Nanzhi Yun did not yet know about the day's events. When she heard her father was coming, she felt a surge of pleasant surprise.
"Father," Nanzhi Yun trotted over.
"How old are you already? Still so clumsy and rash. What if you fall later?" Nan Qing chided verbally, but his face couldn't hide his smile.
"I know, can we go inside to talk?" Nanzhi Yun took Nan Su's arm. Nan Su chuckled and followed Nanzhi Yun into the palace.
Seeing Nanzhi Yun's current state, Nan Su's previously worried gaze softened considerably. Nanzhi Yun led Nan Su to a seat and then directed people to serve tea and pastries.
"Why have you come here today, Father? Is the morning court over?" Nanzhi Yun asked.
"There will be no more morning court from now on, Yun'er. From today onwards, I am no longer a great general holding significant military power, but just your father." Nan Su's face was filled with affection. Without military power, he felt a great sense of ease.
Nanzhi Yun was momentarily stunned upon hearing Nan Su's words, then quickly understood. She leaned against Nan Su, "Alright, Father." Nanzhi Yun said only these three words. Nan Su stroked Nanzhi Yun's head.
"In the past, Father was my mountain to rely on. From now on, I will be Father's mountain," Nanzhi Yun smiled sweetly at Nan Su.
Looking at Nan Su like this, he felt a pang of guilt. How could he be her mountain? He was, instead, the source of the targeting she had endured over the years.
The father and daughter had a rare moment of solitude. Yu Jingchen did not come to disturb them today, but he had ordered the imperial kitchens to prepare a meal and send it over. Nan Su noticed the meticulously crafted imperial dishes, and most importantly, they were all things Nanzhi Yun favored.
Besides the imperial kitchen's fare, Nanzhi Yun also had the small kitchen at He'an Palace prepare some of the dishes Nan Su used to enjoy at home. A small kitchen within the palace was not something that could be easily established.
Nan Su observed subtly. Beyond the food, there were the palace decorations, the servants' attitudes, and Nanzhi Yun's expressions. He could see that His Majesty indeed paid quite a bit of attention to Nanzhi Yun now, which put his mind at ease.
However... in his eyes, His Majesty was too heartless. Thus, Nan Su could not guarantee whether the future Yu Jingchen would remain this way.
Nanzhi Yun was having dinner with Nan Su. Perhaps it was the enticing aroma, for Lingdang also came running in. Lingdang had grown much since recently and had put on some weight, but Nanzhi Yun found this plump, fluffy appearance to be the most adorable, so she would hold it for a while every day.
"Lingdang must miss Her Ladyship, coming to find you after only half a day apart," Jiang Ji spoke up proactively.
Nan Su heard the voice and looked over. Jiang Ji bowed, not daring to meet his gaze directly.
"Of course, Lingdang likes me," Nanzhi Yun scooped Lingdang into her arms.
"Lingdang was just running around outside for a while and is quite dirty. If Her Ladyship holds it like this, be careful not to stain your dress," Jiang Ji reminded them.
"It's alright, how dirty can it get? Let it be," Nanzhi Yun wasn't afraid of getting dirty.
Lingdang nestled obediently in her embrace, letting out soft meows. Nanzhi Yun felt a wave of joy just looking at it.
"Yun'er, you're still keeping pets? Aren't you afraid it will be like the rabbits when you were little?" Nan Su also indulged in a rare joke.
Nanzhi Yun's face flushed slightly. "What did I know when I was little? It's different now. Besides, Jiang Ji knows how to care for pets, and His Majesty has allowed him to stay here to help me raise it." Nanzhi Yun's tone carried a hint of pride when she said this.