Harem Daily Life

The Hua family members dared not speak loudly throughout the entire process, and kept their heads down, not daring to look around. Under He Jin'an's introduction, they respectfully bowed to the Emperor and Empress.

"No need to be so formal. This is a family banquet. Please take your seats." He Linzhang raised his hand, and a palace maid led the three members of the Hua family to their seats.

The four people from the Han Prince's residence followed closely behind. Compared to the restraint of the Hua family, the four from the Han Prince's residence were clearly much more relaxed. The Han Prince even exchanged a few jokes with His Majesty before slowly taking his seat.

Unable to contain her curiosity, Hua Yurong looked up at the Emperor and Empress, and was immediately stunned. She never imagined that the middle-aged couple sitting on their high thrones, so noble and imposing, so well-matched in appearance, so handsome and beautiful, with such elegant demeanor, would bear such a striking resemblance to the high-profile middle-aged couple who had come to the shop that day to buy fabric and make clothes. Thinking of a possibility, she bit her lip and carefully recalled whether she had done anything inappropriate that day.

Tao Yanyan looked at Hua Yurong's expressions, which shifted between blankness, confusion, and frustration, and almost laughed. Their eyes met, and Tao Yanyan nodded slightly to Hua Yurong.

"It's a lively day, and it's a rare coincidence that our three families are gathered together. I wonder what you all like to eat? This menu was chosen by me. If you would like to add any dishes, just have the imperial chef prepare them." Tao Yanyan smiled warmly, appearing kind and approachable.

The parents felt a little more at ease, and looking at the exquisite and delicious dishes in front of them, they couldn't help but swallow.

"Your Majesty is too kind. It's all over the capital that people are saying Your Majesty's cooking skills are superb and that Your Majesty is deeply loved by the Empress Dowager. Your Majesty is truly a role model for us all and is worthy of our respect." Princess Han said kindly, "Yuwei takes Your Majesty as her role model and has been diligently studying cooking. She made a dessert and brought it to the palace today for Your Majesty and Your Majesty to try."

The food box was opened, and Queen Han personally served out two plates of pastries. The eunuch who was supposed to taste the food stepped forward, tested them with a silver needle, and then casually picked out a small piece to try. Only after he ate it and found no problems did the pastries reach the Emperor and Empress.

Tao Yanyan picked up a piece and tasted it, praising, "Not bad, the red bean paste is smooth and has a faint fruity aroma. What kind of fruit did you put in it?"

Jing Yuwei nodded and replied, "Your Majesty, it is pineapple from Penglai Island that was added. The filling is made with pineapple pulp and red bean paste."

It has to be said that these pineapple red bean paste pastries are really delicious; Tao Yanyan couldn't resist trying another one.

Others were also fortunate enough to try it. Hua Yurong took a bite, looked at her hands that she could never seem to learn how to cook, and silently lowered her head.

"It's not easy to transport pineapples from Penglai Island to the Great Zhou Dynasty. They're still so fresh at this time of year. It must have taken a lot of effort, right?"

Jing Yuwei didn't know how to answer. She hadn't made the pineapple red bean paste pastry at all, and the cook in the manor hadn't explained how it was preserved and transported.

Seeing her flustered, the King of Han quickly came to her rescue, saying, "Penglai Island often receives sea freight to the capital. The pineapples must have been stored and transported along with the sea freight. They were very fresh when they were purchased by the royal palace. Penglai Island is quite something."

Tao Yanyan taught her the ice-making technique on Penglai Island, so she naturally knew they could use ice to store goods for long periods. She smiled and said, "I see. They're quite good at business." Then she looked at the Hua family and said, "The Hua family's business is also quite good. I've heard that most of the fabric business in the capital and the surrounding cities is under the Hua family's name?"

Father Hua humbly replied, “Your Majesty flatters me. Our Hua family has been in business for generations. Our ancestors started by weaving cloth. My grandfather told me that when he was a child, he followed his great-grandfather to sell cloth in the streets and alleys, and it was only step by step that they built up their family business. When it was passed down to me, it was not carried forward. I was just living off the ancestral property. It was only because of the peace and prosperity of the country in recent years that we had extra money to buy clothes and clothing, and the cloth business was doing reasonably well.”

Mr. Hua knew the principle of not flaunting wealth, so he answered politely and modestly, without being arrogant. Even if he had a mountain of gold, he would speak of it as ordinary, a habit formed over many years of doing business.

Upon hearing Hua's father's words, Jing Yuwei curled her lips slightly, saying with a hint of disdain, "Commerce is a lowly profession, nothing more than pursuing profit. No matter how large one's family business is, it can hardly be considered respectable. How can it compare to the glory of serving the court and protecting the country?"

Upon hearing this, Hua's father's expression changed slightly. Although the other party was a junior, she was still the daughter of a prince, and he dared not contradict her. Hua Yuerong, however, was annoyed and was about to respond when her mother quietly tugged at her sleeve.

Seeing this, He Jin'an's eyes darkened, and he said, "Miss Jing, it's a good thing that the country is peaceful and prosperous now, and businesses are thriving. Every industry has its value and should not be underestimated."

When Jing Yuwei saw that Prince Jin was finally speaking to her, she was overjoyed, but when she thought that he was supporting the Hua family, she was a little unhappy: "Your Highness is right, it was my fault." After saying that, she glanced at Hua Yurong: "Miss Hua is really lucky. Your Highness usually doesn't talk much, but today he said so much for Miss Hua."

Hua Yurong gritted her teeth and chuckled at Jing Yuwei's sarcastic tone: "Judging from Miss Jing's words, it's as if you're very familiar with the Prince. But I've heard that the Prince and you have only met a few times. Miss, you're acting like you're very familiar with the Prince. I wonder what your intentions are?"

Jing Yuwei was speechless for a moment, then narrowed her eyes: "Miss Hua, you don't need to get so agitated. I was just expressing my opinion."

Seeing the two young girls arguing over He Jin'an, creating a tense atmosphere between the two families, Tao Yanyan coughed lightly and smoothed things over, saying, "These two girls are expressing their own opinions, which reminds me of when the eldest and second princesses were still unmarried. Back then, they were raised under my care, were about the same age, and had quite a few arguments. In the blink of an eye, the children have all grown up and have found their husbands one after another." After speaking, she turned the topic to the fourth princess: "Now that the fourth princess has also found a good marriage, when she arrives at the Han Prince's residence, she will be about the same age as the young ladies in the residence. If there is any quarrel, I hope that Princess Han will protect me and Consort Liang."

Princess Han immediately said, "It is an honor for our Han family to be able to ask for the princess's hand in marriage. The fourth princess is well-behaved, virtuous, and talented. Everyone in the family will respect and cherish her. Your Majesty, the Empress, and Consort Liang, please rest assured."

Consort Liang was very satisfied with Princess Han's attitude and couldn't help but shake He Qian's hand, feeling fortunate that He Qian had entered into such a blessed family.

Tao Yanyan smiled again and said, "This year, the palace is doubly blessed. First, the marriage of the Fourth Princess was arranged, and then Jin'an also received good news. You don't know how much His Majesty and I have worried about Jin'an's marriage. Over the years, we've been thinking about which girl will be able to take him in and spend the rest of her life protecting him for us. Yue Rong, I was very happy to see you. Here, this is a family heirloom jade bracelet that the Empress Dowager bestowed upon us. I heard that it was given to the Empress Dowager by the Grand Empress Dowager and passed down from generation to generation. Its meaning is more important than its value. Today, I'm giving it to you."

Jing Yuwei's face paled. The Empress was going to give a merchant's daughter a family heirloom in public on their very first meeting? This approval startled her. She scrutinized the woman again. In terms of looks and family background, in what way did the woman surpass her? "Your Majesty, are you blind?"

Hua Yurong was momentarily uneasy and dared not accept such a valuable gift. She quickly said, "How could I dare accept such a precious gift? Your Majesty should save it for the future Crown Princess."

It's a family heirloom, passed down from generation to generation of empresses. It would be more appropriate to give it to the future crown princess.

Tao Yanyan gave Xianglan a wink, and Xianglan took the bracelet she had taken off and presented it directly to Hua Yurong.

"Although Jin'an is not my biological daughter, I am as close to him as a mother. You will be their eldest sister-in-law in the future, so it is only right that you accept this bracelet."

The Hua family never expected that the Empress would value Prince Jin so highly and elevate Hua Yuerong so much, and they all rose to express their gratitude.

Hua Yurong's heart was filled with warmth. The fear she had felt when she arrived and the unpleasantness of being ridiculed by Jing Yuwei were all overshadowed by the Empress's kindness. She felt warm inside, both excited and grateful.

Oh dear, there's probably no other mother-in-law in the whole world as kind-hearted and beautiful as the Empress!

Hua Yurong wanted to roll around on the bed again, and she really wanted to scream.