"It's alright if you don't want to eat it. But you dislike bitterness, so if there's anything else you'd like to eat, or anything to relieve the bitterness in your mouth, you can tell me, and I'll have someone prepare it," Yu Jingchen said.
"I used to be very afraid, but now I seem to have gotten used to it. It's fine. If this happens a few more times, I'll be able to act as if nothing happened, because I no longer care about this bitterness," Nan Zhiyun put down the bowl. Hearing her words, Yu Jingchen felt a pang in his heart. When had he started to care so much about her words? Even guessing their hidden meanings?
Yu Jingchen did not relent on withdrawing all the guards from He'an Hall. For two consecutive days, Nan Zhiyun could only stay obediently in He'an Hall to eat and take medicine to recuperate. Yu Jingchen would visit every day.
He would accompany her for meals, watch her take her medicine, and supervise her naps. While Nan Zhiyun napped, he would process official documents nearby, never leaving her side.
Of course, he also knew that Nan Zhiyun would want her personal space and would feel uncomfortable with him around. This would negatively affect her health. Therefore, Yu Jingchen was not there all day. He would allocate an hour each day for Nan Zhiyun to be alone.
But this did not mean Yu Jingchen had truly left. Most of the time, he would stay in the shadows, watching Nan Zhiyun, or listening to others report her movements to him.
Nan Zhiyun did not do anything special. Even when Yu Jingchen was not there, she would still stay alone in her room, gazing out into the distance.
Yu Jingchen knew that Nan Zhiyun seemed to enjoy reading those storybooks, so he specifically had people find various kinds of storybooks for her, but Nan Zhiyun did not even glance at them. She didn't say a word.
Besides that, Nan Zhiyun also had her evenings to herself. Yu Jingchen did not stay to rest here. It wasn't that he was unwilling, but that Nan Zhiyun resisted. Even though she might not dare to express it, Yu Jingchen could feel it.
Being with him and sleeping in the same bed, Nan Zhiyun must have felt repulsed. So he did not force it and even took the initiative to leave He'an Hall... though he didn't leave completely. Because each time, he would guard in the shadows, and only after confirming Nan Zhiyun had fallen asleep would he come out to watch over her, sometimes for half the night.
Xing Lai, seeing Yu Jingchen like this every day, was truly worried. But as a servant, he didn't know how to voice his concerns.
"Your Majesty, your health is of utmost importance," Xing Lai advised Yu Jingchen, who was standing in the courtyard of He'an Hall. His Majesty had been standing here for over an hour again today.
"How did I not notice her stubbornness before? It's been several days, and she's still like this," Yu Jingchen said in a soft tone.
"Consort Shu is unable to let go... Your Majesty, I once heard a saying in the common folk: because there are no guardian deities in the human realm, there are mothers. Consort Shu is still young; perhaps she wouldn't have felt this way before, but after having a child, her state of mind would change. Forgive my presumption, but Consort Shu didn't want that child at first, but... Your Majesty, that child was a part of her, flesh and blood connected. How could she truly let go after a long time?"
"Now that the child is gone, it's normal for Consort Shu to be unable to let go for a while. After all, Consort Shu truly saw herself as a mother," Xing Lai said, looking at Yu Jingchen. Yu Jingchen did not reply but did not continue to stand there.
"When will Yu Jing'an arrive?" Yu Jingchen's tone suddenly became much colder.
"He should arrive the day before the Mid-Autumn Festival night," Xing Lai replied. There were still about seven days until the Mid-Autumn Festival.
"Keep a close watch on the people in He'an Hall. There must be no mistakes these days. Yu Jing'an... his target is Nan Su, and Nan Zhiyun is the best entry point," Yu Jingchen said. The assassination attempt last time was proof enough.
"Yes." Xing Lai understood this point clearly and did not dare to slacken.
"Also keep an eye on Nan Su. Don't let any accidents happen. Are the arrangements outside the palace complete?" Yu Jingchen asked.
"Everything outside the palace has been arranged, please rest assured, Your Majesty," Xing Lai replied.
"Good, let's go back," Yu Jingchen said, looking at the tightly shut palace gates before speaking.
"Yes." Xing Lai followed Yu Jingchen, and they left He'an Hall together.
Ci'an Palace
An Xin lit the incense in the hall. The smoke wafted gently, creating a sense of comfort.
"Are all arrangements made?" The Empress Dowager asked, resting her head on one hand, her eyes closed, her voice calm and casual.
"Your Highness, please rest assured, all arrangements are made," An Xin nodded slightly.
Just as An Xin finished speaking, a white figure appeared from behind the curtain...
"Guoshi." An Xin nodded slightly. Gu Yin nodded to her and withdrew on his own.
When the Empress Dowager heard the words "Guoshi," her eyes immediately opened, and there seemed to be a hint of panic in them.
Gu Yin looked at the Empress Dowager beside him, his expression gentle, but he said nothing. The Empress Dowager slowly turned her gaze towards him. As their eyes met, the Empress Dowager's eyes reddened.
Gu Yin smiled at her. "Why are you crying? What is there to cry about?"
The Empress Dowager rose from her seat. Gu Yin walked towards her. "Why do you still like to cry?" He reached out to wipe away her tears.
"Gu Yin... I've been waiting for you..." the Empress Dowager whispered.
Gu Yin pulled her into his embrace. "I know, so I'm here." His tone was light, making it seem as though the matter wasn't so serious.
Leaning in his embrace, the Empress Dowager felt an infinite range of emotions. Her mind was filled with the scene of Gu Yin's departure in her previous life. She thought she would never see him again...
"I will be here, always. As long as you need me, I will never leave," Gu Yin said, stroking Nan Zhiyun's head.
"I'm sorry..." the Empress Dowager apologized to him. But what was this debt of guilt, and where did it come from?
"There's no need to apologize. Yin'er... I am very fortunate." He was born after his mother's thirteen-month pregnancy, so from birth, he was treated as an anomaly. Later, because of his birth, misfortune befell those around him one after another, so he was abandoned by his parents.
It wasn't until he met Nan Yin and Nan Xiaoming later that everything slowly changed. At that moment, he felt that the meaning of his existence was for Nan Yin...
In fact, others didn't know, but from the moment he was born, he could see many things that ordinary people couldn't. He was different from ordinary infants, and he didn't know why. Many said he was a son of heaven, but... sons of heaven weren't treated kindly by heaven.
"Gu Yin... I regret it. Let's be good from now on, okay? Forgive me. This time, I want to go to Jiangcheng. Can you take me?" the Empress Dowager looked at Gu Yin.
"Okay, I'll take you." Gu Yin looked at her dotingly. At this moment, Gu Yin was as gentle as jade, his white robes as pure as snow. He had said he would never age.
Whether it was an illusion or not, even so, Nan Yin seemed to be a perfect match for him, and time had been kind to her as well.
In Ci'an Palace, the two looked at each other, as if all that had happened could be mended.
♡——♡——♡——♡——♡——♡——♡
He'an Hall
Nan Zhiyun woke up from a nightmare. She had dreamed of the moment of her death in her previous life again.
Nan Zhiyun sat up, gasping for breath. Everything in the dream felt as if it had just happened, leaving her shaken.
"Niangniang, you had another nightmare?" Qian Xia heard the commotion and came in.
Nan Zhiyun shook her head. She had been having nightmares every night for the past few days, reliving everything that had happened before, especially the final scene.
Yu Jingchen also entered from outside the door. The moment he came in, he saw Nan Zhiyun sitting on the bed, looking distracted. He knew how Nan Zhiyun had been feeling lately, but he hadn't said anything because Nan Zhiyun disliked it.
His appearance drew everyone's attention. Yu Jingchen walked over and sat by her bed.
"Did you have a nightmare?" he asked gently, taking out a handkerchief to wipe the cold sweat from her forehead.
Nan Zhiyun turned her body away, dodging his hand. Yu Jingchen's hand froze in mid-air, then clenched and withdrew. There was a moment of silence, but Yu Jingchen still managed a strained smile.
"You've been cooped up in He'an Hall these past few days and haven't gone out. The weather is nice today. Shall I take you out for a walk?" Yu Jingchen asked.
Nan Zhiyun remained silent.
"The weather is good today, let's go out and get some sun. Or perhaps you'd like to leave the palace? How about I take you out to see the sights?" Yu Jingchen added.
Nan Zhiyun was still silent, showing no intention of acknowledging Yu Jingchen.
Yu Jingchen was ignored twice, and everyone around felt it was becoming too much. The atmosphere in the room grew cold. However, the outcome they expected did not occur; Yu Jingchen did not get angry.
"It's no use if you don't speak. You have to go out today. You've been cooped up in the room for so long, you can't just stay inside. Your health won't improve if you don't go out," Yu Jingchen said, picking up her shoes and preparing to help her put them on.
"I'm not going out," Nan Zhiyun said these two words and looked at Yu Jingchen with a blank expression.
Yu Jingchen acted as if he hadn't heard her, helped her put on her shoes, and then picked her up from the bed.
"So what's the point of asking me? Isn't it that you decide what you want and that's how it is?" Nan Zhiyun did not resist, but only said this, which made Yu Jingchen pause.
"Going out for a walk is good for your health," Yu Jingchen said.
"But I'm in a bad mood," Nan Zhiyun replied.
"I can take you out to wander around the palace. You can tell me whatever you want to do," Yu Jingchen said, not getting annoyed.
"You said you didn't want me to leave the palace, so I've been staying in the palace every day. Also, you've posted so many guards outside He'an Hall because you don't want me to leave He'an Hall, nor do you want anyone to enter. So I've been shutting myself in this small room every day, not going anywhere. Are you satisfied?" Nan Zhiyun asked him.
"I feel like a prisoner. Everything I do is being watched. I have to get your permission for everything. No matter what you say, I have to obey. I am a puppet, a puppet that must conform to your wishes," Nan Zhiyun continued. Yu Jingchen disliked hearing her speak this way.
"This is for your safety. If you really want to go out, if you really want to do something you want to do, you can tell me. I haven't said I absolutely won't allow it. Also, if you truly want to do what you want, then you should take good care of your health. Your current condition, what do you think you can do?" Yu Jingchen retorted.
"You also said I need your permission, but I am a person, a thinking person. Why must I get your prior consent for everything I do? So you want to control me. You never consider what I want; you only think about how you want me to be, and that's how I must be. You say you're concerned about my health, but my current state is all your doing," Nan Zhiyun said, without mincing words.
Yu Jingchen, who was about to say something, was silenced by Nan Zhiyun's last remark, his words stuck in his throat.
"The sun is very good outside today. Let's go out for a stroll and relax. If you don't like it, I won't follow you," Yu Jingchen conceded, his voice becoming somewhat hoarse.
"I used to think sunlight was warm. Only after meeting you did I realize sunlight could be so cold. That beam of light was dazzling, but no matter how good the sunlight, it couldn't penetrate the darkness in my heart," Nan Zhiyun said, completely unfazed.
Yu Jingchen held Nan Zhiyun in his arms, but he didn't know whether he should continue walking forward.
"I'm tired and want to rest. My eyes are sore, and I don't want to see you. You are the esteemed Emperor, and I cannot contain you in my eyes," Nan Zhiyun said bluntly.
Yu Jingchen made no move. After a long while, he finally gave up. Nan Zhiyun was put back on the bed: "Then rest on your own."
Nan Zhiyun lay down without a word, pulled the covers over herself, turned her back, and showed no hesitation.
Yu Jingchen stared at her actions for a long time before turning and leaving. Outside He'an Hall, he felt the sunlight. He stretched out his hand, and the sunlight fell into his palm, but it could not be held.
"Withdraw the guards. He'an Hall can be entered and exited from today onwards. However, there's no need for the consorts in the harem to come and disturb. Do you understand?" Yu Jingchen instructed.
"Yes." Xing Lai knew that what Consort Shu had said must have hurt His Majesty.
But thinking about it carefully, Consort Shu didn't seem to have done anything wrong...
(Many feel the male lead wasn't tormented enough... Well, let's consider a practical issue. Given the male lead's identity and abilities, he is the Emperor, an autocratic ruler who holds all power. Therefore, trying to particularly torment him is unrealistic.
Also, the male lead doesn't have such deep feelings for the female lead yet. He is inherently a cold person, and such a drastic change wouldn't happen overnight, nor would he immediately set aside his identity.
However, we can still find ways. So, don't worry. If you really want to see the male lead tormented, let's wait another day or two for the double rebirth, okay? At that time, the male lead will have the memories from the main story and will truly love her, so he will suffer quite a bit, hahaha, just wait a little longer~ just a little bit of time~
Thank you~ I know you're working hard, but... I'm really doing my best to update. Please be understanding of the student's schedule. I'll add updates whenever I get home. Gratitude!!!
At the beginning, I actually didn't expect so many people to read this book. Although I've been complaining that you've abandoned me, but... hehe, I still love you all very much. I also know that you've spent a lot of time on this novel, even spending money. So I am truly honored to be treated this way by you, and I thank you all very much. I bow to you here. Sincerely, I am very fortunate to have you all with me, and I am also very fortunate that we met.
However, there are still many imperfections in the plot, and I will strive to correct them slowly, aiming to produce better works in the future, works that more people will like. Historical romance... I'm actually not good at it at all. It's quite difficult for me. I didn't write much of it before, so please bear with it.
(Speaking of this, I want to mention that this is a fictional setting, so don't overthink the historical accuracy. This is an entertainment novel, so everything serves the plot. I know some parts may not be reasonable, but as long as these things don't violate laws, morals, or promote harmful content, let's not dwell on them too much. Just read it. If you're bothered, it's better to stop here, so you'll be happy, and I'll be happy.
Before, I saw someone criticizing these things, and many people asked if I had never studied history? Well... how should I say it? Does the way I write mean I haven't studied history?
Then I want to ask, when you say that, haven't you gone through nine years of compulsory education and therefore don't know that history is a subject that everyone needs to learn? And do you lack basic manners?
Tsk, it's not that I have a bad temper, nor do I insist on arguing with you. Who can't be sarcastic? Perhaps some will say that there's no need to be so serious, but... there's no rule stating that I can't say this. If you insist on saying that, then some people ask me not to be serious, can't they also stop being concerned about what I say? Can you do it only after you've done it yourself?
My temper is really bad. If I'm unhappy, I'll make you unhappy too. It's impossible that just because I'm the author, I have to accept everyone's comments. Why should I? Authors deserve to be scolded.
And some people say, you chose to write it, so you should be prepared to be scolded. I want to say I am prepared. You can scold me if you want.
If you scold me, I can scold you too, right? Tsk, respect is mutual. If you have no manners, why do you expect others to respect you?
Moreover, some people can really do anything and say anything. I really don't know where I offended you. To be worth you going to such lengths to scold me, spending time and energy.
Dear, who are you? I don't know where you get the right and confidence to "teach" me how to do things like this? And there's more than one such person. Honey, you truly have a lot of free time! You're usually very idle, right? So you have nothing to do but pester me? What's up? Are you secretly in love with me? So you want to attract my attention this way?
Some people even "kindly" tell me that certain plots... especially those I posted on Weibo... they ask if I have experienced them myself, tried them, and frequently done them? Practiced them?
(One hundred curse words are omitted here. It wouldn't be good to write them out, so you look at yourself. How lucky you are that this barrier protects you, but it's clear that you don't deserve it. After all, you're not a complete person.)
Is your butt and head swapped? Butt in, head out. Even the gas you exhale isn't just a little smelly. What's wrong? Did it dirty your eyes? Your eyes are dirtier than the excrement you discharge, and you dare to say that.
Originally, I shouldn't say this, nor should I post it here and affect everyone's mood. But... I can't stand it anymore, so I'm clarifying everything to you all today. If you can't stand me, leave early, okay? Why do you insist on being stubborn and picking a fight with me? Isn't this asking for scolding? To be honest, in the end, the one who gets educated is you. So... if you really have itchy skin, if you're really acting like a jerk, feel free to try it, okay?
I'm just a student now, I don't have such a broad mind, and I don't make a living doing this. I'm just playing as a hobby. You have no right to judge what I should do. In my work, as long as it doesn't touch on things it shouldn't, you have no right to interfere with my thoughts and decisions. If you're really capable, then go write what you want and see if it's really so perfect that you'll immediately win the Nobel Prize.
What's wrong? Is your quality pulled out by a dog? Excrement from a dropout of nine years of compulsory education? You're not even a fish, no wonder you can never turn things around. Tsk, pathetic, lamentable, but... you really deserve it. )
I don't mean to attack anyone. I'm just telling you honestly what I want to say. Don't take it personally.
Most of us have good manners. Don't listen to certain dogs barking... Oh, but I've lost all my image now. Many people said I was gentle before, and now it's all ruined. Damn it!!!
Everyone... just pretend you didn't see it, hahahaha.
(Lastly, I want to say that I know this might affect many people's reading experience, but there's no other way. It's in the author's notes, and the word count is limited... It's truly helpless. But here, I still want to apologize to everyone, because it really affects the visual perception. (Crying and hugging, sorry~(*￣3)(e￣*))
(There is content in the previous chapter. Please re-read it.)