“It’s alright, if you don’t like it, then don’t eat it. But you’re very sensitive to bitterness, so if there’s anything else you want to eat, or anything that can relieve the bitterness in your mouth, you can tell me, and I’ll have someone prepare it,” Yu Jingchen said.
“I used to be terrified, but now I seem to have gotten used to it. It’s okay. If this happens a few more times, I can act like nothing’s wrong, because I’m no longer bothered by this kind of suffering.” Nan Zhiyun put down the bowl. Yu Jingchen felt as if someone had grabbed his heart when he heard her words. When did he start caring so much about her words? Even trying to guess their meaning?
Yu Jingchen did not agree to remove all the guards from He'an Palace. For two days in a row, Nan Zhiyun could only obediently eat and drink medicine in He'an Palace to recuperate. Yu Jingchen would come over every day.
He would eat with her, watch her take her medicine, and supervise Nan Zhiyun's afternoon nap. Every day while Nan Zhiyun was napping, he would be there to handle official documents, never leaving her side.
Of course, he also knew that Nan Zhiyun would definitely want her to have some personal space, and that she would feel uncomfortable being with him. This would actually have some adverse effects on her health, so Yu Jingchen wasn't around all day. He would set aside an hour each day for Nan Zhiyun to be alone.
However, this does not mean that Yu Jingchen has really left. Most of the time, he stays in the shadows watching Nan Zhiyun, or listens to the people around him reporting her whereabouts.
Nan Zhiyun didn't do anything special. Even when Yu Jingchen wasn't around, she would just stay in the house alone, staring blankly outside every day.
Yu Jingchen knew that Nan Zhiyun seemed to enjoy reading storybooks, so he specially had someone find all sorts of them, but Nan Zhiyun didn't even glance at them. She didn't say a word.
Besides, Nan Zhiyun also spent her evenings alone, as Yu Jingchen did not stay there. It wasn't that he was unwilling, but rather that Nan Zhiyun resisted, even if she dared not express it, Yu Jingchen could sense it.
Being with him, especially sleeping in the same bed, would definitely make Nan Zhiyun feel uncomfortable, so he didn't force her and even took the initiative to leave He'an Palace... Actually, he didn't completely leave. Because every time, he would stay in the shadows, and only after confirming that Nan Zhiyun was asleep would he come out to watch her, keeping watch for half the night.
Seeing Yu Jingchen like this every day, Xing Lai was really worried, but as a servant, he didn't know how to say it.
"Your Majesty, taking care of your health is of utmost importance," Xinglai advised Yu Jingchen, who was standing in the courtyard of the He'an Palace. His Majesty had been standing there for over an hour again today.
"How come I never noticed before that she had such a bad temper? Several days have passed, and she's still the same." Yu Jingchen spoke in a very soft tone.
"Your Majesty, Consort Shu is unable to let go... Your Majesty, this servant once heard a saying among the common people: because there are no guardian spirits in the human world, mothers exist. Consort Shu is still young, and perhaps she didn't feel this way before, but having a child changes one's state of mind. Forgive this servant for speaking out of turn, but Consort Shu didn't want that child from the beginning, but... Your Majesty, that child is part of you, flesh and blood. How could she possibly sever that bond after so long?"
“Now that the child is gone, it’s understandable that Consort Shu is still heartbroken. After all, Consort Shu truly sees herself as a mother,” Xing Lai said to Yu Jingchen. Yu Jingchen didn’t speak after hearing this, but he didn’t stay standing there any longer.
"When will Yu Jing'an arrive?" Yu Jingchen's tone instantly turned much colder.
"It should arrive the day before Mid-Autumn Festival," Xinglai replied, adding that there were still about seven days until Mid-Autumn Festival.
"Keep a close eye on the people in He'an Palace. Make sure nothing goes wrong these days. Yu Jing'an... his target is Nansu, and Nan Zhiyun is the best entry point." Yu Jingchen said, the last assassination attempt being the best proof.
"Yes," Xinglai must have understood this principle, so he dared not relax in the slightest.
"Have someone keep an eye on things in Nansu to prevent any accidents. Have everything been arranged outside the palace?" Yu Jingchen asked.
“Everything outside the palace has been arranged, Your Majesty, please rest assured,” Xinglai replied.
"Yes, let's go back." Yu Jingchen glanced at the tightly closed palace gates before speaking.
"Yes," Xinglai followed Yu Jingchen, and the two left He'an Palace together.
Cixi Palace
An Xin lit the incense in the hall, and the wisps of smoke created a comfortable atmosphere.
"Is everything arranged?" The Empress Dowager rested her head on one hand, her eyes closed, her tone indifferent and casual.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, everything has been arranged." An Xin nodded slightly.
An Xin had barely finished speaking when a white figure appeared behind the curtain…
"Grand Preceptor" An Xin nodded slightly, and Gu Yin nodded back to her before withdrawing.
When the Empress Dowager heard the words "Imperial Preceptor," she looked away and then opened her eyes again, her eyes seeming somewhat flustered.
Gu Yin glanced at the Empress Dowager beside him, her expression gentle, but she remained silent. The Empress Dowager slowly looked over, and in the instant their eyes met, her eyes reddened.
Gu Yin smiled at her: "Why are you crying? What's there to cry about?"
The Empress Dowager stood up from her seat, and Gu Yin walked towards her: "Why are you still crying?" He reached out and wiped away the Empress Dowager's tears.
"Gu Yin... I'm waiting for you..." The Empress Dowager parted her lips slightly.
Gu Yin pulled the person into his arms: "I know, that's why I came." His tone was relaxed, making it seem as if the matter wasn't so serious after all.
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