Yu Jingchen's tone was much calmer than before. Nan Zhiyun was momentarily dazed. She moved her lips, but ultimately said nothing, instead sitting down obediently.
Before long, people from the Imperial Kitchen and the Imperial Medical Office were brought in. Yanjingju was rather small, and the dozens of people kneeling in the courtyard made the space feel crowded.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." None of them knew what was going on, but they all felt a vague sense of unease.
"Who from the Imperial Kitchen was in charge of Nan Jieyu's meals?" Yu Jingchen did not tell them to rise, asking directly. Those people, half-prostrate on the ground, dared not move.
Even if they were foolish, they knew what was happening now; they were likely to be punished. With this thought, some were no longer worried, while others trembled like sieves.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, it was this servant who was responsible for delivering the meals," a young eunuch replied tremulously. There was no point in denying such a thing; everyone knew.
"Then tell me, what did you deliver? And at what time each day?" Yu Jingchen's tone was cold, with no superfluous expression, yet it sent chills down one's spine.
"Reporting, reporting to Your Majesty... This servant... This servant delivered according to the allotted portion, and at the appointed time each day," the young eunuch replied.
"Guards, strike!" Yu Jingchen was too lazy to waste further words.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me! This servant speaks the truth!" The young eunuch still showed no remorse.
"Silence him," Yu Jingchen coldly uttered two more words.
The young eunuch was immediately gagged. Without even bringing out a torture bench, he was pressed to the ground and beaten.
Even with his mouth gagged, the eunuch's pained cries could still be heard. However, Yu Jingchen turned a deaf ear to it, completely unmoved.
Only Nan Zhiyun beside him turned paler. She had, of course, experienced such punishment before. Yet, she dared not show any sign of discomfort now, suppressing the unease and fear in her heart.
Yu Jingchen slowly noticed Nan Zhiyun's discomfort. He could roughly guess the reason. Yu Jingchen suddenly recalled the caning he had inflicted on Nan Zhiyun in his previous life, using the excuse of her plotting against the imperial family. That time, he had watched her be punished, and even though she had fainted, the punishment had not stopped. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Stop," Yu Jingchen called out.
The executioners also stopped their actions.
"Can you finally speak the truth?" Yu Jingchen felt a surge of impatience, also to avoid looking at Nan Zhiyun.
"This servant confesses, this servant admits guilt. Previously, this servant believed that Nan Jieyu had angered Your Majesty, so the meals were mistreated and not delivered according to the allotted portion at the proper time." He no longer dared to conceal anything.
"Drag him away and deal with him," Yu Jingchen commanded coldly.
The eunuch kept begging for mercy, but Yu Jingchen didn't even glance at him, his face filled with ruthlessness.
"Those who have done anything they shouldn't have, step forward now, lest I question each one of you," Yu Jingchen's cold gaze swept over them.
But even so, the people below looked around, and no one stepped forward voluntarily.
Yu Jingchen's face darkened immediately: "Is no one coming forward?"
"These are all the people here. Who is in charge? Are there no issues?"
"And the Imperial Medical Office, what did I say before?"
"Her body is still like this now, have you truly done your best? Who prescribed the medicine? Who delivered it? Must I name each person?" Yu Jingchen even overturned the teacup before him.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!" Everyone was startled by Yu Jingchen's action. Nan Zhiyun, too, instinctively wanted to stand up.
"Sit down, these matters do not concern you," Yu Jingchen said this upon noticing her movement.
"...Yes, thank you, Your Majesty," Nan Zhiyun hesitated for a moment before sitting down again.