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

Chapter 281 Your Majesty, too, pities Chai'er

Hengwu Garden.

Chu Yan was led by Bao Qin's arm, and then another person was pulled into the house. They went to the warm pavilion again, and only when they reached the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) did he turn around to look.

He saw that the lady's face was flushed with embarrassment, and he was holding her two fair and soft hands. The beautiful and voluptuous woman lowered her head in shame, with a hint of helplessness and panic. Her outstanding figure could not be concealed even by winter clothes.

Chu Yan released her hand and said with shame, "I never expected to hold your hand, Madam. I have offended you. It is my fault!"

Madam Xue became even more embarrassed and stood there helplessly.

"emperor!!"

Baoqin playfully clung to his arm and shook it, her eyes filled with shyness and pout.

Chu Yan smiled and asked, "What's wrong with Qin'er?"

Baoqin whispered shyly, "Your Majesty was clearly doing this on purpose!"

Even without the four of them drinking together last time, she could tell he had ulterior motives and was clearly a womanizer.

At this moment, Baochai also entered the room. Chu Yan met her gaze and saw that Baochai's beautiful face also blushed.

He sat on the kang (a heated brick bed), pulled Baoqin to sit beside him, and looked at the two of them, saying, "Today I originally just wanted to chat with Sister Bao and Sister Qin, but I didn't expect to meet you here again, Madam. It seems that we are destined to meet."

Baoqin glanced sideways at him, then took her husband's arm again, gently bumping her head against him, as if in reproach:
How could you say something like "I'm destined to be with a widow"?
Madam Xue blushed, seemingly suppressing her turbulent emotions, and slowly said with her head lowered, "His Majesty has visited Bao'er's house several times, which is her good fortune. It is also my good fortune to have the opportunity to see His Majesty's countenance..."

Chu Yan smiled and asked, "How much of what you said, Madam, was true, and how much was flattery?"

Madam Xue looked embarrassed. Seeing this, Baoqin smiled and said, "If it's all true and all flattery, what does my husband want? If it's one part true and nine parts flattery, what does my husband want then?"

After Chu Yan took the initiative to tell her about their private affairs, Baoqin dared to call him "husband" in front of her sister.

The innocent and adorable Qin'er reveals how best to respond.

Chu Yan said, "I was asking about the Madam, not Qin'er."

Baoqin smiled, her eyes crinkling.

After her witty banter, Madam Xue finally dared to reply, "I dare not lie in front of His Majesty. What I said just now... was seven-tenths true."

"Where is Zhen?" Chu Yan asked again.

"His Majesty."

Baochai sat down gently beside him, unlike Baoqin who took his arm. She smiled and said, "Since His Majesty entered the city, apart from the initial panic, my family has become increasingly happy because I was able to enter the palace to serve His Majesty. Just now, we heard that His Majesty pardoned my brother, so naturally we respect His Majesty even more in our hearts."

The lady finally raised her head, her beautiful face flushed with shyness, even her lips appeared exceptionally vibrant.

Her face flushed, she said, "Your Majesty's great kindness in pardoning Xue Pan is truly admirable. How could I not be grateful? Even if I had to drink with Your Majesty again, I would have no complaints..."

She said this and then lowered her head, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Baochai and Baoqin both looked shy, and Chu Yan guessed that they must have discussed it in private.

Then he looked at Madam Xue again and found her even more beautiful. She was completely different from Qin Keqing and Daiyu, who were slender and graceful. She had a voluptuous figure.

"I also wish to see my wife again!"

Chu Yan looked at the shy and uneasy lady in front of him, one of whom was being held by Baoqin.

Nothing in this world is more beautiful than this.

Chu Yan turned to look at Baochai, comparing the two: one was still a young girl, while the other was already a woman.

Baoqin couldn't bear the embarrassment any longer and quickly stood up, saying, "Your Majesty, please stop being so strange. It's broad daylight, and there are so many people around. If we stay in the warm pavilion and don't go out, it's bound to arouse suspicion."

Chu Yan paused slightly and nodded, saying, "That's true. Madam, go and prepare lunch for me, Baochai, and Qin'er. The four of us will eat together later. I'll take a nap at Miss Bao's house."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Madam Xue immediately stood up and fled as if she were escaping.

……

After a while, Madam Xue went out and called Ying'er over, instructing her to deliver a message to prepare wine and dishes for the Emperor.

Ying'er went out, and Madam Xue sat alone in the room, her heart still pounding with emotion.

She had been a widow for twelve years. Her husband passed away shortly after her daughter was born. Over the years, she had raised her two children alone. Like Li Wan, she had long since given up hope and intended to remain a widow for decades.

But who knew that when the new emperor entered the city, he confiscated the property of high-ranking officials and nobles, breaking the old rules and demoting her, her daughters, nephews, nieces, brothers and sisters to slavery. The men were forced into corvée labor, and the women were sent to the inner palace.

All the women in the inner palace were the emperor's servants, and they were required to serve him wholeheartedly at his word.

In the Yeting Palace, where were the mistresses, servants, sisters, and aunts? There were only palace women; if the Emperor ordered them to serve him in bed, they had no choice but to go…

"It's not my fault."

The thought made Madam Xue's heart tremble again. Suddenly, Ying'er asked, "What's wrong, Madam? Your face is flushed. Do you have a fever?"

Madam Xue was startled and scolded her. Ying'er smiled, replied, and was about to leave.

"Ying'er, come back."

Madam Xue changed her mind and called her back.

Ying'er stopped. "Is there anything else you need, Madam?"

Madam Xue hesitated again, which aroused Ying'er's suspicion once more.

After a long pause, Madam Xue asked, "Are you going to the palace to serve the young lady?"

Ying'er blushed, fiddled with the hem of her clothes, and whispered, "The last time His Majesty saw me changing clothes, he held me and showed me affection. The girls saw it too."

Madam Xue did not scold her, but instead smiled and said, "That's true. His Majesty dotes on you, so you won't be lonely in the palace from now on." She paused and then said, "I have something to tell you."

"Please speak, madam."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Ying'er's mouth gaped open, stunned by what her mother had said.

Madam Xue blushed with embarrassment once again.

But this was out of necessity to protect the emperor's reputation.

……

after a little while.

Baoqin's maid, Xiaoluo, came in and said, "The food and wine have been prepared. His Majesty invites Madam to join us for a meal."

Ying'er quickly looked at her mother.

Madam Xue stood up and replied, "I'll be right there."

Xiao Luo went out, and a moment later, Ying'er accompanied the lady into the warm pavilion. Inside, the emperor was sitting cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed), with Baoqin sitting beside him and Baochai sitting opposite him. Wine and dishes were laid out on a low table on the kang.

Ying'er blushed and watched as the lady walked to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and called out, "Your Majesty."

"Ying'er has arrived?" The Emperor smiled as he looked at her.

Seeing this, Baoqin got up and got off the kang (heated brick bed) and said, "Madam, please sit here. I'll sit with my sister."

Baochai glanced at Ying'er and understood. Chu Yan was surprised. Baoqin, like Daiyu, was jealous but still obeyed him, a model of a virtuous wife. He looked at his wife and said with a smile, "It's kind of you, Madam, to think of everything. Come, drink with me. Ying'er, go get a stool to drink with us!"

The warm pavilion in Hengwu Garden was not large; only two or three people could lie on the kang (heated brick bed).

Ying'er was about to refuse, but Baochai smiled and said, "The Emperor summoned you, why are you still refusing? Come and eat with us, and we'll establish rules later."

Ying'er then went to get a chair and sat down to eat quietly with them.

She saw with her own eyes that the lady took off her shoes, got on the kang (a heated brick bed), and sat in the spot where Miss Qin had been sitting, next to His Majesty.

"..."

She didn't see anything!
It turns out His Majesty didn't pull the wrong person earlier!

After three rounds of drinking.

After eating the hot food, Chu Yan gradually warmed up. He noticed that Baochai's face was flushed, indicating that she had a fever. She was very sensitive to heat and would sweat easily if her body temperature was even slightly high.

So Chu Yan reached out his hand to her. Baochai was stunned at first, and then tried to get closer, but he covered her forehead with his palm.

Baochai's skin has a unique smoothness, and it feels wonderful to touch her forehead.

Chu Yan laughed and said, "Miss Bao is indeed plump and sensitive to heat."

Baochai blushed with embarrassment.

Chu Yan then turned to look at Madam Xue: "How is Madam?"

He also reached out and touched Madam Xue's forehead, and sure enough, he felt some sweat.

Baoqin glanced over but didn't say much. Baochai said shyly, "Sister Lin can't stand the cold, but I can't stand the heat at all. Even when it snows in winter, if I go out wearing thick clothes, I will sweat after walking a while. It's very troublesome because I have to go home to change my clothes."

Baoqin laughed and said, "My sister has always been afraid of the heat. When we need to cover ourselves with blankets at night, she's the only one who lies down wearing only one piece of clothing."

Baochai laughed and said, "You're away from home most of the year. When we were little, we only rested together a few times, but you remember it the most clearly."

Baoqin quickly smiled and said, "It's about after we came to the capital."

"Don't worry about it," Chu Yan said. "I've said before that a plump, fair-skinned beauty is most endearing when she's slightly sweaty."

These words were so mocking that everyone blushed with embarrassment.

Chu Yan then said, "I want to see if it's true that Miss Bao sweats even in winter."

As he spoke, he lowered his head and whispered in his wife's ear, "Don't panic, I just want to talk to you."

Chu Yan continued drinking, emptying the glass halfway before bringing it to her lips.

Touched, the lady slowly drank the wine bestowed upon her by the emperor.

How many people in the world can drink in the emperor's arms like this?

This seemed to open the door to her worries.

"My lady is so beautiful."

Chu Yan put down his wine cup, leaned against the pillow, and looked down at her. He saw that her face was beautiful and charming, and she was even more lovely.

Meeting the Emperor's gaze, the lady remained silent; at this point in time, there was no need for further words.

"I--"

He didn't continue speaking, but looked down at her.

This gave Chu Yan the long-lost pleasure of Cao Mengde once again.

He discovered that, just like Baochai, she would sweat in the winter.

"Your Majesty, it's time to eat! Stop bullying people all the time," Baoqin said angrily.

Chu Yan held his wife and looked at her, seeing Qin'er's resentful expression, clearly jealous.

Then he smiled and said, "Qin'er, come here too."

"I'm too shy, I'm not going over there," Baoqin said with a smile.

Chu Yan, of course, did not blame her, and said again, "Miss Bao, come here."

Baoqin quickly stopped her: "Sister, don't go over there, the Emperor is going to make fun of you!"

Ying'er chuckled and quickly covered her mouth.

Baochai was caught in a dilemma.

Although she and her sister had discussed the matter, when the time came, she still felt incredibly ashamed.

Chu Yan embraced her in the bedding, facing Baochai, and said, "Now you should know why I especially love your sister, but feel less affection for you."

"His Majesty!"

Baochai hurriedly stood up, and Madam Xue also wanted to get up to apologize.

Chu Yan held her tightly and continued, "I know that Miss Bao is usually very calm and composed, but when it comes to matters of love and romance, she loses her natural innocence."

He glanced at Baochai and said, “Everyone has feelings, feelings arise from the heart, and when they are intense, they may cry or laugh, be sad or happy. Being overly composed will only make people unable to see you clearly. Of course, this is Miss Bao’s way of dealing with the world, and I admire it. But Miss Bao is a concubine in my harem, and I naturally care for and cherish you. You joke and amuse me, and I love you too. If you have feelings but hide them deep inside, I cannot see them. So I can only treat you officially, reward you with some things after I have been with you, and ask you to bear me children. Is that what you want?”

The people inside were surprised by his words. Even Baochai, who was usually as composed as she was, stared blankly at him.

Baoqin came to her senses, got off the kang (heated brick bed), walked to his side, took his arm, and said softly, "I like it this way. My husband loves us. If he only favors us because of our offspring and loses all affection, why would His Majesty need to laugh with us every day?"

Baochai was deeply moved. She knelt on the kang and said, "Your Majesty's words just now came from the bottom of your heart. I am ashamed to accept them. I only ask for Your Majesty's understanding. Your Majesty is open and honest. On the contrary, I was hesitant and indecisive. I am ashamed to have failed Your Majesty's guidance several times. I only thought about how to serve Your Majesty well without offending you. I was looking before and after and thus I was at a disadvantage."

After saying that, she blushed and got off the kang (a heated brick bed). Under the watchful eyes of Madam Baoqin and the other two, she walked around behind Chu Yan to his left, whispered a request for her to move aside, and then sat down and nestled into Chu Yan's arms.

On the left and right of Baoqin.

Chu Yan chuckled. It was rare for her to take the initiative, but that alone wasn't enough.

Perhaps knowing what he was thinking, Baochai said in a soft, shy voice, "His Majesty rarely comes to my place. It's rare for him to come today, yet he doesn't favor me. Just now, I saw His Majesty doting on Madam, and I wondered to myself, my beauty is no less than Qin'er's and Madam's, so why doesn't His Majesty favor me?"

She raised her beautiful, peony-like face and said, "Your Majesty, you also cherish Chai'er."

Chu Yan's eyes widened in shock.

Baochai was right. In terms of beauty, she is second to none!
Compared to her mother, Baochai surpassed her in every way.

Compared to Baoqin, Baochai was beautiful and plump, with fair and smooth skin, and her lovely face was no less than Baoqin's.

Baochai is like a peony, a flower of unparalleled beauty.

She called out "Lianxi Chai'er" in a soft and melodious voice, allowing everyone to see the exquisite scene of her slowly blooming like a peony.

"How could I not cherish Chai'er?!"

Chu Yan embraced Baochai and kissed her without hesitation. The newly renovated Baochai was exceptionally beautiful.

Baochai's shyness vanished, and she embraced him, feeling the intimacy of genuine affection between a man and a woman.

Chu Yan's heartfelt words, perhaps coupled with the presence of his wife, caused her to abandon her usual reserve and utter a plea for the Emperor's favor.

(End of this chapter)