After the rebellion was successful, I realized that this place was the Red Mansion

Chapter 150 A Gathering of Beauties at Linjing Hall

Baochai and her three companions entered the palace through the Xihua Gate. According to custom, they were supposed to go to Changchun Palace to see Jia Yuanchun first, but someone came to greet them and invited them into the Linjing Hall.

Wang Xuanzhu was being led by the hand by her sister, but her eyes kept taking in the red walls and green tiles of the palace. She noticed that the palace wasn't all bright and shiny, and many of the tiles and walls were old and worn.

The palace maids and eunuchs stood guard all around, unable to wander around as they pleased; they could only follow others into the Linjing Hall.

Seeing that the two sisters were nervous, Baoqin quietly smiled and said, "It's alright, there aren't that many rules in the palace. Just greet people when you see them."

No sooner had the words left her mouth than a eunuch announced, "Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!"

The sisters Junyi and Xuanzhu were both startled, not knowing how to welcome the Empress's carriage. But seeing that Baochai and Baoqin were just standing there waiting, the two sisters also stood at attention.

A moment later, a dozen or so eunuchs and palace maids carried a palanquin at a leisurely pace. On the palanquin sat a concubine wearing a brightly colored jacket and a plum blossom hairpin with a gold and jade top. Her makeup was not too extravagant, and she looked like she was going on a spring outing.

"Greetings to Your Highness." Baochai and Baoqin performed a curtsy, and the other pair of sisters followed suit.

After sitting down in the palanquin, Empress Zhang looked at the two women and said with a smile, "Two more beautiful ladies have appeared. Which family's newest daughters are they?"

Wang Junyi hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, we are daughters of the former Shun Dynasty Prince's family, and we now live in the mansion."

"No wonder. Remember, you don't need to call me Empress anymore. Let's go in together. The Emperor will be back soon."

Empress Zhang led four people into Linjing Hall. When they arrived at the main hall of the rear hall, Wang Xuanzhu saw that several beautiful concubines were already sitting in the hall. When Empress Su entered, they all stood up to greet her.

The hall suddenly became lively. Wang Xuanzhu followed her sister to recognize people. The dignified and noble one was the Virtuous Consort of the Jia family, the gentle one was the late Consort Wu of the Shun Dynasty, the two with slender waists sitting at the end were the newly appointed talented women, and there was one they recognized, the eldest mistress of the Jia family.

She is here too!
He then sat down next to Jia Yuanchun.

"I'm late~"

Accompanied by soft laughter, a graceful woman with a charming face walked in, holding a round fan with flowers and birds in her hand. She wore a thin, sheer dress that floated lightly, and a pink tube top tightly wrapped around her full breasts underneath. Her makeup was gorgeous, making her even more radiant.

Wang Xuanzhu didn't recognize her at first. It was only after she came over and pulled her that she realized she was Xiao Rong, the eldest mistress of Ningguo Mansion, who had been in the palace for over a month!
Now she looks exactly like a concubine in the palace.

Qin Keqing took her hand and smiled, "There are two more young ladies today, making the tour of Daming Palace even more lively later."

Just as Wang Xuanzhu was wondering what to say, another concubine arrived. She looked very frivolous and was known as Consort Zhou.

As soon as she arrived, she insisted on sitting below Jia Yuanchun, saying that she was a noble lady while the other young ladies had not been granted the title of imperial concubine, and according to the rules, she should sit in front.

Baochai quickly offered her a seat and said a few kind words to her. Noble Lady Zhou did not pursue the matter and sat down happily.

No one paid much attention. Empress Zhang didn't say anything, and Qin Keqing was even smiling while waving her fan. However, Consort Wu felt embarrassed and was not very willing to talk to Consort Zhou.

Logically speaking, none of the beautiful women in this room held official titles of concubine; they were simply seated haphazardly according to their previous ranks and the degree of favor they received.

Wang Xuanzhu and Wang Junyi were new to the palace, so they could only sit at the end, with the two newly appointed concubines. There were three seats left on both sides, which they knew were reserved for Sister Lin and Sister Yun.

Of course, the dragon throne in the very center of the hall was reserved for the emperor, and the women sitting on either side were waiting for him to arrive.

"Miss Lin, Miss Yun, Miss Xing has arrived!" a eunuch called out from outside the door.

Most of the people present remained seated. Baoqin and Xuanzhu, the two younger girls, stood up to greet her. Wang Junyi also stood up, but was then told to sit down by Yuanchun.

Daiyu, Xiangyun, and Xiuyan walked in together, all dressed for an outing, still wearing their old clothes.

After they met, they sat down.

Wang Junyi secretly glanced around and saw a dozen or so concubines and young ladies in the room. Some were talented and beautiful, some were gorgeous and charming, and some were dignified and elegant. Apart from a few, the rest of them would be good enough to be the eldest daughters-in-law of dukes and marquises. But now they were sitting together, just waiting for a man.

The man was outside attending court...

There's another chair. Whose is it?
Just as she was noticing this, the eunuch outside called out again: "Princess Qinghe has arrived with all the little princesses."

Princess?

Wang Junyi glanced at the princess and saw that Lin Daiyu and the others had all stood up, while Qin Keqing remained seated. She then realized that the princess was between the age of Consort Qin and Lin Daiyu.

She hesitated for a moment, then stood up to greet him.

Yuan Chun smiled and said, "I don't know who is older or younger than you. You can tell me your ages later."

Wang Junyi smiled shyly.

Soon, a graceful and beautiful princess led five little princesses in. After everyone had greeted each other, the hall became even more lively.

Wang Xuanzhu suddenly found it amusing. Princess Qinghe was not yet married, but she acted like a mother, taking care of a group of little princesses. Her demeanor and bearing were just like their mother's, and the little princesses clung to her.

Green Swallow asked with a smile, "Where will the little princesses sit?"

"Tell them to stand up."

Empress Zhang, their legal mother, gave the order, and no one else had a say.

After a while, the emperor still hadn't returned. Seeing that the princesses' legs were aching from standing, Daiyu offered them her seats, saying, "I'll go inside and sit for a while. Would you like to come with me?"

Xiangyun and Baoqin went along, and Wang Junyi saw her younger sister go in as well. The four of them went into the east side room together, where Miss Xing was sitting perfectly fine.

She then looked at Consort Zhou and saw the jealousy and resentment on her face. She knew that although Miss Lin did not have the rank of Consort, she was more favored than them in the palace.

Miss Lin could go to the east side room to rest on her own without asking anyone else, and she didn't worry about the emperor blaming her. To her, this place was just like her own home.

Perhaps seeing that Zhou Guiren harbored resentment in her eyes, she also stood up, wanting to follow her into the east side room.

Empress Zhang did not stop her, but simply said, "The young ladies will be staying in Linjing Palace."

Consort Zhou immediately lost her temper and could only sit back down, sulking to herself. Wang Junyi couldn't help but chuckle to herself; all of Consort Zhou's thoughts were written on her beautiful face.

It seems that not all the concubines in the palace are scheming.

After a while, Qin Keqing asked, "Shouldn't we send someone to inform His Majesty? The young ladies are all waiting."

Empress Zhang remained silent, and Jia Yuanchun hesitated as well. Seeing this, Qinghe instructed Shuyu, who was standing outside, to go and inquire.

Wang Junyi was puzzled: were young girls more favored, or were the empresses more cautious?
Before long, a eunuch came to deliver a message: "Please wait for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Your Highness and the young ladies."

Upon hearing this, Qin Keqing smiled and said, "I'll go in and chat with the girls for a while."

As she spoke, she gracefully walked into the east side room, her figure elegant and graceful against the backdrop of her sheer dress.

Everyone could hear laughter coming from inside; it was Miss Yun playing around with the young lady from the Wang family who had just entered the palace.

Baochai smiled and said, "I wonder what Daiyu is talking about inside. I'll go in and take a look."

As he spoke, he got up and went into the east side room.

Empress Zhang and Jia Yuanchun remained seated, unmoved.

Consort Zhou complained, "His Majesty clearly favors the young ladies more."

These words were a complaint against Empress Zhang, Consort Xiande, and Consort Wu. They were old palace women with higher ranks, yet they did not compete for the emperor's favor with the young ladies, leaving Consort Wu, a mere concubine, to struggle alone.

Jia Yuanchun looked at her and smiled as she advised, "Young ladies, you've just entered the palace and aren't bound by palace rules yet. His Majesty often tells us to reduce outdated customs and not be too restrained. However, the Empress and I have discussed this, and if there were no rules, wouldn't the palace be in chaos? The young ladies are favored and are able to live in Linjing Palace; that's their good fortune. We all have our own palaces, so let's not compete with them." Her words were simple and straightforward, and Consort Zhou muttered something but had no choice but to give up.

Consort Wu said calmly, "Since His Majesty entered the palace, there are fewer rules we need to follow than before. However, I am also worried that one day we might cause trouble and disturb His Majesty, which would be our fault."

Who will take responsibility? The Empress, the Virtuous Consort? The eunuchs and ladies-in-waiting of the palace?
Ultimately, the harem still lacked a true empress to rule over it.

A moment later, a eunuch came to deliver an imperial edict: "His Majesty has finished the morning court session and is about to return to the inner palace. Considering the large number of people, Your Highness and the young ladies need not go out to greet him."

"Go back and report: We obey your command."

Empress Zhang nodded and smiled at Qinghe, "Go and call Miss Lin and Miss Yun out."

Qinghe quickly got up and went inside to call for help. The little princesses sitting in the chairs all made way for her.

Wang Junyi seemed to be deep in thought. Judging from the Empress's expression, Lin Daiyu and Yun Daiyu were the most favored.

Soon after, with the announcement "The Emperor has arrived," everyone knew that the Emperor had returned.

Wang Junyi and her sister stood in line and saw the concubines and young ladies lined up on both sides of the hall. Some lowered their heads and waited respectfully, while others turned their heads to look at the palace gate. There were also some people, such as Miss Lin, with indifferent expressions.

A moment later, a tall, agile man stepped into the inner hall, stopped, and looked around with piercing eyes. Wang Junyi happened to look up and met the eyes of the emperor, who looked like a dragon soaring and a tiger glaring at her.

She hurriedly lowered her head.

But then she saw her younger sister, Xuanzhu, staring intently at the emperor, her eyes unblinking, looking completely stunned.

Wang Junyi grew anxious and quietly tugged at her collar.

"Two new girls arrived today?"

Chu Yan saw them, but he didn't stop. He walked to the main seat and sat down. From his position, he could see the people lined up on his left and right sides.

Some are as beautiful as flowers and the moon, others as graceful as empresses, still others as charming as young ladies from humble families; some are plump and radiant, others graceful and charming; one here is delicate and slender, another is gentle and beautiful; one here is dignified and noble, another is lively and agile.

A thousand beauties, each with their own unique charm, stood before him, becoming his concubines in his harem.

Chu Yan was in high spirits and said with a smile, "Please sit down, let's chat for a while and then we'll go visit the Daming Palace."

The group bowed briefly to express their gratitude before taking their seats.

Chu Yan looked at Daiyu, who remained silent, then at Baochai, whose eyes held a slight smile. Chu Yan couldn't help but clapp his hands and sigh:
"How pitiful are the virtues of those who stopped weaving, and how lamentable are the talents of those who wrote poems! Today I've finally met you both!"

They didn't understand what he was saying, but what Chu Yan wanted to convey was the scene of Daiyu and Baochai together.

As the first of the twelve beauties in the Book of Ill-fated Women of Jinling, Baochai and Daiyu appeared before him together for the first time.

"Who possesses the virtue of a stopped machine, and who has the talent of a poetic willow catkin?"

Daiyu glanced sideways; her voice was delicate and melodious, standing out even among a group of beauties. People say that you can tell a person's character by their voice, and that's exactly the point.

Chu Yan smiled but remained silent.

Baochai laughed and said, "I wonder what good poems Your Majesty has hidden away this time, like the previous line 'A crane's shadow crosses the cold pond,' which made Sister Yun quite guessing."

Xiangyun laughed.

"Let me introduce two people to Your Majesty."

With a smile on her round face, Baochai stood up and called the Wang sisters to step forward and introduce them to the emperor.

A palace maid brought two prayer cushions, and Wang Junyi and Wang Xuanzhu knelt down, saying, "This servant greets Your Majesty!"

Chu Yan nodded, and was about to ask them to look up when Wang Xuanzhu, the younger one on the right, straightened up and looked at him with her bright, sparkling eyes.

"No manners," Consort Zhou muttered under her breath.

Empress Zhang, Jia Yuanchun, and others did not say anything.

Chu Yan laughed and asked them, "Who is Wang Xifeng to you?"

He had met some girls from the four great families who weren't mentioned in the novel *Dream of the Red Chamber*. They were all quite beautiful, but since they weren't described in the book, Chu Yan didn't know much about them, and his interest waned considerably.

Upon hearing a familiar name, Wang Xuanzhu immediately smiled and said, "The person Your Majesty is referring to is my cousin!"

Her little face looks quite cute when she smiles.

Of course, the one with the most beautiful smile among them all was Baoqin. Her crescent-shaped eyes and dimples were so sweet that they could melt anyone's heart.

Chu Yan nodded: "Now that you have entered the palace, you will stay here from now on. You will go back to your residence tomorrow and stay temporarily, and then come back to the palace to live again later."

At this moment, Wang Junyi finally felt relieved. Although she was not made a concubine, the emperor took the two sisters as concubines and kept them in the palace to serve him.

"Your Majesty..." Consort Zhou's eyes were full of resentment, and she tightly clutched her handkerchief.

Chu Yan laughed and said to Baochai and the others, "After today, apart from Xichun and Miaoyu, the other girls will not need to enter the palace anymore."

The privilege of becoming a concubine upon entering the palace remains in effect to this day.

Of the four families—Jia, Wang, Shi, and Xue—only Xichun hadn't entered the palace yet; the other girls were all unseen in the novel, and Chu Yan didn't want them anymore.

“Yes, Your Majesty, I understand.” Baochai replied. The emperor’s words implied that Xichun and Miaoyu should also enter the palace to serve.

As for the others, they need not enter the palace anymore.

A palace maid brought tea, and Chu Yan took a sip. After they put down their cups, he asked Empress Zhang, "Did your daughters also go to visit the Daming Palace today?"

Of the five little princesses, except for the youngest who was quite naive, the others were all frightened by his words and huddled tightly behind their stepmother and aunt.

Qinghe volunteered, "I invited them here. I've given them the day off to visit the rear garden of the Daming Palace. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission."

Her tone carried a hint of coquetry.

Chu Yan nodded and said to Li Wan, "Your son is also in Fengzao Palace. Go and call him over."

Li Wan was extremely uncomfortable. Everyone present was either a concubine or an unmarried young lady, but she was the only one who had neither served the emperor nor severed ties with the Jia family. It was truly awkward for her to sit there.

In addition, she was used to not wearing much makeup, making it even more difficult for her to compare with the other concubines and young ladies who were dressed up in their finest attire.

To everyone's surprise, the emperor remembered her!
Moved, Li Wan quickly stood up, bowed, and expressed her gratitude, her eyes filled with emotion.

His Majesty doesn't care that she has a son, and is even willing to take him on the trip. Isn't this a clear indication that he wants to take her as a concubine?

Qinghe also summoned his nieces and had them line up before the emperor to bow and express their gratitude.

Chu Yan smiled, understanding Princess Qinghe's meaning: she wanted these little princesses to no longer be so afraid of her.

As their aunt, she took better care of them than Empress Zhang, their legal mother.

(End of this chapter)