"But you are quite cooperative. You asked, 'So what then? What happens to Yun'er if she suffers a loss?' Yu Jingchen asked her.
'So... in the future, when His Majesty likes to return, he must like me a little more than I like him, a little more each day,' Nan Zhiyun said. She then rolled over, looked up at Yu Jingchen, and gestured with her hands.
'Just a little bit more each day, just this much,' Nan Zhiyun measured with her thumb and index finger, then brought it to her eyes.
Yu Jingchen was charmed by Nan Zhiyun's cuteness. 'Alright, I will like you more and more each day, but not just a little bit, a lot, a lot, okay?' Yu Jingchen placed his hand on Nan Zhiyun's stomach and tickled her.
Because it was too ticklish, Nan Zhiyun flinched. 'Your Majesty, it's so itchy~' Nan Zhiyun acted coy.
'Itchy?' Yu Jingchen didn't let go and, with mischievous intent, continued to tickle her.
'Wuwu, itchy~' Nan Zhiyun tried to dodge, but it was impossible. Soon, Nan Zhiyun's laughter filled the room. Those outside continued their tasks with unspoken understanding. It was clear that Consort Shu was truly favored.
The two in the room, having had their fun, calmed down. Nan Zhiyun slumped against Yu Jingchen, thinking His Majesty was being too childish.
'Was it fun?' Yu Jingchen asked her.
Nan Zhiyun shook her head. 'It was itchy~'
Yu Jingchen chuckled softly, then helped Nan Zhiyun adjust her clothes and picked her up.
'Let's go, I'll take you for a stroll. They should have started by now,' Yu Jingchen said.
'Okay.' Nan Zhiyun was already looking forward to it.
Yu Jingchen shifted her, letting Nan Zhiyun sit on his arm in an embrace. Nan Zhiyun clung to his arm, as if he were her father doting on his daughter.
Someone had been saying Nan Zhiyun was about to fall out of favor. Today, Yu Jingchen openly carried Nan Zhiyun out like this, drawing many sidelong glances.
News about the previous caning incident also circulated, stating it was merely to frighten Consort Shu, and he ultimately couldn't bear to inflict punishment. This made her even more enviable, as those who escaped punishment under Yu Jingchen were almost nonexistent... in fact, there were none, never.
Fortunately, the horses were already prepared. Since His Majesty was to ride with Consort Shu today, the saddle had been specially changed and a thick woolen blanket laid out.
Seeing His Majesty carry Consort Shu over, Xinglai quickly brought the horse forward. When Nan Zhiyun saw the horse, she felt a pang of regret. She had barely ridden the previous horse, 'Grape,' and now it was gone... His Majesty was truly too unfeeling. The horse hadn't done anything wrong... and it was such a beautiful horse.
Yu Jingchen, unaware of Nan Zhiyun's thoughts, directly lifted her onto the horse. Nan Zhiyun felt a little scared. This horse was much taller than Grape, and it looked fierce.
'Your Majesty...' Nan Zhiyun felt a tremor of panic.
'It's alright, don't worry, I'm here,' Yu Jingchen reassured her.
'Mhm.' Although Nan Zhiyun felt unaccustomed, she didn't say anything else.
Yu Jingchen followed Nan Zhiyun and mounted the horse. The saddle was not wide to begin with, so as they sat together, they were pressed close. Nan Zhiyun nestled entirely into Yu Jingchen's embrace.
'I'll take you for a casual ride first, to get you used to it,' Yu Jingchen told her. Nan Zhiyun nodded. This horse was indeed much taller, so she still felt a bit fearful, especially after having fallen from a horse before."