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

Chapter 190 Warm Fragrance Pavilion (Part 2)
Led by the eunuch, Chu Yan walked around the Daguan Tower from Qinfang Bridge before arriving at Qinfang Pavilion.

Seeing several slender figures in the pavilion from afar, Chu Yan took a few steps closer. Perhaps he had been discovered, because one of the slender figures quickly fled, deliberately avoiding him.

"Your Majesty~"

Xiangyun laughed and persevered, her eyes looking like she had something to say.

Chu Yan feigned reproach and asked, "Who was that person who rushed away just now? They ran away when they saw me coming."

Xiangyun hurriedly said, "It's Sister Lin. She was so frightened when she saw you that her face changed color, and she hurriedly left with Zijuan."

He then asked with a smile, "What did you do at Xiaoxiang Pavilion last night, Emperor Brother?"

Chu Yan didn't answer. He walked over, put his arm around Xiangyun's waist, and gave her a big kiss.

Xiangyun blushed and quickly pushed him away.

Chu Yan smiled and said, "I'm going to Nuanxiangwu to find the Fourth Miss. Are you coming?"

Xiangyun shook her head: "I'm going to find Sister Bao."

Chu Yan nodded, glanced at her maid Cuilu, and continued walking towards Nuanxiangwu.

Following the winding bamboo bridge of Lotus Fragrance Pavilion, as we passed the pond, we saw that the lotus flowers in the pond were all in bloom, so we stopped to watch for a while. A eunuch came to report: "Fourth Miss has arrived home."

Chu Yancai continued walking, crossed the bamboo bridge, and passed through a narrow passage. Ahead was Nuanxiangwu, where Xichun lived. She was already waiting with several maids and servants. When they saw him coming, they hurried over to greet him.

"Let's go inside and talk."

Chu Yan took Xi Chun's hand and followed her into the house.

The courtyard where Xichun lived was planted with red smartweed, which was in bloom at this time of year. The flower spikes were thin and long, curving down like wheat, hence the name "dog's tail flower".

Even after they bloom, they still make Nuanxiangwu look like a riot of flowers.

After entering the house, Chu Yan sat down in the main hall, with Xi Chun sitting beside him.

Ru Hua served tea, and after taking a sip, Chu Yan smiled and said, "It's quite interesting that Leng Xichun lives in Nuanxiangwu."

Xi Chun was slightly taken aback, both surprised that the emperor called her by her name and astonished that he said she was cold.

Although he was thinking about it, he didn't show it on his face. He just said in a low voice, "I wonder what brings His Majesty here? Give me your orders so I can carry them out."

Chu Yan asked, "What can you do?"

Xichun shook her head. "I can't do anything. I'm not like Sister Lin and the others who can write poetry, nor am I as capable as Third Sister. In the past, I just did some needlework and made some paintings according to the old lady's wishes."

Chu Yan laughed and said, "Did the old lady ask you to paint?"

Xichun said, "Because there are four sisters in the family, the old lady had us learn the four arts of music, chess, calligraphy and painting. The maids were also named in the same way. My eldest sister's maid was named Baoqin, and my maid was named Ruhua."

Chu Yan said, "Then why don't you say you can paint? Perhaps I need you to paint for me."

Xichun said, "I dared not disobey His Majesty's order, but I have no rules for painting. I only have four colors at home, and the brushes I use are just writing brushes and two coloring brushes. I am ashamed to show my painting to others when His Majesty asks me to paint."

Chu Yan laughed and said, "If you say that, aren't you just trying to play the poor card with me? Fine, I'll have someone send you some."

Xi Chun quickly replied, "I didn't mean to complain about being poor. I didn't have these things at home before, so how can you blame His Majesty? Besides, I don't paint often."

Chu Yan laughed and said, "After all, I will support you from now on, so it's only right that you come to me complaining about being poor."

Xichun had no choice but to get up, bow in gratitude, and then sit back down with her head down.

Her fair and delicate face was slightly flushed.

After a series of questions and answers, Leng Xichun answered quickly and well. Who said she was aloof and cold?

Oh, it is indeed quite cold, but she is not incapable of speaking.

Chu Yan scrutinized her closely and saw that Xi Chun's appearance was probably the best among the four sisters, but she was younger than Yuan Chun and appeared rather immature.

Even so, her face, features, and figure were exquisite, with a small nose and mouth. Her aloof personality only enhanced her sweet appearance.

"Cold Spring, Warm Fragrance Pavilion".

Chu Yan read it aloud again, wanting to see Xi Chun's true nature and whether she was as cold as he thought.

Xi Chun had no choice but to look up at him and ask, "Why did Your Majesty say I was cold?"

Chu Yan laughed and said, "It was Leng Zixing who said it. He named you as Leng, along with other characters like Xiren, Qingwen, Zijuan, Xiangyun, Xiangling, Tanchun, and Shunu."

Xichun thought for a moment, then chuckled softly. Her eyes curved into crescents, just like her own face, and her smile was sweet and lovely. Compared to Baoqin's crescent-shaped eyes, she had a different kind of charm. But then she fell silent.

Chu Yan pressed further, "What is Leng Xichun laughing at?"

Xichun smiled again and looked up at him: "No wonder His Majesty stayed in the garden. Leng Zixing must have praised us a lot. But... I feel ashamed."

Chu Yan gestured for her to speak.

Xichun lowered her head, clutching her handkerchief, her voice tinged with grief and indignation: "Our Jia family's young ladies are being gossiped about like this behind our backs. It would be one thing if His Majesty knew, but if it gets out, it will ruin our sisters' reputations. I originally thought only the people in the East Mansion were gossiping behind our backs, but who knew that the old women in the West Mansion are all so talkative, spreading our young ladies' and mistresses' names everywhere!"

Then, somewhat nervously, she said to Chu Yan, "Your Majesty is wise. Although I am a member of the Jia family, I have never been tainted by those unclean things..."

Chu Yan understood that if it weren't for Leng Zixing, she would have said that although she was from the Ningguo Mansion, she grew up in the Rongguo Mansion and vowed to separate herself from the Ningguo Mansion.

But now Leng Zixing is spreading rumors, and neither side is clean, leaving Xichun helpless.

He laughed and said, "Are you saying this because you want to quickly enter my harem and serve me?"

Xi Chun was taken aback and quickly stood up, saying, "I didn't mean that. I was just worried that His Majesty would look down on me and ruin my reputation."

"Sit down and talk."

Chu Yan gave her instructions, then asked, "Do you know a lot about the Ningguo Mansion?"

"I know a little," Xichun said, bowing her head.

"What do you know?"

Xi Chun remained silent, while Chu Yan laughed and asked, "Could it be that your brother wanted to violate Ke Qing's wishes?"

Xi Chun was first surprised, then filled with anxiety, and hurriedly knelt down: "Your Majesty, please forgive me, I am not entirely sure about this matter, I dare not speak recklessly..."

"Get up. I'm not here to punish you." After a pause, Chu Yan said, "Your brother was executed by me because he wanted to summon Ke Qing to Tianxiang Tower."

Xi Chun's delicate face was filled with shame, and her nose tingled, tears welling up in her eyes.

Chu Yan asked, "Are you heartbroken because of your brother?"

Xichun shook her head while crying, "I dare not. My brother committed a crime against human ethics and coveted His Majesty's Consort Qin. He deserves his punishment. I am crying... Family matters are shameful and cannot be shown to others. Sure enough, this has brought disaster upon us."

She then looked at him and said, "Fortunately, His Majesty has forgiven me and allowed me to continue living in the garden."

Chu Yan laughed and said, "Then why are you crying? Come here."

Xichun understood his sudden words and came to him with her head slightly lowered.

Chu Yan took out her handkerchief to wipe away her tears, and Xi Chun blushed and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."

Her personality was indeed somewhat different.

Chu Yan said, "There's no need to bring up the past. Your sisters all went to the palace before, why didn't you go?"

Xichun lowered her head and said, "My sisters are all superior to me in both looks and talent. I am also bad at speaking, so it would be better if I didn't enter the palace."

Chu Yan laughed and said, "Who said you can't speak? You can answer fluently in front of me, much better than your blockhead sister. When I kissed your second sister, she could only tremble."

Xi Chun was so startled that she opened her eyes wide to look at him, as if she doubted that she had heard correctly.

Chu Yan smiled at her and said, "I came to see you today specifically to ask if you would be willing to serve me?"

Xi Chun lowered her head again: "I've tarnished my reputation, and Your Majesty doesn't mind?"

"I've already taken your sister-in-law, and I've also taken your niece-in-law. Why would I care about mere reputation? Besides, with your intelligence, I'm sure you've already figured out that your sister Lin has feelings for Jia Baoyu. I don't care about that either; I just want to take her as my concubine!"

Chu Yan spoke slowly and deliberately, yet in a very domineering manner.

Xi Chun finally faced reality and understood him, so she nodded with a blush and said, "But I'm not very good at serving people..."

Chu Yan smiled and pulled her into his arms: "It's not like I'm asking you to come to my room to serve me, it's asking you to come to my bed to serve me."

Xichun blushed.

This was blatant flirting with her; what did her reputation and innocence matter? The emperor directly touched her body and pulled her into his arms.

Xi Chun was somewhat suspicious. Did the emperor also say such embarrassing things when he was with her second and third sisters?

(End of this chapter)