Yu Jingchen looked at Nan Zhiyun calmly. Nan Zhiyun became timid again.
"If you consider this a dream, then so be it. If the dream is not real, why do you still yearn for it? The medicine is here. If you need it later, apply it yourself." Yu Jingchen's tone grew colder.
"What happened today will not be known to the outside world. However, I believe you should calm yourself down and reflect on your identity and proper demeanor." Yu Jingchen looked at Nan Zhiyun, then removed her hand from his.
"Rest now, I shall take my leave." Yu Jingchen said this and turned to leave without hesitation.
Nan Zhiyun wanted to stop him, but she dared not. The words she wanted to say also failed to materialize.
Yu Jingchen still left. Nan Zhiyun watched his receding figure disappear. She had seen Yu Jingchen's back countless times, both in dreams and in reality. Yet, each time, it still brought her pain.
She actually detested her current self, but... she seemed to have forgotten what she was like before. Or rather, she could no longer be who she once was.
She had also considered giving up. But can things etched deep into one's heart truly be disregarded with a simple decision to let go? It was more likely to lead to disappointment, but that was because she had once held great expectations. Nan Zhiyun was unsure if her feelings for Yu Jingchen were still the same as they were at the beginning.
Yu Jingchen left Yajianju without alarming anyone. Tomorrow morning, Xing Lai would depart with his men, so no one would know that Yu Jingchen had already left.
It wasn't anger that drove him away; he couldn't quite explain why he no longer wished to stay. Nan Zhiyun's words just now had stirred emotions within him that he had never experienced before. He disliked this feeling.
He was the Emperor. Everything should be within his control. He should not be entangled in matters unrelated to state affairs, let alone be concerned or troubled by something with no connection to governance.
The saying "Emperors are heartless" was not merely a phrase, especially when it came to Yu Jingchen. If something arose, it must be decisively dealt with! No lingering attachment, for it was not permitted.
After Yu Jingchen left, Nan Zhiyun remained seated by the bed, not sleeping. She wanted to see when this dream would end. She wanted to see if the Yu Jingchen in her dream would return after leaving.
The candlelight flickered, and dawn was breaking. He had not returned...
But the sky was already bright, so when would the dream end? Nan Zhiyun pushed herself up. Qianxia happened to walk in.
"Concubine...婕妤, why are you awake so early? Your complexion is so poor, did you not rest well? Perhaps you should rest a little longer." Qianxia affectionately supported Nan Zhiyun.
She was unclear about what had transpired last night, but with such commotion in Nan Zhiyun's room and the imperial physician being called, how could Qianxia not worry?
"Did His Majesty not return?" Nan Zhiyun looked outside, her voice very soft, as if a gust of wind could scatter it.
"Didn't His Majesty just leave? Eunuch Xing also said to take good care of the婕妤 and not to disturb her." Qianxia was unaware that Yu Jingchen had left the previous night.
Nan Zhiyun felt a sense of bewilderment. This morning? She truly seemed unable to distinguish between reality and illusion.
"Jieyu, your servant sees you are not looking well. Shall I send for an imperial physician?" Qianxia was genuinely concerned.
"No need. Just help me lie down for a while." The dream had not yet ended.
"Yes..." Qianxia responded, and helped Nan Zhiyun back into bed. Then she noticed the ointment nearby.
"Where are you injured, Jieyu?" Qianxia instantly became anxious.
Nan Zhiyun glanced at the ointment and said, "No, I'm tired. You may leave. Do not disturb me later." Nan Zhiyun lay down and closed her eyes.
Seeing this, Qianxia did not dare to pry further. She curtsied and withdrew.
After Qianxia left, Nan Zhiyun reopened her eyes. Her gaze fell upon the ointment, and she recalled Yu Jingchen applying medicine to her in the "dream."
She then slowly drifted off to sleep, tears streaming from the corners of her eyes, vanishing into her hairline and disappearing into the pillow.