Yu Jingchen tucked Nan Zhiyun further into his embrace before boarding the sedan chair. As it was the imperial carriage, it was naturally spacious and warm.
He took a fox fur blanket and covered her snugly. Nan Zhiyun continued to sleep soundly in Yu Jingchen's arms. She did not even wake up upon their arrival. Yu Jingchen smiled helplessly, this was truly…
"Your Majesty, we have arrived," Xing Lai reminded him.
"Mm," Yu Jingchen replied, but said no more. Xing Lai, unsure of what to do, could only wait by the side.
Yu Jingchen looked at the girl in his arms, hesitated for a long time, and still did not open his mouth to call her. Finally, he chuckled and shook his head, then carried her down.
"Cold…" Nan Zhiyun shivered.
"Alright, it's covered properly, you won't be cold. Sleep peacefully," Yu Jingchen said with a doting tone.
"Mmm~" Nan Zhiyun stirred but said nothing.
Seeing Yu Jingchen disembark with Nan Zhiyun, Xing Lai called into the hall, "His Majesty has arrived! Consort Shu has arrived!"
Those inside immediately stopped what they were doing, and all singing and dancing ceased.
"We greet Your Majesty!" everyone knelt, except for the Empress Dowager who remained seated.
"Rise," Yu Jingchen's voice was calm. Only then did everyone dare to move.
However, when they stood up, the scene before them was utterly astonishing. What was going on? His Majesty was carrying Consort Shu? And… Consort Shu seemed to still be asleep…
Yan Qing's gaze shifted slightly at the sight, but she did not reveal much. The Empress Dowager, upon seeing it, said nothing.
Yu Jingchen carried Nan Zhiyun directly to his main seat. Nan Zhiyun had not woken up in his arms, so he did not mind holding her and sat together on the dragon throne. This action caused everyone to hold their breath. This was the dragon throne!
No one dared to speak, much less voice their opinions. The entire hall fell silent. As the planner of this banquet, Yan Qing naturally could not let the atmosphere remain so subdued.
Thus, she interjected, "What is wrong with Consort Shu? Is the injury on her foot still serious?"
"Her foot is inconvenient, and she is sleepy. I let her sleep," Yu Jingchen replied.
"If she is still sleeping, she should be resting properly in her chambers. Young Yun likes to sleep a lot in winter. When she was young, no matter how much she slept, she still felt awake, and when she woke up, she would be very noisy. I always had to coax her for a long time," the Empress Dowager spoke, her face filled with affection, making it seem as if she were Nan Zhiyun's own mother.
The Empress Dowager truly doted on this Consort Shu. Not only her, but His Majesty as well. Looking at how His Majesty treated Consort Shu now, was that something ordinary people could compare to?
"Consort Shu is still young. If she wants to sleep, let her sleep," Yu Jingchen replied.
The Empress Dowager gave Yu Jingchen a deep look and did not say anything further. Today's purpose was not for this, but… this was an unexpected gain.
The banquet hall soon became lively again. Luo Yuncheng and Yuan Suyiyi also attended the banquet today. Luo Yuncheng looked at the scene above and raised his wine cup to conceal his emotions.
Yuan Suyiyi, watching from the side, exchanged a glance with Yuan Chongyi above.