Just as Qian Xia was at a loss and about to clear away the table full of dishes, a voice announced from outside: "His Majesty has arrived—!"
Nan Zhiyun's body instantly stiffened. As Yu Jingchen entered, he saw the table laden with food. Despite her great fear, Nan Zhiyun obediently knelt down, for Yu Jingchen was the emperor, and she was but someone he could crush at will. "Your humble concubine greets His Majesty." Nan Zhiyun's mouth ached terribly as she spoke, but she dared not show it.
Yu Jingchen cast a cold glance and said, "You are quite carefree. You like to eat so much, then eat your fill today. But I see there's no fish. Don't you usually like it immensely?" Yu Jingchen was deliberately provoking her.
Before Nan Zhiyun could say anything, Yu Jingchen immediately added, "Perfect. Today, I specifically had people prepare it. Let Consort Shu eat her fill." As Yu Jingchen finished speaking, someone behind him brought over the food containers they were holding—four or five dishes, all fish.
Looking at Nan Zhiyun still kneeling there, Yu Jingchen grew impatient. "Why are you still standing there? Do you need me to personally help you up?" he said coldly.
Nan Zhiyun dared not hesitate any longer and stood up. Looking at the dishes, her heart felt a deep desolation. She didn't actually know if Yu Jingchen knew about her fish allergy, hence his deliberate torment.
"You love fish, don't you? Then eat. Finish all of this today." Yu Jingchen sat down casually. Besides being fish, all the dishes were also heavily spiced with chili. Nan Zhiyun's mouth was injured; how could she possibly eat this? But Yu Jingchen was determined not to let her off the hook. What could she do?
Nan Zhiyun had no choice but to sit down obediently. Seeing her inaction, Yu Jingchen urged her again, "What is it? Do you need me to find someone to feed you?" Yu Jingchen sneered.
"Your Majesty, forgive me! This consort is allergic to fish, and her mouth is injured, she cannot eat this. Your Majesty, I beg you to spare this consort!" Qian Xia, disregarding everything, knelt down.
"I think another dish should be added. This palace maid has decided she no longer wants her tongue." Yu Jingchen threatened her openly.
Nan Zhiyun's cold, desolate eyes finally showed a flicker of emotion. She picked up her chopsticks. "Your humble concubine will eat immediately. I implore Your Majesty to spare Qian Xia this once." Nan Zhiyun had finally yielded.
Qian Xia wanted to protest, but upon meeting Nan Zhiyun's gaze, she closed her mouth.
Nan Zhiyun looked at the fish before her. They looked very spicy. Nan Zhiyun could actually tolerate spice, but with her current mouth, how could she possibly eat it? Yet, there was no alternative. She reached out, picked up a piece of fish, and put it into her mouth. It hurt so much... Nan Zhiyun endured the torment and swallowed the fish.
"There are five or six dishes of fish here, all with chili. You love spice and fish, so it perfectly suits your palate. Then eat them all." Yu Jingchen watched Nan Zhiyun's forced composure, a surge of anger rising within him.
Nan Zhiyun dared not delay and could only eat slowly. If she couldn't finish it, she didn't dare to imagine what Yu Jingchen might do. After just a few bites, she began to falter. The chili and salt stung her wound, causing intense pain in her mouth.
She felt she was about to collapse, tears streaming down from the pain, her face contorted. Nan Zhiyun bore it stoically; she wanted to cry out but dared not. Yu Jingchen watched her the entire time, which prevented her from any pretense.
Just as Nan Zhiyun was about to take another bite, Yu Jingchen, looking impatient, flipped over the fish on Nan Zhiyun's table. Nan Zhiyun was startled. What had she done wrong now? She was about to beg for forgiveness, but when she met Yu Jingchen's gaze, she couldn't speak, paralyzed by fear.
"Is it that delicious?" Yu Jingchen seemed even angrier.
Nan Zhiyun felt her mouth losing all sensation. Perhaps because Yu Jingchen genuinely intended to torment her, the chili was incredibly potent, and when it met her wound, the pain was unbearable.
"Roll up your sleeves." Yu Jingchen suddenly changed the subject. Nan Zhiyun was a little confused.
"I told you to roll up your sleeves!" Yu Jingchen sounded furious.
Nan Zhiyun didn't know why but dared not resist. She obediently rolled up her sleeves, and a large area of red rash was immediately exposed. Yu Jingchen saw it and scoffed. She had been eating fish for so long, yet she was truly allergic. Was this woman foolish? To do something so stupid.
"Did you pretend to like it before?" Yu Jingchen asked.
Nan Zhiyun dared not answer. She couldn't fathom Yu Jingchen's intentions and thus remained silent. At this moment, Nan Zhiyun deeply regretted her actions, fearing Yu Jingchen would accuse her of deceiving the emperor. It wouldn't matter much to her, but what if her father were implicated? If Yu Jingchen willed it, he truly could do it.
"I'm asking you a question, are you deaf? Do you need me to have someone check your ears?" Yu Jingchen roared.
Nan Zhiyun lowered her head. "This humble concubine is merely allergic, but... I truly did like eating it." Nan Zhiyun offered this explanation, implying she genuinely enjoyed it but was simply unable to eat it. Surely, this wasn't deceiving the emperor?
"Heh, you dare to play clever tricks in front of me?" Yu Jingchen sneered. If he truly intended to pursue it, how could Nan Zhiyun possibly escape?
However... if she was truly allergic, yet she ate it every time... Yu Jingchen's gaze was too piercing; Nan Zhiyun dared not meet it.
"What happens when you're allergic?" Yu Jingchen suddenly asked.
Nan Zhiyun hadn't expected such a question and stared blankly, which annoyed Yu Jingchen. "Can't speak anymore?"
"No... After being allergic to fish, red rashes appear on the body. Otherwise, there's nothing else," Nan Zhiyun replied.
"No pain, no itch? What a pity," Yu Jingchen seemed to lament. Nan Zhiyun remained silent. There was still much food left before her, and she didn't know if she should continue.
"Nan Zhiyun, you are truly the only one who courts death like this. You're clearly afraid, yet you insist on seeking death. Therefore, this is what you deserve." Yu Jingchen said.
"But I warn you, before I permit you to die, you'd best not harbor such thoughts, or you will suffer even more." Yu Jingchen stated. Nan Zhiyun did not respond.
"Do you understand?" Yu Jingchen, not hearing Nan Zhiyun's answer, raised his voice.
"Yes..." Seeking death? She dared not.
"Take this away." Yu Jingchen then said to the palace servants, who removed everything from the table. Nan Zhiyun looked at the sudden turn of events, bewildered. What did Yu Jingchen mean by this?