She felt no fear at all, for Yu Jingchen would not, nor dared he, do anything to her.
“Your Majesty, this Empress Dowager has never owed you anything. It is you who have been heartless, cold, and cruel; it is you who have always owed this Empress Dowager!” The Empress Dowager spoke without reservation, her words spilling out unchecked.
Yu Jingchen looked at the Empress Dowager, who seemed to have lost her mind, and said only, “What meaning do these words hold now, at this point?”
The Empress Dowager chuckled. “Meaning? Does that matter? Does it influence your decision? Let me be clear today. I say all this not for any particular reason, but simply to ask Your Majesty one thing: do you truly believe I am standing in your way? That I wish to seize the throne of Yuan Dynasty?” the Empress Dowager asked earnestly.
Yu Jingchen did not reply. A flicker of melancholy crossed the Empress Dowager’s eyes. “Very well, let it be my mistake. Therefore, this Empress Dowager will no longer interfere in Your Majesty’s affairs, nor will I continue to be the Empress Dowager.” The Empress Dowager tried her best to calm her emotions.
“Your Majesty’s visit today is likely because you received the letter?” the Empress Dowager finally returned to the main topic. A hint of surprise flashed in Yu Jingchen’s eyes, but he quickly understood.
“That letter was written by A’Su at my behest. Since Your Majesty has received it, you should have no reservations. Is it not time to make a decision?” the Empress Dowager asked.
“I have not yet obtained what I seek. Why should I trust you?” Yu Jingchen did not know why these words had escaped his lips. He…
“Is it that you do not trust, or are you unwilling to decide? Your Majesty, do not speak of being unable to let go, for that would be truly base. Your Majesty would not wish to be such a base person, would you?” the Empress Dowager smiled, her smile tinged with disdain.
“Your Majesty…” Nan Zhiyun emerged, her wounds bandaged.
“Have you applied the medicine? How is the wound? Do you need me to call for an imperial physician?” the Empress Dowager asked with concern.
Nan Zhiyun shook her head slightly.
“You must be tired today. Why don’t you go and rest for a while?” The Empress Dowager clearly did not wish for Nan Zhiyun to face Yu Jingchen.
Nan Zhiyun cautiously glanced at Yu Jingchen. She naturally did not wish to stay, so with the Empress Dowager’s suggestion, there was no reason not to comply.
“Alright,” Nan Zhiyun agreed. But just as she was about to leave, Yu Jingchen stopped her.
“Consort Shu came to attend to the Empress Dowager’s illness. Now that Her Majesty is well, Consort Shu cannot remain in Cining Palace indefinitely,” Yu Jingchen said suddenly.
Nan Zhiyun’s steps immediately halted, and fear once again washed over her. The Empress Dowager also looked at Yu Jingchen. “This Empress Dowager has been unwell recently and requires Yun’er to stay here. Although she is better these past few days, there is no guarantee that there will be no further incidents.” The Empress Dowager’s intention was very clear; she wanted to keep Nan Zhiyun there.
“Is Your Majesty not perfectly fine now? Do I need to send for an imperial physician?” Yu Jingchen did not show any leniency. Today, he seemed determined to take Nan Zhiyun back with him.
“Why must Your Majesty be like this? Can you not wait a few more days? What meaning do these matters hold?” the Empress Dowager said.
“So, what is Your Majesty worried about? I have no intention of doing anything to her. If what the Empress Dowager says is true, what then is there to fear from me?” Yu Jingchen’s words left no room for negotiation.
“Yun’er cannot return with you. This Empress Dowager cannot rest easy.” The Empress Dowager made her stance clear.
“This is not for Your Majesty to decide. Your Majesty would not wish to provoke me, would you?” Yu Jingchen was now openly threatening.
“Your Majesty, must you be so absolute? You have read the letter. Why must you push people to their limits?” the Empress Dowager remained unyielding.
Yu Jingchen, too lazy to say more, looked at Nan Zhiyun beside him. “Consort Shu should return to Hexian Palace, shouldn’t she?” Yu Jingchen said. Nan Zhiyun stood rooted to the spot, fear evident.
“This Empress Dowager does not agree. Yun’er, go inside. An Xin, take Yun’er to rest in the side hall,” the Empress Dowager commanded directly.
“Yes,” An Xin replied and was about to lead Nan Zhiyun away. But Yu Jingchen merely gave a look to Xing Lai beside him, and Xing Lai stepped forward to block Nan Zhiyun.
“Consort Shu, His Majesty has not yet spoken. Please do not make things difficult for this servant,” Xing Lai said, a feigned look of distress on his smiling face. The Empress Dowager looked at him, a glint flashing in her eyes.
“Empress Dowager, please let her go,” Yu Jingchen said, looking at the Empress Dowager.
“Your Majesty’s words make it sound as if this Empress Dowager is a wicked person, preventing Your Majesty from taking someone away.” The Empress Dowager found it laughable. Yu Jingchen’s heart stirred slightly.
The Empress Dowager looked at Nan Zhiyun, then walked in front of her. “It’s alright, if you’re scared, then don’t go.” She seemed resolved, as if Yu Jingchen had only to take the person away for her to seek revenge.
“Your Majesty, must you force me to resort to certain measures?” Yu Jingchen threatened.
“Can Your Majesty kill this Empress Dowager?” The Empress Dowager’s lightly spoken words silenced Yu Jingchen.
“Did the Empress Dowager not just say she would no longer interfere in my affairs?” Yu Jingchen asked.
“Yes, this Empress Dowager said so. But this is Yun’er’s matter now. Your Majesty knows how many times Yun’er has been harmed in your hands, does he not? Do you think this Empress Dowager can be at ease?” the Empress Dowager retorted.
Yu Jingchen, having been cornered, was momentarily speechless.
“Enough, Your Majesty, please return,” the Empress Dowager began to issue a dismissal.
But Yu Jingchen was not someone to be easily deterred. He walked directly to Nan Zhiyun, grabbed her arm, and began to walk out. Seeing this, the Empress Dowager cried out, “Yu Jingchen, let her go!” She was now calling him by his name.
But Yu Jingchen seemed not to hear. He continued to walk out, Nan Zhiyun’s arm painfully squeezed. She struggled too, but her struggles were insignificant in Yu Jingchen’s eyes.
“Your Majesty…” Nan Zhiyun feared Yu Jingchen’s current demeanor.
Yu Jingchen pulled her out of Cining Palace and then said to Xing Lai, “Escort Consort Shu back to Hexian Palace!”
“Yes,” the palace servant replied. Nan Zhiyun wanted to say something more, but Yu Jingchen knew her weakness clearly. He immediately said, “If you do not want your father to encounter any problems on his return journey, you would be best advised to obey me. Otherwise, I cannot guarantee what I might do.” Yu Jingchen said.
Upon hearing Yu Jingchen utter such words, Nan Zhiyun felt a chill from head to toe. She no longer dared to struggle or say another word.
“Escort Consort Shu back to her palace!” Yu Jingchen looked at the fear in Nan Zhiyun’s eyes and was finally satisfied. But… why did he feel so annoyed?
The palace servant escorted Nan Zhiyun back to Hexian Palace. By the time the Empress Dowager emerged, Nan Zhiyun had already been led away a considerable distance by the servants.
“Yu Jingchen, what exactly do you want? You dislike her! You detest her closeness! By keeping her by my side, I am fulfilling your wishes, am I not? Why are you still not satisfied?” the Empress Dowager questioned loudly.
“What I intend to do is not something I need to explain to the Empress Dowager,” Yu Jingchen replied, his mood decidedly unpleasant.
The Empress Dowager felt weary. Looking at the current situation, she sighed. “Your Majesty, please let Yun’er go. Spare her. She has done nothing wrong; she is innocent. She is sincere towards you. Now she is afraid, so please be merciful and stop tormenting her. Do you not see her state? Do you still remember what Yun’er was like before she entered the palace?” the Empress Dowager asked.
“This is the path she chose herself,” Yu Jingchen’s tone remained as cold as ever.
“People always take detours, make mistakes. She is doing so now. What about Your Majesty? Do not also stray from the path in the future…” the Empress Dowager said meaningfully.
“I will not err,” Yu Jingchen stated with absolute certainty.
“If Your Majesty remains so confident, this Empress Dowager has nothing more to say.” With that, she looked in the direction Nan Zhiyun had left. “Since you have taken her back, do not abuse her. She is still a young girl, and she is innocent.” The Empress Dowager repeated this statement.
Yu Jingchen offered no response. The Empress Dowager shook her head again. “Your Majesty, sometimes one cannot completely cut off one’s retreat, for there is nowhere else to go. Nor should one completely cut off others’ paths, for desperation breeds a fight. I have taught you this.” the Empress Dowager said with paternalistic advice.
“I have my own decisions. Your Majesty need not worry,” Yu Jingchen still offered such an ambiguous reply.
The Empress Dowager said no more and entered Cining Palace. Yu Jingchen watched her receding figure. The Empress Dowager… she seemed truly alone now.
As for Nan Zhiyun, Yu Jingchen looked in the direction she had left. She was already far away. This morning, he had received a letter from Nan Su. The letter stated that he was willing to hand over the tiger tally and relinquish his military power, requesting permission to retire and return home, allowing Nan Zhiyun to leave the palace so that the Empress Dowager and they, father and daughter, could leave the capital and never again be involved in royal affairs.
To be honest, when he received this letter, he had been shocked. However… he felt an emptiness within himself, for no discernible reason. Later, he did not know why, but he had wanted to visit Cining Palace. When he saw Nan Zhiyun, scenes from before with Nan Zhiyun suddenly flashed through his mind. For a moment, he felt as if he had gone mad.
When he heard the Empress Dowager suggest Nan Zhiyun leave, he suddenly felt discontent. Originally, he had not intended to make Nan Zhiyun return. But seeing that Nan Zhiyun was truly about to leave, he felt a surge of anger and insisted that Nan Zhiyun leave Cining Palace and return to Hexian Palace.
Yu Jingchen stopped thinking about it, deciding to let it be. These thoughts would remain thoughts. He could not allow these chaotic matters to affect him. Yu Jingchen then also left Cining Palace.
Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager, who had entered Cining Palace, was helped to sit down by An Xin.
“Your Majesty, do not worry. The General will return soon, and His Majesty will not do anything to Consort Shu.” An Xin thought the Empress Dowager was worried about Nan Zhiyun.
The Empress Dowager shook her head upon hearing this. “This Empress Dowager is not worried about that. I am worried about what comes next, fearing future unforeseen changes…” the Empress Dowager said.
“His Majesty cannot see clearly. Yun’er will also suffer.” The Empress Dowager closed her eyes. An Xin was confused by the Empress Dowager’s words, not quite understanding the situation.
After leaving Cining Palace, Yu Jingchen went directly to Hexian Palace. By the time he arrived, Nan Zhiyun had already returned and was standing nervously in the room, clearly anxious.
(The female protagonist's rebirth has some time left. After her rebirth, it will be a dual rebirth.
Let me repeat: in the female protagonist's rebirth, she returns to her first life, where her emotions are more of fear, resentment, and regret, so her hatred is not as intense. You can go back and reread the female protagonist’s performance when she died in her first life. Therefore, please understand the setting.
Do not think the female protagonist is so wronged, because the main text is also written this way, so she cannot deviate too much from her character. Also, you must know that their strengths are not equal, so there is no other way.
However, the dual rebirth chapters will be different. The female protagonist will have memories of her second life and will want revenge, perhaps more hate. The dual rebirth is primarily to torment the male protagonist. I will not spoil the specifics.
As for the current female rebirth section, I can completely understand everyone’s feelings towards the male and female leads right now. But we will proceed step by step. The female rebirth part will also torment the male protagonist later.
And because this is an extra chapter, compared to the main text, it will not be written in as much detail. All progress will be faster, and some parts might feel a bit abrupt, as we do not have extra time or space to slowly sculpt and elaborate. Please understand.
Also, if you have any other suggestions, feel free to leave a comment. I will read them all. And please, be polite in the comment section~)