Oh dear, Your Majesty, why don't you turn back? Look at how the Consort Shu is weeping.
"Take her and follow!" Yu Jingchen yelled at Xing Lai, not even glancing back as he strode away.
Xing Lai: "..." Right, I'm the scapegoat, your tool, your punching bag, sigh~ a humble servant.
He shook his head, not understanding His Majesty's stubbornness. But Consort Shu was crying so pitifully, to this extent, how could His Majesty be so heartless? This wasn't logical... It seemed... Xing Lai looked at Nan Zhiyun with pity. His Majesty probably felt this matter wasn't over.
Watching Yu Jingchen leave, Xing Lai had no choice but to obey and walk to Nan Zhiyun's side. He clearly couldn't rest easy but still insisted on him staying behind, how exasperating.
"Consort Shu, this servant will escort you back." Xing Lai said gently.
Seeing Xing Lai approach, Nan Zhiyun turned away, wanting to wipe her tears. This was too humiliating.
"Consort Shu, please don't be sad. His Majesty is also worried about you. You don't know how anxious His Majesty was when he learned you were missing. This servant could tell, His Majesty was genuinely afraid something would happen to you, which is why he is so angry," Xing Lai explained.
"I'm sorry..." Nan Zhiyun was truly crying her heart out, still sniffling.
"Why would Your Highness say such things? His Majesty doesn't intend to truly blame you. His Majesty was actually concerned for you just now, which is why he deliberately asked this servant to stay and accompany you back. Ultimately, His Majesty still worries about Your Highness and cares for you," Xing Lai continued.
"Mmm," Nan Zhiyun held back her tears.
"When we get back, Your Highness should sincerely apologize, promise His Majesty there won't be a next time, act a little coy, and say a few soft words. His Majesty won't blame you then. How could he truly bear to punish you?" Xing Lai, in any case, didn't believe His Majesty could be harsh towards Consort Shu. At most, it would be a lecture or a minor punishment.
Yu Jingchen hadn't actually gone far and was watching from nearby. Seeing Nan Zhiyun's pitiful state now, his heart also ached, but he had to make her understand that he had his limits, and those limits were her safety.
Xing Lai escorted Nan Zhiyun back to the palace. Yu Jingchen followed discreetly, only returning to the chambers ahead of them to wait.
Yu Jingchen sat in the main seat, a cup of tea by his hand, looking as if he had been waiting for a long time.
Nan Zhiyun stood at the doorway, hesitant to enter, as Yu Jingchen seemed more formidable than usual.
"Please enter, Consort Shu," Xing Lai encouraged from the side.
Nan Zhiyun hesitated for a long time, but she couldn't possibly stand outside forever, so she could only inch forward, feeling extremely anxious. As she entered, she stood below with her head bowed, not daring to look at Yu Jingchen above.
For a moment, no one in the room spoke, and the atmosphere was deeply silent. Nan Zhiyun could barely hold on. She shifted her feet restlessly and clasped her hands, trying to alleviate her nervousness.
Yu Jingchen, perhaps deliberately, remained silent. He watched Nan Zhiyun standing below, flustered. The young woman's eyes were still red from crying, making her look quite disheveled. Coupled with her simple and elegant attire today, she appeared utterly pathetic.
What kind of simple and elegant attire was it? As the saying goes, clothes make the man. Was it a style that was dignified, graceful, and charming?