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

Chapter 293 New Year’s Eve Dinner

Outside, the wind was biting cold, but inside it was warm and comfortable, and there was a young girl in his arms.

Chu Yan, covered by a quilt, slept with Qingwen and Sheyue under the same quilt. The two women, dressed in close-fitting clothes, had their delicate bodies pressed against him.

A north wind was blowing outside, making the dormitory room feel even quieter and warmer.

For some reason, Chu Yan thought of Daiyu, wondering if she was asleep, if she was covered with a blanket, and what her beautiful sleeping face looked like.

"Perhaps it will snow tonight," Qingwen whispered, wrapping her arms around the Emperor's waist and pressing herself tightly against his body.

She spoke softly, afraid that His Majesty might fall asleep.

Chu Yan casually said, "It's best not to. It would be better if it snowed after the New Year."

Musk Moon, on the right, laughed and said, "Heaven doesn't listen to us."

Qingwen laughed and said, "The emperor is the Son of Heaven, and his word is law. Who knows, the weather might clear up tomorrow after His Majesty says it!"

Chu Yan chuckled, but Qingwen's sweet and innocent words also stirred his heart. He reached out and pulled her into his arms.

"His Majesty……"

When Qingwen was hugged like that, her body immediately went limp.

Although it was only the second time she had warmed the emperor's bed, she had seen his doting on the girls and maids many times and knew what was going on.

"Come into my arms, and I'll cherish you this once."

Chu Yan lowered his head and kissed Qingwen's pretty face a few times. His hands moved down her back to her waist, and then down to pull down her red silk trousers.

Qingwen buried her head in her arms in embarrassment, while Mushe, standing to the side, dared not make a sound, listening quietly, and then secretly turned her head to open her eyes wide in an attempt to see clearly.

I was in a daze, but I could clearly hear Qingwen's soft moans and feel the quilt swaying.

A while later, Chu Yan released Qingwen, turned around and hugged Sheyue in his arms, teasing her a bit as well.

After several attempts, Qingwen was sweating profusely, but this was the first time she had ever experienced such a shameful thing. She had never known that the relationship between men and women was like this before.

Fortunately, she had seen many of His Majesty's concubines favored, and now that she was simply favored, she recovered quickly. She nestled in the Emperor's arms for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, are you thirsty? I would like to get out of bed and have a cup of tea."

"Go away, I won't drink."

Chu Yan said, and Musk Moon quickly smiled and said, "Good sister, give me a bite too."

Qingwen muttered, "I've ended up serving you."

As she spoke, she walked past Chu Yan and Mushe Yue and got out of bed. When Chu Yan saw this, he quickly said, "Aren't you going to wear clothes? Put on some clothes before you get out of bed."

Qingwen smiled and said, "Your Majesty, don't worry, it's alright. I'm in good health, and besides, the tea is right here in the room."

As she spoke, she was only wearing a bodice, and from behind, the young girl's delicate body was smooth and slender.

After getting out of bed for a moment, she realized how cold it was outside. She quickly grabbed a thermos and a cup from the table, drank half a cup herself, and poured half a cup for Musk Moon. As soon as Musk Moon finished drinking, she hurriedly put the cup on the table and rushed back to bed, crawling under the covers.

His body trembled slightly.

Musk Moon laughed, "Like a fool."

Chu Yan nodded, pulled Qingwen, who had rolled onto him, into his arms, and said, "She really does look like a fool. If she gets sick tomorrow, she'll probably blame the imperial physician for not giving her good medicine."

Qingwen quickly said, "When did I say that?"

Musk Moon laughed and said, "It's her tone!"

After chatting and laughing with the Emperor and Musk Moon for a while, Qingwen gradually warmed up. Only then did she realize that she had just sweated a little and gotten out of bed to drink tea. The sudden change from hot to cold made her think to herself, "The old women always say that heat is not a problem, cold is not a problem either, but the most dangerous thing is the sudden change from hot to cold. If the sweat is absorbed into the body, I will probably get sick. Tomorrow is the New Year. If I get sick, wouldn't that spoil His Majesty's mood? Amitabha, Bodhisattva, please protect me from getting sick."

With these thoughts in mind, the person gradually fell asleep.

When I woke up the next day, I indeed felt stuffy and had a heavy voice, and my hands and feet felt tired, which were signs of illness.

Qingwen was secretly annoyed and worried that someone would notice, so she had to force herself to cheer up and continue to busy herself with the New Year's preparations, either instructing Chunyan to go to the kitchen to serve the food or asking Huixiang to talk to the Third Miss.

Once I get busy, I forget that I'm still sick.

As for sending money to her cousin, the scoundrel, she'll leave it for now and send it after she recovers.

……

Putting aside Qingwen's illness, when Chu Yan got up in the morning, he saw that everyone in and around the Grand View Garden was busy celebrating the New Year. Lanterns were lit everywhere, creating a festive and lively atmosphere. The maids and servants had smiles on their faces, and he couldn't help but feel even happier.

"Your Majesty, we've come to play with you!" Baoqin and Qinghe led several little princesses in, including Qiaojie. Upon seeing Chu Yan, she rushed over, first acting coquettishly, then extending her delicate white hand and saying in a sweet voice, "We wish our Emperor Uncle a Happy New Year and ask for lucky money!"

Everyone laughed, and an older princess quickly said, "Qiao'er, you're wrong, you have to wait until tomorrow to get your New Year's money!"

Qiao Jie blinked and said, "In previous years, the family would give out reward money on the thirtieth!"

At this moment, Daiyu walked in and said with a smile, "A reward is a reward, and a New Year's money is a New Year's money. After we have the New Year's Eve dinner today, there will be a reward, but your New Year's money will be given tomorrow."

Qiao Jie then realized what was happening.

Chu Yan pulled Daiyu onto the kang (a heated brick bed). There were a lot of young maids in the room, but he didn't show her much affection.

After nestled in his arms for a while, Daiyu said, "I just came back from Grandmother's. Third Sister and Sister-in-law Feng asked me to ask you what we want to eat for New Year's Eve dinner this afternoon?"

Chu Yan asked, "You're only asking how to eat it today?"

Daiyu smiled and said, "When the women and men enter, when they kneel, when they take their seats, and when the rewards are given, all of these must be prepared and reported to the Ministry of Rites. Third Sister only found out this morning that officials from the Ministry of Rites would also be coming. This was her fault, please forgive her, Your Majesty. She was busy with other matters and asked me to come and tell you first. Please forgive her later."

After hearing this, Chu Yan laughed and said, "It's not her fault, even I didn't know about this."

Qinghe then covered her mouth and laughed, saying, "In previous years, when I spent the New Year in the palace, none of my uncles or maternal uncles would come to the palace. The Empress would receive the court ladies' greetings in the Kunning Palace, and the Emperor would receive the courtiers' homage in the front court. This year is different. His Majesty has bestowed imperial favor upon the concubines, allowing their families to come and have New Year's Eve dinner together. The Ministry of Rites must have been busy these past few days searching through ancient books to formulate the corresponding rituals."

Chu Yan said, "No wonder. In that case, let the Third Miss and Feng Nu discuss with the Ministry of Rites to remove some of the cumbersome formalities. As long as it's roughly the same, it will be fine."

Seeing that Qinghe and Baoqin remained silent, Daiyu called someone in.

There was no one in the room for a moment, so Qingwen had to come in and, as Daiyu had instructed, go and deliver a message to Tanchun and Fengjie.

After a simple breakfast, Chu Yan did nothing else all day but stay in the warm pavilion of Yangxin Hall. The young ladies and concubines came and went. In the afternoon, they all left to change their clothes and prepare for the banquet.

Chu Yan remembered someone and smiled at Qingwen, who was sitting blankly in the room, saying, "Go to Longcui Nunnery."

Qingwen was stunned for a moment before standing up and asking in a muffled voice, "What did His Majesty ask me to say to Miaoyu? Is he asking her to come?"

Chu Yan looked at her and beckoned, "Come here."

Qingwen walked over and was pulled into his arms, her forehead touched by the Emperor's large hand. "You have a fever?" Chu Yan asked, then added, "It really was caused by last night."

Qingwen lowered her head shyly, but stubbornly said, "I'm usually not sick. Maybe I've had good luck all year and only ran into bad luck at the end of the year. Your Majesty, I'll just move to Yihong Courtyard to rest for a few days and I'll be fine."

Chu Yan shook his head: "No need, it's not like it's a plague, why move out? You didn't say anything this morning, you should rest properly when you're sick." As he spoke, he called someone in and ordered someone to fetch the imperial physician.

Soon after, the imperial physician prescribed medicine, and Huixiang quickly brewed it and gave it to Qingwen.

After finishing her drink with a frown, Qingwen looked at Chu Yan with a bitter expression: "Your Majesty, I still want to have New Year's Eve dinner tonight. This little illness is nothing to worry about."

Seeing that she really wanted to go, Chu Yan nodded in agreement and asked Yuanyang and the others to take good care of her, saying, "You can come back after you finish eating, you don't need to wait for anyone."

Qingwen smiled sweetly: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I will remember it!"

Qingwen, who was ill, had a delicate and beautiful appearance, and Chu Yan couldn't help but look at her a few more times.

At this moment, Yu Chuan, who had gone to Longcui Nunnery, returned and reported: "Miaoyu did not reply, she only said that she knew."

Chu Yan smiled and said, "Then she will definitely come. Go tell the kitchen to prepare a vegetarian meal for Miaoyu."

Yu Chuan nodded and left. This time, she didn't need to go in person; she could just send a little eunuch to deliver the message.

Before she knew it, it was late afternoon. Zijuan arrived at Yangxin Hall and reported to Chu Yan with a smile: "Miss Lin and Second Miss have both gone to the Old Madam's room and are preparing to go to Rongxi Hall. Miss Lin asked me to come and tell His Majesty."

Chu Yan didn't put down the book in his hand, but just smiled and said, "It's still early. You've been running back and forth between Xiaoxiang Pavilion and Yangxin Hall several times today. Come and rest for a while."

Zijuan blushed, but obediently walked over. Before Chu Yan could speak, she leaned against him and softly called out, "Your Majesty."

Chu Yan put one arm around her waist and held a book in the other, and said with a smile, "Hui Zijuan should be called Virtuous Zijuan. Are you tired today?"

On New Year's Eve, he was leisurely enjoying himself at Yangxin Hall, while everyone else in the garden was extremely busy.

Zijuan shook her head and laughed, "It's too tiring for a maid to even walk around and relay messages. She's too useless. Your Majesty doesn't need to worry about me. I heard that Qingwen is sick. She should take good care of herself."

Qingwen hurriedly came out of the house, wearing a coat, and said, "Who said I'm sick? I just have a slight fever. I'll be fine tomorrow after taking some medicine. It won't delay anything!"

Zijuan chuckled and said, "You're still being stubborn. I know your personality. You were sickly when you came to the old lady's side that year, but you were more efficient and capable than others. You only gradually got better later."

"Is that so?" Chu Yan asked, as he only knew that Qingwen and Zijuan had both worked as maids in Grandmother Jia's room.

Qingwen waved her hand, telling her not to talk about the past year, and then put on her coat and went back to her room to rest.

Zijuan sat with Chu Yan for a while, then went inside to see Qingwen before returning to relay the message to the young lady.

Half an hour later, Xia Shouzhong respectfully came to invite him. He stood in front of the Yangxin Hall, and Yuanyang came in to deliver the message.

Chu Yan casually changed into a dragon robe, sat in the imperial carriage, and was accompanied by Qingwen, Xiangling, Yuanyang and others. They left the Grand View Garden and arrived at Rongxi Hall.

A solemn atmosphere prevailed here.

The Rongxi Hall was filled with people, both inside and out. The young ladies and concubines stood in the main hall in order, while Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, Aunt Xue, Old Madam Shi, and the ladies of the Wang family stood in the corners. The fathers and brothers of the concubines stood outside the hall.

After the Ministry of Rites officials announced the ceremony, Chu Yan entered through the back door of Rongxi Hall and sat on the temporary throne.

The ceremony still involved three bows and nine kowtows. Officials from the Ministry of Rites recited a blessing, and after that, the banquet was announced. Everyone bowed again and withdrew in order.

Chu Yan also went to the five large rooms behind Rongxi Hall, where he sat down with Daiyu and the others, chatting and waiting.

This place was originally supposed to be the residence of Lady Wang and Jia Zheng, but the two moved out long ago and it has been empty ever since. Now it serves as Chu Yan's temporary resting place.

Thinking that Qingwen was ill, he instructed, "Set up the seats for Yuanyang, Qingwen, Zijuan, Siqi, and others here. It's windy in the corridor, so don't go there."

Upon hearing this, Sister Feng hurriedly instructed the old women: "Pass down the decree that all seats for first-class maids shall be set up in the main room, and seats for second-class maids shall be set up in the side room."

The old women hurried over and brought over the tables and chairs for the maids.

This place was originally the residence of the main wife of the Rongguo Mansion, but now it has become the place where Qingwen and others eat. The maids and servants of the Rongguo Mansion who saw this scene could not help but sigh.

Soon after, the New Year's Eve dinner was set out.

Chu Yan led everyone to Rongxi Hall, where the old women then brought in the tables and chairs for the first-class maids.

Yuanyang smiled and said, "Qingwen, you should rest. Hongyu, you and I will go and serve His Majesty. Leave us a table and chairs, and we'll come back later."

He and Hongyu quickly followed.

The two entered Rongxi Hall again, where wine and dishes had been laid out. Several screens separated the men and women. The emperor sat among the concubines of the harem, with Miss Lin and Miss Yun on his left and right.

"Eat them all."

Chu Yan picked up his chopsticks and smiled, "This year has been a great change for me and for you all. I have gained the world and my beloved concubines. I hope that every year will be like this day!"

Daiyu raised her wine cup and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, congratulations!"

Everyone raised their glasses, even Lin Ruhai, Jia Zheng, and others on the other side of the screen. After Chu Yan drank his wine in one gulp, they followed suit and drank a cup of wine.

The hall gradually became lively.

Chu Yan told Yuanyang and Hongyu to go back, saying that Daiyu and Xiangyun would be fine to pour him wine.

At Xiangyun's suggestion, Chu Yan's table started playing drinking games, and the table of Grandmother Jia, Jia Lan, Lady Wang, and Aunt Xue followed suit.

After a while, Jia Lian and the others were drinking and playing drinking games on the other side. Soon after, Xue Pan got drunk and insisted on bringing his wine cup to toast his "brother-in-law." Lin Ruhai and the others were so shocked that they quickly held him down. Several officials from the Ministry of Rites who were having dinner with him scolded him repeatedly, which finally made Xue Pan sober up. He realized that he could not easily offend the appearance of the empress or concubine, otherwise he would be punished.

Baochai was furious. After the farce subsided, she called over a palace maid, handed her a clean chopstick, and whispered, "Go over there and hit my brother Xue Pan's hand ten times!"

Baoqin, Yingchun, and the others looked at her in surprise. Seeing that the palace maid had really left, Baoqin gave Chu Yan a look and hurriedly got up to tell her aunt.

After hearing this, Aunt Xue was speechless for a long time. She looked at her daughter several times and saw that she was already laughing and talking with the Emperor. She could only sigh.

Seeing this, Chu Yan smiled and said to everyone, "Miss Bao is becoming more and more like a noble consort. She even speaks her mind to her brother with such confidence."

Everyone laughed and said yes.

Baochai blushed and said shyly, "My brother is really good-for-nothing. If he is not disciplined, who knows what trouble he will cause in the future."

Just then, Xue Pan's cries of pain came from the other side of the screen, making Chu Yan laugh out loud, "He deserves to be beaten."

Not long after, a palace maid returned with chopsticks to report. Upon seeing this, Daiyu quickly said with a smile, "Look, she's carrying the Imperial Concubine's precious sword!"

Everyone laughed again.

(End of this chapter)