The Enchanting Imperial Concubine (Book 2)

Chapter 237 - Unable to Protect

Ning Chen arrived about half an hour before dinner.

Ye Yun heard the announcement and was pleasantly surprised.

She straightened her clothes and went out to greet him.

"Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Get up. Today is your birthday. I've been busy all day, so I'm only coming in the evening. I brought you some little trinkets; see if you like them."

Ning Chen helped her up and, holding her hand, pointed to a few small eunuchs behind him who were carrying boxes.

The first two boxes contained nothing extraordinary—just a few pieces of fine fabric and some jewelry.

When the last box was opened, Ye Yun's interest was piqued.

"Is this a night pearl?"

She walked over to take a closer look, and indeed it was.

However, they were all small, about the size of soybeans, contained in a small box.

"Yeah, these were tribute from the west. The larger ones were given to the Empress Dowager and the Empress. This box contains the smaller ones. The person said they'd look nice strung together as jewelry, sparkling at night, very beautiful," Ning Chen said.

Seeing that she liked it, a smile unconsciously appeared on Ning Chen's face.

Ye Yun felt in a good mood and thanked him before leading him into the room.

As soon as they entered, Ning Chen noticed a few books on the table—travelogues and accounts of strange happenings.

"You read these in your spare time?"

"Otherwise, do you think I only read military and historical texts, Your Majesty?"

The question came unexpectedly, and Ye Yun replied without thinking, leaving Ning Chen momentarily speechless.

How should he respond?

Usually, when he heard her speak about the politics of the previous dynasty, it was always coherent and logical; he genuinely thought Ye Yun often read military and historical books.

Last time, he found that romance storybook in Lingxi Garden and assumed it was just something a young girl might sneak a peek at. He didn't expect Ye Yun to actually only read miscellaneous books.

"I'm just a woman; why would I need to look at all that fighting and killing stuff? Reading some light books to pass the time is just fine."

Ye Yun stood up to pour tea for Ning Chen, deftly steering the conversation back to lighter topics.

Finally, she sat down next to him, feigning a bit of reproach as she said, "If Your Majesty came to see me more often, I wouldn't need these idle books to pass the time."

That sentence sounded more like a playful complaint.

She was subtly lamenting that the emperor hadn't visited in a while.

Ning Chen naturally enjoyed this, smiling as he squeezed her hand. "State affairs are busy, and there are always times when I can't get away. Be understanding, my dear; haven't I come to see you?"

"Fortunately, Your Majesty still remembers my birthday. Otherwise, I would have been so sad today that I wouldn't even be able to eat."

Ye Yun put on a look of grievance and gently tapped the palm of Ning Chen's hand.

Nearby, the attending servants, Nanzhi and Huiyue, couldn't bear to watch.

Their mistress was getting better at telling tall tales; she had clearly mentioned earlier that afternoon that she wanted to eat braised beef and roasted pigeon for dinner.