Hearing Yu Jingchen's words, Nan Ziyun's heart skipped a beat, and she began to feel nervous.
"Your Majesty..." Nan Ziyun wanted to explain.
"Just answer me, no need to say anything else," Yu Jingchen's tone was flat.
"Yes..." After Nan Ziyun finished, she snuggled closer into Yu Jingchen's arms, holding him tighter.
"Can Your Majesty please not be angry?" Nan Ziyun pleaded submissively.
"Am I here to accuse you?" Yu Jingchen did not push Nan Ziyun away.
"I'm sorry," Nan Ziyun apologized, her voice tinged with unease.
Hearing Nan Ziyun's words, Yu Jingchen felt a strange sensation rising within him, yet he couldn't quite articulate it. He just felt that Nan Ziyun shouldn't be like this.
"You can tell me directly next time," Yu Jingchen suppressed the messy feelings.
"This concubine feared Your Majesty would not like it," Nan Ziyun replied.
"If you always use these means to get my attention, it's better to just tell me directly," Yu Jingchen's tone remained unchanged.
"Yes, this concubine understands," Nan Ziyun agreed.
"Then... this time, is Your Majesty angry?" Nan Ziyun asked tentatively.
Before she could hear Yu Jingchen's answer, Nan Ziyun continued, "This concubine did not do it intentionally, nor did I wish to deceive or use Your Majesty."
"If I were to hold you accountable, do you think you would still be here?" Yu Jingchen said, then added, "However, I have also told you, do not let it happen again."
"Yes..." Nan Ziyun's mood slightly eased.
"Alright, sleep now," Yu Jingchen interrupted the conversation.
The room suddenly became quiet. Nan Ziyun had been tense all along, so she only managed to fall asleep in the latter half of the night.
When Nan Ziyun woke up the next day, Yu Jingchen had already left again. Furthermore, Qian Xia came to tell her that Yu Jingchen had dealt with those in the Imperial Household Department and sent over new charcoal.
Nan Ziyun listened without speaking, merely pursing her lips slightly. Yu Jingchen's current demeanor brought her some joy, but more so unease and trepidation. This was because she didn't know if this was merely a temporary illusion, and what would happen if he reverted to his previous self.
"Qian Xia, I am truly worried," Nan Ziyun said.
"Do you think this will continue forever?" Nan Ziyun asked.
"Could it be that Your Majesty is acting like this because the Empress Dowager is returning soon?" Perhaps due to past experiences, Nan Ziyun dared not trust again.
"How can a Consort think like that? Your Majesty has no reason to do so," Qian Xia replied.
"But he suddenly changed from how he was before, why is that?" Nan Ziyun asked.
"Why does Consort need to overthink? It is good as it is now. Regardless of the reason, the outcome is good," Qian Xia comforted her.
"But I fear this is but a fleeting dream, and it will vanish in a couple of days. Qian Xia, if that happens, I may not be able to bear it," Nan Ziyun said softly.
"Consort," Qian Xia squatted down beside Nan Ziyun. "Everything is gradually improving. This servant knows Consort has suffered too much in the past, but Your Majesty's attitude towards Consort is truly different now."
"No matter what happens in the future, there is no need to dwell on it now. This is a situation Consort never expected, so we should cherish the present," Qian Xia said.
She knew that Nan Ziyun was afraid of being hurt again, and therefore dared not believe.