"Isn't it hot in July? It's morning now. Why didn't the emperor bring an umbrella when he came? It's already hot at this hour."
As Ye Jun spoke, he took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Yuan Jiu, who was following behind, lowered his head and said, "It was my negligence. I thought there were many shade trees in the garden, so I didn't bring an umbrella."
"Okay, don't blame him. I'm a man, and it's not raining, so why should I go out with an umbrella?" Ning Chen said.
After entering the room and sitting down, he saw a cup of tea on the table and drank it directly.
"Your Majesty..."
Before Ye Jun could stop him, a cup of tea went into his stomach.
"What's wrong?" Ning Chen put down the teacup and asked puzzledly.
Looking at the empty cup, Ye Jun was speechless.
"That is my cup. I have already taken a sip."
After hearing this, Ning Chen lowered his head to look at the cup in his hand, and indeed there were faint marks of lip balm on the other side.
But he didn't show any disgust. Instead, he filled his glass again and took a sip as if nothing had happened.
"It's okay, I drink it very well."
Well, as long as the sponsor doesn't mind, that's fine.
Ning Chen put down the teacup and opened his palm towards her. Ye Jun raised her eyebrows slightly and put her hand on it.
So he was led to sit down.
"I have one more thing to tell you today."
"What is it?"
"The Queen came to me yesterday and said that she has been unwell for the past two days, and the eldest prince has also caught a slight cold and needs to be taken care of. It happens that the Mid-Autumn Festival is less than a month away, and a banquet needs to be arranged. The Queen is also busy with the harem affairs and is somewhat unable to spare time. So she came to discuss with me and asked Concubine Shu and Concubine De to take care of some of the harem affairs for her, and you and Concubine Hui will help with the arrangements for the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet."
"don't want."
When Ye Jun heard this, he decisively refused.
Her quick answer made Ning Chen stunned for a moment.
So Ye Jun added, "I was used to being lazy when I was in the boudoir, and I didn't learn housekeeping well. Now that I've been in the palace for so many years, I've forgotten everything. The royal family and relatives are all going to come to the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. If something goes wrong, it will be a disgrace to the emperor. I dare not take on this important task."
The Queen suddenly asked her to take charge of the affairs, and she felt that she had some bad intentions.
What's more, she doesn't want to worry about anything, it's so tiring.
Isn't it nice to be a parasite
But if it were in the past, Ning Chen would have agreed to her request, but now, firstly, Ning Chen knew that she was just trying to be lazy, and secondly, she had other thoughts in mind, so he slowed down and whispered.
"I know you are smart, and I also know you just don't want to bother, but now that you have given birth to Jing'er, and you will have a higher position in the future, you can't just hide like this, there will always be a time to take responsibility."
Moreover, he didn't want others to say that Ye Jun only knew how to flirt and win favor, and had no other abilities.
He hopes that the woman he favors is worthy of his favor, wise and capable, and can be a good wife and helper.
Ye Jun looked up and met Ning Chen's eyes.
At this moment, even if the other party didn't say the rest of the words, she understood it all.
Indeed, if one wants to have a more secure position in the harem, it is not only necessary to have the emperor's favor, but also necessary to gain the admiration of the people.
You can't be a vase all your life.
What's more, if she wants to move up in the world, it is impossible not to be involved in power, especially since she has given birth to a son.
If Jing'er wants that position in the future, there's no way she wouldn't help.
After a moment's thought, he finally nodded.
But she added, "This is my first time as a director, so I am mostly assisting and dare not make the decision. It is better for the Queen to make the final decision."
You must always be on guard against others.
Ning Chen nodded, "These are just minor details, you can handle them as you see fit. By the way, I have something else for you."
After he finished speaking, he waved to Yuan Jiu.
The latter then took a wooden box from the young eunuch who was following him.
Ye Jun was curious, "What is this?"
"Open it and take a look yourself. It's something from the Western Regions. I thought you might like it." Ning Chen raised the corners of his lips slightly.
Yuan Jiu handed the box forward and let Ye Jun open it.
Two palm-sized bottles were neatly placed inside.
A hollow pumpkin-shaped shell was made of gold and silver respectively, and was inlaid with tiny gems and agates of various colors. The bottle in the middle was made of white jade, and the outer wall was lightly carved with intricate patterns, which was extremely exquisite.
Just looking at this bottle you can tell that the thing is very valuable.
Ye Jun first took out the bottle with a gold shell, opened the cork, and then smelled a fragrance.
It is rich and lingering but not overly sweet, like an alluring and charming flower.
When I looked inside, I saw that it was liquid.
Is it perfume
But I also feel that this shouldn't be the case, as it's not easy to refine this with today's technology.
Ning Chen saw that she was interested, so he said, "This Western Regions person is called Xianglu, and it is only used by women in the Western Regions royal family. It is very rare. There are five bottles in this tribute. I picked two bottles for you, and the remaining one bottle will be sent to the Queen Mother, and the remaining two bottles will be sent to the Queen."
After hearing this, Ye Jun picked up another bottle and smelled it. It was fresh and elegant, exactly the opposite of the first bottle.
"This is a rare item. We in Nanqi only have incense powder and incense made from spices, but they are not as convenient to use as this."
Although the flavor is not as layered as in later generations, and the duration is not long enough, it is very good to be able to make it.
So Ye Jun immediately poured out a little and rubbed it on his wrists and neck.
Ning Chen was surprised to see that she used it very skillfully.
"Have you used this before?"
"No, I just heard how to use it." Ye Jun blinked, "Maybe I used it wrong? Your Majesty, please don't laugh."
"I don't know. You can use it however you want."
As he said this, he moved closer to her and sniffed her.
"It is indeed much more fragrant than perfumed powder."
Ye Jun glanced at him proudly and said deliberately, "The emperor must have assigned me some work to do, so he used good things to coax me."
This means that she was asked to help organize the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet just now.
Looking at her little appearance, Ning Chen's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly.
He stretched out his hand and pulled the person closer to his arms, "You can't use these things to coax people, I have to do it myself."
Even Ye Jun blushed at the deliberate teasing.
She pushed him away in shame and anger, and glared at him, "Your Majesty is so dishonest. I'm going to take care of Jing'er and won't talk to you anymore."
Ning Chen saw her stand up and didn't say anything else.
She just followed behind with a faint smile on her face to see the child.
Regardless of anything else, this trip has confirmed that Ye Jun will participate in the organization of the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.
Ning Chen is already planning. If the Mid-Autumn Festival is well organized, he will ask Ye Jun to assist in the Double Ninth Festival. By the end of the year, he will be considered to have made contributions and will be promoted.
If he likes a woman, he is willing to help her walk up step by step.
Although he had no intention of changing the Empress's wife, he always wanted her to have the most and the best within the permitted scope.