Ning Chen was a little surprised and frowned slightly.
I couldn't see anything just now, how come I was suddenly at a disadvantage? Looking more carefully, it turned out that the few seeds that Ye Jun dropped seemingly at random were all used.
"I didn't know you were good at chess."
"There are many things Your Majesty doesn't know." Ye Jun raised his eyebrows, and a light rose in his eyes.
Somehow, Ning Chen saw a sense of heroism in this woman. Perhaps it was because she was born into a military family and was influenced by her.
But we have to admit that men are tired of Xiaoyi's gentleness and they like this woman's heroism.
After a confrontation, Ning Chen actually lost.
He couldn't help feeling unhappy, mainly because Ye Jun played gently in the first half of the game, but suddenly became fierce in the second half, forcing Ning Chen to retreat step by step, and the last piece decided the outcome.
"Your Majesty, I am humbled and humbled." Ye Jun knew from his expression that he was unhappy.
She waved her hand and asked Yuan Jiu to take the chessboard away. "Your Majesty, I am a little hungry. Can you ask someone to bring some snacks?"
As he spoke, he reached out, held Ning Chen's hand, and shook it gently twice.
Ning Chen froze when he felt the soft touch.
He always held the hands of his concubines when he was acting, and no one dared to hold his hand.
Besides, Ye Jun's hands were beautiful and he liked them. When the little concubine took the initiative and acted like a spoiled child, most of his anger dissipated.
"Why are you always hungry? I don't see anyone eating more than you."
Ning Chen expressed disdain in his voice, but still ordered Yuan Jiu to go down and make arrangements. He even took the initiative to hold the soft hand and started playing with it.
"I need to grow up, Your Majesty, please don't despise me." Ye Jun hummed.
She tapped Ning Chen's palm with her fingers in dissatisfaction, which made Ning Chen feel itchy.
But speaking of growth, Ning Chen looked at the woman in front of him, and it seemed that some parts of her body had become a little fuller.
Feeling Ning Chen's gaze, Ye Jun lowered her eyes slightly, her cheeks flushed instantly, and she glared at him with shame and anger in her eyes.
"Hehe, eat if you want to. Just ask the servants to prepare it." Ning Chen also turned his head, with a little embarrassment on his face.
Soon, four plates were brought in from the kitchen, including lotus cakes, almond cheese, water chestnut cakes, and red bean cakes.
Ye Jun was not lying. She didn't eat much for breakfast, but now she was really hungry, so she ate a lot.
"Your Majesty, please accompany me for a walk. I heard that the albizzia trees in the garden are in full bloom."
If you eat too much, you have to digest the food. Besides, it would be boring for the two of us to just sit there like this.
Ning Chen naturally agreed, and since he had nothing else to do, the two of them set off.
Because I suddenly thought of going out for a walk, I didn't clear the area deliberately, so I met Concubine Wen in the garden.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you." Concubine Wen was sitting in the pavilion. When she saw the imperial carriage, she immediately came out to pay her respects. Ye Jun also saluted her in return.
"No need to be polite." Ning Chen helped her up, "My beloved, why are you out? You are pregnant now, you should be more careful."
Concubine Wen smiled, her hand covering her belly, her face full of tenderness, "This is my first time in Lingxi Garden, so I can't help but want to look around. The servants are following, so it will be fine."
Turning his head, he looked at Ye Jun again, "I guess this must be Lady Ye. She is indeed a beauty. No wonder the emperor likes her."
"Your Majesty, you are too kind. You are the one with a beautiful appearance. I can never learn such a gentle and graceful aura." Ye Jun bowed.
Concubine Wen smiled, "Hundreds of flowers bloom, each one is different, why should you imitate me? My sister is so bright and lively, which is also very good."
The two of them praised each other for a few words and then said no more. The three of them went into the pavilion and sat down together.
Ye Jun is smart and good at speaking, and Concubine Wen is also smart. Although it was the first time they met, they got along well and there was no awkward silence.
Not long after, another person came into the garden. It was the newly promoted Mincai.
When seeing the emperor, he had no choice but to bow and naturally went to the pavilion.
After entering the pavilion, there was another round of greetings.
After everyone was seated, Ning Chen spoke, "Why are you here?"
This was a very impolite question, which made Min Cai feel a little embarrassed, but she also felt wronged and bitter in her heart, because she really didn't come here on purpose.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager loves the albizzia tree. I was going to pick a few pretty ones and send them to you. I didn't mean to disturb Your Majesty's peace. Please forgive me."
After all, she was his cousin, and her attitude was so cautious. Thinking that Chen herself hadn't done anything, Ning Chen couldn't help but feel a little soft-hearted.
"It's rare that you have such filial piety. Just sit outside and let the sun bask in the sun. I'll ask my servants to pick some good ones."
"Then I would like to thank the emperor." Min Cairen hurriedly stood up and bowed, her tone full of undisguised joy.
It seems that her cousin still treats her differently. I guess it's because she's been quiet and obedient during these times that she's managed to save some of her relationship.
"I see these new sisters entering the palace like newly blooming flowers, each one is pretty and charming. Now I have to admit that I am getting old." Concubine Wen took a sip of tea and sighed softly.
"Your Majesty, you are really too worried. You still look as beautiful as a goddess." Ye Jun said with a smile.
Min Cairen nodded quickly and said, "Yes, the queen is only a few years older than us, she still looks young."
As soon as these words came out, Ye Jun instantly felt that his cousin might be mentally ill.
Seeing that everyone's eyes were not right, Min Cairen also reacted and hurried to make amends, "Your Majesty is a beauty of national beauty, and we are just fireflies, how can we compare with the brilliant moon."
"I don't deserve Min Cairen's words. The queen is the most beautiful one, and so is Huiyue."
Having been a favorite concubine for so many years, Concubine Wen is not completely without temper, and her expression became a little pale at this moment.
Ning Chen frowned, regretting that he had kept this person here. "Ms. Chen, if you can't talk, then just say less."
"Yes." Min Cairen felt very aggrieved, but he didn't dare to argue any more and could only lower his head.
Seeing the awkward atmosphere in the pavilion, Ye Jun began to smooth things over.
"The albizzia trees in this garden are in full bloom. It's almost the end of August now. In September, we can enjoy the chrysanthemums and eat crabs. Chrysanthemum crabs are the most delicious."
"Why do you think about eating chrysanthemums every day? Chrysanthemums are noble and pure. If those literati and scholars heard about it, they would probably be angry." Ning Chen was speechless.
If he had not personally instructed the kitchen to take care of her, people would have thought that Ye Jun was hungry every day in the palace.
"The golden stamens are scattered, but they still smell fragrant even though they are dry. Chrysanthemum is the most noble. Scholars have always said that a gentleman should stay away from the kitchen. I guess they really can't stand what Sister Ye said." Min Cairen spoke again.
Ye Jun raised his eyebrows and immediately looked unfriendly. "I was born in a family of military commanders. I only know how to wield swords and guns. I am not good at playing the piano, chess, calligraphy or painting. I can't appreciate the things that scholars love. I only know how to eat, drink and have fun. But I also wonder if all the gentlemen far away from the kitchen have starved to death."