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

Chapter 249 The Golden Hairpin Pool Banquet: Baochai's First Favor (Part 1)
Before long, Chu Yan and his group arrived at the northwest corner of the back garden.

From afar, you can see a bamboo grove and banana trees. As you get closer, you can hear the babbling of water. Once inside, a refreshing breeze greets you.

Chu Yan couldn't help but exclaim, "It truly captures the essence of a mountain stream with its bridges and flowing water."

Daiyu also thought it was nice; the sound of water was tinkling, refreshing and cool, and there were pavilions, stone benches, and various strange stones as decorations. It was also located in the northwest corner of the back garden, making it a quiet place to escape the summer heat.

The group went inside and saw seven or eight streams winding through the bamboo groves and banana trees. The bottom of the streams was covered with pebbles, the water was clear, and the streams flowed down in a stepped fashion, one step at a time, with the sound of the water echoing, which was admirable.

Xia Shouzhong hurriedly said with a smile, "This water is drawn from Baoshan Mountain. Many concubines of the previous dynasty used to cool off and escape the summer heat here. Ladies, please look ahead."

Xiangyun, Baoqin, and the others looked ahead and their eyes lit up.

In front of them was a crystal-clear pool, not deep enough to reach their heads, large enough to accommodate about ten people swimming in. Fresh water flowed continuously from outside, passing through a long three-tiered staircase into Langchi.

These steps are paved with marble. When you walk on them, the water level is just above your feet. The clear water flows continuously, making it a lot of fun to play in the water here!
Seeing the pool, Xiangyun, who had been somewhat hesitant, couldn't help but look at her brother, the Emperor, as if she wanted to ask him what they were going to do later.

After the eunuchs left, they took off their shoes and socks, waded in the water by the pool and on the stone steps, and watched him swim in the pool.
"This is truly a rare and elegant place, Your Majesty~." Qin Keqing was also increasingly pleased with the place, looking quite delighted. She looked at the Emperor and called him "Your Majesty," her voice tingling with sweetness, her eyes full of charm.

The meaning is self-evident:

She also wanted to shed her annoying summer clothes and jump into the cool pool with the Emperor for a swim and some fun.

"It's a good place."

Chu Yan smiled and looked at them: "Do you want to go into the water and play? Or you can just play on the side."

Yingchun, Tanchun, and Baoqin blushed again and remained silent, while Daiyu glanced at him, seemingly having already guessed what the tyrant was planning.

"I'll accompany Your Majesty to play in the water," Ke Qing said with a smile.

Consort Zhou, who had followed, hurriedly said, "I will also go into the water with Your Majesty!"

Chu Yan noticed that their expressions varied; some agreed, some were too shy to go into the water, and some were hesitant.

At this moment, Baochai arrived while wiping her sweat with a handkerchief. She had rushed there after learning from home that Chu Yan had jumped into the lake, and only after circling Langchi did she learn that he had brought people to the spring pool.

Her plump, heat-sensitive body, after walking under the sun for half a day, was covered in sweat despite wearing a sun hat. Chu Yan glanced at her and noticed that after sweating, Baochai's plump, fair figure indeed appeared more rounded and voluptuous.

The sisters had met her, and Chu Yan also asked her the questions from before.

The heat hadn't dissipated, and Baochai's cheeks were flushed. She smiled and said, "I've been walking for a while and I'm sweating so much that I'm feeling quite uncomfortable. Besides, His Majesty must have been quite hot when he returned from meeting with ministers and discussing state affairs in the Xuanzheng Hall. However, jumping into the lake would have been too dangerous. If something had happened, there wouldn't have been time to save him. This place is much better. The water is no deeper than a person, it's clear, and it's fresh water that comes in from outside."

Chu Yan laughed and said, "Don't get sidetracked. Just tell me if you want to go into the water with me?"

Baochai was momentarily stumped by the question.

She guessed that Daiyu and the others had not agreed, because for young ladies, it was really improper to take off their clothes and go swimming.

Seeing this, Chu Yan didn't wait any longer. He stepped forward and, to the astonishment of Baochai and the others, first put his arm around Baochai's waist and then untied her belt.

"His Majesty!"

Baochai's face, as rosy as a peony, was filled with panic. She hurriedly uttered "Your Majesty" several times, like a young lady being raped by a thug, but she still couldn't stop the "King of Thieves" from doing his bidding.

A moment later, Baochai, having removed her outer skirt, was picked up by Chu Yan and thrown into the clear pool water, creating a huge splash!
Everyone was stunned. Even Daiyu's eyes widened, worried that Baochai might get into trouble because she couldn't swim. But then Chu Yan took off his outer clothes, laughed, and jumped into the pool. He caught Baochai, who was thrashing about in the water, and said with a smile, "Don't be afraid. Keep your feet on the ground. The water isn't deep!"

As her body was submerged in the water and his strong arms encircled her waist, Baochai, who was both startled and shy, gradually calmed down. She felt nervous, amused, and also... curious and interesting!
The emperor forcibly removed her skirt and threw her into the pool, intending to mock and humiliate her. However, when the emperor himself went into the water, it was no longer mockery or humiliation, but a different kind of affection.

Of all the young women present, who else would stand with the emperor in the pool like her?

"Get out!" Qinghe hurriedly ordered the eunuchs.

The eunuchs quickly withdrew. This spring pool and pond were surrounded by a large bamboo forest and trees, so people outside could not see inside.

Although Miss Bao had only unbuttoned her outer skirt, her plump, snow-white figure was fully revealed when she was submerged in the pool. She could only be vaguely seen in the water, but when His Majesty took her to play and frolic in the pool, wouldn't Miss Bao's exquisite and curvaceous figure be completely exposed?
"Come, let me teach Miss Bao how to swim!"

Chu Yan smiled and held Baochai in his palm.

A crowd of people watched from the shore, including Keqing, Yingchun, Qinghe, Tanchun, and many maids and palace maids around the pool.

"What a foolish ruler! He's using these tricks to tease people again." Daiyu muttered in embarrassment and annoyance. After watching from the shore for a while, she saw Baochai being held by him, clumsily kicking her legs in the pool, and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Everyone laughed. Baochai in the pool was completely different from the composed and dignified Baochai of the past. Her body was submerged in the pool, her skin was snow-white and translucent, and her face was tense but also showed a little excitement. She was being held by the Emperor in his arms as they swam in the pool.

Because the Emperor's large hand supported her lower abdomen, Baochai was able to float on the water, her round, protruding buttocks and her pair of fair, plump, long, and straight legs trying to kick the surface of the water to swim forward.

"I'll also go into the water to join Your Majesty!"

With a smile, Keqing beckoned her maid Baozhu over. She also took off her outer dress, revealing her slender and graceful figure wearing only an inner garment and trousers. After removing her shoes and socks, her delicate and beautiful jade feet were revealed.

People around her all turned to look at her.

Ke Qing was also a little shy. After smiling at them, she slowly squatted down by the pool. Her long legs fell into the water, and as soon as they touched the water, she exclaimed, "How refreshing!"

Her sweet voice reached everyone's ears, and everyone turned to look at her again. Even Chu Yan, who was teaching Baochai to swim, turned around to glance at her.

"I'm going into the water too!" Seeing Consort Qin's charming appearance, Consort Zhou couldn't help but feel angry. She quickly took off her clothes, threw them to the palace maids, and went into the water as well.

He wanted to catch up with His Majesty, but he saw that he had already swum to the depths of the pool with Miss Bao.

"Sister Lin, shall we go into the water?" Xiangyun asked Lin Daiyu eagerly, while the people around them looked over, all hesitating.

Daiyu looked at the four of them for a while and said, "I'm not very hot, and it would be troublesome to put on shoes and socks after going into the water. You can go play if you want."

As she spoke, she found a spot under the tree and sat on a stone bench, watching them play in the water with peace of mind.

Tan Chun laughed and said, "It doesn't matter if you're wearing clothes."

Upon hearing this, Xiangyun finally made up her mind and took off her outer garment, but she still wore her socks and did not take them off like Qin Keqing.

After undressing, she hesitated by the pool. Seeing this, Keqing playfully scooped up water with both hands and splashed it on Xiangyun's neck and collar, making her shiver.

"Are you teasing me too?" Xiangyun laughed and splashed water on her as well. The two of them were soon soaked, revealing their exquisite figures.

Before long, Qin Keqing simply plunged into the pool, enjoying the cool feeling of her body being submerged in the water. She also pulled Xiangyun down with her. The two of them stood in the water, neither daring to go into the deep end.

"Girl, the hairpin!!"

Seeing that the girl's hair was still undone, Cuilu quickly reminded her. The three people in the pool then realized what was happening and hurriedly removed the hairpins from their hair.

As a result, their dark hair was disheveled and wet, and their skin was smooth and fair. As they played in the pool, they exuded even more charm and spring-like allure.

Not to mention that Daiyu, Baoqin, and others had never seen such a sight before, even the older palace maids blushed when they saw it.

Deep in the pool.

"Your Majesty, my hairpin has also fallen off."

Hearing the commotion, Baochai touched her head and found that all her hairpins had fallen off, and her waist-length black hair was all disheveled and stuck to her back.

She blushed with shame, completely bewildered by her embarrassing situation.

Chu Yan embraced her, admiring Baochai's beautiful expression and the allure of her clothes clinging to her voluptuous body. He couldn't resist reaching into the water to pinch her, and laughed, "Don't rush, the water is clear, it'll be easy to find."

Baochai shuddered as her buttocks were pinched, and asked with moist eyes, "How does Your Majesty intend to find it?"

She couldn't help but recall the last time she, her mother, and Baoqin accompanied Chu Yan for drinks; back then, the two of them sat on his lap while drinking. "It's simple, just dive in."

Chu Yan called out to Xiangyun and Keqing, who were not far away, "Look over here, I'll teach you how to dive!"

Xiangyun quickly stopped, her feet landing on the smooth pebbles, the pool water just reaching her delicate, full breasts.

After getting wet, her light and graceful back was revealed. Although she was still dressed, she was still noticed by many people. Xuanzhu stood on the shore, envying them for being able to go into the water without any worries, and also envying Sister Yun's beautiful back and slender waist, with her exquisite curves.

Chu Yan laughed and said, "Watch closely, diving is very simple. First, take a deep breath before entering the water. Second, don't panic after entering the water to avoid choking. If you can't float in the water, you can also take a deep breath and hold it in your stomach. This will increase the buoyancy of your body, like holding an inflated bladder."

Upon hearing this, Daiyu was surprised. It turned out that he was not just indulging in debauchery and women, but was actually teaching them to swim in a serious manner.

After explaining the techniques for opening one's eyes underwater, Chu Yan took a breath and submerged into the water, where there was no further movement on the surface.

Upon seeing this scene, Daiyu couldn't help but feel flustered. She stood up from the stone bench and went to the shore to look for him.

Fortunately, the water was clear, and his strong body could be seen moving slowly in the water.

Zijuan chuckled softly, "Would you like to go into the water, young lady?"

Daiyu did not answer, and lingered on the shore for a long time before she felt relieved when she saw Chu Yan emerge from the water.

Seeing him go into the water again in the blink of an eye, she couldn't help but say, "It's fine if the hairpin is missing, just send some people to look for it, why bother?"

She spoke softly, so Baochai couldn't hear her, but Xiangyun, who was nearby, heard her and agreed wholeheartedly. She quickly went over and told Baochai.

When Chu Yan resurfaced, the two of them grabbed him and refused to let him go underwater again.

Daiyu stood on the shore, smiled, and then went back to sit down.

Baoqin sat down next to her with a smile, took her hand, and chatted and laughed together. She then quietly asked, "Next time the Emperor comes swimming, Sister Lin, would you like to go swimming with him?"

Daiyu was unsure what to do.

"Ah! Sister Zhu'er!" Yingchun exclaimed in surprise. Everyone looked over and was shocked: they saw that Wang Xuanzhu had taken off all her clothes, leaving only a light green bodice, which made her fair and smooth body look even more delicate, and her legs were slender and straight.

Seeing everyone looking at her, she giggled, quickly went to the shore, and jumped into the pool with a scream, happily splashing around in the water.

Although she was the youngest, she was not short, only a little shorter than Xiangyun.

Daiyu blushed and smiled, "She loves to play around just like Yun'er. Her sister isn't here, so no one can control her."

She's stripped down to just a bodice; who wouldn't blush at that sight?

Baoqin hurriedly called out with a smile, "Sister Yun, quickly stop little sister Zhu'er, don't let her play in the deep water!"

Upon hearing this, Xiangyun hurriedly splashed towards Xuanzhu, and the two frolicked in the pool, while a group of people on the shore watched them play.

Before long, Qin Keqing got tired of swimming and returned to the shore. She lay on the marble with one arm supporting her body, half of her body in the pool, and chatted with the girls on the shore.

Although she was wearing only one garment, she was completely soaked from diving, and her graceful figure was unmatched by the others, making them envious.

After a while, Qin Keqing tried to get out of the water, but it was quite difficult, so Baozhu quickly went over to pull her out.

After getting ashore, Keqing sat on the marble steps. The clear pool water flowed over her buttocks and feet, tickling her and making her giggle. She then splashed water at Baozhu, which made Baozhu say coquettishly, "Your Highness, please don't tease me. It's not good if your clothes get wet."

Keqing smiled and kicked the water with her delicate feet on the marble, making a splashing sound that stirred the hearts of the girls on the shore who hadn't yet gone into the water.

In hot weather, wouldn't it be great to swim in a clear pool to cool off?

When Baochai first arrived, she was covered in sweat, but now she felt refreshed and cool in the pool.

A while later, Chu Yan came ashore, where Yuanyang, Qingwen, and the others had already prepared towels and rushed over.

"No need for now."

Chu Yan waved his hand, walked over and sat down next to Daiyu and the others, and said with a smile, "We didn't have enough time today and didn't have enough fun. We'll come over tomorrow at noon and have a good time. Do you want to come?"

Seeing that they didn't answer immediately, Xichun nodded and said, "I want to come too."

She also decided to go swimming, no longer caring about etiquette and propriety. With the emperor's protection, outsiders knew nothing about palace affairs.

Daiyu also said, "The water in the pool is too cool, I don't want to go in, I'll just watch you play by the pool."

Chu Yan looked at her and said, "If you want to go into the water, don't worry about your health. If you get sick, I'll make sure you get well!"

The emperor especially favored her, and everyone looked at her. Daiyu blushed and quickly said, "Never mind, I don't really want to swim. My body can't handle this cool spring water. You all have fun, and I'll just play in the water on the shore and watch you."

Chu Yan nodded and did not press her further.

Turning to Xiangyun and Keqing, he smiled and said, "How about you wear swimsuits specifically designed for swimming pools tomorrow? The styles are very simple, and we can have them tailored tonight."

The girls gathered around, and Chu Yan described three different swimsuits to them, making them all blush.

The garment that covered the upper and lower body, similar to a bellyband, was fine, but the swimsuit that only covered the buttocks and chest was something they would never dare to wear!

Oh, except for Xuanzhu.

Relying on Chu Yan's usual doting on them, she even dared to wear a bellyband in public, and right now she's still wearing a bellyband in the pool and doesn't dare to come up.

Seeing that they had all agreed, Chu Yan smiled at Qingwen and Zijuan and said, "You can go swimming tomorrow too, don't be shy."

Besides this large pool, there are many other ponds where you can swim.

After making the arrangements, Chu Yan was in a good mood and looked forward to tomorrow's swimsuit extravaganza. She wondered what kind of ancient "swimsuits" they would cut out. She was sure that they would be very beautiful and pleasing to the eye.

"Your Majesty," Baochai called out to him with a smile from the pool, stretching out her hand, "Please help me up, Your Majesty, I can't get out."

Seeing her embarrassed expression, everyone laughed. Chu Yan walked over and casually helped Baochai up.

With the sound of water, Baochai's plump, snow-white figure emerged from the water. Chu Yan had forgotten to take off her shoes and socks earlier, but now that she was ashore, her shoes and socks were gone, and she stood barefoot on the ground. Her pair of round, crystal-clear jade feet were white with a hint of pink, which was quite lovely.

Keqing couldn't help but praise: "We can't compare to Baochai's figure and appearance. Not only are we amazed by her, but the Emperor will surely cherish her in the future!"

Daiyu couldn't help but look over.

Baochai blushed with embarrassment and dared not utter a word.

Baoqin quietly came to her side and said with a smile, "Sister is a favored concubine now~, daring to be pulled ashore by His Majesty."

"……what!"

Baochai belatedly realized what was happening and couldn't help but look at Chu Yan.

She had struggled to get ashore and instinctively called for him, but upon reflection, she realized that as a concubine, how could she ask the emperor for help?

Just as Baoqin said, only favored concubines would act without any scruples.

Thinking back on the events of the day, she was terrified when Chu Yan took off her clothes, but when he took her swimming in the pool, he taught her how to kick her legs and held her waist as they swam together.

At that moment, Baochai completely forgot that there were many sisters watching from the shore.

(End of this chapter)