A sense of relief, as if surviving a near-death experience, washed over Yu Jingchen as he looked at the lively young girl before him. It was a peculiar sensation. Thus, he understood clearly that Nan Zhiyun was now an irreplaceable presence in his life.
"If only I had realized this sooner..." Yu Jingchen murmured, then reached out to embrace Nan Zhiyun, holding her as they drifted into sleep.
The candle flames in the room flickered out. The quiet chamber seemed to presage some unrest.
Yu Jingchen had a dream. In it, he saw the Empress Dowager colluding with Yu Jing'an in a rebellion. He saw himself confining the Empress Dowager to Cí'ān Palace, and he saw himself beheading Nan Su in front of Nan Zhiyun.
He dreamed... that Nan Zhiyun lost consciousness and became deranged. No... not deranged; it was he who summoned physicians from the martial world and turned Nan Zhiyun into that state... because Nan Zhiyun had told him she hated him.
That day... Nan Zhiyun knelt in the palace for a day and a night, begging him to spare the Empress Dowager and Nan Su. He had kept her confined, not wanting her to leave that room, but Nan Zhiyun was truly disobedient and dared to sneak away on her own.
She had secretly gone to see the Empress Dowager. When he found the room empty, he thought she had escaped. Anger surged through him, his peculiar possessiveness and terrifying desire for control nearly tearing through his reason. Finally, he found Nan Zhiyun in Cí'ān Palace...
"Nan Zhiyun, I did not permit you to leave, did I?" His fingers, icy cold, lightly traced Nan Zhiyun's face as he spoke in a low, spectral tone, his presence almost freezing the air around them.
Nan Zhiyun trembled uncontrollably from fear, unable to utter a word. She could only kneel at his feet, tugging at his robes and shaking her head vigorously.
"Heh... Nan Zhiyun, are you afraid? Afraid of what? Hmm..." He looked at her as if she were a mere plaything. How interesting...
"Nan Zhiyun, you are truly disobedient. I have given you many chances, but why do you not cherish them?" His hand glided along Nan Zhiyun's neck.
"This neck is so beautiful... but it is a pity it is so fragile. With just a gentle grip like this, and a bit of force, *snap*..." He laughed eerily, looking at Nan Zhiyun as if appraising an exquisite item.
"Tell me... how should I punish you this time to suffice?" Yu Jingchen leaned close to Nan Zhiyun's ear and even blew a gentle breath. Nan Zhiyun's breathing grew heavy, entirely due to fear.
"Have I been too kind to you? So kind that you dare to defy me now? Hmm?" Yu Jingchen's hand moved to stroke Nan Zhiyun's hair.
"You are truly infuriating... why are you always so forgetful?" As he spoke, Yu Jingchen grabbed her hair, and Nan Zhiyun felt her scalp being pulled.
"I am asking you! Why did you run? Why were you disobedient?!" Yu Jingchen's voice suddenly boomed, and with a forceful yank of her hair, he flung Nan Zhiyun's head. Nan Zhiyun felt as if her scalp were being torn away.
"Help me..." Nan Zhiyun's voice was weak, a piteous whimper like an injured young beast...
Such a sound stimulated Yu Jingchen. His eyes turned bloodshot, and his smile gradually became twisted.
"It seems 'Yun' truly wishes to be punished today..." He then released Nan Zhiyun's hair and instead grabbed her arm, pulling her away.
Mini-Theater
Night has fallen, and even the stars in the sky are asleep. 'Yun' bids you goodnight.
Nan Zhiyun: Your Majesty, it hurts~
Yu Jingchen: Who told you to be disobedient? You deserve it! You should be beaten! I've spoiled you recently, making you too arrogant and ignorant of the heavens and earth. This time, let it be a lesson to remember!
Nan Zhiyun: *sniffle* 😭, I was wrong, I'll never dare to do it again.
Yu Jingchen: If there's a next time, I'll beat your backside till it's bruised and broken!
Nan Zhiyun: *sob* I dare not, Your Majesty. Will you not favor me anymore in the future?
Yu Jingchen: Who has been whispering nonsense in your ear?
Nan Zhiyun: This afternoon, they all said Your Majesty beat me, and I've lost your favor, *sob sob sob*
Yu Jingchen: How presumptuous! Who dared to spread such rumors? See if I don't cut their tongues out!