Nan Zhiyun took two steps forward and then curtsied.
"Your subject greets His Majesty," Nan Zhiyun performed the ritual according to protocol.
"Rise," Yu Jingchen glanced at Nan Zhiyun and said casually. Nan Zhiyun, knowing her manners, stood aside without saying a word.
Yu Jingchen walked over. As he approached, Nan Zhiyun subconsciously took a step back. Yu Jingchen noticed her movement and paused.
"What is it? Am I that terrifying?" Yu Jingchen's tone was dangerous. Nan Zhiyun remained silent, merely shifting slightly to the side.
Yu Jingchen's face quickly darkened. However, he ultimately said nothing and sat down in a nearby seat.
Nan Zhiyun didn't understand why he was here and felt uneasy. She could do nothing now but accept her fate. She hoped Yu Jingchen wouldn't suddenly go mad at her again.
While Nan Zhiyun was nervously contemplating, Yu Jingchen suddenly spoke, "The imperial physician said your health has not been good lately, and the fetus is also unstable."
Nan Zhiyun couldn't decipher his intention and could only guess based on his words. At this moment, silence was better than speaking, as the consequences of speaking incorrectly would be unimaginable.
"The imperial physician said it was caused by your emotions. Do you not know you are pregnant? Why are you still in such a state?" He hadn't visited in the past few days because he knew he would put pressure on her, wanting her to adjust on her own. He hadn't expected Nan Zhiyun to get herself into this condition.
Nan Zhiyun remained silent after hearing Yu Jingchen's words. Were the knots in her heart so easily untangled? Could she simply dismiss them by saying she didn't care? How could she forget those things? If she could, she wished she had never remembered them.
Yu Jingchen looked at Nan Zhiyun, who was lowering her head submissively. He felt a pang in his heart, but he couldn't say anything harsh, lest Nan Zhiyun fare even worse.
"You mentioned before that you wanted to leave the palace," Yu Jingchen suddenly brought it up.
Nan Zhiyun looked up and cautiously glanced at Yu Jingchen. She found that he didn't seem very angry, so she dared to slightly relax her anxious heart.
But why was he bringing this up now? His reaction last time clearly indicated he wouldn't allow her to leave. He wouldn't let her go so easily.
"I can agree to it." Just as all hope in Nan Zhiyun's eyes seemed to fade, Yu Jingchen's words struck her heart directly.
Nan Zhiyun even felt her ears might be malfunctioning. Had she misheard? Did he just say he could agree to her leaving?
Nan Zhiyun looked at Yu Jingchen and met his gaze. Seeing the expectation and caution in her eyes, Yu Jingchen's heart ached slightly, but it quickly subsided. He wondered if it was Nan Zhiyun's humble caution that pained him, or her true abandonment of her past resolve, her strong desire to leave this imperial palace.
"I can agree to you leaving the palace," Yu Jingchen repeated his words. Nan Zhiyun was sure she hadn't misheard, but she still couldn't believe it.
"Guards, prepare the carriage," Yu Jingchen immediately ordered.
Nan Zhiyun felt a faint unease. She had a feeling something was not right. Yu Jingchen shouldn't be this kind of person. So, what was he plotting?
Fortunately, Xing Lai, standing nearby, also couldn't fathom the meaning behind his陛下's actions, but he couldn't ask. He could only proceed with the preparations. Soon, the carriage was ready.
"Why are you still standing here? Go change your clothes," Yu Jingchen glanced at Nan Zhiyun and said.
Change clothes? Did he truly intend to let her go? Nan Zhiyun was half-believing, half-doubting, but she was still led by Qian Xia to change her clothes. Outside, Xing Lai couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, are you really letting Consort Shu leave like this?"
"Heh, leave? She wishes!" The mockery on Yu Jingchen's face was obvious. Seeing this, Xing Lai became even more confused.
"Then Your Majesty, what is this..." Xing Lai didn't understand.
"Go to the imperial physician and get some pills for stabilizing the fetus," Yu Jingchen then instructed. Xing Lai still couldn't understand his陛下. What new tactic was this? Was he planning to give Consort Shu a chance to leave, and then create some obstacles, making her realize she couldn't escape His Majesty's grasp, thereby completely shattering her hopes?
Xing Lai dared not ponder further, hoping it wasn't the case, otherwise the situation would only worsen. He dared not delay and quickly fetched the pills.
Nan Zhiyun emerged after changing her clothes and removing her makeup. She felt much lighter. She walked up to Yu Jingchen and bowed slightly, "Your Majesty..."
Yu Jingchen looked at her, appraised her from head to toe, and then turned to Xing Lai, "Give her the pills."
Xing Lai took out a pill. Nan Zhiyun frowned, looking at the medicine. What did this mean? What kind of medicine was this?
"Take it," Yu Jingchen stated simply, without any explanation.
Nan Zhiyun hesitated for a moment. Xing Lai, unable to bear it, interjected, "My Lady, please rest assured. This is for stabilizing the fetus. Your Majesty specifically ordered this servant to retrieve it from the Imperial Hospital."
Nan Zhiyun looked at Yu Jingchen and finally picked up the pill, placing it in her mouth. Yu Jingchen reached out, and Xing Lai gave him the remaining pills.
Nan Zhiyun stood there, suddenly unsure of what to do next. Yu Jingchen watched her and stood up, walking in front of Nan Zhiyun. Nan Zhiyun's heart began to race.
"Swallow it, hm?" Yu Jingchen's last word clearly carried a warning. Nan Zhiyun's heart tightened, and the pill she hadn't yet swallowed was finally swallowed.
Yu Jingchen seemed satisfied and then said to the attendant, "Escort her to the carriage."
Was that it? Nan Zhiyun still couldn't quite believe that Yu Jingchen was truly letting her leave. She was led to the waiting carriage, her heart filled with apprehension.
Nan Zhiyun sat in the carriage. It wasn't particularly large, just enough for two, herself and Qian Xia. However, the carriage's interior was meticulously arranged, soft everywhere.
Nan Zhiyun sat in the carriage for a while. She was still bewildered. Soon, the carriage began to move. Was she really leaving like this? She felt something was different, as if something was missing.
They soon reached the palace gate. The carriage stopped for a moment. Perhaps someone below said something, because shortly after, the carriage moved again and left the imperial palace without hindrance. Watching the carriage completely pass through the palace gates, she was surprised.