First we arrived outside Prince Ping’s mansion.
Prince Ping and his wife, Lady Fang, were waiting outside to greet them.
They didn't get off the bus here and went straight to the theater.
Inside the carriage, Ye Jun and Ning Chen sat side by side, and they really wanted to lift the curtain to see outside.
This was of course against the rules, but listening to the lively hawking outside, she really felt itchy.
So while Ning Chen was resting his eyes, he lifted a corner of the curtain and glanced outside.
I happened to pass by a stall selling sugar paintings, and the sparkling sugar paintings were so tempting.
"What are you looking at?"
Ning Chen's voice came from behind.
Ye Jun took back her hand and pursed her lips. "I remember that when I was in the boudoir, I loved to eat the braised beef in the east of the city and the Fu Ji osmanthus cake. The candied fruits next to the Ruyu Bookstore are also delicious. I haven't eaten them for a long time, and I miss them a lot."
"Just ask the imperial chef to cook whatever you want. Why are you still thinking about these street food?" Ning Chen said.
"The taste is different." Ye Jun lowered his eyes, "After all, it's not from the same place, and it's not made by one person."
Seeing that she seemed to be in a low mood, Ning Chen said, "Since you like it, just ask the servants to buy some later. Buy more and you can take it back to eat."
"Okay, thank you, Your Majesty." Ye Jun smiled with curved eyebrows.
Ning Chen looked at her like a child, feeling helpless and amused. He squeezed her hand and said nothing more.
Because the emperor is coming today, the theater has been cleared.
No outsiders are allowed in. Only officials and their families are allowed in. After all, the emperor’s safety is very important.
It could be dangerous if there were too many people, but there would be no atmosphere if there were too few people, so we could only select and let in some spectators.
King Ping made very thorough arrangements. When he got off the carriage at the destination, he prepared a sedan chair and carried it all the way to the theater.
This garden is unique. You can watch a play on the lake. You can get on a pleasure boat from the shore and slide to the center of the lake. The stage is built facing the lake, which is really unique.
Naturally, the group boarded the most luxurious painting boat.
Only after entering did they greet each other.
"Your Majesty, Empress Shunyi, please take a seat. I have asked someone to prepare some refreshments, which will be served right away." Prince Ping said respectfully.
Ning Chen waved his hand, "Second brother and second sister-in-law, you don't have to be polite. Since you are here to watch the show and have fun, it will be meaningless to be restrained. Please sit down."
Even though they said so, King Ping and his wife still followed the rules.
Ye Jun really had no scruples. She was often unruly in the palace anyway, so she was naturally even more casual when she was outside.
For example, I sat down and started looking out at the other boats on the lake.
In the night, besides the stage which was particularly brightly lit by candlelight, there were also the large and small boats on the lake.
Lanterns of various colors are connected together, which is really lively.
At this time, the servants brought tea and snacks, but Ye Jun was so fascinated by what was happening that he didn't notice.
"We have your favorite lotus cakes. Come and try the craftsmanship outside the palace." Ning Chen said in a gentle voice.
Ye Jun's thoughts were pulled back and he glanced at the pastries on the table.
"I don't want to eat lotus cake today, but this crystal cake looks good."
After saying this, he picked up a piece and tasted it.
I immediately felt my taste buds were captured. "It tastes cool and sweet but not greasy. This is probably because of the mint dew. Your Majesty, try it too."
After he finished speaking, he skillfully put a piece of meat on the plate in front of Ning Chen.
Prince Ping and his wife, who were sitting opposite, were both very surprised.
I know Ming Shunyi is favored now, but I never thought she could be so casual in front of the emperor. How favored is she
But what happened next surprised them even more.
Ning Chen took one bite and stopped eating. "I don't like this. I still can't get used to it."
This snack was served by Princess Ping. His expression changed immediately and he hurriedly asked the people to take it away.
"No need to withdraw. Ming Shunyi likes it. Bring it to her." Ning Chen waved his hand and said at last, "Change her tea to Longjing. She can't get used to the taste of Wuyi cinnamon."
King Ping was stunned and quickly ordered someone to change it.
"I don't know your Majesty's preferences, so I have arranged everything according to your Majesty's preferences. If there is anything inappropriate, please forgive me, Majesty Shunyi." Fang smiled apologetically.
Ye Jun curled her lips gently, "It's okay, of course the emperor should be the most important. Thank you, Your Majesty and Princess for your careful arrangements."
King Ping and his wife just smiled and didn't say anything.
I thought they put the emperor first, but it seems that the emperor puts Ming Shunyi first.
While they were talking, the show began on the stage.
An actress dressed as a girl from the boudoir walked onto the stage in small steps. She was wearing an intricate and gorgeous scarlet dress. Her waist was flexible and her every move was full of charm.
If we hadn't known that it was a man in disguise, I'm afraid I wouldn't know how many people would have been charmed by him.
That figure and grace were so graceful that even a woman like Ye Jun would feel ashamed of herself.
It’s a pity that Ye Jun was never used to opera, and after admiring the beauty for a while he lost interest.
So I turned my eyes to the various snacks in front of me.
While others were watching the show, she was eating.
There's no rush, just eat it slowly, bit by bit, as if killing time.
Prince Ping and his wife were talking to Ning Chen while she just ate quietly on the side.
At first, Ning Chen couldn't help but glance at her out of the corner of his eye, but later he felt itchy and began to try to feed her.
One eats and the other feeds, so harmonious.
Prince Ping didn't know whether he was inviting the emperor to watch a play or Ming Shunyi to have dinner.
But as long as everything goes well.
After about an hour, the play on stage finally ended.
After Zhou Xuantong left the stage, there was nothing special about the performances of the other actors.
It was already dark, and it was not a good time to sit down any longer. Ning Chen saw that Ye Jun was full, so he told him to go back.
After getting on the carriage, Ye Jun lay on Ning Chen's legs like a boneless person.
"Why, are you sleepy?" Ning Chen whispered.
The woman on his knees responded vaguely.
Ning Chen had a helpless smile in his eyes. He raised his hand and touched the woman's back. "I just ate so much and I feel sleepy as soon as I get on the carriage. Do you want to sleep after eating?"
"Your Majesty, you are making fun of me." Ye Jun snorted, but still lay there without moving, and continued, "I still want to eat braised beef, osmanthus cake, and candied plums."
"Okay, okay, I've asked the servants to buy them all. You're so pampered that even I can't tell you off. What would happen if you went to an ordinary family?" Ning Chen teased.
Ye Jun just stood up and glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. The next second he put his hand around Ning Chen's neck and leaned close to him, whispering.
"So I didn't go to the ordinary family, but came to the emperor's place. I am a pampered concubine, and the emperor must take care of me."
As he was speaking, he felt a tightening around his waist; someone was hugging him.
"It's true that only women and villains are difficult to raise." Ning Chen half-narrowed his eyes.
He leaned back, and the person in his arms fell on his chest.
The unique fragrance of the person in your arms makes your heart warm.
"It's difficult to raise her, but she has to be raised anyway. There's no way the emperor will regret it."
Ye Jun raised his eyebrows slightly, looked up and bit Ning Chen's Adam's apple lightly.
This was even more unacceptable. On the way back, the carriage drove directly to Jiaotang Garden.
The servants all lowered their heads, pretending not to notice that the pretty lady's clothes were in disarray, and that she had the young emperor wrap her in his outer robe and carry her into the house.