The next morning, we set off in the dark.
This time Ye Jun brought Huiyue and Nanzhi with him, as well as Atractylodes macrocephala and Luzhi.
Before leaving, he specifically called Luhe and Lumei in to talk, and told them to guard Yuxiu Pavilion in the palace well and not to make any mistakes.
The two maids were originally quite disappointed because their master took Luzhi, who was also a second-class palace maid, but not them. Now that they were made clear, they realized that they also had an important responsibility and felt much better.
This is where Ye Jun has a good insight into people's hearts. He tries his best to take care of even the smallest details.
After getting on the carriage, Ye Jun quickly took off the jewelry on her head and went to sleep.
It’s still some distance to Lingxi Garden, so let’s sleep a little longer.
When we arrived at the place, it was indeed almost three hours later.
When we got off the carriage in the garden, it was not as hot as we had expected.
There are many trees and water in Lingxi Garden, so a slight breeze will make it particularly cool.
"We are finally here. You all got up early today, so go to your respective places and rest."
After he finished speaking, he waved his hand, and the servants from Lingxi Garden came forward to lead the way.
Ning Chen glanced at these women and his eyes suddenly fixed on one place.
"Why is Ming Jieyu's hair loose?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked over there.
Ye Jun was stunned for a moment, raised his hand and touched the back of his head, and sure enough, a layer of it had dispersed.
No wonder Huiyue was in a hurry to hold her back from getting off the car. It turned out that a short hairpin that secured her hair had fallen off.
But she didn't think it was a big deal, so she bowed and spoke calmly.
"I was sleepy on the way, and I may not have noticed that my hairpin had fallen off. My appearance is not in good shape, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
The girl had just woken up, her fair cheeks were stained with rouge, and there seemed to be some sleepiness in her eyes. The breeze blew past, lifting her loose black hair. Combined with her light green skirt, she looked like a lotus emerging from clear water.
Ning Chen looked a little dazed, then he lowered his eyes, calmed himself down, and waved for her to come forward.
"You have always loved to be lazy. Since you slept in the carriage today and the journey was so long, I think you have had enough sleep. Just accompany me to Jingqian Palace to review the memorials."
Ye Jun cursed in his heart, are you blind and you see me sleeping enough
But you still have to agree with a smile on your face.
Ning Chen didn't mind the big deal and took her away in front of everyone.
For a moment, all the concubines thought that Ming Jieyu was a complete vixen!
Arriving at Jingqian Palace, Ye Jun sat down on the soft couch by the window as if he had no bones, leaning sideways while hugging the pillow.
Seeing her lazy look, Ning Chen wanted to laugh. He waved his hand to dismiss the servants and went to sit next to her.
"Why are you so lazy? You haven't rested enough after sitting in the carriage for three hours?"
"Everyone says that traveling by boat and carriage is tiring, but the emperor says that riding in a carriage is a way to rest." The little woman snorted.
She let go of the pillow in her hand and turned over to lie on the man's lap.
"Your Majesty said he would review the memorials, so I will sit here and watch you review them, okay~"
The carriage was bumpy and it was impossible to sleep well. Ye Jun was almost dying of sleep.
So she spared no effort to act coquettishly and be good.
Ning Chen felt itchy again, and couldn't help but pinch the little woman's face, "I asked you to come here to serve the pens and ink, but you just want to be lazy."
"The emperor just said that he would accompany you to review memorials, but he didn't say that I should serve you with writing. How can a gentleman change his mind?"
Ye Jun sat up and looked at him with a pout, like an impatient cat.
Ning Chen couldn't help laughing when he saw this.
He pulled her into his arms and said, "Since you want to sleep, I will accompany you to rest first. After you have rested, you can accompany me to review memorials."
After he finished speaking, he carried the person into the inner room.
Ye Jun was very frightened, fearing that he would be peeled off during the day. Fortunately, Ning Chen himself had woken up early and felt sleepy, so he really caught up on some sleep.
At that time, the queen who stayed in the palace had just finished looking through the account books.
After resting for a while and drinking a cup of tea, he chatted with the servants.
"Now the emperor really likes Ye, and Jiaotang Garden is a good place, so he specifically asked her to live there. Although Yi Xiuyuan gave birth to the third prince, she seems to be inferior in terms of favor."
"This is better than when Concubine Wende monopolized the emperor's favor. Now she is no longer the same as before, and the others behind her are now equally favored." Nanny Ding said.
The Queen nodded, "Now the Emperor goes to Yi Xiuyuan and Ming Jieyu equally often, Fang Xiuyuan and Xia Meiren less often, and Zhang Cairen relies on the support of Concubine Shu, so she does go there once in a while. That's good, it's better than one of them being the only one in power, so let's keep them under pressure."
"But I think that although Ming Jieyu is favored, her position is still a little lower. Yi Xiuyuan has a son and is in a high position. If the emperor's favor is slightly biased, I am worried that she will be the next Wende Concubine." Madam Ding paused and continued, "What's more, the Wu family is now in need. Yi Xiuyuan's father and brother are both highly appreciated by the emperor. This is more feared than Wende Concubine."
The queen narrowed her eyes and her expression became a little colder.
"Mammy, what you mean is that I should give more support to the Ye family? But the Ye family has military power, and the Wu family is just a civil official. If Concubine Ming gave birth to a prince, the threat would be much greater than that of Yi Xiuyuan."
"Your Highness, there are already three princes in the palace. It's not like the previous emperor had few children. With more children, they are not so precious. What's more, no matter how many children they give birth to, Your Highness, you have given birth to a legitimate son, and no one can surpass you."
"Besides, what Your Majesty can think of may not be beyond the imagination of others. You don't need to take any action at that time. Who would be happy to see Concubine Wende and Yi Xiuyuan give birth to a son? Your Majesty can just let them fight and watch the show."
There was a hint of coldness in Nanny Ding's eyes as she respectfully poured the queen a cup of tea.
The Queen took a sip and let out a long sigh, "This year the Emperor will be spending the Mid-Autumn Festival in Lingxi Garden. I guess he will take me there too. We can talk about this then."
Although she was reluctant to praise these people, what Nanny Ding said made sense.
Yi Xiuyuan has a son, a position, and a family background, so she can't help but be wary of him.
However, the Queen's plans in the palace at this time could not affect Lingxi Garden.
Ning Chen and Ye Jun slept for an hour and were woken up by Yuan Jiu.
I thought that the emperor had said he would review the memorials, but he went to rest with Concubine Ming. It's true that beauty can mislead people.
But I only dare to think about it, and I won’t say it out loud unless I lose my brain.
"Your Majesty, it's time for lunch. The kitchen staff came to ask if we would like to serve some of the newly caught fish and shrimp." Yuan Jiu said.
Ning Chen rubbed his temples and said without thinking, "Let's make some spicy river shrimps. Ming Jieyu likes them, but I want to eat fish jerky."
"Yes, I'll ask the kitchen to arrange it right away." Yuan Jiu nodded.
When I got outside, I told him exactly what I had said.
Although Lingxi Garden also has cooks from the palace, there are also servants here. The person who came to question is from Lingxi Garden.
I know in my heart who the imperial concubine is. She is so favored that the emperor must remember her preferences.
After returning and asking around, I found out that it was Ye Wanrong who had visited the previous year.
For a moment, it seemed that it unintentionally made everyone in the kitchen nervous.
I know that this Ming Concubine must not be neglected.