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

Chapter 300 Baoqin is made a concubine
Two more days passed.

After finishing his official duties in the Imperial Study of Pear Fragrance Courtyard, Chu Yan noticed the clear weather outside and felt a sense of relief. He summoned Xia Shouzhong and instructed him, "Go and see what the young ladies are doing."

After Xia Shouzhong left, he summoned a young eunuch and instructed him, "Are there any ministers still on official business in Lixiang Courtyard? Go and check on them, then come back and report to me."

The little eunuch went off to do his work.

Of the dozen or so rooms in Lixiang Courtyard, half were reserved for Chu Yan's use, and the rest were given to the new cabinet. The original homes of Zhou Rui and Lin Hongyu were used as temporary offices for the Six Ministries.

A short while later, the eunuch returned to report, and after listening, Chu Yan issued another decree: "Summon the Left Prime Minister and the Minister of Rites."

A moment later, Chu Ming and Xie Defu arrived. After the two bowed, Chu Yan smiled and said, "I have finished my official duties today. I called you here to have a chat. Come on, let's go outside and talk!"

After saying that, he stood up, pulled the two of them, and went out.

Chu Ming was alright, as he and Chu Yan had known each other for ten years. Xie Defu, however, was quite apprehensive, as this was the first time his "son-in-law" had been so enthusiastic towards him.

The three of them left Pear Fragrance Courtyard, then walked out of the back gate of Grand View Palace and came to the back street. Although ordinary people were not prohibited from walking around here, the guards and eunuchs had been patrolling back and forth. They knew who lived in the back street and who could set up stalls here.

Even so, when Chu Yan walked out onto the street wearing a dragon robe, several passersby and vendors were stunned and dared not move.

A dozen or so imperial guards and eunuchs followed behind.

Chu Yan walked along the road with his hands behind his back, looking at the steaming food stalls on the street with great interest. Chu Ming touched his pocket and said with a smile, "Fortunately, I brought some money with me today. Today, I dare to invite Your Majesty to have a meal."

Chu Yan smiled and said, "I didn't want to eat it, but I couldn't refuse your kind offer. Fine, you go and buy it. It's good to support the business of ordinary people."

Chu Ming sighed, "I only thought about whether Your Majesty wanted to eat, but I forgot that ordinary people have to stand on the streets selling their goods in the freezing cold. Your Majesty is so considerate of the people..."

"Stop with that nonsense, get out of here!" Chu Yan interrupted him with a smile.

Scholars are masters of flattery; how can ordinary flatterers compare to a Confucian official who can write with eloquence?

Chu Ming went and bought three steamed buns, and gave one to Xie Defu as well.

The three of them ate as they walked. The vendor selling steamed buns had a ruddy complexion and kept muttering things like, "Even emperors eat my steamed buns," and "My ancestors were blessed with good fortune."

After finishing their meal, Chu Yan clapped his hands, and Chu Ming asked at the opportune moment, "His Majesty invited me and Grandfather Xie out, surely there is something he wants to discuss with us."

Xie Defu was startled and quickly gave Prime Minister Chu a meaningful look.

Chu Yan glanced at him and said, "You've already addressed him as the Imperial Father-in-Law, so you must already have a hunch. You tell me."

Chu Ming smiled and said, "It's cold outside, so I'll be frank: Your Majesty wants to make someone else your empress, but you're still a bit hesitant, which is why you've summoned us."

Xie Defu's heart sank.

Was his daughter indeed not destined to be an empress?
Chu Yan said calmly, "I have already said that Xie cannot be empress."

Chu Ming laughed and said, "If Lady Xie cannot be the empress, why did His Majesty summon Minister Xie?"

Chu Yan was speechless for a long while before saying, "I intend to make the daughter of the Vice Minister of the Imperial Academy the Empress. What do you two think?"

He added, "This is just a preliminary inquiry; it will be discussed in court later."

Xie Defu still dared not speak, but Chu Ming said, "Your Majesty is wise and benevolent. You have the world at the young age of twenty-five. Who will be the empress is entirely up to Your Majesty's preference. There is no objection from the court."

Chu Yan laughed and said, "I have made Princess Qinghe my empress, and none of you have any objections?"

Chu Ming also laughed: "His Majesty will not make a princess from the previous dynasty his empress."

Chu Yan, feeling rebuffed, turned to Xie Defu and said, "You tell me."

Xie Defu hurriedly cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Majesty, I dare not have any objection to the matter of establishing an empress!"

Chu Yan said, "If you don't speak up today, your daughter will never be able to become empress."

Xie Defu was terrified. He hesitated for a long time, then looked at Chu Ming's eyes. He saw that the Left Prime Minister was indifferent and did not want to get involved with him or give him any advice. He had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "Your Majesty, my daughter... apart from her recent misbehavior, I believe that Consort Xie has the appearance of an empress!"

Chu Yan remained noncommittal. He and the two of them walked to the beginning of the street, watched the people coming and going, and then turned back.

Chu Yan suddenly asked, "Why did you name your daughter that?"

Zhaojun was the name of a female official in the Han Dynasty. Nowadays, people often refer to fur hats as "Zhaojun hats," but it is not commonly used as a name.

Xie Defu hurriedly replied, "That wasn't her original name. After she fell seriously ill, she begged my husband and me to change her name to Zhaojun."

"Is this happening?"

Chu Yan said casually, his mind preoccupied with other things.

Upon returning to the back gate of Daguan Palace, he said to them, "I have not yet decided on the matter of establishing an empress. Do not let this get out to others. Once you have finished dealing with state affairs, you may return. Also, thank you, Minister Chu, for this steamed bun."

"Your Majesty is too kind," Chu Ming said with a smile.

Chu Yan nodded and walked into the garden gate. The two men bowed behind him and respectfully saw the Emperor off.

Once everyone was alone, Xie Defu asked with a forced smile, "Prime Minister, forgive my ignorance, but regarding today's matter..."

Chu Ming said, "Nothing's happening today." Seeing his embarrassment, he laughed and said, "Could you possibly change the Emperor's mind? Or could you ask Consort Xie to come to the capital immediately? Even if you did, you wouldn't be able to change anything, and you would only displease the Emperor."

"Yes, yes, thank you for reminding me, Prime Minister!"

Xie Defu had no choice but to give up, but after returning home, he tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep. His daughter was only one step away from becoming empress, but she had become confused and stayed in Jinling for half a year instead of going to the capital!
……

Chu Yan returned to the Grand View Garden and said to Xia Shouzhong, "Go back and tell Qingwen and the others that I am staying at Miss Qin's place tonight."

After saying that, he walked straight up the mountain behind him. After about a hundred steps, he reached the top of the mountain and saw the Tubi Villa where Baoqin lived.

After stopping the maids and servants from going in to report, Chu Yan went around to the east side of the courtyard wall, entered the courtyard through the east gate, and then came to the warm pavilion. Baoqin's maid, Xiaoluo, was dozing off. When she suddenly saw him, she was so surprised that she cried out. This prompted the two people in the warm pavilion to come out. When they saw him, they were also pleasantly surprised and stepped forward to greet him.

"Is Chai'er here too?"

Chu Yan smiled and took Baochai's hand with one hand and Baoqin's hand with the other, and entered the warm pavilion with the two sisters, which immediately became much warmer.

Because the warm room was small, with only a kang (heated brick bed) placed by the window, and the two sisters had stayed in the warm room for half a day, when Chu Yan came in, he smelled a warm fragrance of young girls and couldn't help but look at the two of them.

"Has Your Majesty finished your official duties today?" Baoqin sat down next to him and asked with a smile.

Chu Yan nodded: "How long have you been here?"

Baoqin replied with a smile, "Sister came in the morning, had lunch here, took a nap, and we were doing some needlework together when His Majesty arrived."

Chu Yan looked at the low table on the kang and saw the two sisters' half-finished needlework. He picked it up and couldn't help but laugh.

The two sisters made children's clothes: a tiger-head hat and a bib embroidered with fruits and vegetables, which were also for children.

Baoqin blushed and hurriedly took it away, laughing, "I'll take it and put it away. His Majesty wouldn't understand the textiles made by a girl."

Chu Yan held Baoqin's soft, delicate body in his arms, not wanting her to leave, and said with a smile, "Who says I don't know anything? Before I became emperor, I also made a living by going from street to street. I saw many male embroiderers and learned a few skills, which I used to mend clothes on a daily basis."

Upon hearing this, Baochai and Baoqin both laughed and said, "Yes, we forgot that His Majesty came to rule the world as a commoner."

Chu Yan pulled Baochai into his arms again, kissed her round and delicate cheeks twice, and teased her, "How about the commoner emperor favoring you tonight?"

Both sisters blushed.

Chu Yan leaned against the pillows and said, "I haven't even consummated our marriage yet, and you're already making clothes for children. Do you want me to summon you sooner?" "Your Majesty!!" Bao Qin retorted, unable to bear these shameful words.

Chu Yan smiled and hugged her.

Baochai's beautiful face was flushed with embarrassment, but she looked at him shyly and leaned her plump body closer, saying, "My sister and I are already His Majesty's concubines. His Majesty is busy with state affairs, and there are many young ladies in the garden and concubines in the palace, so it is not our turn yet."

Chu Yan laughed, teasing Baochai's beautiful face, which resembled a peony, with his fingers, and said, "Is Baochai harboring resentment?"

Baochai leaned softly against him and whispered, "When His Majesty summoned the Jia sisters, I wondered when Qin'er and I would have the honor of serving His Majesty?"

"Sister!" Baoqin quickly covered her mouth with her hand, her ears turning red with embarrassment.

Baochai smiled shyly.

The usually composed and unassuming woman has now become the emperor's favored concubine, who whispers sweet nothings to Chu Yan in his arms.

Chu Yan embraced the two sisters, lowered his head to kiss Baochai, and a moment later, he kissed Baoqin. Baoqin was prepared, and although she was shy, she gently opened her lips to meet his kiss.

After exchanging a few words with them, Chu Yan smiled at Baochai and said, "I originally planned to stay at Sister Qin's place tonight, but I didn't expect you to be here too. How about we visit your Hengwu Garden another day?"

Baochai knew that what he had said earlier was just a joke, and that this was what the Emperor had said to her seriously. Therefore, she had no complaints and stood up with a smile, saying, "In that case, I will go back first. Qin-mei will serve His Majesty tonight."

Baoqin blushed again.

Chu Yan held her hand and said, "Don't misunderstand. I didn't stay here to have sex with you. I just came to talk to Qin'er and you at night. You can stay and have a meal before you leave."

Baochai sat down again, and Baoqin said with a smile, "His Majesty has visited Sister Lin's house several times, but Sister Lin has not been made a concubine, and she did not frown the next day. It is clear that His Majesty has not favored Sister Lin."

She said these words with a blush on her face, but she was happy in her heart. Her husband slept with her, but not to summon her to serve him in bed.

Chu Yan smiled and said, "Qin'er is so meticulous. Tomorrow, your husband will have you frown. What do you think, Qin'er?"

Baoqin's beautiful and delicate face flushed red. She lowered her head and whispered, "Qin'er will listen to her husband."

The blush on the girl's face was enough to make one's soul tremble.

Chu Yan embraced her and sighed, "I was just joking with you. Tonight, your husband wants to see Qin'er's body and let her learn about the ways of husband and wife. We'll consummate our marriage in a few days."

The three of them were in the warm pavilion, saying things that would make any young lady in her boudoir blush with embarrassment. Baochai, listening nearby, felt a surge of heat in her body and soul, as if the words were being spoken to her as well.

Baoqin was as soft as a lump of clay, her young heart fluttering, melting against Chu Yan's broad chest, looking up at him with shy tenderness.

Chu Yan lowered his head and kissed Qin Meimei again.

Baochai felt a pang of jealousy as she watched this scene, and she wanted to take her sister's place.

She herself panicked and secretly reminded herself that the emperor was the supreme ruler with many concubines in the harem. It was a benevolent act for the emperor to bestow his favor equally on all the concubines. Only in this way could the concubines in the harem live in harmony, which would be a blessing for the country.

But seeing the Emperor and her sister's lips entwined in tender intimacy right before her eyes still made her feel jealous.

When Baoqin, unable to bear the pampering any longer, nestled in Chu Yan's arms, panting heavily, Baochai couldn't help but reach out and wrap her arms around his neck. Looking at him with her melancholy almond-shaped eyes, she softly called out, "Your Majesty..."

A thousand words are contained within this.

Chu Yan was still savoring his kiss with Baoqin when he suddenly saw the expression on Baochai's beautiful face and her resentful and angry eyes. She looked exactly like a concubine seeking favor.

At that moment, he had no self-control left and kissed her lips again.

"..."

This time it was Baoqin's turn to be jealous.

for a long time.

Her sister Baochai retrieved the snake, her cheeks flushed, already drunk from the long kiss she had just shared.

"My lord~~ It's Qin'er's turn!"

Baoqin, feeling girlish, took her sister's arms and coquettishly reached out to hug her husband's neck.

Chu Yan and Baochai laughed together. As the older sister, Baochai couldn't argue with her. She got up, took a sip of tea, and watched as her younger sister Qin kissed the Emperor again.

The three of them frolicked in the warm pavilion for half a day. When Baochai's forehead was covered in fine sweat, Chu Yan saw it and reached out to touch it. He touched a smooth, soft, and fair skin that complemented her voluptuous figure. It felt especially good to hold her.

Ying'er entered the room and said, "Your Majesty, shall we prepare dinner now?"

Chu Yan nodded: "Go set the table."

Baoqin asked, "Husband, would you like to call... or call Madam to come and serve us together?"

Baochai turned to look at her, and Baoqin smiled shyly, returning her gaze.

Baochai then whispered, "My mother is at home. I'll have Ying'er go and call her."

Chu Yan's expression was strange as he said, "I apologize to you. I summoned Madam Xue twice, which led you to misunderstand me as a lecherous man."

Baoqin laughed so hard she lay on the mattress, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably. She turned to look at him and said, "His Majesty's love for beautiful women is common knowledge. With Consort Qin, Consort Li, and the Princess Consort, how could there be any misunderstanding?"

Seeing that he wasn't angry, Baochai smiled and said, "Have you forgotten that there's also Miaoyu, who practices Buddhism while still keeping her hair?"

The sisters sang in harmony, making Ying'er cover her mouth and laugh.

Chu Yan explained, "I wish to see the beauty of the Twelve Beauties of Jinling!"

Baochai and Baoqin laughed for a while before Baoqin said softly, "My husband is the emperor. This is just a fleeting affair. Qin'er was sincere just now. My husband can ask my aunt to come and serve us together."

Chu Yan shook his head, "Today I only want to be with Sister Qin. I don't even want Chai'er, let alone anyone else. There's no need to call her here."

He added, "We can discuss this again another day when I'm in the mood."

Only then did Chaiqin and the other woman stop, and they did not call Aunt Xue again.

Chu Yan and the others left the warm pavilion and enjoyed the snow in the courtyard. About an hour later, the food was ready, and the three of them returned to the room to drink and play drinking games.

After nightfall, Baochai took her leave, and before leaving, she took the initiative to ask for a kiss, becoming more and more like Chu Yan's favored concubine.

That night, in bed, Chu Yan and Bao Qin made love for a long time. He took off her clothes and savored her beauty, which was not among the Twelve Beauties, but was no less than that of Daiyu and Baochai.

The next day, Chu Yan summoned Yuanyang, Qingwen, and the others into the room and instructed them, "Go and call the young ladies and concubines here. I will bestow the title of Consort upon Qin'er."

Baoqin, who was still lazing in bed after waking up, was taken aback and quickly said with a blush, "I haven't served His Majesty yet, so according to the rules, I don't need to be made a concubine!"

Although Yuanyang and Qingwen had not yet served the emperor, they already knew about matters between men and women and understood the meaning behind Qin's words.

Chu Yan laughed and said, "Your husband speaks according to the rules. There's no such rule as only being made a concubine after serving the emperor."

Baoqin paused for a moment, then suddenly reached out and pulled him back. Her delicate and beautiful face was flushed, and she whispered, "Qin'er will serve her husband. Husband, come up quickly..."

Chu Yan was initially confused until Baoqin crawled into the quilt.

Then it dawned on me.

Xiangling and Yuchuan exchanged a smile, blushed, and pulled Yuanyang and Qingwen out—the two of them didn't understand this yet.

(End of this chapter)