Nong Nu Jiao

Cen Lingyi stared at the figure, watching him walk around from under the corridor and lift the curtain.

A handsome and refined face came into view. The man had a distant look in his eyes, slightly drooping corners of his eyes, and a high nose bridge. His appearance was surprisingly similar to that of Yan Chenghui.

Cen Lingyi stared at him, her dark eyes wide open.

"When I visited him a few days ago, I felt he resembled my fifth brother. I thought to myself, 'If only you were here!' How about that? Surprised?"

Princess Taihe laughed, took her hand, and looked very pleased with herself.

Cen Lingyi only came to her senses at this moment and was about to decline.

Even though the person in front of her wasn't Yan Chenghui, looking at their similar features, she couldn't bring herself to humiliate him.

It was her fault for breaking off the engagement in the first place.

It's all as Yan Chenghui should do to her.

She had no complaints.

But before she could speak, the man in front of her knelt down.

"Yan Hui pays his respects to the two young ladies."

Yan Hui smiled, her expression gentle and obedient, without the slightest hint of flattery.

It's very pleasing to the eye.

"I've never seen Fifth Brother smile before. I wonder if this is what his smile looks like?"

Princess Taihe leaned against Cen Lingyi and said with a smile.

Cen Lingyi couldn't help but look at her.

How could that be?

Before she left Yan Chenghui, he always smiled whenever he saw her.

His smile was even more beautiful than Yan Hui's, like the first light of day, surpassing the beauty of countless stars.

She remembered that in the past, when there was a third person present, Yan Chenghui would not smile much or speak much.

"Come forward and kneel down to serve."

Beside him, Princess Taihe spoke, beckoning Yan Hui.

"Yes."

Yan Hui obediently knelt before Cen Lingyi and took the wine pot from her hand.

"Miss, let me serve you."

He smiled, held the wine pot with both hands, and spoke and acted appropriately, without overstepping any bounds.

"Just treat him like your fifth brother, and have him serve you well. It'll also help you vent your anger at how your fifth brother always bullies you."

Princess Taihe whispered something in Cen Lingyi's ear with a smile.

Cen Lingyi stared at Yan Hui's face, remaining silent for a moment.

Actually, she wasn't angry with Yan Chenghui.

She just didn't want to face those humiliations and embarrassments.

Where is the person I asked for?

Princess Taihe asked, resting her chin on her hand.

"Reporting to Miss, Jingchu will be here shortly."

The wild geese returned with smiles and spoke.

"Fine, I've been here for so long, is he still going to keep me in suspense?"

Princess Taihe was not angry.

She frequented this place and was familiar with these male prostitutes.

"He's changing his clothes."

Yan Hui smiled.

"What clothes?"

Princess Taihe's eyes lit up, and she asked with great interest.

"You'll know once you see it, young lady."

Yan Hui lowered her eyes and said nothing more.

"It seems they're here."

Cen Lingyi caught a glimpse of a figure outside the gauze window out of the corner of her eye.

"Let me see what you're wearing?"

Princess Taihe sat up straight.

The curtain was lifted, and the sounds of string and wind instruments began to play.

A tall, handsome man walked in.

He wore a light pink gauze top, the material as light as clouds, barely covering his shoulders, neck and chest. The gauze was semi-transparent, and the lean muscles of the man's chest were faintly visible.

"Greetings to the two young ladies."

Jing Chu bowed and, without waiting for the two to speak, began to dance to the music.

Her dance moves were graceful and charming. She raised her hand and bent her waist, and the light gauze slipped half an inch down her shoulder, revealing the shallow dimple of her collarbone. Every move she made was captivating.

Music filled the air as male prostitutes in thin veils danced gracefully.

When Cen Lingyi saw this scene, she was momentarily transported back to the flower hall of the Cen family mansion.

Before the Grand Tutor's mansion suffered its calamity, every banquet would feature courtesans performing dances on stage, adorned with light gauze robes and fine wine and delicacies.

She missed home, missed her parents and her brothers and sisters.

She gripped the wine cup tightly, tilted her head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

Yan Hui was very perceptive and lifted the wine pot to pour her some wine.

Cen Lingyi looked at his face, which resembled Yan Chenghui's, and smiled.

She was about to speak and tell him to leave.

She is no longer a young lady of the Cen family, but a wet nurse in the Eastern Palace. It's fine for her to sit with Princess Taihe, but she can't really treat herself as a mistress.

At this moment, outside the door separated by a curtain, Yan Chenghui was looking at her flushed face through the gap in the curtain, smiling as he gazed at the young male prostitute in front of him.

She blushes whenever she drinks alcohol, even fruit wine, since she was a child.

Yan Chenghui's face turned ashen.

Yun Que stood behind, trembling with fear, not daring to speak.

He had just returned to the East Palace with His Highness.

Because he was worried about Miss Cen taking the young prince out alone, he specially sent someone to inform the Crown Princess.

Only after being persuaded by the Crown Princess did His Highness set off on horseback to find Miss Cen and the young prince.

Unexpectedly, Miss Cen encountered her old friend, Princess Taihe.

Princess Taihe, who is known for her eccentricities, brought Miss Cen to such a place.

In the past, when Miss Cen and His Highness were on good terms, His Highness forbade Miss Cen from coming to places like this.

The relationship between His Highness and Miss Cen is now completely different from what it used to be.

His Highness has never shown Miss Cen a kind look.

Logically speaking, His Highness shouldn't care about Miss Cen's situation.

But looking at him, His Highness didn't seem indifferent.

Yan Chenghui stepped over the threshold.

Princess Taihe was staring intently at Jingchu, completely unaware that someone had entered.

Cen Lingyi rested her chin on her hand, her gaze falling on the striking resemblance between Yan Hui and Yan Chenghui, thinking of her relatives who were nowhere to be found.

"Stop playing."

Yun Que gave a stern rebuke.

The music suddenly stopped, and Jingchu's dance also stopped.

"Why did it stop?"

Princess Taihe was still unaware of what was happening and looked up to gaze around.

Cen Lingyi glanced to the side and caught sight of that familiar figure, her heart skipped a beat.

Yan Chenghui stood inside the door, his gaze fixed on her coldly, his eyes like a deep, frozen pool in winter, pressing down heavily.

Cen Lingyi swallowed hard, forcing herself to calm down, and placed the wine cup in her hand on the small table in front of her with a calm expression.

Yan Chenghui has arrived.

Didn't he return to the Eastern Palace? Why has he come back and found his way here?

But it doesn't matter, she's no longer his fiancée, and she hasn't done anything outrageous, so there's nothing to be ashamed of.

"Fifth Brother..."

Princess Taihe was momentarily startled, but quickly calmed down.

She almost forgot that Xiao Liu and Fifth Brother were no longer the same people. Fifth Brother could no longer control Xiao Liu, so it was none of Fifth Brother's business if she brought Xiao Liu to a place like this.

Yan Chenghui ignored her, strode forward, and fixed his gaze on Yan Hui's face.

"Raise your head."

He gave the order in a cold voice.

Cen Lingyi's heart skipped a beat.

Yan Hui looked just like him, yet he knelt before her to serve her.

He would surely feel that she was humiliating him, and would probably fly into a rage.

Yan Hui slowly raised her head, and upon seeing Yan Chenghui's appearance, she was taken aback and quickly lowered her eyes: "My lord..."

Just now, when he came in, he heard the two girls talking about who he looked like.

It should be someone like the person in front of you.

But this man's aura was far superior to his; he stood high above, imposing and majestic, as if a single glance could kill.

"Nanny Cen has such refined tastes."

Yan Chenghui withdrew his gaze from Yan Hui's face and returned it to Cen Lingyi's face, his expression carrying a piercing sneer.

She found a male prostitute who looked like him to serve her, intending to humiliate and retaliate against him.

well.

"You may all leave."

Yun Que, who was behind, quietly gave instructions to Yan Hui and the others.

For no other reason than to maintain the dignity of the royal family and not reveal Princess Taihe's status as a princess.

His Highness's status is even more noble; this must not be allowed to be known by these people.

Yan Hui and the others were naturally more than happy to accept this. They had seen similar scenes before, and as long as it didn't involve them, they were fine with it.

The two men, along with the musician, bowed their heads and quickly retreated.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Cen Lingyi stood up and Chao Yan Chenghui bowed respectfully.

"As Huai Jiao's wet nurse, what is your punishment for frequenting such dissolute places?"

Yan Chenghui's voice was cold and devoid of any warmth.

"Fifth Brother, I dragged Sixth Sister here by force, so please don't blame her."

Princess Taihe stepped forward and pushed Cen Lingyi behind her to protect her.

She was naturally a little afraid of her fifth brother, and felt uneasy inside.

But Xiao Liu is already in this state, so she has to protect her, otherwise Xiao Liu will be bullied to death by Fifth Brother.

"Your Highness, although I am the wet nurse of the young prince and am bound by the rules of the Eastern Palace, that is still within the Eastern Palace. Today I am off duty and free. As long as I do not delay my return to the Eastern Palace by evening, there should be no place in the world that I cannot go."

Cen Lingyi pushed her away, faced Yan Chenghui's gaze directly, and spoke softly.

She lowered her eyes and bowed her head obediently, but her back was ramrod straight.

She did not do anything wrong in today's events, and Princess Taihe invited her here out of good intentions.

Her day off was supposed to be a rare chance for her to catch her breath, but he not only dumped Yan Huaijiao on her, but also restricted where she could go.

Although she was down on her luck, she still retained a trace of the pride her parents had given her. In front of Princess Taihe and Yun Que, she wanted to maintain her last bit of self-respect.

Yan Chenghui, without distinguishing right from wrong, immediately tried to intimidate her with the rules of the Eastern Palace.

She is not convinced.

"Sixth grade..."

Princess Taihe turned to look at her in surprise. Fifth Brother's expression was so frightening, how dare Sixth Brother?

Xiao Liu is really brave.

Yun Que, who was behind, quietly raised his sleeve to wipe his sweat.

Why is Miss Cen so stubborn?

At this point, all she has to do is lower her head and obediently admit her mistake.

Your Highness shouldn't be too angry.

After all, Miss Cen was just sitting and drinking, having done nothing out of line.

But Miss Cen refused to back down and insisted on arguing with His Highness. Wasn't she just asking for trouble?

"You brought Huai Jiao to this filthy and chaotic place, and you still dare to say you're not at fault?"

Yan Chenghui's temples throbbed with veins as he coldly rebuked him.

"It was His Highness who brought the young prince out to this servant..."

Cen Lingyi's expression was calm as she spoke to him in his defense.

She shouldn't have brought Yan Huaijiao with her on her day off.

He wouldn't have brought the child out to her if he hadn't. She wouldn't have brought Yan Huaijiao here.

"take away."

Feeling frustrated, Yan Chenghui interrupted her and turned to leave.

"Fifth Brother, I arranged all of this, please don't blame Sixth Brother..."

Princess Taihe chased after him and tried to stop him.

Seeing how angry Fifth Brother is, shouldn't he punish Sixth Brother when they return to the East Palace?

She was the one who caused the trouble, and she couldn't just stand by and watch Xiao Liu get punished.

Yan Chenghui raised his cold eyes and glanced at her.

"Take them with you."

After saying that, he stepped out the door and strode away.

"Fifth brother, why are you even interfering with me?"

Princess Taihe immediately became anxious.

"Your Highness, this matter has nothing to do with Princess Taihe. Please do not take your anger out on her."

Cen Lingyi chased after him out the door and called out to Yan Chenghui from under the eaves.

Yan Chenghui stood with his hands behind his back, turned around to look at her, his expression somber.

"Wow... Mmm..."

Behind them, Yan Huaijiao's crying could be heard.

His soft little face was streaked with tears, and when he saw Cen Lingyi, he cried and threw himself at her.

Suiyu chased after him, carrying him in her arms: "Miss Cen, His Highness is awake..."

Cen Lingyi turned around and took Yan Huaijiao from her arms, gently rocking him to comfort him.

Yan Chenghui stopped looking at her and mounted his horse.

"Miss Cen, let's go."

Yun Que stepped forward and spoke softly.

His Highness said he would take Miss Cen away, so they couldn't really do anything to her.

Besides, Miss Cen is holding the little prince in her arms, so she can't be rough with him.

"I'm not leaving. You take the young prince and go first."

Cen Lingyi handed Yan Huaijiao, who was in her arms, over.

Her leave hasn't ended yet, why should she leave?

When Yan Huaijiao saw that she was going to give herself to someone else, she cried even louder. Her little hands and feet thrashed about, her eyes were closed and her eyelashes were wet, and large tears rolled down her little face.

"this……"

How could Yun Que dare to accept such an offer?

When this little darling starts crying, no one but Miss Cen can soothe him.

He couldn't help but look at his own prince.

Yan Chenghui stared at him coldly.

He was startled and turned to Cen Lingyi in a low voice, saying, "His Highness wants you to return to the East Palace, so you should go back..."

"I'm off today, and I'll naturally go back when it's time."

Cen Lingyi took a step forward, intending to hand Yan Huaijiao over to him.

Yun Que was so frightened that she took several steps back and hid far away, then turned to look at Yan Chenghui for help.

His Highness ordered him to take Miss Cen away, but he couldn't do anything about it.

But if he didn't take Miss Cen with him, it seemed like His Highness wanted to tear him apart.

How can this be good?

Yun Gong watched from the side, not daring to utter a sound.

Yun Que was much more clever than him, and even he couldn't escape this predicament while caught in the middle, let alone him.

Yan Chenghui gripped the reins and gave a soft rebuke.

The horse then took a few small steps and walked up to Cen Lingyi.

Seeing Yan Huaijiao crying pitifully, Cen Lingyi took him back into her arms to comfort him. She then saw Yan Chenghui riding over, noble and aloof, sitting upright on his tall horse, staring at her with a cold gaze.

"Your Highness, please take the young prince back first."

Cen Lingyi stepped forward, intending to hand Yan Huaijiao over to him.

He was the one who raised the child, so he should be the one to take him back.

He held her, and Yan Huaijiao didn't cry.

"Waaah..."

Yan Huaijiao stopped crying, but then started whimpering pitifully, clinging to her neck with her little hands and refusing to let go.

"Your Highness, be good, come back with Father first..."

Cen Lingyi gently coaxed him, and when she saw Yan Chenghui leaning down, she took a step forward.

She thought that Yan Chenghui was going to take over Yan Huaijiao's position.

The next instant, her waist tightened, her feet went light, and the world spun before her eyes.

Yan Chenghui wrapped one arm around her waist and lifted her and Yan Huaijiao, who was in his arms, into his arms.

When Cen Lingyi came to her senses, she was already sitting steadily in his lap.

"Giggle..."

Yan Huaijiao had never experienced anything like this before, and suddenly felt as if she were flying.

He thought Yan Chenghui was teasing him, so he leaned on Cen Lingyi's shoulder, tears still on his face, and looked at Yan Chenghui with a smile.

Cen Lingyi straightened up: "Your Highness, this is against the rules. Please let me go."

Behind her, his strong, warm chest was both close and distant, the scent of ebony enveloping her, both familiar and strange.

A pang of sadness welled up in her heart as she recalled the times he taught her to ride a horse.

She learned to ride a horse in his arms.

Yan Chenghui ignored her, wrapped his arms around her slender waist from behind, and grasped the reins.

The horses began to move.

Cen Lingyi couldn't help but press her body against his chest, feeling a continuous stream of warmth that made her already flushed face turn even redder.

Yan Chenghui sat upright, expressionless, and urged his horse out of the Xizhou Pavilion.

At this hour, the long bluestone street was bustling with people, with vendors lining both sides and pedestrians coming and going.

Yan Chenghui rode his horse with Cen Lingyi, but they could only walk slowly, and pedestrians along the street couldn't help but stop and watch them.

It wasn't that they knew Yan Chenghui's identity, but rather that the two of them were too outstanding in appearance and extremely eye-catching.

In addition, Yan Huaijiao's pleasing appearance has attracted much discussion among passersby.

Yan Chenghui frowned slightly and raised his hand to take off his outer robe.

Cen Lingyi was also feeling uncomfortable being stared at. Suddenly, his clothes were pulled down over his head, blocking all the prying eyes from outside and dimming the light in front of him.

His clothes, carrying his body heat and the crisp scent of ebony, enveloped her completely.

"Don't overthink it, I just don't want them to disturb Huai Jiao."

Yan Chenghui's tone was cold.

Cen Lingyi felt a pang of sadness, pursed her lips and remained silent, leaning her head down on Yan Huaijiao's small shoulder, her tears silently soaking through the little guy's clothes.

In the past, during winter, when he took her horseback riding, he would always take off his cloak and wrap it around her, afraid that she would feel cold.

Now, they are riding horses again, but they have become like this.

As the horse entered the courtyard gate of Mingde Hall, Yan Chenghui dismounted.

Cen Lingyi had already composed herself. Apart from her slightly red eyes, her expression was calm, and there was no indication that she had been crying.

However, she was holding a child in her arms and couldn't get off the horse.

Yan Chenghui ignored her and just stood aside.

"girl!"

Lingzhi saw this from under the corridor and quickly stepped forward to take Yan Huaijiao from Cen Lingyi's hands.

Cen Lingyi was then able to dismount.

Yan Huaijiao was unhappy that Lingzhi was hugging him, and grumbled as he headed towards the direction where Cen Lingyi was.

Cen Lingyi reached out and took it from him.

As soon as Yan Huaijiao was in her arms, she became obedient and quiet, without making a fuss at all.

Lingzhi sighed inwardly. The young prince's clinginess to the girl was protecting her, but it was also making the girl suffer.

Seeing this, Banxia didn't go forward, but just pursed her lips.

If Your Highness doesn't dislike Cen Lingyi, why did you bring her back?

A moment later, Princess Taihe was brought in by Yun Que and the others.

"Fifth brother, please forgive me! I didn't do anything wrong. It was just a place for fun, and what we did wasn't excessive..."

As soon as Princess Taihe saw Yan Chenghui, she pleaded for her life.

She had been to the Xizhou Pavilion countless times, and her father had never blamed her. Her fifth brother was really nosy; he actually had her escorted back to the East Palace.

"This was all due to my lack of foresight, leading Your Highness to a filthy place. Please do not blame Her Highness."

Cen Lingyi stepped forward, bowed to Chao Yan Chenghui, her long eyelashes lowered, neither humble nor arrogant.

Yan Chenghui glanced at her sideways: "Didn't I say that on your days off you're free to come and go as you please, anywhere in the world?"

"Yes." Cen Lingyi pursed her lips: "This servant shouldn't have brought His Highness along."

She didn't think there was anything wrong with her going to the Xizhou Pavilion with Princess Taihe.

The mistake was not making proper arrangements for Yan Huaijiao.

"That's true, Fifth Brother," Princess Taihe chimed in, trying to excuse herself. "Sixth Sister is a free person now. Even if I were to find her a few gigolos, Fifth Brother shouldn't interfere, right?"

She became less and less confident as she spoke, and her voice grew softer and softer.

Because Fifth Brother's eyes were too frightening.

But she was resentful; it was true to some extent.

When Xiao Liu and he were together before, it was one thing for him to control Xiao Liu.

Now that they have no connection, why should they care about Xiao Liu?

"Princess Taihe instigated the imperial grandson's wet nurse to act recklessly, leading the imperial grandson to filthy places and corrupting his character and upbringing. She was punished with twenty strokes of the cane."

Yan Chenghui's hands, clasped behind his back, made a soft cracking sound. A hint of annoyance flashed in his dark eyes as he coldly gave the order.

"Your Highness, this is not Princess Taihe's fault!"

Cen Lingyi quickly stepped forward to stop him.

Yan Chenghui ignored her, turning his gaze away with a cold and hard expression.

"Fifth brother, I know I was wrong, please forgive me, don't hit me..."

Princess Taihe always believed that a wise man doesn't suffer a loss, and when she saw that he was serious, she immediately admitted her mistake and begged for forgiveness, not daring to argue with Cen Lingyi anymore.

Yun Que dared not disobey Yan Chenghui's orders and commanded, "Drag him out."

"Right here."

Yan Chenghui spoke sternly.

Yun Que had no choice but to order, "Bring in the torture bench."

Miss Cen and Princess Taihe have always been close friends. Is Your Highness trying to show Miss Cen this?

Yun Gong thought so too. Was His Highness reluctant to hit Miss Cen, but also angry that Miss Cen went to such a place, so he deliberately punished Princess Taihe with a cane to make an example of her?

Princess Taihe was pressed onto the torture bench, repeatedly apologizing and begging for mercy from Yan Chenghui.

Cen Lingyi was anxious, but Yan Chenghui remained indifferent, as if he hadn't heard anything.

The first blow landed with a dull thud; Princess Taihe had never suffered such pain before.

Even though the executioner had already reduced his strength by half, she still trembled in pain and screamed, "Little Six, help! It hurts so much..."

After only three blows, her hair was disheveled, her hairpins were askew, and she was covered in cold sweat.

"Waaah... Fifth Brother, how dare you hit me like that! I'm going back to tell Father Emperor, and he'll punish you severely..."

She was in excruciating pain and spoke recklessly.

Cen Lingyi couldn't bear to watch any longer, so she knelt down, concealing the bitterness in her heart, and said with her long eyelashes downcast, "Your Highness, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have gone to that place of pleasure and disregarded Your Highness's upbringing. I beg Your Highness to forgive Princess Taihe. I promise I will never do it again."

By beating Princess Taihe in front of her, wasn't he just trying to force her to admit her mistake?

She'll admit it.

"Do you know you were wrong?" Yan Chenghui glanced at her with his eyes down.

"Yes, this servant knows her mistake."

Cen Lingyi admitted her mistake without hesitation.

She didn't want Princess Taihe to suffer because of her; how could a pampered princess endure such pain?

"You are very loyal and devoted to her."

Yan Chenghui's lips curled into a slight sneer.

"Your Highness, about what happened back then, this servant..."

Cen Lingyi knew he was alluding to her abandoning him back then, and wanted to explain to him.

"I have no interest in hearing about what happened back then." Yan Chenghui turned around and said calmly, "Stop."

Cen Lingyi lowered her eyes sadly.

She had always wanted to explain to him, but he was always like this, disdainful of listening to her explanations.

That's it.

The guards carrying out the execution immediately stopped.

"Send Princess Taihe back to Consort Hui's side and explain the reason."

Yan Chenghui put his hands behind his back and gave the order in a cold voice.

Princess Taihe winced in pain, but still managed to speak to Cen Lingyi: "Sixth Sister, I'm leaving now."

Cen Lingyi turned to look at her and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that there was no bleeding on her body.

Yan Chenghui was still sensible and did not kill Yan Chengzhen.

"Come in and serve me the brush and ink."

Yan Chenghui turned and walked towards the main hall.

Cen Lingyi followed, then glanced at Yan Huaijiao, who was in Lingzhi's arms and kept asking for her.

"May I take Your Highness to see the kittens?"

Lingzhi coaxed Yan Huaijiao to walk outside.

Banxia glared hatefully at Cen Lingyi from the shadows, cursing inwardly: This wretched maid, she steals my job as soon as she comes back.

Yan Chenghui sat down at his desk, opened a volume of official documents, looked down at it, and ordered, "What are you standing there for? Grind the ink."

"Your Highness."

Cen Lingyi paused for a moment before speaking.

Yan Chenghui looked up at her.

"Here's five taels of gold, here you go."

Cen Lingyi counted out five small gold ingots from the purse given to him by Princess Taihe and placed them side by side on his desk.

She didn't want to owe him anything, so she borrowed money from Princess Taihe to repay him.

Yan Chenghui stared at the five gleaming gold ingots, his fingers tightening, his gaze growing colder with each passing moment.