Harem Daily Life

Chapter 1030 Love may fade, but true gold endures.

Tao Yanyan didn't rush her, but waited until she was tired of crying and wanted to talk before listening quietly.

"Your Majesty, how can men be so despicable? They neglect their wives in the manor and only think about those vixens. Don't they ever think that years of marital affection are worth less than a few beautiful flowers?"

Tao Yanyan touched her nose, thinking that she herself seemed to have risen from a concubine to a high position, like a delicate flower.

Princess Jing seemed to realize this as well, and said somewhat awkwardly, "I'm not saying that all vixens are bad, but... oh dear, Your Highness, you understand, right? You are a vixen loved by everyone, not one of those repulsive vixens."

Tao Yan said, "..." There's no need to explain.

"I understand, I get it. Tell me about the power to manage the household. How did you lose your power and become a figurehead?" More than romance, Tao Yanyan wanted to know how she lost control of the money.

Princess Jing wiped away her tears and began to speak: "It wasn't from the beginning that Concubine Liu gained the upper hand. It all started when the Prince took a liking to her and brought her into the manor..."

Princess Jing spoke and cursed at the same time, recounting in detail how Prince Jing met and married Concubine Liu, and how they flaunted their affection in front of her, which hurt her deeply. When she got tired of talking, she would stop to drink some tea, and then continue talking. Before she knew it, she had been talking for more than an hour.

After berating the despicable couple, Princess Jing's melancholy mood, which had been lingering for months, finally calmed down a bit: "I haven't come to see you these past few days. On one hand, I was truly enraged by them; on the other hand, I felt Your Majesty was too busy with your affairs to trouble you with something so trivial. Also... I've lost all my spirits and have been holed up in the East Courtyard all day, not wanting to see anyone. I've given up on myself and can't understand how he could have changed his mind so drastically, without even telling my own family."

Tao Yan patted her hand, knowing that this Princess Jing was always very concerned about her image. She had been in love with Prince Jing for so many years, and she couldn't quite grasp things. She didn't want to show her vulnerability to others, so she locked herself in the backyard, exiling herself to herself. In the end, she was probably a little depressed.

If it weren't for the fact that the rent couldn't be collected, and Tao Yanyan had asked her a question, she doesn't know how long she would have had to isolate herself.

Xianglan brought the two new snacks and refilled their tea. Tao Yanyan took a couple of bites and said, "Your young master is already married, your daughter-in-law is filial to you, and the princess is engaged and will be getting married next year. If you give up on yourself now, who will take care of the princess's wedding? Do you really expect a concubine to be able to hold a grand wedding banquet and send her off in style?"

Princess Jing felt like crying again, realizing she had indeed let her child down.

“What can I do? The prince stays at Concubine Liu’s place all day long, and I can’t even see him. All the account books, keys, and tokens have been sent to the west courtyard. I’m too far away to help. Moreover… Moreover, the prince said some harsh things. He said that I’m old and senile, and my thinking is outdated. I can’t compare to the cleverness and quick thinking of the new generation. He said that I’m occupying the position of mistress but not doing a good job. I was so angry that I simply handed everything over.”

Princess Jing was very aggrieved: "When I married him, I was one of the most beautiful women in the capital, and my family was the prestigious Xu family. If it weren't for the fact that he was so devoted to me when he proposed to me, would I have chosen him over someone else? Honestly, there are so many princes in the capital, I could have been a princess no matter which one I went to."

Tao Yanyan chuckled and said, "Exactly, that's why he didn't know how to cherish it. As you two walked together, he went astray. You've been in love for twenty years, and it's not like you're completely without feelings. But love in this world will eventually fade. What's more real is the hard-earned money in your hands, don't you think?"

Princess Jing nodded, but she was at a loss as to how to regain power. It was impossible for her to beg the Prince for mercy and have power returned to her; she couldn't lower herself for that. As for using cunning to deal with Consort Liu, she lacked the means. Always straightforward and pampered by Prince Jing for over a decade, she was incapable of scheming.

"If Your Majesty the Empress were me, what would I do?" Princess Jing sincerely asked for advice.

Tao Yanyan pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "To put it bluntly, if I were you, I might have already gotten a divorce."

"?"

Princess Jing swallowed hard: "I...I can't do it. My family still has unmarried daughters, and I can't let their marriages be hindered because of me."

Tao Yan smiled. In this era, divorce was indeed a last resort. Even if a woman was tortured to death after marriage, few would think of severing ties with their husband, ultimately wasting their lives. They had family in their hearts and face to save face. For these reasons, they were willing to grit their teeth and endure the hardships.

“If you don’t want a divorce, try to let go of Prince Jing, bury all those feelings of love and affection, and treat him as… well, a partner who lives under the same roof and raises children with you.”

Tao Yanyan's words startled Princess Jing, who seemed to be deep in thought.

"Think about it, you've been in business for so many years, haven't you had business partners? Would you place your joys and sorrows on your business partners? Would your emotions fluctuate because they look at you more, say a kind word to you, or give you a cold shoulder?"

Princess Jing shook her head: "It's just a business partnership, all for money. Of course, it won't affect me at all."

Tao Yanyan nodded: "Yes, that's the attitude. Treat him as a partner. You need to gradually focus your attention elsewhere, handle the princess's wedding well, take good care of the prince's family, keep the money that is rightfully yours in your own hands, take good care of your health, and be happy. Don't give him an extra glance."

Princess Jing clenched her fist: "Is it really possible?"

"It's difficult, but it has to be done. Where there's a will, there's a way. You can do it."

Looking into Empress Tao's hopeful eyes, Princess Jing's heart, which had been barren for months, was once again warmed by the bright sunshine of the day.

"Love yourself before loving others. When you get back, take care of your diet and get your body back in shape. You can't do anything without good health; health is the foundation of everything," Tao Yanyan patiently advised.

"Next, let Prince Jing go to whichever courtyard he wants. Don't pay him any attention, and don't pester him. If that Consort Liu tries to instigate you, have her thrown out. You are a princess, and you don't need such a noisy vixen around you. If Prince Jing stands up for her, then beat him up too. If you don't have enough manpower, I'll send you the best guards."

Princess Jing swallowed hard and quickly waved her hand, "No need, no need. My family gave me the guards back then, and they all listen to me and are very capable fighters."

We dare not accept the Empress's help; her people are all top-notch secret guards!

Tao Yanyan nodded with satisfaction: "Then, you need to find a way to separate your private property from the Wangfu's property. Why should that Aunt Liu manage your own property? Go and ask for it back with a clear conscience. If she doesn't give it to you, take action. You are the one in the right. Make a big show of it and show your strength."

Princess Jing's eyes darkened, and she made up her mind to do as she was told.

"Finally, you should just observe and wait. Have a trusted confidant keep an eye on the Prince's properties in private, but keep a low profile in public. Focus on managing your own little plot of land. In time, you might discover some dirt on Concubine Liu, and then find an opportunity to give her a good slap in the face. Make sure it's a decisive blow."

Princess Jing was practically in awe; she felt enlightened and couldn't wait to return to her residence and put it into practice.