Yu Jingchen likely knew what she was thinking and guessed it. So he wasn't in a hurry. He reached out and gently patted Nan Zhiyun's back, wanting her to relax.
"Be good, Yun'er, don't be afraid. I won't be angry. I just want you to tell me about this matter. I want to know from you, not from others. So, will you tell me?" Yu Jingchen coaxed her slowly, step by step.
"..." Nan Zhiyun remained silent as always. However, she wasn't entirely unresponsive. After Yu Jingchen spoke, she cautiously looked at him, as if afraid to see a trace of anger in his eyes.
Such a gaze and look deeply pained Yu Jingchen's heart. What kind of circumstances had caused the carefree and outgoing girl of the past to become so cautious and timid now?
"Be good, it's alright. I promise you, I definitely won't be angry, okay? So, tell me, what did you do today? Hmm?" Yu Jingchen gently stroked her face.
Nan Zhiyun opened her mouth but didn't speak. She was still worried.
"Will you tell me? What did Yun'er do today?" Yu Jingchen continued to ask.
"I'm sorry..." Nan Zhiyun apologized obediently.
"There's no need for apologies. Yun'er did nothing wrong. You just need to tell me what you did today, and why, okay?" Yu Jingchen disliked hearing Nan Zhiyun's apologies. She didn't need to apologize at all. The one who should apologize was himself, for failing to protect her.
"...Today... I fell myself. I did it on purpose... It wasn't Consort Li..." Nan Zhiyun spoke intermittently, pausing for a long time. As she said this, she dared not look at Yu Jingchen, her head hung very low.
Yu Jingchen wasn't angry. Instead, he smiled at her indulgently. "Yun'er, why did you do this? Hmm?" he asked.
"I don't like her... I hate her. She touched me first..." Nan Zhiyun continued, a hint of childishness in her tone now.
Yu Jingchen was actually happy to see Nan Zhiyun show this side of herself to him, so her current appearance softened his heart.
"There was no need to take such a risk. What if you had been seriously injured? If you don't like someone, you can just tell me directly. It's fine if you tell me directly," Yu Jingchen told Nan Zhiyun, saying that he would accommodate her if she told him.
"I'm sorry..." Nan Zhiyun didn't know if it was out of guilt, or fear and nervousness.
"I don't mean to blame you, nor am I saying you did wrong. I'm just saying that if you had told me directly, this method would have been better. And little Yun'er, if I hadn't asked you today, would you have told me all this? And then you would have overthought and worried again. This is not good for your health, do you understand?" Yu Jingchen told her patiently.
Nan Zhiyun seemed to understand and realized her mistake, so she nodded obediently. Yu Jingchen's heart softened seeing her like this.
"Be good, it's alright. I asked you just now because I didn't want you to keep these things bottled up inside," Yu Jingchen said, ruffling her hair twice.
Nan Zhiyun let go of him. "Let's rest for a while. It's time to sleep." Yu Jingchen didn't bother her anymore.
"Mm," Nan Zhiyun followed Yu Jingchen's movements and slowly lay down.
Yu Jingchen covered her with the quilt. He didn't leave but sat beside Nan Zhiyun, letting the little girl lean against him. "You sleep, and I'll continue telling you stories, okay?" Yu Jingchen said.
"Mm," Nan Zhiyun leaned closer to Yu Jingchen. Yu Jingchen placed one hand behind her, gently patting her, and then began to tell the rest of the story.
About fifteen minutes later, Nan Zhiyun had fallen into a drowsy sleep. Yu Jingchen watched the little girl fall asleep before he got up.
Yu Jingchen left the room. Xing Lai was waiting outside. "Prepare the imperial carriage to Cih'an Palace."
Xing Lai bowed in acknowledgment and then went with Yu Jingchen to Cih'an Palace. The Empress Dowager had not yet retired. At this hour, the Empress Dowager would usually be napping.
"Why has Your Majesty come?" The Empress Dowager asked, not surprised to see Yu Jingchen.
"Yun'er has fallen asleep. I was afraid Mother might worry, so I came especially to inform Mother," Yu Jingchen said.
"Is Yun'er sleeping well?" The Empress Dowager asked softly.
"Yun'er is very well. She's been rather sleepy these days, so she's sleeping soundly." Yu Jingchen found a seat below and sat down.
"Is that so? That's truly something to be happy about. After all, Yun'er has never rested properly since entering the palace; she hasn't had a good night's sleep a single day." The Empress Dowager said slowly, causing Yu Jingchen's movements to pause slightly.
But the Empress Dowager acted as if she hadn't seen it, and continued unhurriedly, "Yun'er was the most carefree before. After entering the palace, she's become cautious about everything. Does Your Majesty remember what little Yun'er was like before?" The Empress Dowager looked at Yu Jingchen.
The former Nan Zhiyun? Yu Jingchen pursed his lips slightly, not answering the question.
"Your Majesty, you don't understand Yun'er. Yun'er's current state is truly different from before," the Empress Dowager continued.
"It was my fault before," Yu Jingchen said, without any attempt to evade.
"Of course, it was your fault. Yun'er did nothing wrong; she simply fell in love with you." The Empress Dowager's words were much sharper this time.
"Today's incident was caused by Consort Yuan, but I was indeed aware of it and even fanned the flames. Can Your Majesty guess the reason?" The Empress Dowager continued to ask.
"...Mother does not trust me." Yu Jingchen could easily guess the reason.
"Yes, so Your Majesty should know what you need to do. Although I don't know why Your Majesty has suddenly become like this, remember that Yun'er has never wronged you." The Empress Dowager stood up.
"I will treat her well in the future," Yu Jingchen gave a promise of sorts.
The Empress Dowager cast a light glance, did not say anything further, and then left on her own. Yu Jingchen was left sitting stunned in the main hall of Cih'an Palace, making no other movements.
The Empress Dowager... she had always considered Nan Zhiyun's well-being above all else. But a long time ago, she seemed to have treated him the same way. It was just that in this imperial family, there were too many things beyond one's control, making it impossible to give trust, nor true familial affection.
He knew he owed Nan Zhiyun, owed the Nan family, and owed the Empress Dowager. But... he knew he was wrong now, so... could he have a chance to make up for these hurts?
Yu Jingchen didn't know the answer, nor did he know who could give him the answer. Things had reached this point, and perhaps he could only take it one step at a time.
He didn't linger there. He was worried about leaving Nan Zhiyun alone, so after handling matters there, Yu Jingchen quickly returned to Zichen Palace. Nan Zhiyun, of course, was not yet awake. He walked to Nan Zhiyun's side and sat down. The little girl's complexion was much more rosy than before, likely due to the good care she'd received these past few days, and her spirit was much better than when she first arrived.
He sat there foolishly guarding Nan Zhiyun, as if afraid she would disappear if he blinked. Countless regrets seemed too futile at this moment.
Yu Jingchen sat there for over an hour. It was only when Xing Lai came to call him that he came to his senses.
"Your Majesty, the National Teacher has emerged from seclusion," Xing Lai said.
Upon hearing this, Yu Jingchen's gaze lingered on Nan Zhiyun for a moment before he got up and walked away, trying not to disturb her.
"Speak," Yu Jingchen commanded.
"The National Teacher emerged from seclusion this afternoon, but he has not left his residence," Xing Lai replied. Previously, His Majesty had wanted to meet the National Teacher, so Xing Lai had paid special attention.
"Summon the National Teacher to court tomorrow," Yu Jingchen had many questions he wanted answered.
"Your Majesty..." Xing Lai appeared hesitant.
Yu Jingchen knitted his brows and looked at him. "Is there a problem with this matter as well?"
"Your Majesty, please forgive me... It's just that the National Teacher said after emerging from seclusion today that he would not see anyone, no matter who it was, not even... Your Majesty." Xing Lai ducked his head as he spoke, feeling fortunate that his head was still on his shoulders.
Yu Jingchen's brow immediately furrowed upon hearing this. What did he mean by not seeing anyone? He couldn't even see a minister? If it were in the past, Yu Jingchen might have lost his temper by now, but this time... although Yu Jingchen was somewhat displeased, he didn't seem to be enraged.
"Then we will ask another day," Yu Jingchen did not force the issue. However, he couldn't shake the feeling that his heart was restless, as if a major event was about to occur.
His chest felt panicked, as if this matter was beyond his capabilities and would lead to immeasurable consequences. He wasn't confident he could control it.
Yu Jingchen looked up. The weather today was quite changeable. It had seemed fine in the morning, but now it had turned much gloomier. The heavy sky pressed down on people, making it hard to breathe.
"Is it going to rain?" Yu Jingchen asked, his voice very soft, unlike his usual tone.
"They say there will be rain tonight. Your Majesty should also take care of your health," Xing Lai said. For some reason, he felt that His Majesty, compared to before, had become much more conflicted and profound.
Yu Jingchen did not reply. It was going to rain tonight? Since his rebirth, it hadn't rained much. This would be the first time, right? He wondered what this rain foretold and how long it would last. Would it dampen his clothes? Would it make people sober up?