Yu Jingchen walked ahead, not looking back. Nan Ziyun followed alone, her hands clasped tightly behind her. She was afraid, nervous, and unsure of what to do. Tears welled up in her eyes and fell, disappearing into the ground before she could wipe them away.
She couldn't help it, could she? Nan Ziyun frantically wiped her face. *Don't cry, don't cry...* But even as she told herself this, seeing Yu Jingchen walking ahead, his back to her, never once turning around, her lips trembled downwards, her eyes reddened, and her heart ached.
She had been good, hadn't she? Yet she had still caused trouble. She hadn't meant to worry His Majesty. She was sorry... She wanted to call out to Yu Jingchen, but the words wouldn't come. If His Majesty didn't wait for her, if he was angry, he wouldn't want her anymore.
Nan Ziyun wanted to hurry after him, but her body ached. She had fallen today, and every part of her hurt. Earlier, when she had been alone in the hunting grounds, she thought she was going to die. It was so dark, so cold, and so quiet. She was terrified, but she didn't dare cry. When she saw His Majesty arrive, she couldn't hold back any longer. But now... now he was angry, ignoring her, not comforting her.
Nan Ziyun walked slowly behind, blaming herself. She wouldn't dare again, but... could he please not ignore her? She truly knew she was wrong and would never dare to do it again.
Yu Jingchen, walking ahead, had been paying attention to the sounds behind him. Sensing Nan Ziyun slowing down, he frowned. And then... he heard faint sobs. Yu Jingchen's heart tightened with worry.
But he couldn't turn back to comfort her now. This matter couldn't be brushed aside so easily. He needed Nan Ziyun to understand the seriousness of her actions. So, suppressing his own pang of tenderness, Yu Jingchen did not turn around.
Xing Lai... he glanced at Yu Jingchen, tutting. He was so worried, so heartbroken, why wasn't he looking back? Even Xing Lai found the weeping of Noble Consort Nan pitiful, especially since her sobs were clearly suppressed. *Is His Majesty's heart made of stone?*
"Your Majesty, Noble Consort seems to be crying... Noble Consort was also frightened today and must be terribly shaken. Now, to be left behind alone, she must be feeling distressed and afraid," Xing Lai said, building a bridge for His Majesty to descend. "Your Majesty, please relent."
However...
"She has a very big胆子 (dǎn zi - courage/guts). Does she need me to manage her? I can't be bothered with her affairs anymore. Crying, crying, what's there to cry about? After what she did today, she still has the nerve to cry? Have I wronged her in any way? I think she doesn't need my management at all, and I can't manage her anymore," Yu Jingchen's voice was quite loud, and Nan Ziyun heard every word distinctly from behind.
Nan Ziyun bit her lip, her heart aching with bitterness. She suddenly found it hard to take another step. She wanted to speak, but discovered she couldn't say a word. Nan Ziyun didn't want to walk anymore; she stood rooted to the spot, wanting to call out, but when her voice emerged, it was choked with sobs, and she couldn't form any words. Instead, she began to gasp, sobbing uncontrollably.
Yu Jingchen, in front, heard this and his steps faltered slightly...