Chapter 691 Nangong Ye_1
Chapter 691: Chapter 691 Nangong Ye_1
Nan Feng was kneeling, but her eyes were looking at him fearlessly, filled with curiosity, and her face was saying, “So this is what an emperor looks like.”
“Both of you, rise,” the emperor extended his hand in a gesture.
Ye Ge stood up, seeing that Nan Feng was still kneeling, he went to help her up.
Seeing Nan Feng continuously staring at the emperor, Ye Ge found it somewhat amusing, but still seriously explained to the Emperor: “My wife is just a little crude, she doesn’t understand court etiquette. Please forgive her.”
“No harm done,” the Emperor smiled.
Upon hearing Ye Ge’s words, Nan Feng felt a bit peeved – who was he calling a country bumpkin?
However, Nan Feng knew she shouldn’t be gawking at the Emperor, so she decided not to explain further.
She had always been curious about the ancient emperors. Now that she finally met one, of course, she would want to take a longer look.
It was the same mentality as modern people vying to shake hands with a chairman.
Ye Ge invited the Emperor to sit inside and was about to instruct Nan Feng to bring in some chairs when the Emperor chose to sit on a stone bench. Nan Feng then began cleaning the utensils they had just used for consuming their meal.
While tidying up, she said, “I’m sorry, we’ve just finished breakfast – have you eaten, Your Majesty? If not, I can go out and buy some food.”
Having satisfied her curiosity, Nan Feng was now acting much more comfortably.
It’s just the common courtesy to ask if a guest has eaten upon their arrival. If not, invite them to eat.
The Emperor dismissed the offer with a wave of his hand. He then turned to Ye Ge, “Xia Ye, I came here mainly because I wanted to talk with you. Please, sit.”
Subsequently, the Emperor, Master Yan, and Ye Ge sat around the stone table, while the Emperor’s guard, Mao Zhen, stood behind the Emperor.
Nan Feng was unsure whether, as a woman, she should discretely excuse herself in such a setting.
However, at this time, Ye Ge didn’t call her over, but she was genuinely curious about what the Emperor wanted to talk about with Ye Ge. She initially wanted to eavesdrop from behind the door, but that didn’t seem right. Therefore, she decided to bring a set of tea utensils from the house, poured tea for the three at the table, and then, imitating Mao Zhen, stood behind Ye Ge, ready to refill their cups.
Neither Ye Ge nor the Emperor objected to her actions.
The Emperor then began, “Your assistance was indispensable in overthrowing Qin Kun. Yet, you neither desire an official post nor seek a reward. Hence, I came here to understand your genuine thoughts.”
Ye Ge responded in a respectful yet firm manner, “Your Majesty, Xia Ye is a simple villager. I did what every citizen of Dajin should do. Therefore, Xia Ye does not want an official post or any reward. I just wish…”
Ye Ge glanced at Nan Feng, “…desire to live simply and grow old with my wife.”
Upon hearing this, the Emperor turned to look at Nan Feng, seemingly curious about the woman who had won Ye Ge’s heart.
Having grown up in the palace, the Emperor was accustomed to seeing beautiful women in the palace. Nan Feng, wearing a simple dress and with her pretty face, would indeed be considered attractive amongst commoners, but in the palace, she would be considered average.
However, at this point, Nan Feng gave the Emperor a smile.
She was surprisingly bold, radiating not a hint of timidity. Unlike the women of the palace who always showed him obedience, endeavouring to please him. She seemed quite an interesting woman.
So, the Emperor shifted his gaze from Nan Feng. After thinking for a moment, he asked, “We may have resolved our internal strife, but the foreign threats remain. The Shun Dynasty, seeing that our nation lacks experienced generals, has attacked all the way from Shangzhi to Shouchun. If no good general steps up soon, I fear they will take the Capital City. Xia Ye, didn’t you say that as a citizen of Dajin you have a duty to serve the nation? Here’s your opportunity to serve the court; I plan to appoint you as the General of the Northern Expedition to lead our forces into battle. What do you think?”