The concubine's sudden indisposition quickly spread through the harem. No one had ever heard of her feeling unwell before; how could she have fainted so abruptly?
As a result, a crowd of consorts soon gathered in the concubine's chambers, each with a face full of "concern."
"Imperial physician, what is wrong with our lady?" a palace servant asked nervously.
"Her Ladyship is not gravely ill. She is merely overworked and has not rested well. There is no need for you to worry so much," the imperial physician replied.
Upon hearing the imperial physician's words, almost everyone breathed a sigh of relief. However, the underlying sentiments might have been quite different...
Since it was a false alarm, everyone offered a few words of solicitous inquiry and then took their leave.
Nan Zhiyun had not been present, so Qian Xia told her about these events. Nan Zhiyun didn't have much to say about it; the concubine had indeed been quite busy lately due to the Empress Dowager's impending return to the palace.
After the morning court, Yu Jingchen also heard about the matter from Xing Lai. However, this was naturally of no concern to him.
"Go to the storehouse and fetch some tonics to send over. Also, have the imperial physician attend to her carefully," Yu Jingchen said, more out of formality. Xing Lai did not dare to question him further.
However, with the concubine's illness, she would likely no longer have the energy to manage palace affairs. Thus, Yu Jingchen ordered Consort Qing and Consort Li to jointly oversee them.
As the Empress Dowager was about to return to the palace, Yu Jingchen visited the He'an Hall. Since Xing Lai had announced his arrival in advance, Nan Zhiyun was already waiting at the entrance to welcome him.
As Yu Jingchen approached, he saw Nan Zhiyun standing outside the door and frowned slightly.
"Your subject greets His Majesty," Nan Zhiyun said, performing a curtsy.
Yu Jingchen stopped when he reached her.
"Rise. Why are you standing outside? Aren't you afraid of the cold? Come inside," Yu Jingchen said.
"Your subject was waiting for His Majesty here," Nan Zhiyun replied with a faint smile.
Yu Jingchen gave her a casual glance, said nothing, and turned to enter the room. However, just as he turned, before Nan Zhiyun could see the expression on his face, the corners of Yu Jingchen's lips curved into a small arc.
Once inside the room, however, Yu Jingchen's expression turned somewhat grim.
"There's no brazier lit?" Yu Jingchen asked.
"It's burning, but perhaps because the weather is too cold, it's not very effective," Nan Zhiyun answered.
"What does the cold weather have to do with the brazier not being warm enough? How can you be so nonchalant?" Yu Jingchen was exasperated.
"Then, why is that? It's clearly lit, and there's a lot of it," Nan Zhiyun said, lacking experience in such matters.
Yu Jingchen didn't know what to say anymore. He was too lazy to converse with Nan Zhiyun and instead looked directly at Xing Lai.
"Go and see," Yu Jingchen commanded.
"Yes," Xing Lai replied. He... well, he was just a messenger.
"Come here," Yu Jingchen said, looking at Nan Zhiyun again.
Nan Zhiyun obediently walked over. "Your Majesty," she called out.
"Extend your hand," Yu Jingchen continued.
Nan Zhiyun pulled her hand out from her wide sleeves.
Yu Jingchen immediately took it in his hand.
"Why is it so cold? How long have you been standing outside?" Yu Jingchen asked.
"Not long..." Nan Zhiyun's gaze flickered slightly.
"You can't even lie properly. What else can you do?" Yu Jingchen's tone sounded as if he was deeply disappointed in her.