After the meal, Yu Jingchen left with Nan Zhiyun. Fortunately, a carriage had been prepared. It was almost time, and it would probably be dark by the time they returned to the palace.

After Nan Zhiyun got into the carriage, she lifted the curtain. This time she hadn't been out for long, but it really felt like she had been in another world.

Yu Jingchen watched Nan Zhiyun's actions in silence. She liked the outside world, but unfortunately, she could never truly belong there. Because he wouldn't allow it, Nan Zhiyun could never really leave.

"If you want to come out, there will be opportunities in the future. When you are feeling better, you can come out for a stroll," Yu Jingchen said to her.

Nan Zhiyun didn't respond to him, so Yu Jingchen directly lowered the carriage curtain. Nan Zhiyun naturally didn't have the courage to continue lifting it, so she could only sit obediently.

"Take a good rest," Yu Jingchen said to her, and Nan Zhiyun obediently closed her eyes. The two remained silent the entire way, without exchanging any words.

Before long, the carriage arrived at the palace. Yu Jingchen looked at the little one beside him and saw that he was really asleep. Perhaps he was a little tired today.

Yu Jingchen picked up Nan Zhiyun. Nan Zhiyun was a light sleeper this time, so she woke up when Yu Jingchen picked her up.

"Awake?" It was already dark inside the carriage, but some things could still be vaguely seen.

“Your Majesty…” Nan Zhiyun spoke softly.

"Go to sleep," Yu Jingchen picked her up. Nan Zhiyun nestled in his arms, seemingly still not fully awake.

He carried her off the carriage. Nan Zhiyun was still a little dazed. The weather was probably getting colder recently, and Nan Zhiyun felt cold when she got off the carriage.

Yu Jingchen protected her, but Nan Zhiyun still woke up completely.

"We'll be there soon. Take a nap if you want," Yu Jingchen said to Nan Zhiyun, and then headed into the palace. But... this wasn't the way back to He'an Palace.

"Your Majesty..." Nan Zhiyun was somewhat flustered.

"Let's go to Zichen Palace, where it'll be quieter." Yu Jingchen pulled the person closer to his chest.

Zichen Palace? That's Yu Jingchen's forbidden area. No one is allowed to enter or leave without her permission, which is why Nan Zhiyun was so surprised.

"We won't go back today; we'll rest at Zichen Palace." Yu Jingchen said something that shocked Nan Zhiyun. Since Yu Jingchen ascended the throne, no concubine had ever stayed overnight at Zichen Palace.

Nan Zhiyun didn't dare to say anything, and just let Yu Jingchen carry her inside. Not only that, Yu Jingchen also put her directly on the bed.

"You still need to apply the medicine today. After you wash up, apply the medicine. Also, take another pill to help with the pregnancy. Let the imperial physician take another look tomorrow morning." Yu Jingchen became more talkative, and the palace servants in the room sprang into action, fetching water and other things to help Nan Zhiyun change and wash up.

Yu Jingchen didn't stay in her presence the whole time; he simply instructed people to serve her while he left. When he returned, he had already changed his clothes.

Nan Zhiyun had almost finished tidying up when Yu Jingchen brought over the ointment. He then sat down next to her and placed her feet on his lap. The ointment had already been applied several times, and Nan Zhiyun was getting used to his movements. Yu Jingchen's touch was a bit strong, and because it needed to be dissolved, it hurt a little.

Fortunately, the pain only lasted for a short while, so Nan Zhiyun could bear it, but the process itself was... somewhat difficult.

Yu Jingchen had been watching Nan Zhiyun's reaction closely. Seeing her expression, he knew she was in a lot of pain. He didn't know what he was thinking, but he actually said something to comfort her: "If it really hurts, you don't have to bear it like that. You can speak up. Your injury hasn't healed yet, so it's normal to feel pain. It will be fine in a couple of days."

"If you really can't hold it in, don't force yourself. It's not shameful," Yu Jingchen said. Nan Zhiyun didn't expect Yu Jingchen to say something like that, but she didn't pay much attention to it.

Yu Jingchen had done it several times already, so his movements were quite skilled, and he could apply the medicine very quickly now.

"Okay," Yu Jingchen said, holding Nan Zhiyun's ankle and gently putting her foot down. Nan Zhiyun was sitting on the bed, and when Yu Jingchen held her ankle, she felt a tingling sensation.

Perhaps because of the heavy shadows of the past, Nan Zhiyun still felt a moment of fear, but it was alright. Compared to before, she had adapted a lot more.

"Rest if you're tired," Yu Jingchen told her. Nan Zhiyun nodded slightly, then sat a little further inside, and Yu Jingchen helped her lie down.

Nan Zhiyun was still a little reserved. When the palace servants came to extinguish the lamps, Nan Zhiyun felt a sense of tension as she watched the lamps go out one by one.

"Leave one lamp on," Yu Jingchen said.

"Yes," the palace servant agreed.

In the end, only one lamp remained in the palace. Nan Zhiyun looked at the dim light and breathed a sigh of relief. However... Nan Zhiyun secretly glanced at Yu Jingchen. Would he notice these details?

"Go to sleep," Yu Jingchen said to her, and lay down beside her. Feeling the sinking beside her, Nan Zhiyun felt another wave of tension.

However… it only lasted for a few brief seconds, because Yu Jingchen didn't move again after falling asleep. Nan Zhiyun looked over and found that he had closed his eyes; for a moment, she couldn't bring herself to look away.

"Aren't you sleepy? If you don't go to sleep now, you won't be able to fall asleep later." Yu Jingchen's sudden words startled Nan Zhiyun. Wasn't he supposed to have his eyes closed? How did he know she was looking at him?

Nan Zhiyun dared not continue her outrageous behavior and immediately closed her eyes. A dim light flickered in the room, and perhaps because of the shaded area, Yu Jingchen's face seemed to soften.

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