Yan Qing watched Nan Zhiyun, sitting opposite her, tilt her head and ponder something. Perhaps it was the interaction they had today that made Yan Qing see a hint of childishness in Nan Zhiyun. Hence, Yan Qing always treated Nan Zhiyun with a certain tenderness, as if she were a child.
"What is the Empress thinking? Are you bored again?" Yan Qing asked.
"I'm thinking about what you just said. Someone in the palace is helping Luo Yuncheng. I'm wondering who it could be?" Nan Zhiyun seemed to have enjoyed her time with Yan Qing today, otherwise, she wouldn't have addressed her directly as "I."
Yan Qing smiled at her words, "Has the Empress guessed?"
"No, there are too many people, so it's a bit difficult to guess. Besides, His Majesty doesn't let me get involved with these things myself." Nan Zhiyun casually picked up a glass of water in front of her and drank it.
"That is because His Majesty does not want the Empress to be tainted by those unsavory matters. The Empress only needs to be happy and carefree every day, just as you are now," Yan Qing told her.
"I think so too. Those things are too complicated, and I can't understand them. So, I think you are amazing, to be able to manage so many things." Nan Zhiyun felt a headache just thinking about having to deal with all of it herself.
"I've been learning since I was young," Yan Qing said, a hint of melancholy in her expression.
"So, do you know who that person is?" Nan Zhiyun had been very curious about everything lately.
"His Majesty has his reasons for not letting the Empress be involved in these matters. After all, some things and methods are too dirty. You are pure and beautiful, and His Majesty cannot bear to see you become soiled." Yan Qing seemed disinclined to say more.
"Empress, His Majesty... has actually done a lot for you." For you to always remain as you are, to live like a little sun, always pure and innocent. Even if you understand nothing, he will not deliberately make you learn. It's not that he doesn't want you to grow and become strong, but he uses his abilities to create an environment where you never have to grow up.
A few days ago, Yu Jingchen sent someone to tell her to deal with the remaining women in the harem. What he wanted to give Nan Zhiyun was exclusivity.
At first, she had pitied Nan Zhiyun, for Nan Zhiyun had indeed suffered a lot in the past. But later, she truly envied her, because Nan Zhiyun had ultimately obtained what she had always desired the most. Compared to many others, no matter what they did, their fate would only be tragic.
Not everyone can possess the things they dream of. What is not yours, no matter how you try, no matter how much you give, no matter what price you pay to exchange for it, it will never belong to you in the end. Nan Zhiyun might have been unfortunate, but... she was also fortunate.
A few years of hardship in exchange for a lifetime of companionship. Perhaps in a past life she was unaware of, Nan Zhiyun lived a desolate life, enduring suffering for a lifetime. But in all the lives to come, she would surely be happy.
Reuniting broken mirrors was the best choice after weighing the pros and cons, because reuniting broken mirrors could still bring benefits and advantages. If they were separated by the vast sea, or if the road ahead was long, and if the mended mirror had lost its value and was no longer useful, then... there would be no need to bother mending the broken mirror.
If emotions could truly be described by mirrors, could you find a mirror without flaws?
If emotions truly had no end, could you find a mirror that would never shatter?
Mirrors will eventually break, but will people truly drift apart in the end?
The broken mirror is the myriad of wounds all over me, yet you are unaware. These wounds were all caused by the breaking of the mirror, causing me to be cut...
When Yu Jingchen arrived, Nan Zhiyun was still eating. Upon hearing that Yu Jingchen was approaching, she dropped the grapes she was holding.
"Your Majesty!" Nan Zhiyun stood up. Upon seeing Yu Jingchen, she immediately rushed into his embrace.
Yu Jingchen hugged her tightly, his heart almost leaping out of his chest as he watched Nan Zhiyun run towards him. What if she fell? This girl had no sense of caution as a pregnant woman...
Tsk, he couldn't help but wonder who it was that had found her too obedient not long ago...
"Aren't you being careful? What if you fall?" Yu Jingchen held Nan Zhiyun up, his tone filled with unconcealed doting.
Yan Qing also approached, "Your concubine greets Your Majesty." She bowed respectfully.
"Rise," Yu Jingchen's tone was indifferent.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Yan Qing looked at Yu Jingchen holding Nan Zhiyun. The way they were, as if no one else were present, clearly demonstrated Yu Jingchen's overt favoritism towards Nan Zhiyun, and Nan Zhiyun's confidence, relying on Yu Jingchen's love.
"How was your day? Were you angry? Were you unhappy? Did you feel wronged? Shall I take you back to the palace?" Yu Jingchen asked, holding her.
Yan Qing: "..." Couldn't bear to watch.
"No, the Noble Consort is very nice, and the stories she told are better than Your Majesty's." Nan Zhiyun, while speaking, didn't forget to subtly put him down.
"Hmm, then if you're bored in the future, come here, and she'll tell you stories." Yu Jingchen said, pecking Nan Zhiyun on the cheek.
Yan Qing: "..."
"Handle the matters I've assigned you properly. We're going back," Yu Jingchen glanced at Yan Qing.
Yan Qing: "...Yes." So, she was just a tool, sigh~
Yu Jingchen carried Nan Zhiyun back to Fengyin Palace. Yan Qing watched them leave, a hint of loneliness appearing in her eyes, but it was only for a fleeting moment.
Soon, Yan Qing regained her usual dignified and composed demeanor. "Summon Bai Xiuyuan to see me," Yan Qing commanded.
"Yes..." The intricate schemes within the harem were nearing their end...
That evening, Consort Yuan was murdered in the cold palace. Yan Qing then presented the evidence against Bai Yusheng: colluding with the traitor Luo Yuncheng, secretly helping him infiltrate the palace, and intending to harm the Empress. Furthermore, she framed Consort Yuan for attempting to harm the Empress, drugged the First Prince herself and blamed Consort Yuan, and finally, to eliminate any future trouble, cruelly murdered Consort Yuan in the cold palace. For multiple crimes, she was sentenced to a beating to death!
General Bai, for accepting bribes, abusing his power, and failing to discipline his daughter, was stripped of his general title, all his military power was revoked, and his family's assets were confiscated. He was to be executed in autumn. The Bai family members were exiled to a land of bitter cold, forever forbidden to return to the capital, and their descendants were forbidden from entering officialdom.
Yu Jiangyan, for attempting to harm the Empress during the spring hunt and colluding with forces from the martial world, was beyond forgiveness. Princess Yu, for her vicious intent to harm Prince Yu, was also unforgivable. In consideration of her royal status, she was given poisoned wine.
Luo Yuncheng, with ill intentions, plotted to harm the Great Protector General Nan Su, secretly infiltrated the palace, attempted to harm the Empress, colluded with traitors, and committed treason. He was sentenced to death by slow slicing.
Liu Yi of the Duke of Liu's mansion, for complicity, but in consideration of his ignorance, his life was spared. He was to be beaten fifty times. The Duke of Liu was stripped of his position and ordered to reflect on his mistakes at home.