Harem Daily Life

Chapter 206: Palace Banquet

In the evening, Mingyue dressed Tao Yanyan up a little more gorgeously than usual to attend the palace banquet. When she was about to put another golden hairpin in her hair, Tao Yanyan said, "No need. It's too heavy and uncomfortable. Jin'an and I are not the guests of honor. There's no need to be too conspicuous."

As a concubine of the fourth rank, she just needed to quietly take care of the children and eat. It would be best if she finished eating early and sneaked back home early. She was also thinking about taking Xiaojin to set off fireworks in the evening.

"By the way, you should eat something in advance to fill your stomach so you won't be hungry at night. Tomorrow, on New Year's Day, we will make a big dinner." Qingfeng, Mingyue, and Xiao Quanzi were all going to the palace banquet and it was not their turn to eat, so they had to eat in advance.

Over at Xiao Jin'an's side, Dong Fang, who was out shopping, was itching to buy some sky-high fireworks.

"Second Prince, you can release it when you come back in the evening. I will keep it for you first."

Qingfeng came over and called people, and said a lot of nice words before he took Xiao Jinan, who was eager to play with fireworks, away.

When the two of them arrived at the palace banquet wearing cloaks, most people had already arrived. As soon as Tao Yanyan led Xiao Jinan in, Princess Jing came to greet them.

"I came to the palace early today, hoping to see you earlier. I didn't expect you to come just now." After saying that, he looked Tao Yanyan up and down and couldn't help but exclaimed: "What do you look like? You seem to be more beautiful than the last time I saw you!"

Tao Yanyan couldn't resist her familiarity and said modestly: "It's just the right makeup. Princess Jing's words made me feel embarrassed."

After that, he asked Xiao Jinan to call someone: "Jinan, this is the Princess of Jing. The Prince of Jing is your father's brother."

Little Jin'an called out obediently: "Princess Jing, how are you? I am your son, Jin'an."

Princess Jing had long heard that the Queen Mother had adopted a grandson, who was now being raised by Concubine Tao. When she saw him today, she found the child to be chubby and cute. She couldn't help but pinch his face, and took out two gold leaves and handed them to him: "Second Prince is so well behaved. This is the New Year's money from your aunt, take it quickly."

Xiao Jinan looked at Tao Yanyan, and Tao Yanyan said, "Since it was given by Aunt Princess, just take it. Don't forget to thank Princess Jing."

Little Jinan then took it and said obediently: "Thank you, Aunt Princess."

This was the first time that Xiao Jinan received New Year’s money. It was quite novel and he held it carefully in his hand.

"Come on, go sit in your seat. I have some questions about clothing that I want to ask you." Princess Jing took Tao Yanyan's arm, and the two of them went straight to Tao Yanyan's seat like sisters.

Qingfeng took the initiative to step forward, held Xiao Jinan's hand, and followed behind.

Mingyue went to ask for a plate of snacks and brought it to fill her master's stomach. Seeing that Xiao Jin'an was holding the gold leaves, she took off his purse and helped him put away the gold leaves.

"You don't know, the dress pattern you drew for me last time was sold out in the capital, and I made a thousand taels of silver. Later, I changed the fabric and made a winter style, but unfortunately the winter style didn't turn out well, and I didn't sell many pieces."

Tao Yanyan thought about the style and smiled: "That style really needs light fabric to look good. For winter clothes, they focus on keeping warm. Wide sleeves don't block the wind, which is extremely inconvenient in winter. Maybe that's why it can't be sold."

Princess Jing nodded: "I only discovered the flaws later when sales were not good. Fortunately, I didn't make much, so I didn't lose much." After saying that, she looked at the coat she was wearing and exclaimed: "Did you draw this one yourself? It's really beautiful."

Tao Yanyan was wearing a sleeveless vest today. The collar, shoulders and front were all fluffy, which looked very warm. It was warm and not bulky, and the pink color made her look young and energetic, just like the peach blossoms blooming in the cold winter, warm and soft.

"If you like it, I can draw it for you." Tao Yanyan said with a smile when he saw her eyes shining.

"Okay, okay, I'll make one and wear it when I get home, but such a pink color doesn't suit me."

"Blue or purple will look nice and solemn," Tao Yanyan suggested.

Mingyue heard the conversation between the two and stood up to ask for paper and pen. Tao Yanyan started to draw. Just as she finished, the eunuch's voice came from outside: "Your Majesty has arrived! Taihou has arrived! The Queen has arrived!"

Everyone knelt down and Princess Jing quickly took her leave and returned to her seat.

Four people came in, and Prince Yong He Tingye followed behind the three of them. As soon as he came in, he looked towards the concubines' position. In the crowd, he saw the beautiful figure in his heart at first sight.

He Linzhang sat down and said, "Everyone, please stand up! Today is the New Year, we are all family, don't be so formal."

Everyone thanked him, then stood up and the banquet began.

The palace maids came in one after another carrying dishes. Tao Yanyan and Xiao Jin were focused and only wanted to eat and drink.

Prince Yong, who was not far away, glanced over inadvertently and saw Tao Yanyan's eyes shining and his focused look on eating. He couldn't help but curl his lips.

He Linzhang said a few auspicious words, and then everyone started to toast each other, singing and dancing were arranged, with drums, harps and flutes, and clinking glasses, in a very harmonious atmosphere.

The Queen Mother was very pleased when she looked at the entire royal family, especially her grandchildren, she was indescribably happy.

The clan family is prosperous, and there are four children and two unborn babies in the palace. This year's New Year is the happiest year for her in the past five years.

So, the Queen Mother was happy and wanted to distribute benefits.

"Today is a festival. Go and get the golden peanuts I prepared and give a bag to each child present."

Eunuch Qin took the order and went to get it. Everyone began to express their gratitude and said a lot of auspicious words.

The children who received the golden peanut purses were very happy. The eldest prince, the eldest princess and the second princess made an appointment to go and thank the queen mother.

Tao Yanyan looked at Xiao Jinan who was chewing a chicken leg, picked up a handkerchief and wiped his face, but did not ask him to thank him as well.

The children of the clan also went to pay their respects to the empress dowager in groups of two or three. After all the children had thanked her and little Jin'an had finished eating the chicken leg, Tao Yanyan wiped his hands and face with a wet towel and said, "The Empress Dowager has given out golden peanuts. Jin'an, go and thank her!"

Xiao Jinan nodded, then stood up and walked towards the Queen Mother.

As soon as he walked up to the Queen Mother and was about to kneel down, the eldest princess said, "He has no idea where he came from. Humph, how dare he come to the royal palace banquet!"

Although the hall was large and not everyone could hear the eldest princess' voice, those who were nearby could hear it.

Little Jin'an looked at her in confusion, but knelt down without being affected: "Jin'an thanks the Royal Grandmother for the golden peanuts. I wish the Royal Grandmother peace and happiness every year, and all her wishes come true."

The Queen Mother glanced in the direction of the Imperial Concubine and the eldest princess. The eldest princess spoke rudely to Jin An in public, but the Imperial Concubine did not stop her. It was obvious that the Imperial Concubine also thought so in her heart and looked down on Jin An at all.

The Queen Mother raised her eyebrows and said lovingly to Xiao Jin'an: "Come to my side to have the feast. I am happy to see you."

Everyone: "..."

What's going on? The Queen Mother actually likes the Second Prince so much?