Nong Nu Jiao

"Why should you get angry over a servant? How could I possibly taint myself with someone as lowly and filthy as her?"

Yan Chenghui's voice was clear and melodious, and his gaze lightly fell on Cen Lingyi.

Upon hearing his words, Cen Lingyi's body stiffened abruptly, as if someone had poured a bucket of ice water over her head.

The events of last night are still vivid in my mind.

He forced her to take medicine, forced her to kiss, and forced her to sleep in his arms all night.

Now, however, they utter nothing but derogatory and humiliating words.

He probably regretted what he did last night.

She clenched her fists, still standing with her head bowed and her back ramrod straight, pretending not to have heard him.

"Since Your Highness knows she is a lowly person, why do you insist on getting entangled with her?"

Hearing Yan Chenghui say this, Madam Sun felt a little better, but she was still unwilling.

Even if we can't expel Cen Lingyi from the East Palace, we should at least make her leave Mingde Hall.

"How did I become entangled with her?"

Yan Chenghui glanced sideways at Madam Sun, his eyes cold and clear.

"You stayed in her room all night, and she scratched your face all over, yet you still say you didn't."

Madam Sun turned around and gave a soft, coquettish hum.

"She didn't take good care of Huai Jiao while she was ill, which is why I went to check on her. These marks were scratched by Huai Jiao."

Yan Chenghui had a solemn expression and a cold voice.

Cen Lingyi lowered her long, dark eyelashes, concealing the bitterness and embarrassment surging in her eyes.

She thought that because she had been ill, he would treat her differently because of their past relationship.

It turns out, he didn't go for her, but for Yan Huaijiao.

A few tears welled up in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed them.

She raised her head and looked ahead, trying to appear calm.

"I see." Madam Sun's gaze swept over Cen Lingyi's face. "Even so, she is just a wet nurse, and it is inappropriate for her to remain in Mingde Palace. Your Highness should let her go. Don't let a filthy person ruin Your Highness's reputation."

Cen Lingyi listened with pursed lips, her face remaining indifferent.

If Yan Chenghui truly follows Madam Sun's advice and releases her from Mingde Hall, that would be good.

She didn't want to face him here every day.

Yan Chenghui's gaze fell heavily on Madam Sun's face, his lips pursed, and he remained silent.

The atmosphere inside the hall was somewhat oppressive.

Madam Sun's eyes flickered, her lips trembled as she spoke, yet she was unwilling to back down.

Even entering Mingde Hall requires His Highness's permission, so why should Cen Lingyi be allowed to live there?

"I wish to punish those I despise, and even Madam Sun wants to stop me?"

Yan Chenghui's lips curled slightly, but his eyes were icy cold.

Madam Sun choked for a moment.

She didn't believe it at all. What punishment? It was clearly favoritism.

But she had no way to refute it; she couldn't very well say that His Highness was lying, could she?

On the surface, it seems that His Highness doesn't treat Cen Lingyi very well.

But who knows what they're like in private?

"Or is it that I wish to see Huai Jiao at all times, but Madam Sun forbids it?"

Yan Chenghui spoke again.

Cen Lingyi looked at the ground in front of her and sighed inwardly. He did not agree to let her move out.

He kept her by his side not out of pity, nostalgia, or inability to let her go.

It's only for punishment.

"Your Highness is too kind. How could I dare?" Madam Sun twisted her waist and said to him, "If living in Mingde Palace is considered punishment, then I want that kind of punishment too."

Are you sure?

Yan Chenghui raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Of course, I'm willing to do anything as long as Your Highness allows me to stay in Mingde Palace."

Madam Sun took two steps forward, placed her hands on the back of the chair, and leaned over him.

Yan Chenghui subtly stepped aside and said calmly, "Go and clean the chamber pot first."

"Your Highness..."

Madam Sun stomped her feet in anger.

Is cleaning the toilet a job for humans? It's already filthy and smelly, and now that it's summer, she'd probably throw up before she even got to the toilet.

"Let Yun Que lead you there."

Yan Chenghui raised his chin slightly outwards.

"Your Highness, I was just joking. It doesn't count."

Madam Sun forced a smile.

She was extremely unwilling, but she couldn't possibly go and clean the chamber pots just to stay in Mingde Hall.

Has Cen Lingyi ever done this?

She couldn't help but turn to look at Cen Lingyi.

Cen Lingyi simply lowered her eyes, her expression calm and respectful, revealing nothing at all.

*

Early the next morning.

Madam Sun arrived at the East Palace's sleeping quarters early in the morning.

"Madam, Her Highness the Crown Princess invites you in."

Every year, he would lift the curtain and come out to greet her.

Madam Sun lifted her skirt and strode into the main hall.

Xia Qinghe sat in the main seat, his posture upright, his face showing a rare hint of sleepiness.

"Why has Madam Sun arrived so early today to pay her respects?"

She asked with a smile.

Madam Sun was always the last to arrive when she came to pay her respects, but she never held it against her.

Everyone in the Eastern Palace knows that she, the Crown Princess, is always easy to talk to.

"I have something to say to Your Highness. Does Your Highness know that His Highness has a new wound on his face?"

Madam Sun didn't even sit down; she walked straight up to her and spoke.

She tossed and turned in bed all night, unable to sleep.

I keep thinking about the injury on His Highness's face.

How old is Yan Huaijiao? How could she have such strength to scratch His Highness Hua's face?

She always felt that it was Cen Lingyi who did it.

"I've heard about it, it was Huai Jiao who did it."

Xia Qinghe smiled, appearing indifferent.

"I don't think so at all, it's clearly Cen Lingyi..."

Madam Sun couldn't help but speak.

"Madam Sun, let's discuss His Highness's matter once all the sisters have arrived," Xia Qinghe interrupted her, waving her hand as she took the breakfast that Sui Sui had brought over. "Would you like to try a piece, little sister?"

"I'm not hungry."

Madam Sun turned around angrily and sat down in the seat below her.

A moment later, Consort Gu and Consort Li entered the room one after the other.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Princess."

The two bowed to Xia Qinghe.

No need for formalities.

Xia Qinghe raised his hand.

Madam Sun also rose and greeted the two women.

"My sister has arrived early today."

Gu Liangdi glanced at Madam Sun, sat down in the next seat, and her gaze swept over the faint marks on Madam Sun's neck before she spoke somewhat casually.

Consort Liangdi's rank was second only to the Crown Princess, and she had always been somewhat arrogant.

"Slightly earlier than my older sister."

Madam Sun withdrew her gaze and snorted inwardly.

What's so great about Consort Gu? She always acts like she looks down on everyone. Isn't she just relying on her grandfather being a Grand Secretary?

Her old grandfather is getting on in years; who knows how many more days he has left to live?

Li Fengyi came from a humble background; her father was just a minor official of the seventh rank. When the emperor selected the concubines, he casually pointed at her and sent her to the Eastern Palace.

She was always timid and taciturn, and after bowing, she sat down quietly to the side.

"Madam Sun, you can say what you want to say now."

Xia Qinghe offered a reminder.

"The injury on Your Highness's face wasn't caused by the young prince scratching it, but by Consort Cen. Furthermore, Consort Cen was ill the night before last, and Your Highness stayed in her room..."

She embellished the story, recounting how Yan Chenghui and Cen Lingyi spent the night together.

As fellow members of the Eastern Palace's inner court, she didn't believe they wouldn't be anxious upon hearing this.

As she spoke, her face grew indignant.

After he finished speaking, the main hall fell silent, and no one made a sound for a moment.

Why aren't you all saying anything?

Madam Sun was getting a little anxious.

They're not even in a hurry?

Gu Liangdi raised her hand and fiddled with the single clasp on her nail, a nonchalant smile on her face, seemingly not caring much.

In reality, she had pinched her fingernails until they turned white.

Two months after Yan Chenghui became the Crown Prince, she entered the Crown Prince's palace.

In terms of status, talent, and appearance, in which way is she inferior to Xia Qinghe?

But His Highness never touched her. When he went to her residence, he would only look at her paintings and talk to her about his painting experience.

Instead, she had a son with Xia Qinghe quite early on.

Yes, His Highness had made it clear before she entered the Eastern Palace, and she came willingly.

That's because she didn't believe that a crown prince could have only one person in his heart.

But His Highness has indeed done so all this time.

However, it's one thing for Your Highness to touch Xia Qinghe, but how come you ended up sleeping with Cen Lingyi?

Is she, the granddaughter of a high-ranking official, really not even as good as a down-on-her-luck wet nurse who has given birth to other people's children?

Li Fengyi kept his head down and remained silent.

Since she arrived, His Highness has never entered her room; these matters are none of her concern.

"Sister Sun," Xia Qinghe said with a gentle smile, "Where Your Highness wishes to rest is naturally up to you; it's not something we sisters can control."

"I know Your Majesty is always magnanimous, but there has to be a limit. It is against the rules for Cen Lingyi, as a wet nurse, to stay in Mingde Palace."

Madam Sun couldn't help but defend herself.

Xia Qinghe is truly a useless Crown Princess; she's incredibly pathetic.

If she were the Crown Princess, she would never have given Cen Lingyi the opportunity to enter the Eastern Palace.

"Your Highness is busy with official duties every day. Our task as sisters is to make Your Highness happy. It doesn't matter who serves you, as long as Your Highness is pleased. Don't you agree, Sister Sun?"

Xia Qinghe still had a smile on her face, and her words were very proper.

Madam Sun was so angry that her face turned green.

She had originally thought that if she brought up the matter today, the four of them would be united in their hatred and would surely be able to find a way to drive Cen Lingyi out of Mingde Palace.

Unexpectedly, they were all like that.

She'll have to figure it out herself.

"Sister Gu, isn't the wedding date of Princess Anshun and Lord Lu approaching soon?"

Xia Qinghe changed the subject and looked at Gu Liangdi.

"After the Beginning of Autumn".

Gu Liangdi lowered her hand and replied.

"I have prepared a congratulatory gift. Since you are on good terms with Princess Anshun, please give it to her for me."

Xia Qinghe raised his hand in greeting.

Sui Sui presented a square wooden box with copper corners and placed it on the table next to Gu Liangdi.

Gu Liangdi glanced at it sideways: "Yes."

"You should persuade Princess Anshun. Sister Cen has had a hard time too. Tell her not to make things too difficult for Sister Cen."

She looked at Gu Liangdi with a smile, her gentle and graceful demeanor tinged with a hint of pity.

It seemed like they genuinely felt sorry for Cen Lingyi.

"I will pass on the message."

Gu Liangdi lowered her eyes and gave a half-smile in response.

The Crown Princess is as hypocritical as ever.

He wanted to remind her to instigate Princess Anshun to deal with Cen Lingyi, but he didn't say it outright. Instead, he used the excuse of sending a congratulatory gift.

However, even if Xia Qinghe didn't say it, she would have told Anshun.

Xia Qinghe, at least, holds the position of Crown Princess; she can't be easily touched. What is Cen Lingyi anyway?

"I have something to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

Madam Sun was furious. She bowed to Xia Qinghe and turned to leave.

Yan Chenghui and Cen Lingyi slept together all night, and they didn't seem to care at all. They were even discussing wedding gifts for Princess Anshun.

She couldn't rely on them; she had to find her own way.

Seeing this, Consort Gu and Consort Li also got up to take their leave.

Xia Qing stared in the direction they left, remaining silent for a long time.

"Your Highness, this servant sees marks on Lady Sun's neck. Could it be that His Highness really touched her, which is why Lady Sun can't stand His Highness being close to Nurse Cen..."

Sui Sui couldn't help but ask from the side.

"Impossible."

Xia Qinghe shook his head.

Based on her understanding of Yan Chenghui, she knew he wouldn't touch anyone other than Cen Lingyi.

"So, will Nurse Cen stay in Mingde Palace?"

Sui Sui is a bit impatient.

"Who can disobey His Highness's will?"

Xia Qinghe glanced at her.

Busy every year, I bow my head.

Xia Qing tightened her grip on her fingers and let out a soft sigh.

The only way is to proceed gradually.

*

Today is Cen Lingyi's monthly day off, during which she can leave the East Palace and go back to see Lu Huaiyou.

She had many questions for Lu Huaiyou, but had never had the chance until today.

Therefore, she was somewhat anxious and got up early in the morning to wash and groom herself in front of the bronze mirror.

"Girl, why don't you wear the outfit you wore before?"

Lingzhi took her clothes from the wardrobe.

"it is good."

Cen Lingyi responded and stood up.

Lingzhi stepped forward, intending to help her change her clothes.

"I'll do it myself. You go and watch over the young prince."

Cen Lingyi took the clothes.

"His Highness is sleeping soundly."

Lingzhi smiled and helped her straighten her skirt.

"Keep an eye on him. It's too hot today, so the ice in the side room can't be broken. You can't take him out now. If he fusses, have someone go to their place and squeeze some milk for him. Don't delay. If all else fails, give him some lotus root soup. He can only go for a walk in the garden after sunset."

She carefully instructed Lingzhi.

She raised Yan Chenghui from a young age, and she treated him like her own child from the bottom of her heart, naturally caring about everything he did.

"I understand, please rest assured, young lady."

Lingzhi nodded in agreement.

Yan Chenghui stood in front of the side room door, looking into the room.

She tidied it up carefully.

No longer wearing the same old wet nurse outfits, she now wears a light yellow shirt paired with a dark blue skirt, looking fresh and cheerful.

Her dark blue hair was tied up in a bun, a style often worn by women, with a simple jade hairpin inserted at an angle. A few strands of hair drifted down her face.

Two small pearl earrings adorned her earlobes, shimmering softly as she moved.

With a little tidying up, she was bright and relaxed in a way he had never seen before.

His gaze darkened.

Cen Lingyi was leaning over Yan Chenghui's cradle, whispering instructions to the sleeping little one.

"Your Highness, be good, listen to Lingzhi, and don't cry. Your wet nurse will be back before dark."

She leaned closer, pressed her face against the little one's, and gently rubbed against him.

He is most well-behaved and lovable when he is asleep.

"girl……"

Lingzhi gently nudged Cen Lingyi.

Cen Lingyi looked up and saw Yan Chenghui standing at the door, staring at her with a displeased expression.

"Your Highness."

She stepped forward and bowed.

She hadn't seen him at all today; she wondered why he was unhappy again.

Yan Chenghui stared at her unsightly woman's hairstyle without saying a word.

After waiting for a moment, seeing that he remained silent, Cen Lingyi had no choice but to say softly, "Your Highness, this servant is on leave today and will take her leave now."

"It seems you're really looking forward to seeing Lu Huaiyou?"

Yan Chenghui spoke slowly.

Cen Lingyi's long eyelashes fluttered, and she remained silent for a moment.

"He already has someone new in his life, so what's the point of dressing up?"

Yan Chenghui stared at her, his gaze cold, his tone carrying a barely perceptible hint of bitterness.

Cen Lingyi raised her hand and touched her hair bun, somewhat puzzled.

She simply tidied her appearance and changed into her old clothes; she didn't dress up at all.

He just couldn't stand the sight of her and was looking for an excuse to lash out at her.

"The hair bun has been taken down."

Yan Chenghui stared at her womanly hairstyle, his gaze cold and indifferent.

"Your Highness, there's nothing wrong with my hairstyle..."

Cen Lingyi frowned and tried to explain.

She only gets about half a day of freedom each month, and she's eager to go back to see Lu Huaiyou, to get those things sorted out, and to ask about her family.

I'll only be outside for a few hours in total, and taking off my hair will take a while longer.

Yan Chenghui remained silent, raising his hand to remove the jade hairpin from her hair.

"Your Highness..."

Cen Lingyi was startled and tried to dodge his hand, but it was too late.

Cool, fluffy black hair cascaded down the back of his hand like a waterfall. He paused for a few moments before withdrawing his hand.

"A bun with a hanging bun."

Yan Chenghui coldly gave the order.

"Your Highness, this servant is too old for wearing my hair in a bun..."

Cen Lingyi lowered her head and spoke with her eyes downcast.

Her hair was styled in a low bun, the way she wore it when she was a young girl.

She had already gone through the wedding ceremony with Lu Huaiyou and had given birth to their child.

She's no longer a little girl.

"Buwan, don't go out today."

Yan Chenghui ignored what she was saying.

Cen Lingyi paused for a moment, then turned and went into the side room without saying a word, where she re-tied her hair in front of the bronze mirror.

He's just being unreasonable right now.

Fine, let her wear her hair down. The important thing is to leave the Eastern Palace as soon as possible.

She quickly tied her hair into a bun in front of the bronze mirror.

Yan Chenghui stared at her somewhat hurried movements, his gaze growing increasingly cold.

She was in such a hurry to see Lu Huaiyou.

"Your Highness, this servant will take her leave now."

Cen Lingyi finished tying her hair up, stepped forward, and bowed to him again.

She wanted to bypass him and go straight out.

Unfortunately, he was tall and blocked the doorway.

She couldn't squeeze out.

Yan Chenghui lowered his long eyelashes, his gaze tracing her eyebrows and eyes inch by inch.

The Cen Lingyi before me looks remarkably similar to her younger self.

At that time, she was still the apple of Grand Tutor Cen's eye, always looking up at him with her little face and calling him "Yan Chenghui". Her bright and flamboyant appearance was also tinged with a natural and innocent charm.

Back then, she never knew the taste of sorrow.

When have they ever been so meek and submissive?

He slowly reached out and placed his large hand on her soft cheek.

"Your Highness!"

Cen Lingyi was startled and hurriedly stepped back.

Yan Chenghui snapped out of his daze, withdrew his slightly curled fingertips, and turned away with a cold expression.

Cen Lingyi brushed past him and hurriedly went outside.

Yan Chenghui stared at her retreating figure, his expression growing increasingly grim.

Yun Que and Yun Gong stood to one side, secretly exchanging glances.

When the girl went back to see Lu Huaiyou, His Highness was sure to be unhappy. The two of them kept their heads down and didn't dare to utter a sound.

After an unknown amount of time, Yan Chenghui slowly withdrew his gaze, turned around, and entered the main hall.

Inside the main hall, the light was bright, and the windows and tables were spotless.

On the desk lay several volumes of unread official documents.

He walked to the desk and sat down, casually pulled out a scroll of official documents and unfolded it, staring at the words, but he couldn't concentrate on reading.

The image of Cen Lingyi from just moments ago lingered in his mind's eye.

The image of her at her most vivid and lively in his memory stirred his mind.

He closed his eyes, trying to force his mind back to court affairs.

But even though the words were right in front of him, he couldn't seem to absorb them into his mind.

The face of Cen Lingyi kept flashing before my eyes.

She dressed up specially to see Lu Huaiyou, who would hold her hand, kiss her, and do all the things a husband and wife would do...

"Your Highness, this servant will grind the ink for you."

Banxia carried a cup of tea into the main hall.

She had dressed up specially, with a few strands of hair hanging down by her temples, showing a touch of allure and charm, and a warm smile on her face.

These past few days, whenever His Highness asked her to serve him, he would have Cen Lingyi watch over him.

She couldn't find a single chance.

Moreover, perhaps because she messed up the last time His Highness asked her to help him change, His Highness has never let her get close to him again.

Today, Cen Lingyi is not here, so at least there is no one watching her serve His Highness.

Isn't this a golden opportunity for her to turn things around?

"Get out."

Yan Chenghui gave a low rebuke and slammed the document in his hand onto the desk with a "bang".

Banxia was so frightened that she almost dropped the teacup in her hand. She quickly lowered her head and backed away, her legs feeling weak.

When she came in, Yun Que and Yun Gong stopped her, saying that His Highness was in a bad mood today.

She refused to believe this was a bad omen, thinking that after today, there would be no more such a good opportunity.

If His Highness didn't like her, why would he keep her serving in the main hall? She insisted on giving it a try.

She never expected His Highness to suddenly become angry. With that look in His Highness's eyes, she even suspected that if she had been a step too slow, His Highness would have ordered her to be dragged out and beaten to death.

Yan Chenghui got up, paced back and forth in the main hall a few times, and then simply stepped out of the main hall.

"Your Highness."

The Cloud Palace and the Cloud Pavilion bowed in unison.

Yan Chenghui ignored them and turned his head to look towards the side room.

"Your Highness, perhaps I should go and bring Nurse Cen back?"

Yun Gong couldn't help but say.

Your Highness is so restless that you're neglecting your official duties. Isn't that because you're thinking about Miss Cen?

Why would I pick her up? I don't want to see her anyway.

Yan Chenghui gave him a cold glance.

"Yes."

Yun Gong shrank back and glanced at Yun Que.

Yun Que shook his head, signaling him to be quiet.

Yan Chenghui stood under the corridor for a moment, then walked towards the side room.

Lingzhi was sitting by the cradle, watching the sleeping Yan Huaijiao while doing needlework.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up and saw that the person who came in was Yan Chenghui. She was startled and quickly put down what she was holding and stood up to greet him.

"This servant greets Your Highness."

"No need for formalities, let me just look at Huai Jiao."

Yan Chenghui walked to the cradle and looked down at the sleeping baby inside.

The adorable little dumpling had a round, rosy face, long eyelashes casting a soft shadow under her eyes, a small pink fist resting by her ear, shallow and even breathing, her chest rising and falling gently, sleeping soundly.

"How long is he going to sleep?"

Yan Chenghui looked at it for a moment, then asked in a low voice.

"Normally, the young prince should wake up around this time," Lingzhi replied carefully. "Miss, you feel sorry for the young prince and thought that since we're leaving the East Palace today, you let him stay up late last night so he could sleep a little longer during the day and not cry when he wakes up and doesn't see her."

She realized she had used the wrong form of address after she finished speaking, and felt a little uneasy.

His Highness has always forbidden people from calling a young lady "Miss," only allowing them to call her "Nanny Cen."

She usually called him "Miss," thinking that she could change how she addressed him in front of His Highness, and for a moment she forgot.

Yan Chenghui remained silent, only gazing down at Yan Huaijiao in the cradle, seemingly lost in thought.

He didn't speak, and Lingzhi didn't dare to speak either, standing to the side with her head down.

After a while, Yan Chenghui suddenly reached out and gently poked Yan Huaijiao's delicate cheek with his slender fingers.

Yan Huaijiao smacked her lips twice, turned her face to the other side, and continued to sleep soundly.

"Pick him up."

Yan Chenghui instructed Lingzhi.

Lingzhi looked puzzled. The little prince was sleeping soundly, but when she picked him up, he started to cry.

But she dared not disobey orders, so she bent down and carefully picked up Yan Huaijiao.

Originally, Lingzhi moved very carefully, and Yan Huaijiao was not awakened.

Yan Chenghui reached out and rubbed Yan Huaijiao's little head.

"Wake up."

Now that's bad. Yan Huaijiao was woken up from her sleep and started to be grumpy. She opened her little mouth, which only had two small teeth, and cried loudly with her eyes closed.

"Your Highness..."

Lingzhi held Yan Huaijiao and gently rocked him, feeling utterly speechless.

Why did Your Highness have to make the young prince cry out of nowhere?

"Give me."

Yan Chenghui reached out his hand to her.

Lingzhi paused for a moment, looked up at him, and carefully handed the little one in her arms over.

"He's crying, does he want to be nursed?"

Yan Chenghui hugged Yan Huaijiao and asked her.

"This servant..."

Lingzhi was about to say, "Go and have Da Chen and Xiao Chen, the two wet nurses, express milk for the little prince."

Outside the door, Yun Que spoke up before her, "The little prince is crying like this, he must be hungry. Your Highness, please take the little prince to find Nurse Cen."

"Um."

Yan Chenghui nodded slightly, picked up Yan Huaijiao, and turned to walk outside.

Yun Gong covered her mouth and chuckled from behind. His Highness did it on purpose. By making the little prince cry, he could then legitimately go to see Miss Cen.

Lingzhi looked at the empty cradle and scratched her head, then belatedly realized that perhaps His Highness wanted to see the young lady, so he deliberately made the little prince cry.