Xing Lai immediately agreed.
Yu Jingchen said nothing more. The dishes were abundant, but Yu Jingchen didn't eat much. These things... weren't very good, perhaps because his state of mind was different.
After finishing his meal, Yu Jingchen went straight to the desk. Xing Lai watched him and suddenly felt a pang of sadness.
"Your Majesty, rest today. These matters can be dealt with later. There's nothing particularly urgent anyway," Xing Lai advised.
"It still needs to be done eventually. You may withdraw," Yu Jingchen ignored him.
Xing Lai couldn't persuade him further. After leaving, he glanced back into the room. In this vast palace, only His Majesty was alone. He wondered if things would have been better if His Majesty hadn't harbored such prejudice and fear towards the Nan family and the Empress Dowager.
Ci An Palace
Nan Zhiyun was eating her meal peacefully, but now she was stunned. This Guoshi... was so unusual...
How could he be so... solicitous towards the Empress Dowager? He served her food, poured soup, and even shelled crabs...
"Crabs are cooling in nature, don't eat too many," Gu Yin said.
Nan Su found Gu Yin's meticulous attention to be an eyesore. He secretly glanced at Nan Zhiyun and found his daughter also staring blankly. He couldn't help but cough.
"Gu Yin," Nan Su called out, his voice carrying a hint of reminder.
Gu Yin looked over, but only cast a brief glance. Finally, he said, "She's not a child anymore, what's wrong? You're still so protective?"
Nan Su's face darkened upon hearing this.
Nan Zhiyun likely understood, but said nothing. Moreover... she could feel that the Empress Dowager didn't seem to fully accept him, but she wasn't rejecting him either, which puzzled her.
"Was the Emperor just here?" the Empress Dowager suddenly said. Nan Zhiyun was taken aback. What did she mean?
Then she heard Gu Yin reply, "Yes, he left a while ago."
Nan Zhiyun was confused. What did that mean? When did His Majesty come?
"He has some self-awareness, at least," the Empress Dowager's expression softened slightly.
"Why get angry? It's insignificant," Gu Yin soothed.
"Empress Dowager..." Nan Zhiyun spoke.
The Empress Dowager looked at her, her expression instantly softening, "What is it? Want to ask about the Emperor?" she asked Nan Zhiyun.
"Did His Majesty come just now?" She hadn't seen him.
"Are you very concerned?" the Empress Dowager asked with a smile.
"No, it's just that I heard you talking about it, but His Majesty didn't seem to be here just now..." Nan Zhiyun said.
"He came, but didn't show himself," the Empress Dowager told her.
What kind of explanation was that? He came but didn't show himself?
"Has Yun'er's feelings towards His Majesty changed now?" the Empress Dowager said.
Nan Zhiyun: "...Have they?" Nan Zhiyun was unsure.
"Consort Shu hasn't figured it out yet," the Guoshi said lightly.
"Before, everyone said the Guoshi had eyes everywhere. Can the Guoshi really see anything?" Nan Zhiyun asked.
"Consort Shu, just follow your heart. I see that Consort Shu will have a smooth path ahead. You are actually fortunate, many will escort you. Perhaps there were many difficulties before, but from now on, if you wish, all will be as you desire, though some regrets will still exist," Gu Yin said to her.
Nan Zhiyun listened, unsure whether to believe him. Could these matters be explained clearly? Nan Zhiyun didn't know. She didn't ask for much; she would be content if things remained as they were now.
Just then, An Xin entered from outside.
"Empress Dowager, Eunuch Xing from His Majesty's side has arrived. He wishes to invite Consort Shu to Zichen Palace," An Xin said.
Nan Zhiyun was stunned. Before she could say anything, the Empress Dowager spoke first.
"Did His Majesty order it?" the Empress Dowager asked.
"It seems Eunuch Xing himself came to invite her. He said His Majesty is alone in Zichen Palace and has been working, so he wants the Consort to go and persuade him," An Xin replied.
The Empress Dowager looked at Nan Zhiyun, "Do you want to go?"
"How can I persuade him? I dare not..." Did Nan Zhiyun dare to try and persuade him?
"What's there to fear? Consort Shu can just go over, you don't need to do anything," Gu Yin said. The Empress Dowager looked at him, thinking about something, and didn't voice her opinion.
"Want to go and see?" the Empress Dowager asked her.
"..." Nan Zhiyun didn't give an immediate answer.
"Go, I see you're not entirely against it. Since they've come to invite you, go and see," the Empress Dowager said.
"...Yes" Nan Zhiyun stood up from her seat.
"Then I will go now," Nan Zhiyun said.
"Go," the Empress Dowager did not stop her this time.
Nan Zhiyun looked at Nan Su again. Nan Su nodded slightly at her, and only then did Nan Zhiyun slowly withdraw.
Watching Nan Zhiyun's receding figure, the Empress Dowager looked at Gu Yin, "Is it correct?" she asked.
"I am here, anything you desire can be realized. Don't worry. Weren't you very confident before? Why are you worried now?" Gu Yin asked her.
"Perhaps it's because it's getting closer and closer, that's why I'm worried," the Empress Dowager said, then looked at Nan Su.
"Why are you so quiet today?" the Empress Dowager asked.
"The child has grown up," Nan Su simply said, some things always had to be let go.
The room became much quieter...
Nan Zhiyun had just stepped out of Ci An Palace. Xing Lai had been waiting outside for a long time. He hadn't held much hope, as the Empress Dowager and General Nan were both present today, and he thought the Empress Dowager wouldn't allow her to leave.
To his surprise, she actually agreed to let her go. Xing Lai immediately stepped forward.
(Mini-theater—
Yu Jingchen: What if I can't find it?
Nan Zhiyun: You can be more obvious, like eight hundred and fifty-eight.
Yu Jingchen: Two hundred and eighty-six is also fine.
Nan Zhiyun: If you add four hundred and twenty-eight to the previous number, it will be exactly nine digits.)