The journey was quiet, with only the crunching sound of snow underfoot. Nan Zhiyun leaned obediently in Yu Jingchen's embrace. Perhaps due to boredom, she looked up at him.
From her position, she could only see the line of Yu Jingchen's jaw, sharp and defined. As Nan Zhiyun gazed, she fell into a trance. In truth... Yu Jingchen's face was remarkably perfect. When stern, he was sharp and intimidating; when not angry… he possessed a gentle demeanor.
And then… his Adam's apple. Nan Zhiyun had never observed Yu Jingchen so closely before. Now, looking at it… Nan Zhiyun felt an inexplicable unease, but… it was truly handsome…
"What are you looking at? Haven't seen enough after all this time?" Yu Jingchen suddenly spoke, startling Nan Zhiyun. Perhaps it was guilt.
"What wicked thoughts are you having?" Yu Jingchen asked, his eyes full of amusement.
"None…" Nan Zhiyun averted her gaze.
"I don't believe you. You clearly are, yet you won't admit it, Yun'er? What, are you embarrassed now?" Yu Jingchen teased deliberately.
"I really wasn't…" Nan Zhiyun lacked conviction. Were her recent thoughts wicked? She simply turned her face away, burying it completely in Yu Jingchen's chest. She was indeed embarrassed.
A pleased sound rumbled in Yu Jingchen's throat. The soft laughter made Nan Zhiyun even more embarrassed, so she could only burrow deeper into his embrace. The rise and fall of Yu Jingchen's chest indicated his good mood.
Recently, he had discovered something amusing: whenever Nan Zhiyun became shy and embarrassed, she liked to hide herself, either by burrowing into his arms or behind him.
Yu Jingchen gently patted Nan Zhiyun's back, finding her so adorable. How could his little Yun'er be so charming?
However, realizing his girl's delicate sensibilities, Yu Jingchen stopped teasing for the rest of the journey. By the time they reached the Andian Palace, Nan Zhiyun was still afraid to show her face. Yu Jingchen almost thought the girl had fallen asleep.
"We're here, aren't you getting down?" Yu Jingchen spoke to Nan Zhiyun. Hearing this, Nan Zhiyun immediately stirred.
Yu Jingchen gently supported her. "Slowly, don't fall. Why the rush? You didn't do anything wrong, did you?"
"This concubine knows her mistake." Nan Zhiyun lowered her head.
"No, you didn't do anything wrong." Yu Jingchen disliked hearing her say that.
"Go sit over there." Yu Jingchen gestured to Nan Zhiyun. Though unsure of his intentions, Nan Zhiyun obediently walked to the side and sat down. To her surprise, Yu Jingchen immediately knelt before her.
"Your Majesty…" Nan Zhiyun's heart fluttered.
"It's alright, I'm just looking." Yu Jingchen reached out, lifted Nan Zhiyun's foot, and prepared to help her remove her shoe.
Nan Zhiyun was unaccustomed to this and tried to pull her foot back, but Yu Jingchen held it firmly.
"Don't move. You walked so far in the snow, and your feet got wet. Why didn't you say anything?" Yu Jingchen said, all the while helping Nan Zhiyun remove her soaked shoes and socks. Nan Zhiyun felt a pang of embarrassment. For the ruler of a nation to be helping her remove her shoes?
"Aren't you afraid of the cold? Your feet are freezing now, and you could bear it? They were completely soaked, and you kept them wet and silent. If I hadn't noticed, would you have just kept enduring it?" Although Yu Jingchen's tone held a hint of admonishment, it lacked any real blame.
Nan Zhiyun remained silent.
(— A small interlude has arrived —
The Hall of Diligent Governance
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" Her voice preceded her arrival. It could only be Nan Zhiyun.
Yu Jingchen sat behind his desk, a mountain of memorials before him. Hearing Nan Zhiyun's voice, he put down his brush.
He then looked towards the door and saw Nan Zhiyun bounding towards him like a little rabbit.
Yu Jingchen reached out and caught her.
"What's wrong? Why the hurry? So clumsy. If you fall, you'll cry, and I won't coax you." Although Yu Jingchen said this, he still drew her into his arms and sat down.
"I'm just so happy!" Nan Zhiyun said with a pout.
"What's made you so happy?" Yu Jingchen asked, tidying her hair.
"Ban Xia. Let's watch Ban Xia. Your Majesty, Ban Xia is truly beautiful. Will you watch with me?" Nan Zhiyun tugged at Yu Jingchen's sleeve.
"Ban Xia? That's just an herb, what's so beautiful about it?" Yu Jingchen couldn't understand.
"Oh, it's not that Ban Xia. It's Ban Xia from "Wild Bloom." It's Xu Ban Xia, played by Yingbao. Your Majesty, I like watching it, will you watch with me? Big Boss Xu is so handsome!" Nan Zhiyun pouted.
"Then do you like her or do you like your Majesty?" Yu Jingchen asked, looking at her.
"…I like both," Nan Zhiyun replied after some thought.
"You know how to answer," Yu Jingchen tapped her nose.
"Then will Your Majesty watch or not?" Nan Zhiyun persisted.
"Yes, yes, I'll watch with you right away, okay?" Yu Jingchen could not refuse her.
"Okay~ Thank you, Your Majesty," Nan Zhiyun said, then gave Yu Jingchen a kiss on the cheek…
— Please support Yingbao's new drama "Wild Bloom" —)