Harem Daily Life

Chapter 450 Solving the Hot Potato

Zhou Jieyu was a concubine who entered the palace with Li Cairen, three years earlier than Tao Yanyan. She had been suppressed by Li Cairen before. Knowing that Li Cairen wanted to come back, she naturally did not want to let her succeed.

As soon as Tao Yanyan finished speaking, she echoed, "That's right. She was banished to the cold palace and was supposed to die alone there. Your Majesty, you showed mercy and let her go to Jingci Temple to practice. It was a better place than the cold palace. Who would have thought that she would be so ambitious and even dream of coming back!"

Concubine Liang nodded in agreement: "There are many servants in this palace. Why do we need a cultivator like her to come back to help Concubine Lu with her pregnancy? I'm afraid she has other intentions and wants to come back to win her favor."

Tao Yanyan smiled and said, "Your Majesty may not agree to her wish. The two of them have already broken up and it is difficult to continue."

As the three were talking, Mingyue came in and reported, "Your Majesty, Concubine De is here. She said she wants to discuss something with you and is already waiting in the side hall."

When Tao Yanyan heard this, she immediately asked Mingyue to invite someone in. Concubine Zhou and Concubine Liang stood up to welcome Concubine De.

When Concubine De came in and saw the three people, she smiled and said, "You two are here too, that's great, let's listen together and give some advice."

Concubine Zhou and Concubine Liang paid their respects to Concubine De, and only sat below her after Concubine De took her seat.

Tao Yanyan leaned back and apologized, "I've been vomiting a lot lately, and I really can't sit still. I'm sorry."

Defei smiled and said, "This is how it is when a woman is pregnant. Your Majesty, don't mind it. Just do whatever makes you feel comfortable." After saying that, she explained her purpose without any further greetings.

"The Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon. I came here today to ask if the Imperial Concubine has any ideas. The two sisters can also speak freely and brainstorm."

Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the biggest festivals in the year, and it is celebrated with great fanfare in the palace every year.

Tao Yanyan said lazily: "I am not in good spirits now, and I rely on Concubine De for everything. You can prepare as you did in previous years, I have no objection."

Since other people are doing the job, you should keep your mouth shut to avoid annoying others. Tao Yanyan understands this very well.

Concubine Zhou and Concubine Liang didn't have any ideas, but they both said that if help was needed, they could be assigned. They were bored anyway, so it was their duty to do their best.

After hearing this, Concubine De knew that her trip was just a formality, which was no different from what she had planned in her mind. After sitting for a while, she wanted to get up and leave.

Before leaving, she added, "By the way, Imperial Concubine, Concubine Lu is about to give birth. The due date is next month. His Majesty has not said anything and has not made any arrangements. The Lu family is anxious, so they submitted a petition to allow Concubine Li to return to the palace to help her sister's pregnancy. Although we don't know what His Majesty will decide, this matter... Your Majesty should be mentally prepared. If she comes back, I'm afraid that all the previous things will be handled lightly again."

Defei thought that after all, Li Cairen was dragged down by Concubine Tao herself, and Concubine Tao would never let her come back.

She threw this hot potato to Concubine Tao because she couldn't bear to see Concubine Tao having nothing to do all day and being pregnant.

After she finished speaking, Concubine De went out, and Mingyue sent the person off for her master.

After Liang Jieyu and the others walked away, she said, "If you ask me, the Lu family's excuse is far-fetched. However, it is also inappropriate for Concubine De to take charge of the harem and not make any arrangements for the concubines to give birth."

Tao Yanyan glanced at her and said with a smile, "Yes, there are not many children in the palace. It's not easy for Concubine Lu to get one. If she is not well taken care of, it will be wrong."

"She is of low status, so anything she needs may not be of high quality. We need to prepare a wet nurse and a midwife in advance."

"Alas, the grudge between me and these sisters is too deep. If I help them, I'm afraid they will think badly of me."

"De Fei is in charge of such a large harem, and has a lot of tedious things to do every day. It is understandable that she cannot take care of Lu Cairen."

Tao Yanyan said a lot, and Concubine Zhou and Concubine Liang looked at each other. Concubine Liang said, "Your Majesty is pregnant now, so you shouldn't worry too much. Concubine De is really busy and can't take care of so many things. I have a way to stop the Lu family's thoughts and take care of Lu Cairen, and share the worries of Concubine Guifei and Concubine De."

Tao Yanyan looked at her curiously: "Oh? Then tell me, what is the method?"

Concubine Liang said, "The Lu family is asking for Concubine Li to return to the palace because no one is looking after Concubine Lu. Wouldn't it be possible to solve this problem if we just find someone to look after Concubine Lu and her child? So I think we should choose a high-ranking concubine to look after Concubine Lu until she safely gives birth to a royal heir. If we are destined to do so, it would not be a bad idea to raise the royal heir together with Concubine Lu in the future."

Concubine Liang actually had her own selfish motives. She didn't expect to have a son or daughter in her lifetime. Since His Majesty didn't even go to her palace, she might as well take this opportunity to hold on to Concubine Lu's child so that she would have someone to rely on in the future.

It is really miserable for the imperial concubines and royal consorts who are childless in their old age. She doesn't want to live a miserable life without anyone to rely on when she is old.

Although Concubine Zhou also wanted a child, she looked down on Concubine Lu's child, so she didn't say much.

Tao Yanyan was waiting for Liang Jieyu to say this. She said in embarrassment, "Hey, the high-ranking concubines in the palace now all have children, and Wang Zhaoyi is also raising the third princess..."

She looked at Concubine Liang, then Concubine Zhou. "You two entered the palace three years earlier than me, so you are twenty-two this year, right? After Concubine Wang, it's you two. I wonder if any of you are willing to take the trouble to take care of Concubine Lu during this period of time?"

Liang Jieyu was very happy and said embarrassedly: "If your majesty does not despise my stupidity, why don't you let me go. Before I entered the palace, when I was still in the boudoir, I also took care of my pregnant sister-in-law, so I have some experience."

Tao Yanyan smiled and said, "You are not afraid of hard work and took the initiative to ask for it. I am so happy. I am sure Concubine De will be satisfied with this arrangement."

When Concubine Liang heard that the Imperial Concubine supported this matter, she felt relieved. The two sat for a while, and Concubine Liang said that she would go to Yongxing Palace to ask Concubine De for instructions, and then she left.

After everyone left, Mingyue put another cushion under Tao Yanyan, helped her lie down, and said while fanning herself, "This Concubine Liang has an active mind. She knows that she should seize the opportunity now."

Tao Yanyan took a sip of water and said, "He knows how to plan for his future. He is indeed a smart man. As for Lu Cairen of Mingcui Pavilion, ask Chang Tai to arrange someone to keep an eye on her the whole time. If you find anything wrong, report to me immediately."

Mingyue nodded: "Yes, Changtai is out on business. I will talk to him when he comes back. Madam, are you worried that Concubine Liang will do something bad for the child? She is not that cruel."

Tao Yanyan said calmly, "It's not to guard against her, but if Lu Cairen has any mishap, I'm afraid someone with ulterior motives will blame me. As the saying goes, knowing yourself and knowing the enemy ensures victory in a hundred battles. I'm just keeping an eye on her in advance to give myself peace of mind."