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

Chapter 229 The Way of the Imperial Concubine
The following afternoon, after returning to the garden, Chu Yan went straight to Hengwu Garden.

He was followed by only a few servants, including one eunuch on duty and four junior eunuchs. From now on, he would follow this rule whenever he was in the garden, with four additional palace maids carrying lanterns at night.

Upon arriving at Hengwu Garden, Chu Yan still didn't send anyone in to announce his arrival. He went in himself and told the eunuchs who were following him to cool off under the shade of the trees by the river.

"His Majesty!"

The young maidservant under the eaves hurriedly got up to greet them.

Chu Yan casually asked, "Are your Miss Bao and Miss Qin here?"

The maidservant hurriedly replied, "Miss Qin just went out to check on the progress of the house repairs at the villa. Miss Bao went out early this morning to chat with the other girls and relieve her boredom. I don't know where she went. I'll go find them and bring them back."

Chu Yan stopped him, laughing and saying, "No need. They'll be back in a bit, so you don't need to tell anyone I'm here."

He went inside and sat down in Baochai's room, which was like a snow cave, and took a few books from her bookshelf to read.

After a while, they went to Baoqin's room again.

Meanwhile, the young maid outside was standing alone in the corridor, lost in thought. She was welcoming His Majesty's visit by herself, and she felt a little flustered.

About fifteen minutes later, she suddenly heard a sound outside. She thought it was the two young ladies returning, but when she turned around, she saw that it was Bao's mother, who was walking in tremblingly.

The description of her as trembling refers to the fact that Aunt Xue, Baochai's mother, was plump. In the hot weather, her clothes were light and transparent, and when she walked quickly under the blazing sun, the bulges inside her dress would tremble, making people feel inexplicably embarrassed.

"Madam." The maidservant hurried forward, hesitating to speak.

Aunt Xue, however, didn't notice her expression and simply asked casually, "Has the young lady returned yet?"

After asking the question, he went inside. The little maid dared not disobey the emperor's order and could only watch helplessly without saying a word.

She secretly followed to take a look, and saw that after Aunt Xue went into the room, she first went to Baochai's room to change her clothes, and when she came out, the little maid stared wide-eyed:

The lady was wearing only a light and sheer gauze dress, with a bright green lotus-patterned bodice tightly wrapped around her chest. It was hard to tell whether the bodice was too small or her chest was too big, but the rounded shape that looked as if it was about to burst was quite worrying.

The young maid dared not speak, and watched helplessly as the mistress entered Qin's room.

Then, a scream rang out.

She only saw the lady running out, clutching her chest and blushing, which was quite a sight: although she was clutching her chest, it was still trembling and fleshy.

"Madam's skin is so fair. Miss Bao must have inherited Madam's looks and figure. People say that the student surpasses the master, and this is exactly the case."

She thought to herself, then quickly left, no longer caring about what was happening inside.

Even if the emperor favored his wife, she wouldn't be too surprised. His wife was still young, and had such a vixen-like figure and appearance. Since the emperor favored Consort Qin and Madam Zhu, he might very well have taken a liking to his wife as well.

……

Inside Baoqin's house.

Chu Yan held the book, lost in thought for a long time.

He was truly shocked. He had only vaguely noticed that Aunt Xue had a plump figure, just like Baochai, but he never expected her to be so stunning. The moment she entered wearing a light gauze dress and a green bodice, he was indeed captivated.

After a while.

Aunt Xue, dressed neatly, came over again, her head bowed and her face full of shame, saying, "I didn't know His Majesty was here. I was rash. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

That's the advantage of ascending the throne: even though Aunt Xue's body was partially exposed, she was the one who made the mistake.

The emperor is incapable of making mistakes.

Chu Yan remained seated and smiled, "It's alright, Auntie didn't mean it."

The two had never spoken alone before, so his address of her as "aunt" made her somewhat flustered. She quickly said, "I dare not disturb Your Majesty's conversation with the ladies. I will go back now and visit my daughter another day."

As he said that, he was about to leave.

Chu Yan stopped her and changed his words, saying, "Madam, please wait."

Aunt Xue stopped in her tracks, feeling increasingly uneasy. Ever since the Emperor visited the Jia family, she had been worried that she would be summoned to serve him in bed. If she were ten years older, it wouldn't be so bad, but she wasn't that old. On the day the Emperor came, he had asked her who she was.

"Your Majesty," Aunt Xue said, trembling with fear. She was worried that the emperor would ask her to serve him in bed, but she was also worried that if she refused, she would displease the emperor, and not only would she suffer, but her daughter and son would also be implicated.

Before the emperor, who is the supreme ruler, even the highest officials would tremble with fear, let alone a woman like her!
Chu Yan pointed to the chair next to him and said with a smile, "Madam, please come back and sit down. I'd like to talk to you for a while and ask you about Miss Bao."

Aunt Xue breathed a sigh of relief, blaming herself for overthinking. Which of the girls in the garden wasn't naturally beautiful? And with such stunning concubines as Consort Qin, Yuan Chun, the princess, and the empress, how could the emperor possibly be interested in a widow like her who had been widowed for many years?

She stepped forward gracefully, bowed, and then sat down.

Chu Yan asked, "Is your Xue family's ancestral home in Jinling?"

Aunt Xue roused herself and began to tell him her story, starting with her great-grandfather's position as a court attendant, then moving on to her late husband, and then to Xue Pan and Baochai. Perhaps thinking of Xue Pan's continued corvée labor, she couldn't help but shed tears.

Chu Yan remained noncommittal and then asked, "Why doesn't your husband buy his way into an official position?"

Aunt Xue looked slightly embarrassed on her plump, fair face, but she had no choice but to tell the truth: “Buying an official position would cost several thousand taels of silver. Although the family has some assets, they are not very substantial. My late husband originally planned to do business for a few years, save some money, and then come to the capital to buy an official position and settle down, so that my son could support the family business. But he unfortunately passed away after an illness, and the matter of buying an official position was put on hold.”

Chu Yan sighed, "It must have been tough for Madam to support the family for so many years, living in the Duke's mansion without holding an official title."

These words struck a chord with Aunt Xue. She couldn't help but look at the Emperor, her face radiant with joy, and she smiled, "Your Majesty actually understands the hardships of a woman like me."

Then he went on and on about a lot of things.

After hearing this, Chu Yan said, "I know about your son's matter. When a general amnesty is granted in the future, he will be pardoned along with everyone else."

Aunt Xue hurriedly got up, bowed, and expressed her gratitude. She wondered when there would be a general amnesty, the first being the appointment of an empress, and the second being the birth of the eldest prince. Both were not far off, at most two or three years.

Chu Yan looked at her voluptuous figure after she stood up and smiled, "Or if your daughter is made a Noble Consort, I will also grant her extra favors and pardon Xue Pan and Xue Ke."

Just as Aunt Xue was about to ask, he casually added, "Or perhaps someone in the Xue family has been made a concubine."

Aunt Xue was filled with shame and didn't dare to say a word.

Chu Yan smiled and said, "I was referring to Baoqin."

Aunt Xue glanced at him and could only nod shyly, saying, "Qin is both beautiful and talented, so it's only natural that His Majesty likes her."

Her heart was pounding, and she was so frightened that she was scared out of her wits. Fortunately, the emperor did not say anything explicitly, and she gradually came to her senses, only to conclude that the emperor was just teasing her.

Chu Yan then asked her, "Between Miss Bao and Miss Qin, can you tell which one I prefer?"

Aunt Xue said with a forced smile, "How dare I presume to guess His Majesty's thoughts? It's His Majesty's good fortune to favor my maid, and his favor towards Miss Qin is simply because Miss Qin is more lovable. No wonder my precious maid is not favored..."

Even so, she was also wondering in her heart which of the girls in the courtyard the emperor favored more.
"Please come over, Madam," Chu Yan gestured.

As an emperor, one cannot refuse a simple request.

Aunt Xue walked over, and Chu Yan took one of her hands, which startled her so much that she trembled again, her face full of shame.

Chu Yan pulled up her sleeve and stroked her smooth, soft, and delicate arm skin. He praised her without any change in expression, "Madam has skin as smooth as ice and as delicate as jade, just like Miss Bao. I like her very much. Several times when I held Miss Bao, I couldn't help but take a closer look at her."

Aunt Xue was so ashamed and embarrassed that she couldn't speak.

Chu Yan released her hand and laughed, "It's a pity that my daughter has the beauty of a queen and inherited your fair skin, yet she hasn't received much of my favor. Do you know why?"

Concerned about her daughter's potential position as a concubine in the palace, Aunt Xue snapped out of her daze and, forgetting the fact that the emperor had touched her arm, asked after a moment's thought, "Does Your Majesty prefer lively and playful girls like Yun?"

Chu Yan smiled without saying a word. Aunt Xue thought she had guessed correctly and sighed, "My daughter was just as naughty when she was little, but she has become more dignified and proper as she has grown up. She is not very active and cannot win His Majesty's favor, which is also her fault."

Chu Yan asked, "When your husband was alive, did he ever beat or scold her?"

Aunt Xue hurriedly said, "How could we bear to beat or scold her? She's our only daughter, we love and cherish her too much."

Chu Yan said, "Deceiving the emperor is a serious crime."

Aunt Xue was so anxious she was about to cry, not knowing how she had said the wrong thing, and hurriedly said, "We dare not deceive Your Majesty, we really did not beat or scold her!"

Chu Yan nodded and called out, "Miss Bao, aren't you coming in?"

A loud bang came from outside the door. Aunt Xue hurriedly looked over and saw her plump and beautiful daughter walking in with a blush on her face. She knelt directly in front of the emperor, but he took her arm and pulled her into his arms.

Baochai, unable to resist, blushed deeply and said with shame, "I just got back and heard His Majesty talking to someone in the room. I didn't mean to overhear a few more words."

Chu Yan laughed and said, "Where did you hear that?"

Baochai lowered her head: "I heard His Majesty say that I am not favored..."

Chu Yan laughed heartily, took her soft little hand in his, and said, "You are indeed not as favored as your sister. If it were your sister being held by me, she would only snuggle into my arms. You were unwilling just now."

Baochai felt increasingly ashamed after being told this. Even though she was usually dignified and modest, she couldn't help but feel embarrassed when the emperor directly pointed out her shortcomings and she was favored in front of her mother.

After a long pause, she said, "Your Majesty's teachings will be kept in mind."

Chu Yan laughed and said, "It's a pity that even if you remember it, it's useless. You still can't figure out how to be a good favorite concubine of mine, let alone how to be Consort Xue."

Baochai raised her head in his arms, looking at him with her almond-shaped eyes.

These days, she also felt quite helpless and powerless. No matter how many times she went to Yangxin Hall, His Majesty always seemed to be separated from her by a wall. He would play with Yun'er, the princess, Qin's sister and others on the bed, but he was never very close to her. Even Lin's sister, who had previously given him a cold shoulder, gradually became closer to him and was willing to accept him playing with the girls on the bed.

She alone was never favored.

"His Majesty……"

Baochai parted her lips slightly, but hesitated to speak.

Aunt Xue hurriedly said, "I'll go and ask the maid to bring some tea."

Chu Yan said, "Madam, please sit down. If you leave, it will be even harder for Miss Bao to understand."

Aunt Xue glanced at her daughter and had no choice but to go back and sit down, not daring to look at her daughter sitting in the emperor's lap, enjoying his favor.

Baochai didn't dare look at her mother, and whispered in Chu Yan's arms, "Your Majesty, please tell me what I should do to win Your Majesty's favor?"

Today is a rare opportunity; the emperor intends to favor her and is willing to have a frank conversation with her.

But her mother was also there, which made her feel uneasy.

Chu Yan said, "You've stayed at the Jia family's house for a few days now. Do you know what Consort Qin looked like when she was the eldest mistress of Rong's household?"

Baochai, quick-witted as ever, immediately understood the implication in his words and said shyly, "Does Your Majesty mean that I am too reserved and not as bright and beautiful as Consort Qin?" She continued, "Consort Qin was originally Jia Rong's wife in the Ningguo Mansion, with her mother-in-law, You Shi, and father-in-law, Jia Zhen. She was gentle and peaceful, and a dutiful daughter-in-law. But after Your Majesty issued an edict appointing her as the head housekeeper of the Ningguo Mansion, Consort Qin gradually lost her former gentle nature and began to act as if she were one of the Emperor's concubines. She became charming and naturally lovely, and I am no match for Consort Qin."

Chu Yan smiled at Aunt Xue and said, "Madam, look, your daughter is extremely intelligent and sees things clearly."

Aunt Xue smiled, and Baochai also smiled and said, "Your Majesty's praise makes me feel ashamed."

Chu Yan raised his hand to stroke her face. Baochai trembled and hurriedly looked at her mother. But the next moment, Chu Yan lowered his head and kissed her lips, which were covered with rouge.

Being kissed by the emperor in front of her mother made Baochai even more shy, but then she suddenly wondered if this was the reason why the emperor had kept her mother here.
After a while, Chu Yan released her and admired for a moment the captivating sight of Baochai's flushed face and slightly parted lips as she breathed heavily. He thought to himself, "Truly worthy of being Xue Baochai, who is considered one of the top beauties alongside Lin Daiyu. The slight allure she exudes after being kissed is enough to make one's heart flutter."

He turned to look at the lady, smiled at her, and then said, "Was the lady watching just now?"

Aunt Xue nodded shyly, only daring to complain in her heart.

Chu Yan said, "Historical records show that Yang Guifei was jealous, which once angered Emperor Xuanzong, who sent her back to her parents' home. They later reconciled." He glanced at Baochai and continued, "I also want to create my own 'Yang Guifei'."

After a long pause, Baochai finally said, "It is my fault."

Chu Yan laughed and said, "Have you ever seen me angry with you?"

Baochai quickly smiled and said, "His Majesty has always favored us and has never truly been angry with us."

Chu Yan pinched her cheek and sighed, "Miss Bao, not a single word you say is true. How can I spoil you?"

Baochai lowered her head and looked at her mother.

Chu Yan asked her, "I just asked your mother if you were ever disciplined by your parents when you were a child?"

Baochai finally revealed her true feelings, sighing softly, "I dare not hide it from Your Majesty any longer. When I was a child, I was also a mischievous child. My siblings and I hated serious books the most, so we would secretly read the books in the family collection, such as 'The Peony Pavilion' and 'The Romance of the Western Chamber.' We girls would secretly read them behind their backs, and they would secretly read them behind our backs. In the end, we were discovered by the adults, and some were beaten and some were scolded. After that, I dared not do those unruly things again, for fear of being scolded by the adults again."

Aunt Xue then remembered this matter, but Chu Yan smiled, placed Baochai across his lap, and raised his hand to slap Baochai's buttocks twice in front of Aunt Xue.

Aunt Xue turned her head away, not daring to look.

Baochai covered her face and dared not make a sound.

Chu Yan said, "First, I'm punishing you for eavesdropping just now, and second, I'm punishing you for not telling the truth. Now answer me: Have I ever been angry with you?"

Baochai slowly lowered her hands from her face and gazed into his eyes.

Strangely enough, despite being humiliated and spanked by the emperor in front of her mother, she gradually let go of her resentment. She knew that although the emperor was dissatisfied with her, he truly loved her. Even if she eavesdropped outside the door and didn't tell the truth, he wouldn't be angry with her.

There's a saying that goes, "Spare the rod and spoil the child," and there's definitely some truth to that.

Baochai smiled and said, "A few days ago at the temple, when we pleaded for Brother Bao to return home to recuperate, His Majesty was probably annoyed by it." She added with a smile, "I dared not say it out loud, nor did I dare to ask too much. Afterwards, I secretly told my sister about it, and she told me not to worry. Therefore, I dared not presume to guess His Majesty's feelings."

Chu Yan laughed and said, "This is the Bao-jie that everyone praises!"

He then embraced Baochai and kissed her tenderly, but only on the lips, without touching her tongue.

After releasing her, Chu Yan laughed and said, "The day you see Baochai chasing butterflies in front of me will be the day you are made a Noble Consort."

After catching her breath, Baochai replied softly, "Your Majesty's teachings will remain firmly in my heart."

As she spoke, she got up and sat down on a chair to the side, still somewhat hesitant to look at her mother.

Chu Yan casually asked, "Where's your sister?"

Baochai smiled and said, "I heard from the maid that she went to Tubi Villa. I'll send someone to call her back."

"never mind."

Chu Yan glanced at Aunt Xue and smiled, "I've been meaning to visit your home for a while, but I haven't had the time. Since Madam is here today, let's go find Sister Qin first, and then go to your home for a meal together."

Hearing that Baoqin had also come, Aunt Xue was relieved and stood up, saying with a smile, "I'll go back and tell the kitchen to prepare the wine and dishes first."

Chu Yan nodded and watched the plump and mature Madam Xue walk out. After sitting for a while, he and Baochai set off together towards Tubi Manor.

He originally planned to wait for Baochai to gradually realize that if she wanted to be favored, she had to let go of her true nature, stop being aloof, dare to speak up, and treat him as her husband, not just the emperor.

But seeing that Baochai still dared not reveal her true nature, he took the opportunity to speak frankly with her today. Whether he would see Baochai appear before him as a noble consort in the future depended on whether she had truly understood.

(End of this chapter)