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

Chapter 290 Lantai Temple

The next day, when Chu Yan woke up, Daiyu and Zijuan were still asleep, and he could hear their soft, even breathing.

After a while, the rustling sounds of Xueyan and Ouguan getting up and opening the door could be heard outside. A moment later, the old women in the corridor also got up.

Zijuan, who was to Chu Yan's right, was awakened by the noise. She moved her body a few times, and after a moment of confusion, she threw off the covers and got out of bed.

Chu Yan pressed her down at the right moment and laughed, "You got up so early?"

Zijuan was startled, then remembered that she had shared a bed with His Majesty last night, and her face flushed again. She said in a low voice, "It's time to get up. The maids and servants outside the door are all up."

Chu Yan said, "It's rare that I'm not attending court and am staying overnight at Xiaoxiang Pavilion. You should sleep a little longer, and I'll sleep in with Yu'er for once. Your young lady hasn't woken up yet, so lie down quickly."

Zijuan was quite surprised and whispered while looking into the bed, "Miss hasn't woken up yet? Usually, Miss doesn't sleep well and wakes up before me eight out of ten days."

As she spoke, she lay down again, turning to face the Emperor.

Chu reached out and touched Zijuan's face.

Zijuan blushed even more and quickly whispered, "Your Majesty, it's cold outside the blanket, please don't stick your hands out."

Chu Yan laughed: "I'm not your daughter, you don't need to take care of me all the time."

Zijuan was stunned for a moment, somewhat at a loss.

Chu Yan touched her soft lips with his fingers, leaned over and kissed them, and said, "If it weren't for you serving Lin Meimei, I really would want you to come into the room."

“Your Majesty…” Zijuan called softly.

“However,” Chu Yan said, “it’s the same now. When I married Lin Daiyu, Zijuan came with me as part of her dowry. When I came to Xiaoxiang Pavilion, Zijuan served me just the same way.”

"Mmm." Zijuan's voice was soft and shy. "It is my blessing to serve His Majesty." She couldn't help but add, "It is also your blessing, Miss, to marry His Majesty, even more so than..."

Realizing she had misspoke, she quickly stopped herself.

Chu Yan, however, understood and asked with great interest, "Compared to Jia Baoyu? Tell me quickly, I'm listening."

Zijuan couldn't speak, so Chu Yan urged her again, "Speak quickly before your young lady wakes up!"

Zijuan said, "Your Highness is favored by His Majesty and has been granted the title of Consort, and even Empress. You are naturally more fortunate than if you had married another man."

Chu Yan laughed and said, "People say Hui Zijuan is clever, but how come you can't understand what I'm saying?"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me." Zijuan apologized shyly. After thinking for a while, she said in a low voice, "Miss and Baoyu grew up together and had feelings for each other. Although I was terrified that others would find out, it concerns Miss's lifelong happiness, so I couldn't help but worry for her."

I've been keeping an eye on the two of them. Before, the girl was always crying. Although Master Bao is a kind person, he can't support a family and doesn't study economics or officialdom. The girl is always taking medicine, which costs a lot. The Jia family is always struggling to make ends meet. I'm always worried about this.

Later, when Master Bao went out, he became increasingly unreasonable. If the young lady also went out, her health would surely suffer.

Zijuan said shyly, "It wasn't until His Majesty arrived that the young lady's tears finally stopped."

Chu Yan sighed, "In the end, I am still a king of thieves, and I used some means to force you. Does Yu'er blame me?"

I turned to ask her.

The person wrapped in the red silk quilt to the left remained motionless until Chu Yan pinched her delicate nose, at which point Daiyu laughed out loud: "I just woke up, and it's one thing for you and Zijuan to talk bad about me behind my back, but you even came to bother me!"

Chu Yan smiled and said, "I want to hear what Lin Daiyu has to say."

Daiyu did not answer, but instead said, "I should get up, wash and dress, and then go to pay my respects to my maternal grandmother and aunts."

Chu Yan hugged her blanket: "How about sleeping in with me? It's alright if you miss a day of paying your respects."

Daiyu smiled shyly and said, "It's nothing to accompany you, but you must be here to tease me, so I dare not stay any longer." She added, "Today is the 29th, perhaps Father and the others will also come to the second gate."

Chu Yan said, "Alright, I'll accompany you to pay my respects today. It just so happens that Er Mutou and the others will also be paying their respects. We can chat with them in your maternal grandmother's room."

Daiyu laughed: "If you go, the ladies and mistresses won't dare to say a word."

Chu Yan laughed and said, "Ignore him, let them keep you company, I'll talk to you."

Daiyu nodded and said, "He really is the emperor."

Chu Yan nodded as well: "She really is the Empress!"

Daiyu laughed and got up, shaking him with her hand, "Get up quickly! The Emperor doesn't attend court, but he comes to imitate my speech!"

The three of them got up together. It was cold and the room was dark. Chu Yan told Daiyu to stay in bed and that after he and Zijuan got dressed, he would have Zijuan serve her.

After washing up and getting ready, Chu Yan looked at Daiyu in the mirror and was immediately amazed by her beauty.

The two looked at each other silently through the mirror. After a while, Daiyu stood up, smiled shyly, took his hand, and said, "Since you have some free time today, come with me. I'll take you to pay your respects to my maternal grandmother and aunts."

Chu Yan smiled.

If he weren't the emperor, as Daiyu's husband, he should have been paying respects to his elders.

The two went out together. Yuanyang and Qingwen also arrived at Xiaoxiang Pavilion. Yuanyang, who had been Jia Mu's maid, had already gone to Jia Mu's courtyard first.

When Chu Yan and Daiyu arrived, a house full of women were already waiting to greet them in the courtyard.

"Grandma, Madam!" Daiyu hurried over to greet her.

Everyone bowed to the emperor, but Chu Yan waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities, let's go inside. It's cold outside. I won't be holding court today. Come and sit with Yu'er at the old lady's place for a while. Have all the young ladies arrived?"

Grandmother Jia hurriedly replied, "Consort Shun and the Third Miss haven't arrived yet. I've told them before that they don't need to come so early in the morning, as it's cold in winter. But Feng'er has arrived."

Yes, both Fengjie and Ping'er were there. Li Wan and the others who lived in the garden didn't see anyone. Chu Yan and Daiyu were the first to arrive.

Chu Yan pulled Daiyu's hand and led her into the room, saying, "There's no need to call them." After stepping over the threshold, he turned back to Fengjie and said indifferently, "Fengnu, come here."

Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, and many maids and servants all looked at Granny Feng with surprise.

Phoenix... Slave?

"His Majesty!"

Feng Jie forced out two words through gritted teeth, forcing a smile, her beautiful face flushed red, and slowly took a few steps closer to her.

I'm so ashamed I don't even know why!

In front of the old lady and the madam, the emperor addressed her directly as Feng Nu...

Chu Yan was about to speak with a smile when Daiyu pulled his hand, so he had to give up and go inside.

The hall was much warmer. Yuanyang led him to a seat and said, "This is a new chair that was brought from elsewhere and prepared for Your Majesty."

Chu Yan nodded without saying anything. After everyone was seated, he smiled at Daiyu and said, "Go and pay your respects."

He took the seat of honor, while the others sat in two rows. After Daiyu greeted Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, she sat down again, glancing over as if to signal him to begin speaking.

Chu Yan smiled and asked, "How has the old lady been feeling lately?"

Grandmother Jia hurriedly tried to stand up, but Chu Yan gestured and said, "Sit down, there's no need for formalities inside."

"Your Majesty's grace is boundless." After expressing her gratitude, Grandmother Jia replied with a smile, "My health is still quite good. My granddaughters and great-granddaughters often come to keep me company and keep me company. I have no shortage of food or clothing. After the men of the Jia family left, I have much more peace and quiet. Although they are doing corvée labor outside, they are not as worrying as before."

Chu Yan smiled and said, "I ordered them to return on New Year's Eve this year, so they should all be in the city by now?"

Madam Wang hurriedly replied, "They've all settled down on the back street, and those who can't find a place to stay are looking for temporary accommodation nearby."

As they were talking, Tan Chun, Ying Chun, and Xi Chun entered the room together. When they saw Chu Yan behind them, they were all startled and hurriedly came over to greet him.

Chu Yan told them to go and pay their respects as usual, then they sat down and chatted for a while before Yuan Chun arrived.

"Uncle Emperor!"

The old women led Qiao Jie over, and when she saw Chu Yan, she broke free from their hands and ran happily towards them. Chu Yan hugged her and saw that Qiao Jie was wearing a tiger-head hat, which was fluffy and her little face was indescribably delicate and cute.

Qiaojie laughed and said, "Mother is here too, that's perfect. I want to ask Uncle the Emperor a question: what are the Twelve Beauties of Jinling?"

"Girl—" Sister Feng tried to stop her but couldn't, and was so angry that she wanted to stomp her feet.

Chu Yan chuckled and asked her, "What did your mother say to you last night?"

Qiaojie hurriedly said, "Mother said that the Emperor has taken a liking to the girls in the garden because of a man surnamed Leng."

"Girl!!" Sister Feng couldn't help but come over and hug her, coaxing her, "Good girl, your Emperor Uncle is talking to your aunts, go back and play by yourself."

The old woman hurried over and took Qiaojie away.

Chu Yanchao smiled and said to Yingchun, "Speaking of which, Leng Zixing is quite an interesting fellow."

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang hurriedly stood up.

Yingchun didn't know how to reply, so she could only say, "She is the son-in-law of Zhou Rui, the lady's maid. I heard she sells antiques and hasn't returned to the capital yet."

Zhou Rui's wife entered in a state of fear and unease and knelt down.

Chu Yan said calmly, "What are you doing? Get up. When your son-in-law returns, remember to bring him here. I want to catch up with him."

Zhou Rui's wife had no other choice but to kowtow.

"Is His Majesty the Emperor also in the room?" Xiangyun, Baochai, Baoqin, and Aunt Xue walked into the room together. It seemed that she had gone to talk to her sister Baochai in the morning and then came over together.

"Come sit here with me."

Chu Yan waved to Aunt Xue.

Aunt Xue...

Of course she wouldn't go over. Although she seemed to realize that the Emperor was calling her intentionally or unintentionally, she didn't dare to go over at all and quickly turned her head away, blushing.

Xiangyun asked with a smile, "Whom is Your Majesty calling?"

"My Yun'er," Chu Yan said with a smile.

Xiangyun walked over and sat down next to him. Suddenly remembering something, she glanced at Sister Lin. Seeing that Sister Lin didn't seem to mind, she sat down with peace of mind.

After chatting for a while, a maid came to report: "Young Master Lin, Master Lin, and Second Master Lian are outside the second gate, and they want to kowtow to the old lady to pay their respects."

Grandmother Jia said, "I understand. Tell them to kowtow and then go back."

Sister Feng smiled and said, "His Majesty is seated. We can talk about it later."

Upon hearing this, Chu Yan said, "Since I am here, there is no need to be reserved. Let them come in and kowtow. We rarely see each other on ordinary days."

Everyone was stunned, then hurriedly got up to express their gratitude and ordered someone to quickly invite Lin Ruhai, Jia Zheng and others in.

Fengjie hesitated for a moment and said, "It's fine in the past, I often meet with Master Zheng, and Lin is also family. But the young ladies shouldn't see other men, so why don't we go inside and avoid them?"

Tan Chun agreed, saying, "We should be more discreet." Her words silenced Yuan Chun's thoughts, leaving her with no choice but to give up.

Chu Yan looked at Xiangyun and saw that she was also preparing to go inside as if it were natural, without meeting Lin Ruhai, Jia Zheng and the others.

Then he looked at Daiyu and they exchanged a glance. After Daiyu stopped him, he got up and went inside.

Before long, only the elderly Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, and Lady Xing remained outside the hall. After hesitating for a while, Aunt Xue also went inside to avoid the taboo.

The hall was separated from the outside by a screen, so only their figures could be seen.

Chu Yan was not surprised.

In modern customs, when members of a large family eat together on New Year's Eve and Mid-Autumn Festival, men and women are separated by a screen.

If even a family is treated this way, how much more so are Xiangyun, Daiyu, Baochai, and others who belong to several families?

Before long, Lin Ruhai, Jia Zheng, Jia She, Jia Lian and others arrived at Grandmother Jia's courtyard and went inside, creating a lively atmosphere.

When Aunt Xue met Xue Pan for the first time, she couldn't help but shed tears.

Baoqin also saw her brother Xue Ke, and saw that he was safe and sound, only a little thinner and darker.

The sounds of crying and comforting continued both inside and outside the screen, and only stopped after a while.

Led by Lin Ruhai, the group of men lined up again and stood respectfully before the emperor.

Even Baochai's lawless brother Xue Pan, Jia She who only knew how to enjoy himself, and Jia Jing who had become obsessed with Taoism, were all behaving themselves at this moment.

Chu Yangao sat high above and said calmly, "Have all four of your families returned to the city?"

Following the morning court etiquette, Lin Ruhai stepped forward and bowed before replying, "Your Majesty, the Jia and Xue families, totaling over forty male members under punishment, have all returned to the city. I have dispatched several men to guard them, ordering them not to act without permission, and they await Your Majesty's grace to enter the palace for the banquet on New Year's Eve. The Wang and Shi families are also in the city."

As expected of an official, he answered in a well-organized manner, unlike Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, who often lacked a sense of propriety.

Chu Yan smiled and said, "Alright. Jia Zheng."

"Your humble servant is here!"

In his nervousness, Jia Zheng misspoke, hastily corrected himself, and knelt down.

Chu Yan was too lazy to get up, and only said, "Were you an official in the Ministry of Works before?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"How many years did you serve?"

"About ten years..."

"You haven't been promoted in over a decade, which shows you're not very capable."

Chu Yan made no blunt comments about his father-in-law, who was hiding behind a screen. Jia Zheng's daughters, Yuan Chun and Tan Chun, were also present.

Jia Zheng could only kowtow and agree in shame.

Chu Yan thought for a moment and said, "You have two daughters who are concubines in the palace, and a brother-in-law. If I don't give you an official position, people will inevitably say that I am heartless and ungrateful."

Jia Zheng kowtowed again and said, "This humble subject dares not presume to seek the restoration of his official position; Your Majesty need not trouble yourself with this."

Chu Yan then said, "Very well, we'll discuss it later. You may rise."

After kowtowing, Jia Zheng stood up and returned to his place in the ranks.

Chu Yan then looked at Xue Ke and asked him, "Are you Xue Ke, Qin Meimei's brother?"

Behind the screen, Baoqin giggled. When Xiangyun saw her laughing, she came over and chatted with her.

Xue Ke also stepped forward to bow, his demeanor and movements even more decisive and efficient than Jia Zheng's. It was unclear whether Jia Zheng was too flustered or Xue Ke remained calm and composed.

Chu Yan chatted with him for a few minutes, then asked Xue Pan, "Are you the Xue Pan who killed someone?"

Behind the screen, Aunt Xue, Baochai, Baoqin, and the others all changed their expressions.

Xue Pan knelt down, crying and wailing, "Your Majesty, I'm innocent! I didn't kill anyone! I'm innocent!"

"It's so noisy and disorderly, it's outrageous."

Chu Yan decided that he could not be given an official position by anyone, not even if he had a concubine sister or a concubine mother.

Give him a minor official post with a small annual salary, enough to keep him from starving.

(End of this chapter)