Nong Nu Jiao

Cen Lingyi originally didn't want to go to the palace; she felt that having enough money was sufficient and she didn't value it much. But Xiao Yulou insisted.

She couldn't refuse, so she nodded in agreement.

She summoned Lingzhi and handed Yan Huaijiao over to him. She also instructed Yun Que to keep a close watch on Yan Chenghui.

After settling everything in, she followed Xiao Yulou out of the Mingde Hall.

Xiao Yulou had already summoned a palanquin, and the two of them were carried into Ninghe Palace, one in front and one behind.

"Little Six, come here."

Xiao Yulou stepped down from the carriage and reached out to take Cen Lingyi's hand.

Cen Lingyi obediently followed beside her and entered the main hall together.

"Come, sit here."

Xiao Yulou pulled her to sit down on the soft couch, and then gave the instructions.

"Wang Yun, go to the private treasury and bring out all the things I've hidden."

"Yes."

Wang Yun responded and left with a group of servants.

Cen Lingyi looked at the huge crowd and couldn't help but feel a little strange.

Just how much stuff is there that requires so many people to fetch it?

"Have some snacks, I remember you like this."

Xiao Yulou gestured for her to take some of the snacks on the table.

"I just had lunch, I can't eat anymore."

Cen Lingyi waved her hand.

"Then we'll take it back later." Xiao Yulou held her hand, looking at her with affection: "These past few years, you've suffered with Yuan Zhao at the border."

"Aunt, I'm not suffering." Cen Lingyi shook her head, lowering her eyelashes as she said, "He's the one who has suffered a lot."

Yan Chenghui fought on the frontier and was injured many times. This time, he almost lost his life for her.

On the other hand, she wasn't hurt at all, so what was there to suffer about?

Xiao Yulou smiled and took her hands in his: "You are both very good children."

Her tone suggested she had many feelings to express.

Cen Lingyi couldn't help but look up at her.

"Yuan Zhao is a sensible child. I'm sorry for making him suffer a lot when he was young. Fortunately, your family loves him on my behalf."

As Xiao Yulou spoke, her eyes reddened slightly, and she smiled to cover it up.

"Why are you saying such formal things, Aunt?" Cen Lingyi comforted her, "After the trouble in my family, didn't you help me a lot? He... helped me too..."

At that time, Yan Chenghui treated her badly, but at least she didn't lack food or clothing and could live peacefully in the side hall.

Actually, compared to being sold to a place like the Jiaofangsi (a brothel) or associating with someone like Lu Huaiyou, staying by Yan Chenghui's side was already very good for her at that time.

"Don't speak up for him. I know how awful Yuan Zhao was back then." Xiao Yulou looked at her reproachfully, paused, and sighed, "But his feelings for you were genuine."

Cen Lingyi lowered her head and remained silent.

He would give his life for her.

She naturally knew his feelings.

"It was just a twist of fate that he couldn't accept you leaving him and instead married someone else. He went to extremes and hurt you."

Xiao Yulou's gaze fell into the void, and it was unclear what he was looking at.

Cen Lingyi nodded.

She also knew that what the Imperial Concubine said made sense.

What happened in the past was not solely Yan Chenghui's fault.

Although she was forced to leave him, he was unaware of it.

She understood that he harbored resentment.

"Your aunt isn't saying this to persuade you to reconcile with him," Xiao Yulou said quietly. "I just want you to see your own hearts clearly and not do things you'll regret."

"Aunt, I know."

Cen Lingyi nodded vigorously.

"This is how my life will be." Xiao Yulou squeezed her hand again, looking at her with some reluctance: "I hope you can both be well, find your own happiness, and live a joyful life."

That was her only hope.

She couldn't control other things, and she didn't want to get involved anymore.

"Auntie, what's wrong...?"

Cen Lingyi felt that her sudden outburst of words was somewhat inexplicable, and unease welled up in her eyes.

"What can I do?" Xiao Yulou smiled. "It's just that I haven't seen you all in so long. Seeing you all today, and seeing how grown up Huaijiao is, I'm just feeling a bit sentimental. Please pour your aunt a cup of tea."

Cen Lingyi agreed and got up to pour tea at the table.

Taking this opportunity, Xiao Yulou secretly wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes. Looking at her slender back, he felt a pang of sorrow in his heart.

"Aunt, have some tea."

Cen Lingyi brought tea to her.

Xiao Yulou took it and took a sip.

"Your Majesty, everything has been moved in."

Wangyun and Wangyue were the first to enter the hall.

"Bring it in."

Xiao Yulou gave the order and got up to lead Cen Lingyi over.

The servants carried in six large sandalwood chests and laid them out in the hall.

In addition, many servants carried various kinds of cloth, fox fur, sable... all of which were very valuable.

Xiao Yulou went over, opened the box, and led her to look at it.

"This box contains various jewelry and jade pendants, which I've been saving for you."

"This box contains various small antiques. These things are easy to collect, and you can sell them for money if you need them urgently."

"These are all sorts of rare spices and medicinal herbs. I found them interesting, so I collected them all and saved them for you..."

Cen Lingyi followed her and looked around, and was momentarily stunned.

These things are priceless; does the Imperial Concubine intend to give them all to her?

"Wangyue, go and get the little makeup box I hid."

Xiao Yulou then gave further instructions.

"aunt……"

Cen Lingyi felt doubtful and uneasy, and couldn't help but want to speak.

"Don't speak, just listen to me." Xiao Yulou pressed her hand down, interrupting her. "These things were originally prepared for you by me. Whether you become my daughter-in-law or not, they are meant for you."

"This is too much, too valuable, I..."

Cen Lingyi shook her head, wanting to refuse.

"What's a lot or a little? I have plenty more in my storeroom."

Xiao Yulou waved his hand, not caring much.

"Your Majesty."

Wangyue stepped forward, carrying a makeup box.

Xiao Yulou opened the dressing case and beckoned Cen Lingyi to come closer.

"Here are some land deeds, estate deeds, and documents for several private estates outside the city, all of which are for you."

Xiao Yulou took out several copies and unfolded them for her to see.

"Auntie, why are you giving me all of these?"

Cen Lingyi's unease grew stronger.

"These were originally prepared for you; they're just gathering dust here." Xiao Yulou put the documents back, gestured for Wangyue to pack them up, and then took Cen Lingyi's hand to sit back down. "Little Six, these things are for you. If you and Yuan Zhao don't end up together, this will be your and Huai Jiao's confidence. Even if you do end up together, don't be foolish and hand everything over to him. Having your own money and possessions will make things easier whenever something happens."

"Auntie, what's wrong with you...?"

Upon hearing her words, Cen Lingyi's eyes welled up with tears.

The Imperial Concubine was not her biological mother, yet she treated her with such affection and made such plans for her, even thinking of all her escape routes.

Such long-term planning and thoroughness always made her feel uneasy.

"What could I possibly have?" Xiao Yulou laughed and tapped her forehead. "When did you develop this habit? You like to overthink things."

"I don't have any. Please leave these things with my aunt for now, and I'll give them to you later."

Cen Lingyi knew that she cared deeply for her.

But she always felt that something was wrong with the Imperial Concubine today, and her intuition told her that she shouldn't take these things with her.

"Silly child, if I'm going to give it to you, I'll take it. Why would I keep it here?" Xiao Yulou laughed. "I only gave it to you because my storeroom is full. Otherwise, where would I put all my rewards?"

"But……"

Looking at her face, Cen Lingyi felt that she was pretending to be relaxed.

"No buts, I'll have someone pack it up and send it to the East Palace for you first." Xiao Yulou said, "If you really don't want to be with Yuan Zhao then, just buy a house and move there yourself, and live with Huai Jiao."

As she spoke, without waiting for Cen Lingyi to refuse again, she began to instruct the palace servants to pack up and move things out.

"Well... thank you, Auntie."

Unable to refuse, Cen Lingyi had no choice but to rise and bow in thanks.

"Why are you being so polite with me?" Xiao Yulou pulled her down to sit. "Talk to me a little longer. Is Huai Jiao usually afraid of you?"

"He's usually not afraid, but if I change my expression, I'll still feel a bit scared. But he's quite well-behaved and doesn't make me angry much anymore."

When talking about her son, Cen Lingyi smiled.

"That child looks sensible." Xiao Yulou's eyes were full of affection. "He's still young, so don't be too strict with him. He's been raised like Yuan Zhao, too quiet and reserved. It's not good for him to keep things bottled up inside."

"I know, Aunt."

Cen Lingyi nodded in agreement.

"Your brother..."

Xiao Yulou pulled Cen Lingyi along and sat in Ninghe Palace for an entire afternoon.

As the sun set, Cen Lingyi guessed that Yan Chenghui would soon wake up and she needed to return to the East Palace to take care of him for dinner, so she got up to say goodbye.

Xiao Yulou escorted her to the gate, then stood there watching the direction she had left, remaining motionless for a long time.

"Your Majesty, it's getting dark; it's time for dinner."

Wang Yun stepped forward to help her up.

Xiao Yulou then turned around and followed her back to the main hall. He sat down at the table and stared blankly at the dishes laid out on it.

Cen Lingyi left Ninghe Palace and walked along the passageway, but stopped halfway through.

The Imperial Concubine is behaving very strangely today. She pondered this and considered turning back.

But then she thought, the Imperial Concubine hadn't said anything to her all afternoon, so she would have returned empty-handed.

What should I do?

She always felt that the Imperial Concubine was giving her things and saying those things to her, as if she were giving her last words.

Thinking of this, her heart tightened; she had to find a way to inform Emperor Shengwu.

As she pondered, she saw a palace servant approaching and asked, "Excuse me, where is His Majesty?"

The palace maid shook her head and walked away.

Cen Lingyi stood there scratching her head.

She had been to the palace many times since she was a child, so she recognized some of the places in the palace, but she wasn't familiar with some of the routes.

She stood there for a moment, then walked over to a young eunuch across from her.

"Her Imperial Concubine has urgent business to discuss with His Majesty. Do you know where His Majesty is?"

She stepped forward, tilting her chin up to ask.

Given her status, the palace servants naturally ignored her.

But it's different when you use the name of the Imperial Concubine.

Sure enough, the little eunuch pointed and said, "His Majesty is reviewing memorials in the Zichen Hall."

Thank you.

After thanking her, Cen Lingyi determined the direction and headed towards the Zichen Palace.