The imperial physician changed the medicine, but…
"Mind your limits, control the dosage. Don't truly harm Consort Shu's body," Xing Lai couldn't help but add, fearing His Majesty would regret his actions and not wishing for Consort Shu to be treated so cruelly.
"This, Your Majesty, he…" The imperial physician was timid, afraid of being implicated.
"If His Majesty questions me, I will bear the responsibility. Just do as I say," Xing Lai didn't believe His Majesty would be truly so ruthless. If it were in the past, he might have believed it, but things were different now. As an outsider, he could clearly see His Majesty's feelings for Consort Shu.
He understood His Majesty, which was why he dared to take this risk. The imperial physician dared not speak further, for although Xing Lai was also a servant, he was close to the throne. The imperial physician did not have the courage to defy him.
After making all the arrangements, Xing Lai returned to Yu Jingchen's side. Yu Jingchen had stopped reviewing memorials. Xing Lai could tell that His Majesty's mood was very poor.
Yu Jingchen was actually wondering why he had meddled in such a trivial matter today, why he had gone out of his way to save her. Wouldn't it have been better if she had drowned? Saving her was simply infuriating!
"Your Majesty, it has been arranged. The medicine is being brewed," Xing Lai specifically came to remind him.
"When it's ready, send it over. If she refuses to drink it, find someone to force it down her throat!" Yu Jingchen was burning with anger.
"Yes…" Xing Lai dared not casually reply.
"You may withdraw," Yu Jingchen seemed unwilling to say more.
"Yes." Xing Lai was about to leave when he heard Yu Jingchen's voice again at the doorway.
"Wait, prepare the imperial carriage to He'an Hall. I will personally watch her drink that bowl of medicine today," Yu Jingchen added.
Xing Lai: "…" Could there be a turn of events? Xing Lai felt a glimmer of hope, perhaps His Majesty had changed his mind again today?
"Yes." Xing Lai complied and had someone prepare the sedan chair. By the time Yu Jingchen arrived, it was already dark. The Empress Dowager had long returned to Cining Palace. Nan Zhiyun was still lying on the bed. She had been frightened today and was physically weak, so she had been resting.
"His Majesty arrives—!" Xing Lai announced at the entrance. Upon hearing that Yu Jingchen was coming, Nan Zhiyun's heart was filled with complex emotions. She hadn't expected Yu Jingchen to save her today. She had even thought he would watch her struggle desperately in the water, deliberately not ordering a rescue, but she hadn't anticipated he would personally jump in.
Moreover, the palace servants had informed her of how Yu Jingchen had dealt with those people today. The former Yu Jingchen would never have done such things, so when she heard these words today, her heart was deeply shaken.
When Yu Jingchen carried her back today, she even felt his urgency. At that moment, she even thought that perhaps Yu Jingchen cared a little about her, but alas… she no longer had the courage to believe it.
As Yu Jingchen entered, Nan Zhiyun also rose. See, this was the difference. As long as Yu Jingchen came, no matter what state she was in, she could only bow her head and salute him. They were fundamentally from different worlds.
"Your humble concubine greets Your Majesty." Nan Zhiyun's voice was weak and listless. Yu Jingchen's anger had flared up when he heard Nan Zhiyun say she didn't want the child today, so he naturally wouldn't be soft-hearted.
"You're just pregnant, and you've forgotten how to perform basic courtesies?" Yu Jingchen's tone was harsh. Yes, he had come specifically to pick a fight.
Nan Zhiyun sighed silently in her heart. Where had her thoughts today come from? He… had no pity, no patience, no tolerance for her.
"Your humble concubine admits her mistake." Nan Zhiyun did not want to argue or waste time, so she obediently knelt down to admit her error.
However, this action further angered Yu Jingchen: "You like kneeling so much? Your knee injury has just healed, and you want to disable it again?"
Nan Zhiyun knew what she had done. Was it truly because of the pregnancy? He didn't want this child after all. But that was fine too. If he didn't want it, she wouldn't keep it. It would be better for everyone, and she wouldn't be in a difficult position.
"You don't want this child?" Yu Jingchen stated it directly and crudely. Nan Zhiyun's heart tightened.
"Coincidentally, I don't want it either," Yu Jingchen continued. Although Nan Zhiyun had expected this outcome, hearing it directly still made her feel desolate.
"It is because your humble concubine is unworthy. Your humble concubine… can forgo this child." Nan Zhiyun didn't know why she had said such a thing.
This sentence became the fuse that ignited Yu Jingchen's rage, causing him to erupt instantly. He grabbed Nan Zhiyun's chin, forcing her to look at him. Nan Zhiyun felt as if her bones were about to shatter from his grip.
"Don't want it? Nan Zhiyun, do you know what you are saying? And what right do you have to say that?" Yu Jingchen's tone was harsh, his eyes as deep as if they could swallow a person whole.
At this moment, Yu Jingchen was like a returning demon god, terrifying to the extreme, leaving a sea of blood wherever he went.
"You are indeed unworthy, but even more so than being unworthy of having my child, you are unworthy of saying you don't want this child. For this child to have you is its misfortune, but for you, it is your good fortune." Yu Jingchen's voice was icy, making one feel chilled to the bone despite it being July.
Nan Zhiyun felt utterly desolate. She always felt that everything he gave her was charity, and all she possessed was his grace.
"Since you don't want it, I will fulfill your wish today," Yu Jingchen said fiercely. A sense of foreboding arose in Nan Zhiyun's heart, but she lacked the ability to resist.
"Bring the medicine in," Yu Jingchen called out to the outside. Then Nan Zhiyun saw a servant bring in a bowl of dark, thick medicine.
"Since you don't want it, then don't. Not now, and not in the future will you have the right to want it. Drink this, and you will forever lose this child and forever lose the qualification to be a mother." Yu Jingchen released his grip on Nan Zhiyun's hand.
Nan Zhiyun knelt on the ground, looking at the bowl of medicine. A sense of fear suddenly welled up within her. She didn't know why, but even though she was the one who didn't want it, seeing this bowl of medicine made her afraid. However, she didn't know if she was afraid of losing the child, or of losing the qualification to be a mother.