The Hall of Diligent Governance had been shrouded in a low-pressure atmosphere. Xinglai hesitated, unsure if he should offer advice. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he ventured, "Your Majesty, perhaps you should visit Yanjing Residence? Consort Nan might have suffered some injustice today."
"She wouldn't want anyone to see her in her current state," Yu Jingchen, his anger having subsided, felt a surge of agitation.
"Your Majesty, why don't you go and see her? I heard Consort Nan refused to let the imperial physician examine her..." Xinglai added.
"Refusing a medical examination when injured? She..." Yu Jingchen was about to say more, but then he suddenly understood the reason. He felt a pang of annoyance.
Yu Jingchen pinched his brow. "Prepare the imperial carriage for Yanjing Residence." He had finally relented.
"Yes," Xinglai replied, showing no surprise.
Upon arriving at Yanjing Residence, Yu Jingchen saw a sea of kneeling palace maids and eunuchs outside. As for the commoner Madam Chen... she hadn't even made it to her knees yet. It was said she had fainted several times mid-way, only to be revived by being splashed with water. When that proved useless, Yu Jingchen had ordered needles to be used on the acupoints of her knees.
"What's going on? Why aren't you serving inside?" Yu Jingchen asked.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. Your Majesty, please persuade the Consort. After returning today, she has locked herself in her room and refused to let anyone in. She hasn't seen the imperial physician, nor has she had the injuries on her face and knees treated," Qianxia pleaded.
Yu Jingchen's expression darkened, and he called out, "Xinglai."
Xinglai understood instantly and pushed the door open. As Yu Jingchen entered, he didn't see Nan Zhiyun. His brow furrowed, and he walked further into the inner room. There, he found Nan Zhiyun curled into a small ball, hugging her knees and sitting in a corner by the bed.
The ground was cold, and she was only wearing a thin undergarment, her hair unbound, her face red and swollen. She sat there barefoot on the floor.
Seeing this scene, Yu Jingchen's heart clenched sharply, a pang of pain in his chest, though he didn't dwell on it. Nan Zhiyun seemed utterly devoid of consciousness, sitting there with a vacant stare. Even as Yu Jingchen approached, she appeared oblivious.
Yu Jingchen walked to Nan Zhiyun and knelt before her, silent. He watched her quietly for a while before reaching out to lift her hair.
However, Nan Zhiyun reacted violently, shielding herself with her hands and shrinking further back, making distressed sounds. Behind her was a wall, leaving her with nowhere to escape.
"Nan Zhiyun," Yu Jingchen grasped her hand.
Nan Zhiyun dared not look up, her hands clenched tightly, her body trembling. Yu Jingchen then took hold of Nan Zhiyun's arms with both his hands.
"Nan Zhiyun, what are you doing?!" Yu Jingchen shouted.
Nan Zhiyun's body jolted, then her vacant gaze fell upon Yu Jingchen. After a few seconds, tears began to stream down her face without warning.
She felt so wronged...
Seeing Nan Zhiyun like this, Yu Jingchen's heart ached. In the next moment, Nan Zhiyun lunged into his embrace, perhaps no longer caring about anything else.
Yu Jingchen heard Nan Zhiyun's pained, suppressed sobs, and his hands seemed unsure where to rest.
Nan Zhiyun's crying grew louder, a heart-wrenching sound. Yu Jingchen seemed to sigh, then placed his hands on Nan Zhiyun's waist, gently holding her.