At that time, the Empress Dowager said to her, "Being the Empress, you can only stay in this palace every day, looking at the sky from a confined space, watching people adorned in flamboyant dresses, listening to their quarrels, facing invisible dangers everywhere, without a husband, without friends, without anyone to trust, and only palace affairs, keeping you endlessly busy."
"As the Empress, you are a role model for all women in this country. You must be cautious in your words and actions; every word and deed must be handled with care, as countless eyes will be watching you. You have no self, and everything must be done according to convention. Do you think the position of Empress is enviable, Yun'er?"
Nan Zhiyun was young then and didn't understand these things, but she knew that being the Empress was not fun and wouldn't make one happy.
Upon hearing Nan Zhiyun mention the past, the Empress Dowager smiled gently, "Yun'er and I are different, aren't we?"
Nan Zhiyun didn't quite understand what she meant, but... she looked at Yu Jingchen, and then heard the Empress Dowager say, "At that time, because I was the Empress, I lived unhappily and uncomfortably; but Yun'er is not the Empress now, but the Emperor's wife. Therefore, every day Yun'er is the Empress, she will be happy."
Nan Zhiyun seemed to understand. She lowered her head, a little hesitant.
"Do you still have concerns, Yun'er?" Yu Jingchen asked her.
"...Your Majesty," Nan Zhiyun called out.
"Yes?" Yu Jingchen replied.
"If I become Empress, and one day I make a mistake, a grave error, will Your Majesty depose me? Will you no longer like me? Will you establish someone else as Empress?" Nan Zhiyun asked him.
Upon hearing this question, Yu Jingchen took Nan Zhiyun's hand, placed it on his chest, and gently drew her into his embrace, letting Nan Zhiyun lean against him. "How could that happen? Only Yun'er can sit in that position, because... Yun'er will be my only wife in this life."
My only wife... Nan Zhiyun's heart stirred. She lifted her face somewhat blankly. Yu Jingchen looked at her, his gaze falling on her lips, and then, without regard for who might be around, he kissed her lips. Although it was just a gentle peck, Nan Zhiyun, being shy, blushed deeply.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager averted her gaze, and Nan Su also didn't watch too closely. However... witnessing their interaction, Nan Su and the Empress Dowager felt a great deal of reassurance.
As Nan Zhiyun left Ci'an Palace, she still felt as if she were walking on clouds, light and airy, so unreal.
Yu Jingchen looked at the still dazed Nan Zhiyun and simply picked her up. Startled by the sudden lift, Nan Zhiyun instinctively hugged Yu Jingchen's neck.
"If you walk at your pace, when will we get back? I'll carry you back." Yu Jingchen said with a helpless smile.
"Can Your Majesty hold me like this forever?" Nan Zhiyun did not refuse; on the contrary, she loved being held by Yu Jingchen, feeling very safe and comfortable.
"Yes, I will hold Yun'er for a lifetime. Are you satisfied with that?" Yu Jingchen asked her.
"Then what if Your Majesty grows old and can no longer carry me?" Nan Zhiyun was determined to get her questions answered today.
"You won't. Yun'er is so light; I won't be unable to carry you." Yu Jingchen nudged Nan Zhiyun's nose with his own, causing Nan Zhiyun to blush.
The sun began to set, its afterglow lingering. From this day forward, I will never let go...