煜景辰 dared not continue forward, for she likely did not wish to see him. However, a storm was raging outside.
Nan Ziyun, perhaps lost in her own world, hadn't noticed Yu Jingchen's arrival. No matter which life it was, thunder seemed to be something she could never quite overcome.
After an unknown amount of time, Yu Jingchen finally made a move, slowly walking towards Nan Ziyun. His steps were light as he sat beside her.
He opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but lacked the courage. The words remained on his lips, refusing to come out. Another clap of thunder echoed outside. This time, Yu Jingchen cast caution aside and pulled Nan Ziyun into his embrace. He knew she was afraid, and he knew she was pretending to be strong. Yu Jingchen's heart ached for her.
Feeling the sudden embrace, Nan Ziyun was momentarily stunned. It was Yu Jingchen. She didn't react, or perhaps she didn't know how to react.
"Don't be afraid," Yu Jingchen whispered, his voice soft and low.
His voice. Nan Ziyun was surprised. Compared to before, his voice was hoarse and rough. Was it because of the fire?
"I remember everything," Yu Jingchen said, gently patting her back, trying to soothe her and lessen her fear. Hearing Yu Jingchen's words, Nan Ziyun didn't understand at first, but quickly grasped their meaning.
But why did her heart ache so profoundly? He remembered? Could remembering change anything? Nan Ziyun's eyes slowly reddened, tears welling up, her heart filled with a bitter sorrow.
"I'm sorry," Yu Jingchen offered, with no further words. Yet, even so, he couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't act the same way if he were given a second chance.
For in that life, Nan Su and the Empress Dowager had indeed conspired with Yu Jing'an to rebel. This was an undeniable fact. If he could relive it, even if he were willing to spare Nan Su's life, he would never forgive them.
Nan Ziyun did not push him away, but she offered no other reaction. They held each other, embraced. Heavy rain began to fall outside, pattering down. Perhaps due to the rain, the temperature dropped, and a chill began to creep into the room.
As Nan Ziyun remained in his arms, the thunder gradually subsided, and she slowly calmed down. Her haste and panic earlier, coupled with her unhealed injuries, had now seeped blood.
"Let's go back," Nan Ziyun finally spoke. Yu Jingchen slowly released her. He looked at Nan Ziyun, "When the thunder stops, I will leave. I won't be an eyesore, okay?" He reached out to wipe away her tears. "Why are you still crying? Don't cry, don't be afraid." Yu Jingchen spoke slowly, his complexion poor, a sickly pallor about him, making him appear more fragile.
"But I don't want to be with you." Nan Ziyun met his gaze, the indifference in her eyes piercing Yu Jingchen's heart, causing him immense pain.
Yu Jingchen's hand froze mid-motion, halting as he acknowledged Nan Ziyun's words. The hand that had reached to wipe her tears could no longer touch her.
"Why aren't you dead? Weren't you unwilling to come out? Was it only your throat that was ruined? Do you think this is enough?" The coolness in Nan Ziyun's voice made it difficult for Yu Jingchen to suppress his sorrow. But she was not wrong; it was himself.
Nan Ziyun did not feel her words were excessive. On the contrary, she felt that compared to Yu Jingchen's actions in the past, these were nothing.
"I don't want to see you. Leave." Nan Ziyun's tone was devoid of emotion, as if she were without feelings. They looked at each other, and finally, Yu Jingchen conceded. He gave Nan Ziyun a gentle smile. "Alright, then I won't disturb you. It's not thundering anymore. I'll have them come in to keep you company, so you won't be so afraid." He instinctively reached to pat Nan Ziyun's head, but halfway, his hand faltered. He too was afraid now, cautious, afraid of displeasing her.
Yu Jingchen stood up. Nan Ziyun remained in place, not looking at him. Receiving no attention, Yu Jingchen lowered his head slightly, a hint of bitterness in his smile.
Then, he stopped dwelling on it and turned to leave. After he turned, Nan Ziyun finally looked up. His back. There were bloodstains. Not just on his back, but also on his arms. Clearly, they were injuries sustained from the previous fire. She remained silent.
Xing Lai stood guard outside. Yu Jingchen had left so suddenly that he couldn't stop him. How could His Majesty's current condition withstand this?
"Your Majesty." Seeing Yu Jingchen finally emerge, Xing Lai rushed forward to help him. He hadn't dared to interrupt when His Majesty and the Empress were inside, but as he reached out, Yu Jingchen evaded him.
"Your Majesty, your body. This servant will help you back. Your wound has reopened, and the ground is covered with pebbles." Before Xing Lai could finish speaking, Yu Jingchen interrupted him, "I will guard her here. Do not disturb us unless it is urgent." He was accustomed to this in his past life. Whenever it rained or thundered, he would guard her, and she loved to be close to him, always snuggling into his arms and begging him to tell her stories in such environments.
Yu Jingchen stood guard outside. The wind and rain were fierce, and it was cold. He wore only a thin garment, and being ill already, it was difficult to endure.
"There's a strong wind today. Be sure to keep the lamps in the room lit. Don't let them go out. She's very afraid of the dark," Yu Jingchen instructed Xing Lai.
Xing Lai's expression was complex, but he naturally obeyed Yu Jingchen's commands. Yu Jingchen stood by the door, while Nan Ziyun was inside the hall. The Han An Hall, both inside and out, was quiet, save for the sounds of the wind and rain.
Inside, the room was illuminated by candlelight, a warm yellow hue, yet it carried a sense of loneliness. One person inside, one person outside. Separated by a door and a window, at the same time, with the same memories, but experiencing them differently. Perhaps they would never be able to truly understand each other's emotions. If that were the case, how could they coexist?
Nan Ziyun's complexion was also not good. She lay quietly on the bed, her mind blank, as if thinking of nothing, yet also overwhelmed with thoughts.
Nan Ziyun did not sleep for the entire night. Yu Jingchen, too, stood guard outside all night. The pain from his wounds was severe, but he seemed oblivious to it.
Xing Lai watched anxiously from the side, unsure how to persuade him. More importantly, His Majesty would not listen. With his injuries still not healed, standing for an entire night in this condition had left his face ashen.
"Your Majesty, perhaps you should return to rest first? Your health is most important. It is already dawn, and the Shu Concubine will be fine. Besides, there are many palace staff here," Xing Lai, as Yu Jingchen's personal attendant, felt compelled to say these words.
Yu Jingchen glanced at the sky. He wondered if she had rested well last night. She had only just woken up, and if she didn't rest properly, her recovery might be hindered. Furthermore, her health was already poor. Speaking of this, guilt once again welled up in his heart, for he was the cause of all this.
"Let's go back," Yu Jingchen finally relented. Xing Lai felt a great sense of relief. If this continued, he didn't know what would happen.
He went to help Yu Jingchen, who could barely stand. As they prepared to leave, he stumbled, startling Xing Lai. Yu Jingchen's condition was not good, and his lips had begun to turn pale.
"Your Majesty..." Xing Lai called out.
"It's nothing. Let's go back," Yu Jingchen waved his hand. Xing Lai did not dare to delay, supporting Yu Jingchen as they returned to the Imperial Dragon Palace. Immediately, he summoned an imperial physician. The result... Yu Jingchen had developed a fever.
As for Han An Hall...
A palace maid entered the hall with washing supplies. Nan Ziyun sat on the bed, her hair unbound and unadorned. Perhaps due to lack of sleep, her complexion was not good.
"How is the Shu Concubine feeling today? Would you like me to call the imperial physician again?" the palace maid asked.
"No need." Nan Ziyun prepared to get out of bed, and the palace maid quickly went to help her.
"Yesterday, while the Concubine was resting inside, His Majesty feared you might feel scared at night and stood outside the door all night. He only returned just now. The imperial physician said His Majesty is not in good condition and has developed a fever," the palace maid said as she helped Nan Ziyun to the nearby dressing table.
Nan Ziyun's expression remained unchanged. He would fall ill too?