The eunuch, whether out of indifference or not knowing if the question was directed at him, showed no reaction and merely trembled.
“You, Noble Consort Shu was speaking to you, why aren't you answering?” Xing Lai interjected.
The young eunuch seemed startled, his forehead touching the ground. “This servant deserves death!” He was truly terrified.
“Noble Consort Shu was asking why you were punished?” Xing Lai repeated Nan Zhiyun’s question.
“Replying to Noble Consort Shu, it was this servant’s carelessness that offended a master. This servant deserves death…” The man seemed to only know how to admit fault.
Nan Zhiyun frowned, and Yu Jingchen, sensing her unease, asked, “Do you want to spare him?”
“Your Majesty, he… should not have committed such a grave sin.” Nan Zhiyun felt he looked quite pitiful. This young eunuch seemed unfamiliar, and from his appearance, he likely hadn't committed any truly heinous deeds.
“Then how does Yun'er wish to handle this?” Yu Jingchen inquired.
“This concubine… merely wishes to spare his life. The rest is up to Your Majesty,” Nan Zhiyun replied.
Yu Jingchen glanced at the young eunuch kneeling on the ground, then gave Xing Lai a look. Xing Lai understood and nodded slightly.
“Then we shall do as Yun'er wishes and spare his life,” Yu Jingchen said, and nothing further.
The young eunuch on the ground seemed astonished that he would be allowed to live. He immediately began to prostrate himself in gratitude.
“This servant thanks Your Majesty for his grace…” The young eunuch’s voice was weak.
“It is not朕, thank Noble Consort Shu,” Yu Jingchen said casually, playing with Nan Zhiyun’s hand.
“Yes… This servant thanks Noble Consort Shu.” He bowed to Nan Zhiyun again. Nan Zhiyun watched him without much comment.
“Alright, is Yun'er satisfied now?” Yu Jingchen turned to Nan Zhiyun and asked softly.
“Mm…” Nan Zhiyun responded with a hum, then snuggled back into Yu Jingchen’s embrace, hiding herself completely. Yu Jingchen’s lips curved upwards as he held her tighter.
Those below watched, finding it incredible. His Majesty’s favor towards this daughter of the Nan family was extraordinary. Some with calculating minds began to formulate new plans.
Yu Jingchen stood up, still holding Nan Zhiyun. “I have already summoned the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review to the palace. His daughter has erred, and he cannot simply ignore it. This time, he will enter the palace to personally discipline her. Since you are all present today, you shall also witness how the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review disciplines his daughter.” Yu Jingchen left only these words and then departed, carrying Nan Zhiyun.
No one dared to speak at this moment. However, Yu Jiangyan glanced at the young eunuch kneeling on the ground, then at the retreating figures of Yu Jingchen and Nan Zhiyun. A thoughtful expression flickered in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Liu Yi, on the other side, observed Yu Jiangyan’s current state and seemed lost in thought. He felt that Yu Jiangyan had become somewhat peculiar since his return from his fiefdom. He raised his cup and took a gentle sip of tea.
Yu Jingchen carried Nan Zhiyun back the entire way. En route, Yu Jingchen covered Nan Zhiyun thoroughly with his cloak, fearing she might catch a chill.
Nan Zhiyun behaved herself, remaining quietly nestled in Yu Jingchen’s embrace, saying nothing and barely moving, like a weary kitten, lazy and fluffy.
Yu Jingchen carried Nan Zhiyun back to the Hè’ān Palace and then carefully placed her onto the bed, moving with such gentleness that he accidentally brushed her injured foot.
“Be careful,” Yu Jingchen warned. After he had settled Nan Zhiyun, he pulled the quilt over her.
“Does it still hurt a lot?” Yu Jingchen asked again.
“It hurts a lot.” Nan Zhiyun nodded; it truly was painful.
“Yun'er suffered an injustice today. For the next few days, do not move around. Anything that needs doing, delegate it to the servants. Absolutely do not exert yourself, for if you worsen the injury, you will be the one to suffer. You cannot afford to be taken advantage of again, so you must think of yourself and take good care.” Yu Jingchen’s tone was earnest.
“Alright,” Nan Zhiyun agreed obediently.
“Next time you encounter such a situation, be more assertive. How could someone like that bully you?” Yu Jingchen began to lecture.
“This concubine did not expect her to act that way, so I was caught off guard,” Nan Zhiyun said, a hint of grievance in her voice.
“Alright, it was all her fault for being too cunning and mad, okay? But you still need to be more careful. Later, I will arrange for some people who know martial arts to be by your side for protection, so you don’t get hurt again, alright?” Yu Jingchen was asking for her opinion.
Originally, Yu Jingchen had intended to arrange people himself, but he later felt that this matter should be discussed with Nan Zhiyun first.
“…Alright.” Nan Zhiyun hesitated for a moment but did not refuse. She certainly did not want what happened today to occur again. Having Yu Jingchen arrange people seemed like a good thing, anyway… she still trusted Yu Jingchen relatively well. This probably wasn’t meant to monitor her, nor did it have any other hidden motives. After all, she had nothing that required him to monitor her at the moment…
“Mm, usually, if you don't want them around, you can let them stay further away, but you must bring them with you when you go out,” Yu Jingchen added, worried that Nan Zhiyun might overthink it.
“Alright, I understand. Thank you, Your Majesty.” Nan Zhiyun nodded, not particularly bothered.
Upon hearing her reply, Yu Jingchen stroked Nan Zhiyun’s head. “Later, I will have someone bring you some food. Eat first. I need to attend to some matters, and I will come back to keep you company once I’m done, okay?” Yu Jingchen asked her.
“Mm, alright.” Nan Zhiyun was gradually becoming accustomed to Yu Jingchen’s way of doing things.
“Good girl.” Yu Jingchen smiled, then said to the nearby palace attendants, “Take good care of your mistress. If anything else happens to her, you will pay with your lives.”
“Yes.” The palace attendants were constantly on edge, fearing they might make a mistake.
“I will not pursue today’s incident, but if there is a next time, it will not be this simple,” Yu Jingchen declared.
His words surprised almost everyone present, including Nan Zhiyun. They had all thought that since they had caused Nan Zhiyun to be injured, they would have a difficult time escaping punishment. To think they would get off with their lives! Nan Zhiyun had already prepared words of intercession, but upon hearing Yu Jingchen’s statement, she froze in surprise. Yu Jingchen looked at Nan Zhiyun’s bewildered expression, finding it somewhat amusing. His little lady was quite kind-hearted.