The imperial physician had initially suggested bandaging, but Yu Jingchen refused, only asking for medicine. The physician was somewhat confused. He had thought Yu Jingchen didn't intend to truly treat Nan Zhiyun, but after hearing Yu Jingchen tell him not to speak of today's events, he understood and said nothing more.
After the physician left, Yu Jingchen did not call for attendants, but personally applied medicine to Nan Zhiyun's finger. Perhaps due to the pain, Nan Zhiyun's hand kept moving erratically. She struggled intensely, crying out in pain, begging him to stop. If she were not truly scared or unable to bear it, she would not be pleading so pitifully and humbly.
Yu Jingchen had no choice; the wound needed medication. He endured Nan Zhiyun's pleas, wanting to finish applying the medicine quickly as a way to alleviate her suffering. However, because the injury was between her fingers, the medicine was difficult to apply. Yu Jingchen spent a long time, using slender tools, applying it carefully and meticulously.
Perhaps it was the pain, but Nan Zhiyun eventually woke up. However, whether it was a subconscious reaction or the images from her dream, Nan Zhiyun was somewhat unable to distinguish between dream and reality. Upon waking, she felt sharp pain in her fingertip. Seeing Yu Jingchen holding a "silver needle" and recalling "the previous experience," Nan Zhiyun felt that Yu Jingchen was personally "torturing" her.
"Your Majesty..." Nan Zhiyun was flustered, tears falling haphazardly. Her face pleaded, and she struggled to kneel on the bed. As if she had exhausted all her courage, she grabbed Yu Jingchen's hand.
"Your Majesty..." Nan Zhiyun couldn't articulate her plea, only shaking her head repeatedly. Her face was a mixture of tears and fear.
Yu Jingchen's heart ached.
"Please... don't, okay?" Nan Zhiyun's face was filled with despair.
Yu Jingchen knew she might have misunderstood.
"I'm just applying medicine for you. Nothing else. Let me finish applying the medicine, don't move around." Yu Jingchen said, and then reached to take Nan Zhiyun's hand again.
But Nan Zhiyun couldn't hear him. She was afraid, truly terrified. With some unknown courage, she broke free from Yu Jingchen's grasp. In fact, Yu Jingchen hadn't dared to use much force, which is why Nan Zhiyun managed to slip away. After freeing her hand, Nan Zhiyun, in a panic, tried to hide. She fell off the bed and then retreated into a corner, curling herself into a ball, completely unable to hear anything he said.
Yu Jingchen rubbed his temples, feeling helpless. He got off the bed and chose to squat at a distance from Nan Zhiyun. Nan Zhiyun dared not look at him.
"I was just applying medicine for you. It's not a punishment. If you don't believe me, you can look. This is ointment." Yu Jingchen had never been so patient with anyone, his tone even carrying a hint of coaxing. But Nan Zhiyun was only filled with fear now, trembling and completely unable to hear what Yu Jingchen was saying.
"Nan Zhiyun, I said, I'm just applying medicine. Come here." Yu Jingchen extended his hand. However, Nan Zhiyun was startled by his movement, thinking he was about to strike her. She turned her head away and shielded herself with her hand. Yu Jingchen's movement paused, and then his patience waned. He no longer cared if Nan Zhiyun was afraid and went forward to grab her arm.