Hearing Yu Jingchen’s arrival, Zhao Zhaorong’s expression changed. Those in the pavilion immediately knelt, except for Nan Zhiyun and Qian Xia, of course.
“Your Majesty, are you alright…” Qian Xia looked at her mistress’s pale face with concern.
“What happened?” Yu Jingchen didn’t even glance around, only noticing that Nan Zhiyun seemed unwell. He immediately walked over and pulled her into his embrace.
“It hurts~” Nan Zhiyun’s tears welled up. Her injuries hadn’t fully healed, and when Yu Wan'er was pushed just now, she fell directly onto her feet and hit the stone bench behind her, making it unbearable.
“Good girl, let me see.” Yu Jingchen carried her to the table to sit properly, then crouched down to examine Nan Zhiyun’s foot. It seemed to be fine, but Yu Jingchen was still worried.
“Xinglai, call for the imperial physician to examine her,” Yu Jingchen commanded. Xinglai understood and went to make the arrangements.
“It’s alright, isn’t it?” Yu Jingchen held her close, comforting her.
Only then did he turn his gaze to the line of people kneeling on the ground, a fierce look flashing in his eyes.
Zhao Zhaorong had already been flustered, especially seeing how concerned Yu Jingchen was about Nan Zhiyun. She hadn't intended to hurt Nan Zhiyun.
“What’s going on?!” Yu Jingchen’s tone was laced with anger.
“Your Majesty… The Second Princess accidentally fell just now, and I let her in, but her attendant’s attitude was too poor, completely lacking in attentiveness. Zhao Zhaorong came to take the Second Princess back, but the Second Princess refused and pulled on me. Zhao Zhaorong lost her footing for a moment and pushed the Second Princess, causing her to accidentally bump into me,” Nan Zhiyun explained the situation preemptively.
Yu Jingchen scanned the scene and saw Yu Wan'er trembling as she knelt to the side, his brow furrowed.
“Second Princess, you may rise,” Yu Jingchen said, his voice softening slightly.
“…No, I dare not.” Yu Wan'er didn’t dare to lift her head. Yu Jingchen found her behavior irritating.
“The ground is quite cold, and it seems the Second Princess is injured,” Nan Zhiyun added, sensing Yu Jingchen’s displeasure.
“Help the Second Princess up,” Yu Jingchen said without getting angry.
A palace maid helped Yu Wan'er to her feet. Yu Jingchen then turned to Zhao Zhaorong, “Have you not taken to heart anything I told you last time?” Yu Jingchen’s voice was tinged with a chilling coldness.
“Your Majesty misunderstands, your concubine remembers everything. I was merely trying to bring Wan'er back to the palace,” Zhao Zhaorong said.
“And this is how the palace maids serve?” Yu Jingchen’s voice lacked any inflection, yet it made one tremble with fear.
“Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me!” The palace maid was truly terrified this time.
“Drag her away and have her beaten to death,” Yu Jingchen said without hesitation.
“Your Majesty!” The palace maid was still pleading, but someone covered her mouth and dragged her away.
Zhao Zhaorong was already trembling, afraid to speak, let alone beg for mercy.
“I don’t think you are suitable to raise the Second Princess anymore. What do you think?” Yu Jingchen was still in the mood to ask Zhao Zhaorong.
“Your Majesty?” Zhao Zhaorong looked at Yu Jingchen.
Yu Jingchen ignored her, turning instead to the cowering Yu Wan'er. In his previous life, he had spent some time with this daughter. Perhaps it was because he was too lonely later on, wanting some solace, but unfortunately, it only lasted a few days, as he did not like her personality.