Chapter 50 No One Cares

The Hall of Diligent Governance

Yu Jingchen had just finished his morning court session.

"Your Majesty, last night... it seems Consort Nan sat up the entire night." Xing Lai hesitated for a moment before deciding to tell Yu Jingchen.

"Let her be." Yu Jingchen clearly did not wish to hear about Nan Ziyun's affairs. But, how to put it? Hearing these useless words, he surprisingly didn't get angry... Xing Lai instantly understood.

Yu Jingchen spent the entire morning in the Hall of Diligent Governance, handling memorials, including one from Prince An requesting to return to the capital. Prince An... Yu Jingchen's eyes instantly became sharp.

As noon approached, Xing Lai entered, announcing that Consort Chen had arrived. Yu Jingchen was somewhat impatient and initially didn't plan to see her, but then he thought about the changes in himself these past two days...

"Let her in," Yu Jingchen said.

"Yes." Xing Lai ushered Consort Chen in.

As soon as Consort Chen entered, she knelt on the ground, "Your humble consort pays respects to Your Majesty."

Yu Jingchen did not even raise his head. "Your humble consort comes to beg Your Majesty's forgiveness. Yesterday, your humble consort was ignorant of the rules." Consort Chen proactively admitted her mistake.

"Mm." Yu Jingchen responded with a single syllable, neither telling her to rise nor saying anything else.

"Your Majesty..." As Consort Chen spoke, she saw Yu Jingchen look at her with icy eyes, "Are you ignorant of the rules today as well?"

"Yes, your humble consort knows her mistake." Consort Chen was so frightened that she immediately fell silent.

Winter was fast approaching, and the ground was not only hard but also cold. Consort Chen could barely endure it after a short while.

She had been kneeling for about half an hour before Yu Jingchen looked up at her. "Do you know why you are being punished?"

"Your humble consort is dull." Consort Chen truly did not know.

"In the future, always remember your station. If you err again, you will not be pardoned lightly," Yu Jingchen stated.

Consort Chen could vaguely guess that he was referring to her actions yesterday. But... she had always acted this way before? Or was it because of Nan Ziyun? Yet, who in the palace didn't know that Yu Jingchen detested Nan Ziyun?

Even if there had been some slight change in the past two days, everyone assumed it was because the Empress Dowager was returning. Therefore, Nan Ziyun was not taken seriously at all.

But she dared not ask.

"Your humble consort knows her mistake. Henceforth, I will be cautious in my words and deeds and will never dare to offend again." Consort Chen said.

"You may withdraw." Yu Jingchen said nothing further.

"Yes, your humble consort takes her leave." Consort Chen was somewhat unwilling but managed to suppress it.

As she left the Hall of Diligent Governance, she showed no sign of the previous distress from her punishment. She maintained her posture throughout, so those outside only knew that Consort Chen had spent half an hour in the Hall of Diligent Governance before leaving.

When the news reached Yajing Residence, Nan Ziyun had only just woken up. Qian Xia had gone to fetch medicine, and the servants below, lacking discretion, told her about the matter.

"Consort, please do not take it to heart." Qian Xia gently comforted her.

Nan Ziyun shook her head. She had finally woken from her dream, and she should be happy. Otherwise, she feared she would truly become lost in that dream and never wake up.

"Serve the medicine," Nan Ziyun ordered. She cared about her own health, after all. She did not have the luxury of being willful. If she no longer cared for herself, no one else would dote on her. Well, perhaps there was Qian Xia.

"The Imperial Kitchen has already sent over today's meals. Consort, please eat before taking your medicine," Qian Xia said.

Nan Ziyun nodded and went to eat first, even though she had no appetite for anything.

The food sent by the Imperial Kitchen was much better than before. They were no longer withholding rations, and it was the portion befitting a consort.