Nan Zhiyun felt a touch of nervousness looking at the crowd below. It was indeed improper by the rules. Especially when she noticed the two prominent seats, she glanced at Yu Jingchen, but he merely offered her a reassuring look and tightened his grip on her hand. Seeing Yu Jingchen's calming demeanor, Nan Zhiyun gradually felt at ease.
Yu Jingchen looked at the people below once more before speaking, "All rise." He parted his lips slightly, his voice clear and cool.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" After rising, everyone remained with their heads bowed, standing in place, not daring to make any further movements.
Yu Jingchen held Nan Zhiyun's hand as they sat in their seats. Nan Zhiyun was still unaccustomed to her current position.
"Please be seated." After Yu Jingchen said these words, the ministers finally dared to return to their places and sit down.
Consort Yuan, along with other consorts, sat in the lower section. Seeing Nan Zhiyun and Yu Jingchen as they were, particularly their clasped hands, a flicker of surprise crossed their eyes.
Bai Yusheng sat there, not looking at Nan Zhiyun, but rather towards Yu Yan. As expected, Yu Yan was currently glaring at the two above with intense jealousy. How could someone like that be worthy of competing with her? It was just right… if she could truly become a useful blade, then she would have value.
"Today is the first day of the hunt. I have observed, and the results are good. You have all worked hard. I will offer this first cup of wine to everyone today." Yu Jingchen said this as he raised the wine in his hand.
"To His Majesty!" Those below followed suit and raised their cups.
After Yu Jingchen drank his cup, everyone else also drank. Nan Zhiyun looked at the wine with longing. She hadn't had any in a long time, but now she dared not speak up.
Looking at the table in front of her, she thought, wine? That was impossible. Nan Zhiyun was speechless. Even that small cup wasn't allowed?
Yu Jingchen also noticed Nan Zhiyun's subtle reaction at this moment. He had spent quite a bit of time with Nan Zhiyun recently and thus understood her every move.
"Want to drink?" Yu Jingchen asked her.
"Can Your Majesty not permit this concubine to drink just once? It won't be much, this concubine knows her limits." Nan Zhiyun pleaded softly.
"Have you forgotten what you were like after drinking last time? Besides, the wine at the Spring Hunt banquet is different from others. This wine is too potent for you," Yu Jingchen soothed gently, but the specific reason… was not necessarily just this.
"Then Your Majesty can have someone change it. This concubine is craving it…" Nan Zhiyun looked pitifully, making Yu Jingchen chuckle.
Those below watched the interaction between Yu Jingchen and Nan Zhiyun above. Although they didn't know exactly what they were saying? They could tell it was very intimate. It seemed the Emperor's favor towards this Shufei was more than just simple affection; such overwhelming favor was unprecedented.
Not long ago, Nan Su resigned from his official post, but this did not affect his standing in court. Furthermore, the great contributions Nan Su had made to the Yuan Dynasty could not be denied. Nan Zhiyun was fully qualified to become Empress.
However, seeing the current Shufei's immense favor, if she were to become Empress, would the Nan family undergo other changes?
Besides military power, the Nan family had another aspect that was feared. In his early years, Nan Su, while campaigning, had inadvertently saved someone… and that person's identity was not simple.