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

Chapter 262 Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival, Enjoying the Lake View from a Painted Boat

Around noon, Daiyu and the others returned to Daming Palace. Just then, Xiuyan and Xiangyun, along with Miaoyu and Grandmother Jia, also entered the palace. Daiyu met her maternal grandmother and inevitably burst into tears.

Xiangyun smiled and said, "Grandma, don't be sad. We'll be enjoying the moon tonight!"

Everyone laughed and agreed, and then led Grandmother Jia and the others to different places. Grandmother Jia stayed in a courtyard by herself, Lady Wang went to stay with Tan Chun, Lady Xing went to stay with Ying Chun, and the rest of them also had their own places to stay. Empress Zhang originally lived in Jingyun Pavilion, but now she could not and did not want to live there, so she found a courtyard to stay in near Princess Qinghe's residence.

“Grandma, come with me,” Ping’er said with a smile.

Sister Feng glanced at her, snorted, and said, "Lead the way, let me see what kind of palace Consort Ping is living in now."

Regardless of what happened between the two, Daiyu returned to Xiaoxiang Pavilion, sat in her study, and sighed softly for a long time.

Zijuan happened to overhear this and asked her curiously, "Miss, you've been out for half a day and even met the old lady. Why are you still worried? Is it because you're concerned about His Majesty's expedition?"

Daiyu said, "It is precisely at the most lively times that the most sorrowful feelings arise."

After listening, Zijuan looked at her for a long time before smiling and saying, "Only His Majesty can enlighten you and relieve your worries!"

Hearing her mention Chu Yan, Daiyu perked up and went back to her room to rest.

After lying down, thinking about the banquet and moon-viewing that night, he was eventually captivated by Chu Yan's face and fell asleep.

After sleeping for more than half an hour, I woke up and slowly dressed up. After 3 PM, I heard the laughter of girls outside the door.

Knowing they had arrived, Daiyu quickly got up and went out to greet them. Sure enough, it was Xiangyun, Yingchun, and Tanchun who had come together. Upon seeing her, Xiangyun smiled and took her hand, saying, "Sister Lin is all dressed up now. Let's hurry up! The old lady is waiting outside. Let's go together to the Emperor to offer our congratulations and receive our reward!"

Daiyu was pulled along by her, and upon hearing this, she laughed and said, "It's just the Mid-Autumn Festival, not the New Year, so where would you get any reward money?"

Tan Chun smiled quietly and said, "My elder sister and I have prepared it. It's not much money, just for good luck."

Everyone laughed. The money the Emperor wanted to reward was prepared by Tan Chun and Yuan Chun.

Daiyu and the others left the bamboo grove and, sure enough, saw Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, Old Madam Shi, and others waiting under the shade of the trees by the roadside. She quickly went up to them, bowed, and apologized: "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Grandmother and Madams!"

Grandmother Jia laughed and said, "You're not late. It's just that there are too many of us to go into the bamboo grove. We can enjoy the scenery of the royal garden instead."

So he took Daiyu's hand and walked together toward Zichen Hall. Daiyu's residence was close to Chu Yan's, and soon they saw more than a hundred eunuchs standing outside Zichen Hall. The palanquin was ready and waiting to depart. When the concubines arrived, the eunuchs and maids bowed and paid their respects.

"Brother Emperor, we're here!" Xiangyun happily walked in first. She was dressed in a grand manner today, and her head full of pearls and jade jingled with her cheerful steps.

Her second aunt was terrified and quietly asked Tan Chun, "Is my daughter always like this?"

Tan Chun chuckled and said, "Don't worry, Auntie. Sister Yun has always been straightforward and playful, and the Emperor loves her just the way she is. He dotes on her every day!"

Aunt Xiangyun was relieved and went into Zichen Hall.

Lady Wang Ziteng also entered the room with her daughter Xuanzhu in her hand. After passing the white jade dragon-patterned screen wall, they saw seven or eight concubines sitting in the hall, among whom Empress Zhang was prominently present!
During the previous dynasty, she also visited the palace to pay homage to Empress Zhang many times, at least twice a year, once on the Empress's birthday and once during the Lunar New Year.

But now, Empress Zhang is just sitting in the room, next to Madam Qin, who used to be from the East Mansion.

The founding emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty sat in the very center, with his concubines on both sides. Because there were so many people, Xiangyun and Baoqin sat next to the emperor.

Lady Wang Ziteng held her daughter's hand and whispered, "If one day you can sit next to the Emperor, then it will have been worth it for your mother to send you into the palace."

Xuanzhu looked at it, her little face full of envy.

There were just too many people, and even if she squeezed in, there wouldn't be a place. Even Xichun and Consort Zhou were standing. It was better to stay by her mother's side.

On the main seat.

Chu Yan looked at everyone and smiled, "There are many people here today, so I won't say anything empty. Yuan Chun, I heard that you have prepared money for me as a reward?"

Yuan Chun hurriedly stood up and said yes.

Chu Yan nodded: "You come and pay your respects. After I reward you, we will go to the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet together."

Yuanyang, Qingwen, and others brought over a dozen prayer cushions, and had everyone kowtow in turn. Liu Wu'er, Fangguan, and others then presented them with purses, gold and silver ingots, ruyi (a type of scepter), and other gifts.

As they knelt in worship, the jade pendants and necklaces worn by the women jingled. When Chu Yan saw that Madam Xue had also arrived, she was still eye-catching as she knelt down.

Her full and voluptuous womanly body was far superior to others; when she knelt down, it resembled two full moons, heavy and round.

Unfortunately, there's no time left, and I don't know if I'll have the chance to visit her this year.

Also.

He had not seen Empress Zhang for many days and missed her majesty in her phoenix robe, as well as her fair and delicate body after she took it off.

Everyone received a reward.

Only Miaoyu politely declined, and Chu Yan simply smiled at her without saying anything more.

After the ceremony, he went out and boarded the imperial carriage, while Xiangyun and the others also boarded palanquins and were carried by eunuchs to the island in the middle of the lake.

The palanquins were barely enough, so Grandmother Jia and the others had to walk.

Halfway there, with Chu Yan's consent, Xiangyun and Yuanchun gave the palanquin to Grandmother Jia and the Old Madam Shi.

After crossing the Seven-Arch Bridge, the group went up to the island in the middle of the lake. Tables and chairs had already been set up in front of the stage. As soon as Chu Yan got off the carriage, Fang Guan hurriedly went backstage to put on makeup and prepare to go on stage to perform.

Chu Yan ignored them, called Empress Zhang and Baochai to his side, pulled them to sit down, and then smiled and decreed: "Sit down, everyone. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. No matter your rank, just drink to your heart's content!"

After everyone bowed again, they took their seats.

Xiangyun looked up at the sky and smiled at everyone, saying, "Today the heavens are kind to us; the weather is cool and clear. The moon should come out after we have dinner!"

Daiyu smiled and said, "It's a relief that Yun'er has been waiting for this day. If the moon hadn't come, she would have been lamenting how much she missed it."

Baoqin and the others laughed. Xiangyun had been looking forward to the Mid-Autumn Festival for days, and now it had finally arrived.

After everyone was seated, the palace maids began to serve the dishes, and Empress Zhang poured him wine. Chu Yan picked up a cup and drank it, and the atmosphere gradually became lively.

With Xiangyun and Fengjie around, there's no fear of not having someone to talk and laugh with. In the words of Grandmother Jia, Fengjie alone is worth ten of them. Moreover, there are dozens of people here today, and there are also tables and chairs for the girls' personal maids in the corridor, making it even more bustling with noise.

Yuanyang came up and asked with a smile, "Your Majesty, would you like to invite a dancer to perform?"

"Okay." Chu Yan nodded: "After they dance two songs, let them choose their own performance. It doesn't matter who chooses it, there's no need to bring it to me."

He didn't like to choose plays; he let them choose whatever they wanted.

Last time he ate here, he was interested in having Daiyu and the others compose poems, and then let whoever wrote the best poem choose the best one.

But this time, there were more people, including Grandmother Jia, and more girls than last time, so he just ate, listened to the opera, and watched the excitement on their side, finding tranquility amidst the activity.

The dancers soon took to the stage and began to dance gracefully to the accompaniment of instrumental music. They started with the "Long Sleeve Dance," in which dozens of slender dancers with flowing long sleeves captivated even the ladies and young women who rarely watched dances.

Chu Yan glanced at Daiyu and saw her holding a wine cup to her lips, completely absorbed in the performance. He chuckled and continued watching the stage.

Qinghe quietly tugged at Daiyu's sleeve and whispered in her ear, "His Majesty looked at you just now~"

Daiyu turned her head to look at him, and seeing that he wasn't looking at her, she glanced at him a couple more times before lowering her head to take a small sip of wine and said with a smile, "He's over there with two women on his left and right. Perhaps because there are so many people, he can't make any physical advances, so he's being lazy."

Qinghe was surprised. She looked at His Majesty again and slowly realized that he was indeed lazy, only holding her sister-in-law with his arm around her, looking relaxed.

Qinghe chuckled softly, "Pin'er has a good eye."

After performing the "Long Sleeve Dance," the dancers went offstage to change clothes and quickly returned to the stage to perform the "Jiangnan Lotus Picking Dance."

Among them were two dancers who had been granted the title of "Talented Lady," their waists slender and graceful, their dancing postures exquisite.

Baochai glanced at Chu Yan, just as Empress Zhang saw her. She said, "I remember that His Majesty ordered me to dance with Consort Xiande."

Chu Yan stared intently at the stage and laughed, "Is that so? I don't remember."

Baochai had vaguely heard about this.

Empress Zhang said calmly, "Since Your Majesty does not remember, then I will not perform a solo dance tonight."

"Now that you mention it, I've remembered it again!" Chu Yan said with a smile.

A smile slowly appeared on Empress Zhang's dignified and solemn face as she said softly, "Your Majesty, I thank you for remembering me."

Chu Yan said, "Words of thanks are not enough; only verbal thanks count."

Empress Zhang blushed and remained silent.

Baochai, sitting on the right, only half understood what was being said until Empress Zhang whispered, "There are too many people tonight, it's not convenient to serve His Majesty."

Baochai then realized that these were lewd remarks made in the bedroom, and blushed with embarrassment, so she didn't respond.

"That's a shame."

Chu Yan simply said that he would continue watching the dance.

Empress Zhang looked around and met Qin Keqing's gaze. The two seemed to be of one mind, preparing to have a private chat later.

After the dance ended, Qingwen presented the playbill. After some back and forth, Yuanchun chose a play first, called "Chang'e Regrets Flying to the Moon," which was appropriate for the occasion.

Next up was Xiangyun, who cheerfully requested a performance of "Wu Gang Chopping Down the Laurel Tree," which made everyone laugh.

Chu Yan didn't care what kind of play it was. He sat casually on the couch and chatted with Baochai and Empress Zhang for a while before telling them to go down and drink with their families. Baochai went to sit with Baoqin and her mother, while Empress Zhang went with her daughters. She hadn't seen them for several months and missed the little princesses quite a bit.

Daiyu turned her head to look several times.

Qinghe chuckled softly, "Would you like to come up and sit with me, Miss Lin?"

Daiyu hesitated for a moment before saying, "If I don't go to his place, he'll probably try to touch me again."

Qinghe turned to look several times, hesitated for a long time, and said, "He's leaving in a few days..."

Daiyu felt a pang of sadness and almost burst into tears. But then she thought, it would be good to spend more time with him.

Just as she was about to go up, Xiangyun pulled Baoqin along, and the two of them, holding wine cups, came to Chu Yan with smiles. After saying something, they sat down and drank with him.

Daiyu had no choice but to sit and continue drinking and listening to the opera.

After a while, Xiangyun and Baoqin also came down. Before Daiyu and Qinghe could make a move, Qin Keqing and Consort Zhou stepped forward and sat down next to the emperor.

Next, Xuanzhu and Tanchun went up.

After a while, Daiyu saw Chu Yan smiling and waving at her. Qinghe pulled her over, and Daiyu was involuntarily embraced by him, and together with the princess, she was pulled into his arms.

The slight sourness from before vanished instantly.

"People are watching, let go of me and the princess," Daiyu whispered in Chu Yan's arms.

"Who cares about her? Loving Lin Daiyu and Qinghe is the most important thing!"

Chu Yan smiled and put his arms around the two of them. Although he didn't see them often, Qinghe and Daiyu seemed to have a good relationship. Qinghe had even invited her to Huang'en Temple today.

After holding them for a while, Chu Yan let go and let the two sit down beside him. He asked, "You went to the temple to offer incense today. Are you tired? If you are, go back and rest early."

Qinghe shook his head and said he wasn't tired.

Daiyu smiled and said, "It's rare to have a clear sky and a moon today. I know you care about us, but Yun'er also said that we should drink to our hearts' content tonight. How can we back out at the last minute?"

Chu Yan chuckled, wanting to say something, but stopped himself, simply holding her as they watched the play together.

Under the covered walkway, a eunuch saw this scene from afar and kept muttering something to himself.

Daiyu and Qinghe did not go down, but stayed by his side until the banquet ended.

As dusk approached, Xiangyun hurried over, pulling Chu Yan's hand and pointing to the lake: "Brother Emperor, look! What a beautiful lake reflecting the sunset! It perfectly matches the poem, 'A setting sun spreads across the water, half the river shimmering green, half red!' Let's get off the boat quickly!"

Chu Yan smiled at Lin Daiyu, and Daiyu smiled back, pulling him to her feet: "She's called you brother, aren't you going to give her your blessing?"

Xiangyun ignored her teasing and headed straight for the lake, urging everyone to hurry up.

Three painted boats linked together are moored by the island in the middle of the lake. The first boat is reserved for the emperor and has two decks that can accommodate nearly a hundred people.

Chu Yan boarded the painted boat, accompanied by the young lady and concubines, with Yuanyang and a few others serving him closely.

The rest of the people, including Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, boarded the second boat, while Zijuan, Cuilu, and others boarded the third boat, which was just enough.

At the bow of the emperor's pleasure boat, there were several towing boats, with a dozen or so eunuchs rowing on one of them, slowly pulling three pleasure boats toward the center of the lake.

The sunset is beautiful.

Daiyu looked at the lake and saw the sunset glow shining on the water, making it sparkle. In the distance, a tall tower stood on the mountain, and the lake was lined with pavilions and terraces. The scenery was magnificent, and she couldn't help but be captivated by it.

No one spoke for a moment on the boat; everyone was admiring the beautiful scenery.

After a while, everyone entered the painted boat and sat down. Chu Yan and the others went up to the second floor. There was a spacious platform at the bow of the second floor, which was used for singing, playing the zither, and storytelling. Chu Yan sat in front, and they all sat down as well. Behind him, they lined up in two rows, each row could seat four people, and there was a low table in front of them.

The palace maids had prepared fruits and snacks in advance, and Qingwen and the others brought them up for everyone to eat, but having just finished their meal, they had no appetite for the time being.

Chu Yan chatted with them while enjoying the scenery. Xi Chun quickly noticed the sky, pointed out the window and laughed, "Look, the moon is out!"

Xiangyun and the others quickly turned their heads to look, and sure enough, they saw a pale full moon hanging in the sky, its beauty enhanced by the sunset, making it impossible to look away.

(End of this chapter)