Harem Daily Life

Chapter 762 Moving Out Overnight

Although the empress dowager was a little angry about the emperor's avoidance, she was more distressed.

"Don't worry, I'll send someone to look for him. Once we find him, bring him back to the capital, and I'll teach him a lesson for you." Although the Queen Mother said this, she was heartbroken and choked. She also wanted to see her son and see how old he had become.

The Queen Mother sighed, "I didn't expect Zhang'er to be poisoned like that, and the antidote is so hard to find. Your brother's martial arts skills are quite good, but it's difficult for him to reach the cliffs by the sea to collect herbs. The sea is bottomless and if he falls, he will be swallowed up in an instant. Just sitting on the boat is terrifying, let alone climbing up the cliff. But don't worry, your brother has already ordered people to dig a road, and it's only a matter of time before he gets the herbs."

Tao Yanyan imagined the scene and knew how difficult it would be. She nodded, "Be patient and wait a little longer. Perhaps there will be a chance for improvement. Your Majesty, you've been traveling so long. Rest for a while. I'll prepare lunch and welcome you back later."

Tao Yanyan told the children not to disturb the empress dowager, and went to the small kitchen to prepare the meal himself.

The empress dowager looked around and saw He Xuan, Jin An, He Yue and He Min all sitting obediently beside them, with the twins on either side of them and He Xiaobao in her arms. Surrounded by so many children and grandchildren, she instantly felt her heart filled with joy.

"Xuan'er, Jin'an, you two have grown taller. Jin'an is probably even taller than your father, right? Yue'er and Min'er have also grown a lot taller, but you still need to work hard, eat more, and grow taller." After not seeing the children for more than a year, the empress dowager was very pleased that they had changed a bit.

Jin An said, "When the Royal Grandmother was not in the palace, your grandchildren missed her very much. After you come back this time, Royal Grandmother, please don't go out again, okay?"

The Queen Mother nodded and said, "I won't go out. From now on, the Empress Dowager will be with you."

After the whole family sat together and finished their lunch, the empress dowager wanted to rest, so Tao Yanyan took the children away.

After everyone left, the Queen Mother said to Eunuch Qin, "Go and find out where the Emperor has gone. I've been away from the capital for a year. Does he think he's even going to see me?"

Eunuch Qin nodded in agreement and went out to do his errand.

Three days later, Eunuch Qin sent a message: "Reporting to the Queen Mother, His Majesty is living in a mansion not far from the outskirts of Beijing, but His Majesty said that it is not convenient for him to see you right now."

The Queen Mother looked at him: "...Did you see it?"

Eunuch Qin shook his head. "Even this servant wasn't allowed to see him. It was Ying Er who came out to report. After I asked a few questions, Ying Er became overwhelmed with grief. I'm sure... Your Majesty's condition is not very good."

The Queen Mother was also filled with grief. After a long while, she said, "He doesn't want to see me, but I do. Please arrange for me to leave the palace secretly. I don't believe that he won't see me even though I'm at his door!"

Eunuch Qin had no choice but to make arrangements, and a few days later, he took the opportunity to go to Fuyan Temple to burn incense and prepared to go there.

Chang Tai got the news and hurried back to report: "Your Majesty, there is movement from the Empress Dowager. She said she will go to Fuyan Temple to pay homage tomorrow."

Tao Yanyan thought for a moment and said, "Go and prepare. Have Shuang'er follow from a distance, so no one can see her. Let's see whether the Queen Mother is really going to pay respects or to see His Majesty."

Chang Tai received the order and went down. Shuang'er, having received the order, had already ambushed outside the palace, waiting for the Queen Mother's carriage to leave the palace and then followed it. But to her surprise, Yin Jiu had also quietly followed the Queen Mother's carriage and ran into Shuang'er.

"You were... sent by the Second Prince? But how did you know that the Queen Mother would leave the palace today?" Shuang'er couldn't help asking.

Yin Jiu glanced at the convoy in the distance and whispered, "The Second Prince only said that the Queen Mother might leave the palace, but he didn't know the exact date. I've been waiting outside the palace for many days."

Shuang'er's lips twitched, wanting to say that it hadn't been easy for him either. However, she was always cold and didn't talk much. She just sighed inwardly and followed him.

The empress dowager's carriage turned into another road halfway. Yin Jiu and Shuang'er hurriedly followed and saw that the group had walked for half an hour and stopped outside a house in the suburbs.

The two looked at each other and did not move closer. They just noted the location and waited to return to report.

A man came out of the courtyard and talked for a long time. Then the door of the courtyard opened and the empress dowager walked in.

He Linzhang wore a mask that concealed his old face, but even though the empress dowager didn't see his face, just the sight of his almost gray hair made her burst into tears.

"Son!" The Queen Mother took two steps at a time and stepped forward, hugging He Linzhang. She looked him up and down for a long time, tears streaming down her face. "You...how can I live like this?"

The empress dowager is over fifty years old this year. Because she took the resurrection grass before and took good care of herself, she looks less than fifty years old. Compared with her son He Linzhang, He Linzhang looks older.

"Mother, now that things have come to this, you don't have to be too sad. It's important to take care of yourself." He Linzhang comforted her with a few words, then asked the empress dowager to sit down and asked about her travels over the past year.

Although the words were lighthearted, the Queen Mother could sense the heaviness of He Linzhang's mood. In fact, no one would be able to remain calm in the face of the current situation.

"The Netherworld Grass is hard to find, and Wang Xingchuan is also working hard. You can relax and let the imperial doctors use the medicine first. You must wait until the herbs are delivered, understand?" The Queen Mother held He Linzhang's hand and instructed.

He Linzhang nodded. "I understand. Your Majesty has returned to the capital now. Yanyan is young, so I hope Your Majesty will help her. Not all the officials in the court are easy to get along with."

The Queen Mother sighed, "It's hard for that girl. Don't worry, I will take good care of her. I will help you protect this kingdom and will hand it back to you when you return."

The Queen Mother rested in this small courtyard for half a day before returning to the palace. After the Queen Mother's carriage left, Ying Er appeared and asked, "Yin Jiu and Shuang'er have been hiding outside for a long time. Do you want me to go and warn them?"

He Linzhang said calmly, "Yin Jiu has been given to Jin An, so he only obeys Jin An's orders. Shuang'er only obeys the Queen. No matter how much you warn them, they will tell the Queen and the Second Prince about my whereabouts. Go and prepare to move to the next place."

Ying Er had no choice but to prepare for the move. It was freezing cold outside, and moving at night was not an easy task.

After Shuang'er returned to the palace to report, she hesitated and said, "This servant has seen that the Queen Mother was invited in after a long time of talking. If Your Majesty goes there, you may not be able to see her."

Tao Yanyan snorted coldly, "Who said I was going to see him? I'm just curious about where he's hiding. He's avoiding me, so I don't want to rush to see him."

He Linzhang's move overnight was in vain, as this place of residence did not welcome his little queen after all.