Nong Nu Jiao

Yan Chenghui carried the medicine into the side room.

Cen Lingyi was coaxing Yan Huaijiao.

She leaned against the headboard, her body tilted to one side. Yan Huaijiao sat in her lap, his fair and tender little face soft and fluffy, his little hands flailing about, looking incredibly cute.

"Your Highness, be good, don't suck your little hands."

She pulled Yan Huaijiao's small hand down from her mouth and whispered a warning.

Yan Huaijiao put her little hand back in her mouth and continued to suck on her thumb.

"No, the wet nurse will scold the baby."

Cen Lingyi feigned anger, frowned and glared at him, then pulled his hand down again.

Yan Huaijiao wasn't afraid of her at all; she just found it amusing and persistently put her little hand into her mouth again and again, giggling as she watched her.

Lingzhi, watching from the side, found it amusing and couldn't help but laugh along; the little prince was just too adorable.

Out of the corner of her eye, she suddenly caught sight of a tall figure. Her heart skipped a beat, and she turned to look.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Lingzhi was taken aback and quickly stood up to bow.

Why did Your Highness come in without making a sound?

Cen Lingyi turned her head only after hearing her bow.

Yan Chenghui stood by the table, holding a bowl of medicine in his hand. There were faint dark circles under his eyes, and it was unclear how long he had been inside.

She looked at him, momentarily lost in thought.

In the past, when she was sick, he would stay by her side without sleeping or resting.

When she woke up, he often looked just as haggard and exhausted.

However, his current state of exhaustion is probably not because of her.

Why would he still put his heart into her?

Yan Chenghui stood still, his gaze fixed on her.

The sunlight outside the palace was perfect, and golden rays pierced through the intricate lattice windows, casting dappled shadows on her pale and frail face.

Her thick, long eyelashes drooped listlessly, and there was a faint bluish tint under her eyes. Her body was slender and frail, so fragile that she seemed as if she would break at the slightest touch.

"Your Highness, come here, let me carry you."

Lingzhi quickly realized what was happening and reached out to hug Yan Huaijiao, who was in Cen Lingyi's arms.

"Well……"

As soon as Yan Huaijiao saw that she was about to leave Cen Lingyi's embrace, she immediately frowned and started waving her little hands, about to cry.

He has always been very attached to Cen Lingyi.

"My little prince, how about I take you outside to see the flowers? Let's go find the puppies."

Lingzhi coaxed him to walk quickly outside.

Judging from the Crown Prince's entourage, he's here to give the young lady her medicine.

In any case, the girl needs to take the medicine to get better quickly.

Yan Chenghui carried the bowl of medicine to the bedside.

"This servant greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Cen Lingyi moved with difficulty, trying to get up and bow to him.

The events leading up to her fainting spell were still vivid in her mind, and she felt a dull ache in her heart.

"Given the situation, why pretend to be submissive?"

Yan Chenghui placed his large hand on her shoulder and pressed her back down with one hand.

Cen Lingyi sat back on the bed, lowered her long eyelashes, and shifted her shoulder back slightly.

She didn't want him to touch her.

Yan Chenghui stared at her awkward posture and knew that his words had been too harsh and had made her very angry.

"Take your medicine."

He raised his hand, bringing the rim of the bowl to her lips.

Surprisingly, his gaze softened somewhat.

Cen Lingyi stepped back slightly, lowered her head, and said softly, "This servant is of lowly status and dares not trouble Your Highness, much less ask the Crown Prince to spend money."

She didn't get involved with him or his things, and simply stayed true to her own duties.

Once she finds the child, she will leave and have nothing to do with him again.

Open your mouth.

Yan Chenghui then moved the bowl in his hand forward a little further.

"Your Highness, this servant will prepare the medicine myself."

Cen Lingyi propped herself up on the bed and moved back a little, dodging again, and turned her head to look at the inside of the bed.

Now, he has little patience for her.

If you refuse twice, he will probably get angry, throw the bowl down, and leave.

"I'm feeding you myself, and you still give me attitude?"

Yan Chenghui put down the medicine bowl with a soft sound.

Cen Lingyi's heart skipped a beat, thinking he was about to have another outburst.

The next instant, Yan Chenghui, who was by the bedside, stretched out his long arm and pulled her into his arms.

"Your Highness, please have some self-respect."

Cen Lingyi was powerless, and her struggles were futile. She was firmly held in his arms and could not move.

She nestled in his warm embrace, her body stiff, filled with resistance. Involuntarily, images of him being intimate with Madam Sun surfaced in her mind, filling her with a mixture of resentment and grievance.

Yan Chenghui completely ignored her.

His strong, muscular chest pressed against her thin back, and his burning body heat seeped through the thin fabric, flushing her pale face.

The crisp scent of ebony swept over her, enveloping her in its fragrance.

"Let me go!"

Cen Lingyi was both embarrassed and annoyed, but her voice was weak and lacked any power.

"After all this time, you haven't developed any other skills, but your temper has certainly grown."

Yan Chenghui held a mouthful of bitter medicine in his mouth, then pinched her chin and lowered his head to cover her lips with his own, leaving no room for resistance.

Cen Lingyi pursed her lips tightly, but how could she be a match for him?

Warm lips and tongue forcefully pried open her lips and teeth, and with an unquestionable manner, poured the bitter medicine into her throat.

Cen Lingyi had no choice but to swallow, tilting his head back. The bitter medicine slid down his throat, and between his lips and teeth was a strong herbal scent mixed with his unique ebony aroma.

He silenced her with a kiss, making sure she swallowed before lifting his head.

Before she could catch her breath, he lowered his eyes, took a second sip of the medicine, and leaned closer.

As Cen Lingyi watched his face gradually loom closer, her mind in turmoil, she subconsciously raised her hand to push him away.

But she slapped him across the face, making a soft sound.

Cen Lingyi panicked and quickly withdrew her hand. Her thin nails scratched his cheek, leaving an eye-catching red mark on his handsome face.

She looked at Yan Chenghui, whose head she had knocked slightly to the side, and then at the glaring wound, and felt a chill run through her body.

She didn't mean to hit him!

Now, won't he be furious?

A hint of anger flickered in Yan Chenghui's dark eyes, the corners of which were bloodshot.

He suddenly raised his hand.

Cen Lingyi closed her eyes in fright, her eyelashes trembling wildly; she knew she couldn't dodge the slap.

She waited a moment, but the expected slap did not come.

She slowly opened her eyes and looked at him with a blank and uneasy expression.

Without saying a word, he gripped the back of her neck with his large hand, lowered his head and kissed her, slowly feeding her all the remaining medicine in the bowl.

Cen Lingyi swallowed all the medicine in her mouth, but he still pressed his lips to hers, showing no intention of leaving.

"Well……"

She protested.

Yan Chenghui slowly raised his head, his long eyelashes drooping as he quietly gazed at her.

He felt it wasn't enough after being given the medicine several times.

Her breathing was uneven, her dark eyes were wet, her eyelashes trembled, and her soft, rosy lips were stained with medicine and glistened with moisture.

She was feeling wronged and defiant, refusing to show weakness. Although her body was trembling, she remained stubbornly unyielding.

Before she could react, he lowered his head again and pressed his burning lips hard against her soft lips.

His kiss was devoid of tenderness or probing; it went straight for the kill.

His large hand firmly restrained the back of her neck, not allowing her to flinch even slightly.

The person in his arms had soft, slightly cool lips with a long-lost sweet fragrance. He felt a mixture of eagerness and greed.

She was so vulnerable, completely overwhelmed by his advances, and he robbed her of all her breath.

Cen Lingyi's breathing suddenly stopped for a moment, his chest heaving rapidly, as if he were swallowing all his breath.

He... wasn't he the one who hated her the most?

Why did you treat her like this while she was sick?

Her wet eyelashes trembled wildly, and her eyes quickly filled with a layer of water, blurring into a hazy, wet red.

She tried to resist, her hands weakly pushing against his strong chest, but his strength was domineering and brutal, crushing all her feeble resistance.

Her breathing became completely disordered, and all she could hear was her own rapid heartbeat. She felt dizzy and her hand, which was supporting her, slowly fell down. She almost fainted.

At this moment, Yan Chenghui stepped back slightly and looked down at her.

She was sickly and frail, yet so charming that every breath she took could throw one into disarray.

He looked down at him, his gaze deepening.

Cen Lingyi gasped for breath and finally slowly recovered.

Under his gaze, she turned her face away, slowly raised her hand, and wiped her lips with the back of her pale hand.

He kissed someone else and then came to kiss her; she felt disgusted.

"I didn't look down on you, but you're looking down on me?"

Yan Chenghui grabbed her hand, almost laughing in exasperation at her actions.

She abandoned him, married another man, and even had another man's child.

And now you're complaining about him?

Who gave her that confidence?

"This servant wouldn't dare."

Cen Lingyi didn't look at him, but her eyes were terribly red.

She couldn't help but care that he had been with other women.

"Since you know she is my servant, you should follow your duty and serve me well."

Yan Chenghui moved her to the inside of the bed and lay down beside her.

"This servant is the young prince's wet nurse, not a maid of the Crown Prince's palace. If Your Highness wishes to serve, you should find a proper maid."

Cen Lingyi lowered her long eyelashes and retorted.

It was against the rules for him to keep her in the Mingde Hall to serve him.

Who would act as a wet nurse and also have to serve the child's father, taking care of both father and child at the same time?

"So what? Since you're in the Eastern Palace, you belong to me."

Yan Chenghui reached out and pulled her into his arms, his tone unusually gentle.

"Yes."

Cen Lingyi bit her lip and responded.

He's right. If he wanted to, which woman in the Eastern Palace wouldn't he be able to touch?

Even if it's just a kiss, or even if you want her, she can't refuse.

He was the crown prince, so it was common for him to be surrounded by women.

As a mere wet nurse, she seemed to have no choice but to accept it.

Unless she leaves.

But what about her child?

Yan Chenghui hugged her tightly, wrapped his legs around hers, rested his chin on the top of her head, and closed his eyes.

Cen Lingyi nestled motionless in his warm embrace, her breath filled with his unique fragrance. Feeling his body temperature, her eyes gradually welled up with tears.

He used to love sleeping in her arms like this.

She would not back down and would pull her leg out and press it onto his leg.

He would then hook her legs back between his own.

Because of this, they can laugh and fight in bed for a long time.

But every time they met, she would snuggle in his arms, put her legs up on him, and fall asleep peacefully.

She never imagined that they would one day sleep in each other's arms like this.

Unfortunately, she no longer had the strength to playfully wrestle with him in bed.

His breathing gradually became even, as if he had fallen asleep.

She tentatively moved.

The person holding her remained motionless, as if they were truly fast asleep.

She became more active, trying to break free from his embrace.

He's leaned against other people's chests before; she'd better not lean on them if she can avoid it.

"Why are you moving around?"

A languid voice came from above.

"Your Highness, as the Crown Prince, it is improper for you to sleep here with me. Please go back to your inner palace to sleep."

Cen Lingyi spoke softly to persuade him.

"Why am I so exhausted? Why won't you even let me sleep here?"

Yan Chenghui looked up at her, frowning.

"Your Highness's fatigue is probably because... Your Highness has many women in your harem, and you have to attend to them all, which has led to physical exhaustion. Your Highness could consult the imperial physician and have him prescribe a remedy to strengthen your kidneys and improve your virility..."

Cen Lingyi's long, dark eyelashes fluttered gently as she spoke in a soft, earnest voice.

Although he was exceptionally talented, human energy is finite.

When she was alone, he could easily handle her.

But now, he has four women in his backyard. During the day, he has to handle official business and deal with court intrigues, and at night he has to give them all his attention. That keeps him busy enough.

"Cen Lingyi, are you talking about Gu Xu?"

Yan Chenghui was so angry at her that he laughed.

"This servant is only thinking of Your Highness's health."

Cen Lingyi kept her eyelashes lowered, speaking softly and gently, looking sincere and innocent.

The next moment, he suddenly lifted her chin.

Yan Chenghui looked directly into her eyes, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Cen Lingyi, don't you know whether I'm being evasive or not?"

Who was he chasing all over the bed back then?

"Your Highness, times have changed."

Cen Lingyi raised her clear eyes to look at him, her cheeks slightly flushed, but her tone was meaningful.

When she spoke like this, she had a touch of her former lively and charming naivety.

"Cen Lingyi, believe it or not, I'll kill you!"

Yan Chenghui rolled over and pinned her down, uttering a vicious sentence through gritted teeth.

Cen Lingyi coughed as he pressed down on her, turning her head away: "Isn't Your Highness afraid of catching the illness?"

Yan Chenghui looked at her pale face, his chest heaved twice, stretched out his long legs, lay down next to her again, and pulled her into his arms once more.

"I really want to strangle you."

He tightened his grip, holding her close to his chest, and refused to let go for a long time.

He used so much force that Cen Lingyi felt as if her bones were about to break, but she gritted her teeth and refused to utter a sound.

Neither of them spoke for a moment.

After an unknown amount of time, his grip gradually loosened.

Cen Lingyi waited a while longer, thinking he must have fallen asleep, and tried again to break free from his embrace.

But the moment she moved her foot, he pulled her back.

"Don't move around, just stay here and sleep with me."

His tone was weary.

Cen Lingyi tried twice more, and he discovered her the moment she tried.

She was still ill and had limited strength. She failed to resist him twice, and while waiting for the third chance, she finally ran out of energy and fell into a deep sleep in his arms.

Beside her, Yan Chenghui, who should have been fast asleep, slowly opened his eyes and looked down at her.

She nestled obediently in his arms, her eyes closed, her long eyelashes drooping gently. Her fair face lost its usual submissive stubbornness, leaving only a docile and serene expression.

She was completely unguarded and full of dependence, just like she used to be.

After a long while, as he had done countless times before, he lowered his head and placed a light kiss on her forehead.

Undreaming and undisturbed, Cen Lingyi slept exceptionally soundly.

When she opened her eyes again, she felt warm all over, as if she were sitting by a stove.

I could hear even breathing in my ear, sometimes light, sometimes heavy.

She moved slightly and turned her head to look.

Yan Chenghui slept on her outer side, holding her tightly, the scratches on his face were noticeable.

Yan Huaijiao slept on the inside of her, her little hands clenched into fists and placed beside her head, sleeping soundly.

Looking at the two similar-looking figures, one big and one small, the events of last night flashed before her eyes, and she sighed inwardly.

This father and son, one clinging to her, the other hating her, they won't stop until they've tormented her to death.

However, she still liked Xiao Yan Huaijiao from the bottom of her heart.

Although he was Yan Chenghui's son, the little guy was not at all nasty; on the contrary, he was quite endearing.

She looked at Yan Huaijiao and couldn't help but reach out and touch his small hand.

"woke up?"

A man's clear voice came from beside her, carrying Su, who had just woken up.

Cen Lingyi stiffened, quickly broke free from his embrace, and moved to the inside of the bed.

Only then did she realize that after drinking that bowl of medicine and waking up from a good night's sleep, she had recovered more than halfway and felt much more relaxed.

"Now that I've cured your illness, you have the energy to throw tantrums at me again?"

Yan Chenghui sat up, his brows furrowed slightly, and the scratch on his face was quite noticeable.

Cen Lingyi lowered her head guiltily, curled up next to Yan Huaijiao, and remained silent with her lips pursed.

"Get up and serve me your changing clothes."

Yan Chenghui got up and got out of bed.

Cen Lingyi reached out and tucked the blanket around Yan Huaijiao before getting off the bed, taking his clothes from the bedside, and going to serve him.

Yan Chenghui spread his hands, his jade-like figure standing tall, letting her put on the robe.

She gently gathered his collar with her fingertips and stood on tiptoe to straighten it.

She was so close that she could smell his fresh, clean scent again.

She unconsciously made her breathing shallow.

Yan Chenghui looked at her with his long, straight eyelashes lowered. Her warm breath brushed against his collarbone, lingering on his heart.

She hadn't done much serving others before, so her movements were delicate but somewhat clumsy.

She carefully straightened his inner lining and outer garment, then took his belt, wrapped her slender arms around his waist, and pressed her face against his chest, seemingly close yet distant.

Her heart was beating a little fast, and her movements as she fastened the jade belt hook were slightly flustered.

Yan Chenghui suddenly raised his hand and grasped her wrist.

"This servant thanks Your Highness for your previous kindness." Cen Lingyi broke free from his hand, clutching the jade belt hook, and said softly with her eyes lowered, "I will deliver the money for the Crown Prince's request for the imperial physician to examine me and for the medicine to the accounting office tomorrow."

She already owed him enough, and he resented and hated her for it.

She bore him a child, which made up for all the good things he had done for her before, and now they were even.

From now on, she didn't want to owe him even a penny more. Even if he humiliated her in every way and showed her no mercy, she still wanted to settle the accounts with him regarding money.

I just don't know where her child is now, whether he's doing well, or if anyone is taking care of him.

"Cen Lingyi, say it again?"

Yan Chenghui stared at her intently, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes.

She's really something; she's barely recovered and she's already busy trying to provoke him.

He saw her with her head bowed and eyes downcast, looking as if she wanted to make things clear with him, and his chest rose and fell slightly.

Does she really not want to get involved with him?

"This servant receives a monthly allowance for breastfeeding the young prince, and should not use the Crown Prince's allowance when he is ill."

Cen Lingyi's long eyelashes drooped slightly as she tried to tie a jade belt hook on his belt, explaining to him in a low voice.

He hated her, loathed her, and tried every means to humiliate her.

He said he thought she was dirty.

She clearly distinguishes between him and him; isn't that exactly what he wanted?

Why is he unhappy again?

"One dose of medicine costs one tael of gold. You've taken five doses, so pay me the silver."

Yan Chenghui snorted coldly, his tone icy.

"So expensive?"

Cen Lingyi looked up at him, somewhat taken aback.

She entered the Eastern Palace as a wet nurse, and her monthly allowance was only ten taels of silver, which is equivalent to one tael of gold.

She had saved up for several months, which was just enough to pay for his medicine, but she gave the money to Lu Huaiyou so that he could pass it on to her parents.

She wanted her parents to have a better life.

"What do you think of the things in the palace?"

Yan Chenghui asked in return.

"Then, when I have my day off, I'll go back and get the silver from my husband, and then I'll return it to Your Highness..."

Cen Lingyi lowered her eyelashes, concealing the emotions in her eyes, and her voice grew softer as she spoke.

Ever since she heard that Lu Huaiyou was going to marry Princess Anshun, she had felt that something was off about Lu Huaiyou.

She couldn't figure out what was wrong.

I must meet with Lu Huaiyou to get to the bottom of this.

"Husband? Cen Lingyi, he's about to marry someone else, yet you still think about him all the time."

Yan Chenghui's eyes flashed with malice. He grabbed her hand, which was still fastening the jade belt hook for him, and jerked it up sharply. The movement was swift and decisive.

Cen Lingyi was recovering from her illness and was still somewhat weak. Naturally, she was unable to resist and fell back onto the bed unexpectedly, hitting her lower back painfully.

"hiss……"

She gasped, her already pale face becoming even more translucent, her eyes instantly reddening, and a layer of wet tears quickly welling up in her eyes.

Strands of hair fell down her temples and clung to her face, making her look even more pitiful.

"Stop pretending to be dead, get up and serve me."

Yan Chenghui grabbed her and fixed his gaze on her face, cold and terrifying.

Seeing her pitiful appearance, his anger grew even stronger.

"Wow……"

Yan Huaijiao, who was sleeping peacefully in bed, was awakened by the noise of the two people and burst into tears.

Cen Lingyi subconsciously turned her head to look over.

Yan Chenghui let go of her hand, turned around and walked out.

"Your Highness."

Lingzhi and Banxia stood on either side of the side room door. When they saw him come out, they quickly bowed.

Both of them saw the scars on Yan Chenghui's face.

Lingzhi was first worried about Cen Lingyi. As soon as Yan Chenghui left, she went into the side room to check on her.

Banxia stood still, her eyes darting around.

His Highness and Cen Lingyi spent the night together... no, more than one night. His Highness went into the side room yesterday afternoon and only came out now.

His Highness also had scratches on his face, which were clearly caused by fingernails.

It must have been Cen Lingyi who scratched it.

She stood at the door for a while, thinking, before following them inside.

When she entered the side hall, Yan Huaijiao had stopped crying, and the bed curtains had been drawn.

Cen Lingyi gently stroked the little guy's head, watching him nestled in her arms, drinking milk heartily.

"Is Nurse Cen alright?"

Banxia whispered to Lingzhi.

Lingzhi shook her head and sighed inwardly.

His Highness spent half a day and a night with the young lady, and she thought their relationship might improve.

Unexpectedly, the girl scratched His Highness's face, and His Highness left in a huff.

How can this be good?

"If there's nothing else, I'll go keep watch outside."

Banxia told her.

Lingzhi didn't really care about her and just nodded.

Banxia went out, hesitated for a moment at the door of the side room, gritted her teeth and walked straight to the front of the main hall.

"What are you doing?"

Yun Que stood guard at the door and stopped her.

"It was Nurse Cen who sent me."

Banxia raised her chin, trying to make herself look confident.

Her appearance was no less than Cen Lingyi's. His Highness disliked Cen Lingyi so much, yet he was willing to spend the night with the sick Cen Lingyi.

Cen Lingyi, ungrateful and foolish, actually scratched His Highness's face.

Taking advantage of His Highness's current anger, she stepped forward to serve him with gentleness and attentiveness, hoping to win his favor.

She would no longer have to be a servant girl who lived in subservience to others.

After Yun Que entered the main hall to report, he came out and glanced at her from head to toe: "His Highness invites you in."

Banxia straightened her clothes, puffed out her chest, stepped across the threshold, and bowed to the head of the table.

"This servant greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"Why did she call you here?"

Yan Chenghui's gaze remained fixed on the official documents before him, without ever looking up.

"Nanny Cen said she has to take care of the young prince right now, and she was worried that there would be no one to serve him, so she specially called me here."

Banxia's voice was so soft it was almost dripping with water; she lowered her head, her face flushed with shyness.

Yan Chenghui then looked up from his official documents, his clear gaze falling on her.