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

Chapter 266 Missing becomes a disease
After the emperor left on his expedition, the concubines returned to the palace. For some reason, they all went to the Zichen Hall and sat in the emperor's room for a long time, reminiscing before going home to sleep.

Daiyu also returned to Xiaoxiang Pavilion. Zijuan helped her into the room and said, "I helped you lie down, Miss. You haven't closed your eyes since last night."

Daiyu shook her head slightly and said, "Go and rest, I'll sit for a while."

Zijuan smiled and advised, "How can that be? You haven't slept all night, how can anyone stay up?"

Daiyu said, "That day, he stayed by my bedside for two days without closing his eyes."

Zijuan glanced at the young lady and saw that she was indifferent and that her sorrow was hidden in her heart. She couldn't help but think to herself, "The Emperor has only just left, and the young lady is already so sad. I wonder what she will become in the months to come? Before, when she was at home with Master Bao, she could still cry in the old lady's arms. But now it's no use crying. His Majesty is going on a distant expedition against the Jurchens... Enough, let's not mention Master Bao anymore."

After much persuasion, Zijuan finally convinced the girl to lie down.

When Zijuan woke up from her nap, it was past noon. She went to the girl's room, but there was no one on the bed. She hurriedly searched around and asked the others to get up and help her search.

The maids and servants had just woken up and were panicked when they heard that the young lady was missing. It wasn't until a soft voice came from the attic that Zijuan hurried up to the third floor and saw the young lady sitting in the study with a sheet of paper spread out in front of her and some words written on it.

Zijuan breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Miss is awake?"

Daiyu shook her head: "I can't sleep, so I got up and sat to read." Just as Zijuan was about to speak anxiously, Daiyu said again: "Have someone go and ask when the old lady and the ladies will return to Daming Palace. I'll come back to rest after I see the old lady off."

Zijuan thought for a while and then gave up. She went up and looked at the girl carefully. She saw that the girl's expression was neither sad nor happy, but there was an indescribable sorrow of parting gathered at the tip of her eyebrows, which could not be dispelled.

About half an hour later, Zijuan came to report: "The old lady and the madam have gotten up and are getting ready to go home."

Daiyu nodded, went downstairs, and went out to see off Grandmother Jia and the others.

Xiangyun and the others had all woken up. Although they were still a little sleepy, they were in much better spirits. Only Daiyu had stayed up all night and hadn't closed her eyes yet.

After everyone saw them off to the palace gate, Grandmother Jia asked, "The Emperor has decided to spend the New Year at the Grand View Palace this year. When will you all be returning?"

Baochai, Daiyu, and the others exchanged glances. Yuanchun suggested, "Daming Palace is spacious, with many trees and Langchi Lake, making it an excellent place to escape the summer heat. However, it gets extremely cold in winter when the north wind blows. In the previous dynasty, the emperor and his concubines often spent the winter in the palace. Why don't you also go back to Daguan Palace when the weather turns cold?"

Everyone agreed, but Tan Chun asked, "Isn't eldest sister coming home with us?"

Yuan Chun smiled and said, "I will stay in the palace until I am twenty-five, and then I will go back to celebrate the New Year with you."

Tan Chun knew that her sister was in charge of palace affairs, so she didn't ask any more questions.

Daiyu sensed something else and asked, "When will His Majesty return before the New Year?"

Upon hearing Chu Yan's name, everyone turned to look. Yuan Chun's face showed some worry as she sighed, "I don't know when His Majesty will be able to return. If he can return sooner, I will go back to Daguan Palace with him."

After Chu Yan returns, he will definitely not go back to the palace, but will come to the Grand View Palace where the girls live.

Daiyu looked somber, and everyone else was also disappointed. After chatting for a while, they saw Grandmother Jia and the others off to their sedan chairs, watched them leave the palace gates, and then returned to the palace.

Xiangyun noticed that Sister Lin didn't look well, and after asking her carefully, she learned that she hadn't slept at all. She was startled and quickly took Sister Lin's hand, saying, "How can this be? You should go back to sleep. You've been up for two days straight!"

Baoqin and Yingchun also tried to persuade her.

Daiyu forced a smile and said, "Do you all remember that time when we stayed up all night with the Emperor in the Hall of Mental Cultivation? I feel great today, but I can't fall asleep no matter how much I toss and turn in bed. Why don't I stay up all night like him and go to sleep so I won't feel sleepy tomorrow?"

Baochai laughed and said, "His Majesty is strong and powerful. Could it be that you, Daiyu, can ride a horse and wear armor to the battlefield? Come home with us quickly. We want to see you asleep before we feel at ease!"

The sisters all smiled and agreed, so Daiyu was surrounded by them and returned to Xiaoxiang Pavilion. After watching Zijuan help her take off her clothes, jewelry, and makeup, and then lay her on the bed, they smiled with relief and said, "Pin'er, go to sleep now, we won't disturb you."

He then went out.

After a long while, Zijuan came in and asked softly, "Is the young lady asleep?"

Daiyu sat up and sighed, "My eyes are tired and my body is exhausted, but I can't sleep. Bring me some clothes, and I'll go to the study to sit for a while."

Zijuan had no choice but to serve her again. Daiyu had not dressed up and was reading in the study with her long, black hair flowing freely.

In the evening, Xiangyun rushed over upon hearing the news. Daiyu smiled and said, "It's this late, but I'm not sleepy at all."

Xiangyun said, "I sent someone to ask the imperial physician and got a prescription to make the soup. You'll be able to fall asleep after you eat it!"

Daiyu took her hand and smiled, "Thank you so much, Sister Yun!"

Xiangyun smiled and whispered, "Is Sister Lin unable to sleep because she misses the Emperor too much? I also thought about him for a long time in bed this morning before I could finally fall asleep."

Daiyu blushed but didn't say anything more.

He is the emperor, so it's only natural that the concubines in the harem miss him. There's no need for them to be jealous!

After Xiangyun expressed her longing, she seemed to relax, listlessly slumping on Daiyu's desk and muttering, "If my Emperor brother were here, I would go to him right now to chat and have some fun..."

Daiyu laughed and said, "Aren't you afraid that he'll carry you onto the bed and kiss you in front of everyone?"

Xiangyun blushed and, seeing that no one else was in the study, giggled and said, "I'm not afraid anymore, and I'm not a virgin anymore~ I've served the Emperor a few times."

Daiyu blushed with embarrassment, glaring at her with a mixture of shyness and annoyance. Xiangyun chuckled and said, "When Sister Lin serves the Emperor in the future..."

"You shameless brat, Yun! The older you get, the more shameless you become! I'll tear your mouth apart!"

Daiyu came up to grab her, but Xiangyun laughed and dodged. The two beautiful young girls were playing around in the room, but unfortunately Chu Yan, who was a hundred miles away, could not see them.

A little while later, a palace maid brought over the medicine.

Daiyu drank the medicine while it was still warm, and her body warmed up. She finally felt a little sleepy. Xiangyun looked out the window and said, "It's night. Last time, the Emperor went to sleep at night. You should go to sleep too and not stay up too late."

Daiyu chatted with her for a while longer before going back to lie down, and soon fell asleep.

Xiangyun waited until she fell asleep before leaving. She took a lantern and went out of the bamboo forest, unsure whether to go home or find one of her sisters to chat with and relieve her boredom.

Cuilu walked ahead carrying a lantern. After a while, Xiangyun finally came to her senses: "Why are we going to Zichen Hall?"

Cuilu asked curiously, "Miss, won't you go sit in the Emperor's room for a while?"

Xiangyun thought for a moment and sighed, "Sister Lin misses me dearly, and I miss her terribly too. Last night we were boating on the lake, admiring the moon and composing poems, but today I can't see her. Being separated like this makes me feel sad."

When she was with Daiyu, she could openly express her longing for Chu Yan because she knew that her sister Lin also missed him very much.

But when she's with other people, she can't say it, because others may not feel the same sorrow of parting as she does.

Just now at Xiaoxiang Pavilion, she chatted with Sister Lin, saying that she missed him and felt good. Now that she's out, she feels empty.

Cuilu smiled and said, "Wouldn't it be nice to sit in Zichen Hall for a while? The Emperor's bed is still there, and you can lie down and smell it."

The two served the emperor in bed together, so Cuilu knew that when the girl was aroused, she would sniff the emperor's scent with her nose.

Surrounded by palace maids, Xiangyun was both embarrassed and annoyed. She spat at her and hurried forward. Soon she arrived at Zichen Hall. After she entered, Qingwen and the others were not surprised and welcomed her into the room to sit down.

After much hesitation and struggle, Xiangyun finally went into Chu Yan's bedroom and lay down on his bed. At first, she was lost in thought, but gradually she calmed down, clasped her hands together on her lower abdomen, and crossed her legs, enjoying herself on her emperor brother's bed.

I don't read books, and I don't go anywhere.

After a while, Yuanyang came in and, seeing the situation, covered her mouth and laughed, "Miss Yun, would you like to sleep in the room tonight? When the Emperor was alive, Miss Yun often came to serve him in bed. Now that you are sleeping here, I don't think anyone will blame you."

Xiangyun blushed and quickly said, "Never mind, I won't sleep here. I'll go home later."

Qingwen, standing at the threshold, also witnessed this scene and couldn't help but recall the last time she was at the Yihong Courtyard, when Miss Lin lingered there for a long time.

Xiangyun is here tonight, and Miss Lin will likely come in a few days. Compared to last time, Miss Lin is in even worse shape this time. She fell ill with lovesickness as soon as His Majesty left and asked the imperial physician to send her medicine.

Yuanyang chuckled softly, “Miss, there’s no need to be shy. His Majesty has left, and we miss him too. The room feels much quieter without his presence. Fangguan didn’t eat tonight. When we called her to eat, she said she had no appetite at all, and her eyes were red. She’s cried countless times.”

Upon hearing this, Xiangyun smiled and said, "It's clear that His Majesty treats you well."

Yuanyang nodded and sat down on the edge of the bed to talk to her: "I came from the old lady's side to serve His Majesty. At first, I was worried that I didn't know the rules, so I was careful in everything I did. But later I gradually realized that His Majesty is lenient with us and never asks us to follow any rules. To be honest, even with the old lady, he is not as good to me as the Emperor is."

Yuanyang and Xiangyun have known each other since childhood, so they can speak their minds freely.

Xiangyun turned around, lay down on the bed, and sighed, "My brother the emperor treats me well. I've cried several times, my heart is aching, and I keep thinking about when he will return..."

Yuanyang remained silent for a while before advising her, "His Majesty is exceptionally brave and has fought for ten years. He will surely return victorious this time, and there will be a time when he can see you again, Miss!"

After a long pause, Xiangyun finally said, "We'll have to wait until the New Year."

She was usually playful and mischievous, and Yuanyang rarely saw her sad and lonely. After thinking for a moment, she suddenly smiled and said, "His Majesty is back, and we can 'row boat' together again!"

Xiangyun sat up and looked at her with wide eyes.

Yuanyang covered her mouth and laughed, while Xiangyun also laughed and pounced on her to pinch her: "How did you figure it out! Tell me quickly, when you were serving the Emperor in his room, did you sleep with him?"

Yuanyang blushed and quickly shook her head.

Xiangyun chatted with her for a while before getting out of bed, putting on her shoes, and going home.

……

The next day, everyone went to Xiaoxiang Pavilion to visit Daiyu. They were relieved to see that she looked much better after sleeping all night.

As the days passed, people either gathered to play and laugh, or did needlework, calligraphy, and painting at home. Before they knew it, it was the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, and they made an appointment to climb the mountain of Daming Palace to admire chrysanthemums and wear dogwood. The palace was finally lively again.

Tan Chun suggested forming a poetry club, and everyone agreed. They planned to write poems about chrysanthemums, but for some reason, many of the poems contained words of longing, which made Bao Qin laugh and say, "They shouldn't be writing poems about chrysanthemums, they should be writing poems about the lament of women in their boudoirs!"

The crowd was embarrassed and grabbed her cheeks, pinching them a few times until Baoqin's cheeks turned red before letting her go. They then ordered her to write a poem expressing her boudoir grievances.

Baoqin couldn't refuse, so she composed a poem.

Everyone praised it and said they would present it to the emperor when he returned, which made Baoqin feel embarrassed and anxious.

……

After the Double Ninth Festival, autumn rain mixed with cold wind. Daiyu coughed for half a day and finally fell ill. Zijuan hurriedly went to ask the Imperial Hospital to brew the original medicine for her.

After everyone came to visit her, they all said that she had returned to her previous sick state, which made them very worried.

Fortunately, there were pills left by the emperor, so there was no need to worry about her falling ill.

On this day, Daiyu's slender figure appeared in front of the Zichen Hall.

After entering, she did nothing else but sit on the couch and read. There was no one else in the room. Qingwen came in and poured her a cup of hot tea. She looked at her and slowly said, "Miss Lin, there are some things I've been keeping to myself. I don't know if I should ask. If you don't want to tell me, just pretend I didn't ask. I apologize to you."

Daiyu put down her book, looked at her with eyes as clear as a pool of water, and smiled, "Just say it. The Emperor often says that one should not be punished for one's words, so I will not blame you for this."

Qingwen was stunned upon hearing this and said, "Miss Lin is different from before. Back when she was in Yihong Courtyard, she would cry several times, and the maids and servants would often say behind her back that she was a bit temperamental. But now she is tolerant and generous, and no one says such things anymore."

Daiyu was more shrewd than Bi Gan, and when she heard the mention of "Yihong Courtyard" in her words, she guessed what the other woman wanted to say.

After thinking for a while, he said to Qingwen, "Whenever I went to Yihong Courtyard to look for Baoyu before, I was always very suspicious. Now that I am in the palace, my suspicion has gradually disappeared."

Qingwen nodded and smiled, "I understand, thank you for clearing up my doubts!"

She was already content and didn't want to ask any more questions, but Daiyu sighed and said, "Although I am not married, I have had someone else in my heart, just like my sister-in-law and the others. Fortunately, the Emperor did not despise me, was willing to listen to my doubts, relieve my troubles, and truly care about me. Moreover, his tolerance, generosity, and far-sightedness have inspired me and broadened my mind. I am no longer like before."

Qingwen finally understood the difference between Miss Lin before and after.

When Lin Daiyu was with Jia Baoyu in the Jia family, she would often get angry over trivial matters. However, now, influenced by His Majesty, she no longer cares about small things and has developed the dignified and elegant qualities of a noble consort.

Perhaps the Empress was also sitting there.

Qingwen smiled and said, "When the Emperor returns, it will probably snow heavily."

Daiyu looked out the window; the weather was gloomy, and she wondered when it would snow.

A few days later, when she got up in the morning, Zijuan came into the room and said with a smile, "It snowed. It snowed lightly last night."

Daiyu's head was a little dizzy, and she said, "I wonder if he's freezing in Liaodong..."

Zijuan paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Don't worry, Miss. His Majesty is protected by his personal guards, so he will be fine. The Right Chancellor has also gone with him."

Daiyu put on a snow fox fur cloak and went out. Standing in the bamboo forest, the cold wind howled, and the large fox fur cloak made her look even more delicate.

She stood in the cold wind, gazing northward, thinking, "This wind blows from the north; perhaps it has also blown across his face, and now it's blowing onto mine..."

Her eyes were filled with longing.

"Miss!" Zijuan finally managed to persuade Daiyu to go back inside. Her health was already weak, and if she were exposed to the cold wind, she might have to take the elixir left by the Emperor.

But the girl couldn't bear to part with it, and despite coughing every day, she refused to eat it.

Daiyu returned to her study, picked up her brush and wrote three poems on a piece of paper. After putting down her brush, she looked at them carefully, her thoughts drifting. She remembered that Chu Yan liked lyrics, so she wrote three more.

Not satisfied with one of them, I tore it up and threw it in the trash can, then wrote another one.

A few days later, a heavy snow fell all night, and Daiyu finally fell ill.

(End of this chapter)