There was no other way, the words having been spoken. Consort Yuan could only accept her ill fortune, that everyone envied her having the First Prince, the Emperor's only son.
But no one knew that the First Prince was frail and rarely dared to leave the palace gates.
"Your Majesty... I truly did not instruct the imperial physician..." Consort Yuan said again. Yu Jingchen remained silent. This did not entirely dispel his suspicion, but... a mere imperial physician could not possibly have done such a thing on their own.
"Xinglai!" Yu Jingchen called out.
"This servant is here." Xinglai quickly responded.
"Investigate, all of you, investigate!" There had been too much trouble lately, and Yu Jingchen was growing weary.
"Consort Yuan is confined. Until the matter is clarified, she is not to leave the palace gates. Ensure the imperial physician makes every effort to treat the First Prince, and there must be no mistakes." Yu Jingchen pressed his temples. These matters were truly exhausting.
"You may all withdraw." Yu Jingchen did not wish to see these people.
"Yes." Perhaps sensing His Majesty's bad mood, no one dared to court disaster and they all withdrew. Soon, only Nan Zhiyun and Yu Jingchen were left in the room.
"Your Majesty..." Nan Zhiyun looked at Yu Jingchen's current state, her eyes clouded with worry. She knew Yu Jingchen had been very tired these past few days. She reached out to stroke the crease between his brows.
"It's nothing." Yu Jingchen grasped Nan Zhiyun's hand.
"I will find the culprit, don't worry. Yun'er should be happier. The child is alright now." Yu Jingchen was still comforting Nan Zhiyun.
"Does Your Majesty need to rest?" Nan Zhiyun felt a pang of concern. The stubble on Yu Jingchen's chin must be from not having had time to attend to himself these past few days, as it felt rough to the touch.
"It's alright. As long as Yun'er is well, I am well. The imperial physician just said that as long as Yun'er is a little happier each day, the child will be fine. So, don't always dwell on unhappy things, okay?" Yu Jingchen held her tightly, afraid to let go.
Nan Zhiyun's state these past few days had truly frightened him, as if she might disappear at any moment, seeming so ephemeral. He was afraid he might lose Nan Zhiyun if he wasn't careful.
"But I'm so tired... I want Your Majesty to stay with me, okay?" Nan Zhiyun leaned into Yu Jingchen's embrace. She actually wanted Yu Jingchen to rest properly as well.
"Your Majesty has grown a beard, it pricks," Nan Zhiyun said.
"It's because Yun'er is too delicate. But Yun'er is meant to be pampered." Yu Jingchen lifted Nan Zhiyun.
"Shall we sleep?" Nan Zhiyun hugged Yu Jingchen's neck.
"Alright, sleep." Yu Jingchen was not unaware of Nan Zhiyun's intentions. A warmth surged within him.
Yu Jingchen carried Nan Zhiyun to the bed. Nan Zhiyun, being compliant, nestled into his embrace.
"Your Majesty, hold me." Nan Zhiyun tugged at Yu Jingchen's arm. Yu Jingchen's lips curved upwards. How could he not adore this little girl so much?
Perhaps it was holding Nan Zhiyun in his arms that brought Yu Jingchen peace, or perhaps it was simply exhaustion from the past few days, but Yu Jingchen fell asleep within a short while.
Conversely, Nan Zhiyun, having slept too much in recent days, found herself sleepless now. In the past, Yu Jingchen would gaze at Nan Zhiyun's sleeping face; now, it was Nan Zhiyun looking at Yu Jingchen.
Nan Zhiyun hadn't observed him closely before. Looking at him now, she suddenly found the feeling peculiar.