Yu Jingchen looked at the blood splattered on the ground, this was his life. Compared to this, Nan Ziyun was too clean, so clean that he wanted to stain her black and red, yet he was reluctant to do so.
The Empress Dowager had been observing the movements of Yu Jingchen and Nan Ziyun. Nan Ziyun’s current state was, in a way, something she had nurtured. She sometimes wondered if this temperament was good or bad. After all, she had never imagined Nan Ziyun would enter the palace before.
Yu Jingchen… she thought she understood him, but she rarely saw such a bloody side of him. Even she found the scene difficult to accept. Whether in the past or present, she had always believed Yu Jingchen and Nan Ziyun were incompatible.
“If you can’t bear to watch, I’ll accompany you back. You don’t need to stay here. You haven’t rested all night; your health is most important.” Gu Yin was also concerned about the Empress Dowager’s health.
The Empress Dowager did not insist further and nodded. Gu Yin naturally extended his hand for the Empress Dowager to lean on. Yu Jingchen merely glanced in their direction, saying nothing.
The Empress Dowager returned to Cí’ān Palace, but the events had not ceased. The entrance to Zǐchén Palace was completely drenched in blood, and even the air was thick with the smell of gore.
Yu Jingchen watched with cold eyes. Seven or eight, perhaps more. By the end, his interest waned. It was likely because of the young woman in his arms, who had been frowning, looking uneasy, and breaking out in a cold sweat.
Yu Jingchen gently picked up Nan Ziyun and stood, indifferent to the expressions or gazes of those present, and carried her away.
Not into Zǐchén Palace, but back to Hé’ān Palace. It was too noisy here, and… he feared Nan Ziyun might instinctively be frightened when she woke up. Thus, he decided it was better to be further away.
Upon returning to Hé’ān Palace, Yu Jingchen placed Nan Ziyun on the bed before activating her pressure points to induce sleep.
“Fetch a basin of hot water,” Yu Jingchen commanded.
Hearing this, Shallow Summer quickly brought over a basin of hot water. Yu Jingchen wet a cloth, wrung it out, and then personally wiped the sweat from Nan Ziyun’s forehead.
It seemed she was truly frightened today. He wondered if she would recover by tomorrow. Yu Jingchen felt a pang of guilt, but not regret, as this might not be a bad experiment.
Yu Jingchen did not leave. These past few days, due to his feigned “coma,” Nan Ziyun had stayed by his side, neglecting her rest. After experiencing such an event just now, Yu Jingchen felt a bit uneasy.
Fortunately, Xinglai had not followed. He was needed to watch over things there. He mused that after today, everyone would have a new understanding of Yu Jingchen.
Yu Jingchen sat beside her, holding Nan Ziyun’s hands, never letting go. He silently gazed at the slightly restless young woman, his eyes filled with tenderness.
“What am I to do with you?” Yu Jingchen murmured.
“My whole being is a quagmire, yet I cannot bear to let you go. What should I do?” Yu Jingchen didn’t know, but after a moment, he chuckled to himself.
What if it was a quagmire? Flowers could still be planted, and they would bloom gorgeously and beautifully. Most importantly, these flowers would be planted solely for Nan Ziyun. When they bloomed, he would present them with cupped hands, offering them as adornment.