Yu Jingchen took two steps forward. Nan Zhiyun's fear of Yu Jingchen was ingrained in her bones, so retreating and dodging were subconscious reactions, normal bodily reflexes.
So… she dodged. But the moment she made that dodge, Nan Zhiyun froze, because Yu Jingchen had just said, "No…"
Nan Zhiyun looked at Yu Jingchen. Although she couldn't speak, her eyes were filled with pleading. No... she was afraid... afraid of pain, afraid of being humiliated, afraid of... Yu Jingchen.
"You have to be afraid, otherwise what's the point of doing all this?" Yu Jingchen said, completely unconcerned.
Nan Zhiyun shook her head and tugged at his sleeve. She tried hard to speak, but couldn't make a clear sound.
Yu Jingchen reached out and lifted Nan Zhiyun's small face, taking in the fear in her eyes. He couldn't understand why she had dared to cling to him in the first place when she was so afraid of him.
She is allergic to fish, but she has still eaten fish for many years. Although her allergic reaction after eating fish is not very serious, only resulting in red marks, she still ate it.
But if she feels unwell or faces greater danger after eating this, can she still endure it?
Looking at the pitiful person in front of him, he let go of his hand: "Serve the meal." Yu Jingchen called out to the people outside.
It's already dark, and Yu Jingchen hasn't had dinner yet. Nan Zhiyun slept all afternoon and didn't eat anything either. But she didn't dare to be so arrogant as to think that Yu Jingchen would really let her off the hook. He's never been that kind of person, has he?
The palace servants outside quickly prepared the meal. Nan Zhiyun watched as the servants bustled about serving the dishes, while she sat at a distance, not daring to move.
After the palace servants had arranged everything and stood in two rows, Yu Jingchen didn't even glance at Nan Zhiyun before going over and sitting down.
Nan Zhiyun lowered her head, looking like an abandoned child, pitiful beyond words. Fortunately, she glanced at Yu Jingchen discreetly and then at his current state, so she reminded him, "Your Majesty, when Your Majesty went to Cining Palace today, the Empress Dowager hadn't had lunch yet, and I'm afraid Consort Shu hadn't either." Was that... tactful enough?
Yu Jingchen didn't speak, and the palace maids who were tasting the dishes had already tried them all. Seeing this, Xing Lai thought that His Majesty didn't seem angry, and that Consort Shu and His Majesty were together today... tsk, Xing Lai wasn't sure, but she steeled herself and went over to Consort Shu, saying, "Your Majesty, His Majesty hasn't finished his meal yet. Why don't you dine with him?" Xing Lai took it upon herself to make the decision. After saying this, she cautiously glanced at Yu Jingchen. Seeing that Yu Jingchen didn't seem angry, she breathed a sigh of relief. Being in the Emperor's court was really not an easy job.
But how could Nan Zhiyun have the guts? Yu Jingchen hadn't even said a word, how could she dare to make a move?
Seeing that Nan Zhiyun didn't make a move, Xing Lai was getting anxious. "Your Highness, didn't you see that His Majesty didn't say anything? That's tacit approval. What are you still hesitating for?"
Nan Zhiyun was actually a little hungry, but compared to being scared, she figured she might as well not eat; it wasn't a big deal anyway. Poor Xinglai, this job was difficult.
Suddenly, there was a sound of something breaking, followed by the sound of a palace servant kneeling on the ground and shouting, "Your Majesty, please forgive me! Your Majesty, spare my life! Your Majesty, spare my life!" The little eunuch was begging for mercy, and there were broken bowls and plates on the ground.
"Beating to death," Yu Jingchen coldly uttered two words. No matter how much the little eunuch shouted, Yu Jingchen sat there unmoved. Nan Zhiyun, watching this scene, suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. Just those two words, so casually, represented a person's life; just that plate represented a person's life and death...
"Come here," Yu Jingchen said again. There was no one else around, and Nan Zhiyun wasn't sure if he was referring to her.
"Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence," Xinglai quickly replied.
"..." Nan Zhiyun was at a loss.
“Your Majesty, His Majesty is still waiting. He might get angry soon,” Xinglai said again.
Nan Zhiyun didn't dare to linger any longer. She stood up and walked over there in small steps, but her entire body was now...
"Prepare water, aren't you dirty?" Yu Jingchen looked over, and Nan Zhiyun stopped in her tracks. Xinglai was the first to react: "Quickly fetch water to serve Consort Shu in washing."
The palace servants nearby hurriedly went to prepare, as Nan Zhiyun had just fallen and her hands were injured and dirty, making her look rather unsightly.
"Do you need me to have your feet cut off? Barefoot, have you forgotten all your rules?" Yu Jingchen's tone was unfriendly.
Nan Zhiyun looked down at her exposed feet, feeling somewhat helpless as she tried to cover them. However, she was only wearing an undergarment, which wasn't enough to conceal them. The palace maids, ever perceptive, brought her shoes and helped her put them on. They then used clean water to wash the dirt off her face and body. But when the wounds came into contact with water, she still felt pain, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Yu Jingchen had already started eating, completely oblivious to when Nan Zhiyun would be ready. After Nan Zhiyun was cleaned up, Xinglai led her to a seat next to Yu Jingchen. The large table of dishes looked incredibly tempting.
Nan Zhiyun stood to the side, not daring to sit down and dine with Yu Jingchen. Unless he allowed it, few of the concubines in the harem would dare to sit with him.
"You were also punished with caning? You can't sit down? Or do you want to be punished?" Yu Jingchen suddenly blurted out, and Nan Zhiyun only dared to sit down next to him after hearing this.
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