However… a rare hint of worry appeared in Yu Jingchen’s eyes.
"What should I do with you? I can't explain my feelings for you, and I don't know how to express them. I'm afraid I don't understand myself, and I'm afraid that if I trap you, I won't be able to give you what you want... Nan Zhiyun, how come you've made me so confused? How come I've started to hesitate and be indecisive?" Yu Jingchen looked at the girl in his arms and talked to himself.
It's unclear how much time passed before Yu Jingchen finally released the person from his arms, carefully laid them down, and tucked them in. He then sat down in a nearby spot to continue his official duties.
He would glance at Nan Zhiyun every time he read the memorials for a while, and only felt at ease when he saw that she was not acting strangely and showed no signs of having nightmares.
He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but Yu Jingchen actually felt a sense of satisfaction. He even thought that it wouldn't be a bad choice to continue like this in the future.
"Your Majesty..." Xinglai came in.
"Consort Qing and Consort Yu have arrived and wish to see His Majesty," Xinglai announced. (These two women assisted in managing the harem after the fall of the Imperial Concubine. Aside from this, they had no other role in the earlier part of the story.)
"What are they doing here?" Yu Jingchen frowned.
These two women had never been particularly prominent in the harem. However, there weren't many high-ranking concubines these days; aside from the former Consort De and Consort Gui, there were only four other concubines in total. But compared to the other two, their backgrounds were more prestigious.
"Let them wait," Yu Jingchen said. Calling them in was out of the question, since Nan Zhiyun was sleeping.
"Yes..." Xinglai didn't understand Yu Jingchen's meaning either, so should he go out or not? Regardless of whether Yu Jingchen went out or not, it was none of his business.
After hearing Xinglai's message, Consort Qing and Consort Yu dared not ask any further questions and simply waited in silence. Fortunately, they did not have to wait long before Yu Jingchen came out.
"Your Majesty, we pay our respects," the two women knelt down to greet him.
"Get up, what is it?" Yu Jingchen sat down directly in the seat above, while Consort Qing and Consort Yu appeared to be quite proper.
In his previous life… Yu Jingchen couldn’t remember these two people. It seemed like nothing special had happened. In fact, he didn’t know much about the affairs of the harem. He had no impression of these two people either.
"Your Majesty" was the first word spoken by Consort Qing.
Yu Jingchen looked at her. Qingfei looked just like her name, Yanqing. She was pretty and quiet.
"Your Majesty, Consort Yu and I mainly want to discuss this year's New Year's banquet with you," Consort Qing said directly.
New Year's banquet... Oh, the end of the year is almost here, and this year is almost over.
“In the past, it was always the Imperial Concubine who handled these matters. I haven’t had much contact with Consort Yu, so I thought I’d ask for Your Majesty’s opinion,” Consort Qing continued.
"I don't have time to concern myself with these matters. You can handle them yourselves, or seek assistance from the Imperial Household Department. In the future, there's no need to bring these things up in front of me." Yu Jingchen had neither interest nor energy in these matters.
"Your Majesty, it's mainly because of the snow disaster this year that I'm thinking of keeping things simple, so I've come to ask for your permission," Consort Qing replied.
"Then let's keep it simple. Is there anything else?" Yu Jingchen had no interest in talking to them any further.
"Furthermore... Your Majesty, since you have decreed that Consort Yu and I will assist in managing the six palaces, there are some things that Consort Yu and I will inevitably have to think about more. Today, many of the younger sisters in the harem came to me and mentioned that Your Majesty..." Consort Qing hesitated before continuing.
"What are you saying? If you can't say it, then don't say it. Who are you trying to impress with this act? I don't have the energy to play along with your charade." Yu Jingchen said very directly.
"Your Majesty, please forgive us!" The two knelt down in unison.
Yu Jingchen didn't say anything, and didn't even glance at the two of them.
Consort Qing and Consort Yu exchanged a glance, seemingly discussing something. However, Consort Qing shook her head at Consort Yu, seemingly not agreeing. Consort Yu, however, didn't seem to mind; she looked back at Yu Jingchen at the head of the table and even kowtowed.
"Your Majesty, not only these sisters in the harem, but also your concubine and Consort Qing feel that it is really inappropriate for Your Majesty to stay in He'an Palace like this." They naturally have objections to having brought over all the memorials, and several days' worth of them at that. There has never been such a precedent since ancient times.
"How dare you!" Yu Jingchen threw down a cup of tea, but fortunately it didn't hit anyone directly, though it did splash quite a bit of water.
"Your Majesty, please calm down!" A large number of people knelt down in the hall again.
Yu Jingchen looked at the two people below with devoid of emotion: "My affairs are none of your business. If it happens again, besides the one who said that, you will all be punished together." Yu Jingchen warned.
"Yes..." Consort Qing replied.
Although Consort Yu was somewhat unwilling, she dared not say anything else to provoke Yu Jingchen, so she simply said, "Yes."
"Step down," Yu Jingchen said.
"Your Majesty, I take my leave." The two had no reason to stay any longer. As they left the He'an Palace, they could no longer maintain their composure.
"What's wrong with His Majesty now? Didn't he always dislike Nan Zhiyun and the Nan family? Why is he protecting her now?" Consort Yu asked.
"Why worry about these things? They're not our business. Just do what you're supposed to do and don't interfere in the rest." Consort Qing didn't seem to care much.
"Yan Qing, what are you thinking? Nan Zhiyun is Nan Su's daughter, and she has the Empress Dowager backing her up. It was one thing for His Majesty to dislike her before, but if His Majesty takes her to heart now, won't she be able to trample on everyone in the harem in the future?" Consort Yu said.
"Don't worry, let's wait and see. If it's true, what can you change? Don't forget the fate of the Imperial Concubine. After so many years as an Imperial Concubine, she still made such a foolish mistake. Don't follow in her footsteps. With your current status, as long as you don't commit any crimes, you'll have plenty of wealth and honor. So think things through carefully and don't act impulsively," Consort Qing reminded her.
She and Consort Yu were friends when they were still young, and their relationship naturally became the best after they entered the Eastern Palace together, always together. The two complemented each other perfectly, one quiet and the other active.
"I know, I'll definitely ask you before I do anything, okay?" Yu Fei said helplessly. She wasn't a bad person, but she was indeed a bit impulsive.
Consort Qing had grown accustomed to this over the years; the two of them hadn't competed or fought for each other for so long, and their lives had been quite peaceful. But now… she was a little worried…
The imperial harem is far from peaceful these days, with many high-ranking positions vacant and the imperial concubine selection process starting next year. It's understandable that some people are anxious, but there's a fear that they might have other ulterior motives...
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