Xing Lai watched from the side, growing anxious. Your Majesty, if you don't make a move soon, Consort Shu might just be scared to death.
"Consort Shu fell today, she probably shouldn't be standing for long," Xing Lai said with a sigh.
"I'm fine..." Nan Zhiyun's voice was barely a whisper.
"Fine, fine, is 'fine' the only word you know? You say you're fine after falling, you'd say you're fine even if a snake bit you. So many serious things happened today and you still think it's fine? Nan Zhiyun, what are you thinking about?" Yu Jingchen finally exploded.
Startled by the sudden shout, Nan Zhiyun, already feeling wronged, couldn't hold back her tears any longer. However, when Yu Jingchen saw her cry, he didn't go to hug and comfort her as he usually would.
"You didn't cry when such a big incident happened just now, but you're crying now that everything is over. Nan Zhiyun, are you trying to make me angry to death? What did I tell you before?" Yu Jingchen couldn't hold back.
"I'm sorry..." Nan Zhiyun blamed herself deeply.
"Is 'sorry' useful? If you say you're sorry, will your injuries heal? If you say you're sorry, will today's events be as if they never happened? I'm asking you, what did I tell you when I let you out today?" Yu Jingchen was relentless, continuing to scold her without any hint of leniency. Seeing Nan Zhiyun's silence, he grew even angrier.
"Did I not tell you not to ride horses carelessly, and that I must be present when you ride? Did I not tell you to prioritize your own safety? Nan Zhiyun, did you listen?" Yu Jingchen's expression grew worse as he spoke.
"Riding horses and such are minor. I won't pursue that. But why, after going missing, did you still insist on going deeper knowing there could be danger? Why did you take such a risk? And why did you hide your injuries and the snakebite from me, afraid to let me know? You said you didn't want me to worry, but do you know that everything you did today has made me worry? I'm asking you! Are you mute? Don't you know how to answer?!" Yu Jingchen's last sentence was a direct roar.
Nan Zhiyun flinched violently, genuinely frightened into tears. Yu Jingchen had never lost his temper like this with her, let alone spoken so loudly, not even in the past.
"Your Majesty... Consort Shu surely knows she was wrong. Please calm your anger," Xing Lai couldn't help but speak up for Nan Zhiyun. She was truly pathetic and miserable; His Majesty was being a bit too harsh, wasn't he? When His Majesty calmed down later, he would surely regret being so stern.
"When has she ever said she knew she was wrong and then stopped making mistakes? I think she's simply impatient!" The thought of the unbearable consequences that might have befallen Nan Zhiyun today tightened Yu Jingchen's chest, his lungs threatening to explode with anger. Today, he absolutely could not show any leniency!
"Guards! Bring the punishment staff!" Yu Jingchen shouted to the outside.
The punishment staff? Xing Lai was shocked. How could it be this serious?
"Your Majesty..." Xing Lai wanted to plead for her again. But seeing Yu Jingchen's unyielding expression, he didn't dare say more.
Nan Zhiyun's heart trembled upon hearing the words "punishment staff."