The Enchanting Imperial Concubine (Book 2)

Chapter 340 - Approaching

"It's July, isn't it hot? It's morning, and why isn't the Emperor holding an umbrella? It's already starting to get sunny."

Ye Yun said this while taking out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

Yuan Jiu, who was following behind, quickly lowered his head. "It's my oversight. I thought there would be plenty of shade in the garden, so I didn't bring an umbrella."

"Alright, don't blame him. I'm a man; it's not raining, so why bother with an umbrella when going out?" Ning Chen said.

After entering the room and sitting down, he noticed a cup of tea on the table and directly picked it up to drink.

"Your Majesty..."

Ye Yun hadn't had time to stop him when a cup of tea went straight into his stomach.

"What's wrong?" Ning Chen put down the cup, puzzled.

Looking at the now empty cup, Ye Yun was somewhat speechless.

"That was my cup; I've already had a sip from it."

Upon hearing this, Ning Chen lowered his head to look at the cup in his hand, and indeed, there was a faint lip mark on the other side.

However, he didn't seem to mind; instead, he casually filled it up again and took a sip.

"It's nothing. It tastes quite good."

Well, since the benefactor didn't mind, that was fine.

Ning Chen put down the teacup and opened his palm toward her. Ye Yun raised an eyebrow slightly and placed her hand on top.

Thus, he took her hand and sat her down.

"I have something else to discuss with you today."

"What is it?"

"The Empress came to speak with me yesterday. She mentioned that she's been feeling unwell these past few days, and the Eldest Prince has also caught a slight cold and needs care. With the Mid-Autumn Festival coming in less than a month, she needs to prepare for the banquet, but she's too busy managing the affairs of the harem.

So she discussed with me about having Shu Fei and Jing De Fei assist her in handling some harem duties. The arrangements for the Mid-Autumn banquet will need your and Hui Zhaorong's help."

"No..."

Ye Yun decisively refused upon hearing this.

Her quick response momentarily stunned Ning Chen.

Ye Yun then added, "I've always been lazy at home, and I haven't learned much about managing things. After spending so many years in the palace, I've completely forgotten how to do it. The Mid-Autumn banquet requires the royal family to attend; if anything goes wrong, wouldn't it embarrass Your Majesty? I can't take on such a heavy responsibility."

The Empress suddenly included her in the management, which made her feel uneasy.

Besides, she really didn't want to exert herself; it was too tiring.

Isn't it nice to be a slacker?

However, if this were in the past, Ning Chen would have agreed with her. But now, he knew she was just trying to avoid work on purpose, and he had other thoughts. He paused and then said softly,

"I know your intelligence, and I also understand that you don't want to exert yourself. But now that you've given birth to Jing'er, there will be a higher position for you in the future. You can't keep avoiding responsibilities forever; there will come a time when you need to shoulder them."