The next day was a beautiful spring day.
The emperor took his ministers and concubines to the river to fish. The men rode horses and the women rode in carriages.
Only the Fourth Prince, Qinggertai, did not come, saying that he had some private matters and could not accompany the emperor.
Besides that, even were present.
However, when fishing, noise is taboo, so the guards stood far away, for fear of disturbing the interest of the nobles.
"I haven't been fishing for a long time. I still remember when I first entered the palace, the emperor went out for an outing in the suburbs and went fishing once. It was also a nice day like today."
It was rare for Concubine Lin to speak actively, with a faint smile on her face.
Concubine Jing's eyes moved and she smiled, "Yes, now that I think about it, it has been many years. In the past, there were turtles raised in the lake in the palace, and the emperor even fished for fun."
The two talked about old times, which made Ning Chen in a good mood.
"I haven't fished for a long time. I wonder if I can catch a few fish today."
"Your Majesty will certainly return with a great return, but I don't like this. I just want to be lazy, bask in the sun, and enjoy the scenery. Please allow me to walk around by myself." Concubine Lin said gently.
This is not a lie, she really doesn't like these.
Ning Chen nodded, "Go ahead, but don't go too far. Just ask a few guards to follow you."
Concubine Lin responded and left in a proper manner.
"Sister Lin rarely smiles like this. I guess she came out to relax and feels relieved." Concubine Jing said softly.
"It's been many years, don't feel too bad, we can have children again." Ning Chen narrowed his eyes and waved his hand at the end, "Come, sit with me and fish today."
Concubine Jing smiled and said, "I am a clumsy person and have almost forgotten how to fish. It seems that Concubine Ming is very good at it. Why don't we ask her to accompany His Majesty?"
She naturally didn't want to say this, but in order to make the emperor happy, she had to say it.
What's the point of saying that there will be children? It's just something she hears. Concubine Jing knows in her heart that there is only some old friendship between her and the emperor now. She has only been accompanying him on the way and has not really slept with him.
After hearing what Concubine Jing said, Ning Chen looked up and saw Ye Jun directing the young eunuch to prepare the fishing rod and bait for her, looking very skilled.
"Go and call Ming Jieyu over."
"Hey, I'll go right away." Yuan Jiu responded with a smile and went to pass on the message.
Soon, Ye Jun came over, with Nan Zhi holding a fishing rod for her and a little eunuch carrying a bucket.
"I pay my respects to His Majesty and to Concubine Jing." Ye Jun saluted.
Ning Chen waved his hand, "No need to be polite, I see you know how to fish?"
"Your Majesty, when I was still in my boudoir, I often fished for fun in the mansion. I can't say I'm an expert, I just did it for fun." Ye Jun said truthfully.
"Well, then sit next to me." Ning Chen curled his lips and chuckled.
Concubine Jing tactfully stepped back.
On the other side, Yao Xiang looked at the other side calmly, as if he was looking for something, but the grass and trees were so dense that he could not see anything.
She turned to look at the emperor again, and it was a long time before she looked away.
The place where she sat was too far away from the emperor.
"Don't look at it anymore. The emperor won't ask you to accompany him even if you look at him again." Li Wanrong said sarcastically.
Yao Xiang glanced at her coldly, "Does Li Wanrong know what I am thinking? Don't always think that everyone is as wishful as Wanrong."
"How dare you!" Li Wanrong glared at her.
"Your Majesty is here, I dare not be bold. But if Wanrong wants to make trouble, I am not afraid." Yao Xiang said lightly.
Li Wanrong immediately turned off her anger and snorted, "You are so sharp-tongued today, don't regret it later!"
Yao Xiang was too lazy to argue with her and turned away.
She was also a little upset at the moment. In her previous life, it was she who sat next to Ning Chen, but unlike this life, there were several people between them.
But no matter what, she had no way of rushing to the emperor now, so she could only sit down quietly.
When everything was ready, the guards withdrew and everyone separated and sat in a row by the river to fish.
Ye Jun was really interested and wanted to lift up his sleeves.
Although the dress is beautiful at this time, it is really inconvenient to work.
But it was not completely impossible. Nan Zhi was smart and found two thin ribbons to tie up her sleeves, which made things much easier.
"You look very confident, but make sure you don't fail to catch any fish." Ning Chen smiled at her.
Ye Jun snorted twice, "Your Majesty, please don't laugh at me. If I don't catch you, I will steal yours!"
"Tsk, I can't say anything about you, you're so domineering." Ning Chen raised his eyebrows.
It's quite interesting to have a few pleasantries with the little concubine.
As for fishing, it is true that not everyone likes it. It may also be because there are not many fish in this river. After an incense stick of time passed, no one's rod moved.
The spring sun is warm, and people who are exposed to it directly feel sleepy.
"Your Majesty, I really can't do this. I'm afraid I'll fall asleep if I sit any longer. Please allow me to go ride horses, hunt a few foxes, and use their skins to make you a scarf or cloak."
Erdun was the first one who couldn't sit still and rubbed his hands embarrassedly.
With him taking the lead, several of the others looked over.
"It's okay. Everyone has their own preferences. If you are not interested, just do other things and be careful. I would like to sit for a while longer." Ning Chen smiled and waved his hand.
He is not a bossy person and will not stop her.
Sure enough, after he said this, many people left, mostly young men and women from the grassland.
Yao Xiang sat there in depression, his palms sweating. He glanced up at the sky, trying to calculate the approximate time.
After all, the events of her past life happened too long ago, and she could only remember the important moments but not all the details.
But she had a vague feeling in her heart that it would be soon.
So he whispered a few words to Zizhu beside him, and the latter understood and went to the carriage.
Not long after, he took out a fan, but accidentally bumped into a guard, and the fan fell. The two of them hurriedly squatted down to pick it up.
All of this was insignificant and was just a small accident.
After Zizhu came back, Yao Xiang sat for about two cups of tea, then got up and went to where Ning Chen was sitting.
Because many people had left, there were fewer people guarding Ning Chen, and the guards were standing far away. She thought it was time.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you, Concubine Ming." Yao Xiang bowed.
"What's the matter?" Ning Chen looked at the river in front of him without turning around.
Yao Xiang lowered her eyes, making it impossible to tell her emotions, and her tone was very gentle.
"Your Majesty, I feel a little unwell and would like to go back to rest. Please allow me to do so. Please forgive me."
As if waiting for something, he paused and then continued.
"I found the sunlight very dazzling, so I brought a fan to help Concubine Ming to block the sun. Please accept it."
"You are thoughtful." At this moment, Ning Chen finally put down the pole and turned around.
Since Ye Jun was named, it was natural for him not to turn around and take a look.
At this moment, three crossbow arrows suddenly shot out from the dense bushes on the opposite bank. Ning Chen and Ye Jun had their backs to the arrows and did not notice them for a while.
"Your Majesty, be careful!" Yao Xiang's eyes suddenly widened, not knowing whether he was frightened or excited.
With a loud shout, he quickly rushed forward and used his body to block the familiar arrow for Ning Chen.
She finally waited for it.