Nan Zhiyun stood to the side, her head bowed and her eyes lowered, a completely different demeanor from when she was speaking with the Empress Dowager just now.
"Yun'er, sit down," the Empress Dowager said, defusing the awkward situation.
Nan Zhiyun glanced at Yu Jingchen, who was drinking tea on the table and not looking at her. There was still a seat next to the Empress Dowager. Just as Nan Zhiyun was about to walk over, she heard Yu Jingchen speak.
"Isn't there a seat here? Why do I need to remind you?" Yu Jingchen looked at Nan Zhiyun, gesturing to the seat next to him. Nan Zhiyun paused, her steps faltering as she was about to walk towards the Empress Dowager.
"I wish to sit with Yun'er. Yun'er, come to me." The Empress Dowager said the first half of her sentence to Yu Jingchen, and the second half to Nan Zhiyun, clearly trying to defuse the situation.
Nan Zhiyun breathed a slight sigh of relief, then curtsied to Yu Jingchen, and finally walked to sit down next to the Empress Dowager.
Yu Jingchen seemed somewhat displeased, but he didn't show it too obviously. However, the three of them were sitting together in a very quiet room, none of them intending to speak, making the atmosphere a little strange.
However… the Empress Dowager remained remarkably composed, calmly sipping her tea without showing any embarrassment. Yu Jingchen was also relatively calm, appearing unhurried. Only Nan Zhiyun sat alone to the side, seemingly unsure of what to do or dare to speak, appearing somewhat flustered.
"Yun'er has been under house arrest for some time now. When does Your Majesty plan to lift the confinement? Staying in He'an Palace these past few days hasn't been good for Yun'er's health." The Empress Dowager broke the silence first.
"She's recovering from her injuries, so being confined isn't a bad thing. After all, her subordinates haven't skimped on anything for her." Yu Jingchen's words seemed to imply that he didn't intend to lift the confinement.
"Yun'er's health has almost fully recovered. Going out for a walk is good for her health. Your Majesty is being a bit too harsh," the Empress Dowager continued.
"I haven't seen Consort Shu go out much before, is she getting restless now? Whether her confinement is lifted or not shouldn't make much difference." Yu Jingchen also had his own considerations. What was the reason for her confinement before? I think it was for paying respects to the emperor. During the confinement period, Nan Zhiyun didn't need to pay respects. Wasn't it said that these people in the harem always sought to make their presence known to her? So, confinement now is actually a good thing, isn't it?
"Before Yun'er entered the palace, she was a restless person, always running around. After entering the palace, she has become much more restrained. Now she can stay in this small palace for almost half a month. It seems that it is all because of His Majesty." The Empress Dowager's words sounded a bit strange. Yu Jingchen frowned and then looked at Nan Zhiyun, who was sitting there quietly and obediently. It was inexplicable that people felt sorry for her.
Previously, Nan Zhiyun had always been a lively and cheerful person. Whenever they sat together, she was always the most talkative, chattering away incessantly. Now, she is always the quietest one, just sitting silently to the side. Her change seems really significant... and the reason for these changes is because of entering the palace.
"The lockdown is just for show. If she really wants to go out, she can go out on her own. It's not like it's mandatory." Yu Jingchen's words implied a compromise; after all, he changed his tune.
"Your Majesty's words are enough. But perhaps Your Majesty hasn't considered that Your Majesty's status is so noble, don't you know the significance of your words? Many times, you may not even care about a casual remark, but those below dare not forget it," the Empress Dowager said to herself.
"So many people in the palace act according to the whims of their superiors. Your Majesty's every word and action is a barometer for the harem. Therefore, Your Majesty should be more mindful of the situation in the future, since there are quite a few innocent people among us." The Empress Dowager spoke in a low voice, but what did she mean by suddenly saying these words?
Yu Jingchen's gaze remained fixed on Nan Zhiyun. Even while looking at the Empress Dowager and listening to her speak, his peripheral vision kept drifting to the girl beside her. However, as he recalled what she had said earlier that day, Yu Jingchen's eyes gradually darkened.
"Very well, His Majesty always has his reasons for doing things. I have said all I need to say. If you are willing to listen, then listen; if not, then pretend I didn't say anything." The Empress Dowager stood up.
"I'll return to Cixi Palace now," the Empress Dowager said, looking at Nan Zhiyun, who seemed reluctant to see the Empress Dowager leave.
"Don't be afraid, just come to me if anything happens." The Empress Dowager held Nan Zhiyun's hand and patted it gently.
Although Nan Zhiyun didn't want the Empress Dowager to leave, she was very sensible and didn't try to stop her. She obediently saw the Empress Dowager out of He'an Palace. Before leaving, the Empress Dowager glanced at Yu Jingchen and said, "Your Majesty, take a look and think it over."
Yu Jingchen remained silent and offered no response. The Empress Dowager only touched upon the topic briefly and did not delve any further.
After the Empress Dowager left, Yu Jingchen looked at Nan Zhiyun and found that her gaze was still fixed on the direction the Empress Dowager had left in. He knew that Nan Zhiyun was actually afraid, afraid of him, or rather, afraid of being with him.
"The Empress Dowager has already left. Do you still want to go with her?" Yu Jingchen asked her. Nan Zhiyun withdrew her gaze and remained silent.
"Want to go out for a walk?" Yu Jingchen asked.
Nan Zhiyun shook her head: "Your Majesty, no need."
"What the Empress Dowager meant was that you don't like being alone in He'an Palace. If you want to go out, just say so." Yu Jingchen's tone was much calmer today.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager doesn't want to go out. She's just worried that I'll stay in He'an Palace for too long." Nan Zhiyun didn't know how she should interact with Yu Jingchen now.
"Then accompany me for a walk." Yu Jingchen gave Nan Zhiyun no reason to refuse.
Nan Zhiyun was currently preoccupied with how to sever ties with Yu Jingchen, and upon hearing these words, she felt a sense of resistance.
"Your Majesty, I am not feeling well..." Before she could finish her refusal, Yu Jingchen interrupted her, "If you say you are not feeling well, I will have the imperial physician come."
Nan Zhiyun: "..." She dared not continue. If the imperial physician came and found nothing wrong, she didn't know how she would explain herself. And what if he wanted to punish her again? Nan Zhiyun still didn't have the courage, so she had no choice but to compromise and stop refusing.
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