Yu Jingchen simply watched her, saying nothing, nor making any other move.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, this concubine... this concubine lost her composure," Nan Zhiyun's voice was still tinged with tears.
Yu Jingchen remained silent, and Nan Zhiyun began to feel uneasy. Just as she hesitated whether to beg for forgiveness, Yu Jingchen finally spoke.
"Haven't you been losing your composure enough these past few days? Did I do anything to you?" Yu Jingchen walked up to her.
Nan Zhiyun dared not look at him.
"To be frank, I really don't like you when you're like this. Always kneeling, always crying, always admitting guilt, this habit is truly not a good one." Yu Jingchen sat down in front of Nan Zhiyun.
Nan Zhiyun felt a pang of bitterness in her heart when she heard him say he didn't like it.
Nan Zhiyun dared not look at Yu Jingchen, so Yu Jingchen took matters into his own hands, curling his fingers slightly to lift Nan Zhiyun's chin, forcing her to look at him.
"Are you so beautiful with red eyes?" Yu Jingchen reached out with his other hand and wiped the tears from her face.
Looking at Yu Jingchen at such close proximity, Nan Zhiyun's heart seemed to skip a beat.
Yu Jingchen's hands, calloused from years of martial arts training, felt somewhat rough, yet his touch was gentle. The sensation from his fingertips stirred an unusual feeling in both of them.
"You don't have to be like before from now on," Yu Jingchen suddenly said.
Nan Zhiyun was a little stunned.
"I was a bit critical of you before, but from now on, you can be more relaxed. Don't be like you were before, there's no need to be so sensitive," Yu Jingchen said, then released his hand.
"Your Majesty," Nan Zhiyun called out to him.
"Speak," Yu Jingchen replied.
"..." Nan Zhiyun had words at the tip of her tongue but could not utter them.
"What do you want to say? Just say it," Yu Jingchen knew Nan Zhiyun likely still had reservations.
"...It's nothing," Nan Zhiyun still didn't say it, perhaps lacking the courage. She still didn't dare to be too presumptuous.
Yu Jingchen didn't force her to say anything. Since she wouldn't say it herself, so be it.
In the evening, Yu Jingchen did not leave and dined at Yanjing Residence. With the Emperor present, and after Yu Jingchen's reprimand and warning earlier that day, the Imperial Kitchen's efficiency was high, and they were very diligent.
Nan Zhiyun was not surprised by the dishes sent by the Imperial Kitchen, as the Emperor's standards were different. However, she was surprised that Yu Jingchen would be willing to stay for dinner.
"What's wrong?" Yu Jingchen asked, noticing Nan Zhiyun was lost in thought.
"Is Your Majesty staying here today?" Nan Zhiyun asked.
"Didn't you just wish for me to stay and not leave?" Yu Jingchen replied.
"..." Nan Zhiyun fell silent. She had thought that just now, but she didn't expect Yu Jingchen to be willing to stay. In the past, apart from being with the Empress Dowager, or being "pressured" by the Empress Dowager, Yu Jingchen would absolutely not dine with her.
"Alright, let's eat," Yu Jingchen did not want to see Nan Zhiyun always in such a state.
"Yes," Nan Zhiyun respectfully curtsied. After Yu Jingchen walked to the dining table and sat down, Nan Zhiyun walked over, but instead of sitting, she stood beside Yu Jingchen and began serving him dishes.
As Yu Jingchen was about to lift his hand, he sensed Nan Zhiyun's nervousness.
"Does Your Majesty dislike it? This concubine's service is inadequate..." Nan Zhiyun began again, and just as she was about to kneel, Yu Jingchen's hand stopped her.