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

Chapter 244 Relocation to Daming Palace (Part 2)
Dragon banners flutter in the distance as five-colored clouds part, and the phoenix carriage returns with the fragrance of ten thousand riders.

Flowers adorn the thirty-six palaces, pressing down on the imperial carriage; the east wind first sweeps away the fragrant altar.

Ping'er, Yuanyang, Xiren, and others followed the emperor and many young ladies and empresses into the Daming Palace through the Danfeng Gate.

Ping'er was alright, but Yuanyang, Xiren, Sheyue, Xiangling, and others were all entering the palace for the first time. The magnificent city walls and the guards standing on the walls filled them with awe.

After entering Danfeng Gate, the convoy stopped. Jia Yuanchun, along with Princess Qinghe, Consort Wu, Noble Lady Zhou, and other concubines, as well as several young princesses and the Dowager Consort, respectfully came forward and knelt before the Emperor's carriage.

"Flat body."

Chu Yan smiled and looked at them, then beckoned to Qinghe and Yuanchun: "Come up, I haven't seen you for many days."

Yuan Chun still possessed a dignified and graceful demeanor, but Princess Qinghe, since being favored by him, had become increasingly like a docile and obedient wife. At this moment, with her hair piled high and her smile charming, the graceful and beautiful young girl was gradually growing into a beautiful woman.

It would be against the rules to board the emperor's carriage. If only one of them had been invited, they would not have gone up, but with two people, it would have been more lenient.

Yuan Chun and Qing He smiled shyly and reached out their hands together, only to be pulled onto the imperial carriage by Chu Yan.

"Do my beloved concubines miss me?" Chu Yan asked with a smile, his arms around their waists.

Qinghe became increasingly shy, and after a long while, she said bashfully, "I often think of His Majesty these days, and I wanted to return to Daguan Palace several times, but I gave up in the end."

Chu Yan kissed her and said, "Next time, just do whatever you want." He then looked at Yuan Chun.

"Your Majesty, I often think of you too." Yuan Chun nestled into his arms.

Chu Yan smiled and said, "I haven't seen you all for many days. I should have spent more time with you, but today is the day the young ladies move to the new palace. I'm afraid they won't be used to it, so I'll chat with them this afternoon."

Qinghe asked curiously, "Can't I go to His Majesty's room to chat?"

Yuan Chun understood and said shyly, "Your Majesty means that you originally intended to summon the princess tonight."

Qinghe let out a soft gasp, her face turning bright red with embarrassment.

Chu Yan teased her delicate face, biting her ear and laughing, "People say that a girl's breasts will grow bigger after marriage. I wonder if this has come true after Qinghe married me?"

Qinghe subconsciously looked down at her cleavage beneath her dress, the shame of being teased by her emperor husband making her hide in Chu Yan's arms. After a long while, she whispered, "It's only been half a month since we last met, my body hasn't grown yet..."

Chu Yan held her hand and chuckled softly, "It seems I will have to favor Qinghe even more."

Princess Qinghe dared not raise her head. Yuan Chun glanced at her and saw that the princess was already flushed with desire, having been aroused by the emperor.

After all, she had just gotten married and was still a "newlywed." Even if she wasn't favored tonight, the emperor would summon her tomorrow night to pamper her.

Yuan Chun smiled and said, "Your Majesty, Princess, we are about to reach Zichen Gate."

The elegant princess in Chu Yan's arms hurriedly left his embrace, straightened her appearance, and made Chu Yan want to laugh.

A moment later, the convoy stopped in front of the Zichen Gate, and Daiyu and the others got out of the carriages and came to the imperial carriage to await the imperial decree.

Chu Yan said, "Go back and settle in. Those who don't have a place to stay yet, find a place to stay and come back this afternoon."

After speaking, he looked at them again and saw that they all looked somewhat tired, and that Daiyu seemed a little exhausted. So he changed his words and said, "Alright, you all look tired today, so rest at home. I will send someone to deliver the rewards to you."

Xiangyun smiled and said, "His Majesty the Emperor also gave us gifts?"

Chu Yan smiled at her: "Everyone else has one, but you're the only one who doesn't!"

"what?"

Xiangyun looked puzzled, but Baochai smiled and said, "Perhaps it's some other reward."

Daiyu looked over, then glanced at the two maids standing behind Chu Yan, before turning her head away without saying a word.

“Miss Bao guessed correctly.” Chu Yan nodded and smiled. “It is a horse that I personally selected for Yun’er to use for walking and playing in the back garden.”

Upon hearing this, Xiangyun's eyes lit up immediately. She thanked him with great joy and then asked where the horse was.

"There's no use in being anxious. You don't know how to ride anyway. I'll teach you when I have time," Chu Yan said with a smile.

Xiangyun took Baoqin's hand and said with a giggle, "I'll ask Sister Qin to teach me; she can ride a horse!"

Of all the girls in the garden, only Baoqin knows how to ride a horse. She used to travel all over the country with her father, and to be on the safe side, she learned to ride a horse and drive a donkey at a young age. She can even drive a boat—although she has never done it herself.

Baochai smiled and asked, "When you hire someone to teach you, do you offer a formal apprenticeship ceremony?"

Baoqin laughed when she heard this. Xiangyun grabbed her hand and said some nice things, trying to get away with it. Chu Yan laughed and said, "Alright, there is a martial arts training ground on the east side of the back garden. You can go there to practice. Others who want to learn can ask someone to bring more horses."

He then said, "Go back and settle in."

After bowing, everyone boarded the palanquin and returned to their respective residences to settle down.

Yuan Chun went along to see if they needed anything.

"Your Majesty~~~ I have missed Your Majesty for so long." Finally finding an opportunity, Consort Zhou clung to him with a wronged and resentful expression, taking his arm and acting coquettishly.

Seeing this scene, Qinghe even had a fleeting thought of competing with Consort Zhou for the emperor's favor.

However, she was, after all, a princess, and was usually reserved and delicate. It wasn't that she disdained it, but rather that she wouldn't do such a thing.

"Come sit with me for a while."

Chu Yan, holding Qinghe's hand, along with several concubines and Qingwen and others, walked into Zichen Hall.

As the residence of the former emperor in Daming Palace, Zichen Hall was undoubtedly luxurious. Not only was it located by the lake and close to the former dynasty, but it also had many rooms, including side rooms, wing rooms, east and west side halls, etc. Furthermore, there was a corridor connecting to Jingyun Pavilion through the back door. Usually used as the residence of the empress, the layout of Yulan Hall and Jingyun Pavilion was similar to that of Qianqing Palace and Kunning Palace.

No one moved into Jingyunxuan. It seemed that they all thought that only Consort Xie was qualified to live there. Yuan Chun had offered to give up the side hall of Daguan Palace to Consort Xie several times.

Chu Yan entered the main hall, then went to a side room. He leaned against the soft couch, holding Qinghe in his arms and teasing her delicate hands and face. Beside him sat Consort Zhou and Consort Wu, while two dancers and talented ladies sat on chairs.

I chatted with them for a while and asked about their recent situation.

Qingwen and the others put their belongings inside, tidied up, and changed their clothes before serving the Emperor.

"Have you put your luggage away? Come over here, everyone."

Chu Yan beckoned them all to come inside and asked, "Have you found rooms yet? If not, go to Jingyun Pavilion in the back and find a few rooms."

Yuanyang laughed and said, "The Emperor's house is big enough, with annexes in the front and back, side rooms and east and west rooms, and several rooms in the corridor. It's enough for us to stay in!"

Nestled in her emperor husband's arms, Qinghe looked up at them curiously. She saw about a dozen beautiful young maids, some of whom she recognized, such as Fangguan and Lingguan who sang operas, and Qingwen and Xiangling from before. She didn't recognize the rest of the newcomers.

Oh, the one speaking seems to be the maidservant of Lady Shi.

Chu Yan said, “Now, you are my personal maids, or you can call them palace maids. In short, your status is different from that of other eunuchs and palace maids. I will not give you any official rank, but you have more prestige than others.”

Looking around at them, Chu Yan continued, "Since your words carry weight in the palace, people will naturally try to curry favor with you. I won't bother with you too much until you cause trouble. For now, I'm just giving you a warning."

"Those things you do, such as colluding with outsiders, committing crimes, flattering superiors and bullying subordinates, you should weigh them yourselves. Using power for personal gain is a small matter. The worst thing you can do is to take people's lives and drive them to a dead end."

"mandarin duck."

Chu Yan pointed her out.

Yuanyang hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please give your orders!"

Chu Yan said, "You used to be the most prominent servant in the Jia family. I don't know how the Jia family manages its people, but I have high hopes for you. You can set an example for now, and I believe you will soon understand the rules of the palace and teach them well."

Yuanyang agreed first, then smiled and said, "When I served the old lady, everyone only respected me because of her. I don't know as much about palace rules as Qingwen and Xiangling."

Chu Yan understood her meaning, but just smiled and waved his hand, saying, "I believe you all know what you should and shouldn't do. Just keep it in mind. If you commit a minor offense, I won't bother with it."

But once a serious crime is committed, there is no room for leniency; the ringleader is punished immediately.

"Yes, Your Majesty, we will keep this in mind!"

The maids responded, bowed, and prepared to leave.

"and many more!"

Consort Zhou stopped them and then said to Chu Yan in a coquettish tone, "I will often come to His Majesty's room in the future, but I don't know their names. Would it be alright if I asked them to tell me their names before I left?"

Chu Yan glanced down at Qinghe and smiled in agreement.

Consort Zhou hurriedly instructed, "Come forward and state your names so I can get to know you properly!"

Chu Yan patted her waist: "You're not telling them who you are?"

Consort Zhou muttered, "I'll speak after they've finished."

"My name is Qingwen."

Qingwen stepped forward first, followed by Xiangling, Yuchuan, and Hongyu. Sheyue and the others were waiting for Yuanyang. After glancing at the Emperor, Yuanyang also stepped forward and stated her name and background—the Emperor had not yet assigned her a rank as a maid, but it was probably first rank.

……

Regardless of what happened inside Zichen Hall, Daiyu, accompanied by Zijuan, Ouguan, Xueyan, and her wet nurse, walked along the bamboo path and arrived at Xiaoxiang Pavilion, where Chu Yan had arranged for her to stay.

Seven or eight palace maids who had been waiting hurriedly came forward and knelt down: "This servant greets Consort Lin!"

This was the first time Daiyu had received such a grand gesture, and she quickly said, "Get up quickly."

After they all stood up, Daiyu looked at them more closely and saw that most of these palace maids were old, with the younger ones being around thirty years old, and only one of the younger ones looking to be under twenty.

Recently, Chu Yan has been planning to reduce the number of palace maids, perhaps because the younger ones have already left the palace to get married.

Daiyu asked, "Are you the palace maids on duty in this room?"

The young palace maid hurriedly said, "We were sent by Consort Xiande. The eunuchs who were originally guarding us were transferred away. It was said that Consort Lin was going to move in, so they chose us to serve her."

Upon hearing the word "pick," Daiyu couldn't help but sneer and said to them, "Come inside with me. But I am not a concubine; just call me Miss Lin."

As they spoke, they entered Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

Similar to Xiaoxiang Pavilion, this place has a lush bamboo forest right at the entrance, with covered walkways on both sides. The difference is that there is a three-story pavilion in the middle of the bamboo forest courtyard.

Daiyu did not rush up to the pavilion. Instead, she led Zijuan and the others into the room, instructed them to put away their luggage, and then hung the parrot she had brought from Xiaoxiang Pavilion back under the eaves.

The young palace maid hurriedly said with a smile, "Miss Lin, why don't you stay in the attic? It's cooler up there, and you can sleep better at night."

Zijuan laughed and said, "You don't know, our young lady is afraid of the cold but not the heat. Living in the attic is windy, which is actually bad for her health."

Daiyu smiled and said, "You're mistaken. I'm not afraid of the cold or the heat now. I just don't live in the attic because it lacks the warmth of the earth to nourish people."

Zijuan could tell that the girl's words had a hidden meaning and that she was in a bad mood, perhaps because she was not used to being in a new place.

After tidying up, Daiyu called the palace maids over and asked Zijuan to give each of them a handful of money, saying, "I'm sorry to have troubled you to clean up today. I don't have the salary of an empress, so I can't reward you with too much money. Please make do with this money."

Zijuan could only afford a handful of coins, which was indeed quite meager.

The young palace maid smiled and said, "Miss Lin is too modest. I have heard before that Miss Lin was very favored by His Majesty when she was in the Hall of Mental Cultivation."

Upon hearing the words about being favored, Daiyu felt a tightness in her chest again and went back to her room to rest.

The palace maids thought she had fallen out of favor again and were heartbroken. Although it was a great pity, there was nothing they could do. Serving an unfavored concubine was their fate.

Unexpectedly, in the afternoon, someone outside the door suddenly announced loudly: "His Majesty has arrived!"

The palace maids were startled and rushed out to greet him, their hearts filled with astonishment: Who said Consort Lin was not favored? His Majesty personally came to visit Consort Lin on the very first day after moving to Daming Palace; no one is more favored than her!

Chu Yan ignored them and walked into the house along the corridor. Halfway there, Daiyu came out. She was walking quite fast, but slowed down when she saw him.

For a moment, the two looked at each other.

After a moment, Daiyu lowered her head, bowed, and asked, "May I ask what brings Your Majesty here?"

Chu Yan was puzzled and looked her over several times before taking Lin Daiyu's hand and leading her into the house.

The two sat down together.

Chu Yan smiled and asked, "What do you think of this place, Sister Lin?"

“It’s better than Xiaoxiang Pavilion, and Daming Palace is bigger than Daguan Palace. When Yun’er saw such a big lake, she made an appointment with me to go for a proper visit another day,” Daiyu said, her voice light, her eyes glancing at him from time to time.

Chu Yan then asked, "Does Lin miss her maternal grandmother and aunt?"

"It's only my first day here. Even if I miss you, it's nothing to worry Your Majesty," Daiyu said with a smile.

Chu Yan asked again, "Does Sister Lin feel that this place is not good enough?"

"It's all good~ This is the imperial palace, how could it not be better than the garden built by the Duke's mansion?" Daiyu replied with a smile, already guessing what he was going to ask.

Chu Yan stopped pretending, got up and hugged her, wrapping his arms around her waist. Daiyu was "frightened" and hurriedly covered her chest with her hands. She chuckled and said, "Why is Your Majesty touching me again? Did I say or do something wrong? Tell me, if you are right, I will change."

Her voice was delicate and melodious, and Chu Yan couldn't help but look down at her for a long time. Daiyu also looked up at him, her eyes filled with morning dew, as if she had a thousand words to say, and she could also see the affection in Chu Yan's eyes.

Chu Yan laughed and said, "Don't make me spank you."

Daiyu pursed her lips and said, "Please let go of me."

Chu Yan released his hand.

Daiyu sat back down, glanced at him, and said, "I haven't yet congratulated His Majesty on having a few more people in his room."

Chu Yan frowned and pondered.

Daiyu already knew that there were Yuanyang, Sheyue, Wu'er and others in his room. If she was jealous, she would have already been jealous that day.

After a long pause, he gave up and sighed, "I really don't know how many complex thoughts Lin Daiyu has in her heart!"

Daiyu laughed at first, then became annoyed: "I haven't thanked His Majesty for giving me the elixir yet. I'm not as sick as before, and my health has improved a lot."

Chu Yanfu finally understood why she was being so temperamental again!
"Yu'er—"

"That's all."

Daiyu said, "That makes me seem unreasonable, always clinging to the elixir of immortality." She regretted saying what she had just said.

Chu Yan stood up with a smile. Seeing this, Daiyu slightly raised her arm and was pulled into his embrace. They then sat down together on a chair.

Daiyu blushed and hurriedly asked, "Aren't you going back home to sit down? Sister Zibao and Yun'er will be coming to find you soon."

Chu Yan held her soft hand, and after thinking for a long time, he said to her, "I took in Yong Lingguan because Yun said she looks like you."

Daiyu laughed and said, "When did Sister Yun say such a thing? She was clearly not talking about Lingguan, but about another opera troupe from outside."

Chu Yan laughed and said, "But Lingguan does look somewhat like you."

Daiyu blushed, guessing that he thought Lingguan resembled her, which was why he had specially taken Lingguan as his concubine and had slept with her so early.

Chu Yan added, "As for Wu'er, she is like you; she was born with some kind of weakness."

Daiyu sneered, "Do you think everyone looks like me? How does Wu'er resemble me?"

Aside from their frail and sickly appearances, the two looked completely different.

Chu Yan laughed and said, "You're absolutely right. Qingwen is just like you, and Xiren is just like your Baochai sister."

The reason for Daiyu's tantrum this time was very simple, but it was hard for ordinary people to imagine:

She saw that Chu Yan had Lingguan and Wu'er in his room, so she suspected that he preferred girls who were weak and sickly.

Daiyu laughed and said, "Qingwen is one thing, but how does Xiren resemble Sister Bao? It's obvious you're talking nonsense."

As she tried to get down from his arms, Chu Yan held her tightly, saying, "Yu'er has acted unreasonably this time and deserves to be punished."

Daiyu looked at him and saw Chu Yan touch his lips. She blushed with embarrassment and quickly got down, saying, "I haven't been to the pavilion yet. Will you accompany me for a stroll?"

Chu Yan nodded and went out with her. They opened the door to the attic, glanced around briefly, went up to the second floor, and then up to the third floor.

The first thing you see is this bamboo forest surrounding Xiaoxiang Pavilion. The bamboo tips are just level with your eyes, and the green bamboo sea makes a sound as it is blown by the wind.

The original name, "Tingzhuxuan," truly lived up to its name.

“I’d like to build a study on the third floor so I can come up to read and write when it’s hot. What do you think?” Daiyu asked with a smile.

"Lin Daiyu is in charge here."

Chu Yan readily agreed.

After strolling around for a while, Daiyu suddenly turned around and looked at him.

As if they were telepathically connected, Chu Yan stepped forward, embraced Lin Daiyu, and kissed her.

Amidst the rustling of bamboo, atop the pavilion, the tall and imposing Chu Yan held the delicate and frail Lin Daiyu in his arms, kissing her tenderly for a long time.

As dusk approached, Daiyu gently pushed him away, caught her breath for a moment, and then, with her starry eyes half-open and eyes filled with a dreamy haze, whispered, "You should go back quickly, Sister Bao will definitely come looking for you."

Chu Yan nodded, took Daiyu downstairs, and escorted her back to her study before coming out. He gently wiped his lips with his fingertips, as if the scent of Daiyu's rouge still lingered on them.

(End of this chapter)