The Empress Dowager did not stay in the Hall of Peaceful Harmony for long. After finishing lunch, she departed.
Yu Jingchen carried Nan Zhiyun back to her chambers, carefully setting her down to avoid her injured foot.
"Has your dressing been changed today?" Yu Jingchen asked.
"Not yet. The imperial physician said it could wait a while," Nan Zhiyun replied, withdrawing her foot slightly.
"Go fetch the medicine needed for your mistress's dressing change," Yu Jingchen instructed a palace attendant.
Qian Xia bowed and personally retrieved all the necessary medication. Yu Jingchen washed his hands and then gently began to untie the bandages around Nan Zhiyun's foot.
Although it didn't hurt as much as yesterday, touching it still caused considerable pain. Nan Zhiyun instinctively flinched.
"Does it still hurt a lot?" Yu Jingchen noticed her recoil.
"It's still a bit painful, but it doesn't hurt when it's not being touched," Nan Zhiyun said, appearing much more composed than when the Empress Dowager was present.
"There's no helping it. The dressing needs changing. I'll be as gentle as possible, so please bear with it for a moment. If you can't stand it, it's alright, just try not to hurt yourself. Don't bite your lip again, understand?" Yu Jingchen cautioned her beforehand.
"Alright," Nan Zhiyun agreed.
Yu Jingchen smiled faintly and completely unwrapped the bandages. Her ankle was severely swollen, a consequence of her previous sprain. Beyond the ankle, her entire foot was unnaturally swollen and covered in bruises. Seeing this, Yu Jingchen's heart ached with concern. Along with his distress, a fierce anger simmered towards the perpetrator.
"If you really can't bear it, don't hold back later," Yu Jingchen reiterated to Nan Zhiyun.
After Nan Zhiyun nodded, Yu Jingchen turned to prepare the medicine and began to change her dressing and re-bandage her foot.
"Hiss..." It truly hurt. Nan Zhiyun gasped in pain. Yu Jingchen glanced at her, understanding that there was no alternative.
Despite Yu Jingchen's efforts to be as gentle as possible, it had little effect. Nan Zhiyun's eyes welled up with tears from the pain, though she managed to restrain herself from making any loud sounds.
By the time Yu Jingchen finished re-bandaging her foot, Nan Zhiyun's face was already streaked with tear marks. He tenderly pulled her into his embrace.
"You've suffered, Yun'er," Yu Jingchen said with affection. Nan Zhiyun didn't respond immediately.
After a long pause, she finally spoke, "Is Your Majesty not busy today?"
"You are my priority," Yu Jingchen replied. Nan Zhiyun, hearing this unexpected answer, blushed slightly, feeling a touch embarrassed.
"Xing Lai," Yu Jingchen called out.
"Your Majesty," Xing Lai responded with a cupped hand salute.
"Go and bring all the memorials that have not yet been processed to the Hall of Peaceful Harmony," Yu Jingchen commanded.
Xing Lai readily agreed, "Yes." He was already accustomed to this, as it wasn't the first time. Nan Zhiyun also refrained from saying anything further. Firstly, she felt there was no need, as deep down... she wouldn't refuse him anyway, so feigning a plea seemed pointless.
Secondly, she believed her words would have no effect and could not change Yu Jingchen's decision. Therefore, considering both factors, Nan Zhiyun felt it was not worth the effort to speak.
"What would Yun'er like to do today?" Yu Jingchen asked her.
With her foot injured, Nan Zhiyun couldn't exert herself. What else could she do but sit there obediently? However, this felt incredibly boring.
"I haven't finished reading the storybooks Your Majesty gifted me earlier," Nan Zhiyun mused, then recalled.
"Do you like reading storybooks that much? Try not to cry over them this time," Yu Jingchen couldn't help but recall the previous two occasions when Nan Zhiyun had been so engrossed in reading that she had ended up weeping.
"Some plots were deeply moving, so I couldn't control my tears. But they were really good, and I liked them very much," Nan Zhiyun added, fearing Yu Jingchen might disapprove of her reading such materials.
"Since you like them, then read them," Yu Jingchen responded, feeling helpless.
Immediately, Yu Jingchen arranged for someone to bring all the storybooks. He then sat by her side and began to review memorials.
Their positions were not far apart, and Yu Jingchen could see Nan Zhiyun with just a glance. Nan Zhiyun sat on the bed, holding a storybook, looking utterly relaxed. Yu Jingchen smiled upon seeing her, his gaze filled with doting affection.
"Go fetch the grapes and kumquats from my quarters. Shu Fei likes to eat them," Yu Jingchen told Xing Lai beside him.
Xing Lai quickly made arrangements for them to be brought. Nan Zhiyun truly adored both fruits. However, she was currently engrossed in her storybook and couldn't spare her hands.
Qiu Yun and Dong Wan were by her side, peeling them for her. Such a pleasant life she was leading. Yet, Yu Jingchen felt this was precisely how Nan Zhiyun should be living.
The room quieted down, filled only with the rustling of Nan Zhiyun turning pages and the sound of Yu Jingchen's stylus as he handled memorials. Qiu Yun and Dong Wan diligently peeled, filling a large plate.
Nan Zhiyun would occasionally pop a fruit into her mouth, her demeanor intently focused. Later, she became so absorbed that she forgot about eating. Seeing her like this, Yu Jingchen knew she was once again captivated by the story.
However, this time it didn't seem to be a sad tale, or else Nan Zhiyun wouldn't have that expression. Reassured, Yu Jingchen returned to his own tasks.
Indeed, Nan Zhiyun was engrossed in the story. The narrative this time was different from what she had read before. Thus, her interest was significantly higher. Most of her previous reads were rather tragic, but this one offered a heartwarming experience.
Nan Zhiyun slowly turned the pages, sometimes chuckling aloud at the plot. Just like this time...
Nan Zhiyun was so immersed that she let out a laugh, her face radiant with joy. Yu Jingchen's attention was instantly drawn to her.
"It seems Yun'er is very happy with today's story," Yu Jingchen remarked.
Nan Zhiyun's face flushed slightly, perhaps from shyness. She said, "It's a little different from before..."
Yu Jingchen raised an eyebrow. This expression seemed a bit off... but he didn't say much, only observing Nan Zhiyun from the side. He then noticed... Nan Zhiyun's face growing redder, and her laughter at the book was exceptionally cheerful. However, looking at it, the laughter seemed to carry a hint of bashfulness.
Yu Jingchen rose from his seat. Nan Zhiyun, lost in her reading, was unaware of his approach and continued to stare at the book in her hands.
Then... seeing something that made her expression change abruptly, Nan Zhiyun was about to look up. As she did, she found Yu Jingchen right beside her, startling her.
Without knowing what she was thinking, Nan Zhiyun immediately tried to hide the book by her side, perhaps feeling guilty.