Nan Zhiyun stood by, her head bowed and her demeanor completely different from when she was speaking with the Empress Dowager.
"Yun'er, please sit down," the Empress Dowager offered, smoothing over the awkwardness.
Nan Zhiyun glanced at Yu Jingchen. He was drinking tea from the table, his gaze not on her. There was still an empty seat beside the Empress Dowager, and as Nan Zhiyun was about to move towards it, Yu Jingchen spoke.
"Isn't there a seat here? Why do you need to be reminded?" Yu Jingchen looked at Nan Zhiyun, gesturing to the seat beside him. Nan Zhiyun's steps, which were about to carry her towards the Empress Dowager, faltered.
"This empress wishes to sit with Yun'er. Yun'er, come here," the Empress Dowager said the first part to Yu Jingchen and the latter to Nan Zhiyun, an obvious attempt to defuse the tension.
Nan Zhiyun's heart eased slightly. She then curtsied to Yu Jingchen before moving to sit beside the Empress Dowager.
Yu Jingchen seemed displeased, though he did not let it show too overtly. The three of them now sat together in the room in a profound silence, no one intending to speak, creating a rather strange atmosphere.
However, the Empress Dowager remained composed, sipping her tea as if nothing were amiss. Yu Jingchen also seemed fine, his expression serene, appearing unhurried. Only Nan Zhiyun, sitting alone on the side, seemed unsure of what to do and dared not speak, thus appearing rather flustered.
"Yun'er has been under house arrest for some time. When does Your Majesty plan to lift it? Staying in He'an Hall these days is not good for Yun'er's health," the Empress Dowager broke the silence first.
"She is recovering from her injuries. House arrest is not a bad thing. At least the servants are not withholding anything from her," Yu Jingchen's words implied he had no intention of lifting the confinement.
"Yun'er's health has mostly recovered. Going out for walks occasionally would be beneficial for her. Your Majesty is perhaps being too harsh," the Empress Dowager continued.
"I haven't seen Consort Shu go out much herself before. Is she bored now? Lifting the house arrest or not should make little difference," Yu Jingchen had his own considerations. Why was she under house arrest before? It seemed to be because of the morning greetings. During the period of confinement, Nan Zhiyun would not need to attend them. Wasn't it said that these women in the inner court always sought to assert their presence through her? So, wasn't confinement a good thing for now?
"Before Yun'er entered the palace, she was a restless spirit, always running about. After entering the palace, she became much more restrained. Now, even staying in this small palace for half a month seems to be all due to Your Majesty," the Empress Dowager's words sounded a bit strange. Yu Jingchen frowned, then looked at Nan Zhiyun, who sat silently beside him, looking so quiet and well-behaved that it inexplicably evoked a pang of sympathy.
Previously, Nan Zhiyun had always been lively and cheerful. Whenever they were together, Nan Zhiyun was always the one who spoke the most, chattering incessantly. Now, she was always the quietest, just sitting by the side, without a word. Her change seemed profound, and the reason for these changes was her entry into the palace.
"House arrest is merely a declaration to the outside. If she truly wishes to go out, she can simply do so. It's not a mandatory confinement," Yu Jingchen's tone softened, indicating a compromise.
"It is enough to have Your Majesty's word. However, Your Majesty may not have considered that with your noble status, do you not know the weight of your words? Often, a casual remark from you, even one you yourself do not take to heart, is something your subordinates dare not forget," the Empress Dowager spoke to herself.
"Many in the palace act based on the moods of those above them. Your Majesty's every word and action sets the tone for the inner court. Therefore, Your Majesty should perhaps observe more carefully in the future, as there are truly many innocent people," the Empress Dowager's voice trailed off, but what was the meaning of her sudden discourse?
Yu Jingchen's gaze remained fixed on Nan Zhiyun. Even when looking at the Empress Dowager and listening to her speak, his peripheral vision was always on the girl beside him. But as he recalled what she had said today, his eyes deepened.
"Enough. Your Majesty always has your reasons for doing things. This empress has said what she needed to say. If you wish to listen, do so. If not, consider it as if I said nothing," the Empress Dowager stood up.
"This empress shall return to Ci'an Palace," the Empress Dowager looked at Nan Zhiyun, who seemed reluctant for her to leave.
"Good girl, come find me if you need anything. Don't be afraid," the Empress Dowager held Nan Zhiyun's hand and patted it gently.
Although Nan Zhiyun did not want the Empress Dowager to leave, she was sensible and did not urge her to stay. She dutifully saw the Empress Dowager out of He'an Hall. Before leaving, the Empress Dowager glanced at Yu Jingchen: "Your Majesty, look more, think more."
Yu Jingchen said nothing, offering no response. The Empress Dowager left it at that, without delving further.
After the Empress Dowager departed, Yu Jingchen looked at Nan Zhiyun and noticed her gaze was still fixed in the direction the Empress Dowager had left. He knew Nan Zhiyun was indeed afraid, perhaps still afraid of him, or more accurately, afraid of interacting with him.
"The Empress Dowager has left. Do you still wish to accompany her?" Yu Jingchen asked. Nan Zhiyun withdrew her gaze and remained silent.
"Do you wish to go for a walk?" Yu Jingchen inquired.
Nan Zhiyun shook her head. "Your Majesty, there is no need."
"The Empress Dowager's meaning just now was that you dislike being alone in He'an Hall. If you wish to go out, you may say so," Yu Jingchen's tone was considerably more placid today.
"This consort does not wish to go out. The Empress Dowager is merely concerned that this consort is staying in He'an Hall for too long," Nan Zhiyun did not know how she was supposed to interact with Yu Jingchen now.
"Then accompany me for a walk," Yu Jingchen gave Nan Zhiyun no reason to refuse.
Nan Zhiyun's mind was occupied with how to distance herself from Yu Jingchen. Hearing these words now, she felt a sense of resistance.
"Your Majesty, this consort is feeling unwell..." Before she could utter her refusal, Yu Jingchen interrupted: "If you say you are unwell, I shall summon the imperial physician."
Nan Zhiyun: "..." She dared not continue. If the imperial physician were summoned and found nothing wrong, she did not know how she would explain. Furthermore, what if he punished her again? Nan Zhiyun still lacked the courage and could only compromise, ceasing to refuse.