Harem Daily Life

Chapter 1039 The travel party has grown again.

Hua Yurong never expected that He Jin'an's background was so bizarre, let alone so full of hardships. Upon hearing that he was a prince but had been living among the common people since childhood and had suffered so much, Hua Yurong's heart ached.

“Because Jin’an’s birth mother was the daughter of a disgraced official, after his background was revealed, the Empress Dowager and His Majesty raised him under my name and made him my adopted son.” Tao Yanyan finished speaking and sighed. “Even though he was recorded in the imperial genealogy, the court officials still thought he was adopted from the common people. Over the years, he has been criticized a lot because of this identity.”

Hua Yurong's eyes were a little red: "It doesn't matter what his identity is. Father and Mother truly love him, and I can see that clearly."

Tao Yanyan took Hua Yurong's hand: "He came to my side when he was a little over two years old. From now on, I'm entrusting him to your care."

Hua Yurong quickly nodded: "Please rest assured, Mother, I understand."

Tao Yan said that he would be accompanying He Linzhang on a mission to the Xia Kingdom in a few days, and there were still some matters to be explained.

"Because His Majesty and I are leaving the capital, and Jin'an also needs to assist the Crown Prince in governing, your trip to your fiefdom of Qianzhou has been delayed. While I am away from the palace, I will trouble you to take care of the affairs of the imperial property. Chief Eunuch Li of the Imperial Household Department is a capable man; you only need to look at the accounts. If you have any questions, just ask Jin'an. He has been learning from me since he was a child, and he understands everything. The affairs of the inner palace have always been handled by the Noble Consort Xian. She is easy to get along with and will not make things difficult for you."

Hua Yurong wrote everything down. When she left Chang Le Palace, she took all of He Jin'an's personal belongings with her and took over the responsibilities that Tao Yanyan had entrusted to her.

Five days later, the Emperor and Empress set off for the Xia Kingdom. Early in the morning, He Yucheng watched his younger siblings excitedly discussing the travel arrangements.

"Fifth Sister, remember to bring my favorite chestnut pastries, don't forget them."

"And checkers, we'll play that on the carriage later."

While eating breakfast, He Xiaobao and He Xiaoliu reminded He Yinuo.

He Yinuo kept eating, only making "uh-huh" sounds.

Changtai was left to guard Changle Palace, while Xianglan and Shuang'er went with him. The two of them were busy packing their things, as if afraid of leaving anything behind.

He Jin'an patted He Yucheng on the shoulder: "Smile, my little brother, don't you still have your older brother to keep you company?" Two unfortunate brothers depend on each other for survival, how lonely can they be, right?

He Yucheng was speechless. His small face, which looked just like He Linzhang's, was completely expressionless, with only deep envy in his eyes.

Consort Xian and He Min sent over a lot of things that would be needed for the journey. He Min hugged He Yanran and cried for a long time. The two sisters were reluctant to part.

The dowry that Prince Yong's mansion had prepared for He Yanran was also taken along this time. Before leaving, Prince Yong called He Yanran aside, and the father and daughter exchanged a few words.

"Your mother in heaven should be very pleased to see that His Majesty and the Empress personally escorted you to your wedding today. Once you arrive in Xia Kingdom, be careful in everything you do and take good care of yourself. If you encounter any difficulties, write back for help. The Great Zhou and the Yong Prince's Mansion will always be your support."

He Yanran knelt down: "Yes, daughter understands. Thank you, Father, for your years of nurturing." After saying this, she respectfully kowtowed three times. After this parting, she would probably never have the chance to return to the Great Zhou in her life.

Like her birth mother, Princess Qinghe, He Yanran became a princess sent to marry a foreign ruler, embarking on her own destiny.

She thought she would be luckier than her mother, after all, Kang Pingzhi had feelings for her.

The imperial procession set off in grand style, departing the capital in a magnificent procession. The carriages carrying the dowry went ahead, as He Linzhang wanted to take the children to visit the Empress Dowager one last time.

Upon arriving at the small courtyard on the outskirts of Beijing, everyone saw that the Empress Dowager, Mu Yu, and Eunuch Qin had already packed their luggage and were waiting there. Even the talkative parrot He Xiaoqi was jumping around excitedly.

He Linzhang had a bad feeling—his team was about to get more people!

As expected, as soon as the Empress Dowager saw them, she told Eunuch Qin to carry their luggage. The group traveled light and quickly boarded the carriage.

He Linzhang and Tao Yanyan looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Cough, Mother, are you... going to escort us for a while?" He Linzhang was still struggling.

The Empress Dowager glanced at him and said, "I'm living a rather dull life, so I'll go out with the Emperor for a walk. You don't need to reveal my identity to the public. I'll just go with you incognito."

He Linzhang: “…”

"However, given the Empress Dowager's noble status, a long journey might be difficult..."

"Isn't there an imperial physician? Don't worry, I know my own body well, I'll be fine. A good mood leads to good health, so stop with the nonsense and let's get going!" After saying this, the Empress Dowager drew back the curtain and fell silent.

"Let's go, let's go! Xiaoqi is going on a journey! Let's go on a journey!" He Xiaoqi flapped its wings and circled the carriage twice. Finally, finding nowhere to land, it flew to He Xiaoliu's shoulder: "Sixth Brother, I'll ride with you."

He Xiaoliu was already used to being called "brother" by a bird. He carried the bird on his shoulder and sauntered onto the carriage.

"That's wonderful! Grandmother will be with us to send Sister Yanran off to her wedding. We won't go hungry on the way!" He Yinuo was very excited. The chubby girl turned around and climbed onto Grandmother's carriage: "Grandmother, Nuo'er has come to accompany you!"

He Xiaobao glanced at his stunned father and mother, coughed lightly, and said, "It's more lively with so many people. Father, don't delay the auspicious time. Let's set off quickly."

He Yanran bit her lip: "Then I'll go back to the carriage first."

Although she knew that the Empress Dowager had not come specifically to send her off to her wedding, but mostly wanted to go out and have fun, He Yanran was still extremely grateful, and a warm feeling washed over her.

Since things had come to this, Tao Yanyan could only tug at He Linzhang's clothes: "What else can we do? She's our own mother, so we'll just spoil her!" Father is here too, so we'll spoil him the same way.

They're like two old children.

He Linzhang boarded the carriage with a blank expression; this trip had truly exceeded his expectations.

What was originally planned as a trip for two has turned into a trip for two people with a child, and now the Empress Dowager has joined in. It's quite rare to see this whole family gathered together like this.

Only after the carriage started moving did the Empress Dowager's heart finally settle down. She patted her chest and said, "Fortunately, Yan Yan has been by the Emperor's side all these years, which has made him much gentler. Otherwise, we would probably have had three big arguments today, and he might not have been willing to take me with him."

Mu Yu peeled a tangerine for her and another for his well-behaved little granddaughter, taking meticulous care of both of them.

"Steel tempered a hundred times can be turned into silk that is soft to the touch; Your Majesty finds it sweet."

The Empress Dowager glanced at him, her eyes crinkling with a smile: "You are a blessed person, to have given birth to such a wonderful daughter."

Mu Yu smiled so much that his eyes crinkled with even more wrinkles. He Yinuo chewed as she said, "Grandmother, grandfather, father and mother are also blessed people. Our whole family is blessed."

The Empress Dowager and Mu Yu were amused by her, and their carriage was filled with laughter all the way.