Harem Daily Life

Chapter 404: An Audience with the Emperor

Upon learning that the censor who made the report was under house arrest and that Concubine Tao was not harmed in the slightest, Princess Yan was so angry that she couldn't eat for several days.

The maidservant beside her couldn't bear to see this and advised: "Princess, your health is more important. Yan State is still waiting for you to return and take charge of the situation!"

Princess Yan is now disheartened. The brother Zhang who treated her as kindly as jade in her memory is now full of another woman. The relationship of more than ten years has become as bland as water.

"Forget it. Without He Linzhang, I still have the Kingdom of Yan. Pass the order down and set off for the Kingdom of Yan on the first day of the first lunar month."

The maid was overjoyed to see that she had finally come to her senses, and immediately went out to tell everyone to prepare their luggage.

The closer it gets to the New Year, the stronger the festive atmosphere becomes. Two days before the New Year, the mother and sisters of the imperial concubine can come to the palace to pay a visit, and the ladies in the palace can also reward their family members with some things as festival gifts.

Last year, Tao Yanyan's position was low and Madam Tao was unable to enter the palace for an audience. This year, Tao Yanyan is the highest-ranking imperial concubine and Madam Tao is also the wife of a minister of the second rank, so naturally she is treated with courtesy wherever she goes.

"Mother, you've spent a lot of money. These three sets of gold jewelry for the children are not cheap, right?" Tao Yanyan knew that the Tao family had no property in the capital, and all the properties in their hometown had been sold. Although his father's salary was not low, prices in the capital were high, and social interactions were inevitable, so they did not live a rich life.

"It's the New Year, so give the princes and princesses some small gifts to make the children happy." Mrs. Tao was very kind and liked the three children very much. Not only did she give them gold jewelry, she also made some delicious snacks and brought them. The three children took the snacks to the side and ate them, leaving Tao Yanyan alone to talk to Mrs. Tao and her son.

"Mother, are you used to living in the capital?" Tao Yanyan was grateful to Madam Tao from the bottom of his heart. She treated a child who was not her own as her own and did not treat him harshly at all, which showed that Madam Tao was kind-hearted.

"I'm used to it. Everything is fine. The courtyard His Majesty gave me is big enough. I used the money from selling my family's property to buy a shop. I collect rent all year round and live a comfortable life. But... your eldest brother's marriage has not been settled. This kid is always talking nonsense, saying that he can't marry blindly and must find someone he likes before he is willing to marry. Hey, he is now the county magistrate of Qingtian County. Do you think he can find a good-born girl in that place?"

Mrs. Tao was worried about her eldest son's marriage. She was full of worries. "I was the most active one to attend the banquets held by various families in the capital, and I also met several girls. But every time I asked your eldest brother to take some time to come back, he would make excuses. He either said that he was too busy with official duties or that he had to go to the villages and towns for research. I think he really doesn't want to get married and doesn't want me to have grandchildren."

Tao Yanyan listened with great interest. She never expected that people would be urged to get married in any era.

"Since my eldest brother is staying in Beijing for the New Year this year, mother might as well take him out for walks more often during the first month of the lunar year to pay New Year's greetings, and he will naturally be able to meet more people," Tao Yanyan suggested.

Mrs. Tao also had the same idea, but she still had many concerns: "This is the plan, but your eldest brother is not an official in the capital. The noble ladies in the capital are very picky. When they heard that he was just a county magistrate, his mother rejected him early. If it were me, I would not want my daughter, who I raised well, to live in the county after getting married. So put yourself in his shoes and you can understand him."

Tao Yanyan smiled and said, "Brother, as long as you work hard and make achievements, you will be promoted sooner or later. Didn't mother follow father to work in a remote county? Now she has become the wife of the Minister of Works. Brother, you are young, you should go out more, broaden your horizons, accumulate experience, and accumulate qualifications, so that you can take solid steps in the future."

Madam Tao sighed and said, "You three, father and son, all have the same idea. Then I can only wait for his true love."

Tao Yanyan winked at Qingfeng, and Qingfeng turned around and handed the prepared New Year gift to Mrs. Tao.

"Your Majesty has rewarded me with a 100-year-old ginseng, but I have no use for it, so I'll give it back to my mother to replenish her body. There are also two thousand taels of silver notes, which my mother should also take back and save for my brother to marry a sister-in-law in the future."

Mrs. Tao immediately declined: "How can this be possible? You should keep the reward from His Majesty. Your father and I are both in good health and will not need it. As for the silver, please do not give it to me. I have it myself."

Tao Yanyan insisted on giving it to you: "What you have is yours. This is your daughter's gift to you. It is a filial piety. You must accept it, otherwise, your daughter will be unhappy!"

Mrs. Tao couldn't refuse, so she had to accept it: "You have to spend money in the palace, so if I give you money this year, you can't give me more next year!"

Tao Yanyan smiled and said, "Don't worry, mother. I am very rich now. Your Majesty gives me so many gifts every day that my small storehouse is almost full."

Mrs. Tao was very pleased. She took Tao Yanyan's hand and patted it again and again: "Time flies. Back then, you were so little and lying in my arms drinking milk. Now you are married and have three children."

After saying that, he glanced at her belly and said, "However, no matter how good the Second Prince and the First and Second Princesses are, you still have to give birth to one yourself. Having a biological child will give you a real support in the future."

Tao Yanyan is now on good terms with the emperor, and after the last quarrel she has decided to take care of herself and have a child, so she does not object: "Don't worry, mother, there will be a child."

While the two were talking, Mingyue came in and reported, "Madam, the wife of the Marquis of Ningyuan and Miss Gu from the Marquis' Mansion have arrived."

This year, in addition to Madam Tao, the wife of Ningyuan Marquis also handed in a badge and brought Gu Ning to the palace for an audience. Although the outside world did not know the actual relationship between Tao Yanyan and Ningyuan Marquis's mansion, Ningyuan Marquis had always claimed that they were godparents, so no one found it strange.

When the wife of Marquis Ningyuan saw Madam Tao was there, she took the initiative to greet her. Gu Ning also stepped forward and greeted her politely, but if you look closely, you will find that her ears turned a little red after seeing Madam Tao.

The two families had a good relationship because of Tao Yanyan's background, so there was no awkwardness between them. They chatted and laughed when they got together and talked about family matters.

The wife of Ningyuan Hou also brought gifts for the three children, which were three fine jade pendants, and the one for little Jinan was especially good.

"I don't know much about jade either. This is something the Marquis prepared himself and gave to the princes and princesses for celebration. I hope Your Majesty will accept it." After saying this, Lady Ningyuan Marquis handed over a box: "This is the jewelry I found in the shop and specially customized for Your Majesty. Your Majesty can try it on from time to time. If you don't like it, you can give it to others."

Tao Yanyan accepted it with a smile: "It's a gift from my aunt, I will definitely wear it more. How can I bear to give it to others as a reward?"

After Tao Yanyan finished speaking, he gave Qingfeng a look, and Qingfeng went in and took out two boxes.

"Knowing that my aunt was coming today, I also prepared some small gifts for my aunt and cousin."

Tao Yanyan is very good at courtesy and social etiquette.

The wife of Ningyuan Marquis did not refuse and accepted it readily: "This jade ruyi looks extremely elegant. In the future, keep it as a dowry for Ning'er, hoping for good luck and auspiciousness."

When Gu Ning heard this, her face flushed red. She quickly glanced at Mrs. Tao, then lowered her eyes silently.