Seeing Ye Jun's expression change and remembering what she had just said, Zhou became nervous.
"It was my fault for making you think of sad things. Please forgive me."
"You are too reserved. I was just saying it casually. The dead are gone. I should live a good life. Don't worry." Ye Jun smiled.
He quickly adjusted his state and started chatting with Zhou about other things.
Zhou Baolin breathed a sigh of relief, and his stiff back softened a little.
The two of them didn't hang out outside for long, they mainly rode horses to stretch their legs.
They were all delicate girls, so they didn't dare to stay awake for too long and went back in less than an hour.
"Did you have enough fun? I am old and can't do these things. I just walked around and felt tired."
Seeing the two people coming back, Concubine Jing smiled and waved, asking someone to bring them drinks.
"Your Highness is a quiet person, she just doesn't like this. I have always been restless, so please don't laugh at me for being a monkey."
Ye Jun was helped by the maid to wash his hands, and then he sat down to drink tea.
Today we also serve butter tea, which tastes good.
"Why don't I see Concubine Fang?" Concubine Jing asked casually.
Ye Jun took a sip of tea before replying, "Ms. Fang did not leave with me, but she has guards with her, so I think she will be fine."
Lady Yi snorted, "With Lady Ming's temper, few people dare to get close to her. Zhou Baolin, you better keep your eyes open, or you'll regret it someday."
Zhou Baolin was a little nervous when his name was called, but seeing that Ye Jun had no intention of speaking, he pinched his handkerchief and opened his mouth.
"Whether a person's temper is good or bad depends on who he is with. I find Lady Ming kind and amiable."
"Yes, I am the kind of person who always treats people I don't like a little bit worse than them. Miss Yi should also know this." Ye Jun chuckled at this time and continued the conversation.
This was also a test for Zhou. If she doesn't even have the ability to fight back, then she shouldn't be involved.
When you try to win over someone, you can't just bring in a useless person.
"Hmph, stop being so sharp-tongued here, as if I like you so much." Lady Yi glared at her.
Ye Jun sneered, "That's good, don't let others think that I'm the only bad one."
The two favored people were bickering, and everyone else just acted as a background and said nothing.
Li Wanrong was eager to try, but when she thought of the slap she received last time, she gave up.
As for Concubine Jing, she doesn't care, as long as she doesn't go too far. After all, she is just a concubine, and it is the Queen's job to discipline concubines.
About two incense sticks later, Yao Xiang came back.
Naturally, Concubine Jing also asked a few questions, but she just said shyly that she was fascinated by the scenery and walked away a little.
Anyway, it looks nothing unusual.
Everyone just thought she was going to show off her reputation in front of the emperor.
At noon, we finally heard the sound of horse hooves in the distance.
Led by Ning Chen, they returned with the four princes and a group of young men.
Aoqi was indeed very powerful. He hunted down an antelope and took the lead.
The others were also good. Ning Chen was indeed not as good as the Zasak people in horse riding and archery, and he was not aggressive, but he did kill quite a few rabbits.
Now is the season when rabbits shed their fur. Their fur is not very nice-looking, so there is no chance to use it to make leather, but it is good to eat meat.
“Aren’t you clamoring to eat rabbits? Ask someone to roast them for you.” Ning Chen waved his hand, looking very handsome.
"Your Majesty, did you catch these rabbits specifically for me, or do you have them for everyone?"
Ye Jun said deliberately, her eyebrows slightly raised, cunning hidden in her eyes, quite cute.
This was happening in front of everyone, Ye Jun was being coquettish and seeking favor. She was thick-skinned, and Ning Chen actually blushed a little.
But this is also a kind of fun, and Ning Chen doesn't mind cooperating.
"Even if you are the most clever, I'll give it all to you. Can you eat it?"
"Then I can lend you some flowers to offer to you. The emperor gave me the rabbit, and I would like to invite everyone to eat it together." Ye Jun blinked.
"Hahahaha, since it's Miss Ming who's treating us, then we're in for a treat today!"
The third prince Zhuo Ligetu smiled, which was considered a timely compliment to Ye Jun.
Ye Jun also smiled back, thinking that she must be a favorite concubine in the eyes of the Zasak people.
Anyway, she has always been conspicuous since she came here.
But it doesn’t matter, she just wants to be a favorite concubine.
As expected, rabbit meat was served at the lunch banquet, and it tasted very good.
There was also some other meat, which was roasted a little.
Ning Chen still took others into consideration. For example, Concubine Yi got a piece of venison cut by the emperor himself, Concubine Jing got a pot of wine, and Yang Baolin was finally remembered, and her drink was specially replaced with butter tea.
Anyway, it’s Ning. The master of keeping things balanced. Chen.
We did not go out hunting in the afternoon. Instead, we arranged some special singing and dancing programs and some small games.
For example, the Zasak people perform wrestling, horse racing, and equestrianism, as well as throwing pots and arm wrestling.
This is also implicitly a contest between the Central Plains and the Zasak.
Naturally, there were quite a few capable people among the people Ning Chen brought with him. After several competitions, he finally had the upper hand.
Even Ye Zhe and Lu Qingyun came out and won.
The Zasak people don’t mind losing, but if they can always defeat the people from the Central Plains, they will doubt whether the monarch is still worthy of their trust and loyalty.
Ye Jun was watching with great interest, but he always felt that something was missing.
Sure enough, just when everyone was getting excited, Dolan stood up.
"Your Majesty, today my brother got your precious bow. I'm so envious. I can't compete with him in these physical activities, but I'm good at archery. Why don't we have an archery competition? Shoot ten arrows in a row. Whoever hits the bull's eye more will win. Your Majesty can add a prize. How about that?"
Ning Chen looked at her and smiled. "Whatever the princess wants, you might as well ask Prince Aoqi to compete on her behalf. Otherwise, the guards around me will not be able to bully a little girl like you."
Dolan raised his chin, his eyes sparkling.
"Your Majesty, please do not underestimate me. My archery skills have surpassed many men on the grassland!"
This made Ning Chen feel a little troubled. Since Dolan dared to say this in front of him, he must be an excellent archer. At this time, sending a man to compete would seem like bullying if he won, but it would be embarrassing if he lost. A draw would be the most appropriate outcome.
Just as he winked at Lu Qingyun and was about to speak, he suddenly heard Ao Qi's voice.
"Don't mess around. If you're itching to do it, why don't you perform for the emperor? It can also be considered a bet. If all ten arrows hit the bull's eye, then Duolan will win, and the emperor will reward her with something. What do you think?"
The brother and sister sang the same tune and made the matter settled. Dolan was bound to take part in the limelight today.
But this was obviously a bit too hasty. Perhaps it was because Sudiya was too stunning yesterday that made them feel a little uneasy, so they took this action, hoping to get back at the score.
Although Ning Chen felt uncomfortable, he still nodded in agreement.
"I have learned archery in the past. Why don't I play a game with you? I am not very good at it. If I lose, please don't laugh at me."
Suddenly, a female voice was heard, and everyone's eyes immediately focused on it.