The Empress Dowager held Nan Zhiyun's hand, "Yun'er, you have been in this palace for so long. Do you miss your old days? Do you want to leave the palace?" the Empress Dowager asked her.
Yu Jingchen's footsteps immediately halted. He looked at the figure inside and did not enter immediately. Even Xing Lai, who was by his side, held his breath.
"Empress Dowager..." Nan Zhiyun was a little bewildered by the Empress Dowager's sudden change of topic. Why the sudden shift, and this question...
"Is it difficult to answer?" the Empress Dowager looked at Nan Zhiyun kindly, even tidying her hair.
"No... I just don't know how to say it..." Nan Zhiyun lowered her head and said after a moment of hesitation.
"What is there to not know how to say? Or is Yun'er unwilling to answer?" the Empress Dowager continued to ask.
Outside the door, Yu Jingchen also quieted down subconsciously, feeling a little nervous. He didn't even know what he was nervous about. Was it Nan Zhiyun's answer?
"Empress Dowager... I don't like the palace," Nan Zhiyun said.
Don't like it... Yu Jingchen's heart seemed to be clutched by an invisible hand.
"Then does Yun'er wish to leave the palace?" the Empress Dowager's expression did not change much; she just continued to ask.
Yu Jingchen's heart also followed suit, and then he heard Nan Zhiyun's reply: "It seems... I also don't want to..." Nan Zhiyun shook her head.
She didn't want to stay in the palace, but she also didn't seem to want to leave. She didn't know what she was thinking. She always felt contradictory, yet it was the truth.
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager did not get angry. She just smiled faintly and drew Nan Zhiyun into her embrace, "Yun'er has not seen clearly yet. It's alright, it will be soon." The Empress Dowager's words were ambiguous, and Nan Zhiyun could not understand them, but she did not inquire further.
However... Nan Zhiyun was unaware, but Yu Jingchen was different. After hearing her answer, Yu Jingchen could not move for a long time. He thought he might know the reason.
Yu Jingchen looked at Nan Zhiyun leaning in the Empress Dowager's embrace, his emotions somewhat complex. He stood at the door for a while before daring to enter.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." The servants in the room bowed after seeing Yu Jingchen. Nan Zhiyun heard this and looked over.
"Your Majesty..." Nan Zhiyun called out.
"Have your foot injury healed any better? And was it very painful yesterday?" Yu Jingchen concealed his emotions very well.
"It's much better now," Nan Zhiyun replied.
"Since Your Majesty has arrived, let us have our meal then." The Empress Dowager's expression became a little more subdued.
Yu Jingchen pursed his lips and said nothing. The Empress Dowager then ordered the food to be served. Qian Xia, Qiu Yun, and Dong Yuan were about to help Nan Zhiyun when Yu Jingchen stopped them.
Nan Zhiyun looked at Yu Jingchen with some confusion. The next moment, Yu Jingchen directly picked Nan Zhiyun up in his arms. Nan Zhiyun's heart trembled, startled by the sudden action, so she immediately wrapped her arms around Yu Jingchen's neck.
Yu Jingchen was also very pleased with Nan Zhiyun's action, so he carried her out. The Empress Dowager watched this scene from the side. She said nothing more and did not intervene, only following behind.
After Yu Jingchen carried Nan Zhiyun outside, he carefully placed her in front of the dining table.
"Be careful not to bump it later," Yu Jingchen also cautioned.
Nan Zhiyun was still a little uneasy because the Empress Dowager was still there and watching her, which made Nan Zhiyun feel unaccustomed.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Nan Zhiyun said.
Yu Jingchen also noticed her embarrassment, so he did not tease her deliberately. Instead, he turned to look at the Empress Dowager.
"Please sit," the Empress Dowager said casually, then walked directly to her seat, which was next to Nan Zhiyun. Yu Jingchen sat on Nan Zhiyun's other side, while An Xin and Xing Lai were responsible for tasting the dishes.
The Empress Dowager personally ladled a bowl of soup for Nan Zhiyun.
"Yun'er, try this chicken soup. I had someone prepare it early this morning. It has been stewing for two hours, and it's your favorite kind from before," the Empress Dowager said, then placed the filled bowl in front of Nan Zhiyun.
"Thank you, Empress Dowager." Although Nan Zhiyun was thanking her, her tone was noticeably more cheerful than when she spoke with Yu Jingchen just now.
Nan Zhiyun picked up the spoon and began to drink. She liked this chicken soup the most. It was rich in aroma, delicious, and its color was very appealing.
"All the dishes on the table today are prepared according to your preferences," the Empress Dowager said, while also picking food for Nan Zhiyun.
"Try this crispy lotus root. You like this too, but you are quite picky. How can you only eat crispy lotus root?" the Empress Dowager teased. Nan Zhiyun usually only ate the crispy kind of lotus root and disliked the mushy ones.
Yu Jingchen watched from the side and also noted down all of Nan Zhiyun's preferences. Looking at the large table of dishes, Yu Jingchen remembered each one. However... when he saw the fish on the table, he frowned.
"Why is there fish?" Yu Jingchen asked. He remembered that Nan Zhiyun was allergic to fish.
"Doesn't Your Majesty like to eat fish?" the Empress Dowager said nonchalantly.
"Empress Dowager should know that Yun'er is allergic to fish," Yu Jingchen replied.
"I naturally know, but I also remember that Yun'er used to eat fish often. This led many to believe that Yun'er liked it, not knowing that it was only because Your Majesty liked it, so this foolish girl would eat it herself," the Empress Dowager said in a very low voice, but Yu Jingchen knew that the Empress Dowager was still upset.
"Empress Dowager..." Nan Zhiyun clearly wanted to stop her.
The Empress Dowager was also helpless. She lightly tapped Nan Zhiyun's forehead, "Is there any girl in this world softer-hearted than you? Not only soft-hearted but also foolishly silly."
"Empress Dowager used to say that Yun'er being silly and cute was the best," Nan Zhiyun retorted with a smile.
"Back then, I felt that Yun'er was a bit naive, so she was very charming and carefree, thus everything was good. But now, I feel that Yun'er is too foolish, and it's not worth it." The Empress Dowager's words were very clear now.
Nan Zhiyun stopped responding, and it was unclear whether she understood or not. She also reached out to pick food for the Empress Dowager, "This is also something Empress Dowager likes."
How could the Empress Dowager not understand her intention? Even if she was unwilling, what could she do but go along with her? Conversely, looking at Yu Jingchen, his attention was always on Nan Zhiyun. Seeing Nan Zhiyun like this, his guilt deepened.
This kind of thing is subtle and pervasive. Perhaps no matter how much time passes, it will remain deeply rooted in his heart.