The Empress Became the Apple of His Eye, Chapter 1
"Mother Empress, His Majesty has arrived," An Xin announced as she entered. Yu Jingchen had come? The Empress Dowager hadn't quite registered it yet. Her emotions were still somewhat stirred by the day's events.
Yu Jingchen entered swiftly. The Empress Dowager's complexion was not good. He knew it was likely because she had learned about the incident with General Nan Su.
"Why has Your Majesty come here so suddenly?" The Empress Dowager's attitude remained as cool as ever.
"Everyone, withdraw," Yu Jingchen commanded. Everyone nodded and retreated, except for An Xin. She looked at the Empress Dowager, who hesitated for a moment before nodding. An Xin then withdrew under the Empress Dowager's instruction.
Soon, everyone inside the room had left, leaving only the Empress Dowager and Yu Jingchen.
"What does Your Majesty mean by having everyone withdraw? Do you have something to say?" the Empress Dowager continued, unsure of Yu Jingchen's intentions.
"Has Her Majesty the Empress Dowager learned of General Nan's matter today?" Yu Jingchen cut straight to the chase, speaking very directly.
"Is this what Your Majesty wishes to ask about? Are you not well aware of this matter yourself?" the Empress Dowager's tone was not exactly pleasant.
"Does Her Majesty the Empress Dowager believe it was朕?" Yu Jingchen could guess, after all, his suspicion was the greatest.
"This humble consort has not said so. Your Majesty need not worry too much," the Empress Dowager replied. She hadn't stopped suspecting, but the suspicion had never been confirmed. She knew what kind of person Yu Jingchen was, but she believed he wouldn't resort to such methods.
"What is the relationship between Her Majesty the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Preceptor?" Yu Jingchen didn't press further. This question wasn't important. Regardless of what the Empress Dowager thought, this matter wouldn't change.
"Why does Your Majesty ask this?" The Empress Dowager's brows furrowed. This question had never crossed her mind in relation to Yu Jingchen.
"Has Her Majesty the Empress Dowager met with the Imperial Preceptor recently? Do you think he has changed?" Yu Jingchen didn't explain, but continued to ask.
The Empress Dowager thought for a moment. Gu Yin had visited a couple of days ago after coming out of seclusion. He seemed to have changed a lot, yet she couldn't quite pinpoint it. The biggest change was probably in his appearance. Other than that... it seemed he hadn't changed, but yet something felt strangely off.
"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager must also be aware of the rumors about the heavy rains these past few days, correct?" Yu Jingchen inquired again. His address to the Empress Dowager kept shifting, perhaps due to changing emotions or the differing circumstances and positions.
"Does Your Majesty not also believe that it is because of Yun'er's child in her womb? I shall remind Your Majesty today: Yun'er's child is also Your Majesty's child. First of all, such rumors are preposterous. Even if someone believed them, this child carries your blood. Even if anyone brings disaster, it would be you, not that child. Do you understand?" The Empress Dowager was clearly very concerned about this matter.
"I understand, of course. Mother Empress need not worry. Yun'er and the child she carries will be fine." Yu Jingchen reverted to his previous form of address.
The Empress Dowager watched them converse, her expression showing a hint of dissatisfaction. She couldn't fathom Yu Jingchen's thoughts. In truth, the talk of a disaster-bringing omen wasn't new. In the past, many such rumors were concocted by concubines in the harem to achieve their selfish desires.
Most crucially, many people, believing in superstitions, would readily believe such rumors, leading to the deaths of countless innocent lives due to malicious words.
The Empress Dowager herself was very resistant to such matters. She was also worried that Yu Jingchen might actually believe such things and do something to Nan Zhiyun, or rather, the child within her.
"I will not believe such things." Yu Jingchen, as if reading the Empress Dowager's concerns, added this sentence. While the Empress Dowager couldn't fully put her mind at ease, she was no longer as resistant as she had been moments before.
"If Mother Empress is truly concerned, why not ask the Imperial Preceptor?" Yu Jingchen finally revealed the purpose of his visit.
The Imperial Preceptor? The Empress Dowager's brows furrowed upon hearing these words. What did this have to do with him?
"The Imperial Preceptor told me some things earlier. If Mother Empress is interested, you can go and ask him. After all, your relationship with him is not ordinary, and his attitude towards you goes without saying." Yu Jingchen was very candid, without any beating around the bush.
The Empress Dowager did not deny his words, but she couldn't figure out why Gu Yin would be involved in today's events.
"Alright, I have said what I needed to say. Mother Empress can ponder on it herself." Yu Jingchen had no intention of staying any longer. In half an hour, the young lady would wake up. What would happen if he wasn't there?
The Empress Dowager watched Yu Jingchen leave without any attempt to retain him or ask further questions. His words had caused her to reconsider.
However, as if to add to the woes, unforeseen changes were occurring, catching everyone off guard and leaving them helpless.
As soon as Yu Jingchen returned to Zichen Palace, he sensed that the atmosphere was amiss. He felt an involuntary panic, a sense of foreboding.
"What is happening?" Yu Jingchen asked the nearby palace maid, hoping it wasn't what he feared.
But alas, the worst had indeed happened.
"Your Majesty, just now, two palace maids, having somehow heard rumors, said that General Nan had an accident while dealing with the flood, falling into the river, and his fate is currently unknown. The Consort happened to overhear this and stopped the two palace maids, asking them to explain clearly. Then those two palace maids..." The palace servant had said enough for Yu Jingchen to understand what followed.
"Xing Lai!" Yu Jingchen was engulfed in rage, the air around him becoming suffocating.
"Take those two palace maids away, cut out their tongues, and subject them to Lingchi!" Yu Jingchen was truly incensed this time.
Xing Lai couldn't believe anyone would court death so brazenly. He had already distributed the news, so how could someone make such a mistake?
After uttering these words, Yu Jingchen quickly hurried into the inner chambers, only to be met with a scene that broke his heart. Nan Zhiyun within the palace did not allow attendants, so all the palace maids were outside, afraid to enter.
As he entered, he saw Nan Zhiyun still clad in her undergarments, barefoot, sitting on the floor, curled into a ball. Her black hair cascaded down, making her appear fragile and pitiful.
Yu Jingchen's heart ached. He remained silent, slowing his pace as he approached her. When he reached her side, he slowly knelt down. "Yun'er..." Yu Jingchen called out to her.
Nan Zhiyun did not respond. Yu Jingchen, filled with tenderness, reached out to caress her face, but she dodged his touch. Tears streamed down her eyes, piercing Yu Jingchen's heart.
"Be good. General Nan will be alright. I've already arranged for people to search for him. He'll be fine soon. Believe me, we will find him, alright?" Yu Jingchen tried to comfort her. Nan Zhiyun remained motionless, the only change being the incessant flow of tears.
Yu Jingchen wanted to draw the young lady into his embrace, but Nan Zhiyun seemed very resistant. Yu Jingchen's movements froze again. He looked at Nan Zhiyun, and she looked back at him.
"Yun'er?" Yu Jingchen called out softly.
"Why didn't Your Majesty tell me? Just now... why didn't you tell me?" Nan Zhiyun's voice was hoarse.
"I'm sorry. The reason I didn't tell you just now was because I was afraid of this happening. It's all my fault. I should have told you sooner, alright? Please get up, the floor is very cold." Yu Jingchen took all the blame upon himself.
Nan Zhiyun shook her head. She stared at Yu Jingchen. "Was it Your Majesty's doing?" she asked.
Yu Jingchen was stunned. So, Nan Zhiyun's first reaction upon hearing this news was to suspect him as well?
"It wasn't me. Yun'er, do you believe me?" Yu Jingchen asked her.
Nan Zhiyun gave no response. Yu Jingchen's heart ached. It seemed she still didn't truly trust him. Or perhaps, in her heart, she had already judged him?
"Alright, let's get up first. The floor is very cold, it's not good for your health, and you're pregnant. Okay?" Yu Jingchen didn't want to dwell on this topic any longer.
But Nan Zhiyun clearly did not intend to cooperate. "I want to be alone for a while," she said.
"Your current state, how can I possibly let you stay here alone? Get up first, be obedient." How could Yu Jingchen allow Nan Zhiyun to remain alone in such a state?
Nan Zhiyun turned her head away and remained silent. Yu Jingchen's attempts at communication were fruitless. In the end, he decided to act himself, intending to pick up the young lady. But... she once again expressed her attitude with her body, rejecting his actions.
"Yun'er." Yu Jingchen's tone became somewhat stern this time. As he received no response, his gaze began to harden.
"If you don't get up now, I will have to force you. You know, you cannot resist." Yu Jingchen told her. He hadn't acted so directly earlier because he was afraid of scaring Nan Zhiyun, but if she continued in this state, he would have to change his approach.
Nan Zhiyun was clearly still afraid, but she was also defiant and stubborn, refusing to get up from the floor.
"Come, I'll carry you up, okay?" Yu Jingchen reached out to pick her up again. Nan Zhiyun still resisted, but this time Yu Jingchen did not let go. Even though Nan Zhiyun was unwilling, Yu Jingchen lifted her from the ground and held her close.
"Alright, Yun'er, you know what you shouldn't do, right?" Yu Jingchen was never lenient when it came to her health.
Nan Zhiyun stopped struggling and no longer resisted. Yu Jingchen felt a sense of helplessness.
"Be good. I know I shouldn't have kept it from you. Knowing this is your right, so I was wrong in this matter. But Yun'er... I told you, General Nan will be fine. I will have people search for him, alright?" Yu Jingchen softened his tone again.
Nan Zhiyun looked at him. After a long pause, she finally spoke. "I want to be alone..." It was the same sentence again.
"Then you must be well. Otherwise, in your current state, how can I rest assured leaving you alone? Yun'er, don't overthink. When your emotions stabilize, I will give you space." Yu Jingchen was concerned about her current state.
"I want to leave the palace. I want to go find Father." Nan Zhiyun made her request again.
"Yun'er, be good. This is not very realistic. Even if you went, what could you do? Hmm? So, let's stay in the palace peacefully, recuperate, and then you can wait for my news, okay?" Yu Jingchen continued to coax her.
"I want to go." Nan Zhiyun, for some reason, was very stubborn.
Yu Jingchen was at a loss. "You cannot go. I will not agree."
Nan Zhiyun fell silent upon hearing this, her expression appearing numb, which frightened Yu Jingchen. He reached out to touch her face, but as expected, Nan Zhiyun turned her head away again, and Yu Jingchen's hand missed.
"Yun'er." This time, Yu Jingchen's voice carried a hint of warning.
Nan Zhiyun clenched her fists. Alright, she was still afraid, but if she was afraid, why did she always act like this? Was she trying to test his tolerance?
"Let's not talk about this anymore. If you continue, I'll kiss you, okay?" Yu Jingchen was also suppressing his emotions. He didn't want to lose his temper with Nan Zhiyun or get angry, for fear of scaring her.
Nan Zhiyun remained silent this time, making no further movements. Yu Jingchen breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he had temporarily stabilized her.
He prepared to take her hand, but the young lady did not let go. Yu Jingchen was patient and finally managed to make Nan Zhiyun release her hand. However... upon seeing the scene before him, Yu Jingchen's demeanor grew cold.
"Yun'er is hurting herself again? Hmm?" Yu Jingchen looked at Nan Zhiyun. Her hands were covered in scratches from her own self-inflicted wounds. Not just the backs of her hands...
Yu Jingchen rolled up Nan Zhiyun's sleeves. On her arms, her wrists, there were also scratch marks.
Yu Jingchen's expression turned serious. He looked at Nan Zhiyun. "What did I tell you last time? Hmm?" Yu Jingchen's tone carried a trace of authority.
Nan Zhiyun remained unresponsive, her hands instinctively wanting to scratch again. Yu Jingchen pulled her hands away. "Nan Zhiyun." He called her full name. Fortunately, his tone wasn't too harsh, but the air in the room seemed to congeal.
Yu Jingchen forced Nan Zhiyun to look at him. "What did I tell you before? Did I not tell you not to hurt yourself? Did you scratch your own hands?"