Unexpectedly, something was indeed found on her – an identical sachet.
"Let the imperial physician examine it," said the Princess of Yu.
The imperial physician stepped forward slowly and examined the sachet. "Your Majesty, this sachet contains only ordinary osmanthus fragrance."
Upon hearing this, the Princess of Yu smiled. "Your Majesty, this sachet is identical to Yan'er's. It's not impossible that she swapped it, after all, such a thing wouldn't appear on her." The Princess of Yu replied calmly, then turned her gaze back to the maidservant.
"Your mother is gravely ill, and it is understandable that you stole valuables to treat her. While Yan'er's punishment might have been a bit harsh, you shouldn't have used such means to harm her. Now that I have brought your mother into the royal residence, is this how you repay kindness with malice?" The Princess of Yu sounded disheartened.
The maidservant looked at the Princess of Yu for a long time, and finally... changed her words. "This servant deserves death. It is this servant who harbored resentment. This servant..." The maidservant said no more, swiftly removed the hairpin from her head and plunged it into her own neck.
Yu Jingchen reacted swiftly, shielding Nan Zhiyun's eyes and pulling her into his embrace, preventing her from witnessing the scene.
"Your Majesty... the matter is already quite clear. Although Yan'er was a bit willful, she would absolutely not commit such a heinous act. However... Yan'er's harshness towards a maidservant is my failure to discipline her properly. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness. Upon returning, I will surely punish her severely." The Princess of Yu reacted quickly, immediately kneeling.
Yu Jingchen remained silent. The room fell quiet, and the Princess of Yu couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness.
"Then, as the Princess of Yu says, take her back and discipline her well." Yu Jingchen's tone was somewhat absentminded, and no one could discern his thoughts.
"Yes, thank you Your Majesty for your leniency." The Princess of Yu kowtowed, her posture exceedingly humble.
Yu Yan breathed a sigh of relief. But in the next moment, she heard Bai Yusheng say, "Since the County Princess Yan treats her own personal maidservant this way, it's no wonder she harbored resentment. You must be careful in the future. It would be unfortunate if something like today's incident happened again. If it weren't for Consort Shu's cat discovering it by chance today, and if the consequences had become more severe, it would be irreparable." Bai Yusheng's tone was gentle.
Yu Yan shot her a hateful glance, and Nan Zhiyun did the same!
"Miss Bai is indeed kind..." The Princess of Yu looked at her with a meaningful glint in her eyes.
"Everyone withdraw. The remaining matters will be handled by the Consort." Yu Jingchen had no desire to listen to them any longer. He directly carried Nan Zhiyun into the inner chamber.
"We bid Your Majesty farewell!" everyone said in unison.
Yu Jingchen carried Nan Zhiyun back into the room. Nan Zhiyun's mind was still muddled. Was the matter from earlier concluded?
"Still thinking about what just happened?" Yu Jingchen asked her.
"Your Majesty, was Yu Yan truly framed?" Nan Zhiyun seemed genuinely curious.
"What do you think, Yun'er?" Yu Jingchen did not answer, but instead posed a question.
"Perhaps..." Nan Zhiyun was somewhat uncertain.
"Yun'er will understand in time." Yu Jingchen did not reveal the answer directly, leaving Nan Zhiyun bewildered.
However... Nan Zhiyun remembered the aphrodisiac incense from earlier and felt a pang of displeasure.
"Your Majesty... was the aphrodisiac incense real?" Nan Zhiyun stammered.
"Hm?" Yu Jingchen's gaze turned peculiar. Why was she asking about such things?
"...Your Majesty, if it was really effective, then would you..." Nan Zhiyun found it difficult to articulate the rest of her words.
Yu Jingchen, however, smiled. "Why is Yun'er worried about such things? Don't overthink it." He said with a hint of helplessness, then embraced Nan Zhiyun.
Nan Zhiyun nestled in his embrace, her face still flushed. But the moment she thought about what Yu Yan's concoction was meant for Yu Jingchen, she felt a strange unease.
"Your Majesty, you can't..." Nan Zhiyun suddenly said something without preamble. Yu Jingchen was momentarily taken aback, but then he understood.
He found it amusing. Was this girl jealous? Her seriousness made him feel inexplicably happy.
"No, I will only belong to Yun'er from now on, alright?" Yu Jingchen coaxed her.
Nan Zhiyun was somewhat surprised to hear this. She had blurted out the words involuntarily, but she hadn't expected Yu Jingchen to say something like that.
Yet, even with his words, Nan Zhiyun's gaze dimmed again when she thought of her own circumstances. She... didn't seem to be able to do it yet.
Nan Zhiyun's mood suddenly became low. She drooped her head, lost in thought.
"What's wrong?" Yu Jingchen noticed Nan Zhiyun's mood had shifted. Nan Zhiyun shook her head. Seeing that she refused to speak, Yu Jingchen assumed the day's events had upset her. He didn't press further, simply holding her gently and comforting her.
Nan Zhiyun leaned into Yu Jingchen's embrace. After a long pause, she said...
"Your Majesty... this consort wishes to try..."