After finishing the matters at hand, Yu Jingchen was preparing to take Nan Zhiyun back to see Nan Su. However, Nan Su himself entered the palace. He did not come to He An Hall but to Ci An Palace.
When Yu Jingchen went to He An Hall, Nan Zhiyun was already waiting at the entrance.
"Is Yun'er planning to go to Ci An Palace?" Yu Jingchen asked her.
Nan Zhiyun nodded, "Why did Father suddenly come to the palace today? He didn't tell me in advance, so I want to go and see him, and also pay respects to the Empress Dowager."
Recently, the Empress Dowager had been using the excuse of wanting to practice Buddhism to refuse to see anyone. Nan Zhiyun hadn't seen her in a long time and missed her a little.
"I'll go with you," Yu Jingchen naturally took Nan Zhiyun's hand. Without overthinking it, Nan Zhiyun followed Yu Jingchen and was led to Ci An Palace.
Ci An Palace
When the Empress Dowager heard from An Xin that Nan Zhiyun had arrived, she glanced at Nan Su sitting below. "He's thinking of you coming," the Empress Dowager smiled, and the seemingly solemn atmosphere was relieved at this moment.
"Yun'er is still young and clingy," Nan Su's tone was deep, his eyes profound.
"So she can't be separated from..." The Empress Dowager said meaningfully, then looked at An Xin, "Go and invite them in."
An Xin nodded and retreated, leading Nan Zhiyun and Yu Jingchen in. Yu Jingchen had not let go of Nan Zhiyun's hand, which was naturally noticed by Nan Su and the Empress Dowager.
"Empress Dowager, Father," Nan Zhiyun curtsied slightly.
Nan Su was about to pay his respects to Yu Jingchen, but was stopped by the Empress Dowager, "A' Su, don't get up. I presume His Majesty won't mind, will he?" The Empress Dowager looked at Yu Jingchen.
"Naturally," Yu Jingchen replied. Hearing this, Nan Su did not insist on the ceremony and remained seated.
"Your Majesty..." Nan Zhiyun looked at Yu Jingchen. Yu Jingchen understood her meaning, so he released his hand, and Nan Zhiyun sat beside Nan Su.
"Why did Father suddenly come to the palace today?" Nan Zhiyun asked.
Yu Jingchen did not interrupt, but sat in the opposite seat. Previously, Xing Lai had mentioned that Nan Su had an old illness, and Yu Jingchen had also sent an imperial physician. However, the result was not optimistic. Although it would not be immediately fatal, with accumulated strain, it would become even more uncontrollable later.
"It's because Yun'er's birthday is coming up soon, so I specially came to the palace to discuss with the Empress Dowager how to help Yun'er celebrate." Nan Su looked at his youngest daughter before him, his eyes full of reluctance. He wished he could stay with her forever, but his current condition... As Nan Su thought of this, he began to cough.
"Cough, cough," Nan Su clenched his left fist, seemingly trying to lessen the sound.
"Father?" Nan Zhiyun was startled and helped him pat his back.
"It's nothing, just a little cough," Nan Su said with a natural expression.
Nan Zhiyun didn't think much of it. Her father had occasionally coughed like this before; it wasn't a major issue.
The Empress Dowager looked at Nan Su and Nan Zhiyun leaning together and involuntarily recalled what Nan Su had just said.
"Let the imperial physician examine you later," Yu Jingchen suddenly spoke. All three looked at him. Nan Su knew that Yu Jingchen was aware of his condition, but since he had said this, he could only agree.
"It's about half a month until Yun'er's birthday. I will need you to accompany her then," Yu Jingchen added.
"I will. When Yun'er turns eighteen, I will definitely be with her," Nan Su stroked Nan Zhiyun's head.