Nan Zhiyun fell silent.
"When I asked about Yun'er before, Yun'er wasn't like this," the Empress Dowager said, not seeming displeased.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, your concubine also dislikes the imperial palace..." Nan Zhiyun replied, lowering her head.
"Yun'er was insistent on entering the palace back then, and you've endured so much since then. I know you actually have expectations in your heart. Having paid so much, you're finally seeing what you want. Yun'er, you're actually tempted, aren't you?" The Empress Dowager pulled Nan Zhiyun into her embrace, understanding her.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, you told me before that I have a noble status, that I am proud, and don't need to show weakness to anyone, let alone lose my dignity. But I don't think I've done it. Is Your Majesty the Empress Dowager very disappointed in your concubine?" Nan Zhiyun looked at the Empress Dowager.
"Not at all. No disappointment, never. Yun'er is still young, I know what Yun'er is thinking. I was like this before too," the Empress Dowager comforted her.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, your concubine..." Nan Zhiyun was about to say more, but was interrupted by the Empress Dowager.
"I've had lunch prepared. Yun'er, will you dine with me first?" the Empress Dowager's voice was full of affection.
"Yes..." Nan Zhiyun said no more and dutifully accompanied the Empress Dowager for the meal. However, during the meal, Nan Zhiyun carefully noticed that the Empress Dowager's appetite was not good, and that she usually disliked spicy food, but today... the things she ate were rather spicy.
Nan Zhiyun secretly took note but made no mention of it. In the afternoon, the Empress Dowager cited travel fatigue as a reason and sent Nan Zhiyun back. These actions were all unusual, and Nan Zhiyun felt a little strange. After Nan Zhiyun left, An Xin helped the Empress Dowager to sit down.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager's tastes have changed a lot recently," An Xin said.
"As one gets older, one wants to try new flavors," the Empress Dowager replied casually.
"Was Your Majesty the Empress Dowager angry with Consort Shu today?" An Xin asked.
"How could I be? I dote on her," the Empress Dowager smiled gently, showing no signs of anger.
"Consort Shu is now with His Majesty..." An Xin hesitated.
"It's only to be expected. This is for the best. Only then can I know if I've truly done the right thing," the Empress Dowager implied.
"Yun'er's nature is pure, and there are so many ghosts and monsters in the harem. I am afraid," the Empress Dowager was most worried about Nan Zhiyun.
"His Majesty has given the imperial golden tablet to Consort Shu, which should provide her with some protection," An Xin comforted the Empress Dowager.
"How can this small golden tablet be enough in the harem? Yun'er is kind and has no cunning. How can she compete with these demons and monsters?" the Empress Dowager's eyes grew cold.
"Have the matters I entrusted to you been arranged properly?" the Empress Dowager suddenly asked.
"Everything has been arranged," An Xin replied.
"Prince An is also returning to the capital, isn't he?" the Empress Dowager continued to ask.
"Likely within these two days," An Xin said.
"In another three months, it should be about time..." the Empress Dowager mused.
An Xin said nothing more.
Hé'ān Palace
When Yu Jingchen heard that Nan Zhiyun had returned from Cí'ān Palace today, he immediately ordered his carriage to Hé'ān Palace.
Upon hearing that Yu Jingchen had arrived, Nan Zhiyun immediately came out of her room.
"Your concubine greets His Majesty." Before Nan Zhiyun could finish her curtsy, Yu Jingchen helped her up.
"From now on, when it's just the two of us, you don't need to observe these formalities," Yu Jingchen said in a gentle voice.
"Let's go in, it's cold outside." Yu Jingchen led her into the room.
Qian Xia also ordered hot tea to be served.
"Sit down," Yu Jingchen pulled her to sit with him. Perhaps it was due to returning to the palace, but Nan Zhiyun had become somewhat constrained again.
"Yes," Nan Zhiyun replied formally, which made Yu Jingchen frown slightly.
"What's wrong? Not happy? Everything was fine before. Why are you like this again?" Yu Jingchen's tone held a hint of a smile, trying to make Nan Zhiyun relax.
But it was no use for Nan Zhiyun; she didn't even say an extra word.
"Alright, didn't I ask someone to buy many lanterns yesterday? I'll have someone send them over for you later, okay? And we can see how to decorate Hé'ān Palace. Also, those jewelry pieces – the Empress Dowager returned today, didn't she? You can pick out something suitable for the Empress Dowager and send it to her." Yu Jingchen looked at Nan Zhiyun, feeling unaccustomed.
He preferred the Nan Zhiyun from yesterday. The current her was truly... heart-wrenching. She was like two different people inside and outside the palace. It seemed he would have to take things slowly...
"Yun'er, did you have a pleasant visit with the Empress Dowager today?" Yu Jingchen tried to find a topic of conversation.
But this topic, well, it was effective.
"Your Majesty... the Empress Dowager seemed a little strange today," Nan Zhiyun said after some thought.
"Strange? How so?" Yu Jingchen had merely been trying to make conversation, he hadn't expected Nan Zhiyun to say something like this.
"I don't know. Your concubine can't explain it, but it just felt a little different," Nan Zhiyun replied.
"Then Yun'er, observe her more carefully in the future, alright? If you still feel something is strange, I'll help Yun'er ask about it and investigate," Yu Jingchen said.
Nan Zhiyun didn't respond.
Yu Jingchen didn't say anything further, but he did notice Nan Zhiyun's words and silently kept them in mind.
Not long after, Yu Jingchen had people bring all the lanterns, as well as the jewelry purchased from Jinyu Xuan.
Nan Zhiyun looked at the lanterns filling the room, feeling a bit bewildered. In fact, last night she had only said casually that she wanted them all out of shyness and not wanting to reveal herself to choose, so she hadn't expected so many.
"What does Yun'er want to do with these? Shall I have people hang them in the courtyard outside? It will be the New Year soon, and these will be perfect," Yu Jingchen said.
"May your concubine decorate it herself?" Nan Zhiyun looked at Yu Jingchen.
"You can have the palace servants arrange them according to your wishes, but don't do the work yourself. It's cold, and you might get tired," Yu Jingchen said.
Nan Zhiyun loved these things, so she was naturally happy looking at them. She didn't resent Yu Jingchen's words and immediately began directing the servants to decorate.
Watching Nan Zhiyun happily giving orders to the palace servants at the doorway, Yu Jingchen's heart softened. This was like seeing the Nan Zhiyun from yesterday. Indeed, she was still a young girl, always having such a strong interest in these things.
Just then, Xing Lai entered and reported, "Your Majesty, Consort Yuan has arrived."