Yu Jingchen carried Nan Zhiyun to the Zi Chen Palace, as it was closer. Nan Zhiyun had been hiding in his embrace the entire way, not making a sound. Yu Jingchen feared she would cry again, or blame herself, or feel miserable.
As soon as Yu Jingchen entered and sat down, he had Nan Zhiyun sit on his lap, wanting to see her, but Nan Zhiyun refused to let him.
"Are you still crying? Are you okay? I didn't consider your feelings. I was wrong, alright? Stop crying," Yu Jingchen said, stroking Nan Zhiyun's hair.
"Mm? Don't be sad anymore, alright? You did nothing wrong today; it was me who was wrong. Don't say you're wrong, and don't cry or feel guilty anymore, okay?" Yu Jingchen had truly not expected Nan Zhiyun to cry.
Xing Lai, standing by, was also speechless. See, see, Your Majesty, you made your hand cry... It was like what? Like a father teasing his daughter, only to make her cry, failing to achieve his goal and suffering a loss... Tsk, tsk, tsk. His Majesty encountering such a situation was truly a revelation.
However... this place was not suitable for him to linger, so he quietly retreated.
Yu Jingchen was at a loss with Nan Zhiyun and could only gently comfort and soothe her. After about the time it takes for a cup of tea to steep, Nan Zhiyun stirred slightly.
Yu Jingchen quickly lowered his head to look at the small figure in his arms.
"Are you okay now?" Yu Jingchen asked her, his tone gentle.
Nan Zhiyun rubbed her eyes and nodded shyly.
"It's good that you're okay," Yu Jingchen finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Don't think about what happened today anymore; it was me who didn't consider your feelings." Yu Jingchen also reflected on his actions.
Nan Zhiyun remained silent, pressed into Yu Jingchen's embrace. Her expression suggested guilt. Fortunately, Yu Jingchen wasn't looking at her closely, or he might have seen through her and become suspicious. She wasn't that fragile to cry over such a small matter... She had already been embarrassed; crying would only make it worse, wouldn't it?
But what could she do? If she hadn't acted like this, in the situation just then, Yu Jingchen and the others wouldn't have so easily "let her off." So, she had resorted to this strategy, not expecting it to actually work.
"Are you feeling better now?" Yu Jingchen looked at her. Nan Zhiyun's expression had barely recovered, and she appeared a little unnatural.
Seeing Nan Zhiyun's strange demeanor, Yu Jingchen made some movements around her, as she hadn't fully recovered.
"Are you still thinking about it? Please don't think about it anymore, okay? It's alright; nothing happened today. I was the one who carried you through. The people below wouldn't dare to gossip," Yu Jingchen assured her again.
"Your subject wishes to drink some water..." If Yu Jingchen continued like this, she was afraid she would be exposed.
"Alright, drink water." Yu Jingchen didn't suspect anything at all. He held her and reached for water.
Nan Zhiyun wanted to reach for the cup to drink, but Yu Jingchen didn't give her the chance, directly bringing it to her lips.
Fortunately, Nan Zhiyun had slowly become accustomed to it. She had actually just found an excuse, but now she was genuinely feeling a bit thirsty.
"I want to drink more," Nan Zhiyun said again, her eyes, which were watery and slightly red, fixed on him. How could Yu Jingchen resist? So, he brought another cup to Nan Zhiyun's lips, and she obediently drank.
"Do you want more?" Yu Jingchen asked.
Nan Zhiyun shook her head. "I'm not thirsty anymore."
Yu Jingchen smiled dotingly and put down the cup.