As expected, it wasn't long before Concubine Shu emerged, looking understandably displeased.
Tsk, see, she really hit a wall. Xing Lai secretly glanced at Yu Jingchen, and then he witnessed the instant change on His Majesty's face.
From appearing unsurprised upon seeing Nan Zhiyun to feigning surprise, it only took a second or two. Your Majesty, when did you learn this trick?
Yu Jingchen walked forward. Nan Zhiyun hadn't expected Yu Jingchen to still be here.
"Your Majesty," Nan Zhiyun curtsied slightly, but before she could finish, Yu Jingchen stopped her.
"When it's just the two of us, there's no need for such formalities. Haven't I told you this before?" Yu Jingchen smiled at her gently.
"The Empress Dowager did not agree?" Yu Jingchen asked her.
"The Empress Dowager said she had important matters to discuss with the Imperial Advisor today..." Nan Zhiyun's face fell, and her tone held a hint of grievance. This was one of the rare times she revealed such a side to Yu Jingchen, and Yu Jingchen found it novel. kuAiδugg
"Are you feeling wronged?" Yu Jingchen looked at her with amusement and, without a word, drew Nan Zhiyun into his embrace.
"Why can't they discuss it tomorrow? Your Majesty, this Imperial Advisor seems strange to me." Nan Zhiyun, perhaps with something weighing on her mind, cast aside all her reservations and directly asked Yu Jingchen.
"Yun'er, you don't need to worry too much about these matters. The Empress Dowager knows what she's doing, and besides, I'm here, aren't I? Nothing will happen," Yu Jingchen comforted her helplessly.
"Mmm..." Nan Zhiyun just felt that this Imperial Advisor had ulterior motives towards the Empress Dowager. What if something happened later? What if the Empress Dowager was implicated?
"Let's go back, shall we?" Yu Jingchen said to her.
Nan Zhiyun glanced back at Cining Palace. Although she was still reluctant, she had no choice, so she nodded.
"Mmm..." Nan Zhiyun responded softly.
Yu Jingchen smiled in satisfaction, ruffled her hair, and started walking towards the palanquin, but Nan Zhiyun stopped.
"What is it? Do you have any more concerns?" Yu Jingchen asked patiently.
"No, it's just... I want to walk. I don't want to ride in this anymore." Nan Zhiyun actually disliked riding in the palanquin. Although she was lazy, it was too bumpy, and perhaps because the palanquin had overturned into a pond last time, she had been frightened and developed an aversion to it.
"Alright, let's walk then. It's not far to Hexian Hall," Yu Jingchen agreed readily.
"Yes." Nan Zhiyun beamed like a child who had received candy upon getting Yu Jingchen's permission, making his heart soften.
"Mmm, come here." Yu Jingchen extended his hand to Nan Zhiyun. Nan Zhiyun looked at his hand, hesitated for a moment, and then placed her hand in his.
Yu Jingchen's hand was warm. Nan Zhiyun's hand was small and was completely enveloped in his, giving her a sense of security and inexplicable peace.
"Let's go, walk slowly, don't stumble," Yu Jingchen held her hand tightly, afraid she might fall.
Nan Zhiyun said nothing, content to be led by him. The weather was cold, and it was already dark. Winter days grew dark quickly, so Xing Lai had also arranged for lanterns.
"Are you cold?" Yu Jingchen asked, seeing Nan Zhiyun pull her neck in, his brow furrowed with concern.
"Mmm, a little," Nan Zhiyun answered truthfully.
Yu Jingchen stopped, and Nan Zhiyun stopped with him, her eyes a little dazed, her nose tip reddened by the cold.
"Your Majesty?" Nan Zhiyun called out.
"Look how cold you are." Yu Jingchen looked at Nan Zhiyun's reddened nose tip with a helpless sigh. He gently tapped her nose and then adjusted her clothes.
"Do you want me to carry you back, or should I give you a piggyback ride?" Yu Jingchen asked.
"Mmm?" Nan Zhiyun didn't react.
Yu Jingchen said no more, directly removed his own cloak, and then scooped Nan Zhiyun into his arms. Nan Zhiyun was startled by the sudden action and instinctively wrapped her arms around Yu Jingchen's neck, her eyes wide with nervousness.
"Put this on her," Yu Jingchen gestured for Xing Lai to give Nan Zhiyun the cloak he had just taken off. Xing Lai immediately draped the cloak over Nan Zhiyun.
Yu Jingchen wrapped Nan Zhiyun snugly, and she snuggled into his arms like a kitten, soft and warm.
"Are you not cold now?" Yu Jingchen asked.
Nan Zhiyun shook her head blankly, "Not cold anymore. Aren't you cold, Your Majesty? Besides... this doesn't seem to follow the rules..." Nan Zhiyun murmured.
"What did I tell you before?" Yu Jingchen asked her with a smile.
"What?" Nan Zhiyun was stumped. He had said so many things, how could she possibly remember them all?
"Did I or did I not say that my words are the rules?" Yu Jingchen raised an eyebrow slightly.
"...Yes." Nan Zhiyun remembered.
"Then that's that. I haven't said it's against the rules, so what are you worried about?" Yu Jingchen said, then gently tossed her up slightly, startling Nan Zhiyun into clinging tightly to his neck. Yu Jingchen chuckled.
"Let's go back. Hold on tight, or I won't be responsible if you fall," Yu Jingchen said and then walked away. Nan Zhiyun moved her lips, but ultimately said nothing.