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

Chapter 202 Qin Keqing's Soul Flies to Tianxiang Tower (Part 2)

When the sunlight outside subsided a bit, Chu Yancai went out with Keqing and Baochai, accompanied by Qingwen and Xiangling, and about ten eunuchs and palace maids. Baozhu, Ruizhu and Ying'er also followed.

Pass through the East Corner Gate to Huifang Garden, then walk to the front of Tianxiang Tower.

Chu Yan looked at the building and asked Ke'er, "What was this place originally used for?"

Ke Qing looked slightly uneasy. She glanced at the Tianxiang Tower and its surrounding buildings before gently saying, "When Jia Zhen was at home, he often entertained guests here, drinking wine and watching operas."

Baochai wiped the beads of sweat from her smooth forehead with a handkerchief and said with a smile, "When the eldest mistress of the East Mansion invited the old lady and the madam to watch a play, she also hosted the event here."

Chu Yan glanced at Baochai.

Xia Shouzhong smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I have already sent someone to call the young actors to prepare. They can choose a play to watch during the meal."

"it is good."

Chu Yan nodded and entered Tianxiang Tower. He and the others went up to the main building. The second floor was an open hall with windows on all four sides. Facing the stage was a stage where several young actors were already performing acrobatics with sticks. Fang Guan was among them.

"Fang Guan!"

Chu Yan stood upstairs, his hands braced against the windowsill, and shouted towards the stage.

Fangguan, who was wielding a stick, turned her head and smiled when she saw him. The civil official hurriedly shouted, "Stop! His Majesty the Emperor is here!"

A group of young actors chattered as they went up onto the stage, lined up, and bowed to Chu Yan.

Chu Yan laughed and said, "Have you eaten yet? Perform a few plays for me later."

The civil official hurriedly replied with a smile, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. We have just had some snacks, and we will have some more when the opera is performed later."

Chu Yan nodded and sat back down in her chair, with Ke Qing and Bao Chai sitting on either side of her.

Perhaps feeling that she was far away from him, Qin Keqing gave Chu Yan a charming smile, lifted her plump buttocks, pulled the chair in her hand, and leaned closer to him, so that the two chairs were completely close together.

Seeing this, Chu Yan reached out his hand to her, and Qin Keqing obediently leaned in, placing her charming and gentle face in his palm.

"Ke'er is so clever!"

Chu Yan sighed from the bottom of his heart, gently rubbing Ke Qing's fair and beautiful face with his palm.

This era is not like the future. When a man makes a move, she knows better than to offer her face. In terms of charm and allure, Ke Qing is far ahead of everyone else!

Chu Yan didn't specifically train her; she learned it on her own.

Baochai took in the whole scene. After hesitating for a moment, she also got up slightly, her buttocks, which were two parts rounder than Qin Keqing's, left the chair, and moved the chair over to sit down next to Chu Yan.

Qingwen glanced at her, feeling somewhat awkward. However, having served the emperor in his chambers for the past few days, she had witnessed many of his outrageous acts, including his sexual favors with the eldest and second mistresses of the palace. Last night, he even bit the princess from the previous dynasty from head to toe. When she saw the princess putting on her clothes, she noticed the teeth marks and handprints on her delicate body, indicating that the emperor had been embracing and admiring her for quite some time.

Tonight at Tianxiang Tower, she has no idea what kind of debauched scenes she will witness!
In plays, there are often kings who love beautiful women, and this one must be one of them!

"Miss Bao."

Chu Yan also saw Baochai approaching, so he smiled and extended his hand as well.

Qingwen, Xiangling, Ying'er, and others witnessed this scene firsthand:
Bao-guniang's rosy cheeks turned even redder with embarrassment, but at the emperor's prompting, she obediently and shyly leaned her head forward, gently resting her round, flushed face into the emperor's large hand.

Her face, as delicate as a peony, was flushed and moistened with shyness. She had just walked there, and being extremely sensitive to heat, Chu Yan's hand caressed her cheek, feeling the gentle touch of her skin. Her fair, rosy complexion was warm, her flesh plump and supple, making her irresistible to the touch.
"A single red blossom, glistening with dew and fragrant, I have finally witnessed it today."

Chu Yan gently stroked Bao Jie's cheek with his palm, unable to resist praising her.

Baochai appeared even more shy.

Qin Keqing smiled and said, "Sister Bao is truly as beautiful and noble as a peony, just like Yang Guifei of the Tang Dynasty. She is so beautiful and radiant that even I am moved by her, let alone His Majesty."

Chu Yan nodded: "That's right. I've said several times that Sister Bao is very much like Yang Guifei. Look at her now, she's slightly sweaty, her jade-like skin is flushed, and her cheeks are moist and delicate, making her irresistible! She truly has the beauty and charm of Sister Bao!"

Baochai became increasingly shy, but couldn't help feeling a little smug. Since entering the palace, Consort Qin had been pampered by the emperor and had become even more beautiful and graceful. She hardly followed any rules in the palace. Just now in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, she had also brazenly worn a thin gauze dress and sat on the emperor's soft couch.

But now, even the emperor is full of praise for her beauty, and he still compliments her in front of Qin Keqing.

Ying'er saw this scene from behind. She had seen it a few days ago: Jia Baoyu had compared the young lady to Yang Guifei, which made the young lady feel ashamed and angry.

Now, the emperor praises the girl as Yang Guifei, but the girl is happy and shy!

Baochai smiled shyly and said, "Your Majesty flatters me." She paused and continued, "I am most afraid of the heat. Every time I walk to play with my sisters, I always sweat a little... Does Your Majesty like that?"

She took the initiative to seduce the emperor with her looks for the first time!
In the past, or in front of others, Baochai would never have done such a thing. She rarely heard of women using sweet words to please men.

However, in recent days, Baochai has witnessed the emperor favoring his concubines many times, and has seen Qin Keqing displaying her feminine charm in front of the emperor, which has gradually changed her mind.

Chu Yan stroked Baochai's cheeks and forehead again, rubbing them between his fingers, and exclaimed once more, "Miss Bao's skin is white and smooth as cream. After she has sweated a little, it is even more radiant and beautiful. I love it to no end."

Baochai's heart was already racing as he stroked her cheek. She lowered her head shyly and said softly, "I feel deeply ashamed to have won His Majesty's favor."

Qin Keqing covered her mouth and laughed.

She wasn't jealous. His Majesty had dozens of beauties in his harem; if she were to be jealous of every single one of them, she'd have nothing else to do all day.

What amused her was that both of them were saying polite things: His Majesty was just putting on an act when he praised Miss Bao, and Miss Bao was just putting on a show too.

Why did she say that?

Because she knew that His Majesty's true love for someone wasn't like this, nor was being attracted by beauty.

really.

Chu Yan changed the subject: "It's just a pity—"

Baochai looked up curiously: "I wonder what Your Majesty regrets?"

Chu Yan said, "It's a pity that while Miss Bao is beautiful, she's still not quite a beauty that can rival the most stunning women in the world."

These words were somewhat derogatory towards her.

Baochai dared not be angry and smiled, saying, "My appearance is a gift from my parents. I am ashamed that I cannot use my beauty to seduce the emperor. I only hope that Your Majesty will not find it offensive."

Chu Yan gently pinched her smooth cheek, then withdrew his hand without saying a word.

Ke Qing brought her beautiful and charming face closer, smiling sweetly, and said, "Your Majesty, please look at my appearance. Can I be described as a beauty that could topple kingdoms?"

Baochai was taken aback; how could Consort Qin even say such a thing!
Chu Yan laughed heartily, leaned over and kissed Ke Qing twice on the cheek, "Even if Ke'er is an ugly monster that everyone dislikes, I still love her!"

Qin Keqing smiled shyly and said, "I find Your Majesty's words very pleasing."

Qingwen rolled her eyes behind her back and stepped forward to ask, "Your Majesty, would you like some wine and dishes to be served?"

"it is good."

Chu Yan nodded and said to her, "You haven't had dinner either. Have someone set up a table for you to eat at. When the young actors finish their performances and take a break, invite them to eat with you too."

Qingwen said, "There are twelve actors, plus Baozhu and Ying'er, why don't we set up another table?"

Seeing that the emperor did not object, Qingwen went down to make arrangements and told Xiangling to serve her.

Before long, the food and the play list were served together. Chu Yan let them choose a play, and Qin Keqing chose "The Drunken Beauty," smiling at Baochai, "Perfect timing, we also have a Yang Guifei here!"

Chu Yan laughed.

When it was Baochai's turn to choose a play, she wanted to choose "Mawei Slope," which made Qin Keqing point at her and laugh reproachfully.

Baochai smiled, seeing that Consort Qin was not really angry, and decided to proceed with the play.

The dramas "The Drunken Beauty" and "Mawei Slope" truly illustrate the rise and fall of empires, where wealth and glory vanish in the blink of an eye, serving as a profound warning to the world.

Chu Yan also laughed and said, "As expected of Miss Bao."

Baochai did not understand her meaning.

Chu Yan asked her, "Have you ever acted before?"

Baochai was taken aback by the question, then replied, "Is Your Majesty referring to the ones on the stage?"

Chu Yan nodded, "I used to act in plays with people when I was in school, it was quite fun, how about we act one out?"

Baochai was at a loss. Having upheld the virtues of a woman since childhood, how could she have learned to sing opera?
Although the emperor came from humble origins, he was now the supreme ruler and didn't care, wanting to go on stage with her to perform.

Baochai never imagined she would want to be an opera singer!
Qin Keqing asked curiously, "Is His Majesty going to change into theatrical costume and go on stage to perform?"

Chu Yan laughed and said, "No, no, we don't need to go on stage or follow the script. We're just pretending to be kids."

Qin Keqing understood and smiled, "Your Majesty wishes to impersonate Emperor Xuanzong of Tang?"

How could Baochai not understand? Her face flushed red again. Was she to play Yang Guifei?
Chu Yan held Baochai's soft, jade-like hand and said with a smile, "I am the emperor, and Baochai is my concubine. Wouldn't it be perfect to stage a play about the Drunken Concubine?"

Baochai felt seven or eight gazes falling on her, and for a moment she felt helpless: "I am of meager virtue and talent, how dare I compare myself to Taizhen? Besides, His Majesty has established a foundation for ten thousand generations, so he should not be compared to Emperor Xuanzong."

Chu Yan said, "What's the big deal? Could a single word spoken while having fun cause me to lose my empire and repeat the scene of 'trampling the bones of nobles on the imperial street'?"

Baochai and Keqing both looked at her in surprise. Baochai asked, "Your Majesty's casual recitation of a poem reveals a strong sense of ruthlessness, which shows that Your Majesty has a spirit that can sweep across the world, which makes people admire you."

Chu Yan laughed, "Yu Niang is talented and learned, but I didn't expect there to be poems she didn't recognize. This is 'Qin Fu Yin' written by Wei Zhuang."

The way the emperor addressed her as "Yu Niang" sounded a bit strange, but Baochai quickly realized that the emperor was beginning to impersonate Emperor Xuanzong of Tang.

She had no choice but to cheer herself up and recall some records about Yang Yuhuan that she had read in books. She knew that Yang Guifei's nicknames included "Yu Niang", "Yu Nu", and Yu Huan. Yu Huan was a nickname given to the plump concubine by her descendants.

She feigned weakness and shyness, and said with a smile, "Sanlang is truly learned; how can Yunu compare?"

Chu Yan looked at her, calling her "Sanlang" and "Yu Nu" in a soft, trembling voice, revealing a hint of Baochai's charm.

She usually kept a low profile and pretended to be foolish, but perhaps she also possessed the same inner charm as Qin Keqing.

Chu Yan held her hand and smiled, “Yu Niang is too modest. Yu Niang has read the Spring and Autumn Annals and the Strategies of the Warring States, and she also knows the play about Lu Zhishen’s drunken antics at Mount Wutai. How can she be compared to an ordinary woman? It’s just that after this ‘Qin Fu Yin’ was written, Wei Zhuang took it back and burned it, so many people don’t know about it.”

Baochai asked, "How did Your Majesty know this?" She replied, "This poem was widely circulated after it was written, and Wei Zhuang was called 'the scholar who sang the poem of the Qin woman' because of it. However, the poem disappeared during the Song Dynasty, and only a few words were recorded about it. It was praised by the Tang people along with the Song of Everlasting Regret."

Chu Yan naturally wouldn't say it was discovered through archaeological digs in later generations, and instead smiled and said, "I saw it in an ancient book. Would Yu Niang like to hear about it?"

He teased Baochai's round, smooth face with his fingers.

"Your Majesty, please read it for Yu Nu~" Baochai said with a smile, her face blushing as the emperor teased her with his fingertips.

Chu Yan said, "The original poem has more than 1,500 characters, which is too long. I will read the beginning and a few important lines aloud for you to listen to. We can write it out when we have time later."

Baochai nodded, and Qin Keqing also looked over, eating with chopsticks in her hand. "Yu Niang, pour me some wine."

Chu Yan instructed her to recite the Qin Woman's Lament while drinking, using rhythmic intonation.

Qin Keqing was shocked and exclaimed halfway through the conversation, "Such a tragic scene!"

Baochai quickly added, "Fortunately, it is His Majesty who has taken over the capital, so the people in the city are safe and will not have to suffer from the calamity of war again!"

Chu Yan laughed: "Yu Niang is wrong. I have never led troops into battle."

Baochai smiled and lowered her head, picked up the wine cup from the table, and presented it to Chu Yan's lips with both hands: "Your Majesty, I beg your forgiveness."

Chu Yan lowered his head, took a sip, and said leisurely, "It's not enough to pardon you."

Qin Keqing laughed upon hearing this, "Your Majesty is so greedy! You wouldn't even let a beauty like Yu Huan drink from you. If I offend Your Majesty one day, who knows how you will punish me?"

As she spoke, her eyes sparkled with allure, captivating Chu Yan instantly.

Baochai reached out and grabbed Chu Yan's arm, looking at Qin Keqing with a sour jealousy: "Does Sanlang want Yunu or Consort Qin? If he wants Consort Qin, Yunu will leave immediately!"

Qin Keqing felt a chill run down her spine and exchanged a glance with Baochai.

Although she was impersonating Yang Guifei, it's hard to imagine that some people genuinely thought that way.

Chu Yan was also stunned. He looked at Baochai and laughed, "I want them all tonight!"

Baochai's jealousy grew stronger, and she said, "When Sanlang summoned Yunu from the palace, he personally spoke to her. Has Sanlang forgotten all the things he said to her?"

Chu Yan grasped her soft, plump hand, about to speak, when he heard Qin Keqing call out sweetly, "Your Majesty, please don't forget me~"

As she spoke, Qin Keqing leaned forward and pounced on Chu Yan, nestling in his arms like a vixen with a pitiful look in her almond-shaped eyes: "Your Majesty, now that you have Sister Yu Huan, have you forgotten the vows you made to me? I... know that I am not as beautiful as Sister Yu Huan, my skin is not as fair as hers, nor as voluptuous as hers, but... will Your Majesty no longer cherish me?"

Chu Yan's heart melted. He wrapped his arms around Qin Keqing's waist and kissed her alluring, fox-like face. "How could I forget my Ke'er?"

Xiangling, Ying'er, Baozhu, and others were stunned.

Qingwen rolled her eyes again and muttered, "They're all better actors than Fangguan and the others!"

"Saburo!"

Baochai had already stood up, took Chu Yan's hand, and her round, fair face was full of annoyance: "You are not allowed to be with other women tonight!"

"How dare you!" Chu Yan scolded her, shaking off her hand.

Baochai was stunned for a moment, then turned around, covered her face, and began to weep.

Chu Yan softened his tone and said, "You are all my beloved concubines, can't you be more harmonious?"

Qin Keqing's bright eyes gleamed with smugness, but her voice was filled with grievance: "It's because Sister Yuhuan wants to be the most favored concubine in the palace, and none of us sisters have received His Majesty's favor for so long!"

Baochai, who had her head down, glanced at her.

Qin Keqing's current appearance and expression truly resemble a vixen. Not to mention men, even women would feel that she is wronged. Her vivid eyes and eyebrows perfectly portray the role of a concubine vying for favor!
"Yu Nu! Come here, into my arms!" Chu Yan beckoned to "Yang Guifei".

Baochai immediately turned her head away, snorted, and walked to the window to watch the actors perform.

"Pfft!"

Qin Keqing laughed so hard in Chu Yan's arms that she could no longer continue her act.

Chu Yan smiled too.

Baochai turned back and smiled at the two of them. After walking back, she said softly, "According to the Zizhi Tongjian, Yang Guifei was jealous and arrogant. She disobeyed the imperial edict twice and was sent back to her parents' home by Xuanzong. However, she quickly regretted it and ordered Gao Lishi to lead the imperial guards to bring her back."

Baochai said apologetically, "I can't play the role of a jealous woman. I could only do a haphazard thing to make His Majesty and Sister Qin laugh."

"No, that's good." Chu Yan smiled and waved to her.

This time, Baochai was no longer "jealous and fierce." She blushed as she approached the emperor, who then pulled her into his arms.

Left hand: Ke Qing; Right hand: Bao Chai.

One was graceful and delicate, the other was plump and dignified.

The two stunning beauties nestled in Chu Yan's arms, making him feel incredibly happy. He laughed and said, "I would give you a 90 out of 100 for your performance just now, Baochai. The 10 points you missed were because you didn't dare to turn around and walk away. You were a bit timid and hesitant, which is not the demeanor of Yang Guifei, who was enjoying great favor."

Baochai knew she wasn't a favored concubine, so she didn't have the mindset of one, and it was inevitable that she would feel timid in front of the emperor.

"The best score is one hundred?" Qin Keqing asked, somewhat curious about how the scores were determined. "What score did His Majesty assign to me?"

Chu Yan laughed and said, "You can only get 80 points."

Qin Keqing hurriedly asked, "Why?"

Chu Yan said, "Baochai is playing Yang Guifei, but you are just playing yourself."

Everyone present laughed. Qin Keqing was also convinced by the score and said with a smile, "I don't know what other concubines Emperor Xuanzong of Tang had, so how would I know how it would be portrayed?"

Chu Yan kissed her and laughed, "You'll play Wu Zetian another day!"

Qin Keqing pushed his chest with her slender hand, full of resentment: "How can I have any resemblance to her? If I were to act, I should be playing beautiful concubines like Chen Ajiao or Zhao Feiyan."

Baochai glanced at her.

Chu Yan laughed: "I told you to read more books. These two were both arrogant and domineering, and they've both been crippled."

Qin Keqing hurriedly replied, "I don't know much about them, only that one keeps a mistress in a golden house, and the other is either plump or slender. Miss Bao is plump, while I can only be slender."

His words made everyone laugh again.

"Is the play over?" Chu Yan let go of them, went to the window and shouted to the stage opposite, "Have a few people sing a couple more lively plays, the rest of you come and eat!"

Soon, Fangguan, Kuiguan, and the others arrived, leaving only Ouguan and Diguan singing on the stage.

After Chu Yan sat down, he heard one of them sing: "Thank you for your beautiful appearance and willingness to be a loving couple."

Another courtesan sang: "I am as fragile as a willow, but fortunately I am sheltered by a tall tree."

After listening to a segment, Chu Yan smiled and said, "You acted very well; you portrayed the love between husband and wife perfectly."

Fangguan was eating when she heard this and laughed, "They're together all day long, how could they not act well?"

The civil official quickly gave her a meaningful look, clearly somewhat frightened.

But the actors were lively and charming, and soon they were laughing and joking.

Baochai observed the emperor's demeanor and noticed that he gave some of the dishes he had only eaten a few bites of to the young actresses. After Fangguan had finished eating, he called her over and spoke to her for a few minutes.

A group of young actors surrounded the emperor, but he didn't stop them or say they were being unruly.

Baochai seemed to be deep in thought. The emperor acted only according to his own whims, regardless of any rules. What he liked could not be restrained by etiquette.

The meal lasted until the early hours of the morning.

Chu Yan instructed, "You may all go back now. Ke'er and I will stay at Tianxiang Tower tonight."

Qin Keqing was taken aback. After Baochai and the civil officials left, she asked with a smile, "Why does Your Majesty wish to stay here overnight?"

A glint flashed in Chu Yan's eyes as he looked at Qin Keqing's alluring figure and said to her, "Let's play the acting game again!"

Qin Keqing naturally wouldn't refuse, and asked with a smile, "I wonder who Your Majesty wants me to play?"

Chu Yan said, "Just play yourself."

"Ah? Then who will Your Majesty play?"

Qin Keqing was somewhat puzzled, but then she heard Chu Yan utter two words:
"Jia Zhen".

"!!"

Qin Keqing's delicate body trembled, and she opened her eyes wide in disbelief.

Then, she covered her rosy lips and said in a trembling voice, "Master, it's nighttime, why did you call me to Tianxiang Tower?"

Enter the drama in one second!
It's natural!

Chu Yan laughed, called Baozhu and Ruizhu over, gave them some instructions, asked them to fetch some things, and finally, in his capacity as Jia Zhen, ordered them to come outside.

Baozhu and Ruizhu exchanged a glance, guessing that His Majesty was going to put on an act, so they both laughed and went out.

The Tianxiang Tower was brightly lit.

Chu Yan smiled and said, "I called you here because I wanted to look at a painting with you!"

Qin Keqing secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but then said tactfully, "It's late, Master. It's not too late to call me to look at the painting tomorrow, so that Rong-ge'er won't scold me again... Master, I'll take my leave now."

He was about to leave when he said that.

Chu Yan took her hand and, half-coaxing and half-embracing, led Qin Keqing to the table.

Qin Keqing panicked and tried to dodge, overwhelmed with shame, and kept softly pleading, "Master, please don't! I've only been married to Rong-ge for less than two years!"

"Don't worry, no one will know!" Chu Yan reached out and put his arm around Ke Qing's waist, inhaling deeply the fragrance of her neck. The woman's scent was irresistible.

Qin Keqing trembled and lowered her head, saying, "Master, please have some self-respect... Your word is law in the manor, but you should also know that if this matter gets out..."

Chu Yan led her to the soft couch and began to undress Ke Qing with both hands.

Qin Keqing was filled with shame and indignation, her eyes brimming with tears, unable to look away.

Chu Yan removed the hairpin from her hair and stared intently at her.

Qin Keqing blushed and said, "Why did you pull out my hairpin?"

He tried to take it back, but Chu Yan knocked him down on the bed. The two of them went back and forth, and there was no shortage of exchanges.

In an instant, the room was filled with fragrance.

The hairpins and hair ornaments were nowhere to be found. There was a sound of something falling outside. Chu Yan chased after them and pulled the hesitant Baozhu and Ruizhu into the room.

That night, Qin Keqing felt as if her soul had been scattered in the Tianxiang Tower; the feelings she experienced were indescribable to outsiders.

(End of this chapter)