Yu Jingchen stayed at He'an Palace again today. The others in the palace were not surprised, after all, Nan Su had just received an award, and the inner palace and the court were one, so it was normal.
"I haven't had time to send you the reward for your promotion today. I'll make it up to you tomorrow. Is there anything you want?" Yu Jingchen asked her.
Nan Zhiyun shook her head: "I have nothing to lack."
“Even if it’s just a formality, it’s necessary. Since it’s a promotion, it should be done openly and honestly, so that people don’t look down on it. Otherwise, the people below will start speculating and you’ll suffer injustice again,” Yu Jingchen said. He now has a thorough understanding of the political climate in the harem.
Yu Jingchen bestowed titles and honors upon so many people this time, but they were only promoted in rank, without any actual rewards.
"Besides, the Empress Dowager's birthday is just around the corner. If you've decided what you want, I can find it for you," Yu Jingchen continued.
These words did tempt Nan Zhiyun somewhat, since she had always been in the palace, which made things a bit inconvenient.
"What do you want? Hmm?" Yu Jingchen asked her again.
"Anything is fine?" Nan Zhiyun asked.
"Hmm, you tell me first. As long as it's reasonable, anything is fine," Yu Jingchen said. But seriously, now he even has to coax her into accepting a reward?
"Then...may I leave the palace?" Nan Zhiyun asked cautiously.
"Leave the palace?" Yu Jingchen frowned slightly, seemingly not expecting Nan Zhiyun to make such a request.
"Is it not allowed?" Nan Zhiyun asked, her voice tinged with disappointment.
"It's possible... but..." Although Yu Jingchen said this, he was clearly still worried about something.
"But what? Does His Majesty have any other instructions?" Nan Zhiyun felt a glimmer of hope.
“But… you must come with me,” Yu Jingchen said after a moment’s thought.
"Is His Majesty also leaving the palace?" Nan Zhiyun asked.
“If you want to go out, I can go with you. I don’t trust anyone else,” Yu Jingchen said.
"Your Majesty is busy with state affairs, so I can go by myself. Besides, Your Majesty's status is special, so how can you leave the palace like this?" Nan Zhiyun said so much, but what she really meant was that she was a little unwilling to go with Yu Jingchen.
"It's alright, I still have time to spend with you," Yu Jingchen said.
"But..." Nan Zhiyun still wanted to make a last-ditch effort.
"Stop making excuses, or I won't allow you to leave!" Yu Jingchen was making a blatant "threat."
Nan Zhiyun: "..."
"Your Majesty..." Nan Zhiyun looked at Yu Jingchen, her eyes still filled with...pleading.
"No!" Yu Jingchen placed a hand on the person's head.
Nan Zhiyun: "..."
"Be good, it's not safe outside. If you want to go out, you have to stay with me. It's all the same. You can go wherever you want, right? So what's the difference?" Yu Jingchen persuaded again.
“Yes…” Nan Zhiyun finally gave in.
“Don’t feel wronged. I can let you go out tomorrow, and you can play outside the palace all day. How about it?” Yu Jingchen asked her.
Upon hearing this, Nan Zhiyun's eyes lit up again, as if she had come back to life.
"Is it okay to be outside at night?" Nan Zhiyun asked her.
"Yes, but it would be best if you returned before the palace curfew, is that alright?" Yu Jingchen asked. The capital city was most lively at night, which Nan Zhiyun had always enjoyed. If he remembered correctly, before entering the palace, Nan Zhiyun loved going out for a stroll at night, and he had run into her several times.
I don't go out much by myself, but whenever I do, I almost always run into Nan Zhiyun.
"Okay," Nan Zhiyun agreed readily this time.
"Hmm, should we have someone prepare in advance?" Yu Jingchen asked.
"No need, it's just leaving the palace." Nan Zhiyun has never left the palace since she entered it. She has always wanted to go out, but she has no chance and dares not, for fear of upsetting Yu Jingchen.
"Alright, whatever you want." Yu Jingchen didn't insist. He would make all the preparations. Nan Zhiyun could do whatever she wanted, however she pleased. It was rare for her to be this happy. The palace was a bit oppressive, so going out for a walk was good. Let her have some fun and enjoy herself.
"Did you take your medicine today?" Yu Jingchen changed the subject. Nan Zhiyun's face changed upon hearing this. Why did she still need to take medicine?
She had been drinking it for almost half a month. Even though Yu Jingchen later had the imperial physicians change the prescription so it wasn't so bitter, what medicine tastes good? She felt like everything she ate now tasted like medicine.
"Didn't drink?" Yu Jingchen raised an eyebrow.
He had gotten to know Nan Zhiyun quite well over this time, especially since she had been unusually attentive to matters here. Naturally, he had heard about Nan Zhiyun's refusal to take her medicine.
"Your Majesty, my health has improved considerably," Nan Zhiyun tentatively tried to persuade her again.
"No, you have to drink it." Yu Jingchen resolutely refused. These were matters of principle, okay? How could he recuperate without taking medicine?
“…Yes.” Nan Zhiyun knew it was hopeless, so she simply stopped struggling.
His aggrieved look was so endearing that it was hard not to feel sorry for him. Yu Jingchen found it amusing and asked, "What's wrong? Are you really that unwilling to drink?"
"I have to drink it every day, three times a day. Now I always feel like there's a medicinal taste in my mouth, and even eating feels like I'm drinking medicine," Nan Zhiyun said.
"Is that so exaggerated?" Yu Jingchen said, feeling both helpless and amused.
"Your Majesty, I really don't want to drink anymore." Nan Zhiyun seemed to see a possibility.
“These cannot be exempted. Three times a day is a bit too much. From now on, once a day will be fine. Is that okay?” Yu Jingchen thought for a moment and said.
"As long as I take good care of myself, I won't have any major problems. Can I not drink so much?" Nan Zhiyun felt like she was turning into a walking medicine cabinet.
“You certainly know how to push your luck, but this concerns your health. Please listen to the doctor’s advice, okay?” Yu Jingchen asked her.
"The imperial physicians always say that I need to take good care of myself. I feel like they always think that other people's bodies have problems..." Nan Zhiyun rarely showed this side of herself, complaining about others in front of him like this, and Yu Jingchen actually found it somewhat novel.
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