Yu Jingchen left with Nan Zhiyun. The people behind retrieved the rabbit Nan Zhiyun had shot. The rabbit had no arrow wound; the arrow was stuck in the soil nearby. Next to the rabbit was a piece of broken stone. Xing Lai understood as soon as he saw it; His Majesty was merely coaxing the Imperial Consort to be happy.
"Eunuch Xing, should we continue to follow?" A nearby guard asked, seeing that Xing Lai had not kept up.
"Follow what? Don't you know where we are? You still want to follow? His Majesty wants to be alone with the Imperial Consort. Are you going to get in the way if you go up now?" Xing Lai said irritably.
"...Yes." The guard understood.
"You few, take today's prey back first. Remember, the Imperial Consort was hunting with His Majesty today, aiming to secure first place." Xing Lai told the guards.
"Yes." The guard was sharp and understood immediately.
"Alright, the rest of you stay on guard around here. Don't let anyone in to disturb His Majesty and the Imperial Consort's private time." Xing Lai flicked his horsetail whisk with an air of utmost pride.
"Yes." The guards obeyed Xing Lai and stood guard in the vicinity.
Nan Zhiyun, meanwhile, was still enthusiastically searching for new prey, but she realized there seemed to be none behind her.
"Your Majesty, perhaps we should change our route. There doesn't seem to be any game here," Nan Zhiyun said to Yu Jingchen.
"Then let's not hunt anymore, let's do something else." Yu Jingchen's lips curved slightly.
"Hmm?" Nan Zhiyun turned to look at Yu Jingchen with some confusion.
"Look over there." Yu Jingchen gestured to Nan Zhiyun. Nan Zhiyun looked, but couldn't see clearly.
As Yu Jingchen moved a little closer, Nan Zhiyun realized that the area ahead had suddenly widened, and the ground was covered with all sorts of flowers.
"What is that?" Nan Zhiyun was still a little surprised.
"This is specially prepared for you." Yu Jingchen stopped his horse as he approached. Nan Zhiyun looked at the scene before her, somewhat shocked. It was a field of various flowers, like a small sea of blossoms.
While Nan Zhiyun was still lost in thought, looking at the scene, Yu Jingchen embraced her from behind.
"There have been too many hardships before, the path was full of thorns, and you stepped onto it recklessly. I know you were wounded all over by those thorns, your feet bleeding profusely. It is only a pity that I woke up too late, and could only begin my belated amends after you were hurt. Today, I shall pave the way with these flowers, filling the ground with their fragrance. Though it may not rival the romantic shower of heavenly blossoms, even if these fallen flowers return to dust before you, their beauty remains."
"In the days past, I have failed you in many ways and felt much guilt. You were always like a little sun, with a bright smile on your face. But later, because of me, you stood in the wind day and night, battered by sand and dust. Spring is still here, and I hope you can be like before, blooming like a flower." Yu Jingchen spoke from his heart, moved by emotion.
Nan Zhiyun's breath hitched, and her heart pounded. She had never heard Yu Jingchen speak to her like this; he didn't seem like His Majesty at all.
After saying this, Yu Jingchen dismounted and extended his hand to Nan Zhiyun. Nan Zhiyun still felt the scene was somewhat unreal. Looking at Yu Jingchen's outstretched hand, she bit her lip lightly before placing her hand in his.
With a gentle pull from Yu Jingchen, Nan Zhiyun fell into his embrace.