Yu Jingchen just looked at her quietly, without saying a word or making any other movements.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I... I lost my composure," Nan Zhiyun's voice was still trembling with sobs.

Yu Jingchen remained silent, and Nan Zhiyun began to feel uneasy. Just as she hesitated whether to apologize, Yu Jingchen finally spoke.

"How many times have you lost your composure these past few days? What have I done to you?" Yu Jingchen walked up to her.

Nan Zhiyun dared not look at him.

"To be honest, I really don't like the way you are. You kneel down at the drop of a hat, cry at the drop of a hat, and confess your sins at the drop of a hat. This habit is really not good." Yu Jingchen sat down in front of Nan Zhiyun.

Nan Zhiyun felt a pang of sadness when she heard him say he didn't like it.

Nan Zhiyun didn't dare to look at Yu Jingchen, so Yu Jingchen took matters into his own hands, slightly curling his fingers to lift Nan Zhiyun's chin, forcing her to look at him.

"You look so beautiful with red eyes?" Yu Jingchen reached out his other hand and wiped away the tears on her face.

Looking at Yu Jingchen so closely, Nan Zhiyun felt her heart skip a beat.

Yu Jingchen's hands were somewhat rough from years of martial arts training, but his movements were very light, and the touch of his fingertips evoked a strange feeling in both of them.

“It doesn’t have to be the same as before,” Yu Jingchen suddenly blurted out.

Nan Zhiyun was somewhat stunned.

“I was a bit too critical of you before, but from now on, you can be more relaxed. Don’t be like before, there’s no need to be so sensitive,” Yu Jingchen said, then released his hand.

"Your Majesty," Nan Zhiyun called him.

“Say it,” Yu Jingchen replied.

"..." Nan Zhiyun couldn't bring herself to say the words.

"Just say what you want to say," Yu Jingchen said, knowing that Nan Zhiyun probably still had some concerns.

“…It’s alright,” Nan Zhiyun still didn’t say it aloud. Perhaps she lacked the courage; she still didn’t dare to be presumptuous.

Yu Jingchen didn't force her to say anything; since she wouldn't say it herself, he let it go.

That evening, Yu Jingchen did not leave and had dinner at Ya Jing Ju. Because the emperor was there, and because Yu Jingchen had just dealt with and warned him that day, the imperial kitchen was very efficient and attentive.

Nan Zhiyun wasn't surprised to see the dishes sent from the imperial kitchen, after all, the emperor's standards were different. But she was surprised that Yu Jingchen would be willing to stay and dine there.

"What's wrong?" Yu Jingchen asked, noticing that Nan Zhiyun was lost in thought.

"Is Your Majesty staying here today?" Nan Zhiyun asked.

"Didn't you just want me to stay, and not want me to leave?" Yu Jingchen replied.

“…” Nan Zhiyun remained silent. She had just thought about it, but she didn’t think Yu Jingchen would be willing to stay. In the past, apart from being with the Empress Dowager or being “oppressed” by the Empress Dowager, Yu Jingchen would never have dinner with her.

"Alright, let's eat." Yu Jingchen didn't want to see Nan Zhiyun always like this.

"Yes," Nan Zhiyun curtsied respectfully. After Yu Jingchen sat down at the dining table, Nan Zhiyun went over, but instead of sitting down, she stood beside him and began serving him food.

Just as Yu Jingchen was about to raise his hand, he noticed Nan Zhiyun's tense expression.

"Does Your Majesty not like it? I have failed to serve you properly..." Nan Zhiyun came again, but was stopped by Yu Jingchen's hand just as she was about to kneel down.