Contraception... truly audacious.
"Your Majesty, please do not be angered. Noble Consort Nan Zhiyun could never." Xing Lai defended Nan Zhiyun.
Yu Jingchen looked at the bracelet placed before him. It was identical to the one Nan Zhiyun had given Bai Yusheng before.
Yesterday, after he had someone retrieve Nan Zhiyun's bracelet, he had it examined as a precaution. He then sent an identical one to her, as such bracelets might not always be safe.
Unexpectedly, a problem was indeed discovered. The bracelet had been soaked in medicine. The imperial physicians stated that a bracelet merely soaked in medicine would not retain its effects for long; this one had clearly been submerged for a significant period.
However, the drug used was not directly contraceptive. It needed to be mixed with the incense used in Nan Zhiyun's chambers. It would have no effect on its own.
After the previous incense was found to be problematic, Yu Jingchen had it replaced. He specifically commissioned a gentle incense formulated to benefit Nan Zhiyun's health, incorporating medicinal ingredients.
Bai Yusheng was highly unlikely to be involved. Even if she had prepared an identical bracelet in advance, she could not have known he would take this one back. Furthermore, she wouldn't know about the incense burned in Nan Zhiyun's palace, as she had never visited the He'an Hall.
He had someone investigate the origin of the bracelet, but there were no leads, as if it had appeared out of nowhere. In such a situation, two primary possibilities existed: either someone had secretly placed it there, or Nan Zhiyun had obtained it secretly from somewhere and intentionally concealed it, otherwise, he would have known.
Yu Jingchen believed Nan Zhiyun would not intentionally practice contraception. But other possibilities... to him, someone secretly planting something was unlikely. Moreover, previous thorough searches of He'an Hall had not revealed any such problematic items.
"Continue the investigation. Investigate the palace staff of He'an Hall as well, especially those who serve her closely," Yu Jingchen commanded. In truth, the personal attendants had already been investigated multiple times, always yielding no results. But since His Majesty had ordered it, Xing Lai could only comply.
In the evening, Yu Jingchen still visited He'an Hall. He did not bring up the matter. Nan Zhiyun was unaware of what had happened but could sense that Yu Jingchen was somehow off.
"Your Majesty..." Nan Zhiyun was held in Yu Jingchen's embrace. Yu Jingchen held her without speaking, but hearing her call him, he could not deliberately remain silent.
"What is it?" Yu Jingchen asked with his eyes closed.
"Did something happen today? Is Your Majesty... unhappy?" Nan Zhiyun inquired.
"Perhaps a little tired. It's nothing," Yu Jingchen replied. He wanted to investigate this matter thoroughly first.
Hearing this answer, Nan Zhiyun said nothing more, content to be held by him quietly.
"Yun'er... do you want a child? Tell me the truth, just say yes or no." Yu Jingchen asked her.
Nan Zhiyun was taken aback. Why was this topic being brought up again? Hadn't they discussed it before?
"Why is Your Majesty asking this question again?" Nan Zhiyun looked at Yu Jingchen.
"I merely wanted to ask. Yun'er is still young, and I fear you might actually be unwilling. So, Yun'er, tell me, are you willing?" Yu Jingchen wanted to confirm. Perhaps today's events had had an impact.