The events of today still had an impact. Nan Zhiyun initially managed to fall asleep, but as time went on, she became increasingly restless. Her mind was filled with the incessant screams she couldn't escape, and she began to have nightmares.
Since Yu Jingchen was present, he noticed Nan Zhiyun's distress immediately. He moved closer and gently pulled her into his embrace.
Nan Zhiyun's body trembled, and she started to sweat again. She was murmuring something incomprehensible in her sleep, her voice very faint. Yu Jingchen didn't try to understand what she was saying; he simply stayed by her side, holding her.
However, it was clear that this wasn't entirely effective. Nan Zhiyun's fear didn't diminish. Yu Jingchen kissed her forehead, and Nan Zhiyun's body seemed to grow cold.
"Go and brew a bowl of calming herbal soup," Yu Jingchen said, knowing that Nan Zhiyun had been frightened.
Qian Xia didn't dare to delay. Later, Nan Zhiyun, perhaps jolted awake by her nightmare or for some other reason, shuddered and woke up abruptly.
Her eyes were vacant upon waking. Yu Jingchen didn't speak immediately. Instead, he gently stroked Nan Zhiyun's back, trying to offer her some comfort.
Nan Zhiyun's gaze hadn't yet cleared. She leaned into Yu Jingchen's arms, gasping for breath, her breaths heavy and tinged with intense unease.
"It's alright, shhh. It's all over now," Yu Jingchen finally spoke, trying to alleviate Nan Zhiyun's fear.
Nan Zhiyun slowly looked at him, her eyes red, as if she were about to cry.
"It's okay, you're safe now. Don't be afraid, it's all in the past," Yu Jingchen said. He wasn't good at comforting people or eloquent.
"Your Majesty..." Nan Zhiyun's voice was laced with a hint of a sob as she tightened her grip on Yu Jingchen, likely due to her fear.
"I'm here. I won't leave. Be good, don't be scared anymore," Yu Jingchen said, holding her a little tighter.
"I told you not to look, but you insisted, Little Yun'er, and now you're scared," Yu Jingchen's tone was lighter, hoping to help Nan Zhiyun relax.
"I had a dream... I dreamt of a baby crying, of mourning throughout the palace, of bodies strewn everywhere, and blood gushing," Nan Zhiyun said, initiating the conversation.
It was evident that the experience had left a deep impression. Yu Jingchen's heart ached, but he couldn't do anything at the moment, nor did he know how to alleviate her terror.
"Yun'er... the palace is like this, it has always been like this. It's just that before, the blood flowed in the shadows, but now it's brought into the open. This is a vast abyss, bottomless, filled with white bones and dry sand, a place where people kill without drawing blood," Yu Jingchen said. Although he felt the words might be inappropriate, he believed they needed to be spoken.
Nan Zhiyun remained silent. The palace... she disliked it. It wasn't just dislike; she had never liked it. If it weren't for Yu Jingchen, she would never have chosen to be confined within these walls.
Yu Jingchen stroked Nan Zhiyun's hair. "Yun'er, perhaps the palace is not for you... but I want to selfishly keep you here. Today's events also involved my own ulterior motives. So... Yun'er, we must also learn to grow, alright?" Yu Jingchen looked down at her.