"Don't give up..." Yu Jingchen said these four words. He knew he had made a mistake, so... could he be given a chance to make amends?

Unfortunately, Nan Zhiyun couldn't answer Yu Jingchen's question now. Besides... how could she truly let go of this matter? She had already suffered too many wounds, so even if she recovered, she would still feel pain... because she had personally experienced it countless times.

Tears streamed down Nan Zhiyun's cheeks, and Yu Jingchen, lost in regret, lowered his head, his eyes stinging, unaware of the tears.

Yu Jingchen sat by Nan Zhiyun's window in Cining Palace all night. The next morning, Xinglai came in to wake him, and he realized it was already dawn.

As he left, he looked at Nan Zhiyun, who hadn't woken up all night, his eyes filled with longing. He didn't know if he would have the courage to come back later.

——?——?——?——?——?——?——?——

Golden Palace

In the imperial court

Nan Su raised the military tally and requested permission to resign from his official post.

Yu Jingchen remained silent for a long time, but Nan Su had already made up his mind, so Yu Jingchen had no choice but to agree.

"Please grant my request, Your Majesty!" Nan Su cried out.

Yu Jingchen closed his eyes; he had a headache.

"I agree..." He finally relented.

Nan Su seemed to have been relieved of his heavy responsibility. Fortunately, he went down and took the military tally from Nan Su's hands and presented it to Yu Jingchen.

Yu Jingchen finally gained control of the military, but he was not as relaxed as he had imagined.

"Although Minister Nan has resigned from his post, he has devoted his life to the country and its people, working tirelessly and diligently. I should reward him. Is there anything Minister Nan desires?" Yu Jingchen went through the motions; he could make amends... but now it seemed too late.

Yu Jingchen forgot that Nan Su had already relinquished his military power, caring little for fame, fortune, or high-ranking positions; all he cared about was his daughter.

"If Your Majesty truly intends to bestow a reward, then this old minister has only one request." Nan Su remained kneeling on the ground.

Yu Jingchen suddenly regretted it. He subconsciously wanted to stop him, but the words had already been spoken, so how could he take them back now?

Sure enough, Nan Su said the words she least wanted to hear, and the words she was most afraid to hear.

"This old minister has only one daughter, whom he has cherished like a precious treasure since childhood. Her entry into the palace this time is truly worrying for this old minister. She is innocent and kind, but has been spoiled and doesn't know how to please His Majesty."

After entering the palace, she repeatedly angered His Majesty. This old minister... begs His Majesty to allow this old minister to bring his daughter home. This old minister dares not ask for anything more, only hoping to spend the rest of his life surrounded by his children and grandchildren, so that his daughter can always be happy by his side.” Nan Su kowtowed, and as soon as he said this, all the civil and military officials in the court fell silent.

Yu Jingchen remained silent. Those below glanced up tentatively, but no one could guess what the Emperor was thinking. Even Xing Lai stood by, sweating nervously. Let him go? Was that even possible?

"I cannot agree to Nanqing's request. Consort Shu has already become my concubine, and it would be against etiquette for her to go to work now." Yu Jingchen's voice was very calm, but it was obvious that his hands were clenched tightly.

“Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. As long as Your Majesty grants permission, no one dares to say a word against it. Moreover, since Yun’er entered the palace, she has never won Your Majesty’s favor. On the contrary, she has displeased Your Majesty at every turn. Therefore, I beg Your Majesty to grant this old minister’s only request. This old minister… only has this one daughter…” Nan Su continued, and Yu Jingchen fell silent once again.

"Your Majesty! This old minister has devoted himself to the country, fighting on the battlefield for over forty years, giving half his life to the frontier and to the Yuan Dynasty. I have protected countless people of the Yuan Dynasty. This old minister has no regrets towards Your Majesty or the Yuan Dynasty, but I have only felt indebted to Yun'er. Now... this old minister only wants to protect his only daughter, please grant my request, Your Majesty!" Nan Su's voice was impassioned. As soon as he finished speaking, a courtier stepped forward and shouted, "Please grant my request, Your Majesty!"

Looking at the large group of people kneeling below, Yu Jingchen should have been angry, but right now... he didn't seem to have the right, nor could he be angry. However, letting Nan Zhiyun go was simply impossible for him.

"This matter... still needs further consideration. Let me think about it some more." This was the only reply Yu Jingchen could give, otherwise this matter would certainly have no outcome today.

"Let's adjourn the court." Yu Jingchen didn't want to listen to what the people below had to say anymore; he didn't want to stay here.

"Court adjourned!" Fortunately, understanding Yu Jingchen's thoughts, he immediately announced this to the people below. Nan Su watched Yu Jingchen's departing figure, his eyes revealing no emotion.

After leaving the court, Yu Jingchen's first question was, "Has any news come from Consort Shu?"

"Your Majesty, Consort Shu has woken up, but she still hasn't eaten or taken her medicine today. The Empress Dowager has tried to persuade her, but to no avail," Xinglai reported.

"...Issue an imperial decree immediately to send Consort Shu back to He'an Palace. No one is to obstruct this. Furthermore, no one is to enter or leave He'an Palace without my permission," Yu Jingchen said.

"Yes," Xinglai replied, then went to carry out the task himself. When the Empress Dowager heard the news… she didn't stop him, which surprised Xinglai somewhat. He had originally thought this matter would be difficult, but it had passed so easily.

As she was leaving, the Empress Dowager sent Xinglai with a message to His Majesty: "Once a move is made, there's no going back. Does he still have a chance to take it back? Don't let the situation get worse, don't let the situation become even more unsolvable. He can only try his best not to lose too badly."

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