"I'm sorry, I won't do it again... Your Majesty..." Nan Zhiyun knew her mistake. She hadn't thought things through and was truly sorry.
The entire hunting ground today had been thrown into chaos for her. So much manpower had been wasted because of her. It had also caused Yu Jingchen and so many others to worry, and ultimately led to many people being punished. It was her fault, and she had truly learned her lesson. She would remember this and never dare to repeat it.
When Yu Jingchen heard her words, he was, to be honest, dissatisfied. Nan Zhiyun was indeed blaming herself, but she blamed herself for causing trouble, not for not taking her own safety seriously. Nan Zhiyun always seemed to be considering others, but Yu Jingchen wished she would be a little more selfish, a little more considerate of herself.
"Past," Yu Jingchen uttered the two words.
Nan Zhiyun was a little stunned, not understanding what Yu Jingchen meant.
"Today's punishment is certainly not over. You don't think it's over after just three strikes, do you? Your hands will be useful later, so I won't hit your hands this time. We'll change the location." Yu Jingchen looked at his own hands, unwilling to strike them again.
Nan Zhiyun didn't dare to argue, so she simply followed Yu Jingchen's words and moved aside.
"On the bed, get down," Yu Jingchen's eyes seemed to hold no warmth.
Nan Zhiyun had a rough idea of where Yu Jingchen intended to move the punishment. To be honest, she found it a bit unbearable. Nan Zhiyun gently bit her lip, remaining motionless.
"I'll say it one last time, get down. If you don't want to, you can tell me directly." Yu Jingchen looked at her. If she truly told him she didn't want to do this, he could drop the matter.
However, Nan Zhiyun disappointed him as expected. She didn't speak, but instead, directly prostrated herself. The pent-up frustration within Yu Jingchen remained unresolved. Were those few words really so difficult to say? She hadn't hesitated when it came to people who had nothing to do with her before.
"Nan Zhiyun, do you really want to be punished thoroughly today?" Yu Jingchen asked, but he knew he wouldn't get an answer from Nan Zhiyun.
Fine. Excellent. Yu Jingchen was truly provoked this time. He strode forward and struck Nan Zhiyun's buttocks with a board, using seven-tenths of his strength. Nan Zhiyun trembled but bit her lip firmly, not making a sound.
Seeing her stubbornness, Yu Jingchen directly delivered the second strike. Nan Zhiyun still remained silent. Yu Jingchen realized something was wrong. He looked at Nan Zhiyun and saw that the girl had bitten her own mouth so hard that it had started to draw blood. He immediately flared up, truly angered to the point of laughter.
However, Yu Jingchen offered no comfort. Instead, he used full force and struck Nan Zhiyun's rear. This time, Nan Zhiyun could no longer hold back. She cried out, her mouth already bleeding from his biting.
Hearing her cry, Yu Jingchen didn't even look at Nan Zhiyun. He continued to strike three more times. These three strikes were consecutive but lighter, around five-tenths of his strength.
"It hurts..." Nan Zhiyun finally couldn't bear it.
Hearing this, Yu Jingchen stopped striking her rear.
"Weren't you quite enduring? You could bite your own mouth until it bled. Is it so embarrassing to cry out? Why do you always have to endure? Why can't you speak up when something is wrong?" Yu Jingchen posed several more questions.
Nan Zhiyun lay there, silent tears falling.
Hearing Nan Zhiyun's sobs, the object in Yu Jingchen's hand could no longer be brought down. After a long while, he let out an almost inaudible sigh. He set aside the object and sat down beside Nan Zhiyun.
"Nan Zhiyun, I was really scared today. I was afraid I wouldn't find you, afraid I would lose you, afraid you would encounter danger and get hurt." Yu Jingchen's voice softened considerably. He reached out and stroked Nan Zhiyun's head, but she turned her head away, whether out of fear or unwillingness to be touched, Yu Jingchen didn't mind.
(Next episode preview: The male lead will regret hitting Xiao Yun'er today, and then... he will regain his memories from his second life.)
Little Theater: Greetings to all the empresses and lords this evening.
Ahem, today Consort Shu, Lady Chen, is indisposed and cannot come to greet you. This servant, Qian Xia, has specifically come to relay a message. Having delivered the message, this servant shall now take her leave.
Outside the door:
Qian Xia: We absolutely must not let them know that Consort Shu was punished today, otherwise, they'll definitely laugh at our lady.
Jiang Ji: Don't worry, Sister Qian Xia. This servant understands.
Qian Xia: His Majesty really did it. Why did he use such a heavy hand? The lady's behind is all broken...
Consort Xian: What?! His Majesty broke Nan Zhiyun's behind? Hahahaha, she finally angered His Majesty and lost favor!
The Entire Palace: What? Consort Shu was punished and lost favor!