Yu Jingchen spoke for a long time without receiving a response from Nan Ziyun. He was displeased and asked loudly again, "What are you spacing out for? Did you hear me?"
Nan Ziyun finally replied, "This concubine understands."
Although Yu Jingchen was somewhat unhappy, he did not press the matter further. It was almost time for the morning court, and he had no more time to waste with Nan Ziyun.
As Yu Jingchen had said, he did not keep visiting He'an Palace. After that day, Nan Ziyun had been recuperating with peace of mind, and he had not come to disturb her.
Perhaps it was precisely because of this that Nan Ziyun had been in good spirits lately, less anxious and frightened, and thus recovered more quickly. As she was still under house arrest, Nan Ziyun had not left the gates of He'an Palace. However, the Empress Dowager had visited several times, and Yu Jingchen had not stopped them from meeting.
Zichen Palace
Xing Lai looked at Yu Jingchen, who was frowning, and felt a jolt of unease. What had happened to make him look like this?
"Yu Jing'an has submitted a petition, wishing to return to the capital before the Mid-Autumn Festival," Yu Jingchen said, putting down the memorial he was holding.
Prince An? Xing Lai's heart tightened. Besides General Nan Su, the Emperor's primary target for punishment was Prince An... However, compared to General Nan, Prince An was insignificant.
"How much longer until Nan Su reaches the capital?" Yu Jingchen asked.
"About half a month, I fear," Xing Lai replied. Half a month... that would be early August when he reached the capital, so Yu Jing'an, no matter how fast, would arrive in the middle or early part of the month.
"How has He'an Palace been recently?" Yu Jingchen changed the subject.
"Consort Shu's side is all normal. She has been taking her medicine on time every day, and her health is almost fully recovered. The Empress Dowager also visits frequently," Xing Lai said, not daring to neglect the situation at He'an Palace lately.
Yu Jingchen remained silent upon hearing this, leaving Xing Lai unsure of his intentions.
"How is her injury on her hand and knee?" Yu Jingchen asked again.
"Consort Shu's knee injury is almost healed, but the injury on her hand still requires a couple more days of medication," Xing Lai replied.
"Send someone over in a while to tell her that she can temporarily stop copying the scriptures," Yu Jingchen said, picking up his brush.
"...Yes," Xing Lai agreed.
Yu Jingchen said nothing more, and the atmosphere in the room became quiet. Xing Lai secretly pondered the Emperor's feelings for Consort Shu. Given the current situation, it should be different from before. The Emperor should be concerned about Consort Shu now, shouldn't he?
However, if General Nan were to return now, he hoped no further incidents would occur along the way, otherwise, how long would their current relationship last?
He'an Palace
The Empress Dowager visited again today, chatting with Nan Ziyun. Perhaps for privacy, there were no outsiders in the room except for the Empress Dowager and Nan Ziyun. An Xin was also present. Qian Xia's injuries had not yet healed, so Nan Ziyun had not asked her to serve.
"His Majesty has not visited these past few days. Does Yun'er feel disappointed?" the Empress Dowager asked, gently embracing Nan Ziyun.
Nan Ziyun shook her head slightly. "No longer." She said softly.
Yu Jingchen, who was about to enter, stopped at the doorway. An Xin, facing outwards, saw Yu Jingchen's figure outside. The Empress Dowager glanced at An Xin, who nodded slightly.
"Why no longer? Yun'er was not like this before. I thought you would be unhappy if His Majesty didn't visit these days." The Empress Dowager treated Nan Ziyun like her own daughter, but then again, she had raised her.
"I've thought it through, so I don't want to be foolish anymore. His Majesty... he doesn't like me. He only dislikes me," Nan Ziyun said, nestled in the Empress Dowager's arms, seemingly having come to terms with it.
"Yun'er used to like His Majesty very much. No matter how I and A'su advised you, you insisted on entering the palace. Are you content with this situation now?" the Empress Dowager continued to ask.
"But I'm afraid. The part of me that is unwilling cannot overcome the part that is afraid. I dare not anymore. I was too naive before. Such a thing is impossible, and I will only get hurt no matter what I do," Nan Ziyun said, having thought a lot during this time. Yu Jingchen's affections were too luxurious for her.
Yu Jingchen, standing outside the door, heard these words and had no intention of entering. After Xing Lai told him about her condition today, he had planned to visit, but he hadn't expected the Empress Dowager to be there before him and to have overheard this conversation.
"Does Yun'er still like His Majesty?" the Empress Dowager asked her.
Hearing this question, Yu Jingchen's palms began to clench. He was nervous.
"I dare not anymore," Nan Ziyun replied. Having been hurt, she was afraid, so she dared not.
"If one day His Majesty treats you differently, if he becomes better, would you accept him again?" the Empress Dowager asked persistently.
Nan Ziyun pondered for a moment, then shook her head. "Perhaps I no longer need it."
No longer needed... Yu Jingchen outside the door heard this answer, and his heart tightened. Afraid, dared not, no longer needed – how jarring these answers were!
"Does Yun'er truly wish to leave here? You must know that if you make up your mind, there will be no room for regret later." The Empress Dowager spoke as if from the heart, but it was unclear if she was truly speaking to Nan Ziyun.
"I've thought it through. I want to leave here and will not regret it. Moreover, His Majesty has already agreed..." Nan Ziyun said without hesitation.
Agreed? The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow. "When did he agree?" she asked.
Just as Nan Ziyun was about to answer, Yu Jingchen gave Xing Lai a look. Xing Lai understood immediately and loudly announced, "His Majesty arrives—!"
Nan Ziyun's words were cut off, while the Empress Dowager's expression became meaningful. Upon hearing of Yu Jingchen's arrival, Nan Ziyun quickly stood up from the Empress Dowager's embrace. When she saw Yu Jingchen enter, she began to curtsy.
"This concubine greets His Majesty." Nan Ziyun had not seen Yu Jingchen for several days. Now that they met, the nervousness in her heart immediately surged.
Yu Jingchen glanced at her casually and noticed the injury on her hand. It had already subsided, but he couldn't see the palm.
"Rise," Yu Jingchen said.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Nan Ziyun obediently stood up and remained still beside him, not daring to move.
"Why has Your Majesty found time to visit today?" the Empress Dowager asked Yu Jingchen. Yu Jingchen's expression was natural as he sat down beside them. "Just came to take a look," he replied, then his gaze returned to Nan Ziyun.