Nong Nu Jiao

Yan Chenghui immediately noticed the bright red bloodstains on Cen Lingyi's face, flowing from her forehead to her cheeks.

His dark pupils suddenly contracted.

Before Cen Lingyi could react, her vision blurred.

In the blink of an eye, Yan Chenghui appeared before her, his dark eyes fixed on her face.

She instinctively tried to back away, but he grabbed her wrist, pulled her closer, and raised his hand towards her.

Cen Lingyi was caught off guard and had no time to react, so she instinctively closed her eyes.

He slapped her without even asking why?

Yan Chenghui's hand did not fall.

Up close, you can see clearly that there's no wound on her forehead; the bloodstains are splattered.

He abruptly released his grip on her hand and took a step back with a cold expression.

Cen Lingyi didn't receive the expected slap, nor did she hear any sound, so she opened her eyes.

Then Yan Chenghui stepped back, looking indifferently in the direction of Madam Sun and Wu Liguang, as if he wasn't the one who had rushed up to hit her.

Cen Lingyi was bewildered and still in shock.

"Girl, what's wrong?"

Lingzhi brought back rice cakes for Yan Huaijiao and saw Cen Lingyi's face covered in blood. She was so frightened that her soul almost left her body.

She rushed over and lifted a handkerchief to wipe Cen Lingyi's forehead.

"It's not my blood."

Cen Lingyi explained to her in a low voice.

Lingzhi's face turned pale with fright. She wiped the bloodstains several times and found that the skin beneath was fair and without any wounds. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.

Yan Huaijiao seemed to be frightened as well, and obediently nestled in Cen Lingyi's arms, not moving at all. When she saw Lingzhi come, she didn't ask her for rice cakes.

Yan Chenghui glanced at Yun Que sideways.

Yun Que understood and immediately reminded him, "Madam Sun, His Highness has arrived."

When Madam Sun, who was busy directing people to stop Wu Liguang's bleeding, heard the reminder, she turned around and realized that Yan Chenghui had arrived at some point.

"Your Highness, Nurse Cen has injured someone; you must punish her severely..."

Upon seeing Yan Chenghui, Madam Sun hurriedly bowed and then stepped forward to file a complaint.

Wu Liguang was almost fully bandaged by this time. His head was wrapped in gauze, the blood on his face had not yet been wiped clean, and his body was dripping with blood, making him look extremely disheveled.

Upon seeing Yan Chenghui, he immediately knelt down and bowed, saying, "This humble one greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

He had neither official rank nor title, and could only refer to himself as a lowly person when he met the Crown Prince.

"What happened?"

Yan Chenghui glanced at him and asked in a low voice.

Wu Li shaved his head and buried it in the ground, stammering and not daring to speak.

His cousin called him over, saying that Cen Lingyi was in the Eastern Palace and had become a wet nurse, so he could flirt with her however he wanted.

But it wasn't mentioned that His Highness the Crown Prince would be coming.

He was a complete idiot, and feeling guilty, he knelt on the ground, unable to say a word.

"Your Highness, my cousin came to visit me today on behalf of my aunt. I took him for a walk in the garden, and that's when we ran into Nurse Cen. My cousin and Nurse Cen knew each other before, and they started chatting. I only went over there to pick a peony when I heard my cousin scream in agony. Nurse Cen has gone mad for some reason; she suddenly smashed my cousin's head with a stone. Your Highness, please punish her immediately!"

Madam Sun raised her hand and pointed at Cen Lingyi, her eyes flashing with hatred and anger.

I thought today's matter was a sure thing.

Once her cousin succeeds, Cen Lingyi will no longer be qualified to serve the young prince and will definitely be driven out of the Eastern Palace by the prince.

Unexpectedly, Cen Lingyi, who looked so frail, had such great skills. Not only did her cousin fail to get what he wanted, but she also broke his head.

Just thinking about her aunt making a scene sent chills down her spine.

Cen Lingyi looked at her coldly, pursing her lips, and did not utter a rebuttal.

This is the garden of the Eastern Palace's rear residence.

Even if Yan Chenghui doesn't protect her, he still has to protect his Crown Princess and other women.

He probably won't let Wu Liguang off the hook.

"Let him speak."

Yan Chenghui's gaze fell on Wu Liguang.

"This...this scoundrel..."

Wu Li's bald head was buried in the ground, and he didn't know what to say for a moment.

"Cousin, His Highness will stand up for you, please speak to him properly!"

Madam Sun was very anxious upon hearing this.

My cousin is such a useless person. She had already laid out all the groundwork, so why didn't he just say something casually?

What a useless coward. I should have known better than to hire him. He's utterly incompetent and only good for making things worse.

"Yes, I knew Cen Lingyi before. I went up to greet her, but I don't know what happened to her. She suddenly went crazy and hit my head with a stone..."

Wu Liguang stammered, echoing Madam Sun's words, and said something.

Yan Chenghui's indifferent gaze fell on Cen Lingyi's face: "What do you say?"

"When I was taking the young prince for a walk in the garden, Madam Sun suddenly came over and knocked the rice cake out of the young prince's hand. This caused Lingzhi, who was with me, to go back to the side hall to get the rice cake. Madam Sun then fled and sent her cousin, who was hiding in the bushes, out to harass me. In order to protect myself, I had no choice but to retaliate and hurt him..."

Cen Lingyi lowered her eyes and spoke calmly and slowly as she recounted what had happened.

She didn't use strong words or show many expressions, but she possessed a convincing power that made people naturally believe what she said was true.

"What nonsense are you talking about? I didn't mean to knock over the little prince's rice cake. It was an accident..."

Madam Sun spoke up to defend herself.

Yun Que glanced around, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the group, and he understood what was going on.

Madam Sun brought her cousin Wu Liguang, intending to harm Miss Cen. Fortunately, Miss Cen was quick-witted, and Wu Liguang failed to succeed, instead suffering a head injury.

That's exactly what they deserve.

He couldn't help but look at his own prince. If he could see it, there was no way his prince couldn't see it.

But His Highness has always been...

Alas, I wonder how Your Highness will ultimately deal with this?

Yan Chenghui looked at Cen Lingyi and remained silent for a moment.

"Words are meaningless. Do you have any witnesses or evidence to prove your claim? My cousin and I can corroborate each other's words, but you only have the young prince, and the young prince can't speak!"

Madam Sun panicked for a moment and immediately tried to defend herself.

Although what Cen Lingyi said was true, there was no proof, so what was she afraid of?

"Your Highness, please go to Lingzhi's place."

Cen Lingyi coaxed Yan Huaijiao and handed him over to Lingzhi.

Yan Huaijiao seemed to understand that something big had happened. Although she was unwilling, she did not cry and make a fuss as usual when she was in Lingzhi's arms. She just looked at Cen Lingyi pitifully.

"Your Highness, please look. These are the marks left by Wu Liguang dragging this servant."

Cen Lingyi raised her hand and slowly rolled up her sleeve, revealing a section of her fair and white wrist.

The wrist, which was originally flawless, was pinched and left with a bluish-red finger mark. The mark was very clear and fresh, and it was obvious at a glance that it had just been squeezed hard.

Yan Chenghui stared at the mark, his pupils contracted, and his hands behind his back slowly clenched.

"Who knows where you got these marks? Maybe you made them yourself and are trying to pin it on my cousin."

Madam Sun argued loudly, resorting to sophistry and unreasonable arguments.

"The inner quarters of the Eastern Palace are the residence of the women. No men are allowed to enter without the permission of His Highness the Crown Prince or His Highness the Crown Princess. I wonder whose permission Madam Sun's cousin has obtained to enter this garden?"

Cen Lingyi raised her eyes and looked directly at Madam Sun, her gaze clear and her expression composed.

After injuring Wu Liguang, she felt a moment of fear and panic, but she quickly regained her composure.

This is easy to handle; she is completely in the wrong.

Madam Sun's expression changed, and her voice lowered: "I invited my cousin here for a private banquet. Do I need the Crown Princess's permission...?"

She knew this reason was unconvincing, so she lacked confidence.

"That means that without the approval of His Highness the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess, it is a capital offense for an outsider to enter the inner court of the Eastern Palace. Even if we disregard his harassment of the servants, just for the offense of trespassing into the inner court of the Eastern Palace, let alone the fact that the servants only injured him, even if they killed him, it would still be in accordance with the rules."

Cen Lingyi raised her chin, straightened her back, and looked directly into Madam Sun's eyes, each word clear and distinct.

Rules are rigid and have been in place for so many years. No matter how much Yan Chenghui dotes on Lady Sun, he cannot change the rules of the Eastern Palace for her sake.

These words were well-reasoned, supported by evidence, and carried weight.

Lingzhi, holding Yan Huaijiao beside her, listened with wide eyes, wishing she could applaud the girl.

This girl has regained some of her former flamboyant and radiant appearance, which is wonderful.

Yun Que listened from the side, full of admiration.

Miss Cen was, after all, trained by the Grand Tutor's mansion. Even though she had fallen on hard times and became the wet nurse of the Crown Prince's palace, she never diminished Grand Tutor Cen's prestige.

"Your Highness, look at her..."

Unable to argue with Cen Lingyi, Madam Sun feigned grievance and went forward to hug Yan Chenghui's arm, acting coquettishly.

So what if she's in the wrong?

Her father led the troops into battle on behalf of His Highness, and His Highness should side with her out of respect for his father.

Yan Chenghui patted her arm reassuringly.

Seeing Madam Sun nestled against him like a little bird, the two of them looking so loving and trusting, Cen Lingyi abruptly looked away.

He was supposed to be like this; it had nothing to do with her.

"Your Highness, my cousin is my aunt's darling. He's injured now, please don't punish him, I beg you."

Knowing she was in the wrong, Madam Sun shook Yan Chenghui's arm and pleaded with him in a coquettish voice.

She already had trouble explaining her cousin's injury to her aunt; if His Highness punished him further, she would have even less to say.

"As you wish." Yan Chenghui glanced at Wu Liguang and ordered, "Someone, take him out."

Cen Lingyi lowered her long eyelashes, suppressing the bitterness in her heart.

He was always easy to talk to in front of Madam Sun.

Wu Liguang covered his head, and two guards led him out.

"Wait a moment!"

A sudden inspiration struck Madam Sun, and she called out to him.

"Cousin, is there anything else?"

Wu Liguang turned to look at her, his face full of gloom.

Today he tried to steal a chicken but ended up losing the rice instead. When has he ever suffered such a loss?

He couldn't get revenge on Cen Lingyi later, since Cen Lingyi hid in the East Palace all day, how could he possibly get in?

"Your Highness, I just remembered that I didn't go far when I was picking flowers. I overheard Nurse Cen and my cousin talking. Nurse Cen said she was willing to be my cousin's concubine, and that being a concubine was better than being a servant in the Eastern Palace. This is clearly her seducing my cousin. My cousin couldn't resist the temptation and fell for her trick. Your Highness, I heard it with my own ears. If you don't believe me, ask her if it's true."

Madam Sun pointed at Cen Lingyi, a hint of smugness in her eyes, and spoke with an air of self-righteousness.

Yes, it should have been said long ago that Cen Lingyi actively seduced him; it would be strange if His Highness didn't kick her out.

Yan Chenghui looked at Cen Lingyi, his face cold and his eyes icy.

"Is that so?"

"That was my scheme to lure him in. How else could I have defeated him?"

Cen Lingyi lowered her eyes and replied softly.

She didn't believe he couldn't guess the whole story.

Asking her this question was an insult to her for having an affair with another man, and also a way of protecting Madam Sun.

"This is your excuse that I've exposed. In fact, before the Cen family fell from grace, my cousin pursued you, but you looked down on him. Now that you're down on your luck, you're unwilling to just be a wet nurse, so you deliberately seduce him, hoping my cousin will take you away."

Madam Sun raised her voice.

Now everything made sense, and she became more and more confident as she spoke.

"According to your words, Madam, if I intended to seduce him, why did I hit him?"

Cen Lingyi looked at her, her expression calm, and asked in return.

"Because I came here, you were feeling guilty and afraid I'd find out, so you hit my cousin with a stone, and then you turned around and accused him of trying to force himself on you. Cousin, isn't that right?"

Madam Sun quickly gave Wu Liguang a meaningful look.

"That's exactly right."

Without a second thought, Wu Liguang replied loudly.

He had a terrible headache. If His Highness the Crown Prince believed this and banished Cen Lingyi from the Eastern Palace, he would immediately tie her up and take her home to torture and enjoy her at his leisure.

Cen Lingyi chuckled, her expression frank and her eyes clear: "You jest, Madam. At the time, I was holding the young prince in my arms. How could I have done something like seducing a man? If it weren't for your cousin's wanton advances and harassing me, leaving me with no way out, I wouldn't have been so ruthless to him."

"Who knows what you're thinking? You've offended His Highness's ears." Madam Sun hugged Yan Chenghui's arm tightly: "Your Highness, I really heard it with my own ears, she can't deny it."

Yan Chenghui stared at Cen Lingyi for a moment: "Alright, send her out."

"Your Highness, even if you don't send her away, you should at least punish her..."

Madam Sun took his arm and stamped her foot in frustration.

She put in so much effort, and her cousin even got injured. If she just lets it go like this, wouldn't she be at a huge loss?

Yan Chenghui, however, did not pursue the matter with Cen Lingyi as she had suggested.

Wu Liguang was led away by two guards.

"Let's go."

Yan Chenghui spoke in a low voice, intending to take Madam Sun away.

"Your Highness."

Cen Lingyi took a step forward and called out to him.

Yan Chenghui turned to look at her, his brows furrowing slightly.

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

"girl……"

Lingzhi knew her daughter's character well, and when she heard her speak, her heart skipped a beat. She stepped forward and quietly tugged at the hem of her dress.

You can't fight city hall, girl. What are you trying to do?

"Your Highness, ignore her, let's go."

Madam Sun glanced at Cen Lingyi with disdain, then led Yan Chenghui forward.

"Your Highness, please wait."

Cen Lingyi spoke again and took a step forward.

"Is there something you need?"

Yan Chenghui stopped and turned around to look at her, a hint of impatience in his eyes.

"Madam Sun has brought her cousin into the inner palace of the Eastern Palace without permission, which has violated the rules of the Eastern Palace and caused chaos in the inner quarters. According to the law, she should be stripped of her title, relocated to a remote courtyard, have her food and clothing reduced by half, and be forbidden from seeing His Highness for six months."

Cen Lingyi raised her dark eyes, meeting his gaze with neither arrogance nor servility. Her back was ramrod straight, her fingertips gently gripping her cuffs, her knuckles turning slightly white.

If she hadn't reacted quickly today, she would have been doomed by now.

Madam Sun's arrangement for Wu Liguang to harm her was clearly a meticulously planned scheme to kill her. Yan Chenghui simply let Wu Liguang go without asking any further questions.

He openly favored Madam Sun, showing no intention of pursuing the matter at all.

If she had brought a man from another family to this garden, she would probably have been beheaded by now.

Did she suffer this shock and scheming for nothing?

She naturally didn't seek his favoritism, only a sliver of justice.

Yun Que's eyelids twitched. This matter was over and done with, so why was Miss Cen still stopping His Highness, wanting him to punish Madam Sun?

Having known each other for many years, he knew Cen's temperament to some extent, and he was aware that Cen was not satisfied with what had happened today.

But times have changed. Why can't you be more sensible and suffer less?

Right now, Lady Sun's father is fighting for His Highness on the northwestern border. Even if His Highness wanted to, he shouldn't punish Lady Sun at this time.

"Cen Lingyi, are you crazy?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Sun was so angry she almost jumped up.

Cen Lingyi has some nerve. Who does she think she is? Just a lowly wet nurse. How dare she pursue this matter?

Yan Chenghui stared at Cen Lingyi, pursing his lips and remaining silent.

"Your Highness, please handle this matter impartially."

Cen Lingyi lowered her long, dark eyelashes, her voice soft but her tone firm.

She ignored Madam Sun and only spoke to Yan Chenghui.

In this matter, only Yan Chenghui's word counts.

"Cen Lingyi, as the wet nurse of the Crown Prince, you should have upheld your duties and been careful in your words and actions. Yet today you were entangled with a man in this garden, showing no restraint whatsoever. I have already shown leniency by not pursuing the matter with you; do you still dare to pursue Madam Sun?"

Yan Chenghui's voice was indifferent, and his words were laced with sarcasm.

"Your Highness, it was Wu Liguang who laid an ambush..."

Cen Lingyi spoke up to defend herself, but she forced a calm expression on her face.

When this happened, he didn't blame Madam Sun or Wu Liguang, but instead blamed her.

In order to protect Madam Sun, he has gone so far as to distort the truth!

"Whatever the reason, it's because you don't love yourself."

Yan Chenghui interrupted her coldly.

Madam Sun chuckled softly, raised her chin to look at her, and looked smug.

Cen Lingyi swayed slightly, feeling a chill run through her body from head to toe.

The color drained from her face, and she felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave. Her fingertips trembled slightly, but she stood there stubbornly, motionless.

"Do you have anything else to say?"

Yan Chenghui asked her in a cold voice.

"there is none left."

Cen Lingyi's voice was a little hoarse.

She looked at the ground in front of her, her long eyelashes obscuring the sadness in her eyes, but her back remained straight.

She just wanted to get justice for herself.

He not only refused, but also humiliated her like this.

Since he refused to give her justice, she had no choice but to find a way to get justice herself.

"Your Highness, I brought my cousin in today without thinking much of it. I didn't mean for him to trespass. She beat him up like that, he bled so much, you see, it's all stained my skirt, it almost scared me to death..."

Madam Sun's voice was soft and trembling, with a deliberate air of coy timidity and grievance as she looked at Yan Chenghui.

She patted her chest in an exaggerated manner, clearly faking her fear.

"With me here, have nothing to fear."

Yan Chenghui calmly comforted her.

He glanced at Cen Lingyi, who was still stubbornly standing there, and said slowly, "From this day forward, Madam Sun's rank is promoted to Liangyuan, and she will move to Ningfang Courtyard. Her ceremonial regalia will be in accordance with the regulations for Liangdi."

The matter was settled with a single word.

Despite committing such an act, Lady Sun was not only innocent but was also promoted.

Liangyuan, second only to Liangdi, was granted the same ceremonial regalia by Yan Chenghui.

This is blatant favoritism towards Madam Sun... no, now it's Consort Sun.

In my ears, I heard Sun Liangyuan's joyful voice expressing her gratitude.

Cen Lingyi couldn't hear clearly. She only felt a loud bang in her ears, her vision blurred for a moment, and a piercing pain surged in her heart. A chill ran from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head.

Her fingertips were numb with cold, her lips were pressed together and turned white, but despite her despair, her posture showed no sign of weakness.

Lingzhi watched her retreating figure, tears welling up in her eyes. The girl had always been like this, with a tenacity in her bones, never willing to admit defeat. But now it seemed that this temperament was really not good.

She felt heartbroken, but dared not speak up to plead for her, for fear of further angering His Highness the Crown Prince.

Yan Chenghui left with Consort Sun.

Cen Lingyi was left standing there alone, and no one knew how much time had passed.

"Hmm..."

Yan Huaijiao lost her patience, reached out and grabbed Cen Lingyi's collar, clinging to her and babbling for her to hold her.

Cen Lingyi finally came to her senses, reached out and took Yan Huaijiao from her, wiped his little face, and asked gently, "Did Your Highness get frightened today?"

"Well……"

Yan Huaijiao reached out her small hands and hugged her.

Cen Lingyi felt a warmth spread through her body, her heart softening.

"Young lady, please don't be sad. His Highness treated her that way because of her father..."

Lingzhi followed behind her and couldn't help but offer words of comfort.

"I'm not sad, don't worry." Cen Lingyi interrupted her, turning her head to smile at her: "Let's go back."

"it is good."

Seeing her like this, Lingzhi didn't know what else to say, but she felt even more distressed and worried.

If a girl can have a good cry, she'll feel better. Keeping things bottled up inside will make her sick in the long run.

"Lingzhi, I heard you say before that Banxia and Lanhua, who serves Sun Liangyuan, don't get along?"

Cen Lingyi carried Yan Huaijiao forward, asking softly.

Lingzhi was always going to various places to fetch things, and she often overheard what the servants were saying, which she would then come back and tell them to her.

She listened almost entirely in silence, offering no opinions whatsoever.

"Yes, they had a huge fight at the kitchen gate the other day. They were arguing so badly they almost came to blows."

When Lingzhi heard her ask this, she quickly began to describe it vividly, hoping to distract her and make her stop thinking about what had just happened.

"Why?"

Cen Lingyi turned her head and asked her.

Lingzhi looked around, and seeing that no one was around, she leaned close to her ear and whispered:

"Isn't Yuzhu, the purchasing agent in the kitchen, Banxia's cousin? He used to be close to Banxia, ​​but after she came to Mingde Palace, he started dating Lanhua. Banxia found out and was furious..."

Cen Lingyi nodded, remaining silent for a moment.

The kitchen purchasing job is a lucrative one. Yu Zhu must have some money on hand, and he also knows Yan Chenghui's recent taste preferences, which is why he is so popular.

"From now on, I will take care of the young prince. You will keep an eye on Lan Hua until you catch her having an affair with Yu Zhu."

Upon entering a side room of the Mingde Hall, she spoke to Lingzhi.

"Girl, what are you doing?"

Lingzhi couldn't help but ask.

"Can you help me?"

Cen Lingyi did not answer her, but simply turned her head to look at her, her eyes clear and open.

"Of course you can, but young lady, Consort Sun is currently riding high..."

Lingzhi wanted to advise her, saying that His Highness was so protective of Consort Sun, the young lady shouldn't ask for trouble.

I know what I'm doing.

Cen Lingyi withdrew her gaze and interrupted her calmly.

"I'll do as you say, young lady."

Lingzhi gritted her teeth and agreed.

Cen Lingyi stood by Yan Huaijiao's cradle, looking out the window at the moon, which was already high in the sky.

It was past midnight, and Yan Chenghui still hadn't returned; he was probably staying overnight at Consort Sun's place.

She leaned against the cradle, looking at Yan Huaijiao's serene little face, concealing the bitterness in her heart.

All was quiet. Her long eyelashes slowly fell down, and she drifted off to sleep.

Yan Chenghui slowly walked into the side room. When Lingzhi saw him, she hurriedly got up to greet him.

Yan Chenghui raised his hand to signal her to be quiet.

Lingzhi had no choice but to step back, glancing at Cen Lingyi sleeping beside the cradle, her heart filled with unease.

Your Highness won't be angry with the young lady because of this, will he?

Yan Chenghui walked to the cradle and looked down at it.

In the cradle, the little one slept peacefully, his pink fist resting on the pillow, his breathing even.

Cen Lingyi's sleeping face was serene and gentle, lacking the stubbornness of the daytime and completely unguarded, except for a slight frown between her brows, concealing a few worries and grievances.

He raised his hand, his slender fingers landing on her brow, gently smoothing it.

Sensing something, Cen Lingyi suddenly opened her eyes.

Yan Chenghui abruptly withdrew his hand.

"This servant greets Your Highness."

Cen Lingyi looked up and saw him. She was stunned for a moment, then concealed all her emotions and stood up to bow respectfully.

After waking up, she lost her previous softness and returned to her usual obedient and calm demeanor.

It's so late, why didn't he stay overnight at Sun Liangyuan's place?

"Come with me."

Yan Chenghui gave the order in a cold voice and walked past her without looking at her.

Cen Lingyi lowered her head and obediently followed.