Yu Jingchen found it amusing how Nan Zhiyun's emotions were so transparently displayed in her eyes.
"Shall we keep them?" Yu Jingchen's eyes twinkled with a smile.
"His Majesty gifted them, so let's keep them," Nan Zhiyun suddenly realized that with so many rabbits, there would be more options for meals.
Upon hearing Nan Zhiyun's reply, Yu Jingchen immediately instructed his attendants to take everything away. Besides the rabbits, the fox furs were also things he had meticulously thought of gifting to Nan Zhiyun, all of them complete and of the finest quality.
"Did Consort Yuan and her retinue bother you today?" Yu Jingchen suddenly asked.
"I didn't see them. Qian Xia blocked them. Your Majesty, they shouldn't need to pay their respects to me, right?" Nan Zhiyun cautiously inquired, unsure of Yu Jingchen's thoughts on the matter.
"I know you like to sleep. It's fine, just sleep. Ignore them. I will also instruct them regarding the affairs of the spring hunt, so they won't bother you," Yu Jingchen replied.
"Okay, thank you, Your Majesty." Nan Zhiyun couldn't have asked for more. What was not to like about seeking peace and quiet? She detested dealing with such matters the most.
"What is there to thank?" Yu Jingchen found himself completely disarmed by the obedient Nan Zhiyun.
"There will be a banquet tonight. You will attend with me," Yu Jingchen changed the subject. On the first night, everyone participating in the spring hunt would attend the banquet.
"Okay." Nan Zhiyun did not resist. It was just a banquet; there was nothing to decline.
Hearing Nan Zhiyun agree, Yu Jingchen gently stroked her head. "Yun'er, why are you so obedient now?"
"I was always obedient," Nan Zhiyun answered shamelessly.
"Yes, yes, you were always very obedient," Yu Jingchen indulged her. It was as if he had raised a young girl. In these past few days, being doted on by Yu Jingchen, Nan Zhiyun seemed to be becoming more and more childlike.
Yet, Yu Jingchen was very happy with Nan Zhiyun's current transformation, and he felt a touch of pride. Looking at Nan Zhiyun's pure and beautiful demeanor now, Yu Jingchen couldn't bear for her to change.
The Banquet
Everyone had arrived. At the head of the banquet hall were two adjacent seats, clearly reserved for specific individuals. Such an arrangement was undoubtedly at Yu Jingchen's behest; otherwise, no one would have positioned them this way.
After all, the position beside Yu Jingchen had always been occupied by someone of a singular status... strictly speaking, even that position would have been slightly further back, but today, the seats were on the same horizontal line.
Every decree and arrangement from Yu Jingchen held significance, making it evident that this was an elevation of Nan Zhiyun's status, and a subtle test of everyone's reaction to the matter.
"His Majesty has arrived! Consort Chen Shu has arrived!" Xing Lai announced.
Then, Nan Zhiyun was seen entering, hand in hand with Yu Jingchen, their fingers intertwined. No one had ever received such treatment.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!" The assembled crowd knelt on the ground.
Nan Zhiyun had intended to let go of Yu Jingchen's hand, as her current status was not yet enough to warrant such a grand gesture from so many people. However, Yu Jingchen did not release her.
Yu Jingchen turned to look at Nan Zhiyun, smiled gently, and then, holding her hand tighter, they walked to their seats.