Yu Jingchen gently patted Nan Zhiyun's back, "No more, never again." He would never do this again...
"No more~ hehe" Nan Zhiyun giggled, perhaps dreaming of something.
But it was precisely this Nan Zhiyun that made him feel increasingly guilty, his pain intensifying. The young lady was truly a beautiful soul, yet under his care, she had withered away. He was at fault...
What the Empress Dowager had told him before seemed to be coming true. He had been reborn in this life to atone for his sins, for two lifetimes of transgressions. The latter half of this life would be dedicated solely to Nan Zhiyun; he would pour all his effort into protecting her.
Having been an emperor for two lifetimes, in this one, he would be Nan Zhiyun's husband, her husband for all eternity...
The fact that Yu Jingchen had ordered the use of the刑杖 (xing zhang - punishment rod) and 竹笞 (zhu chi - bamboo rod) was not kept secret. News spread quickly, and the mention of two types of punishment tools inevitably led to speculation.
The next morning
Yu Jingchen watched Nan Zhiyun still sleeping soundly, knowing she would sleep a while longer, so he decided not to disturb her. He had plans for today and couldn't wait for Nan Zhiyun to wake up. Before leaving, Yu Jingchen lightly imprinted a reverent kiss on Nan Zhiyun's forehead before departing.
Nan Zhiyun woke up around noon. Seeing that she was alone, she felt a little dazed. Had His Majesty left already? Nan Zhiyun tried to sit up, but...
"Hiss..." It hurt so much, she hadn't healed yet. His Majesty had been too heavy-handed yesterday.
It wasn't just the rear end that was sore, but her whole body ached, likely from falling yesterday.
"Qian Xia..." Nan Zhiyun called out towards the outside.
"Shu Fei Niang Niang" It wasn't Qian Xia who entered, and Nan Zhiyun was momentarily confused.
"Where is Qian Xia?" she asked instinctively.
"Replying to Shu Fei Niang Niang, Aunt Qian Xia is still recovering from her injuries," the young palace maid replied. Nan Zhiyun then remembered that Qian Xia and the close attendants who served her had all been punished with the rod by Yu Jingchen... His Majesty was a bit too ruthless...
"Where are they? I want to go see them." Nan Zhiyun still wanted to go, but this time, she had only brought Jiang Ji and Qian Xia as her close attendants. Although others were serving her, they weren't the ones she was truly close to.
"Yes, but His Majesty ordered before he left that Niang Niang should eat first before doing anything else, and he would help you apply medicine when he returns." The young palace maid seemed respectful, yet somewhat fearful of Nan Zhiyun.
"Alright, serve me to change first." Nan Zhiyun didn't say much more. If they were afraid, so be it; they weren't constantly by her side anyway.
The young palace maid helped Nan Zhiyun change and wash, then had the day's meal brought in. Nan Zhiyun hadn't eaten much yesterday, so she was hungry today and ate a good amount.
After finishing her meal, she was eager to go see Qian Xia and the others. However, halfway there, she encountered someone coming towards her.
"Your subject greets Shu Fei Niang Niang." It was Luo Yuncheng.
"Why is Young Master Yun Cheng here?" Nan Zhiyun hadn't expected to meet Luo Yuncheng here.
"Just passing by. I heard Shu Fei Niang Niang was injured, so I wanted to come and see." Luo Yuncheng's eyes were fixated on Nan Zhiyun.
"I'm fine, it was just a fall. Young Master Yun Cheng need not worry." Nan Zhiyun actually had a decent impression of Luo Yuncheng, as they had spent a significant amount of time together when they were younger, and he had always been by her father's side.