Inside the room, Nan Zhiyun sat on the bed, her face pale, likely from pain. Yu Jingchen's pupils contracted slightly; seeing her like this made him feel a pang of vulnerability, a desire to cherish and protect her.
"Your Majesty!" The palace attendants and the imperial physician bowed as soon as they saw Yu Jingchen.
"How is it? What is the situation with Consort Shu's foot injury?" Yu Jingchen asked, heading straight for Nan Zhiyun.
Upon seeing Yu Jingchen, Nan Zhiyun didn't think of bowing immediately. Witnessing the worry on his face, she felt a surge of grievance.
"Your Majesty..." Nan Zhiyun's voice trembled with pain.
"Yes, I'm here," Yu Jingchen said, sitting beside Nan Zhiyun.
"Your Majesty, the Consort has sprained her foot, and the sedan chair crushed her bone," the imperial physician replied. Yu Jingchen's face immediately darkened upon hearing this, so much so that it seemed ink could drip from it.
When the Noble Consort entered, she saw Yu Jingchen in this state. She knew that this time, Consort Yin had committed a grave offense, and more importantly, Nan Zhiyun truly was different to him.
"This concubine greets Your Majesty," the Noble Consort said with a slight bow.
"Bring her here!" Yu Jingchen roared. The Noble Consort knew exactly who he was referring to.
"This concubine has already sent someone to summon Consort Yin," the Noble Consort replied.
"Summon? Smash her foot bone and make her crawl here!" Yu Jingchen was truly enraged.
The Noble Consort did not expect Yu Jingchen to impose such a severe punishment and was unsure if he was speaking in anger.
"Your Majesty, Consort Yin surely knows she was wrong. Is this punishment perhaps..." the Noble Consort reminded him. Consort Yin's father was the Grand Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Yu Jingchen had previously taken this into account, only demoting her rank. Now...
"Consort Shu, my sister..." Seeing Yu Jingchen's demeanor, the Noble Consort felt it was unrealistic and turned to Nan Zhiyun.
Nan Zhiyun also hadn't expected Yu Jingchen to punish Consort Yin so harshly. Smashing her foot bone... Nan Zhiyun dared not imagine it.
"Does Yun'er wish to plead for her?" Yu Jingchen looked at Nan Zhiyun.
Nan Zhiyun nestled closer into Yu Jingchen's embrace and shook her head. Yu Jingchen's lips curved slightly; thankfully, she was not willing to suffer injustice for herself.
"Consort Yin spoke obscenely and deliberately attempted to harm Consort Shu. She is hereby demoted to a palace maid. The Grand Minister of the Court of Judicial Review is instructed to discipline his daughter effectively and must summon him to the palace immediately to personally oversee her education!" A cold glint flashed in Yu Jingchen's eyes. Was a Grand Minister of the Court of Judicial Review really that untouchable? Did they truly believe they could disregard imperial authority? He would show them today if they dared to defy his might!
Some people always needed a reminder to understand what they could and could not do. Today, he would ensure they remembered it well.
The Noble Consort knew there was no room for further negotiation and said no more. However, before leaving, she glanced at Nan Zhiyun in Yu Jingchen's arms with a thoughtful expression.
Yu Jingchen looked at the little girl hiding in his arms, his heart softening immensely. Yet, upon seeing her injured foot, a pang of pain shot through him.
"Is there no way to alleviate the pain?" Yu Jingchen looked at the imperial physician with a stern gaze.
"Your Majesty, forgive me." This was a clear indication that there was no such remedy. Yu Jingchen looked at the little one in his arms; she was enduring it. Her body was trembling so much, yet she refused to cry out.
"Good girl, cry if it hurts, and weep if you want to. You don't have to hold back, okay?" Yu Jingchen felt her pain as well.
Nan Zhiyun stirred in Yu Jingchen's arms. He lowered his head, looking at her leaning against his chest, tears welling in her eyes. She looked utterly pitiful.
"Cry if it hurts, call out, don't endure it. No one here will laugh at you, alright? It's alright. I know it hurts terribly. Yun'er, you're the most afraid of pain," Yu Jingchen soothed her gently.
Nan Zhiyun could no longer hold back her tears. They escaped her eyes, falling like pearls from a broken string, splashing onto Yu Jingchen's hand and searing into his heart.
"It hurts..." Nan Zhiyun finally cried out.
"Yes, Yun'er has suffered. You've been wronged this time," Yu Jingchen coaxed her.
The imperial physician was tending to Nan Zhiyun's foot injury, not daring to lift his head. It truly pained her; even the slightest touch from the physician was unbearable.
"Be good..." Yu Jingchen was also pained, but there was little he could do. He could only press Nan Zhiyun's head into his embrace, preventing her from looking.
"When will this wound heal? What precautions should be taken?" Yu Jingchen asked the imperial physician.
"The Consort's injury will likely require at least a month of rest. Please avoid using her foot as much as possible, avoid strenuous movements, and apply medicine on time," the imperial physician replied.
"Will there be any other complications?" Yu Jingchen asked again.
"If she rests well, there should not be any major issues, Your Majesty need not worry," the physician said.
Only then did Yu Jingchen relax, reassured that there would be no lingering effects. He patted the head of the girl in his arms, filled with compassion.
The little girl was crying so sadly; it was clear she was in terrible pain. Indeed, her bone was injured. Yu Jingchen couldn't bear to imagine what would have happened if Nan Zhiyun had suffered more serious harm from the sedan chair falling from such a height and crushing her foot.
The wood of the sedan chair was truly heavy. The little girl was already afraid of pain; how could she endure this now?
"Good girl, it will be alright soon," Yu Jingchen gently kissed her forehead.
"It hurts so much..." Nan Zhiyun's voice was still choked with tears.
"I know, it will be over soon," Yu Jingchen continued to comfort her tirelessly.
"Be gentle, be careful with your movements," Yu Jingchen said to the imperial physician, his tone chilling.
The imperial physician trembled, not daring to make a sound. Weren't they being gentle enough? It was easy for the Emperor to say, with his sharp, piercing gaze... He truly felt as if he were about to lose his head, terrified that it would be severed at any moment.
"It's done," Yu Jingchen said once the imperial physician had applied the medicine.
Nan Zhiyun's eyes were already red from crying, and she hadn't recovered. Her bare feet were cold. When they applied the medicine, it had hurt terribly, so she truly couldn't bear it.
Nan Zhiyun was naturally delicate. She had become more resilient before, but after these days of being pampered by Yu Jingchen, she had reverted. Seeing Yu Jingchen's concern and worry earlier had made her feel overwhelmingly wronged; even the pain seemed to intensify.
Later, when Yu Jingchen gently coaxed her, her tears flowed uncontrollably, like a dam bursting, streaming down her face.
"This concubine wishes to return..." Nan Zhiyun mumbled, her voice muffled. She didn't want to stay here.
"Alright, we'll go back. We'll go back right away, okay?" Yu Jingchen indulged her in everything.
"Mmm," Nan Zhiyun nodded. Just as Yu Jingchen was about to take her away, someone entered from outside.