Nan Ziyun slumped in Yu Jingchen's arms as if she had no bones.
"Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere else today?" Yu Jingchen asked her.
"No, I'm fine now. My head doesn't hurt anymore." Nan Ziyun stretched lazily in Yu Jingchen's embrace.
Yu Jingchen scooped her up. "Then are you hungry? Do you want to eat something?" he inquired softly.
Nan Ziyun nodded. "I'm hungry," she replied. What could Yu Jingchen do? He picked up the clothes prepared nearby and personally dressed her. He had become quite adept at such tasks during this period.
Nan Ziyun sat there in a daze, letting Yu Jingchen fuss over her. Just then, the faint sound of bells clinking could be heard from outside.
Nan Ziyun looked over and saw Ling Dang running towards her, the small bell on its neck chiming crisply and melodiously. Upon seeing Ling Dang, Nan Ziyun's eyes lit up. She gently opened her hands.
"Ling Dang~" Yu Jingchen looked over at the sound and gesture. Ling Dang agilely leaped onto the bed and then into Nan Ziyun's arms.
Yu Jingchen's expression darkened as he watched the cat in Nan Ziyun's embrace. The cat's actions were quite familiar.
"Ling Dang has gotten fatter again," Nan Ziyun said, picking up the cat.
"It eats every day, how can it not get fat? If it keeps going like this, it'll turn into a ball," Yu Jingchen suddenly interjected.
"It looks better a bit plump. When it's fatter, it's even cuter, so round and fluffy," Nan Ziyun, oblivious to any underlying tension, reached out affectionately to interact with Ling Dang. Seeing Nan Ziyun's head press against Ling Dang, Yu Jingchen's face instantly turned grim.
He reached out and lifted Ling Dang. Nan Ziyun looked at him with a hint of bewilderment.
"It's so dirty. Don't get too close to it," Yu Jingchen said, then tossed Ling Dang aside.
"Meow~" Ling Dang let out a "wail."
"I used to hold it like this too," Nan Ziyun suddenly felt a sense of bewilderment.
"Hold it less from now on. I didn't notice before, but it looks quite ugly now. Perhaps we shouldn't keep it?" Yu Jingchen suddenly said.
Nan Ziyun: "..."
Perhaps startled, Ling Dang no longer dared to jump onto Nan Ziyun. Instead, it ran out. Since Jiang Ji was responsible for taking care of the cat, Ling Dang found Jiang Ji after leaving the room.
Jiang Ji picked up Ling Dang. Ling Dang let out two pitiful meows. Jiang Ji's lips curved slightly, as if lost in thought, and he gently stroked Ling Dang's fur.
"Jiang Ji? Why are you holding Ling Dang here?" Xia Yi had just returned after collecting the medicine.
"Ling Dang was missing just now, and I came to find it. I didn't expect it to slip away again and come to see the Empress. Perhaps it came out again because His Majesty is here," Jiang Ji replied.
"Ling Dang is indeed very attached to the Empress. But in the future, if His Majesty is here, keep a closer eye on it to prevent trouble," Xia Yi cautioned with concern.
"Don't worry, I understand," Jiang Ji was quite astute. Xia Yi trusted him and didn't say any more. He needed to hurry and start brewing the medicine, so he quickly left.
Jiang Ji watched Xia Yi's departing figure, his eyes darkening slightly. The hand holding Ling Dang slowly tightened. Perhaps he had accidentally pulled its fur, and Ling Dang struggled to break free.
Jiang Ji reacted, looking down at Ling Dang in his arms. "You know too, right..."