"No... what did she call me? Jieyu?"
"Consort Nan is truly fortunate. To be promoted after an injury, His Majesty certainly shows you special favor. I just don't know how long this position will last." Concubine De's words were laced with sarcasm.
Nan Zhiyun's expression immediately dimmed. No matter what, she was just someone he detested. He could do as he pleased.
Seeing Nan Zhiyun's dejected state, Concubine De felt a sense of satisfaction.
"Consort Nan, your back injury is quite severe. The medicine hasn't been fully applied yet. I shall continue to tend to your wound." Concubine De said.
Consort Nan offered no reply. She knew she had no choice but to refuse, assuming this was all Yu Jingchen's arrangement.
Concubine De's movements were heavy. Nan Zhiyun could imagine what her back looked like now. She feared pain, but she remained silent.
"I'm not very good at taking care of people. If anything I do makes you uncomfortable, Consort Nan, please bear with it," Concubine De added.
"This concubine would not dare," Nan Zhiyun replied.
Concubine De scoffed and then reached for the medicine. It had been placed there because it was too hot, and it remained so. Liu Zhi had brought it over on a tray.
"Let me help you sit up, Consort Nan. It's not convenient to take medicine while lying down," Concubine De said, and without regard for Nan Zhiyun's injured back, she pulled her up. Nan Zhiyun broke out in a cold sweat from the pain.
"There's no need to trouble you, Consort De. Allow this concubine to do it herself," Nan Zhiyun said, reaching for the medicine. However, Concubine De stopped her.
"Eh? Consort Nan is injured. How can you do these things yourself?" Concubine De said.
She then wrapped a handkerchief around the rim of the bowl, picked it up, and scooped a spoonful of medicine. Nan Zhiyun, unaware that the medicine was still scalding hot, was severely burned when she took the spoonful. She immediately spat out the medicine.
"Ah!" Concubine De exclaimed and then dropped the medicine bowl. The herbal decoction splashed all over Nan Zhiyun, especially her hands, which turned bright red from the heat.
"Hiss!" Nan Zhiyun cried out from the intense burn.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Consort Nan. You suddenly spat out the medicine, and I couldn't hold on steady," Concubine De said, though her face showed no trace of apology, only a greater degree of gloating.
"It is this concubine's fault," Nan Zhiyun said, unwilling to argue.
"Indeed, Consort Nan is quite difficult to attend to. You can't even drink your medicine. What's wrong? Are you afraid of the bitterness?" Concubine De asked.
"This concubine is not worthy of Consort De's service. Consort De is of noble birth; perhaps you should depart," Nan Zhiyun said, her face pale and her strength waning.
"Are you implying this consort is unwelcome, Consort Nan?" Concubine De's expression turned cold.
"This concubine dares not," Consort Nan replied, her face unreadable.
"Insolent! Nan Zhiyun, what is your attitude? Do you truly believe I am here to serve you? Do you not know your own identity and status? How much His Majesty tests and detests you, must I remind you?" Concubine De's anger flared. There was no one else around, so she no longer needed to feign kindness.
"It is this concubine's mistake. If I have offended you, Consort De, I beg your forgiveness." Nan Zhiyun had no energy to engage with her.
Concubine De was furious at Nan Zhiyun's demeanor and raised her hand, intending to slap her.
However, just as her hand was about to fall, a voice from outside announced, "His Majesty arrives!"
--------------------------------------------------------------Is anyone here? *⁂((✪⥎✪))⁂*, if you are, make a sound, friends?