Nong Nu Jiao

That year, Yan Chenghui was ten years old.

It was late autumn, and the Cold Palace was already damp and cold. It started raining outside, and the wind carried a bone-chilling cold.

The Emperor braved the rain to visit the Cold Palace.

The mother sat on the stool with her back to the emperor, ignoring him completely.

As a child, he was afraid of his father, so he hugged the puppy that Cen Lingyi had given him and hid in a dark corner of the palace, not daring to make a sound.

The Emperor treated the Mother Consort with gentle words and indulgence.

No matter how much he pleaded, his mother remained silent and unresponsive, her back turned to him.

The emperor gradually lost patience and became paranoidly suspicious of his mother.

His eyes blazed with jealousy and resentment as he demanded sharply, "Xiao Yulou, you're always so melancholy, keeping me at arm's length. Isn't it because you resent me for forcing you into marriage? From beginning to end, the only person in your heart has been Cen Qingshan, hasn't it?"

His mother still ignored him.

The emperor was furious and went forward to tear her clothes.

"I will make you unable to forget him..."

The mother struggled and slapped him across the face.

Emperor Shengwu's movements only froze for a moment before continuing.

"Yan Chongheng, you beast, your son is watching you..."

His mother pinched him, bit him, and scolded him.

The emperor's eyes were bloodshot, and he looked like a madman, unable to listen to anything.

The young boy was terrified, trembling all over, his teeth chattering.

"Woof!"

The puppy in his arms suddenly barked.

The dog's bark startled the Emperor.

The emperor rose and walked to him, looking down at him.

He huddled there, feeling an immense pressure emanating from his father, making it hard for him to breathe.

"Woof woof woof..."

The puppy tried to protect him, barking wildly at its father from his arms.

The emperor's eyes turned even redder, and his anger seemed to cloud his judgment.

He tried to pull the puppy along, but he couldn't stop it; the puppy barked even louder.

Suddenly, the emperor bent down, grabbed the puppy, and without hesitation, lifted it high in the air and slammed it hard onto the cold ground right in front of him.

"don't want!"

His exclamation and the puppy's yelp occurred at the same time.

The little white dog let out a short whimper, and then everything came to an abrupt end.

He witnessed that cruel and bloody scene with his own eyes.

Fear, heartache, and despair consumed him in his young age.

He dared not cry or make a sound; he could only clench his hands, bite his lip until it bled, and the metallic taste filled his mouth.

Overwhelmed with fear and anxiety, he fell ill with a sudden high fever that made him delirious.

It was Grand Tutor Cen who brought him back.

While he was at the Cen residence, he fell seriously ill. Cen Lingyi, who was a year younger than him, stayed by his side every day, asking doctors to treat him, feeding him medicine, and talking to him. Only then did he barely escape with his life.

"My headaches that come with rainy days started around that time..."

Yan Chenghui whispered.

He pressed himself against Cen Lingyi; the damp air and the sound of rain would awaken that scene buried deep in his heart.

Only when he was close to her and could smell her familiar scent could he feel at ease.

Cen Lingyi listened quietly as he finished recounting this long-forgotten story, her hands involuntarily wrapping around his head.

The rain pattered outside the window, and her heart felt like it was being squeezed by something, a dull and aching sensation spreading through her.

"It must be so hard on you, having to endure so much at such a young age..."

She gently stroked his hair with tenderness.

"I have never mentioned this to anyone."

A layer of weariness clouded Yan Chenghui's eyes, and his voice was low and hoarse.

He could only completely open his heart to her.

Cen Lingyi lowered her head and kissed his forehead, her voice gentle: "It's all in the past. From now on, I'll be with you on every rainy day."

"Jiaojiao, it's so good to have you."

Yan Chenghui snuggled closer to her, his long eyelashes drooping, revealing a rare vulnerability beneath his strong exterior.

"Let's go to sleep."

Cen Lingyi patted him.

Yan Chenghui lay down on one side and casually pulled her into his arms.

"Don't you want to lean against me?"

Cen Lingyi rested her head on his arm and asked worriedly.

"That works too."

Yan Chenghui held her tightly, resting his chin on the top of her head.

"it is good."

Cen Lingyi smiled inexplicably and buried her face in his chest.

*

August 16th, an auspicious day.

The Dasheng Dynasty is holding its grandest ceremony in years.

Crown Prince Yan Chenghui married Cen Lingyi, the legitimate daughter of Grand Tutor Cen, and officially made her the Crown Princess.

The sky is clear and the air is fresh; the court and the people celebrate together.

Before dawn, the entire imperial city had already awakened.

The high walls on both sides of the imperial road were covered with bright red brocade, and lanterns with gold-painted double happiness characters hung under the eaves. The red carpet stretched from the front of the Cen Mansion all the way to the East Palace, lasting for ten miles.

Cen Lingyi was woken up by her mother in the middle of the night. She sat in front of the dressing table, yawning, and let Lingzhi and others help her with her hair and makeup.

Her long, black hair was styled into an elaborate bun, with gold hairpins and pearl flowers inserted into it.

The heavy golden phoenix crown was brought over and placed to one side, ready to be worn later.

Cui Jinshu sat on a round stool to the side, her gaze fixed on her daughter, her eyes filled with both joy and reluctance.

"My son has really grown up."

The servants stepped aside, and Cui Jinshu stepped forward, standing behind Cen Lingyi, looking at his daughter in the bronze mirror.

"Mother, Huaijiao is so grown up now, and I've been grown up for a long time."

Cen Lingyi smiled as she looked at her mother in the mirror.

"You and His Highness the Crown Prince have never had a wedding. In your mother's heart, you've always been a child. From today onwards, you're an adult." Cui Jinshu stroked her hair. "Once you enter the Eastern Palace, you'll be the Crown Princess. You must be careful in your words and actions, and not be negligent."

"I know, Mother."

Cen Lingyi nodded in agreement.

"My son has suffered too much. I don't ask you to be rich and powerful. I only hope that you and His Highness the Crown Prince can live happily together. The most important thing between husband and wife is to be open with each other. If there is anything, tell His Highness the Crown Prince. Don't keep it to yourself anymore."

"If you feel wronged, just come home. Your father and mother will support you."

Cui Jinshu choked up several times as she said these words.

"Okay, Mother, I'll remember."

Cen Lingyi also felt like crying.

"Don't cry, or you'll ruin your makeup."

Cui Jinshu patted her on the shoulder.

To be honest, I really am reluctant to part with her, but my daughter is all grown up and has to get married eventually.

"Come and see the bride..."

"I want to see it too..."

Several of the Cen family's sisters, along with their female relatives, entered the room, instantly enlivening the atmosphere.

"Look at our sixth child, she's absolutely radiant!"

"Our little sister is now the Crown Princess, she has truly overcome all her hardships and is now enjoying the fruits of her labor."

"When you arrive at your wedding night, be sure to have your husbands and brothers give them a good thrashing..."

Laughter and chatter filled the air, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

The Eastern Palace.

The music of three dynasties resounded, the golden bells and jade chimes echoing majestically throughout the nine palaces.

The eunuch raised his head and announced loudly: "His Highness the Crown Prince is on his way to the wedding!"

The main gate of the East Palace was wide open, and the music of the Ritual and Music Bureau resounded in unison.

Yan Chenghui wore a bright red wedding robe embroidered with five-clawed dragons, the fabric shimmering and the dragons coiled in gold thread lifelike. A jade belt cinched his waist, and his black hair was tied up high, exuding an air of refined nobility and composure. His eyes shone brightly, with a hint of expectation in them, as he sat on the imperial gilded palanquin bestowed upon him.

The imperial carriage slowly started moving. A colorful procession led the way, followed by palace maids holding fans and lanterns. Hundreds of palace women in brocade and red robes created a magnificent spectacle.

The streets were lined with ceremonial guards and fluttering banners.

The people poured out of the city, lining the streets and craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the grand spectacle of the Crown Prince's wedding.

Cen Lingyi walked out, supported by her two elder brothers.

She was wearing the wedding attire of phoenixes and dragons prepared for her by Yan Chenghui, with a phoenix crown on her head and surrounded by pearls and jade, making her incomparably beautiful.

She walked out step by step, her gait elegant, her expression serene.

With proper etiquette officials leading the way, the procession followed the royal wedding ceremony, including stepping over saddles, crossing fire, and avoiding evil spirits.

Yan Chenghui stood beside the decorated carriage and reached out to take her.

Their fingertips touched.

Cen Lingyi glanced at him sideways, their eyes met, and they both smiled quietly.

"Are you tired?"

Yan Chenghui asked her in a low voice.

"fine."

Cen Lingyi replied softly with two words.

Then came entering the palace, paying homage to Heaven and Earth, and then worshipping at the ancestral temple.

The emperor and empress attended the ceremony, and all the officials bowed to offer their congratulations.

At the moment the ceremony was completed, music and ceremonial music filled the air, and the entire hall was filled with congratulations

Yan Chenghui held Cen Lingyi's hand tightly, looked at the officials below who were offering their congratulations, and whispered, "Jiaojiao, I have finally married you."

After many twists and turns, misunderstandings, hardships, life and death separations, everything has vanished like smoke.

From then on, he had a principal wife, and his beloved became his wife.

With a dowry of ten miles and the people of the land as witnesses, we pledge to weather the storms of life together and never part.

He was filled with many emotions.

"When can we go back?"

Cen Lingyi didn't think of anything else; her neck was stiff.

She had been wearing this heavy phoenix crown since before dawn, and now it was almost evening; her neck was stiff from wearing it the whole time.

"Just bear with it a little longer. There's a wedding banquet at the East Palace tonight. You can go to the bridal chamber to rest then."

Yan Chenghui couldn't help but chuckle at her adorable appearance and whispered something to her.

"oh."

Cen Lingyi nodded.

"The ceremony is complete—"

The master of ceremonies chanted.

The officials cheered again, their voices echoing far and wide.

Cen Lingyi accompanied Yan Chenghui, smiling and nodding to everyone.

The officials were about to disperse, preparing to go to the Eastern Palace for a wedding banquet that evening.

Emperor Shengwu, who sat high on the dragon throne, suddenly raised his hand to suppress the commotion in the hall.

Inside the Golden Palace, all fell silent as everyone stared at Emperor Shengwu.

"My beloved ministers, the Crown Prince's wedding has been a complete success, and I have finally put my mind at ease. Today, I have something to announce to the world."

Upon hearing this, Cen Lingyi felt uneasy and turned to look at Yan Chenghui.

Now that she and Yan Chenghui are married, Emperor Shengwu won't try to make things difficult for them anymore, right?

She was genuinely afraid of Emperor Shengwu.

Yan Chenghui shook his head slightly and gave her a reassuring look.

Emperor Shengwu's gaze swept over the tall and composed Yan Chenghui below the steps, then over the civil and military officials below, and he spoke in a loud voice:

"I have reigned for decades, personally managing all affairs of state and safeguarding the peace and prosperity of the Great Sheng Dynasty. I have done my duty to the people. Now the court is stable and the world is at peace. Crown Prince Yan Chenghui is benevolent and wise, and capable in governing the country. He is qualified to succeed the emperor."

The officials below looked at each other in bewilderment as they listened to his words. Why was His Majesty bringing this up out of the blue?

Cen Lingyi rolled her dark eyes, not daring to move.

Why does His Majesty's statement sound like he's about to promote Yan Chenghui?

However, Yan Chenghui is already the Crown Prince, second only to the Emperor. How can he possibly be promoted?