front of Third Sister? Third Sister is older than me, and her marriage is still unfinished. This... I hope you don't take it to heart. I'm sure the Virtuous Concubine will make plans for you sooner rather than later."

He Min: “…”

Is it so great that you stole a marriage? And you dare to make green tea in front of me?