Nong Nu Jiao

Xiao Yulou ignored Emperor Shengwu's words.

When Yan Huaijiao heard Cen Lingyi say that she couldn't accept it, she followed her example and declined, saying, "Grandmother, Huaijiao only needs one thing."

"Here you go." Xiao Yulou stood up and looked around. "I'm getting a little tired of squatting."

Cen Lingyi quickly fetched a small stool from the side for her to sit on.

Xiao Yulou sat down, pulled Yan Huaijiao into her arms, and laughed, "I only gave him one thing when he was born, around his first birthday. He's such a grown man now, and I, as his grandmother, haven't done anything for him. What's a few pieces of jewelry compared to that?"

She spoke as if nothing was amiss, just like any other day.

Cen Lingyi breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Huaijiao, quickly thank your grandmother."

"Grandson thanks Grandmother."

Yan Huaijiao obediently took a step back and was about to bow again.

"Alright, my little darling, don't always be so rigid like your father. A child should act like a child."

Xiao Yulou pulled him back into her arms.

The closest relationship is that between people of different generations. Not only did Xiao Yulou kiss Yan Huaijiao, but the little guy also kissed her, nestled in her arms and talked to her, answering all her questions.

The atmosphere in the inner hall suddenly became relaxed, and the previous gloom was swept away.

Emperor Shengwu was relieved and squatted down to coax Yan Huaijiao, "Good child, come to your imperial grandfather."

Yan Huaijiao turned to look at him.

Xiao Yulou stood up, picked up Yan Huaijiao, and walked out, saying, "Little Six, isn't it lunchtime? Have someone prepare the meal; Huaijiao and I will eat together."

"Yes."

Cen Lingyi responded and went out to make the arrangements.

Inside the inner palace, only Yan Chenghui and Emperor Shengwu, father and son, remained for a moment.

"Your Highness, your journey to the border this time, capturing the Northern Khan alive, has been an unparalleled achievement, and I am well aware of it."

Emperor Shengwu looked at Yan Chenghui with a dignified expression and spoke.

Yan Chenghui lowered his eyes and remained silent.

"But while you have achieved merit, don't forget your duty as the Crown Prince. You must not disregard everything for personal feelings."

Emperor Shengwu spoke slowly and deliberately, clearly trying to put him in his place.

His meaning was that Yan Chenghui should not oppose him for the sake of Cen Lingyi, or even blur the lines between public and private matters.

"And as for your mother, you should try to persuade her. Others may not know how I have treated her all these years, but you do."

Emperor Shengwu continued.

Speaking of Xiao Yulou, he couldn't help but recall the way she looked when she took off her jewelry, and a vague unease crept into his heart.

He hoped that Yan Chenghui could persuade Xiao Yulou, whose grandson was already so big, what was Xiao Yulou still being so stubborn about?

"I have remembered your teachings, Father." Yan Chenghui frowned and paused for a moment before saying, "But Father knows my mother's temperament, and I'm afraid I can't persuade her."

If his mother truly cared about him, why would she have abandoned him when he was a child?

Even if there is some familial affection now, it's far from the point where he would listen to his mother no matter what she said.

"That's just how your mother is..."

Emperor Shengwu sighed.

"I don't expect you to persuade her, but it would be helpful if you talked to her about it occasionally. After all, we are both getting older."

"Yes."

Yan Chenghui only responded with one word.

"Take good care of yourself."

Emperor Shengwu left after uttering those words.

Cen Lingyi re-entered the inner hall, carrying a bowl of minced meat porridge.

"Dinner's ready."

She smiled at him.

She knew that Emperor Shengwu was upset because he refused to clear her father's name, so she pretended that nothing was wrong.

"Jiaojiao".

Yan Chenghui shifted his body upwards, adjusting his position against the bed.

"Um."

Cen Lingyi scooped up a spoonful of porridge, puffed out her cheeks, and blew on it lightly.

"Don't worry, I will clear your uncle's name."

Yan Chenghui looked straight into her eyes.

Open your mouth.

Cen Lingyi fed him the cooled porridge.

Yan Chenghui obediently opened his mouth.

"Actually, there's no rush." ​​Cen Lingyi stirred the porridge with a spoon, the spoon making a soft sound as it hit the bowl. "It'll be the same once you ascend the throne."

"How can it be the same? Your uncles have always stayed in Hexi, how can you reunite with your family?"

Yan Chenghui frowned in pain from his wound.

"I can go..."

Cen Lingyi said slowly.

"Are you leaving again? Please don't go!"

Yan Chenghui grabbed her wrist with his large hand, his eyes pleading.

In his panic, he moved too quickly, and the arrow struck something, causing his wound to throb with pain. He couldn't help but gasp.

"What are you doing?"

Cen Lingyi was caught off guard and was pulled by him, almost spilling the porridge. She then hurriedly put down the bowl to check his wound.

"You're bleeding again. Turn over so I can change your dressing. You know you have an arrow in your back, yet you're still moving around..."

While scolding him, Cen Lingyi peeled off the gauze around the wound.

"You said you were leaving."

Yan Chenghui stubbornly raised himself up to look at her.

"Have you waited until I'm finished? I said I'm going to see them."

Cen Lingyi frowned and glared at him.

Yan Chenghui breathed a sigh of relief, lay down on the bed, turned his face to the side and pressed it against the pillow, and slightly curved the corners of his lips.

Although Jiaojiao didn't say she forgave him, she said she was going to Hexi to visit her family, which meant she would come back.

He didn't dare to bring up the matter of making up.

Actually, even if Jiaojiao doesn't forgive him, it would be good if she could just stay by his side.

He doesn't ask for anything else.

"If you do this again, I won't change your dressing."

After Cen Lingyi changed his dressing, she sat down and glared at him with a frown.

Actually, every time she saw his wounds, she felt sad and even more guilty.

The wound was painful for her to look at; how much pain he must be in.

But she couldn't help him remove the arrow.

The notice to buy dragon bone powder has been posted for so long, but no one has come to sell it.

I'm hungry.

Yan Chenghui smiled.

He could tell that Jiaojiao felt sorry for him.

It's better not to pull out this arrow.

Lunch was served in the East Palace Flower Hall, with a sumptuous spread of dishes on the Eight Immortals Table.

"Huaijiao, come here and sit next to your grandmother. What would you like to eat? Your grandmother will get it for you."

Xiao Yulou picked up Yan Huaijiao and sat her down on the stool next to him before sitting down himself.

"My mother said that we shouldn't be picky eaters; we should eat a little of everything so that we can grow up healthily."

Yan Huaijiao said very obediently.

"Really? Mother is so good at teaching. Our Huaijiao is so sensible. How about we eat this chicken?"

Xiao Yulou praised him while serving him food.

Yan Huaijiao nodded, picked up her chopsticks, and lowered her head to eat.

"Do you want this? And this too."

Xiao Yulou asked him.

Yan Huaijiao simply nodded.

Why aren't you saying anything?

Xiao Yulou found it strange.

Yan Huaijiao hesitated for a moment, seemingly in a difficult position, before finally saying, "The Master said, 'One should not speak while eating or sleeping.'"

"Listen to them, you pedantic old man, ignore them."

Xiao Yulou chuckled and patted his head.

How can this little guy be so cute?

At this moment, Emperor Shengwu walked in from outside.

"Grandfather."

Yan Huaijiao looked up and called out.

"Um."

Emperor Shengwu looked at his grandson in a good mood, walked over and sat down opposite the two of them, and picked up his chopsticks.

Xiao Yulou ignored him completely, continuing to talk to Yan Huaijiao and serve him food.

Emperor Shengwu reached out with his chopsticks, intending to pick up a piece of smoked venison.

But before the tip of his chopsticks could reach it, Xiao Yulou's chopsticks beat him to it, snatching the piece of venison and placing it on the plate in front of him.

Emperor Shengwu frowned slightly, remaining silent as he turned his chopsticks toward a dish of stuffed bamboo shoots.

Xiao Yulou was quicker again, turning his chopsticks sideways and picking up the stuffed bamboo shoots.

On several occasions, whenever Emperor Shengwu reached for a dish with his chopsticks, Xiao Yulou would take the dish away without even glancing at him.

It's obvious she's holding a grudge and is constantly going against him.

Emperor Shengwu's efforts were in vain; he didn't get a single bite, his chopsticks hanging in mid-air, unable to pick them up.

Xiao Yulou reached out and snatched the chopsticks from his hand, throwing them to the ground.

Wang Deming watched in horror.

No, has the Imperial Concubine gone mad?

He was indeed a bit arrogant before, but not to this extent.

Now, the Imperial Concubine is openly provoking His Majesty, which will anger him.

Yan Huaijiao watched from the side, her big, dark eyes not enough to take it all in.

It wasn't until the chopsticks in Emperor Shengwu's hand fell to the ground.

He glanced at the chopsticks lying on the ground, then looked at his grandfather, who was still holding his hand up, and for some reason, found it very amusing.

He wanted to laugh, but he knew he couldn't laugh now, or his grandfather would be angry.

He pursed his lips tightly, but he was still young and couldn't fake it. Yet, the smile overflowed from his eyes.

"Don't laugh."

Emperor Shengwu rebuked him, displaying the majesty of an emperor.

Yan Huaijiao quickly sat up straight, her lips pursed even tighter.

"Get out! Why are you scaring the child?"

Xiao Yulou finally spoke to him, but it wasn't anything nice.

"I won't stoop to a woman's level," Emperor Shengwu said, finding a way out for himself. He stood up and said, "Since you like Huaijiao so much, stay in the Eastern Palace a little longer and spend some time with the child. I'll head back to the palace now."

After saying that, he got up and walked out.

Wang Deming wiped the sweat from his forehead and followed.

Even though the Imperial Concubine has acted like this, His Majesty has not yet become angry.

It seems he will have to be more respectful to the Imperial Concubine from now on.

"Let's keep eating."

Xiao Yulou was not affected by Emperor Shengwu in the slightest; on the contrary, he even developed an appetite.

After the grandfather and grandson finished eating, Xiao Yulou led Yan Huaijiao back to Mingde Hall.

Cen Lingyi was eating when she saw her, so she quickly put down her bowl and was about to bow.

"Eat up, don't be so formal."

Xiao Yulou waved his hand to stop her.

Cen Lingyi then sat down again.

"Has Yuan Zhao eaten?"

Xiao Yulou looked towards the inner hall.

He ate a bowl of minced meat porridge and drank some water. He talked a lot today and is tired, so he's fallen asleep now.

Cen Lingyi was fully aware of Yan Chenghui's situation.

After all, she did all the work of taking care of him herself.

"How long can he sleep?"

Xiao Yulou sat down at the table and asked her.

"I should sleep until dinner time."

Cen Lingyi thought for a moment and said.

"Alright then," Xiao Yulou said. "Once you've finished eating, come with me to the palace. I have some things to tell you."

"What's wrong?"

Cen Lingyi was puzzled.

"It's nothing. Huaijiao is already so old, and you two still haven't gotten married. As your mother-in-law, I haven't given you the things I prepared for you yet."

Xiao Yulou patted Yan Huaijiao's little head and said casually.

"I...we're not engaged yet..."

Cen Lingyi blushed.

She hadn't thought much about her relationship with Yan Chenghui; she was only focused on him recovering from his injuries and removing the arrow from his back.

"What other schemes do you have up your sleeve?"

Xiao Yulou gave her an angry look.

Cen Lingyi didn't speak; she didn't seem to have any ulterior motives.