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

Chapter 62: The Twelve Beauties, Jia Yuanchun

After the military dance and music ended, Chu Yan called on the dancers from the Ye Ting Palace in Shun Dynasty to dance for his soldiers.

Enjoy the dance while eating and drinking.

"You should drink too, there's no need to just stand there and watch." Chu Yanchao said to Jia Yuanchun and Empress Zhang who were accompanying him.

This must have been the first time for the two of them to attend such a banquet. They would not even meet ministers on weekdays. At most, on New Year's Day or Qianqiu Festival - the Queen's birthday, she would give a banquet to the ladies of the capital.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Jia Yuanchun thanked him softly, then raised the wine pot, poured herself a glass of wine, picked up the chopsticks and tasted the dishes before her.

At this moment, she was looked at from time to time by these nobles of the new dynasty, but she did not feel panicked or ashamed, because sitting next to her was the King Qian who was about to ascend the throne.

Although he was majestic and overbearing, he was not as strict with her as the Emperor of Shun Dynasty. In fact, because of him, many old rules in the palace were broken. She no longer had to observe those etiquettes and only had to consider how to serve the king well.

Just like now, Prince Qian ordered her to accompany him for drinking, but he did not mean to humiliate her. He was very caring towards her and Empress Zhang. When they were in Linjing Palace, he was not angry when the Empress said those words.

He really does what he says and doesn't blame others for their words.

After the singing and dancing, the dancers left.

Chu Yan looked around at everyone and said, "Originally, tonight is a celebratory banquet, and I shouldn't say anything that would dampen the mood. However, before I ascend the throne, I really want to share some heartfelt words with everyone."

The civil and military officials all put down their cups, looked over, and waited for the king to speak.

Chu Yan said, "There's no need to talk about our past friendship. We were good brothers who shared life and death together. We rose up in rebellion, traveled to Lingnan, crossed the Yellow River, captured Nanjing, and marched north to attack the capital. Every fierce battle was won with our concerted efforts. Only then did we have this day!"

Chu Yan raised his glass, toasted them, and continued, "But, in two days, I will ascend the throne as emperor, and you will also be made marquises and appointed as prime ministers. From then on, the ruler will be the ruler, and the ministers will be the ministers. You will have titles and live a life of luxury, while I will rule the world and become the Son of Heaven!"

"This is your first time to be a marquis and prime minister, and this is also my first time to be emperor!"

Everyone laughed and the atmosphere eased a little.

Chu Yan also laughed and said, "When a dynasty is first established, there are a few things that cannot be avoided." Looking at them, he said, "The first thing is to kill the meritorious officials!"

A chill swept through, and the atmosphere in front of Chonghua Palace became solemn, with everyone's face tense.

Empress Zhang glanced at him and thought to herself, these are truly words from the heart!
Jia Yuanchun gently poured him some wine and looked up at this man who had conquered the world and dared to speak of killing his meritorious officials in front of his subordinates.

Chu Yan said, "During the Western Han Dynasty, Fan Kuai saved Emperor Gaozu, but years later Emperor Gaozu wanted to execute Fan Kuai before his death. Then there was Xiao He chasing Han Xin under the moonlight, but years later Han Xin was ambushed and killed by Empress Lü, Xiao He, and others. Even Xiao He, who had risen with Emperor Gaozu in Pei County, had to tarnish his own reputation to save his life. Did they not have any friendship with Emperor Gaozu?"

Chu Ming, Li Changjin, Xu Zhiyi and others were all silent.

Chu Yan continued, "Li Shimin, with the support of Zhangsun Wuji and others, launched the Xuanwu Gate Incident. Hou Junji was among the five meritorious officials. Li Shimin appointed him the General of the Right Guard, granted him the title of Duke, and listed him in the Lingyan Pavilion. His fame and wealth reached the pinnacle of officialdom. However, Hou Junji was executed for conspiring with the Crown Prince to rebel."

"Needless to say, the Ming Dynasty had a huge number of meritorious officials who died."

"Every meritorious official in every dynasty had his or her own cause of death. If I were to describe it in detail, it would take days and nights to finish."

Chu Yan smiled and said, "But in my opinion, there are only three reasons. One is that his achievements are greater than his master's, the second is the suspicion between the emperor and his ministers, and the third is Sima Yi!"

"Sima Yi?!"

All the civil and military officials looked at the king in confusion.

Chu Yan continued, "I'm not afraid of being more meritorious than my master. I trained the rebel army and led the troops in several battles. In terms of merit, I should be the first! Even if you lead troops to fight in the future, your achievements will not be greater than mine."

Chu Ming smiled and said, "Your Majesty is too modest. Even if we add up our small contributions, they are not even half of yours."

Chu Yan smiled and continued, "I'm twenty-five this year. You're all older than me, so I'm not worried about you becoming Sima Yi. You'll always die first, and I'll die last."

Everyone then understood what Sima Yi meant.

Chu Yan looked at them and said, "Therefore, in the next few decades after the Xin Dynasty, if anyone kills a meritorious official, it must be due to suspicion between the emperor and his ministers!"

Empress Zhang listened quietly and tried to figure out what kind of person he was.

He is a successful thief king who is extremely domineering, but he hides most of the time and pretends to be easy to talk to.

He spoke frankly, but whether it was true or not would depend on what he did in the future.

Jia Yuanchun was also listening quietly, occasionally pouring him a glass of wine, but she didn't dare pour too much for fear that he would get sick from drinking. The Empress remained silent the entire time. Except for the first time she poured him wine, she sat quietly beside him at other times.

After an unknown amount of time, everyone stood up and saluted, saying in unison:

"We will never let down the king's grace!"

Chu Yan smiled and waved at them: "Go back to sleep, everyone. Tomorrow we will reward the three armies, and the day after tomorrow we will offer sacrifices to the heavens in the southern suburbs!"

Everyone bowed again and stood still.

Chu Yan stood up and left the table with Empress Zhang and Jia Yuanchun. The eunuch hurriedly brought the horses and carried the sedan chair in front of the two of them.

Chu Yan looked at their graceful bodies in their gorgeous palace dresses, and asked with a low smile, "The moonlight is beautiful tonight. How about you two beauties accompany me?"

The eunuchs and maids accompanying him all heard this and couldn't help but look up at the Empress and Consort Xian De. Prince Qian was enjoying his two concubines in one night. What a good mood!

Empress Zhang had a blank expression on her face, but her fair hands were clenched tightly.

Jia Yuanchun blushed, lowered her head, and whispered, "I am willing to serve the king."

"it is good!"

Chu Yan first held her hand, then reached out and stroked Empress Zhang's face, asking her to lift her chin. He ordered her to look directly at him and said with a smile, "When I ask you a question, just answer yes or no. If you don't agree, can I force you or blame you?"

Empress Zhang was forced to look at him, her clear eyes filled with shame and anger: "If Your Majesty wants me, how can a weak woman like me refuse?"

Chu Yan looked into her eyes for a moment before letting her go with a smile and saying, "I like you like this."

The queen of the destroyed country still held her head high and refused to bow even when forced by him. Her majestic and beautiful face showed her steadfastness and unyielding spirit.

Although the queen did not sacrifice her life for her country, she was truly precious because she cherished her own life.

Chu Yan let her go for now.

He didn't want to be alone with the other woman tonight. Whether it was Empress Zhang or Jia Yuanchun, they were both worth his slow savoring.

Can't swallow it in one gulp.

……

Back in the warm room next to Linjing Palace, Chu Yan sat on the couch with Jia Yuanchun. Under the light of the palace lanterns, he looked at Yuanchun's face as beautiful as a hibiscus flower and felt very good for a while.

One of the Twelve Beauties of the Red Chamber has been found.

Moreover, Yuanchun was Gu Shun's imperial concubine.

"Your Majesty..."

Jia Yuanchun lowered her head slightly and sat obediently beside him, only daring to sit halfway. When Chu Yan pulled her, she couldn't help but throw herself into his arms.

Yuanchun raised her head and saw Chu Yan's face up close, then lowered her head shyly. This kind of intimate action was something she had never experienced before.

Chu Yan didn't rush to eat her. He chatted with her first and asked, "Are you feeling uncomfortable tonight? If you are not feeling well, you don't have to accompany me to the banquet in the future. I will ask someone else to accompany you."

Tonight is the celebration banquet for entering the capital, so Chu Yan wants to ask two important people in the palace to serve. Needless to say, the Queen will lose a lot of fun without her. Jia Yuanchun is one of the Twelve Beauties, and Chu Yan also wants her to accompany him.

Yuanchun, her body trembling slightly as he held her waist, said softly, "I was only pouring wine for the king. I'm not uncomfortable at all." Then she laughed and said, "The king is like the scorching sun, and beside him I am but a firefly, quite insignificant. The ministers didn't even look at me."

Then she looked up at him and said, "I am willing to follow the king out of the city tomorrow night to serve him."

Chu Yan smiled and held her soft hand: "Okay, as long as you agree in your heart."

There were only two people in the warm room. Jia Yuanchun's body gradually softened in his arms. She snuggled up to Chu Yan and whispered, "I was a little nervous at first tonight, but after seeing the king's broad mind and hearing his passionate words, I realized that he had no intention of humiliating me or the queen."

Chu Yan smiled and said, "Then you guessed wrong."

Yuanchun shook her head. "In my heart, these are not humiliating. Your Majesty is honest and upright... Ah!?"

She lowered her head and saw the outline of a hand emerging from her palace skirt.

Yuanchun's whole face turned red with embarrassment.

Chu Yan put one hand around her waist and chuckled, "I don't know what Yuanchun is thinking, let's try and see."

Jia Yuanchun was too embarrassed to speak.

Soon, her body and mind were completely revealed to Chu Yan. As Chu Yan lowered his head and kissed her, she slowly responded.

After a while, Jia Yuanchun was placed on the kang in the warm room. In the candlelight, Chu Yan could see her beautiful appearance as one of the Twelve Beauties of the Red Chamber.

"Yuanchun, from now on, you can just be my concubine and don't have to be so cautious in the palace!"

Chu Yan said.

"My lord, my lord. Well, I will obey your command."

Yuanchun's words were intermittent and soon she became incoherent.

After an unknown amount of time, Yuanchun managed to shout outside, "Baoqin, Baoqin, you, you come in quickly!"

Baoqin, who was guarding outside the warm room, heard the sound and thought she had misheard. She looked around and saw that the eunuchs and palace maids from Changchun Palace were all pointing towards the door.

She could only open the door and go in.

She saw the most shocking scene in her life: Concubine Yuan was held and loved by Prince Qian like a puppy.

She soon took over the Empress's job.

(End of this chapter)