Nan Zhiyun was stunned by Yu Jingchen's words. She looked up at him, and after a long while, Nan Zhiyun smiled and said, "You are not His Majesty..."

Yu Jingchen frowned slightly, and the next moment Nan Zhiyun reached out and touched Yu Jingchen's eyes. Her fingertips were slightly cool, and her movements were very gentle.

“His Majesty’s eyes aren’t like that. His Majesty wouldn’t look at me like that. There’s no me in his eyes, only disgust. Every time he looks at me, his eyes are cold, fierce, and terrifying…it’s frightening.” Nan Zhiyun’s tone was very soft, but it felt as if a thousand pounds had landed on Yu Jingchen’s heart. It was so heavy, pressing down on his heart, making it hard for him to breathe.

“His Majesty hates me the most. Every time I make a mistake, he punishes me so severely that I feel like I can’t take it anymore. And even if I’m not wrong, he still punishes me. He blames everything on me. No matter what I do, it’s wrong. The sticks, paddles, slaps, and the instruments of torture from the Imperial Prison are terrible. They all fall on my body, and it hurts so much.”

“I cried and begged him for mercy, but he wouldn’t even look at me. He never showed any mercy to me. He didn’t want me to die… but it was worse than death.” Nan Zhiyun’s eyes were terribly red.

Yu Jingchen felt a sharp pain in his heart. He was sorry... but how much weight could this apology carry? It was the cheapest of apologies, and could never compare to the wounds Nan Zhiyun had personally suffered.

"It hurts so much...it really hurts so much, I can't take it anymore. Why do I like him so much, but he hates me so much? Why do I chase after him so hard, but he just keeps moving forward and won't turn back? Why did he ignore me even though I fell right at his feet, and instead stepped on me?" Nan Zhiyun was lost in her memories.

"Because he's stupid, a scoundrel, so he doesn't know how to cherish her, and he doesn't even realize how wonderful this girl is. Because he's blinded and deceitful, he cruelly hurt the little girl who loves him so deeply." Yu Jingchen's throat tightened.

"I feel terrible~" Nan Zhiyun's voice was tinged with tears.

"I'm sorry, Yun'er." Yu Jingchen truly regretted it. Why was he so stupid before? Why didn't he calm down and take a good look at her? Why didn't he try to feel her properly?

"Waaah~" Nan Zhiyun clutched Yu Jingchen's clothes, sobbing uncontrollably and sorrowfully. Yu Jingchen gently patted Nan Zhiyun's back, letting her cry without stopping her. Since she was drunk, it was time to let out what was on her mind.

"But... His Majesty got better later." Nan Zhiyun's emotions changed rather quickly. Yu Jingchen kissed her lips tenderly, feeling sorry for her. It was all his fault.

Nan Zhiyun looked at Yu Jingchen again, cupping his face in her hands: "You're like the Emperor in the future. The Emperor in the future is much better to me. He will protect me and coax me. If I cause trouble or make a mistake, the Emperor won't hit me, scold me, or punish me." Nan Zhiyun grinned and started smiling again.

But Yu Jingchen couldn't laugh. The little girl seemed too sensible, too easily satisfied. This side of Nan Zhiyun really hurt him, like being pricked by needles, a dense, persistent pain. He would rather Nan Zhiyun scold him a few times than have her be so obedient.