Besides the regular three departments (music, dance, and music), the Jiaosifang also had a special institution: the Musicians' Quarters.
Women were sent here to practice musical instruments and dance to please Lu Ming.
Sometimes, they would also practice traditional dances, dressed fully clothed, to perform for entertainment.
The advantage was that they didn't need to drink; it was simply dancing.
This institution had always been managed by Diao Chan…
However, after arriving in Chang'an, Lu Ming didn't appoint anyone to manage it, so it wasn't established.
Lady Bian, a former dancer, was asked by Jia Tanchun to select some girls and women to train as musicians and dancers.
Even a small number was necessary.
Otherwise, it would be a joke for such a large prefectural governor's mansion to lack dancers.
Although when Lu Ming entertained his subordinates, it was usually all about drinking, eating meat, and hot pot; dancing was secondary.
That day, Madam Bian was still instructing the dancers when she saw Tan Chun, heavily pregnant, approaching. She immediately stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Madam Tan."
Tan Chun hadn't visited for some time.
She was in charge of everything, and since becoming pregnant, she hadn't been as active.
Already beautiful, Tan Chun's beauty had been amplified by her pregnancy, giving her a radiant, almost divine glow, a unique allure amidst her stunning looks.
She was one of the few truly capable wives, having gone from being completely clueless when managing the Imperial Music Bureau to now being adept at it.
The Imperial Music Bureau was now able to sustain itself and even had its own large vegetable garden.
Located near the palace and close to Shanglin Garden, it offered ample space for indulgence.
"Madam Bian, go to Weiyang Palace. Marquis Qin wants to see you."
Jia Tan Chun hadn't come specifically to deliver a message; a servant would have sufficed.
She had only come to observe and, incidentally, to assess whether Madam Bian could be of use.
Cultivating talent takes time; the best method is to recruit others.
Women finding other women is more difficult than men finding other men. Rather than doing it all herself, it's better to find capable assistants to share the burden.
Madam Bian was startled. She never imagined that after almost a month, she would still be targeted!
It wasn't that Lu Ming didn't want to sleep with her; it was just that he had too many women to handle…
Besides, Lu Ming wasn't the type to tire of the old for the new.
Once he had a woman, he would definitely sleep with her to his heart's content. Unless she was too weak to withstand the onslaught, there would definitely be a few days of passionate infatuation.
"I am old and faded, I'm afraid I am not worthy of Lord Qin's attention."
Madam Bian wanted to explain further, not wanting to sell her body.
Tan Chun had seen many women like this; they all flaunted their chastity, acting like paragons of virtue.
"Since that's the case, then let Lord Qin come to see you. Instruct the Ministry of Justice to give Princes Cao Pi and Cao Zhang extra meals."
These extra meals weren't just additional food; they meant doubling their labor.
They would be explicitly told why: some because their wives refused to serve them in bed, some because their mothers or daughters refused, or perhaps they had done something wrong, violated the rules, and so on.
Lady Bian was shocked and hurriedly pleaded, "Madam, please, I was wrong, please don't give them more food."
"Once you enter the Imperial Music Bureau, you must be careful with your words and actions. Your life no longer belongs to yourself, but to Lord Qin. Whether you go or not is your choice. You are a married woman now, what is there to be upset about? Even if we let you leave, will your three sons respect you? Will Cao Cao accept you? To outsiders, you are nothing but a used and discarded flower; no one will accept you. Cao Cao might even kill you, wishing you dead to avoid tarnishing his reputation."
Tan Chun saw through Lady Bian's thoughts at a glance and directly cut off her escape route.
Lady Bian felt extremely bitter. Yes, even if she said she hadn't been raped and was still chaste, would Cao Cao believe her?
Definitely not.
She was now a prisoner, and had to live for herself.
When she first started teaching at the Imperial Tutors' Quarters, this matter had been mentioned, but she hadn't paid much attention, only hoping to be redeemed.
Now, not only was she not redeemed, but she didn't even have a seal of approval.
"This concubine, this concubine understands, thank you for your guidance, Madam."
Tan Chun's expression softened somewhat.
She knew that Madam Bian was quite good, capable of managing a household well, and that helping her manage the Imperial Tutors' Quarters would make her life easier.
She was kind and generous, and there was no possibility of infighting.
Even Madam Ding, the first wife, spoke highly of Madam Bian. The principal wife and concubine were in competition; gaining the approval of a rival was no easy feat.
Appreciation from a competitor is often the most genuine.
"Go, and from now on, be careful with your words and actions. You are now the Lady of Qin's woman, and you will be responsible for his lineage. There are some things you cannot say, but you can do. Only by gaining favor can you help those you wish to help, understand?"
Tan Chun looked at Lady Bian and said earnestly:
"You must know about the Wang and Jia families. Both families have only avoided ruin thanks to the help of women.
As long as you please the Lady of Qin, releasing Cao Pi and Cao Zhang won't be difficult. Go, and serve the Lady of Qin well."
"I understand, Madam. Your kindness is immeasurable."
Lady Bian understood.
Tan Chun was promoting her.
Although Tan Chun was also a concubine, the status of a concubine with power was vastly different from that of one without.
The Imperial Palace, Chengde Hall.
Lu Ming swaggered onto the throne.
The alluring Empress He, clad in newly made white silk stockings, was giving Lu Ming a footjob with her delicate feet.
These stockings, woven from silkworm silk, were breathable and elastic, creating a beautiful silhouette.
Empress He fell in love with the stockings the first time she wore them. Now, unable to serve him during her pregnancy, Lu Ming was finding all sorts of ways to torment her.
First oral sex, then breast sex, and now foot sex, even anal sex! Empress He was now—no, she should be called Empress Dowager He!
Although Liu Xie had ascended the throne, Empress He was still his mother. Every prince had only one mother, the Empress.
His own mother could only be called his concubine.
Therefore, Empress He should now be called Empress Dowager He…
Meanwhile, Empress Dowager Dong was called Grand Empress Dowager, rising another level.
The beautiful and mature Empress Dowager He had always been an object of Lu Ming's pleasure, not only for her charming face but also for the way she displayed her noble status and position!