For about two hours, it was bitterly cold outside, and many of the elderly ministers could no longer bear it, fainting from kneeling.
Nan Ziyun couldn't help much and could only anxiously watch Yu Jingchen's unconscious state. Yu Jingchen had a persistent fever, and she had already fed him several bowls of medicinal soup, but there was no reaction from him.
Nan Ziyun had never imagined Yu Jingchen would lie before her so weakly. She found it strange that assassins would appear in Zichen Palace.
Moreover, with so many people there, how could it have taken so long? Nan Ziyun had doubts in her heart but dared not ask. For now, she only wished Yu Jingchen would recover sooner.
In the afternoon, the ministers, unable to endure any longer, were persuaded by Xinglai to leave. They would not give up after this fruitless attempt. However, before they could return, the Empress Dowager arrived. Xinglai's heart tightened upon seeing the Empress Dowager's procession. The Empress Dowager was not easily deceived, and if she truly wished to enter, how could they stop her?
"Your Majesty Empress Dowager… your servant greets Her Majesty the Empress Dowager." Xinglai quickly stepped forward.
"I heard that Yun'er was injured. I didn't come a few days ago thinking it was nothing serious, but it's been several days now. Why isn't she better yet? I am worried, so I've decided to come and see myself. Lead the way," the Empress Dowager said in a calm tone.
"Your Majesty Empress Dowager, forgive me, but without His Majesty's orders, your servant dares not act on his own. These past few days, His Majesty has personally attended to Consort Shu. Please do not worry too much, Your Majesty Empress Dowager," Xinglai said respectfully.
"How can I not worry about Yun'er being injured? Regardless, I will only be at ease after seeing her myself. Move aside," the Empress Dowager insisted on seeing her.
"Your Majesty Empress Dowager…" Before Xinglai could finish speaking, the Empress Dowager walked past him. Xinglai wanted to stop her but dared not.
Upon entering the main hall, the Empress Dowager looked around and did not see anyone, so she intended to go to the inner chamber. Xinglai's heart tightened. At that moment, Nan Ziyun emerged from the inner chamber.
"Your Majesty Empress Dowager…" Nan Ziyun's eyes were red, and she looked wronged.
Seeing Nan Ziyun in this state, the Empress Dowager panicked and immediately pulled her over. At the same time, she was very careful, afraid of disturbing Nan Ziyun's wound, which was bandaged on her arm.
"Yun'er…" The Empress Dowager tried to examine her wound.
"Your Majesty Empress Dowager…" Nan Ziyun threw herself into the Empress Dowager's arms. "His Majesty bullied me." Nan Ziyun's tears fell as if on cue, and the Empress Dowager, heartbroken, quickly held her and comforted her.
"What is it? How did His Majesty bully you? How is your wound? Does it still hurt?" the Empress Dowager asked with great concern.
"His Majesty forced me to drink medicine. I was already better and didn't want to drink it. Then His Majesty drove me out, telling me to reflect outside by myself and that I couldn't come back in if I didn't drink it," Nan Ziyun began to complain, as if she were a child playfully grumbling to an elder.
"If you don't want to drink it, then don't. Is your wound healing? Does it still hurt? Where is His Majesty? Why hasn't he come out?" the Empress Dowager was very indulgent.
"It doesn't hurt anymore; it's already scabbed over. His Majesty was just making a fuss. His Majesty is still angry now, right inside," Nan Ziyun said naturally. The Empress Dowager did not seem suspicious.