In the thirty-fourth year of Tiansheng, Emperor Tiansheng, Yu Jingchen, passed away. It was said that he died in the He’an Hall, having spent the entire night there.
Folk legends claimed that the Emperor of Tiansheng had deeply loved the eldest daughter of the Zhenguo General's family, Miss Nan. However, it remained a mystery to later generations why Yu Jingchen never posthumously bestowed a title upon Nan Zhiyun until his death.
After Yu Jingchen's demise, thousands of portraits were discovered in the He’an Hall, all personally painted by him. Each depicted Nan Zhiyun, some perhaps as she once was, but more were rendered from his imagination.
From her entry into the palace until old age… all were of Nan Zhiyun. He said, "I don't know what she would look like when she's old, but the brush captures her likeness."
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Zhiyun Palace
Yu Jingchen sat outside, a teacup beside him. Suddenly, his eyes regained clarity.
"Your Majesty?" Xinglai, who had been guarding him, was startled by the sudden shift in his aura.
Yu Jingchen looked at his surroundings, unable to fully comprehend. Where was he? This place was entirely unfamiliar… where had he arrived? Hadn't he already died?
"Your Majesty?" Xinglai's voice, laced with confusion, sounded again. Just then, a series of cries erupted from within the room. Yu Jingchen frowned. Why was it so noisy?
"What is happening?" Yu Jingchen pressed his temples.
"It might be Consort Yun… Consort Yun just lost her child, so naturally, she can't bear it," Xinglai replied, bowing his head.
Consort Yun? Who was this person? He had no recollection.
"I have a headache. What exactly is going on?" Yu Jingchen still hadn't grasped the situation.
Although Xinglai felt some bewilderment, he dared not ask more, patiently explaining, "Your Majesty, Consort Yun miscarried this morning and accused Consort Nan of being responsible." Xinglai stated.
"Consort Nan?" Yu Jingchen didn't react. There shouldn't be anyone of that rank.
"Yes…" Xinglai answered. Yu Jingchen felt a throbbing pain in his head. Just as he was struggling to understand the current situation, fragments of memory flashed through his mind.
In those fragments, Nan Zhiyun was punished for harming the imperial offspring, whipped and banished to the Cold Palace. Later, Nan Zhiyun lost her child, and then… she took a blade for him. After that, he had a second chance. The memories that flooded back from this subsequent life felt as if thousands of knives were gouging his heart.
He remembered… so he had been reborn again? Wait, then Nan Zhiyun was still here at this time. That Consort Nan just now…
"Where is Nan Zhiyun? Where is she now?" Yu Jingchen stood up and walked out. Xinglai followed, saying, "Your Majesty just decreed that Consort Nan be sent to the Cold Palace and be given a flogging. She should be receiving punishment outside now."
Yu Jingchen's heart tightened, and he hurried outside. Xinglai was baffled by his Majesty's sudden agitation.
Yu Jingchen arrived to find Nan Zhiyun prone on the execution bench, clearly having already endured some punishment.
"Stop!" Yu Jingchen roared. The executioners halted their actions and looked over. Yu Jingchen’s heart felt as if it was shattering as he saw Nan Zhiyun on the bench, consumed by unbearable pain.
He ran over in two strides. The executioners retreated to the side. Nan Zhiyun's back was already bleeding, a sight that sent waves of infinite pain through Yu Jingchen.
I'm sorry…
He knelt beside Nan Zhiyun. She was somewhat disoriented but knew Yu Jingchen had arrived.
"I'm sorry…" Yu Jingchen gently touched her small face.
"Summon the imperial physician!" Yu Jingchen shouted, then carefully picked Nan Zhiyun up. Xinglai watched, bewildered, but who dared to question their Emperor's actions?
Nan Zhiyun was in too much pain to speak. Was Yu Jingchen apologizing to her? But… that was impossible. Why would he apologize to her? And what did he intend to do now?
"Consort Nan, having suffered a false accusation and unjust punishment, is hereby absolved of all previous offenses and reinstated to the position of Consort Shu, effective immediately." Yu Jingchen issued the decree at once, then carried Nan Zhiyun away from there.
They went to the Zichen Palace, as the He’an Hall was not yet prepared, and the Yanjing Residence was too far.
Upon reaching the Zichen Palace, Yu Jingchen carefully placed her on the bed, positioning her to lie on her stomach. Nan Zhiyun had almost lost consciousness.
Xinglai watched the scene, hardly believing his eyes. What had come over His Majesty? Not only had his attitude towards Consort Nan… now Consort Shu, changed drastically, but he had also brought her here and even placed her on his own bed?
"Where is the imperial physician? Why isn't the imperial physician here yet?!" Yu Jingchen roared. Nan Zhiyun frowned, likely from the pain.
"Don't be afraid, it's alright. The imperial physician will be here soon. I'm sorry… I was too late," Yu Jingchen sat beside her, holding her hand while stroking her pale, small face.
"Be good… it’s alright," Yu Jingchen soothed, his voice trembling. How could he have treated her so heartlessly?
The imperial physician, a medical woman given Nan Zhiyun's injuries, arrived without delay.
"Examine Consort Shu's wounds," Yu Jingchen commanded. The imperial physician, without even time to pay respects, hurried to examine Nan Zhiyun. However, upon revealing the injured area, even she was shocked.
Nan Zhiyun's body was practically a bloody mess. The executioners today must have intended to inflict fatal wounds. The imperial physician saw it, and Yu Jingchen, witnessing the horrifying injuries on Nan Zhiyun's back, felt as though his heart had been pierced by thousands of thorns.
He even wished he could inflict a knife wound upon himself. How could he have been so cruel to her in the past? Nan Zhiyun… in his previous life, after she left, he had longed for her every single day, dreaming of her every night. It was then he realized that he had truly placed her in his heart and could not be separated from her.
And… in the memories of his previous two lives, the cruelty he had shown her, and the days they spent together rebuilding their broken fate… Yu Jingchen clenched his fists. I'm sorry, truly sorry. It was his fault, all his fault, and he had returned too late this time.
Infinite regret welled up in Yu Jingchen's heart. It was all his fault, but… it didn't matter now. He would cherish Nan Zhiyun, he would treat her well.