Xinglai sighed. They had clearly developed feelings for each other, but they had never truly reciprocated. After today's uproar, it seemed unlikely they could mend things in the future. No matter what, once a flower is broken, no matter how carefully you care for it, it can never bloom as beautifully as it was on the branch again, can it?
Fortunately, after leaving He'an Palace, Nan Zhiyun sat there alone, lost in thought. She had just said it was only a bowl of medicine to prevent miscarriage, so was the baby still there?
Nan Zhiyun's emotions became complicated. She really didn't know how to face this child. She had just thought she was going to lose him, but why did she choose to keep him? If she could have that kind of courage again... it wouldn't be so easy.
She suddenly felt her emotions crumble. She slowly curled up, hugged herself, and began to sob uncontrollably. What had she done wrong? Why did fate always have to test her? Why did fate always have to make things difficult for her?
Nan Zhiyun's emotions gradually spiraled out of control. She knelt on the ground, her initial suppressed, low sobs escalating into unrestrained, heart-wrenching cries. Fate always seemed to be playing cruel jokes on her. Wasn't fate supposed to be merciful? Why did it always treat her so cruelly? She had never done anything wrong… They say kind people are rewarded, but why are kind people always being insulted?
Outside He'an Hall
Nan Zhiyun's cries gradually became clearer, and Yu Jingchen, standing outside, heard them clearly. Xing Lai, who was standing guard beside him, looked up at Yu Jingchen. He really couldn't understand why she couldn't let go of his worries yet had to be so ruthless.
Hearing the crying coming from inside, Yu Jingchen's anger had long since vanished. He hadn't left; after coming out of the room, he had remained standing outside. He heard Nan Zhiyun's cries clearly, and a flood of emotions welled up inside him, a feeling he couldn't quite describe. Perhaps only he could truly understand these feelings. From the moment he changed that bowl of medicine, he knew that he was no longer the same person.
This is different, at least for Nan Zhiyun. He knows that his feelings and attitude towards Nan Zhiyun are different now... But it is precisely because of this clear understanding that his emotions have become uncontrollable.
He originally intended to sever ties, but when he arrived at the entrance of the He'an Palace, he realized that severing ties was not as simple as it seemed in just a few words, and he ultimately couldn't make up his mind.
Nan Zhiyun… Yu Jingchen put his hands behind his back and closed his eyes. Scenes of her flashed through his mind. When he saw her fall into the water today, he felt nervous, worried, and even scared.
So without thinking twice, he jumped in. Seeing her disoriented state, he felt uneasy and anxious, and he realized that he didn't want anything to happen to her.
Previously, he didn't understand why he was angry when Nan Zhiyun said she wanted to leave; he simply thought it was because he was unwilling to accept it. Now he understood—it was actually because he didn't want her to leave, he just didn't want to let go…
Who is he? Yu Jingchen, the supreme ruler, the monarch of this world. What doesn't he have? What can't he get if he wants it? That was indeed his initial thought, but just now, he discovered that there are still many things beyond his control. For example, Nan Zhiyun…
He had clearly seen the despair in her eyes, the resignation in her eyes, and so… he panicked. He finally understood what he had vaguely felt he had lost: it was Nan Zhiyun's attachment to him, her feelings for him… she had finally given up on him completely.
Fate played a cruel joke on him. When he was heartless, she developed feelings; when she gave up on him, he took a liking to her. Just a moment ago, he even considered letting her go.
But the moment that thought crossed his mind, he rejected it again. Why let her go? He couldn't seem to make that decision. Didn't he have everything he wanted? Did she think she could just provoke him and then abandon him as she pleased? She had brought this all on herself… and now she wanted to walk away so easily?
So what if she's completely given up? As long as I don't agree, she'll always live in my own hands. When I'm happy, I'll pamper her; when I'm unhappy, she'll just be thrown to the ground and shattered into pieces.
Let her suffer, I won't let her get away with it. If she's willing to obey and stop bringing up these things that anger me, I can learn to tolerate and indulge her. Otherwise... she'll forever live under my oppressive rule, and if she disobeys, I'll completely tame her. This world is inherently a dog-eat-dog world, and she just happens to be the weaker one. This world is often cruel; whoever has the power rules, and it's never the kind of world she imagines.
Yu Jingchen clenched his hands tightly behind his back. Nan Zhiyun... It's a pity that you provoked me first, so you can't escape this for the rest of your life... Blame it or hate it, you can't leave anyway.
Under the cover of night
One person stood outside the courtyard, while another knelt inside. The cool moonlight streamed down, bathing the quiet courtyard in its light, yet making it feel even colder…
The moon may be bright under the night sky, but it ultimately only exists in the darkness... Is this a blessing or a curse? Who can truly say for sure?
Yu Jingchen didn't leave that night, standing in the courtyard the whole time. Only when the crying inside gradually subsided did Yu Jingchen signal for the palace maids to go in. He didn't know what they were busy with inside, but after about an hour, the palace maids extinguished most of the candles in the room before leaving.
"Isn't she afraid of the dark? Did you leave a light on?" Yu Jingchen asked.
"Your Majesty, one cup was left," the palace maid replied truthfully.
"Have you fallen asleep?" Yu Jingchen asked again.
"Her Majesty has already gone to sleep. I only withdrew after Her Majesty fell asleep." The palace maid was also puzzled as to what the Emperor's actions were. Was it out of concern? But why didn't she go in?
"You don't need to guard this anymore, all of you can leave." That was the last thing Yu Jingchen said.
"Yes." The palace servants all withdrew, but Yu Jingchen remained standing, determined to guard the place himself.
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