northernbook Chapter 292 Familiar with Harem Affairs
Chapter 292 Familiar with Harem Affairs
Empress Li held the old nanny's hand, "There will be a reward, a very generous reward."
As he spoke, he handed the old nanny a heavy purse, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, nanny."
The old woman kowtowed to express her gratitude and left happily.
At the entrance of the Imperial Study, they ran into Ling Yao who was coming over.
She looked Ling Yao up and down, then gave him an approving look, "Your Highness is truly majestic."
Ling Yao recognized her, and his face flushed red.
I stopped in my tracks; I no longer intended to go in.
"Yao'er." But it was too late; Empress Li saw him. "Come in quickly."
Ling Yao had no choice but to go inside and say, "Greetings to Father and Mother."
Empress Li raised an eyebrow at Ling Yao...
The Emperor shook his head helplessly, "Empress, this is disrespectful to your elders."
Empress Li's smile froze on her face. "Old! Old! Old! Does Your Majesty think I'm too old?"
Now it was the Emperor's turn to be stunned. How could he have forgotten... that women, even the Empress, are afraid of being told they are old?
"That's not what I meant..."
"Hmph," Empress Li sneered, "I think that's exactly what you mean!!"
After saying this, Empress Li abandoned the father and son and stormed off in a rage.
The Emperor hurriedly put down his vermilion brush and instructed Ling Yao, "A Yao, please keep an eye on these memorials for me."
"I'll go and appease your mother."
Having said that, he left.
Ling Yao nodded helplessly, sat down and began to review the memorials.
In reality, emperors don't have many major issues to review every day.
Many of the memorials were about minor matters in various places.
Just like these, several of them are memorials submitted by officials from the Ministry of Revenue in various regions, reporting on the situation of the rice fields.
Ling Yao examined it carefully...
The rice paddies in various places are currently in good condition. Everyone is expressing their gratitude in their memorials for Tian Tian's meticulous teaching, and they have been able to solve any problems they encounter using the methods she taught them.
He quickly became engrossed in state affairs and didn't notice anything outside...
"Was I too harsh just now?" Empress Li asked somewhat nervously.
“No, it’s perfect.” Ling Jun grabbed Empress Li’s hand. “Come on, let’s go for a stroll in the garden.”
"Let's go."
*
Although she was exempted from the morning greetings, Tian Tian couldn't really skip them.
In the first three days of their marriage, Ling Yao had already developed a taste for the sweetness of the new life.
On the fourth day, Tian Tian finally followed Ling Yao to the Empress's palace.
But the palace maid at the Empress's door looked strange. "Her Majesty... just had a fight with the Emperor and is still angry."
Upon hearing this, Ling Yao frowned, "Do you know why?"
A palace maid recalled, "The Emperor said...the color of this dress is not suitable for the Empress..."
"The Empress got angry, feeling..."
The palace maid lowered her head, "I think His Majesty finds Her Majesty too old..."
"Is it sweet?" Empress Li's voice came from inside the palace. "Quickly, come in quickly."
"Ah Yao, don't come in!!"
Ling Yao looked at Tian Tian helplessly...
"Go to the Imperial Study to see Father, I'll go in and see Mother." Tian Tian gently patted Ling Yao's hand. "Go ahead, don't worry."
Ling Yao watched Tian Tian enter the Empress's palace before turning back to the Imperial Study.
In the imperial study, Ling Jun's expression was also not good.
"Father, what's been going on between you and Mother these past few days?" Ling Yao asked, puzzled.
From the day after his marriage to Tian Tian, his father and mother argued every day...
This frequency is unprecedented.
Moreover, in the past... no matter how much his father and mother argued, they would never show it in front of him.
Not to mention that this happened in the first few days after Tian Tian got married, and everyone already knew about it.
He always felt something was off, but he couldn't quite grasp the point.
"You should ask your mother about that," Ling Jun said irritably.
"How old are you? Your son is already married, yet you still wear those light-colored clothes."
"She is the Empress, she is of mother-in-law age, she should be more composed."
Ling Yao frowned. His mother was not yet forty, not that old.
The key is...
The Empress Dowager had a cheerful and outgoing personality, which the Emperor had always known.
Or perhaps, the Emperor simply liked the Empress Dowager's personality.
Why do you dislike it now?
"Father, did you tell me that you liked Mother's charming personality the most?"
"how..."
Ling Jun's eyes darted around as he made an excuse, "It's precisely because she has such a lively personality that her clothing needs to be more conservative... that's more in line with her age, isn't it?"
"Yao'er, do you think your father is wrong?"
Ling Yao blinked. "Father said he would always coax Mother!"
Ling Jun smiled awkwardly, "Then... Father, go and appease your mother about today's memorials?"
"Let your son review them," Ling Yao replied.
Ling Jun stood up with satisfaction. "Very well, then I'll go and appease your mother now."
*
"Mother." When Tian Tian arrived at the Empress's palace, she saw clothes scattered all over the floor.
She picked up things as she walked...
"Mother..." She finally placed the clothes she was holding on the bed, "What happened?"
She had some doubts...
She had seen Empress Li get angry before, but Empress Li wasn't the type to throw things.
Is this side of him, who throws things... only revealed in front of his father?
"Why did you pick them up?" Empress Li sat on the edge of the bed, wiping away non-existent tears from the corners of her eyes.
“These clothes are too light-colored; your father said they are not suitable for your mother.”
"This is because they think the Empress Dowager is too old."
"We're looking to find new talent."
She suddenly grabbed Tian Tian's hand. "Tian Tian, let me tell you, this is just a guess. He may have the desire, but he doesn't have the guts."
"And another thing, my Yao'er wouldn't even have the thought of stealing."
"Don't worry, okay?"
Tian Tian nodded blankly, "Mm."
Seeing that Tian Tian was pleased, Empress Li continued to wipe the corners of her eyes with peace of mind.
"Mother, you and Father have been husband and wife for so many years and have a deep affection for each other. Tian Tian can see that Father is absolutely loyal to you."
"I suppose... Father was just too tired and accidentally said the wrong thing. Mother, please don't take it to heart."
Upon hearing this, Empress Li's eyes darted around, "Yes, yes, yes."
"He's been saying the wrong thing a lot lately."
"Could it be that he's too tired?"
To prevent Empress Li from dwelling on her grief, Tian Tian nodded without hesitation, "Yes, she must be too tired."
"Then... I'll have him distribute some of those memorials to Yao'er, so that Yao'er can help out."
Tian Dian nodded, "Mm."
Empress Li rubbed Tian Tian's hands, "I was just afraid of delaying your wedding..."
Tian Tian smiled shyly, "No."
"I should get busy these next few days."
Two days ago, Ling Yao told her about the memorials reporting on the condition of the rice paddies.
Actually, she also received a copy, which contained more detailed information about the rice.
She also had to reply to everyone based on the weather, soil conditions, and rice crop situation in each region.
"That..."
"Why doesn't Mother Empress have the old nanny by her side show you around and familiarize you with the affairs of the inner palace?"
Tian Tian wondered, what was going on in the harem?
Isn't the harem just one person, the Empress?
"Oh dear, don't be fooled by the fact that there's only the Empress Dowager in the harem; there are still all sorts of things going on in the palace."
"Food, clothing, and daily necessities..."
"Fortunately, there is only one Empress Dowager in the harem. If there were more, she would be too busy to manage."
"Sweetie, get familiar with it as soon as possible, so that in the future... you can also help your mother with her worries."
"it is good."
Empress Li was overjoyed when she heard Tian Tian agree, "Granny Yang."
She immediately called over the old nanny beside her, "From now on, you will follow the Crown Princess and help her become familiar with all the affairs of the inner palace."
"Yes, Queen."
At that moment, Ling Jun arrived.
"The Emperor has arrived."
"Your daughter-in-law greets Your Majesty." This was the first time Tian Tian had seen the Emperor since her marriage.
Ling Jun offered a helping hand, "Sweetie, get up quickly."
"We're all family now, so don't be so polite."
Seeing Ling Jun walk towards the Empress, Tian Tian bowed and withdrew.
Granny Yang also came out.
"Your Highness, shall this old servant begin to guide you through the affairs of the inner palace tomorrow?" asked Granny Yang.
Tian Tian thought for a moment, "No need for tomorrow, let's start today."
In the entire imperial harem, there were only two women: the Empress and the Crown Princess, Tian Tian.
The system of ranking and management for concubines in the imperial harem was not used.
There were no arrangements made for offspring.
In terms of the harem's daily life, it consisted of the expenses of the two palaces, which were managed by the palace maids and eunuchs of the two palaces.
And then there was the matter of receiving noblewomen...
Fewer women, fewer problems!
Tian Tian sighed.
"The Crown Princess is getting the hang of things so quickly. It seems the Empress can finally enjoy a life of leisure," said Granny Yang, flatteringly.
"We still need more guidance from Granny Yang."
Granny Yang waved her hands repeatedly, "No, no, no, Her Highness the Crown Princess has already learned it all, there's no need for this old nanny to use her skills."
"Then I'll trouble you, Granny."
*
Ling Yao and Tian Tian, the young couple, noticed that... they were getting busier and busier.
The emperor and empress would occasionally have disagreements, and would leave state affairs behind to vent their anger.
Ling Yao has gone from handling memorials to discussing matters with ministers.
From the very beginning when Tian Tian was involved in palace affairs, until now... everyone in the palace has to ask her about everything.
As night fell, the young couple nestled together...
"I feel like we've been tricked by Father and Mother," Ling Yao muttered.
Tian Tian rubbed her neck...
She spent the day chatting with several noblewomen, and even though she was just sitting, it was tiring because she had to maintain the demeanor of a crown princess.
She finally understood the Empress's predicament.
The Empress was also a carefree person, and sitting like this every time was torture for her.
"Father and Mother have worked so hard for so many years, let's help them share some of their burdens now..." Tian Tian muttered...
I fell asleep in a short while.
Ling Yao kissed her tenderly, "You're still too kind."
He immediately sensed something was wrong!
Father and Mother must be hiding something from them.
*
In the blink of an eye, two months have passed since Tian Tian married into the imperial harem.
The day of Gu Yu and Lu Tao's wedding arrived.
The Emperor and Empress went to the Duke's Mansion, while Ling Yao and Tian Tian went to the Princess's Mansion.
Lu Tao was doing her hair in the backyard, while Liu San Niang was greeting her in the front.
She was both happy and tired today.
"Just thinking about the wedding arrangements for Youyou later makes my legs weak," she said, pulling Tian Tian along with a laugh.
"Aunt Liu, you've worked so hard." Tian Tian hugged her and nuzzled her for a while. "Thank you, Aunt Liu."
"Oh dear," Liu San Niang said, feeling rather embarrassed. "It's only right that I do my best to help my sister Lu get married."
"And Xiang'er and Young Master Qin are also helping out."
"Qin Qingyun is here?"
"Yes, he's not on duty today."
Liu San Niang put her ear over Tian Tian's ear and said, "These two have been getting along really well lately."
"Qian'er and Yao'er also like Young Master Qin. I think good things are just around the corner."
Tian Tian nudged her with her elbow, "And what about you, Aunt Liu?"
"What?" Liu San Niang said with a coy smile, "I just haven't met the right person yet, have I?"
"Sweetie, don't worry. If Aunt Liu meets someone suitable, she definitely won't have as much trouble as they do."
"I'll drag him back myself!! Hahaha!"
Tian Tian laughed along with her.
"Madam, the chicken strips are fried. Shall we distribute them to the children now?" A maid came out carrying a large bamboo basket of golden-brown fried chicken strips.
These chicken strips were fried for Tian Jinghe's classmates.
Today is Lu Tao's wedding day, and the Cui family, as in-laws, have also come to attend.
Knowing that the princess's family had no relatives in the capital, they directly granted Tian Jinghe's school a leave of absence so that the children could come and make a scene.
Hearing that it was chicken strips, Tian Tian looked over with great interest.
But as soon as I turned around, a heavy, greasy smell rushed into my nostrils.
Her stomach churned violently!
"Ugh!" Tian Tian covered her mouth, her throat filled with acidic fluid.
"Sweetie?" Liu San Niang saw that her face had turned pale instantly and quickly helped her sit down on the chair next to her.
Ling Yao, who had been watching Tian Tian closely, rushed over immediately, "Tian Tian, what's wrong?"
Just as Tian Tian was about to speak, that greasy smell wafted up again.
She quickly covered her mouth and nose with her sleeve and then shook her head.
The maidservant, holding the chicken strips, didn't know what to do.
Liu San Niang turned around and glanced at the chicken strips, then at Tian Tian.
"You should take the things to the children first."
Liu San Niang dismissed the maid and then continued to scrutinize Tian Tian's expression.
After the greasy smell left, Tian Tian immediately felt much better in her stomach.
"It's alright." She shook her head.
Liu San Niang looked toward the maid from before, who had now disappeared at the door.
Then look at Tian Tian, she seems completely unaffected.
Ling Yao was worried, but Tian Tian still pushed him to go and keep the Cui family company.
Liu San Niang pulled Tian Tian towards the backyard...
"Aunt Liu, what's wrong?"
Liu San Niang remained silent and moved very slowly, leading her to Lu Tao's new house.
"Sister Lu."
Lu Tao hadn't even put on her crown yet. "What's wrong?"
“Sweetie just now…” Liu San Niang told Lu Tao what had just happened, “I was thinking, Sweetie has been married for two months now, could it be… that she’s pregnant?”
"After all, he's young and healthy..."
Upon hearing this, Tian Tian finally understood what Liu San Niang meant.
"Aunt Liu!!" She blushed instantly.
But she was also making plans in her mind...
Ling Yao was indeed young and healthy, and in the early days of their marriage, he was demanding almost every night.
Even after he began to handle state affairs, he didn't stop working in that area.
Moreover, her period had indeed...never come for a while.
So... there's a pretty good chance she's pregnant.