This situation had occurred, and moreover, Yu Yan, who had just been the target, was his sister. How could His Majesty let it go easily?
"Since that is the case, we shall follow the rules of the military. Guards, take Yu Jiangyan away for military law! Punish him severely!" Yu Jingchen showed no leniency despite Yu Jiangyan's status.
"Your Majesty!" Someone suddenly spoke out. Yu Jingchen looked at the speaker, it was Liu Yi of the Duke of Liu's mansion.
Liu Yi stepped out from his seat and knelt down. "I beg Your Majesty to show mercy. Young Master Jiangyan is at most guilty of negligence. I implore Your Majesty to forgive him this once and impose a lighter punishment," Liu Yi said. Yu Jiangyan glanced at him, and Liu Yi met his gaze.
"Yu Jiangyan, why don't you beg for mercy from His Majesty? With your health, can you endure military law?" Liu Yi looked very anxious.
"It is what I deserve. Young Master Liu need not plead for me," Yu Jiangyan's expression did not change.
"You!" Liu Yi couldn't understand why anyone would rush to accept punishment.
"Take him away," Yu Jingchen said without hesitation. As Yu Jiangyan was being led away, Liu Yi spoke again, "Your Majesty, this subject is willing to receive the punishment on his behalf." Liu Yi's words were always unexpected.
"Do you think this will absolve him of blame? Since you are begging for punishment, you shall both be taken away and subjected to military law," Yu Jingchen was uncompromising.
"Your Majesty, Young Master Liu is innocent. I implore Your Majesty not to hold him accountable along with him," Yu Jiangyan's tone remained calm.
"What I do is not for you to question. Take them both away!" Yu Jingchen had no time to argue with them.
In the end, Liu Yi and Yu Jiangyan were taken away together. No one else dared to step forward to plead for them.
Yu Jingchen gently placed Nan Zhiyun down. Nan Zhiyun, aware of her "grave offense," dared not speak. Yu Jingchen looked at her. Nan Zhiyun stood beside him, feeling somewhat in the wrong.
Yu Jingchen glanced at her and ignored her, walking straight ahead. Nan Zhiyun felt a pang of sadness. She lowered her head, unsure of what to do. It seemed she had made another mistake.
"What? Are you going to turn into a flower here again today? Or do you want to grow mushrooms standing here? Don't you know to follow? Or do you want me to personally escort you back?" Yu Jingchen said irritably.
Nan Zhiyun: "..." Perhaps recalling the embarrassment of getting drunk yesterday, a blush crept onto her face. However... she cautiously glanced at Yu Jingchen. Was he not as angry anymore?
Nan Zhiyun followed him with small steps. She had thought Yu Jingchen had calmed down and would be waiting for her. But she soon realized she was mistaken. Just as she reached his side and extended her hand to grab him, Yu Jingchen, without even looking, turned and walked away.
Nan Zhiyun's hand froze in mid-air... Her mood plummeted to the bottom, and tears immediately welled up in her eyes, gathering around her pupils. She raised her hand to wipe them away, suppressing her urge to cry.
She couldn't cry. She had to be good. His Majesty was already angry. She couldn't upset him further. Nan Zhiyun comforted herself, forcing herself to suppress her emotions. It was alright. She couldn't cry. She had to be obedient. She had already caused trouble; she couldn't be ignorant now...
She forced a smile and followed Yu Jingchen with small steps. But her tears were disobedient, secretly rolling down the corners of her eyes. Crystal tears instantly fell.