Nan Zhiyun forced herself to eat a few bites, but it was still a pitifully small amount.

After finishing her meal, she didn't make a fuss and drank the bowl of dark medicine.

Even Qianxia was somewhat surprised, because Nan Zhiyun used to be the girl who was most afraid of pain and bitterness. In the past, she would always hesitate and be unwilling to drink these medicines.

Nan Zhiyun really didn't like drinking these things, but what if she didn't drink them? Would anyone feel sorry for her? Would anyone care? Would anyone keep indulging and coaxing her?

All she wants now is to get better quickly so that the Empress Dowager won't worry about her when she returns.

The medicine tasted really bad; Nan Zhiyun wanted to vomit several times, but she held it in.

After Qianxia collected these things, she brought out the ointment that Yu Jingchen had asked the imperial physician to leave behind yesterday.

"Is Consort Jieyu injured somewhere? Let me apply some medicine for you first," Qianxia said.

Nan Zhiyun paused for a moment after seeing the medicine: "This medicine..."

"This is the medicine prescribed by the imperial physician last night. Since Consort Jieyu was asleep just now, I put the medicine away. Consort Jieyu, please tell me quickly so I can help you apply the medicine," Qianxia asked.

Nan Zhiyun took the medicine, pursed her lips and remained silent. This must have been a dream, right?

"Jieyu?" Qianxia called out worriedly.

"It's okay, I'm not injured, I don't need any medicine," Nan Zhiyun said.

"But..." Qianxia wanted to persuade her further, since the medicine had obviously been used last night, how could there be no injury anywhere?

"Go get the scar removal cream and help me apply it. Just put this aside." Nan Zhiyun put the medicine down.

“Yes…” Qianxia didn’t ask any further. She could tell that Nan Zhiyun didn’t want to bring it up. At worst, she could just ask the imperial physician later.

That evening, news spread that Yu Jingchen had gone to Consort Chen's palace.

Qianxia was still thinking about how to tell Nan Zhiyun about this, but to her surprise, Nan Zhiyun didn't ask at all. When it was time to go to sleep, she let Qianxia serve her to rest.

The very next day, Consort Chen was promoted to the rank of Consort Chen. For several days in a row, she was the one who served the Emperor, enjoying immense prestige, at least on the surface…

("At least that's how it appears on the surface," so no relationship actually happened!!!!!!!!!)

Nan Zhiyun has been recuperating well at Ya Jing Ju during this time, and her health has almost fully recovered. The burns on the back of her hand and the scars on her back have faded a lot, but her spirits have not been very good.

Qianxia thought that Nan Zhiyun might be feeling stifled because she stayed indoors all day and never went out, so she specifically suggested that Nan Zhiyun go out for a walk.

Qianxia had only given it a try, but to her surprise, Nan Zhiyun agreed after a moment's thought. Since winter was approaching, Qianxia was worried Nan Zhiyun might catch a cold, so she added extra layers for her.

Ya Jing Ju was secluded, and Nan Zhiyun didn't go too far, just wandering around the surrounding area. Actually, there wasn't much to see here, after all, winter was almost here, and the place was rather desolate. Looking at the scenery, Nan Zhiyun suddenly felt a little sad.

These desolate scenes are quite similar to herself. These days she's been forcing herself to act indifferent, but the locked-up pain is still awakened by these barren landscapes. Much sadness arises; falling leaves herald autumn, and the word "love" remains unresolved.

"Jieyu, the flowers in the Imperial Garden are blooming beautifully. Why don't you go and take a look?" Qianxia suggested.

"It's too far, I don't want to go," Nan Zhiyun said, showing no interest.

That place, bursting with vibrant flowers and dazzling blooms, was not suitable for her. After all, in a place of abundant blossoms and vying for attention, a withered flower would not attract anyone's attention; instead, it would only serve as a foil. But did they ever consider that even in its fallen state, it had once been dazzling, only it had never been appreciated?