Nong Nu Jiao

"Your Highness, they already know they were wrong, so please don't hold it against them."

Seeing that his expression had softened, Madam Sun immediately changed her demeanor, pouting as she walked over and took his arm, swaying it gently.

His Highness still cares about her; otherwise, he wouldn't have sent someone to deliver swelling-reducing ointment to her afterwards.

She shouldn't have thrown a tantrum at His Highness.

"What wrong have you done?"

Yan Chenghui glanced at her sideways.

Lady Sun's eyes lit up immediately; His Highness was on her side.

"That's right, Your Highness. Look at Nurse Cen." She pointed at Cen Lingyi and said, "She is a member of the Crown Prince's Palace. Her mouth was bitten like this, and she still tries to deny it. She is so shameless. If word gets out, it will ruin the reputation of the Crown Prince's Palace. I am only thinking of Your Highness."

She spoke with a wronged expression, leaning closer to Yan Chenghui while secretly observing his expression.

If the injury on Cen Lingyi's lip was indeed inflicted by His Highness, His Highness would definitely protect her.

Conversely, it has nothing to do with His Highness.

Yan Chenghui's gaze fell on Cen Lingyi's lips.

Cen Lingyi held Yan Huaijiao in her arms, her long, dark eyelashes drooping as she looked at the ground in front of her.

Light brown blood clots were embedded between her pink lips, like a speck of dark vermilion, making her lips, which shone with a pearly luster, even more radiant.

But she pursed her lips, and there seemed to be a hint of stubbornness in her eyes, which made her look even more vulnerable.

Yan Chenghui's fingers tightened slightly, his gaze darkening: "What do you say?"

Cen Lingyi glanced at him, watching Madam Sun standing close to him like a little bird. Her lips moved slightly, but she ultimately remained silent, tightening her arms around the child and lowering her eyes.

He used to never let anyone other than her get close to him, and he disliked being touched by others.

Now, it seems I like it too.

Yan Chenghui took two steps forward, lifted her chin with his long fingers, forcing her to look up at him, and gently parted his lips: "I also want to know, which wild man bit me?"

His tone was cold and indifferent, devoid of any emotion, yet the words he uttered were absurd, cruel, and utterly devastating.

Cen Lingyi suddenly looked up, a sharp pain shooting through her heart, her eyes stinging with tears.

He knew better than she did that he bit her when he lost control that night.

Yet they chose to use such words to humiliate her and destroy her spirit.

She bit her lip where it was injured; the stinging pain brought her back to her senses. The hurt was only momentary, and her expression quickly returned to the calm and obedient demeanor befitting a servant.

"say."

Yan Chenghui lifted her chin slightly.

Cen Lingyi pursed her lips, her expression calm, her eyelashes lowered: "It was my husband, who came to visit at the back door the night before last."

Her face was pale, but her tone remained steady.

As soon as she finished speaking, Xia Qinghe and Madam Sun couldn't help but stare at her.

Yan Chenghui's eyes were cold yet playful, and a slight smile played on his lips: "My husband?"

"Your Highness, I am merely the wet nurse of the young prince, not a lowly maid. The Eastern Palace allows wet nurses to have contact with their families."

Cen Lingyi turned her head away from his hand, took a step back, her eyes were vacant, and her tone was indifferent and aloof.

It was as if she and he had no past; she was truly just a dutiful wet nurse by the young prince's side.

Yan Chenghui scoffed and withdrew his hand.

"Even if she's your husband, you should at least be more careful. What kind of appearance is this, biting like this? I just told her off, but she wouldn't admit it." Madam Sun followed Yan Chenghui to his side, glaring angrily at Cen Lingyi: "She even went so far as to criticize me, talking about the injuries on my face..."

As she spoke, she raised her hand to cover her face, recalling the scene in Mingde Hall where Yan Chenghui made her slap herself in front of Cen Lingyi, and she was furious.

"Your improper conduct has offended my eyes and ears, and has also displeased the lady of the house. Cen Lingyi, what is your punishment?"

Yan Chenghui raised his chin, looked down at her, and questioned her in a cold voice.

"Your Highness..."

Xia Qinghe, who had been silent all along, spoke up, wanting to plead for Cen Lingyi.

Yan Chenghui waved to her.

Xia Qinghe had no choice but to stop talking and looked at Cen Lingyi with pity.

Madam Sun raised her head triumphantly, grabbed Yan Chenghui's arm again, and looked at Cen Lingyi.

Let's see how Your Highness deals with her!

Cen Lingyi stood there with her head down, her expression somewhat numb.

The wound on my lip throbbed with pain, but the pain was nothing compared to the humiliation he had inflicted. It felt as if a sharp blade was slowly tearing my heart apart.

"Kneel down and apologize to Madam Sun."

Yan Chenghui's eyes were cold and sarcastic, his tone leaving no room for argument.

All around was silent, with only the distant chirping of birds.

"Well……"

Little Yan Huaijiao seemed to sense something was wrong, and reached out her little hand to Cen Lingyi's face, gently kneading it.

Cen Lingyi closed her eyes slightly, holding back her tears.

He wanted to humiliate her like this to avenge her abandonment of him years ago, to frame her with fabricated charges, to force her to bow her head, to make her admit her mistakes, and to make her kowtow to his concubine in apology.

Madam Sun straightened up and looked down at Cen Lingyi with pride, feeling extremely pleased.

Cen Lingyi took a deep breath, her heart filled with humiliation and bitterness, but she knelt down with her back stiff and her tone flat.

"This servant... knows her mistake and apologizes to you, Madam."

She knelt with Yan Huaijiao in her arms, kneeling upright, her expression neither sad nor happy.

"Sister Cen..."

Xia Qinghe looked distressed and reached out to help her up.

"Your Highness, why bother with such an ungrateful person? She did something wrong, and she deserves it."

Madam Sun stopped her.

Xia Qinghe's gaze fell on Yan Chenghui, filled with pleading.

Yan Chenghui, however, looked at Madam Sun and asked, "Are you satisfied?"

"Your Highness, please help her up."

Madam Sun blushed slightly and looked at Cen Lingyi before speaking.

She didn't want Cen Lingyi to get up, so she made Cen Lingyi kneel there and die.

But no, she had to show her magnanimity in front of His Highness.

"Aren't you going to thank Madam Sun yet?"

Yan Chenghui lowered his eyes to look at Cen Lingyi, his voice cold and seemingly disdainful.

"Thank you, Madam Sun."

Cen Lingyi's voice was a little hoarse, and her eyes were dim.

Lingzhi, who was standing nearby, felt very sorry for her and quickly reached out to help her up.

"Pack your things, and bring Huaijiao with me to the banquet."

Yan Chenghui glanced at her for a moment, then suddenly spoke and gave instructions.

Cen Lingyi couldn't help but glance at him, wondering if he was really talking to her.

Shouldn't the person who took the young prince to the banquet be the Crown Princess?

But his gaze was fixed on her face, clearly giving her instructions.

"Yes."

She responded softly.

She roughly understood that Yan Huaijiao couldn't live without her, which was why he asked her to come along.

"Your Highness, what kind of banquet is it? I want to go too."

Upon hearing this, Madam Sun immediately objected and clung to Yan Chenghui's arm, acting coquettishly.

"The Crown Princess will come with me; you will remain in the Eastern Palace."

Yan Chenghui glanced at Cen Lingyi and said in a low voice.

"Why was Nurse Cen allowed to go?"

Madam Sun was not convinced.

She was, after all, a lady of leisure, while Cen Lingyi was merely a wet nurse.

If Your Highness can bring Cen Lingyi, why can't you bring her?

"Huai Jiao can't live without her." Yan Chenghui raised his hand and patted her head, his tone unusually warm: "Go back to Yunxiang Courtyard to prepare a late-night snack. I'll go over when I get back from the banquet."

After he finished speaking, his gaze swept over Cen Lingyi's face again.

Cen Lingyi's expression remained calm as she stared at the ground before her, seemingly burdened by something on her mind, or perhaps she hadn't heard his words; her eyes were dull and lifeless.

Tonight, he will favor Lady Sun.

Even though she knew it had nothing to do with her, she still pinched her own palm until it bled while the baby was in swaddling clothes.

Then she realized how ridiculous she was.

He had children with Xia Qing, and he would do the most intimate things with Madam Sun, Consort Gu, Consort Li, etc.

He will do that with many other people in the future and have many children.

Did she come over sadly?

"Really? Your Highness, you mustn't lie to me." Madam Sun's eyes lit up, her excitement tinged with a hint of shyness. "Then I'll go back and prepare now."

She was stunned by this sudden and enormous surprise.

Actually, before she entered the Eastern Palace, His Highness told her that he could not treat her as an ordinary husband and wife, and that he did not want to delay her, so he told her not to get involved in this mess.

But she didn't care; she only wanted to be his, so she insisted on coming.

Once she entered the Eastern Palace, she didn't believe His Highness wouldn't touch her.

But His Highness has indeed not touched her in the past few months.

However, she did not give up.

She had hinted to His Highness many times before, both openly and subtly, and tonight her patience finally paid off; His Highness was finally willing to stay at her Yunxiang Courtyard.

*

Inside the carriage, Yan Huaijiao was nestled in Cen Lingyi's arms, nursing her breasts, with Lingzhi beside her.

Cen Lingyi felt somewhat heavy-hearted.

As she was leaving the East Palace, she learned that she was to visit the Second Prince's residence.

The Second Prince's household has welcomed a new baby. Today is the third day since the child's birth, and a three-day celebration is being held.

She naturally thought of the child who had been taken away by the Second Prince.

The second prince was already a father of several children, yet he forcibly took away her child, separating the mother and child and preventing them from seeing each other. Did he not feel even a shred of compassion?

Or is the child celebrating her third birthday today her child?

Perhaps, with so many people at the banquet, she could sneak a peek and see if the child was hers.

As she stepped down from the carriage, she saw Yan Chenghui alight from his carriage ahead and extend his hand.

Xia Qing put her hand on his arm and got off the carriage.

Their eyes met, and Xia Qinghe smiled, while he seemed to smile as well.

Cen Lingyi felt a tightness in her chest.

In the past, he would hold her hand and help her down from the carriage.

In secluded places, he would carry her off the carriage, then spin her around in his arms, making her laugh nonstop...

She bit her lip, the stinging sensation bringing her back to her senses, and she silently looked away.

"Mmm..."

Yan Huaijiao had already eaten her fill on the way, and now she leaned contentedly against her, her little hands clutching her clothes.

Cen Lingyi looked at his rosy and adorable little face, and her gaze softened.

"Jiaojiao..."

From one side, Lu Huaiyou's voice came.

Cen Lingyi turned her head and saw Lu Huaiyou standing not far away. He was gentle and modest, a true gentleman, and he was looking at her with red eyes, reaching out his hand to her.

Cen Lingyi hesitated for a moment, then took two steps forward while holding Yan Huaijiao.

She felt a pang of bitterness and grievance, and the word "husband" stuck in her throat, unable to be uttered.

"Jiaojiao, what happened to your mouth? What did he do to you?!"

Lu Huaiyou saw the teeth marks on her lips at a glance, his eyes instantly reddened, and his hands clenched into fists.

She didn't need to answer; with such clear teeth marks, who wouldn't know how they came about?

Cen Lingyi almost burst into tears. She pursed her lips and shook her head, feeling extremely embarrassed and unable to face him.

"Holding an orphan's child, what kind of shady people are you talking to?"

Yan Chenghui's deep voice came through, his tone cold and hard.

Cen Lingyi turned her head and saw his noble and indifferent face as he slowly and methodically straightened his sleeves.

She lowered her eyelashes, feeling quite puzzled.

In just a short while, how come he changed his clothes again?

Before coming to the banquet, that is, after they left the garden, he had already bathed and changed his clothes.

This is the third time.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Lu Huaiyou cupped his hands and bowed respectfully.

"Aren't you coming over here?"

Yan Chenghui ignored Lu Huaiyou and only frowned at Cen Lingyi, his tone displeased.

Cen Lingyi nodded to Lu Huaiyou, then followed him forward, carrying the child.

With the birth of another son, the second prince naturally had a large number of guests, and carriages lined up all the way from the gate of the mansion to the long street.

Gilded palace lanterns hang under the corridor, shimmering with light.

The hall was filled with guests, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

The seating arrangement was one person per seat, with clear distinctions between seats.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"

"Her Highness the Crown Princess has arrived!"

"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"

As Yan Chenghui walked to the palace gate, a master of ceremonies announced the arrival of the emperor.

The noisy hall fell silent immediately.

Everyone turned around, bent their knees, and bowed in unison.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince, greetings, Your Highness the Crown Princess..."

No need for formalities.

Yan Chenghui stepped over the threshold and slightly raised his hand.

"Younger brother, I have been waiting for you for a long time. Please take a seat."

The Second Prince, Yan Qingci, came forward. He had slender eyebrows and long eyes, and held a string of Buddhist prayer beads in his hand. His appearance was not fierce, but rather kind and gentle.

His birth mother died early, and he was frail and sickly from childhood. He was sent to a royal temple for foster care for more than ten years, which is why he became a Buddhist.

Cen Lingyi caught a faint scent of sandalwood and her gaze fell on the Buddhist prayer beads in his hand.

She knew Yan Qingci before, but they weren't close; she had only met a few times at banquets.

She had always thought that the second prince was a kind and compassionate person.

Only after he took the child away did she slowly realize that the Second Prince was a person who appeared benevolent on the outside but was actually vicious on the inside.

He wanted to control Lu Huaiyou, so he took her child away.

The Second Prince was unaware that the child was not actually Lu Huaiyou's. If Lu Huaiyou hadn't been kind-hearted and always sided with her, the Second Prince might not have been able to control Lu Huaiyou.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but turn her gaze, searching for Lu Huaiyou's figure.

Lu Huaiyou stood not far away, gazing intently at her.

Their eyes met, and Lu Huaiyou nodded slightly to her, giving her a reassuring look.

Her eyes stung with tears. She looked away, lowered her brows, and calmly carried Yan Huaijiao as she followed Yan Chenghui forward.

Fortunately, everyone's attention was on Yan Chenghui and Xia Qinghe, and not many people paid attention to her.

Since the emperor was not present in person, the crown prince was the most senior among them, so he naturally sat in the first seat.

Xia Qinghe's seat was to his right.

Cen Lingyi held the child and stood behind him. The little one was already asleep. She lowered her head, looking down at her nose and contemplating her thoughts, planning to give the child to Lingzhi later so she could find an opportunity to visit the Second Prince's backyard.

"Come here, sit down."

Yan Chenghui suddenly spoke to her, pointing to his side.

Cen Lingyi's face turned pale, and she froze in place, unable to move.

How could a wet nurse like her be qualified to sit at such a banquet?

At this moment, the guests below noticed Cen Lingyi because of Yan Chenghui's behavior and began to whisper and discuss among themselves.

"Isn't that Cen Lingyi, the youngest daughter of the former Grand Tutor's family?"

"She deserves to be the wet nurse of the Crown Prince now. If she hadn't left him, wouldn't she be the Crown Princess by now...?"

"Back then, His Highness the Crown Prince was still the Fifth Prince, disliked by His Majesty. She fawned over the powerful and bullied the weak by following Lord Lu, and now she's been demoted to a maidservant and sent to the Eastern Palace as a wet nurse..."

She was now of lowly status, and the gossips were directed at her without her knowledge, every word clearly audible, making her feel utterly ashamed.

Yan Chenghui did it on purpose.

He knew that many people recognized her during this time, so he deliberately pointed at her to draw attention to her and make her face the rumors, like a piece of fish being repeatedly tormented on a hot iron plate.

This is what she deserves for abandoning him.

Yan Chenghui turned his head to look at her, pursing his lips without saying a word.

Even sitting upright, his azure robe was spread out in front of him, revealing the ivory-white inner shirt underneath. The tassels of the gold seal and jade pendant at his waist swayed gently, making him incomparably noble and elegant.

Such a person, with exceptional beauty and immeasurable wealth, clearly possessed everything, yet he refused to let her go, choosing instead to treat her with the worst possible attitude.

Forced by the situation, Cen Lingyi carried the child over, calmed herself down, and sat down beside him with a slight distance between them.

The crowd erupted in uproar.

Cen Lingyi seemed not to hear, sitting quietly with her long eyelashes lowered.

After discussing her for a while, the crowd grew bored and changed the subject. Inside the hall, the banquet continued with toasts and laughter, and the atmosphere returned to normal.

Cen Lingyi slowly raised her eyes, her gaze involuntarily drifting downwards.

Lu Huaiyou sat there, looking up at her.

She sat beside Yan Chenghui, holding her child. They were a perfect match in appearance, and having been husband and wife, they looked exactly like a family of three.

His fingers gripped the wine glass tightly, trembling slightly.

He tried his best, but still couldn't compare to Yan Chenghui?

"What are you looking at?"

Yan Chenghui leaned closer unexpectedly and asked in a low voice.

He leaned over, his leg touching hers.

As the warmth spread, the slight distance that Cen Lingyi had deliberately maintained disappeared. She tensed up, wanting to move to the side, but with the child in her arms, it was difficult to move even a little while sitting.

She was trying to move to the side when she suddenly jolted, her dark eyes widening as she turned to look at him.

Yan Chenghui's hand reached out and, using Yan Huaijiao's swaddling clothes as cover, slipped under her skirt.

His palms were burning hot as he pressed them against her leg through the thin fabric.

"Your Highness..."

Cen Lingyi trembled, her ears turned red, and through her skirt and the swaddling clothes, she tried to push his hand away.

Yan Chenghui sat upright, holding a wine cup in one hand and resting his elbow on his knee, his expression cold and indifferent.

His other hand, however, was strong, gripping her leg tightly and refusing to let go. His fingertips gently caressed her through the fabric, a gesture that was both a declaration and a humiliation.

"Your Highness, someone is watching."

Cen Lingyi's face turned pale, and she couldn't help but glance at Lu Huaiyou, whispering a reminder to him.

That evening, at the back door, she said she was willing to serve him.

He said he thought she was dirty.

But now, in front of so many people, what is he doing under the table like this?

She hadn't expected him to be so awful.

He used to be the one who respected her the most.

He said that she shouldn't be too intimate in front of others, or others would look down on her.

She could ride on his head even if he was alone.

She abandoned him, she did something wrong, but why did he have to humiliate her like this in front of so many people?

"Is someone watching, or is it Lu Huaiyou who's watching?"

Yan Chenghui took a sip of wine, his gaze falling on Lu Huaiyou, a cold smile playing on his lips.

He intensified his actions, slowly moving his large hand upwards.

Cen Lingyi straightened up, her face turning red and white in turns. She held his two fingers tightly, but dared not make any big movements for fear of being noticed. She could only resist quietly, and a layer of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Lu Huaiyou clenched his fist and made a soft "crack" sound.

His mind was completely focused on Cen Lingyi.

Although she didn't know what Yan Chenghui had done, judging from Cen Lingyi's expression, she knew that Yan Chenghui must have made some move.

"Why is Lord Lu staring at me?"

Yan Chenghui put down his wine cup and asked in a low voice.

Cen Lingyi's back was ramrod straight, her cheeks burning, and she dared not struggle any longer.

He was secretly doing this under the table, yet he still took the initiative to talk to Lu Huaiyou.

Was he afraid Lu Huaiyou wouldn't see it? Was humiliating her once not enough, and now he had to humiliate Lu Huaiyou as well?

The hall fell silent for a moment, and everyone's eyes were on Lu Huaiyou.

"Your Highness, I am referring to the young prince's wet nurse."

Lu Huaiyou stood up, bowed, and replied in a gentle tone.

"Oh?" Yan Chenghui raised an eyebrow slightly: "Now that you mention it, Lord Lu, I'm reminded that your wife is doing a good job as a wet nurse; the young prince can't do without her."

He unconsciously exerted force with his hands as he spoke.

Cen Lingyi's tender flesh was pinched painfully by him, and she could only purse her lips and endure it, feeling as if she were sitting on pins and needles.

"Your Highness is unaware that Cen is no longer my wife." Lu Huaiyou glanced at Cen Lingyi and lowered his head, saying, "She was demoted to a maid for disrespecting her elders. Going to the Eastern Palace to be a wet nurse was her own choice and has nothing to do with me."

"So, she has nothing to do with you." Yan Chenghui glanced at Cen Lingyi, put down his wine cup, and said slowly, "I heard that Lord Lu will soon be marrying Princess Anshun. I forgot to congratulate Lord Lu."

As he said this, his subordinate pressed down hard on Cen Lingyi's leg and glanced at her sideways.

Cen Lingyi, who was originally extremely ashamed and embarrassed, was taken aback upon hearing this and looked at Lu Huaiyou.

What did Yan Chenghui say?

Is Lu Huaiyou going to marry Princess Anshun?

She recognized Princess Anshun; she was the Second Imperial Concubine's cousin.

But before this, she had never heard of Lu Huaiyou's marriage.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Lu Huaiyou bowed and thanked him.

Cen Lingyi stared at him blankly. He didn't deny it, so it must be true.

She wasn't sad, just a little surprised.

When they initially agreed to change her from a wife to a maid and send her to the Eastern Palace as a wet nurse, Lu Huaiyou vowed that once the child was found and her family was settled, he would marry her again.

He will not marry anyone but her.

She glanced at the Second Prince not far away. Could it be that the Second Prince forced him to marry Princess Anshun?

"Lu Huaiyou, you bastard! How dare you treat her like that? I'll beat you to death..."

Suddenly, a young man in a tight-fitting, narrow-sleeved outfit, exuding youthful vigor, rushed out from the banquet.

He cursed at Lu Huaiyou and threw a punch straight at Lu Huaiyou's face.

Lu Huaiyou only had time to turn his head to look over before he was caught off guard and punched in the nose. He immediately groaned, blood streaming from his nose, looking utterly disheveled.