Harem Daily Life

Chapter 424 The truth behind Gu Ning's aphasia

Although the Jingzhao prefect punished the sons of those families according to the law and the emperor did not reprimand them for the beating of Tao Zhixing, the heads of each family were like ants on the hot pan. They contacted each other privately and wanted to find an opportunity to apologize to the emperor.

However, some people felt that the matter was over, and asking for forgiveness again would seem deliberate. His Majesty hadn't said anything, but this visit would give His Majesty the opportunity to ask for forgiveness, and he was afraid that he would punish each family severely.

There were different opinions, but finally several families unanimously decided to ask the ladies to come forward, deliver a visiting card to the palace, bring gifts and go to see the Imperial Concubine, so as to maintain a good relationship with the Imperial Concubine, which would be better than going to His Majesty to apologize.

After a discussion, they decided to go to the palace to pay a visit to the imperial concubine on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival.

When Tao Yanyan heard that the ladies of these families had arrived, he naturally knew what they were planning.

She received everyone in Changle Palace. Her attitude was neither arrogant nor kind, and people couldn't tell what she was thinking.

Madam Li made a few polite remarks before explaining her purpose: "We are really sorry that our children accidentally injured Master Tao this time. I hope Your Majesty will forgive us!"

"These children have been naughty since they were young. It's all because we didn't teach them well. Don't worry, Madam. After this incident, we will definitely discipline them well and will not let them cause trouble outside again."

Madam Li spoke sincerely, and the other ladies also echoed her. Tao Yanyan smiled faintly: "Since Jingzhao Yin has already punished them, I will not say anything more. However, if a son is not taught well, it is the fault of the father. I hope you can learn from the lesson and take good care of your own children and nephews. You must know that your children are also your face in the outside world. If they do something wrong, it is your own face that is lost. You all still have to maintain your official reputation. The annual performance evaluation is about to begin. Don't let these things cause criticism and affect your official career."

When the ladies heard this, they trembled and agreed. They were all glad that they had come today. No matter what, their attitude was correct. Otherwise, they would have offended the imperial concubine and her family, and they would have been uneasy.

"As for the Ningyuan Marquis' Mansion, even though Lord Gu didn't say anything, you still have to go and apologize. It's not gentlemanly to talk about the Marquis's daughter in her boudoir." Tao Yanyan glanced at everyone and said coldly.

Madam Zhang stepped forward and said, "Yes, yes, we are also going to come to your house to apologize in the next few days. Actually, Miss Gu could still speak when she was a child, but she later became ill and developed aphasia, which is quite regrettable."

Tao Yanyan had never asked about the fact that her cousin couldn't speak. So it wasn't congenital?

Mrs. Li continued Mrs. Zhang's words and said, "I know a family whose child also suffers from aphasia, but it was not due to illness, but was frightened when he was a child. Later I heard that the child was frightened again, and the aphasia was inexplicably cured again!"

Tao Yanyan listened to their discussion and thought that maybe he should ask his uncle how Gu Ning's problem came about.

If he was really too frightened, it might be a psychological reason.

She kept this matter in mind, and after sending away the ladies of each family, she found Dong Fang and asked him to take some of the Lantern Festival rewards to Ningyuan Marquis' Mansion to inquire in detail about Gu Ning's aphasia.

It was not until late at night that Dong finally returned before the palace gates were locked, bringing with him a letter from Ningyuan Hou.

"Your Highness, the Marquis said he was worried that I would not be able to remember, so he wrote down all of Miss Gu's information. Please review it, Your Highness."

Dong Fang presented the letter, and Tao Yanyan asked Mingyue to light another candle before unfolding it and reading it carefully.

When Tao Yanyan saw that when Gu Ning was a child, he followed Ning Yuanhou to Miaoyinfang to listen to music, and when he came back he had a high fever and talked nonsense, and could not speak again after the fever subsided, he frowned, always feeling that Miaoyinfang was a little strange.

When He Linzhang came over, he saw her holding a letter and reading it over and over again. He walked closer and hugged her: "What are you looking at so intently?"

Tao Yanyan handed him the letter: "My uncle wrote to me about Gu Ning's aphasia. I always feel that it is related to Miaoyinfang. Of course, it may also be that I am too sensitive. Ever since Li Cairen said those two lines of poetry, everything has been related to Miaoyinfang."

He Linzhang smiled and kissed her face gently: "Perhaps your premonition is right. Now at least we know that there is indeed a secret on the third floor of Miaoyinfang. I have sent Yingyi to investigate. Next month, when Miaoyinfang holds the triennial selection competition, I will go with you. Let's dress up and go investigate."

Tao Yanyan's eyes lit up: "Your Majesty, will you accompany me to join in the fun? That's great. I've never seen an ancient music hall before!"

He Linzhang frowned: "Ancient music hall? What does Yan Yan mean by this?"

Tao Yanyan choked and fell into his arms, rubbing against him: "I heard that this Miaoyinfang is quite old. I wanted to say ancient music house, but I made a slip of the tongue and said it wrong. Please don't laugh at me, Your Majesty."

He Linzhang rubbed her head: "It's okay. But... Yan Yan wants to go out and play so much, which makes me feel a little hurt."

He remembered again that she didn't like staying in the palace. Every time she went out, she was as happy as a bird out of a cage. It seemed that this deep palace trapped her soul.

Tao Yanyan knew that the man was having wild thoughts again, so she raised her head and kissed his chin, then hugged him and kissed him on the left and right, coaxing him: "I entered the palace as soon as I came to Beijing, and I haven't experienced the prosperity of the capital, so I am naturally yearning for it. But as long as I am with Your Majesty, no matter where I am, I am happy."

He Linzhang couldn't stand her teasing. Just a nice word would make his heart sweet as candied fruit. At this moment, the beauty was in his arms, looking at him with tender eyes. He couldn't bear it anymore and directly carried her into the inner room: "Then I will take Yan Yan to bathe together. I think Yan Yan will be happy with it."

Tao Yanyan's face flushed red, she put her arms around his neck and buried her head deeply in it. She only heard him laugh softly a few times, and the atmosphere became more ambiguous.

A year's plan begins with spring. After the Lantern Festival, all departments of the court began to get busy again, and the annual spring ploughing was about to begin.

Last year, the late empress was pregnant and did not accompany the emperor to attend the spring ploughing ceremony. This year, even the empress position is vacant, and the ministers all suggested that the imperial concubine or the virtuous concubine should accompany the emperor to perform the spring ploughing ceremony on his behalf.

During the morning court session, the ministers expressed their opinions on who was more suitable between the two.

He Linzhang frowned, seeing that everyone couldn't stop, and said: "The Imperial Concubine, the Virtuous Concubine, and the Shu Concubine are all present, and several princes and princesses should also go and experience it together. Agriculture is the foundation of the country. Only by working hard can we understand the suffering of the people."

The emperor had made the final decision and the ministers stopped arguing. After all, the concubines and princes that each of them supported were all there and no one could gain the upper hand.

When he learned that he was going to take part in the spring ploughing ceremony, Xiao Jinan prepared his small shovel, small bucket, and small hoe, as if he was going to plow a large piece of land.

He Xuan's mouth drooped as she looked at the medicinal herbs in her hand, wondering if she should take some over and plant a piece of land. That would be the first time she had planted a medicinal field with her own hands.

He Yue asked Hongxia to find a jar. She had to dig out earthworms in the soil, which required equipment.

Tao Yanyan looked at the three kids busying around, shook his head, and picked up the new storybook sent by the emperor. When he saw the title: "The princess got rich among the common people after being stolen," Tao Yanyan's mouth twitched. Who is so bold as to steal the princess?