Before, Yu Jingchen hadn't paid much attention. They hadn't spent much time together, and the needle marks were very small, so he hadn't noticed them.
Given Nan Zhiyun's personality, she probably hadn't told anyone around her, and perhaps even wished to keep it from them. She was a strong-willed person, likely not wanting others to know about the torment and humiliation she had suffered, which was why even the palace maids serving her were unaware of the injuries on her fingers.
When the imperial physician examined her, he hadn't thought to check her finger joints. When Nan Zhiyun ate and wrote previously, her movements had been somewhat unnatural. But at the time, he had simply thought Nan Zhiyun was uncomfortable because he was present, never considering that she was injured.
"Xing Lai!" It was evident that Yu Jingchen was furious.
When Xing Lai entered, he felt the oppressive atmosphere around Yu Jingchen. He had initially thought that Consort Nan had angered His Majesty again, but upon seeing the scene before him, it didn't seem to be the case.
"Go investigate what Nan Zhiyun endured during her days in the Ministry of Punishments. Record every single incident for me!" Yu Jingchen's tone was severe.
"Yes..." Xing Lai quickly agreed. He hadn't seen His Majesty so angry in a long time, let alone such an unconcealed, surface-level fury.
"Find an imperial physician. Make sure no one finds out, and not a single word about tonight's events is to be leaked outside," Yu Jingchen commanded again. He thought, since Nan Zhiyun didn't want others to know, he should help her preserve what little dignity she had left...
Xing Lai felt some confusion and surprise, but he didn't show it. He surmised it must be related to this Consort Nan. Perhaps this Consort Nan had truly turned her fortunes around.
Yu Jingchen looked at Nan Zhiyun, who was restless even in her sleep, and his heart ached. She had never seemed like this before. From when did she start becoming so timid and yielding?
Even when injured, she was afraid of others knowing, only daring to hide in a corner alone, licking her wounds in silence, and even if she cried, she didn't dare to make a sound. That was the last bit of self-respect she had.
She was a daughter of the Nan family, born noble, and never had to bow to anyone. Now, battered and bruised, not showing such vulnerability to others was the last line she could defend.
"It hurts..." Nan Zhiyun cried out in pain.
But regrettably, Yu Jingchen was powerless. Nan Zhiyun couldn't be woken, so Yu Jingchen could only sit by her side, holding her hand.
"Don't... please... I beg you..." Nan Zhiyun was having another nightmare.
Yu Jingchen sighed and directly embraced Nan Zhiyun, helping her to sit up in his arms. He also intermittently patted Nan Zhiyun's back, as a form of comfort.
Nan Zhiyun gradually quieted down, but her furrowed brow never eased. Fortunately, Xing Lai quickly found an imperial physician. Yu Jingchen waived the customary salutations and had him examine Nan Zhiyun's pulse. The physical ailments were as previously discussed. As for now... it was simply a nightmare.
With no other issues, Yu Jingchen then had the imperial physician examine the wounds on Nan Zhiyun's fingers. The physician was startled, as these had indeed not been discovered during the previous examination.
The imperial physician couldn't help but marvel at Nan Zhiyun's resilience. With so many needle marks on her fingers, how had she endured them for so many days? The fingers are connected to the heart; it must have been incredibly painful.