Yu Jingchen sat down beside Nan Zhiyun.
"Your Majesty, why are you late today?" Nan Zhiyun began to "interrogate" Yu Jingchen.
"I encountered someone blind on the road who soiled my clothes, so I'm late. It's my fault for not coming to accompany Yun'er for dinner sooner." Yu Jingchen apologized.
Ling Lai: "..." If you have the guts, treat Empress like you treated the Su clan just now? Tsk... Your Majesty has become unbearable lately. As long as the Empress is unhappy, His Majesty has to coax her with gentle words, and if she's uncomfortable, the Empress will directly take action.
What is His Majesty? He acts when he should act, he speaks when he should speak, the Empress will not hold back. Just look at it now, even if His Majesty hasn't arrived, the Empress will eat as usual, without a care. Your Majesty... your dignity is about to fall to the ground.
"They just told me, it was Su Qianyan," Nan Zhiyun said directly.
"Yes, I have already ordered her punishment. Yun'er doesn't need to bother with these things. Later, I will deal with all these women in the harem, and only you will remain, alright?" Yu Jingchen asked, holding her.
"Your Majesty is going to kill them all?" Nan Zhiyun was startled and quickly turned to look at Yu Jingchen.
Yu Jingchen: "..." Why is that the first thing she thought of? Is that the image I have in this girl's heart?
"If they behave themselves, I will let them live out their years peacefully. If they are unruly... death itself would be a grace," Yu Jingchen said, never caring about the lives of those people.
Nan Zhiyun said nothing. After all, she couldn't interfere with these matters. Besides, she didn't like looking at those women, so she wouldn't say much about Yu Jingchen's actions.
Su Qianyan ultimately did not survive. She was thrown into the lake and her breath was gone within half an hour. No one knew why Yu Jingchen treated Su Qianyan this way, only that she had angered His Majesty in her attempt to gain favor.
After this incident, the remaining imperial concubines in the harem dared not appear before Yu Jingchen carelessly. Additionally, the Empress Dowager... the Empress Dowager was taken out of the palace by the Imperial Advisor. The Empress Dowager had still not woken up, but her pulse had returned to normal. Nan Zhiyun had intended to visit that day, but Gu Yin did not wait, leaving as soon as he decided, so she didn't have time.
These days, Nan Zhiyun had been praying for the Empress Dowager... She wished for the Empress Dowager to wake up soon, but half a month had passed, and the Empress Dowager showed no reaction.
"Believe in them, they will be fine," Yu Jingchen said, wrapping his arm around Nan Zhiyun's waist. He watched the carriage as it gradually moved away, a flicker of darkness in his eyes. Although Nan Zhiyun was worried, there was nothing she could do now but pray.
At the end of April, Prince Yu passed away.
Before this, a secret was leaked: Prince Yu and his consort appeared to be in perfect harmony, but in reality, Prince Yu had been closely involved with a courtesan in his early years, even having a child with her.
Later, it was discovered by Prince Yu's consort. During the delivery, she forced the courtesan to her death, and the child was also drowned in the river.
Prince Yu's consort harbored resentment towards Prince Yu, and even claimed that Prince Yu's body had become dilapidated and beyond saving due to her poisoning him day after day, year after year, rendering all medical treatment futile. Everyone said it was retribution. Perhaps because the rumors grew stronger and stronger, they escalated to an uncontrollable degree, as if an invisible hand was pushing them forward.
On the day of Prince Yu's funeral, the entrance to his mansion was crowded with commoners, all accusing him of deserving his fate.