Yu Jingchen knew that Nan Zhiyun was shy, and also knew that she was a little scared and worried, so he said these two sentences and stopped deliberately continuing.
"Go rest, try to think less in your mind." Yu Jingchen ended the topic.
"Yes... is His Majesty staying then?" Nan Zhiyun asked.
"I happened to walk here today and couldn't be bothered to go back, so I'm not leaving," Yu Jingchen said.
"Then let your concubine serve His Majesty to change?" Nan Zhiyun cautiously inquired.
"What can you do? No need, you go rest first." Yu Jingchen went into the inner chamber after speaking, and Nan Zhiyun did not stubbornly follow.
When Yu Jingchen came out, Nan Zhiyun was still sitting aside.
"Didn't I tell you to rest? Why are you still sitting here foolishly?" Yu Jingchen asked.
"Your Majesty hasn't arrived yet, your concubine is waiting for His Majesty," Nan Zhiyun stood up from her seat.
Yu Jingchen was somewhat speechless: "Next time I tell you to rest, you rest. Don't wait for me. Come here."
"Yes..." Nan Zhiyun replied, then slowly walked towards the bed. She felt as if she had walked a long distance in this short span.
Nan Zhiyun felt her heart was about to jump out of her chest. Under Yu Jingchen's gaze, she lay down on the bed. Then she lay stiffly, not daring to move at all.
When Yu Jingchen lay down beside her, Nan Zhiyun felt her breathing become lighter. She was nervous and dared not make any moves.
Seeing that both of them had gone to rest, Xing Lai also ordered the palace servants to extinguish the candles. But just as they were about to act, Nan Zhiyun's panicked and hurried voice was heard.
"Don't..." Nan Zhiyun cried out and sat up abruptly.
Everyone looked at Nan Zhiyun, and Nan Zhiyun knew she had been too agitated and lost her composure.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, it's all my concubine's fault, but... Your Majesty, can we not extinguish these candles? Your concubine is afraid..." Nan Zhiyun rarely spoke so directly.
Yu Jingchen knew that Nan Zhiyun was afraid of the dark last time, but he did not agree to Nan Zhiyun's request and still said to the servants, "Extinguish them all."
"Your Majesty..." Nan Zhiyun's heart became instantly tense.
"Sleep," Yu Jingchen said to Nan Zhiyun.
Although Nan Zhiyun was afraid of the dark, she did not have the courage to say anything more than Yu Jingchen, so she could only lie down obediently. The palace servants also obeyed Yu Jingchen's command and extinguished the candles in the room.
Nan Zhiyun's hands were tightly grasping the quilt at her chest, unwilling to let go. It was evident that she was truly afraid of the dark.
"Let go, don't grip so tightly," Yu Jingchen extended his arm and held Nan Zhiyun's hand that was gripping the quilt.
Nan Zhiyun did not speak, but even so, Yu Jingchen could feel Nan Zhiyun's fear. He was a little helpless.
"Be good, let go of your hand, don't be afraid," Yu Jingchen softened his voice.
Nan Zhiyun gently loosened her hand, and Yu Jingchen moved a little closer in her direction.
"Come closer," Yu Jingchen said.
Nan Zhiyun, perhaps stunned by fear or something else, did not react. Yu Jingchen simply put his arm around her and pulled her into his embrace. Nan Zhiyun let out a soft gasp at the sudden action.
"I told you not to be afraid," Yu Jingchen said with some helplessness.