The Empress Dowager picked up a cup of hot tea.
"What I usually like about tea is the first steep. The second steep tastes weak and doesn't leave a deep impression," the Empress Dowager said.
"Your Majesty need not worry. I will consider it," Yu Jingchen replied in a very official tone.
"Worry? Your Majesty is overthinking. When it comes to schemes, no one can compare to you. I always felt that a person must have strategy and wisdom, be decisive and not hesitate in their actions, and be able to be ruthless and utterly heartless. Only then can no one surpass them. Your Majesty possesses all these qualities, especially the last one." As the Empress Dowager spoke, the atmosphere in the room became somewhat tense.
"Your Majesty..." Nan Zhiyun looked towards the Empress Dowager.
"Your Majesty has been frequenting the He An Palace recently. Oh, it's not just frequenting, I fear you might be living there now," the Empress Dowager spoke without mincing words, putting down her cup.
"What does Your Majesty wish to convey?" Yu Jingchen asked.
"I am merely reminding Your Majesty that wrongdoings must be borne with consequences. Others may not know about what you have done, but it doesn't mean it hasn't happened. Do you think what you are doing now is enough?"
"As the saying goes, blood debt must be paid with blood." The Empress Dowager's gaze became sharp. Yu Jingchen remained silent. Nan Su, who had been quiet all this time, broke the silence.
"Your Majesty, wipe your hands," Nan Su offered a handkerchief.
Yu Jingchen glanced at it, took it, and remembered... He used to practice martial arts under Nan Su, who was very strict and training sessions were always long. After they ended, he would be drenched in sweat. Back then, Nan Su would also hand him a similar handkerchief and say, "Your Highness, wipe off your sweat."
Yu Jingchen experienced a moment of disorientation. It had been an entire lifetime, yet he didn't know why he could still remember it so clearly.
Yu Jingchen stopped wiping his hands, his eyes filled with inexpressible emotions. The Empress Dowager observed him briefly before averting her gaze, her eyes hiding emotions she herself might not have fully understood.
"Drink your tea, it will get cold," Gu Yin placed the tea back into the Empress Dowager's hands.
"It's right for it to get cold. When a person leaves, the tea grows cold," the Empress Dowager's tone seemed laced with resentment, yet also mixed with other emotions. She drained the tea in her hand.
"Then let's not let it get cold. You like hot tea, I remember everything," Gu Yin responded to every word the Empress Dowager spoke. The Empress Dowager glanced at him, and Gu Yin smiled before falling silent.
"This winter is cold, but it's nothing compared to next year," the Empress Dowager added.
"Next year hasn't arrived yet, how can Your Majesty know it will be very cold? If it truly is cold, then I'll stay with you every day to keep you warm. I'm warm, and you won't be cold if you hug me," Nan Zhiyun smiled sweetly at the Empress Dowager. She was clearly trying to comfort her, and everyone present could see it.
Yu Jingchen looked at Nan Zhiyun's current demeanor with a complicated mood. Next year? Nan Zhiyun had left during the winter of next year...
"Do you want me to hug you, or are you really going to warm me up?" The Empress Dowager tapped Nan Zhiyun's forehead.
"Of course, I want to warm Your Majesty up." Nan Zhiyun leaned against the Empress Dowager's arm. She was genuinely fond of the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager's hand gently stroked Nan Zhiyun's head. When she was little, in winter, the Empress Dowager used to bundle her up tightly, making her fluffy and warm to hold. The Empress Dowager's gaze gradually became distant.
(Mini-Theater - Nan Zhiyun refused to come out from under the quilt. When Yu Jingchen arrived, he found her completely covered and found it rather amusing.
"What's wrong?" Yu Jingchen sat beside her and reached out to pull the quilt.
Nan Zhiyun let out a soft hum, reluctantly exposing her face.
"Your Majesty..." Nan Zhiyun's voice was sweet and soft.
"What's wrong? Who made our Consort Shu unhappy?" Yu Jingchen pulled her into his embrace.
"Your Majesty, I'm so bored. It's so cold outside, and I can't do anything," Nan Zhiyun leaned against Yu Jingchen, her voice full of complaint.
"Why are you bored? I heard the play you like is being performed today. Shall I have them come to the palace and perform it for you?" Yu Jingchen coaxed her.
"A play? What play?" Nan Zhiyun was a little confused, but her attention was piqued.
"Didn't you keep looking forward to 'As the Wind Blows Half Summer' before? The play is ready today. Do you want to see it?" Yu Jingchen's face was full of doting affection.
"'As the Wind Blows Half Summer'!" Nan Zhiyun perked up and sat upright immediately.
"Really? I want to see it! Your Majesty, will you take me?" Nan Zhiyun's face lit up with joy. She had been anticipating it for a long time.
"Alright, but..." Yu Jingchen looked at Nan Zhiyun with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Nan Zhiyun immediately understood, her cheeks flushing. She then reached out and tugged at Yu Jingchen's clothes. Yu Jingchen raised an eyebrow at her.
"Husband..." Nan Zhiyun called out, then leaned in and gave Yu Jingchen a kiss.
Yu Jingchen was satisfied, a wide smile spreading across his cheeks.
"Let's go see it~" Nan Zhiyun pouted.
"We will, after we're done," Yu Jingchen said, then leaned in.
Nan Zhiyun pushed him away: "Your Majesty, you promised, we're going to see 'Half Summer', you clearly agreed~"
"We will, after we're done. We'll go see it then." With that, Yu Jingchen leaned in again.
—————————— End of Mini-Theater, please support it)