The warmth on her forehead left Nan Zhiyun momentarily stunned. Yu Jingchen, after a brief kiss, quickly released her.
He looked at Nan Zhiyun, seeing her dazed expression, and his heart softened immensely.
"You're not scared anymore, are you?" Yu Jingchen soothed her gently.
"Try this tanghulu again, see what it tastes like?" Yu Jingchen took Nan Zhiyun's hand and brought the candied hawthorn to her lips.
Nan Zhiyun looked at the tanghulu before her, hesitated for a moment, and then took a bite.
"Does it taste the same as before?" Yu Jingchen asked her.
Nan Zhiyun thought for a moment and shook her head, feeling it was different.
"What does it taste like? Is it delicious?" Yu Jingchen continued to ask.
"It's sweet and sour, and very delicious," Nan Zhiyun replied.
Yu Jingchen, like a gentle breeze, smiled faintly. Then, following Nan Zhiyun's hand, he also took a bite. Nan Zhiyun was mesmerized.
"Mm, very delicious." Yu Jingchen looked into Nan Zhiyun's eyes, patted her head, and then gently pulled her back into his embrace. "Nan Zhiyun, from now on, let it be like today, okay? You can be willful, you can act spoiled, you can express your needs. Don't be afraid anymore, okay?" Yu Jingchen said.
Nan Zhiyun remained quiet.
"This is for you." Yu Jingchen produced an object from somewhere. Nan Zhiyun looked down and saw it was a royal golden plaque.
"Your Majesty..." Nan Zhiyun was truly astonished.
Not only her, but no one present had expected Yu Jingchen to produce such an item. This was more useful than a 'death-exempt' token. It signified the Emperor's personal presence and could be used in almost any situation without restriction, unless one committed a grave offense like rebellion, in which case it would be revoked.
"I won't lie to you. This is proof, so don't be afraid anymore. I will learn to be good to someone, only this one, only you..." Yu Jingchen placed the golden plaque into Nan Zhiyun's hand.
"It will never be recalled in this lifetime. My word is my bond," Yu Jingchen added.
Nan Zhiyun didn't know how to react. Such an item didn't seem like something she should possess. In her memory, no one in the Yuan Kingdom had ever received such a thing, as emperors rarely bestowed them.
Firstly, no one had earned such merit. Secondly, if the recipient's power grew too great, it would make the Emperor wary. Thus, this imperial golden plaque was typically only held by the Emperor himself.
"Nan Zhiyun, I am being serious when I speak to you. This is not a joke, nor is it some new trick." Yu Jingchen continued.
Nan Zhiyun looked at the item in her hand, feeling at a loss. By rights, she was not qualified to hold it.
"Alright, accept it. If it can bring you peace, then it is worth it. This has no use to me," Yu Jingchen released Nan Zhiyun.
Nan Zhiyun wanted to say something, but opened her mouth and no words came out. She watched as Yu Jingchen tied the plaque to his waist, then tightened his cloak, concealing it.
"From now on, only Yun'er will have it, okay?" Yu Jingchen sounded as if he were coaxing a child.
"...Thank you, Your Majesty." Nan Zhiyun ultimately did not refuse. Perhaps she was being greedy. It wasn't that she felt reassured, but rather... the temptation of this item was great. Perhaps... it might actually be useful one day?
Yu Jingchen ruffled Nan Zhiyun's hair. "What's there to thank? If you truly want to thank me, you might as well change your form of address." Yu Jingchen's tone was doting.
"The address is not just an address, Nan Zhiyun. I will try to be a good person worthy of this identity. Let's take our time, okay?" Yu Jingchen asked. Nan Zhiyun did not respond for a long time. Just as he thought Yu Jingchen would not reply as usual, he heard Nan Zhiyun say, "Mm..."
Yu Jingchen was momentarily taken aback, then overjoyed. Had she agreed?
"What did Yun'er say?" Yu Jingchen asked, leaning down slightly.
"Nothing..." Nan Zhiyun averted her eyes.
"You clearly said it, I heard you," Yu Jingchen insisted.
"Then why are you asking, Your Majesty..." Nan Zhiyun looked at Yu Jingchen.
"I just want to ask. I want to hear Yun'er say it again more definitively. Answer me again, okay?" Yu Jingchen coaxed her as if she were a child.
"No..." Nan Zhiyun didn't want to say more.
"Heh, feeling shy?" Yu Jingchen chuckled. Seeing Nan Zhiyun's flushed face, he teased no further.
"Let's go, I'll take you for another walk." Yu Jingchen took Nan Zhiyun's hand.
After they left, the carriage in the distance lowered its curtains. Inside were the Empress Dowager and Gu Yin.
"What a coincidence," Gu Yin said with a smile, drawing the curtain to block the cold wind.
"We're returning to the palace tomorrow. Don't worry, isn't everything under your control?" Gu Yin looked at the Empress Dowager and offered her a cup of tea.
"This time it's truly Junshan Silver Needle," Gu Yin remarked. The Empress Dowager took the tea but didn't drink it, nor did she speak.
"Empress Dowager, you dislike flavorless things the most, I know," Gu Yin said something nonsensical.
"Yuncheng has returned. I heard Changle went to An Palace today," the Empress Dowager changed the subject, putting down the tea.
Gu Yin glanced at the tea she had set down and remained silent. Then he heard the Empress Dowager say, "Let's go, we're going back..."
The carriage moved away slowly, disappearing into the night as if it had never been there...
--- Warning! Warning! Warning!