Yu Jingchen jolted awake, the recent events still leaving him with lingering fear. However, looking at the young girl he held in his arms, his unsettled heart gradually calmed.
"Now, I am walking towards you..." Yu Jingchen's lips moved, and then he placed a kiss on Nan Zhiyun's forehead. After the kiss, he held Nan Zhiyun and drifted back to sleep...
Nan Zhiyun snuggled deeper into Yu Jingchen's embrace. It was so warm, so comfortable. Perhaps she was dreaming of something delicious, as she even smacked her lips. That night, Nan Zhiyun truly slept soundly.
The next morning, Yu Jingchen, as usual, quietly got up without waking Nan Zhiyun. He signaled for the attendants to tread softly and help him dress quickly for the imperial court.
However, as he was leaving... Yu Jingchen had just stepped out when he saw Jiang Ji.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." Jiang Ji's demeanor was the same as always, showing no abnormality. His hands, however, were still heavily bandaged.
Yu Jingchen glanced at him... Jiang Ji, heh, a man of considerable depth.
In his second life, Jiang Ji had been the powerful Director of the Imperial Household Department, second only to the emperor, a rare talent who could summon wind and rain with impressive authority...
But... why was the course of events so different in this life? In the previous life, Jiang Ji and Nan Zhiyun should have had no connection whatsoever; they had never interacted.
Yu Jingchen didn't actually oppose Jiang Ji serving Nan Zhiyun. After all, Jiang Ji was indeed a capable individual, and if nurtured, he could become a great asset in the future. However, this did not mean Yu Jingchen wasn't worried. Jiang Ji's current behavior might be an act, and Yu Jingchen was unsure of his true intentions.
Regarding Jiang Ji, Yu Jingchen had been in two minds. Should he completely eliminate him, or cultivate him? Although the Jiang Ji of his previous life commanded great respect, he had always been his subordinate... so there was no perceived danger.
But now, it was different. This matter concerned Nan Zhiyun, which required Yu Jingchen to consider it more carefully. He looked at the man before him, who currently showed no sign of abnormality. Was he an excellent actor, or had he not yet reached that point?
Yu Jingchen remained silent. He didn't want to expose anything before understanding the situation clearly. Otherwise, it would lead to unnecessary trouble that would be difficult to resolve.
Watching Yu Jingchen's receding back, a dark look flashed in Jiang Ji's eyes. His Majesty seemed a little strange... could he have sensed something? He looked at his hands, only a little more was needed... in these final steps, he could not afford any mistakes.
"Have someone keep a close watch on Jiang Ji recently. Report any abnormalities immediately," Yu Jingchen instructed Xing Lai, who was by his side, as he walked away.
Although Xing Lai found it somewhat inexplicable, he dared not disobey His Majesty's command and could only agree. The weather had been rather oppressive lately, and Xing Lai had a feeling that something big was about to happen.
Especially these past few days, his eyelids had been twitching incessantly.
However, with His Majesty around, he believed that even the greatest of troubles could be quelled. He could only hope that everything would proceed smoothly.
At the morning court today, the verdict for Yu Jing'an had been passed. Yu Jingchen had decreed that Yu Jing'an be demoted to commoner and executed by Lingchi in the marketplace three days later.