Harem Daily Life

Chapter 845 The person I don’t want to give a chance to is you

Shu Cairen paced back and forth in the room, his face showing excitement, anxiety and uneasiness.

"Did anyone see you doing it?" Shu Cairen was worried and couldn't help asking again.

Xiao Tang shook her head and said with certainty: "Don't worry, my dear. I was very careful and moved very quickly. No one saw it at all. Even if they insist that I went to the Clothing Bureau, there is no evidence to prove that I was the one who drugged them. I think we should divert the trouble away and set up a few more targets to distract their attention." After she finished speaking, she glanced at Xiao Xin.

Xiao Xin stepped forward and said, "Your Excellency, I have heard that a few days ago, the virtuous concubine severely punished several servants in the palace because they gathered together to play cards and neglected their duties. They were caught on the spot by the virtuous concubine. I thought that if I could spread this matter, the virtuous concubine would pay attention to those people."

Shu Cairen was very satisfied and let them do it according to their wishes.

The Shangyi Bureau compiled the list and sent it to Changle Palace. Tao Yanyan took a quick look and saw that they were all young palace maids from various palaces, nothing out of the ordinary. But when she looked at the maids from Liufang Pavilion, she lingered for a few seconds.

Chang Tai reported, "Your Majesty, I have singled out several troublemakers and questioned them one by one. This Xiao Tang from Liufang Pavilion was in the Clothing Department for a very short time, and no one saw her approach the Third Princess's clothes, so... for the time being, she is listed as not a suspect. Recently, there have been rumors in the palace that several maids are dissatisfied with Concubine Xian. The reason is that Concubine Xian had previously punished them for playing cards in a group. However, I have also questioned them one by one, and none of them have touched the clothes in the Clothing Department."

Tao Yanyan closed the list and said, "So, we didn't find anything."

Chang Tai nodded helplessly: "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will continue to investigate."

"There's something strange about this matter. It's been peaceful for so many years, so why is there suddenly such a commotion now? I'm afraid someone doesn't want the harem to be peaceful and is deliberately stirring up trouble. You should pay more attention in private to see who is stirring up trouble and wanting to stop us from enjoying a peaceful life."

As soon as Tao Yanyan finished speaking, he heard someone sent by Concubine Xian come to report that the third princess's rash had gone away, but she had a high fever again.

In ancient times, fever was not a trivial matter to be taken lightly, so Tao Yanyan immediately went to Yongtai Palace again.

Concubine Xian now has no way to calm down and handle palace affairs with peace of mind, and can only stay by Princess He Min's side.

After Imperial Physician Liu finished his examination, he said in surprise, "Logically, this kind of itching powder shouldn't cause a high fever. The weather has been sunny these past two days, with minimal temperature fluctuations, so we can rule out a cold. How about this? I'll prescribe a heat-clearing prescription for the Third Princess to take for two days and see how she fares.

For three days in a row, the third princess's high fever kept coming back, going down and rising again, making Concubine Xian very upset.

However, the palace was full of complicated affairs, big and small, so Tao Yanyan had no choice but to call Concubine Zhou and Concubine Xu to help handle palace affairs for a while.

However, within a few days, Concubine Zhou twisted her foot and was unable to walk for a month, while Concubine Xu suffered from diarrhea for several days due to something she had not yet eaten.

The concubines in the palace encountered accidents one after another, making it difficult for Tao Yanyan not to think too much.

"Is someone jealous and deliberately making trouble?" Tao Yanyan was now handling palace affairs by himself and had been feeling irritated for two days.

Mingyue presented the account book sent by the Ministry of Finance, "Your Majesty, there is a new account book. Please take a look."

Tao Yanyan said helplessly, "In the past, I had the virtuous concubine to help me, and I only needed to know the result. Now I have to see it all by myself. It's really annoying!"

Mingyue thought for a moment and said, "Why don't you ask two more concubines to help out? With winter approaching, many people need to do their annual inventory, and we're definitely shorthanded." Not only is the Empress busy, but the people under her are also busy. All matters in the palaces must be reported back to Changle Palace, and Mingyue and the others have been incredibly busy lately.

Tao Yanyan did feel a little overwhelmed, so the next day he called everyone in the harem and told them that he wanted to divide the work.

In the absence of Concubine Xian, Concubine Zhou and Concubine Xu, Concubine Liang became the leader of all the concubines.

She stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to share your worries, but the Fourth Princess has not been well since she fell into the water last time. With winter approaching, she must be carefully cared for, otherwise her cough will become more severe and she will have trouble sleeping in the middle of the night. I am willing but unable to do anything about it, and I feel really guilty."

Tao Yanyan also knew how tiring it was to take care of a child, so she said, "Just take good care of the Fourth Princess. I'll find someone else."

Shu Cairen sat in the crowd, glanced around, and snorted in his heart: None of them are useful.

She looked up at Empress Tao, stood up and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I am willing to share your worries."

Tao Yanyan looked at her calmly and smiled, "I'm very pleased that you have this intention. However, you are not of high rank, so I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince others. Please sit down, and I will ask others."

Shu Cairen sneered and said, "Your Majesty, you are so afraid of me handling palace affairs because you are afraid of my ability. I am the eldest daughter of the Shu family. I have been following my mother in managing household affairs since I was a child and have learned the skills of managing a household. When the late Empress was alive, I also assisted in managing the six palaces. Your Majesty needs help but doesn't give us any opportunities. Could it be that she is just sneaking us out for fun and is not really willing to give us power?"

Tao Yanyan narrowed his eyes. Shu Cairen really wanted to show off today!

"Consort Shu, you've misunderstood. It's true that I'm looking for help, but it's also true that you're of a low rank. A concubine of a low rank won't win the support of the people. Isn't that right? If you're so ambitious, why don't you find a way to raise your rank first? Once you're a concubine, it won't be too late to help me out."

Being ignored by Empress Tao, Shu Cairen's face flushed with anger. "Your Majesty, if you don't even give me a chance to show my abilities, how can I be promoted? Empress, whenever His Majesty enters the harem, he must stay in Changle Palace. The concubines in other palaces can't even see His Majesty. The Empress monopolizes His Majesty, the imperial property, and palace affairs, and doesn't allow anyone to interfere. She really doesn't leave anyone a chance at all."

Tao Yanyan watched Shu Cairen indignantly inciting the crowd, narrowed her eyes, and sneered, "Shu Cairen, I have never forced His Majesty's wishes. As for the affairs of the imperial palace, as the Empress, it is my duty to manage the six palaces. If you are dissatisfied, you can go to His Majesty to argue. However... there is one thing I cannot easily accept..."

She smiled at Shu Cairen and said, "You said I don't give people a chance. That's not true. I'm happy to see you all share my worries. Otherwise, I wouldn't have used Consort Xian, Consort Zhou, Consort Xu, and others over the years. The only person I don't want to give a chance to is you."