Yu Jingchen looked at the person sleeping in his arms and released her sleeping acupoints. He then adjusted her position so she could lean more comfortably against him.
About half an incense stick later, Xing Lai arrived with a few guards.
"Your Majesty, all assassins have been eliminated. This group of assassins, your servant has already sent people to investigate," Xing Lai reported with cupped fists outside the carriage. Yu Jingchen remained silent.
"No need to investigate. Return to the palace," Yu Jingchen said after a moment.
"Yes..." Xing Lai, though puzzled why Yu Jingchen would let it go so easily, still complied.
Just as Xing Lai was about to order the guards to drive the carriage back to the palace, he heard Yu Jingchen speak again, "Wait, let's return to the inn. We'll go back to the palace tomorrow morning."
"Yes..." Xing Lai replied, though he wondered what difference tonight and tomorrow morning would make.
The carriage turned towards the inn. Yu Jingchen gently soothed the woman in his arms. He had promised her today, not to return to the palace.
Upon reaching the inn, Yu Jingchen carried Nan Zhiyun down from the carriage and returned directly to the room they had occupied earlier. He carefully placed her on the bed.
Perhaps because of the slight commotion, Nan Zhiyun slowly woke up.
"Did I wake you?" Yu Jingchen's voice was very soft, his deep voice carrying a faint magnetic charm.
"Your Majesty..." Nan Zhiyun seemed not fully awake yet.
Yu Jingchen reached out a hand, and Nan Zhiyun naturally hugged his arm.
"What's wrong? Hmm?" Yu Jingchen gently supported her.
"Where is this? Have we returned to the palace?" Nan Zhiyun's eyes were still sleepy.
"We are at the inn now. You fell asleep on the boat earlier," Yu Jingchen confirmed.
"It's already late, let's go to sleep, shall we?" Yu Jingchen coaxed.
Nan Zhiyun rubbed her eyes, her thoughts gradually clearing. She looked at Yu Jingchen with a hint of confusion, then shook her head.
"No?" Yu Jingchen asked softly.
"I'm awake now, I'm not sleepy anymore," Nan Zhiyun's voice still carried a slight childish lilt.
"Then what does Yun'er want to do?" Yu Jingchen asked her.
Nan Zhiyun shook her head again, "I don't know."
Yu Jingchen: "..."
Yu Jingchen helped her sit up and then pulled her into his embrace, "Are you still thinking about going out?" Yu Jingchen asked her.
"I don't know what to do," Nan Zhiyun didn't want to sleep.
"Why are you like a child? Still refusing to sleep?" Yu Jingchen chuckled helplessly.
"Does Your Majesty wish to rest?" Nan Zhiyun asked him.
"I still have some matters to attend to," Yu Jingchen replied.
"Then Your Majesty can be busy. This concubine can sit here, is that alright?" Nan Zhiyun asked cautiously. She didn't know how she had fallen asleep again earlier, but now she was genuinely not sleepy, having slept for most of the afternoon.
"Alright, then it's up to you." Yu Jingchen didn't try to persuade her otherwise. If she didn't want to sleep, so be it.
Yu Jingchen had Xing Lai bring some important documents to the room. Nan Zhiyun lay on her side on the bed, feeling incredibly lazy. Normally, she would have been more mindful of etiquette, but at this moment, she had completely forgotten about it.
Yu Jingchen sat to the side and began to deal with his affairs. Xing Lai brought some storybooks for Nan Zhiyun.
"Your Highness, His Majesty asked this servant to bring these. If you are bored, you can read them to pass the time," Xing Lai said.
Nan Zhiyun took the books. Xing Lai discreetly withdrew. Nan Zhiyun opened a book. She quite enjoyed reading such things, but after only a few pages, she couldn't continue. It wasn't that the book was bad or that she disliked it; she simply couldn't concentrate.
Nan Zhiyun looked at Yu Jingchen, who was busy at his side. To be honest, Yu Jingchen looked different when he was seriously handling affairs compared to his usual demeanor.
Perhaps it was her imagination, but Nan Zhiyun faintly sensed that Yu Jingchen's mood was not very good. Was it because of the matters at hand?
Nan Zhiyun stayed put. She wanted to ask, but dared not make a sound, so she remained conflicted.
Yu Jingchen, however, was not feeling particularly pleasant. As he looked at the documents presented to him, a dark aura began to emanate from him. It was only because Nan Zhiyun was present that he had been restraining himself, not showing it overtly.
"Your Majesty..." Nan Zhiyun's voice came from her side. Yu Jingchen suppressed the storm in his eyes, trying to appear less intimidating.
"What is it?" Yu Jingchen asked in a gentle tone.
"This concubine..." Nan Zhiyun trailed off.
This time, Yu Jingchen truly couldn't guess what Nan Zhiyun was thinking.
"Is there something you wish to say or do? Hmm?" Yu Jingchen asked again.
"...Was Your Majesty angry just now?" Nan Zhiyun asked after a moment of hesitation.
Yu Jingchen was taken aback. Was it that obvious? Or was Nan Zhiyun simply too sensitive? And her always being so cautious made Yu Jingchen feel a pang of heartache.
Then he saw Nan Zhiyun get off the bed. Yu Jingchen watched her, unsure of what she intended to do. Nan Zhiyun walked over to Yu Jingchen.
"What is it?" Yu Jingchen asked, pulling her to sit beside him. Looking at Nan Zhiyun's bare feet, Yu Jingchen's brow furrowed slightly. He subtly covered her feet with his hand.
"Be careful not to catch a chill," Yu Jingchen said. Although the room was warm, the floor was cold.
"What do you want to do?" Yu Jingchen looked at Nan Zhiyun.
"Was Your Majesty angry just now..." Nan Zhiyun inquired.
"Just some trivial matters, don't overthink it," Yu Jingchen patted Nan Zhiyun's head. He feared Nan Zhiyun might start to worry and think he was angry because of her.
"Did this concubine act too presumptuously today? Wasting Your Majesty's time." Nan Zhiyun had this thought. Yu Jingchen was the emperor, busy every day, yet he had spent the entire day with her.
"I wanted to come, so how could it be a waste? I was very happy today, so I thank Yun'er," Yu Jingchen relaxed.
"This concubine..." Nan Zhiyun seemed to want to say more, but appeared to be holding back.
Yu Jingchen saw this and prompted her, "What is it? Is there anything else you want to say? Didn't I tell you today that whatever you want to say or do, don't be afraid, just be direct." Yu Jingchen gently guided Nan Zhiyun.
Nan Zhiyun looked at Yu Jingchen, hesitated for a long time, then slowly said, "This concubine was a little scared just now. Seeing Your Majesty's expression, this concubine..."
Although Nan Zhiyun didn't finish, Yu Jingchen understood her meaning. Yu Jingchen picked her up helplessly and walked towards the bed.