Nan Zhiyun couldn't swim, and the sudden feeling of weightlessness made her feel like she had lost her breath the moment she fell.
The lake was quite deep, and Nan Zhiyun instinctively flailed her arms. Choking on the water, she couldn't cry for help. The more she struggled, the faster she sank, especially since her clothes were too cumbersome and heavy…
Just when Nan Zhiyun thought she was about to sink to the bottom of the lake, she felt someone hug her waist. She barely opened her eyes and could see who it was but Yu Jingchen.
Looking at Nan Zhiyun in front of him, Yu Jingchen didn't have time to think. He immediately carried her out of the lake. Perhaps out of the instinct for survival, Nan Zhiyun grabbed his clothes and refused to let go.
"Your Majesty" was also taken aback by this sudden turn of events. He never expected His Majesty to go into the water on his own, and to react so quickly.
The expressions on the faces of the concubines standing nearby were also quite interesting; perhaps there was shock, but more likely envy, jealousy, and disbelief.
"Nan Zhiyun?" Yu Jingchen called her name, but Nan Zhiyun was somewhat disoriented.
"Have the imperial physician wait at He'an Palace!" Yu Jingchen's tone was clearly anxious. Fortunately, he didn't dare to delay and carried the person to He'an Palace.
Before leaving, he told the concubines, "Everyone kneel here and await your fate!" Of course, he wouldn't let it go so easily.
Nan Zhiyun was already ill, and this fall into the water really took a toll on her health. Fortunately, Yu Jingchen reacted quickly, so Nan Zhiyun didn't inhale too much water and woke up on the way back.
Held in Yu Jingchen's arms, Nan Zhiyun looked at the scene before her, still somewhat incredulous. Was this really happening? Would Yu Jingchen hold her like this? Would he save her?
"You're awake? It's alright, we'll be back soon. The imperial physician will be here shortly, don't be afraid." Yu Jingchen saw that she had regained consciousness. Perhaps because he was somewhat anxious, he didn't even notice his own emotions and the worry and anxiety in his heart, especially the words he was saying.
"It's okay, don't be afraid..." These two words always sounded vague coming from Yu Jingchen's mouth.
Hearing these words, Nan Zhiyun felt like she was dreaming. If it were before, she might have been excited for days, but now… besides feeling unreal, she felt only regret. It's a pity, things aren't like they used to be…
But she still seemed to crave Yu Jingchen's gentleness, so she boldly and comfortably leaned into his arms. Just this once, and the last time, okay? She would treat this incident, this moment of gentleness, as the end of these two lifetimes, as an explanation to herself in these two lifetimes.
Yu Jingchen didn't notice the abnormality of the person in his arms; he was only thinking about getting her back to He'an Palace as soon as possible. After arriving at He'an Palace, he had someone change Nan Zhiyun's clothes, since she was already soaked. While waiting for the imperial physician to take Nan Zhiyun's pulse, Yu Jingchen went to change into clean clothes himself.
When he came out, the worry in his eyes was unmistakable. Nan Zhiyun had almost regained consciousness. Because Yu Jingchen reacted quickly enough, she hadn't actually drowned; she was mostly just shaken.
However, the imperial physician took a rather long time to examine Nan Zhiyun's pulse, and her expression seemed rather strange.
"What's wrong? Is there something wrong with Consort Shu's health?" Yu Jingchen asked. Nan Zhiyun's heart also tightened. Was there some other problem?
The imperial physician withdrew his hand and then said to Yu Jingchen, "Your Majesty, Consort Shu's health is fine, but... Consort Shu is pregnant."
What?! Good news? It's safe to say that everyone present was surprised, but joy... was another matter.
"What did you say? You're pregnant?" Yu Jingchen frowned.
"Yes, but Your Majesty's pulse indicates that the child is not yet full-term, and the pulse is weak, so I'm afraid... it might be difficult," the imperial physician continued.
Nan Zhiyun hadn't expected this answer. Why was she pregnant now? Why was she pregnant? It turned out she had taken medication…
"Are you sure you didn't misread the pulse?" Yu Jingchen seemed unconvinced by the answer before him.
"Your Majesty, I am terrified. Her Highness's pulse is indeed that of a pregnant woman, but it is still early in the pregnancy and not very obvious. Her Highness's body is rather frail to begin with, and this fall into the water has caused her to be frightened, making the pregnancy unstable. If she is not properly cared for, she is at risk of miscarriage." The imperial physician also seemed frightened.
"Alright, go and get the medicine. You may leave." Yu Jingchen didn't want to listen any longer, so the imperial physician quickly took the medicine and left this troublesome place.
Nan Zhiyun was also terrified. She looked at Yu Jingchen, who was looking at her too, and their eyes met. Nan Zhiyun's hand went to her stomach. Was she pregnant? This shouldn't be happening...
"Is there anything wrong with your body?" Yu Jingchen asked first, without mentioning the child. Nan Zhiyun wasn't sure what Yu Jingchen meant, so she could only gently shake her head.
Yu Jingchen naturally saw what she was doing. After a moment of silence, perhaps a second or two, he continued, "Do you want this child?"
Nan Zhiyun didn't know why he would ask that. Oh, right, Yu Jingchen didn't want her to have his bloodline at all... The look in Nan Zhiyun's eyes dimmed a little.
"You've been frightened today, so get some rest. If you need anything, call a palace maid. If you can't handle it, have someone come and call me." Yu Jingchen's current state was clearly not right, but Nan Zhiyun dared not ask or even say another word.
"The Empress Dowager should be here soon. I'll be leaving now. Be mindful of your behavior. I don't want to hear any bad news about you." Nan Zhiyun didn't understand the meaning behind Yu Jingchen's words, and Yu Jingchen didn't explain either. He turned and left He'an Palace.
After leaving, his feelings became even more complicated. Why was she pregnant? This shouldn't have been possible. He had never allowed Nan Zhiyun to get pregnant. They had only been intimate twice, right? Judging from the timeline, it should have been the last time, but the Empress Dowager had specially sent medicine that time, hadn't she?
Furthermore, he had someone put something in Nan Zhiyun's food as well, so why was she still pregnant? This is too bizarre. But now it's a fact, and he can't deny it. He didn't give her permission, so the child's fate is uncertain…
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