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

Chapter 97 Call Your Sister-in-law

Linjing Hall.

"Your Majesty, Meng You, come to see you!"

"Get up and talk."

Chu Yan sat on a nanmu chair with a dragon carving on it, looking at the former Deputy Minister of Works of the Shun Dynasty in front of him. He held the same position as Jia Zheng and was previously responsible for supervising the construction of many palaces and buildings in the Western Garden.

"You said in your memorial that improving the landscape of the Western Garden would require another 500,000 taels of silver?"

Chu Yan asked him.

Meng You hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty's virtues have benefited the people of Guizhou and the whole country. You are extremely frugal, unlike the previous dynasty who were extravagant."

He first praised Chu Yan, and then got down to business:

"Renovations of the Western Garden began a few years ago, costing over 10 million taels of silver. It was originally planned to take several years to complete, costing several million more. Currently, there are thirteen landscapes under construction. If they are demolished, it will certainly save money, but the garden will be missing a few pieces, making it less beautiful. Your Majesty will find it a disservice when he sees them during his visits in the future.

Therefore, I think it would be better to add another 500,000 taels to basically complete the landscape of the Western Garden, and then repair various places to make the garden more complete."

Chu Yan was in a dilemma for a moment.

Five hundred thousand taels may not seem like a lot, but it is a small amount in terms of the national finances. He would not do something like diverting millions of taels of military funds to build a garden.

However, as an emperor, he also had his own selfish desires.

After thinking for a while, Chu Yan asked him, "If we continue to build, how long will it take?"

"About a year."

"Okay, there are still 60,000 taels in the Xiyuan account. You can continue to use it. When the summer tax is collected, you can write a memorial again."

Chu Yan used the tactic of procrastination to send him away.

In the evening, after finishing his government affairs, Chu Yan returned to the back hall to rest.

"Your Majesty, Princess Qinghe is outside asking for an audience." A eunuch came in to report.

"Tell her to come in."

Chu Yan ordered.

Emperor Shun locked the back door of Linjing Palace, and no one was allowed to enter or leave without permission. However, he found it troublesome, so he issued an order allowing the concubines in the harem to come directly to him through this door.

After a while, Princess Qinghe entered the back hall, came to the east room, and bowed to him.

Chu Yan looked at the princess in front of him. She had her hair combed into a bun today, with a gold and jade phoenix hairpin in it. She behaved quietly and gracefully. After seeing him, the fear on her face was gone, and she smiled at him instead.

"Princess, what do you want to see me about?" Chu Yanxian asked calmly after ordering her to sit on the soft couch next to him.

"The weather is clear today, and I went to the Imperial Gardens to enjoy the flowers. I saw all kinds of flowers in full bloom. Your Majesty, are you in the mood to enjoy them?"

Qinghe asked him back with a smile in his eyes.

This sentence is full of the innocence and charm of a young girl, allowing people to see through her thoughts at a glance.

Chu Yan smiled and said, "I am in the mood to enjoy the flowers today, but if the princess comes to ask for my permission for something, I am afraid that will be too late."

Qinghe blushed after being exposed, and said with a look of reproach, "Your Majesty, if you say so, you have lost your elegance... That's all. Qinghe dare not disturb you any further."

Then he stood up.

Chu Yan said slowly, "Princess, take care."

Qinghe didn't move for a long while before he saluted Chu Yan in shame. He sat down again and said honestly, "Your Majesty, my father sent someone to deliver a message to me, begging Your Majesty to allow him to refine another batch of pills."

So that’s what happened.

Chu Yan asked her, "Do you know how much silver it costs to refine a furnace of elixirs?"

Qinghe frowned, and after a long pause she said, "There should be plenty of cinnabar and charcoal in the East Palace. It would cost about ten taels of silver to refine one furnace, which would be enough."

"How much was your monthly salary before?"

When asked this, Qinghe lowered his head and said embarrassedly, "In the palace, my daily food and clothing are provided by the palace. Every year, there are 20 to 30 pieces of gauze and silk cloth, and 20 taels of silver every month for me to use as rewards."

She volunteered, "I've saved over three thousand taels of gold and silver in the palace over the years. I can have the eunuchs go out of the palace to buy the money for the emperor's alchemy expenses."

Chu Yan did not comment. Of course, the princess, the queen, Yuanchun and others had their property not confiscated. They had a lot of money and property, which were still theirs to use.

Seeing the spiritual jade on the table, Chu Yan said, "I'll go with you to watch Master Chong Le make the elixir later."

When Qinghe heard the words "Duke Chongle", he realized that he had said the wrong thing before.

Chu Yan called the eunuch and ordered him, "Mr. Xu Chongle, please make another batch of elixirs and report back to me when you've finished."

The eunuch went out to deliver the oral order.

Qinghe was a little restless, not because she said something wrong, she knew Chu Yan would not punish her for this, but she was wondering why he had to go and watch the alchemy in person?

After a while, the food was served. Chu Yan asked Qinghe to come and eat together and chat with her.

After eating, Chu Yan leaned back on the couch to rest and ordered the princess to get a book from the bookshelf and read it to him.

Explaining classics to the emperor was usually the job of a scholar in the Hanlin Academy, but now it was an unmarried princess who was sitting on the soft couch opposite him with a book in her hands, reading to him in a clear and rhythmic voice.

The princess had a sweet voice and was also very pretty. Chu Yan listened and watched, occasionally asking her some questions, but he didn't have any bad intentions.

Half an hour later.

"Your Majesty, Duke Chongle has bathed and changed his clothes, and is ready to start refining the elixir."

Xia Shouzhong came in to report.

"Lead the way."

Chu Yan picked up the spiritual jade, stood up, took Princess Qinghe's hand, and went out with her.

A dozen eunuchs and palace maids followed, holding palace lanterns. Qinghe followed closely beside him, feeling uneasy. After hesitating for a while, he whispered, "Should we call the emperor's sister-in-law?"

"Just scream if you want." Chu Yan said lightly.

After hesitating for a while, Qinghe finally did not call the emperor's sister-in-law over.

Linjing Palace was some distance away from the Eastern Palace. Chu Yan and the princess both boarded sedan chairs and walked for about a quarter of an hour before arriving at the gate of the Eastern Palace.

This was originally where the crown prince lived, separated from the six palaces, so Chu Yan had crammed a group of old concubines in there before.

However, now all those concubines have been sent to Huang'en Temple, leaving only the old concubine and the empress dowager of Fengzao Palace.

After Chu Yan arrived, twenty or thirty eunuchs knelt in front of the East Palace gate, but did not kowtow.

Chu Yan said nothing and took Qinghe straight into the East Palace. He soon met the old emperor and several old Taoist priests.

"I heard that the pills you refine can help people achieve enlightenment and ascend to heaven?" Chu Yan asked.

Several old Taoists showed joy on their faces and responded hurriedly, saying that as long as they practiced hard, burned elixirs and refined mercury, they would be able to ascend to heaven!

"it is good."

Chu Yan nodded and ordered someone to bring chairs. After sitting down, he smiled at them and said, "Tonight, the princess and I will watch you make the elixir with our own eyes. If after taking the elixir, you become extremely powerful, as light as a swallow, or rejuvenate, or achieve other things that only gods can do, I will appoint you as the Imperial Master of the Daqian Dynasty!"

Several old Taoist priests were even more delighted.

"If you can't, you are evil and a disaster to the country. Drag you out and execute you."

Chu Yan's words were filled with murderous intent, causing the smiles on the faces of the old Taoists to freeze. The contrast was so great that Qinghe burst out laughing, and then quickly covered his mouth.

She finally understood why he came to see the alchemy.

The eunuchs and palace maids around also laughed. These old Taoist priests really had supernatural powers and they should have become immortals long ago. Why would they wait until today?

"Long live the Lord..."

Several old Taoists looked hesitant. Chu stretched out his hand and pointed at the alchemy furnace. Xia Shouzhong hurried forward and shouted, "His Majesty told you to refine the elixir quickly, why don't you do it quickly!"

After saying this, he glanced calmly at Dai Quan, the Prime Minister of Daming Palace.

After the new emperor entered the city, Dai Quan, who served the retired emperor, lost his power, but there were still some old eunuchs in the palace who secretly supported him.

The emperor said nothing, but personally lit the fire, lit the charcoal, and began to refine the elixir.

Several old Taoist priests, trembling with fear, also stepped forward to assist, reciting scriptures on the side. Chu Yan watched for a while, then stood up and took Qinghe to walk around the East Palace.

After returning, a furnace of pills had been refined, but several old Taoists did not dare to open the furnace.

Chu Yan sat down again, holding the spiritual jade, and said to himself: "If Brother Shi wants to go back to Jia Baoyu, let me see your magical skills."

The spiritual jade did not respond at all.

Several old Taoists and the emperor opened the alchemy furnace together, gritted their teeth, and took the pills one after another.

Nothing happened.

"Your Majesty! Perhaps, it will take a few days..."

Several old Taoists looked pale.

Chu Yan waited for a while, and finally lost his patience, stood up, and issued an order:
"Drag them away and send them to the Dali Temple for trial tomorrow. Send Duke Chongle to the Moon-Watching Tower in the Daming Palace. Send the eunuchs in the East Palace to farm in the West Garden. Replace them with a new batch.

All the alchemy furnaces, tablets, statues, cinnabar, and other things related to cultivation here should be sold at the pawnshop, and then the East Palace should be cleaned inside and out!"

After saying this, he turned and left without caring about the reactions of the old Taoist priest and the old emperor.

Qinghe looked at his father in panic. Seeing that he still couldn't believe it, he sighed and said, "Father...Father, I'm leaving. Take care of yourself."

She looked back every few steps, and finally caught up with Chu Yan and left the East Palace with her.

Her father moved from the Eastern Palace to the Daming Palace, and she was afraid that they would never see each other again.

……

Chu Yan returned to the back hall of Linjing Palace, and Princess Qinghe followed him in with her head lowered.

"Why hasn't the princess gone back yet?" Chu Yan asked.

"I, I made a mistake tonight... You don't want me... to sleep with you?"

Qinghe's face flushed with shame, knowing that she had made him unhappy tonight. The only solution she could think of was to fulfill his wish and stay in the palace as his concubine from then on.

Chu Yan looked at her shy and beautiful face, smiled, and walked into the east side room. "Come, read to me again."

Princess Qinghe, who was beautiful and well-behaved, followed in with her head lowered. When she was about to sit down, Chu Yan pulled her over and she sat in his arms.

"You...this."

Qinghe was even more shy, her body tense, and she gradually relaxed when he hugged her waist.

"Read it."

Chu Yan leaned on the soft couch, hugged the princess's delicate body, reached out to lift her chin, and slowly stroked her cheek. In the light of the lights in the room, he looked at her beautiful and graceful face and felt her delicate skin.

Qinghe became more and more shy, and reached out his hand, trembling, trying to take the book.

Chu Yan smiled: "I didn't eat you, what are you afraid of? I, your father, didn't punish him much, I just locked him up."

"Slave...thank you, Your Majesty!"

Qinghe stuttered.

After all, she is an unmarried princess, how can she withstand such intimacy?

But he was unreasonable and said he would not eat her, but after caressing her cheek, he lowered his head and opened his mouth to bite her mouth...

Qinghe shuddered suddenly. It turned out that he was here to kiss her!
A good while.

When she was out of breath, Chu Yancai let go of her soft lips and stared at her shy and confused expression.

"Read to me." Chu Yan hugged the princess from behind.

Qinghe leaned forward, reached out his hand from his arms, took the book from the other side of the couch, opened it, and read to him in a trembling voice.

Chu Yan didn't mind and began to untie the belt at the collar of her palace skirt.

Qinghe's face flushed red. She stretched out her slender hand, held his big hand, and looked up at him.

Chu Yan remained unmoved, so Qinghe slowly let go of his hand, not daring to look.

After a while.

Qinghe covered her mouth, tears welled up in her eyes. Gradually, she leaned in Chu Yan's arms and no longer had the energy to study.

Chu Yan hugged her and gradually experienced everything that a noble royal princess had to offer - at least half of it.

I have to say, the princess's skin is really smooth.

Also tender.

"Princess." Chu Yan lowered his head and looked at Princess Qinghe, whose eyes were half open and half closed, looking extremely shy.

She obviously no longer had the strength to speak.

Chu Yan smiled. It seemed that if he wanted to talk to her now, he would have to do it at least a few more times to let her slowly get familiar with the matters between men and women.

Less than half an hour later.

"Who is your maid?" Chu Yan asked her.

"...Shuyu."

Chu Yan nodded and called her maid in.

When Shuyu came to her, Qinghe lowered her head and used the palace skirt that had been taken off to cover her fair and beautiful chest. Although she was still wearing a bellyband to cover it, she hurriedly picked up two pieces of underwear and fled into the inner room like a frightened rabbit.

Shuyu blushed and followed the princess in to help her dress.

Chu Yan sat and read a book. After a while, Qinghe came out with his head lowered and neatly dressed.

"Go and call your sister-in-law." Chu Yan said.

Qinghe pursed her lips, looked at him, then turned her head shyly and walked out.

Chu Yan waited for another quarter of an hour before Empress Zhang walked in with a dark face. She was dressed simply and wore no makeup.

"What happened to my queen?" Chu Yan said with a smile.

Empress Zhang raised her head and gave him a blank look, knowing full well that he would only say this when they were alone.

Otherwise, if the news gets out, it will cause turmoil in the court, and the ministers will not allow her, the queen of the previous dynasty, to become the queen of the new dynasty.

"I've already fallen asleep, what else can I do?"

Empress Zhang came before him, still indifferent. When Chu Yan pulled her into his arms, she closed her eyes and said only, "I want to sleep. Your Majesty, please summon Qin and the others!"

"I have to have you tonight." Chu Yan carried her back to the dormitory.

Empress Zhang opened her eyes, her face slowly turning red with shame. After he put her on the bed, a faint smile appeared in her eyes: "Because of Qinghe?"

Qinghe went to Kunning Palace and knocked on her door in the middle of the night, which scared her. She thought something had happened again. When she was asked, she didn't say anything and just told her to go to Linjing Palace.

"What do you say?"

Chu Yan took off his clothes.

Empress Zhang rolled into the bed, hugged the quilt and said with a smile: "Your Majesty is very kind to unmarried girls. Please also be kind to women like me."

"You've been through hundreds of battles, why are you still showing pity?"

"His Majesty!!"

Empress Zhang said in shame and anger, "How could I have ever experienced a hundred battles? A few nights with Your Majesty was even more... torture than the previous ten years!"

Chu Yan laughed and said, "Qinghe offended me tonight, and I can't punish her, so I'll let you take the blame for her!"

Empress Zhang covered her eyes with her arms and remained silent no matter how he punished her.

But that is impossible.

If she could stop the new king's vigor, his army would be routed.

(End of this chapter)