Yu Jingchen let out an imperceptible sigh, but he didn't hesitate for long. Soon, the palace attendants had finished changing Nan Zhiyun's clothes. Yu Jingchen looked at her.
"Let's go out for a walk," Yu Jingchen said, and then naturally took Nan Zhiyun's hand. This time, Nan Zhiyun did not pull away. Yu Jingchen led her out of Zichen Palace, and as soon as they exited the palace gates, Nan Zhiyun forcefully pulled her hand away from his grasp.
Yu Jingchen's hand met empty air. He looked at the small figure beside him, "Are you that disgusted?"
Nan Zhiyun did not answer, but continued to walk forward resolutely. Yu Jingchen watched her retreating figure without a word. After she had walked a distance, Yu Jingchen finally lifted his foot to follow.
Although the palace was vast, there were not many places one could go. Nan Zhiyun walked aimlessly forward. This immense imperial palace felt like a cage.
A resplendent cage. She had once gone to great lengths to enter, only to discover upon entering that it was filled with traps. A single misstep could lead to eternal damnation, and by the time she wanted to escape, it was already too late.
Yu Jingchen accompanied Nan Zhiyun to the Imperial Garden. The moment they arrived, Nan Zhiyun was astonished by the scenery before her. The flowers here bloomed even more beautifully than before, and... why were there so many roses again?
"I heard today you wanted to go out for a stroll. The flowers in the Imperial Garden are blooming well, and I thought you would be quite pleased to see them. The roses in Zichen Palace were destroyed by a heavy rain, so I specially ordered people to transplant them here to the Imperial Garden," Yu Jingchen walked to Nan Zhiyun's side and explained.
Nan Zhiyun turned her gaze away. "What a pity, I don't like roses." As she spoke, Nan Zhiyun stepped forward and plucked a rose. Yu Jingchen watched her action, and in the next moment, she released the rose, which fell to the ground.
Yu Jingchen remained silent, merely watching her next move. Nan Zhiyun's expression was devoid of emotion. Looking at these roses, she could recall that day's events, but as soon as she thought of those things, her memories from her previous life would become increasingly vivid.
Nan Zhiyun stepped on the fallen rose. Yu Jingchen watched her action, his heart aching intensely. Was she truly so resistant?
Perhaps it was this action that enraged Yu Jingchen. As Nan Zhiyun attempted to walk past him, he grabbed her.
"What are you doing?!" Nan Zhiyun suddenly grew angry and forcefully shook his hand away.
"Nan Zhiyun, stop testing my patience. What do you want? I've already done my best to meet your demands. Can't you be more level-headed?" Yu Jingchen pulled her into his embrace with a forceful move.
Nan Zhiyun crashed into his chest, but her first instinct was to escape. However, she had no strength to do so. Nan Zhiyun bit down hard on his wrist. A hiss escaped her lips. It hurt, but Yu Jingchen did not pull his hand away.
Nan Zhiyun, seemingly losing all reason, continued to bite his wrist, refusing to let go. Soon, the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth, and tears dripped onto Yu Jingchen's hand.
Initially, Yu Jingchen frowned from the pain on his wrist, but when he felt Nan Zhiyun's tears, his heart was touched.
"Why are you crying? Is it not enough to vent your anger?" he asked. Nan Zhiyun slowly released her bite. Yu Jingchen looked at the imprint on his hand, which was bleeding.
"Nan Zhiyun, you've bitten me. You must feel somewhat better now." Yu Jingchen took her hand again.
"It doesn't matter if you don't like the roses. I'll have them changed later. Just tell me what you like, and I'll have people transplant it here," Yu Jingchen softened his tone and reached out to wipe away the tears streaming from her eyes.
Nan Zhiyun's eyes were filled with hatred. "No matter what the flower is, as long as it's related to you, I hate it, I dislike it," she said.
"You hate me?" he asked, his voice cold and distant.
"Hate is futile. You must adapt. Nan Zhiyun, I am telling you for the last time, I will not let you go, and you will never be able to leave. If you continue with these thoughts, the one who will suffer in the end will only be you. Even if you hate me, I will not show any mercy," Yu Jingchen's hand caressed her face.
Nan Zhiyun looked at him without speaking. Yu Jingchen did not wish to continue talking and simply picked Nan Zhiyun up.
"Let me down!" Nan Zhiyun struggled, but Yu Jingchen did not loosen his grip, and she was helpless.
Yu Jingchen carried her to a nearby pavilion and sat down, intending to talk to her properly. However, unfortunately, someone with ill intentions decided to interrupt.
"Your concubine greets His Majesty." Both Yu Jingchen and Nan Zhiyun turned to look. It was Shun Zhaoyuan (Su Qianyan, the impostor in the main text).
Yu Jingchen naturally remembered her. Su Qianyan was wearing a light red gown, her demeanor gentle, but she had a clear purpose as she approached Yu Jingchen.
"Shun Zhaoyuan, His Majesty is currently with Consort Shu. It is likely inconvenient for you to enter," Xing Lai, who was outside, stopped her.
Su Qianyan glanced at Xing Lai. "Your pardon, Eunuch. I was merely passing by today and saw His Majesty here, so I came to pay my respects. I did not expect to disturb Consort Shu and His Majesty." Su Qianyan's posture was already very humble.
"Since Consort Shu is here, perhaps I could come in and pay my respects to Consort Shu? I heard Consort Shu has been unwell, and she usually stays in Zichen Palace, rarely coming out, so it is a rare occasion to see her," Su Qianyan continued. Xing Lai did not know how to respond and could only look towards Yu Jingchen inside.
"Scram," Yu Jingchen spat out the single word coldly. Su Qianyan's expression faltered upon hearing this from outside, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Your Majesty, please forgive my presumptuousness. However, I heard Consort Shu is in low spirits. I have nothing to do today, and if Consort Shu wishes, I can talk with her to pass the time," Su Qianyan continued.
But Yu Jingchen was already impatient. "She is with me, what business is it of yours? Get out!"
Yu Jingchen's voice, clearly filled with rage, made Su Qianyan immediately tremble and fall to her knees. Nan Zhiyun also flinched at the outburst.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me!" Su Qianyan cried out.
Yu Jingchen sensed Nan Zhiyun's reaction. Fear, huh? Yu Jingchen embraced her. "What are you afraid of? Did I touch you? Did I yell at you?"
Nan Zhiyun did not answer. Yu Jingchen lifted Nan Zhiyun's chin. "Yun'er, won't you be good and obedient?" Nan Zhiyun turned her eyes away.