After the meal ended, Yu Jingchen and Nan Ziyun left. Thankfully, a carriage had been prepared. It was already getting late, and returning to the palace would likely mean it would be dark.
After Nan Ziyun got into the carriage, she lifted the curtain. Although they hadn't been out for long, it truly felt like a lifetime ago.
Yu Jingchen watched Nan Ziyun's actions in silence. She liked the outside world, but it was a pity she could never truly belong to it. Because he would not allow it, Nan Ziyun could not truly leave.
"If you want to come out, there will be opportunities in the future. When you are feeling better, you can come out for a stroll," Yu Jingchen said to her.
Nan Ziyun did not respond. Yu Jingchen directly lowered the carriage curtain. Nan Ziyun naturally did not dare to lift it again and could only sit properly.
"Rest well for a while," Yu Jingchen told her. Nan Ziyun obediently closed her eyes. They traveled in silence, without any communication.
Before long, the carriage arrived at the palace. Yu Jingchen looked at the small figure beside him. She was truly asleep, perhaps tired from the day.
Yu Jingchen picked Nan Ziyun up. Nan Ziyun's sleep was light, and she woke up when Yu Jingchen picked her up.
"Awake?" It was dark inside the carriage, but one could faintly see.
"Your Majesty..." Nan Ziyun said softly.
"Sleep," Yu Jingchen said, carrying her. Nan Ziyun snuggled into his arms, not yet fully awake.
He carried her out of the carriage. Nan Ziyun was still a bit groggy. The weather might be turning colder, and she felt a chill as she alighted from the carriage.
Yu Jingchen shielded her, and Nan Ziyun finally woke up completely.
"We'll be there soon. Sleep if you want to sleep a little," Yu Jingchen said to Nan Ziyun, then headed towards the palace. However... this was not the way to He An Hall.
"Your Majesty..." Nan Ziyun was a little flustered.
"To Zichen Palace. Be quiet," Yu Jingchen said, holding her tighter.
Zichen Palace? That was Yu Jingchen's forbidden area. No one could enter or leave without his permission, which was why Nan Ziyun was so surprised.
"You're not going back today. You'll rest at Zichen Palace," Yu Jingchen said another sentence that shocked Nan Ziyun. Since Yu Jingchen ascended the throne, no concubine had ever stayed overnight in Zichen Palace.
Nan Ziyun dared not say anything and let Yu Jingchen carry her in. Moreover, Yu Jingchen placed her directly onto the bed.
"You still need to apply medication today. After you wash up, apply the medicine. Take this pill for fetal protection as well. Tomorrow morning, have the imperial physician examine you again." Yu Jingchen became more talkative. The palace servants in the room also moved, bringing water and preparing to help Nan Ziyun change and wash.
Yu Jingchen did not stay in front of her the entire time, only instructing the servants. He left and returned later, having already changed his clothes.
Nan Ziyun had also tidied herself up. Yu Jingchen brought the ointment and sat beside Nan Ziyun, placing her feet on his lap. He had applied the medication several times already, and Nan Ziyun was starting to get used to his movements. Yu Jingchen's strength was a bit much, and because he needed to work it in, it was a little painful.
But fortunately, it only hurt for a short while, so Nan Ziyun could bear it. However, this process was somewhat difficult.
Yu Jingchen kept a close eye on Nan Ziyun's reactions. Seeing her expression now, he knew it hurt a lot. He didn't know what he was thinking, but he actually spoke words of comfort: "If it really hurts, you don't have to endure it like this. You can cry out. Your injuries haven't healed yet, so it's normal to feel pain. It will get better in a couple of days."
"If you really can't bear it, don't force yourself. It's not shameful," Yu Jingchen said. Nan Ziyun was surprised that Yu Jingchen could say such things, but she didn't pay much attention to it.
Yu Jingchen had done this several times already, so his movements were much more practiced, and applying the medication was quick.
"Done," Yu Jingchen said, holding Nan Ziyun's ankle and gently placing her foot down. Nan Ziyun was sitting on the bed, and when Yu Jingchen held her ankle, she felt a tingling sensation.
Perhaps due to past trauma, Nan Ziyun felt a moment of fear, but it was manageable. Compared to before, she had adapted much better now.
"Rest if you're tired," Yu Jingchen told her. Nan Ziyun nodded slightly and shifted further into the bed. Yu Jingchen helped her lie down.
Nan Ziyun still felt a bit reserved. The palace servants came to extinguish the lamps, and as Nan Ziyun watched the lamps being put out one by one, a sense of nervousness rose within her.
"Leave one lamp on," Yu Jingchen said.
"Yes," the palace servant replied.
Finally, one dim lamp remained in the room. Nan Ziyun looked at the faint light and felt a slight sense of relief. However... Nan Ziyun quietly glanced at Yu Jingchen, wondering if he would notice these small details.
"Sleep," Yu Jingchen said to her, then lay down beside her. Feeling the indentation beside her, Nan Ziyun's tension returned.
But it only lasted for a few brief seconds, as Yu Jingchen made no further movements after lying down. Nan Ziyun looked over and saw that he had closed his eyes. For a moment, her gaze lingered, not immediately looking away.
"Not sleepy? If you don't sleep soon, you won't be able to sleep later," Yu Jingchen's sudden words startled Nan Ziyun. Weren't his eyes closed? How did he know she was looking at him?
Nan Ziyun dared not continue her transgression and immediately closed her eyes. The faint light flickered in the room. Perhaps it was the lack of strong light, but Yu Jingchen's face seemed to soften.
Nan Ziyun slowly fell asleep. Only after her even breathing could be heard did Yu Jingchen slowly open his eyes. He turned his head to look at Nan Ziyun. He had seen Nan Ziyun like this many times in the past few days, but each time felt different.
At this moment, Nan Ziyun was at her most peaceful and relaxed. Initially, when he saw Nan Ziyun asleep, she had looked fearful, her brows furrowed as if having a nightmare, unable to relax even in her sleep.
Later, she was very tense, perhaps still with an element of fear, so Nan Ziyun would be restless and afraid even while sleeping. But now... she seemed more at ease, no longer frowning tightly in her sleep.
Could this be considered a change or progress? Therefore... the current state could also be changed.