As Nan Zhiyun finally recovered her composure, Yu Jingchen spoke to her gently, hoping to distract her with some news.
"Your father and the others have already set off and will be back soon," Yu Jingchen said, thinking this was the only thing that might capture Nan Zhiyun's attention.
As expected, Yu Jingchen's words completely drew Nan Zhiyun's focus.
"When they return, you can have a good reunion. You can also return to the General's mansion if you wish," Yu Jingchen dangled another temptation. He thought that Nan Zhiyun seemed to be resisting contact with the outside world, but perhaps starting with the General's mansion would make her more receptive.
"Can I go back?" Nan Zhiyun asked proactively.
"Of course, but you need to recover from your injuries first, don't you?" Yu Jingchen told her, then continued, "Once you're better in a couple of days, you can go back to take a look if you like. If your father returns, the General's mansion will need some redecorating too, right? You'll only know if your father will like it if you see it yourself," Yu Jingchen said.
"How about it?" Seeing Nan Zhiyun still lost in thought with no reaction, Yu Jingchen moved closer and asked.
"Okay..." Nan Zhiyun didn't seem to object. Perhaps the General's mansion was a haven for her, a place of security.
"You've been lying down for quite a while today. Do you want to get up and walk around?" Yu Jingchen changed the subject. Nan Zhiyun had been lying down for the past two days, and Yu Jingchen feared she might be uncomfortable or experience other issues, so he would proactively massage her.
Nan Zhiyun didn't respond immediately to Yu Jingchen's suggestion, but it didn't seem like a refusal.
"I'll help you up and we can walk a bit, okay?" Yu Jingchen continued to ask.
"Mmm..." Nan Zhiyun agreed. Yu Jingchen gave her a gentle smile, then stood up first before helping Nan Zhiyun up. Nan Zhiyun's movements were a little unnatural, as her back injury would still be aggravated, but she could endure it.
"Slowly, just try it. If it's too much, we won't force it, okay? Don't keep enduring the pain," Yu Jingchen cautioned her first.
Nan Zhiyun nodded. She had been lying on the bed for days and felt like she was atrophying. She didn't even know how to walk properly. As soon as she got down, she stumbled.
Fortunately, Yu Jingchen was there to watch and support her, otherwise she would have fallen directly to the ground.
Yu Jingchen would not have wanted Nan Zhiyun to move if he wasn't afraid she would fall into a state of depression from being cooped up. However, her current condition was worrying, so he had to find ways to help her alleviate her emotions and stop her from overthinking.
"Take your time, don't be afraid," Yu Jingchen said, holding her. Nan Zhiyun actually felt it was a bit excessive; she was just in some pain, not unable to walk.
She followed Yu Jingchen's pace and began to walk slowly. Zichen Palace was indeed very large. After walking for a while, she felt a bit tired.
"Don't want to walk anymore?" Yu Jingchen easily sensed Nan Zhiyun's mood.
"It hurts a bit," Nan Zhiyun said truthfully.
"Then we won't walk anymore," Yu Jingchen said decisively. Before Nan Zhiyun could even react, he scooped her up into his arms. Nan Zhiyun was startled and even cried out.
"It's alright, don't be scared," Yu Jingchen said while holding her, carefully avoiding her injured area. After saying this, he carried her to the bed and had her lie down.
"Rest for another two days, and you should be able to sit up," Yu Jingchen said.
Nan Zhiyun lay down and naturally hugged the quilt to her chest, as if it were a doll. Lacking a sense of security, she only felt at ease when she held something.
Nan Zhiyun seemed to have something weighing on her mind, but she had been afraid to tell Yu Jingchen. Now, it was likely evident on her face, allowing Yu Jingchen to see it with ease.
"What's wrong? Is there something else you want to say?" Yu Jingchen asked her.
"..." Nan Zhiyun opened her mouth, but no words came out.
"It's okay, just say it." Yu Jingchen kept repeating these words, these actions, this tone. This was something he would never have imagined himself doing before; he even thought he could never act this way. But now, it had truly become a habit.
To truly care about someone is a terrifying thing. It changes you into someone you're not, and it makes you willing to change for another person.
"Consort Yun..." Nan Zhiyun finally uttered these words. She was indeed still bothered by this matter.
Upon hearing these words, Yu Jingchen's gaze deepened, followed by an immense sense of guilt.
"She is dead," Yu Jingchen said. Indeed, she had died the night before last.
Nan Zhiyun was startled to hear this. Dead? She looked at Yu Jingchen, fear flashing in her eyes.
"Don't be afraid. This is my fault. I apologize to you, okay?" Yu Jingchen knew that saying sorry and apologizing was rather useless, but he couldn't *not* say it.
"How did she..." Nan Zhiyun suddenly hesitated, or rather, dared not ask.
"I arranged it, but... she died in an accident. Do you understand, Yun'er?" Yu Jingchen asked. He hadn't directly issued an imperial decree to execute Consort Yun, but she had to die. The night before last, someone found Consort Yun drowned in the dry well of the Cold Palace. The well was quite deep, and she died instantly.
Nan Zhiyun didn't know how to describe her current feelings. She didn't pity Consort Yun, but... she suddenly realized that a person's life was merely a word or a fleeting thought to Yu Jingchen.
However, it was more like Yu Jingchen himself was always rational, as if no one was ever an exception to him. Regardless of who it was, even someone he had been intimate with, someone he had doted on, or someone who had carried his child, he could act as if nothing had happened and order their death.
Such a person was truly terrifying, for he had no emotions or heart, and even his blood seemed cold... Then what were his feelings for her now?
"Yun'er, please don't be afraid, okay? I told you directly just now because I don't want to lie to you, nor do I want to pretend in front of you that I am someone I'm not. But you must believe that my intentions towards you now are genuine, and this isn't some new tactic. Please believe me, okay?" Yu Jingchen explained proactively.
Nan Zhiyun lowered her head, not saying a word. She already knew how terrifying Yu Jingchen was, so how could she truly let go of her fear?
"I promise you, such things will absolutely not happen to you again. We will both be well from now on. I've told you this many times, so please believe that I am sincere, okay?" Yu Jingchen did not hide who he truly was, precisely because he was afraid Nan Zhiyun would be scared if she discovered it later.
Even though the situation was no longer necessary, as he had already become a cold-blooded and cruel person in her eyes, he still didn't want to lie to her. These matters might not be hidden forever, and if they were revealed later, it would be even more awkward.
"... Your Majesty, do you never make exceptions for anyone? If you believe someone deserves to die, you don't hesitate at all, is that right?" Nan Zhiyun suddenly asked, her voice very small, indicating she had mustered great courage.
"Perhaps I did in the past, but not in the future. Because from now on, you are my exception, understand?" Yu Jingchen said very directly and honestly. Nan Zhiyun was now his sole exception.
No matter what he did, his first consideration would be Nan Zhiyun. As long as it concerned Nan Zhiyun, he would always put her first.
"You know what kind of person I am. I wouldn't deliberately deceive you, nor would I pretend for so long just to do something to you, right?" Yu Jingchen began to guide her step by step again.
"So, you must believe me. My feelings for you now are real. Nan Zhiyun, I care about you deeply. I... am truly smitten with you and cannot bear to be apart," Yu Jingchen continued.
Nan Zhiyun knew he disdained using such tactics, but the matter itself was so bizarre. How could she dare to believe it, let alone believe it? His change wasn't subtle; it was earth-shattering, yet it happened in less than half an hour. How could she possibly believe it? She couldn't convince herself, nor did she have the courage to bear it.
"I know you have concerns and doubts in your heart. I also know my change is significant, which makes you feel uneasy. But Yun'er, you can recall our interactions these past few days. Every event happened for real. It wasn't a dream, but reality," Yu Jingchen stroked her gently.
"There are some things I can't explain to you right now, but as long as there's an opportunity in the future, I will tell you. Please wait, okay?" Yu Jingchen said. In fact, the issue could be discussed now, but he hesitated, unsure if Nan Zhiyun would believe him if he revealed it, and uncertain of her reaction.
Furthermore, if she truly knew those things, what would she do? Would she choose to leave? Would she hate him? Or would she remember...
Perhaps he wouldn't have had so many concerns before, but after these two incidents, he had to take this matter to heart. He absolutely could not bear the pain of losing Nan Zhiyun again. Such a thing must never happen again.
Nan Zhiyun also really wanted to ask: when exactly was "the right time"? What exactly happened in between? Why didn't she know? But unfortunately, these questions had to remain in her heart, as she didn't have the courage to ask directly. Moreover, even if she did ask, she couldn't judge whether Yu Jingchen's words were true, could she?
"Yun'er... do you believe in past and present lives?" Yu Jingchen suddenly asked.
Nan Zhiyun slowly raised her lowered head.
"You like to read storybooks, don't you? Have you ever encountered stories about past and present lives?" Yu Jingchen asked her.
Nan Zhiyun didn't know what he meant by this. Was he trying to distract her?
"I've read some..." Nan Zhiyun replied.
"Then do you believe those stories? And how do you view them?" Yu Jingchen continued to ask.
"..." Nan Zhiyun hesitated for a moment, perhaps unsure how to answer.
"It's alright, just say what you think, okay? I'm a bit curious," Yu Jingchen revealed nothing, simply stating his curiosity.
"They're just stories. Of course, I don't believe them. They're all just storybooks. How could such things really happen in real life? So, I don't believe it..." Nan Zhiyun replied. Stories are just stories; how could they become reality?
Those so-called past and present lives, those chances to start anew, to begin again – they are all just people's imaginations. In the real world, there isn't even a chance to regret, let alone the possibility of a second chance.
"What kind of stories do you read the most, Yun'er?" Yu Jingchen continued to ask, as if he were genuinely just curious.
"The most common ones... are probably about making mistakes in a past life, and then correcting them after rebirth to set everything right again," Nan Zhiyun replied. But if something has already happened, how can it be called setting things right? The original events are the original trajectory. If she truly changed them, it would be deviating from the path.
"And the ending? What was the ending like? Was it achieved?" Yu Jingchen didn't care about those things, but he really wanted to understand Nan Zhiyun's thoughts through them.
"The endings... most of them are quite beautiful, aren't they? Reborn to a time before anything had happened, reborn to a time when everything was still possible, so they truly changed," Nan Zhiyun said. Actually, many of the books she read before had unhappy endings, but the ones she had read recently seemed to have happy endings.
"Do you like endings like that?" Yu Jingchen asked again. This was perhaps his most important question.
"...I don't know..." Nan Zhiyun hesitated for a moment before giving her answer. She couldn't say for sure.