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

Chapter 294 A Clear Moon is Hard to Find, Colorful Clouds Easily Disperse
After the New Year's Eve dinner, before it was even dark, Tan Chun came over and whispered something to Chu Yan. Chu Yan nodded and instructed her, "You and Feng Jie go and bestow rewards upon everyone on my behalf."

Tan Chun smiled and agreed. Together with Feng Jie, she ordered the eunuchs to bring over the prepared gifts, which were mostly ordinary items such as palace flowers, palace fans, purses, gold and silver ingots, and new imperial books. These were much less than what Yuan Chun had given to the Jia family in previous years, and far less than the gifts Empress Zhang had given them in the past.

This clearly shows that the palace was indeed short of money.

Despite this, Jia She and the others felt honored.

Chu Yan gave three additional calligraphy works to Lin Ruhai, Wang Ziteng, and Jia Zheng. The three carefully kept them, intending to frame them and store them in their homes for future generations.

After rewarding the concubines, Lin Ruhai, and others, they then rewarded the maids and servants, and then the eunuchs and palace maids.

After that, Sister Feng came to Chu Yan and said with a smile, "The ladies should also be rewarded. I discussed it with the Third Miss and also told Miss Lin that when the ladies' families come to kowtow and receive their rewards, only their parents, brothers, and uncles will be rewarded. No one else will be rewarded."

Chu Yan glanced at Daiyu and nodded, saying, "Alright, Lin sister, you can make the cut."

This is another step towards placing Daiyu on the throne of Empress. In the future, even matters within the palace will be reported to her by Empress Zhang and Yuanchun.

Sister Feng left with a smile.

Before long, the eunuch led Lin Ruhai to a spot about ten feet away from Chu Yan's table. Daiyu sat upright, and her father bowed and paid his respects. Daiyu nodded and shed tears, making a gesture of support, urging her father to get up quickly.

All the maids arrived, and Zijuan, acting as Daiyu's lady-in-waiting, read out in a clear voice: "Consort Lin has bestowed a reward: twenty bolts of palace silk, ten gold and ten silver ingots, a set of writing implements, and one other gift upon Lin Ruhai, the Vice Minister of the Imperial Academy."

Lin Ruhai bowed again to accept the reward before leaving.

Next came Wang Ziteng, and this time it was the turn of the two Wang sisters, Xuanzhu and Junyi, along with Wang Xifeng. The three of them gave rewards together.

Because Wang Xuanzhu was a concubine and Wang Xifeng was a beauty, the young girl Xuanzhu sat in the main seat, with her sister and Xifeng sitting beside her. Chu Yan couldn't help but laugh, and Qin Keqing and Li Wan were also laughing, making Xifeng blush with embarrassment. After giving the gifts, she hurriedly got up and sat down.

Next was Jia Zheng.

The order seems to be related to Chu Yanci's calligraphy.

Jia Zheng stepped forward and kowtowed, while Yuan Chun remained calm. Because she lived in the palace, every year on the first day of the lunar new year, her grandmother, Lady Wang, and others would come to the palace to congratulate her on her birthday, and she had received many kneeling kowtows from her grandmother and mother.

This was the first time for Tan Chun.

He was quite uneasy, and after his father kowtowed, he quickly told his father to rise and gave him a reward.

Then came Xiangyun's two uncles, Shi Nai and Shi Ding; Baochai's brother, Xue Pan; Baoqin's brother, Xue Ke; Yingchun's father, Jia She; and Xichun's father, Jia Jing, among others.

After they arrived, they all lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at the emperor and the concubines. Even Xue Pan was very obedient.

They were not ranked by age, but by how much the girls were usually pampered.

Qin Keqing's father and brother had both passed away, and she had no relatives left, so she received no reward.

Li Wan's father was in Jinling, and she received no reward.

Qinghe and Empress Zhang need no further explanation.

But it's Miaoyu—.

Chu Yan looked at Miaoyu, who was sitting at the same table as Grandmother Jia. She had changed out of her paddy clothes and dressed as a woman in ordinary clothes. She even had a hairpin in her hair. People who didn't know her would never guess that she was a nun who practiced Buddhism with her hair still intact.

Chu Yan called Xiangling over and whispered to her, "Go and ask Miaoyu if she has any parents or relatives in the capital. If so, call them over tomorrow and let her give them a reward."

Xiangling has gone.

Daiyu and the others saw this scene and looked at her. They saw Xiangling whisper a few words in Miaoyu's ear. Miaoyu turned to look at His Majesty, and then lowered her head again after a moment.

Xiangling returned to report, "Your Majesty, Miss Miaoyu said that she has no parents or relatives in the capital or Nanjing. Thank you for your concern."

Chu Yan nodded, and seeing that everyone had finished expressing their gratitude, he issued an edict: "This year's festivities have come to an end, it's time to disperse. You may all go back. Send a decree to Minister Lin, instructing him to make proper arrangements for the Jia and Xue families."

Xia Shouzhong hurried off to deliver the imperial decree.

The Ministry of Rites officials led everyone in bowing again, but Chu Yan ignored them and left with the concubines, leaving Grandmother Jia and the others with some time to talk with Jia Zheng. There's no need to go into details.

Back in the garden, fine snowflakes began to fall from the sky. Chu Yan reached out and caught a few. Looking up at the sky, he couldn't help but sigh, "Another year has passed. I have been here for fifteen years. This year is particularly different. I am gratified to have met you all."

Xiangyun smiled and said, "Why is it that His Majesty's words are not easy to understand? Why is it fifteen years?"

Chu Yan smiled but remained silent.

Daiyu looked at him and said, "Your Majesty seems to be homesick."

Chu Yan was surprised, and Daiyu smiled and said, "I also often miss Suzhou. This year, everything has changed. Fortunately, His Majesty has shown us compassion, and I have also seen my father."

Baochai smiled and said, "There will be many more days like this in the future, so there's no need to sigh like this. Tomorrow is the first day of the Lunar New Year, a time of celebration. Soon after, there will be the Lantern Festival, which will be another lively occasion."

Chu Yan nodded and smiled, "I was too talkative. Well then, are you going back? It's going to snow."

Tan Chun quickly smiled and said, "Tonight is New Year's Eve, and we were just thinking of going to His Majesty's room to keep vigil for the New Year."

They all agreed that it was true, but Miaoyu was nowhere to be seen; she must have returned to Longcui Nunnery.

Chu Yan laughed and said, "It's good that you're not afraid of the cold. Let's go back to Yangxin Hall."

He was escorted back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation by the concubines, and the warm pavilion was soon crowded with people.

But soon, Xiangyun pulled Tanchun and Qinghe outside to play with Qiaojie and the little princesses, setting off firecrackers. Hearing their loud shouts, Wang Xifeng and Empress Zhang hurriedly went out to check on them.

Daiyu, Baoqin, and Xiuyan also went out to watch the excitement.

Lanterns were hung all around Yangxin Hall. Qingwen set up paper horses and incense offerings for heaven and earth in the main hall. The eunuchs and palace maids were also awake, sitting idly in various places, chatting and eating melon seeds.

It was incredibly lively for a time.

In the warm pavilion, Chu Yan was playing cards with Ke Qing, Yuan Chun, and Li Wan. Chu Yan sat cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed), with Xi Chun wrapped in a quilt and leaning against him. Xiu Yan, perhaps seeing that it was a rare opportunity to get close to His Majesty, also blushed and leaned against him with Xi Chun, and the two of them watched his cards together.

"I won again!" Ke Qing clapped her hands happily, first extending her fair hand towards Chu, and said with a smile, "Your Majesty~ please reward me~"

Chu Yan grabbed a handful of money and gave it to her, saying, "Continue. I'm having bad luck tonight. Xiuyan, you draw the cards for me."

Xiuyan smiled and agreed.

When Daiyu and the others returned after playing with firecrackers, they saw that Qin Keqing had lost so badly that even her charming face looked miserable.

"You may come now, I need to rest for a while."

Chu Yan carried Xiuyan, the heroine of the night, onto the kang (heated brick bed), and let Xiangyun play cards while he, along with Xiuyan, Baoqin, and Baochai, talked on the kang.

Qiao Jie and several little princesses were playing a clapping game. The warm pavilion couldn't accommodate many people, so Consort Zhou and the others could only stay outside for a while and then go back into the warm pavilion to sit for a while. Li Wan, Feng Jie, Baochai, and others also took turns going in and out.

As the most favored future empress, Daiyu naturally wouldn't stay in the warm pavilion for long.

However, Chu Yan used her frail health as an excuse to pull her to sit on the kang (a heated brick bed).

Soon after, Daiyu also got into bed and was held in Chu Yan's arms.

Just as everyone was having a good time, Yuanyang suddenly rushed into the warm pavilion. Seeing the lively scene inside, with the concubines playing cards or chatting and joking, she hesitated for a moment whether she should speak.

Xichun, with her sharp eyes, tugged at Lin Daiyu's sleeve. Daiyu, who was whispering sweet nothings to Chu Yan and blushing, quickly turned her head to look, gently pushed Chu Yan, sat up and asked her, "Sister Yuanyang, is something the matter?"

Everyone looked over. Yuanyang had no choice but to step forward and report: "Your Majesty, Qingwen is seriously ill. Should we summon the imperial physician, or... or send her to a quiet place to rest?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Yan immediately got up from the kang (a heated brick bed). "I'll go take a look. You go and call the imperial physician. We don't know what the illness is yet, so don't panic."

It wasn't that Yuanyang was heartless; it was a common practice in wealthy families that sick servants, regardless of whether it was a plague or not, would be sent elsewhere to recuperate in order to prevent them from infecting their masters.

Therefore, when Chu Yan got up, Empress Zhang and Yuan Chun advised him, "Your Majesty's health is of utmost importance. Just send the imperial physician to see him."

Tan Chun, Feng Jie, Li Wan, and others also tried to persuade them, but Xiang Yun and Bao Qin hesitated. Dai Yu glanced at Chu Yan and said, "His Majesty has precedents for treating and saving people. Qing Wen is also a maid who serves the Emperor. It wouldn't hurt to go and see her."

She is the precedent.

Chu Yan nodded and said, "I have my own ideas. You don't need to persuade me, and you don't need to come along to avoid being disturbed by too many people. You can all stay here, and Yuanyang and I will go and see for ourselves."

After saying this, he and Yuanyang left the warm pavilion and went to the next room. They saw Qingwen lying on the bed, burning up with fever and unconscious. She was also confused and could only keep breathing.

Chu Yan sat on the edge of the bed and called her twice, but she didn't respond. He touched his forehead and found it burning hot, so he ordered, "Go get a wet towel."

Hongyu, who was standing at the door, hurried away.

After bringing the towel, Chu Yan lifted the blanket off Qingwen, took off two pieces of her clothing, covered her with the blanket again, and pressed the towel to her forehead to cool her down.

After finishing, he frowned and looked at the ailing Qingwen.

This illness came on like a sudden storm. I caught a chill last night, fell ill this morning, and was in a coma by evening.

Based on his experience, even if the imperial physician came, it would be of no use; Qingwen could only rely on herself to get through it.

If she really couldn't hold on any longer, then like Daiyu, Chu Yan would also give Qingwen a pill.

Qingwen deserves an elixir.

"Your Majesty," Xiangling said as she arrived at the door, not entering, "Miss Lin and the others have come to ask: How is Qingwen?"

Chu Yan said, "This is not good. Tell them not to set off firecrackers and to keep their laughter down." He paused and then said, "It seems we won't be able to enjoy ourselves on New Year's Eve this year. Go and tell them that those who can't stay up should go back to sleep first. Have Feng Jie take her daughter back, and Qinghe or the Empress take the little princesses back as well."

Xiangling went to the warm pavilion to deliver a message.

Sister Feng sighed, "I had prepared some firecrackers to set off for the New Year, but it's all in the past now. Since His Majesty has given the decree, I'll go back to sleep now and come see Qingwen again tomorrow."

Ping'er then said, "I'll stay and watch over things for Grandma."

Fengjie nodded, stopped joking with her, and took Qiaojie home to rest.

After a heated argument with Empress Zhang, Qinghe took her nieces back home, while Empress Zhang stayed to keep the Emperor company all night.

Before they left, Keqing smiled and said, "Don't worry, Qingwen will be fine. She has the amulet that Consort Xie gave her."

Fengjie was about to leave, but upon hearing this, she hurriedly returned and grabbed her hand: "What do you mean by that?"

Everyone looked at Qin Keqing in surprise.

Qin smiled at Xiangling and said, "Go tell His Majesty to see if Qingwen is carrying any amulets."

Xiangling hurriedly ran off.

Tan Chun turned to Ying Chun and asked, "Second Sister, is the talisman on you still there?"

Daiyu and the others all looked over, and Yingchun hurriedly took out the necklace hanging from her neck. On it was a small golden gourd, and the peace charm was placed inside the gourd.

Yingchun explained, "His Majesty ordered me to carry it with me at all times, so my mother specially went to a goldsmith to make a magic gourd. I always carry it with me except when I'm sleeping or taking a bath."

At this moment, the imperial physician arrived.

The crowd gathered at the entrance of the warm pavilion to watch as the imperial physician went in to examine Qingwen.

Not long after, the imperial physician left.

They sat there for a while longer before Chu Yan returned to the warm pavilion, where everyone quickly gathered around him.

"Bring the prisoner here," Chu Yan said with a smile. They turned around and saw Qin Keqing hiding behind Li Wan, her graceful figure trying to conceal herself. Seeing she couldn't hide any longer, she threw herself into Chu Yan's arms, laughing, "Your Majesty, why do you say I'm a prisoner? You've truly wronged me!"

Chu Yan put one arm around her waist and sat down on the kang (a heated brick bed), placing Ke Qing across his lap and giving her a loud slap on the buttocks.

Everyone laughed, knowing that he was joking when he was serious, which meant that things were settled.

Chu Yan said, "Wait a minute. I've asked Yuanyang to watch over Qingwen. What time is it now?"

Xiangyun took out a gold-inlaid jade pocket watch, checked the time, and said, "There's still half an hour until the New Year!"

Chu Yan nodded: "If you're tired, you can go back."

Daiyu guessed that he was going to accompany Qingwen, but she didn't ask, lest he suspect that she was jealous.

Baoqin asked directly, "Does Your Majesty also intend to watch over Qingwen for one night, just like last time when you accompanied Sister Lin?"

For an emperor to guard a maidservant for an entire night is an immense honor.

Chu Yan shook his head and said, "I don't know yet. Perhaps you're pressuring Ke Qing to tell you."

Qin Keqing quickly begged for forgiveness: "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong, but I don't know much about this matter. I only know that my sister's talisman was effective. First it worked on Qingwen, then on Yingchun. After Yingchun also fell ill, my sister went to the capital!"

After saying that, she covered her mouth, looking as if to say, "Oh no, how did I reveal this secret?"

Her words indeed stunned everyone.

After a long pause, Baochai sighed, "So that's how the peace charm is used."

Everyone agreed, and the still-unseen Consort Xie became even more mysterious.

Yingchun looked flustered. Chu Yan noticed her expression, beckoned her over, and then put his arm around her waist as she came over, saying, "Don't worry, I'm here, you'll all be fine."

He then looked at Daiyu and smiled, "If I could save the Crimson Pearl Fairy who repaid her debt of tears, I can also save you!"

Xiangyun quickly asked with a smile, "Who is the Crimson Pearl Fairy? Sister Lin?"

Daiyu simply smiled.

Chu Yan said, "Enough of this. I'll settle accounts with her when she comes next year."

Daiyu thought for a while and then smiled and said, "Consort Xie is thousands of miles away, but it feels like she is right next to us. She must also be keeping watch tonight. Perhaps she is in sync with His Majesty."

Chu Yan chuckled: "I've never had any chemistry with her! She used to be gentle and obedient, but she's become increasingly strange."

Just then, Yu Chuan suddenly came in to report: "Your Majesty, Yuan Yang said that Qing Wen's amulet has broken!"

"I gonna go see."

Chu Yan immediately went out.

After Daiyu and the others learned that Qingwen did not have the plague, they hurriedly followed.

(End of this chapter)