The Enchanting Imperial Concubine (Book 1)

Chapter 200 - Emotional Knot

"Jieyu, the Emperor has arrived."

Luzhi pulled aside the curtain and entered to convey the message. Inside, Ye Yun was speaking with Huiyue and Nanzhi.

"Didn't he go to Chuxiu Palace? Why is he here again?" Ye Yun asked, puzzled.

Huiyue helped her up, adjusted her skirt, and prepared to go outside.

Luzhi hurriedly followed, adding, "I noticed the Emperor doesn't seem to be in a good mood."

Ye Yun paused for a moment, frowning slightly. "Alright, I understand."

As she walked out, she felt quite annoyed.

Did he think of her place as a stress-relief center? He came whenever he was unhappy.

It would be fine if she could cheer him up, but what if things went awry? Who would take responsibility then?

"Greetings to the Emperor."

Upon exiting, she saw a tall figure in dark robes and quickly bowed.

A long, bony hand reached out toward her.

"There's no need for courtesy. You should wear darker clothing less often."

Ye Yun helped him up and smiled, "Your Majesty always says I have too lively a personality, so I wore darker colors to appear more dignified."

"You have charming brows and eyes; in fact, brighter colors suit you better," Ning Chen replied.

Ye Yun took his hand and led him into the room.

"Is today's outfit not good-looking?"

"It's fine." Hearing the girl's slightly pouting tone, Ning Chen felt a bit lighter in mood. "I brought back some shimmering brocade from my southern tour. There are a few pieces in nice colors; I'll have someone send them to you later."

"Then I must thank Your Majesty. I'll just focus on being beautiful while relying on Your Majesty for food and clothing."

Ye Yun raised her delicate brows, lightly tapping Ning Chen's chest with her jade-like hand.

Her playful demeanor managed to make him smile.

After sitting down, Huiyue came over to change the tea.

"No need to change; I want to try what Jieyu usually drinks," Ning Chen waved his hand.

He had tried plum blossom tea at Yuxiu Pavilion before and found it quite refreshing, but today he wanted to taste something different.

He lifted the teacup and took a sip, savoring it carefully, and found it quite pleasant.

"This tea tastes like white tea; it's quite good, but I'm not sure what variety it is," Ning Chen remarked.

Ye Yun smiled, "Your Majesty has a keen palate; this is indeed white tea called Baihao Yinzhen. It was given to my uncle by a business friend of his. Since my uncle found it good, he sent some into the palace for me. Princess Jiahe visited not long ago and liked it as well."

"I've heard of this tea, but I haven't tried it. In Jiuchen Palace, we mostly have Wuyi Rougui and Longjing."

Ning Chen took another sip before setting the teacup down.

"Are you quite familiar with Jiahe?"

"Not really; we just hit it off when she spoke with me. She visited Yuxiu Pavilion once," Ye Yun replied.

It wasn't unusual for a princess to befriend a concubine, so there was no need to hide it.

"She has a reserved nature and seldom initiates social interactions. If she came here, she must truly like you," Ning Chen observed. He understood his sister Ning Lin's personality—she was clear-hearted and intelligent. If she was willing to befriend Ye Yun, it likely meant that Ye Yun's character was similar.