After hearing Gu Yin's words, Nan Zhiyun didn't ask any more questions, since she couldn't change anything. Nan Zhiyun gave a slight curtsy, and then left with Qianxia.
Watching Nan Zhiyun's departing figure, Gu Yin stopped what he was doing, and the zither music also stopped. They were out of the city... They were out of the city. How should they proceed with the rest of the matter?
The music started again, but this time it seemed much more urgent than before...
That afternoon, Nan Zhiyun boarded the carriage through the back gate of the Imperial Preceptor's residence. The carriage did not rush out of the city gate, but circled the capital several times. Nan Zhiyun thought this was normal, since it would not be realistic to leave directly from the Imperial Preceptor's residence if there were guards.
Because of Yu Jingchen's decree, the city's defenses had been constantly tightened since last night. As expected, upon reaching the city gate, they were stopped by the soldiers outside.
"Who's in the car? Get out and check!" The officers and soldiers didn't dare to relax. Nan Zhiyun's heart tightened, and Qianxia beside her was also nervous.
The coachman outside was saying something, but Nan Zhiyun only heard the soldiers outside shouting, "His Majesty has ordered that everyone, regardless of who they are, must be inspected before leaving the city. Where are the people in the carriage? Get out of there now!"
What a joke! How could Yu Jingchen's orders be so easily overlooked? If anything went wrong, they'd probably lose their heads.
Nan Zhiyun was somewhat at a loss in the carriage. Qianxia lifted the curtain and said, "Sir, I'm so sorry, my young lady has been feeling unwell these past few days due to a slight cold. She really can't be exposed to the wind. If you need any examinations, please feel free to have them done."
Nan Zhiyun cooperated by coughing twice at the right moment. The soldiers outside were clearly impatient. Just as they were about to say something, a voice came from behind them. When Nan Zhiyun heard this voice, she felt a chill run down her spine.
"If you've caught a cold, you should rest and recuperate. Why are you out traveling?" Who else could that voice be but Yu Jingchen's? Nan Zhiyun sat there, her hands and feet icy cold.
"You want me to come here?" Yu Jingchen didn't see her get off the carriage, and there was already a hint of anger in his voice.
Nan Zhiyun was unable to react. Yu Jingchen rode his horse towards them, and a large group of people knelt on the ground: "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Yu Jingchen ignored the people kneeling below and dismounted from his horse: "Do you want me to help you down?" His voice was like ice shards. Nan Zhiyun wanted to hide, but the carriage was only so big, where could she hide?
"Get down," Yu Jingchen said softly, but the more relaxed his reaction, the bigger the matter became.
Nan Zhiyun dared not dismount. Yu Jingchen drew his sword and slashed at the carriage curtain and the ropes binding the horse. Nan Zhiyun was startled. The next moment, he twisted his wrist and killed the horse instantly, eliciting screams from all around.
"Get down, hmm? You should know what choice is best for you right now." Yu Jingchen reminded her, and this time Nan Zhiyun dared not hesitate any longer and slowly got down from the carriage.
Yu Jingchen was waiting nearby. Seeing that Nan Zhiyun had finally come out, he immediately reached out and picked her up. Nan Zhiyun resisted somewhat, and then heard Yu Jingchen say, "Provoking me at this time is clearly not a wise choice. What do you think?"
Nan Zhiyun froze. Yu Jingchen looked at her and could see the fear in her eyes: "Be good, or I'll make sure you don't even have the right to move. Do you understand?" This was Yu Jingchen's warning.
Nan Zhiyun looked at him and asked, "What are you going to do?" Her eyes were filled with unconcealed panic.
"Have you forgotten what I've told you time and time again? You're really disobedient, capable of doing something like this. Where were you trying to go just now? Hmm?" Yu Jingchen's eyes showed no mercy, but rather a hint of trauma...
"Didn't you catch a cold? Then go back and rest properly now. The Empress Dowager and your father in the palace are very worried about you. You probably don't want them to worry about you like this, do you?" Every word Yu Jingchen said was laced with threat.
Nan Zhiyun dared not act recklessly, but Yu Jingchen held her tightly, not letting go: "Last time, I told you not to trust people around you so easily. Why didn't you listen again? You've gotten yourself into trouble again this time, haven't you? Do you really think he could send you away, or that he really wants you to leave?" Yu Jingchen's words were pointed. What did he mean? Nan Zhiyun didn't quite understand, so... was it the Imperial Advisor?
Yu Jingchen didn't bother to explain. He picked her up and mounted his horse, holding Nan Zhiyun in his arms and covering her with his cloak.
"Take this palace maid back, give her fifty severe punishments, and lock her up in the Imperial Prison." Yu Jingchen's words made Nan Zhiyun look over in disbelief. She watched helplessly as Qianxia was taken away, wanting to beg for mercy, but before she could speak, she heard Yu Jingchen say to her, "If you utter even one more word of begging for mercy because of her, she will lose her life. Are you willing to gamble?" Yu Jingchen always knew how to manipulate her, and sure enough, Nan Zhiyun's words choked in her throat, and she couldn't say them no matter what.
Yu Jingchen didn't linger any longer and rode his horse towards the palace. Nan Zhiyun's heart remained uneasy the entire way. Yu Jingchen looked at her… this time he seemed truly enraged, and she wasn't sure what he might do in this state.
She couldn't help but recall her past life, the time when Yu Jingchen plundered her... Just thinking about it made her tremble all over, filling her with fear.
Perhaps her reaction was a bit too strong, and because she was nestled in Yu Jingchen's arms, Yu Jingchen could clearly feel her trembling. However, Yu Jingchen didn't think much of it, assuming that Nan Zhiyun was just frightened today. But even if she was frightened, so what? If he let it go easily this time, there would definitely be a next time, so he didn't intend to be soft-hearted.
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