But Yu Jingchen stopped him.

"Mother, a welcome banquet has been prepared for you today, you..." Yu Jingchen was interrupted by the Empress Dowager before he could finish speaking.

"There's no need for such trouble. I'm too lazy to deal with it. I've finally returned to the palace, and all I want to do is talk to Yun'er. Let's skip everything else." The Empress Dowager didn't care at all, nor did she care about other people's opinions. She simply took Nan Zhiyun's hand and left, leaving the people below to gossip.

Yu Jingchen watched the Empress Dowager and Nan Zhiyun's departing figures, lost in thought. In his past life, he and the Empress Dowager had also been outwardly friendly but inwardly at odds, so he hadn't really put in much effort. But... he always felt that the Empress Dowager was acting strangely now, as if she had become a different person...

"Your Majesty..." Xing Lai was also somewhat frightened. He hadn't expected the Empress Dowager to be so blatant in giving His Majesty the cold shoulder, showing no respect whatsoever in front of so many people.

“Since Mother is tired, let’s cancel today’s palace banquet. Have the imperial kitchen prepare some of Mother’s favorite dishes and send them over. In the meantime, don’t let anyone disturb her.” Yu Jingchen said calmly.

"Yes..." His Majesty was not angry, which surprised and surprised Xinglai.

The Empress Dowager truly loved Nan Zhiyun and never let go of Nan Zhiyun's hand throughout the journey.

Upon arriving at Cixi Palace, he pulled Nan Zhiyun to sit down.

"Good child, you have suffered so much," the Empress Dowager suddenly said, her eyes welling up with tears, and she hugged the child tightly.

Nan Zhiyun's words were somewhat inexplicable.

"Your Majesty, I am well," Nan Zhiyun comforted her.

"There are no outsiders here now, so why are you lying to me? I know everything that's happened in the palace. The Emperor has really gone too far." The Empress Dowager felt heartbroken whenever she thought about what Nan Zhiyun had gone through.

Perhaps it was because she suddenly had someone to rely on, and the Empress Dowager's care and protection, that Nan Zhiyun's eyes began to sting with tears when she thought about it. But if she cried now, wouldn't that only make the Empress Dowager worry more? So she kept holding back.

"Your Majesty, I am truly alright. It's all over now," Nan Zhiyun said, forcing back her tears.

"What's past? These things can never be forgotten. Yun'er, shall I send you out of the palace? Don't stay here. After I send you out, we'll get you a new identity in a few days. With me here, no one will be able to make you suffer even a little bit." The Empress Dowager gently loosened her grip on Nan Zhiyun and looked at her with pity.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager..." Nan Zhiyun had been holding back, but she simply couldn't hold back anymore. Tears streamed down her face.

"It's alright, I'm here. Everything will be alright in the future, Yun'er, be good." The Empress Dowager hugged Nan Zhiyun in her arms again, just like she was coaxing Nan Zhiyun when she was a child. Nan Zhiyun also hugged the Empress Dowager back.

"The emperor treats you badly, so let's get rid of him, okay? I'll find you someone better later." Tai Nan Zhiyun was someone she raised; how could she bear to part with her?

She had heard that Yu Jingchen had sent Nan Zhiyun to the Censorate. Her heart felt like it was being ripped out of her flesh.

Ever since her Yun'er entered the palace, she has suffered so much. How could she let Nan Zhiyun continue like this? It's best to leave as soon as possible before it gets too late.

Seeing Nan Zhiyun like this now only strengthened her resolve.

————————————Author's Note: Yu Jingchen, you haven't even started pursuing your wife yet, and your challenge has already arrived. From now on... take care.

Also... comrades, another round of torture is coming soon, and those who can't stand it... won't be telling you to leave, they'll just be telling you to prepare, haha.

Don't worry, Mom won't be too harsh. It's just that the male lead is missing a crucial moment to realize that the female lead has changed in his heart. These will be the beginning of his regrets!