Chapter 43 Fear of the Dark

Nan Zhiyun slowly walked forward. Without the embellishment of rouge and powder, Nan Zhiyun's face appeared even more haggard.

Actually, it was less about haggardness and more about a tragic beauty that evoked pity and heartache.

"Your Majesty," Nan Zhiyun curtsied.

Yu Jingchen had never truly looked at Nan Zhiyun before. Now, seeing her properly, he found her incredibly frail, as if a gust of wind could blow her away.

Yet, in the previous life, she had blocked a sword for him. Although he could have dodged it and there was no need for Nan Zhiyun to do so, she had still resolutely taken the blow. Perhaps Nan Zhiyun's intentions then were not pure, but Yu Jingchen had to admit that his heart had been moved.

Therefore, in this life, he had much more patience with Nan Zhiyun. He believed it was solely for this reason... perhaps.

"Rest," Yu Jingchen said nothing else.

Upon hearing this, Nan Zhiyun also remained silent. She was now... well, very nervous. It had been a long time since she had been alone with Yu Jingchen like this, and moreover, Yu Jingchen had never been so calm with her before.

Even in their past intimacy, Yu Jingchen had treated it like a routine, his face devoid of any unnecessary expression. After the act, he would usually not stay.

As Nan Zhiyun lay on the bed, her body was rigid, afraid to move. Yu Jingchen could naturally sense her tension and unease on her side after he lay down.

There was still some distance between them, and Nan Zhiyun didn't even dare to breathe too heavily.

"Sleep," Yu Jingchen said nothing, simply closing his eyes.

The palace guards at the door, seeing the two settle down, extinguished the candles and withdrew.

Yu Jingchen could feel that after the candlelight was extinguished, Nan Zhiyun's breathing became noticeably erratic. Was she afraid? Afraid of the dark?

Yu Jingchen frowned. "What is it?" he asked.

"It's nothing..." Nan Zhiyun's voice was slightly unsteady.

"Afraid?" Yu Jingchen did not let up.

"...Yes," Nan Zhiyun did not deny it this time.

She was afraid of the dark, had been since childhood.

There was a silence from Yu Jingchen's side for a while. Nan Zhiyun, in fear, clutched the quilt, trying her best not to disturb Yu Jingchen.

After a long pause, a faint sigh, seemingly of helplessness, came from Yu Jingchen.

"It's dark when you close your eyes too. Why are you afraid of the dark when the lamp is out? It's all in your mind, don't dwell on it." Yu Jingchen took Nan Zhiyun's hand and then guided her to hold his arm.

"This should help a little. Lighting the lamp is impossible; you'll have to overcome this problem yourself sooner or later, so let's start now," Yu Jingchen said.

When Nan Zhiyun's hand touched Yu Jingchen's arm, it felt somewhat unreal. Even Yu Jingchen's words now seemed too ethereal.

But she did not let go, nor did she dare to truly embrace him. She merely held onto his clothing, maintaining a sense of propriety.

However, this did not help much. She was still afraid, and Yu Jingchen seemed resigned.

"Still afraid?" he asked.

"Yes... I have disturbed Your Majesty. This concubine deserves to die." Nan Zhiyun feared incurring Yu Jingchen's displeasure again.

"It is quite troublesome. You aren't bold when you should be," Yu Jingchen remarked. Before Nan Zhiyun's emotions could sink too low, Yu Jingchen reached out, bypassing her head, and rested his hand on her shoulder. It was as if he was embracing her, though still with some distance.