He Dian
Yu Jingchen showed no displeasure upon hearing of Concubine Yan’s punishment. Nan Zhiyun, upon hearing this, felt that this concubine was truly biased. However… she didn’t dislike it.
“Had enough of the excitement?” Yu Jingchen asked Nan Zhiyun, who was staring into space in his arms with a hint of amusement.
“Your subject remembers that Concubine Niang Niang is a gentle and kind person, and has never punished any other concubines. The palace servants in her court also praise her highly,” Nan Zhiyun said.
“Has Yun’er had any contact with the Noble Consort?” Yu Jingchen asked her.
Nan Zhiyun shook her head. “No, I only heard about it.”
“It’s just hearsay, don’t take it to heart. Some people cannot be understood by just listening to a few words,” Yu Jingchen said with unspoken meaning.
“Then does Your Majesty mean that Noble Consort Niang Niang is pretending?” Nan Zhiyun asked, not understanding.
“That’s not what I mean. I just want to tell Yun’er not to judge a person based on a few words. As for Noble Consort… Yun’er should avoid interacting with her too much,” Yu Jingchen said.
“Your subject had no intention of interacting with her,” Nan Zhiyun replied.
“But you can’t avoid it entirely. I’m just telling you not to become too close. Yun’er, you will encounter many people in the future, so you must learn to interact with them. However, you need to grasp the right measure during these interactions. As for confiding in others… Yun’er, don’t be too quick to open your heart to people, you’ll get hurt, understand? Some matters are best left superficial, it’s enough if things appear decent on the surface,” Yu Jingchen spoke as if he were reasoning with his own daughter.
“Your subject understands Your Majesty’s meaning. Empress Dowager Niang Niang has also said similar things,” Nan Zhiyun said with a slight smile.
Yu Jingchen stroked her head. It was precisely because of the Empress Dowager that she was so pure and untainted. If possible, he wished Nan Zhiyun could remain this way forever, innocent and shielded by him. But unfortunately, reality would not allow it.
“Empress Dowager Niang Niang cherishes Yun’er. She thought that as long as she was here, Yun’er could grow up carefree for her entire life. However… Yun’er also wants to protect Empress Dowager Niang Niang, right? So there are some things you still need to learn slowly, okay? It’s alright if you didn’t understand before, I can teach Yun’er from now on,” Yu Jingchen hoped Nan Zhiyun would learn more.
“Your subject understands. Your subject will learn slowly,” Nan Zhiyun naturally understood these principles.
“It’s alright, we can take our time,” Yu Jingchen didn’t pressure her to understand immediately. Compared to the affairs of the harem, he actually wished Nan Zhiyun would understand more about other things, rather than being confined to the palace intrigues.
“Your Majesty, are all the concubines in the harem bad people? Is everything they show just fake? Does Your Majesty know everything?” Nan Zhiyun asked.
“Is Yun’er a good person?” Yu Jingchen countered.
“Your subject has not harmed anyone,” Nan Zhiyun immediately replied.
“Precisely. Not everyone in the harem is evil, but truly good people are also almost nonexistent. Because everyone has their own desires, their own entanglements of interest, their own bottom lines that cannot be crossed, and their own personalities. Therefore, Yun’er must learn to discern for herself,” Yu Jingchen explained.
“Then has Your Majesty always known?” Nan Zhiyun asked again, like a curious baby.
“When I want to know, I might know. But I usually don’t actively inquire,” Yu Jingchen told her.
“Why? Then what does Your Majesty do after knowing?” Nan Zhiyun asked. In her impression, Yu Jingchen rarely paid attention to these matters in the harem.
“If I were to manage every single matter, wouldn’t there be endless things to manage? Does Yun’er think I have so much free time in a day?” Yu Jingchen looked at her helplessly.
“And even if I intervened, what would be the use? What is bound to happen will still happen, and what is meant to occur will still occur,” Yu Jingchen explained patiently.
Nan Zhiyun wasn't sure if she understood. She didn't ask further, appearing lost in thought, her mind wandering to unknown places.