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

Chapter 284 Empress Lin, Jia Yingchun

In the evening, Daiyu went to Grandmother Jia's courtyard to pay her respects to her maternal grandmother.

As soon as she entered the courtyard, a maid rushed in to report. When she entered the house, everyone stood up and exclaimed with smiles, "The person sitting in the seat of honor has arrived!"

From Li Wan and Wang Xifeng to Yingchun and Xichun, the maids and servants below all looked over with smiles, their eyes filled with both envy and awe.

Daiyu blushed and went to greet Grandmother Jia, ignoring them.

"Girl, come here, let me take a good look at you."

With a kind smile, Grandmother Jia pulled Daiyu to sit beside her, then looked her over and exclaimed, "I still remember when you first came to our family, you were just a tiny little thing, thin and frail, and always taking medicine. Now you've grown up so much, not only into a beautiful young lady, but also favored by the Emperor. You'll be incredibly noble in the future, the Lin family—"

After a pause, tears welled up in Grandmother Jia's eyes. "If your mother were alive, she would be happy to see you chosen by the Emperor as the first concubine to receive imperial homage."

When her mother was mentioned, Daiyu's eyes also reddened, and she quickly tried to persuade her maternal grandmother.

Grandmother Jia wiped away her tears, took Daiyu's hand, and chatted happily. Wang Xifeng and others sat beside her. As they were talking, Jia Baoyu suddenly rushed in from outside. Upon seeing Daiyu, he anxiously asked, "I heard that Lin Daiyu has been made Empress by the Emperor?!"

Madam Xing quickly said, "You can't say such things carelessly. His Majesty only decreed that Miss Lin should sit in the head position among all the concubines on the first day of the Lunar New Year. It's not that he's making her Empress!"

Before Daiyu arrived, they had agreed that no one was allowed to mention that Daiyu might be the Empress, nor were they allowed to make fun of her.

Even if rumors are circulating, it shouldn't be them spreading these things!
After sitting for a while, Daiyu got up to say goodbye and return to the garden. Yingchun and the others followed her back. In the blink of an eye, most of the people in the room were gone. Jia Baoyu couldn't say anything to persuade her to stay, and could only stare blankly at the figures of his sisters.

Lady Wang said, "Baoyu, you can go back after you've paid your respects."

Jia Baoyu looked at his mother and saw his nephew Jia Lan in his mother's arms, receiving the same love from his mother as before.

Grandmother Jia also said, "Just now, Lin's father sent word that your father is returning to the capital tomorrow. You don't need to come to pay your respects these days. Go outside and take care of your father. They are pitiful too. They have been working hard for half a year, and we don't know how their health is. They don't have anyone to take care of them. If you have nothing to do, go and take care of your father."

"Grandma, Sister Lin... Empress!" Jia Baoyu said anxiously, trying to speak again.

Grandmother Jia said angrily, "Stop talking! Before you were all grown up, it was fine for you to call each other 'brother' and 'sister,' but now that you're all grown up, you should call her Cousin Lin properly. When they become imperial concubines in the future, you should call her 'Your Majesty,' and stop calling her that like before!"

Jia Baoyu remained blankly in the air for a long while before turning around and leaving in a daze.

Madam Xing said, "Baoyu is the same. The older he gets, the less well-behaved he becomes. He doesn't even know to bow to the old lady when he leaves."

Lady Wang's heart tightened, and she was about to speak when Grandmother Jia sighed, "Don't talk about him anymore. Let him take care of his father from now on. The Emperor has already taken pity on him and brought the Master back to the capital. Perhaps he won't have to perform corvée labor next year. Let Baoyu take care of his father."

Madam Wang quickly smiled and said, "What you're thinking is right. There's no one to take care of the master, and the family doesn't have the money to buy them any household items. It's perfect to have Baoyu take care of them, and it will be convenient for him to relay messages when he comes back."

Grandmother Jia nodded, and Lady Wang called over a servant and instructed, "When Master returns to the capital tomorrow, have Baoyu move out of the mansion and live with him. Let him serve Master. Help him pack his luggage, and if he needs anything, come and tell me."

The old woman agreed and went outside the second gate to deliver the message.

……

Leaving aside how heartbroken Jia Baoyu was, the young ladies returned to the garden.

When Daiyu was about to return to Xiaoxiang Pavilion, Tanchun said, "I have something to discuss with Sister Lin." With that, she pulled Wang Xifeng along, and together they returned to Xiaoxiang Pavilion with Daiyu.

After the three sat down, Daiyu smiled and asked, "Why did the Left and Right Ministers come to see me in such a special way?"

Sister Feng teased her, "Third Sister and I are the Left and Right Ministers of the Grand View Palace, we should be here to report to Her Majesty the Empress!"

Daiyu blushed again and spat, saying, "You two came here specifically to banter and talk nonsense, which shows that neither of you are good people. Tan'er is alright, but Fengjie is just a gossip who always picks on embarrassing things to say!"

Sister Feng laughed and said, "How am I being sarcastic? Your becoming Empress is not a 100% certainty, but it's 80-90% certain. The only variable is Consort Xie. It's fine for us to talk about it in private. The Emperor has even asked us to discuss the matter of establishing an Empress several times!"

Daiyu did not answer. She did not want to bother with the matter of the Empress, as it would only cause her more trouble.

Tan Chun smiled and said, "It is precisely because Sister Lin has the appearance of an empress that Sister Feng and I came to find you to see how to arrange the remaining seats on New Year's Day."

Upon hearing this, Daiyu couldn't help but feel worried as well.

Tan Chun said, "Although His Majesty said that we can sit wherever we want, in my opinion, since Sister Lin has been arranged in order, the rest of us should also be arranged in order, otherwise it would defeat His Majesty's original intention."

If everyone sits haphazardly, the noblewomen who come to pay their respects will not be able to tell who is more honorable.

Daiyu asked, "I have never managed a household and am not familiar with human relationships. Do Sister Feng and Third Sister have any ideas?"

Sister Feng laughed and said, "My third sister and I hastily drafted a seating arrangement and had it written down and drawn out."

He then called Feng'er in and handed her a piece of paper.

Daiyu unfolded the document and saw that the Empress's seat was empty at the top, and below were four rows of seats. She was the first seat on the left, and Xiangyun was the first seat on the right.

She sat next to Baochai, and behind her was Empress Zhang; next to Xiangyun sat Baoqin.

Everyone else had their own seats, and those who had been granted the title of imperial concubine, such as Yuan Chun, Ying Chun, Ke Qing, and Qing He, were all in the front row.

Consort Wu, Noble Lady Zhou, Li Wan, Tan Chun, Ping'er, and others are in the latter row.

Daiyu examined it carefully and pondered it deeply. Only now did she begin to understand some of Chu Yan's feelings:
Everyone is good, but we still have to distinguish between order and hierarchy, which inevitably offends some people.

"Why is the Empress sitting behind me?" Daiyu asked.

Yuan Chun sat in the front row. She and Empress Zhang were now in charge of the six palaces, so they should have been able to sit in the first row.

Tan Chun said, "It has the intention of bringing forth new ideas and innovations."

Daiyu immediately understood the meaning of the sentence: the former dynasty's empress sitting behind the new dynasty's empress was a very auspicious sign. Among the noblewomen who came to pay homage this time were some from the former dynasty. They would recognize the empress and know that the person sitting in front was the emperor's chosen new empress.

Daiyu then said, "Third Sister is in charge of the Grand View Palace, so she should logically sit in the first row."

Tan Chun laughed and said, "The front row is full of people, and no one can give way to me. Sister Lin also knows that although I am the Minister of the Grand View Palace, I am usually less favored by the Emperor than Sister Qin, Consort Li, the Princess and others. I am not as favored as them."

By the end of his speech, there was a hint of bitterness, a hint of regret, and a sense of helplessness.

Daiyu asked again, "How about we switch places if Second Sister switches with you?"

Tan Chun hurriedly said, "My second sister has already been made a concubine, and she is also my sister, so it is even more inappropriate for me to ask her to give way to me."

Sister Feng laughed and said, "You young ladies can even fight for the front row seats, but I didn't even have the thought. It was only when the seating was being arranged that I realized how many people the Emperor favors..."

Xiangyun, Baoqin, Baochai, and others need no introduction. But let's talk about Qinghe. She was a princess of the previous dynasty and the first girl to be conferred the title of imperial concubine. She was often favored by the emperor, and she had a good relationship with Xiangyun, Baoqin, and Daiyu. Her position in the harem was truly unshakeable.

Yingchun was not favored, but she was Tanchun's older sister and had been made a concubine before her, so she was able to rank high.

Daiyu thought for a while longer, then looked up and said, "Tell Yun'er to move out."

Fengjie and Tanchun quickly said, "We can't ask her to give up her seat, no matter who it is. She is usually very favored, how can we ask her to give up her seat?"

Daiyu smiled and said, "It's precisely because I'm favored that I'm willing to give up my seat. Don't worry, I'll go and talk to her. Arranging the seating was my idea, and I'll persuade her to agree!"

Arranging seating was undoubtedly a task that would offend people, but Daiyu took it on and then pushed Tanchun up the list.

Fengjie and Tanchun had no choice but to give up.

They had already vaguely regarded Daiyu as the empress, and let her decide what she decided.

Day two.

Daiyu went to Xiangyun's room and told her what had happened. Xiangyun smiled and said, "I thought it was something important that you rushed over to tell me this so early in the morning. It doesn't matter if I sit in the front or the back, I can give it to Third Sister!"

Daiyu grasped her hand: "Thank you for your understanding. Third Sister has been in charge of Daguan Palace recently, and has worked hard and made great contributions. She should sit in the front. Yun'er, you have the Emperor's favor, and you dreamed that a colorful cloud wanted to enter your belly to be your daughter. I think... um!"

Before she could finish speaking, Xiangyun covered her mouth.

When Xiangyun, blushing, let go of her hand, Daiyu quickly finished speaking with a smile: "You have given birth to your emperor brother's first daughter, so you will definitely be made a Noble Consort. Therefore, you don't need to worry about the seat."

"You still dare to talk? I'll tear your mouth apart! Another day I'll get the Emperor to favor you and make you give birth to a pair of big, fat sons for him!" Xiangyun laughed and pounced on her, while Daiyu playfully dodged away.

As the two were arguing, Yingchun suddenly walked in and asked, "Sister Yun, are you going to give up your seat to Third Sister?"

The two had no choice but to say...

Yingchun quickly said, "I'll give up my seat. Let Sister Yun sit in the front row. I'll sit in the back; it's the same."

Xiangyun naturally refused, but Yingchun insisted on not going.

Xiangyun was unaware of the inside story, but Daiyu was suspicious. After thinking for a moment, she guessed that Tanchun had told Yuanchun about it, and Yuanchun had then told Yingchun about it.

Given Yingchun's personality, she was unwilling to compete for anything, and ultimately decided to humbly give up a seat for Tanchun, while Xiangyun remained in the front row.

After a heated argument, Xiangyun sighed, "I really have no other choice!"

Yingchun held her hand and said with a smile, "It was originally my turn to give it to Third Sister. It has nothing to do with you, so don't take it to heart. I sit in the back row, which actually saves me a lot of trouble."

She probably realized that the seating arrangement would affect everyone's future status in the harem.

Although everyone was a concubine, there was still a distinction of rank.

Xiangyun looked at her and said, "Second Sister is usually quiet and doesn't fight for anything, so why did she refuse to take a seat today?"

Yingchun lowered her head and remained silent.

Xiangyun had no choice but to agree.

But after she left, he took Daiyu with him and headed straight for Yangxin Hall.

After waiting for half a day, Chu Yan finally returned, and Xiangyun immediately told her emperor brother about it!
"..."

Chu Yan said without a smile, "I told you to sit wherever you like because I was worried you wouldn't be able to make arrangements. Never mind, I'll call Yingchun later."

Both of them breathed a sigh of relief, as if as long as he took action, he could calm and appease everyone.

In the evening, Yingchun arrived at Yangxintang.

Chu Yan called her to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), and this somewhat timid and gentle girl slowly approached before Chu Yan carried her onto the kang.

"His Majesty……"

Yingchun's body gradually went limp.

Chu Yan lowered his head and asked her, "How many days has it been since I last visited you?"

Yingchun's smooth face flushed red, and after stammering for a while, she whispered, "Since His Majesty left the capital for the Mid-Autumn Festival..."

Chu Yan suddenly realized, "It's been so long! I've been back for several days now, and it was my oversight not to summon you to serve me in bed."

Yingchun's face was flushed. She lowered her head and said softly, "It's nothing... Your Majesty should rest too."

Chu Yan pulled her into his arms, covered her with the blankets, and began to undress her, chuckling softly, "You blockhead, you've been favored a few times, how come you still don't know how powerful I am?"

Yingchun blushed and closed her eyes tightly.

Chu Yan then said, "If you give up your seat, I'm not doing this as compensation, but because I remembered you. I'll have Consort Zhou move up to the next seat."

Yingchun said in a low voice, "That's why I gave it to my third sister. All the concubines in the garden can please His Majesty, but I'm not good at that."

Chu Yan laughed and said, "They are them, and you are you. They cannot be confused. As long as you serve me diligently, I will like you!"

"Um……"

Yingchun liked this way; there was no need for her to deliberately please the Emperor, and the Emperor often thought of her.

After a gust of wind and two showers.

Exhausted and unable to move, Yingchun lay on Chu Yan's chest and murmured, "Can I also bear children for His Majesty like Sister Yun?"

"Of course you can, why can't you?"

"Sister Yun must have dreamed of getting pregnant."

"Who said that!"

"Even Lin Daiyu had a dream!"

After their lovemaking, Yingchun became more talkative and dared to argue with Chu Yan, revealing her idea of ​​how to get pregnant: dreaming and having a child in her dreams.

It is evident that intimate physical contact in the bedroom can quickly bring men and women together.

Chu Yan resolutely said, "If I can conceive my child without even dreaming, and even childbirth is controlled by the Fairy Disenchantment, then I might as well not be the emperor!"

"Who is Jinghuan?" Yingchun asked curiously.

Chu Yan laughed and said, "You'll know next spring. Come on, let's do it again and get pregnant even faster than Yun'er!"

Yingchun blushed shyly as she responded.

She really wanted to have Chu Yan's child, not for the position of Imperial Concubine, nor to gain his favor, but simply to give him a son or daughter.

Second watch.

Exhausted and weak, Yingchun pleaded, "Your Majesty, I'll have Siqi and Xiuju come to serve me..."

Chu Yan nodded. After Yingchun called someone in, he remembered something and said to her in a low voice with a smile, "How about I invite your eldest sister to come along another day?"

Should we invite Sister Yuanchun to come along?

Yingchun blushed deeply, stammered for a long time, and then shyly agreed.

Chu Yan hugged her and said enthusiastically, "Call your third sister too!"

Yingchun's eyes widened.

Chu Yan added, "And little sister Xichun too, all four of them together!"

Yingchun hurriedly said, "Third Sister and Fourth Sister have not yet been favored by His Majesty..."

Chu Yan laughed heartily: "Of course I remember, I meant six months or a year from now."

Yingchun was relieved and quietly agreed. Just then, Siqi and Xiuju came in, so she wrapped herself in the quilt and moved aside to make room for her two personal maids to serve her in bed.

(End of this chapter)