Nong Nu Jiao

"Sister Cen, what are you doing? We've been like sisters since childhood, and my child is your child too!"

Xia Qinghe quickly helped Cen Lingyi up, her face beaming with a gentle smile.

"This servant dares not accept such praise."

Cen Lingyi lowered her head even further.

She projected her longing for her own child onto Yan Huaijiao, but she never considered Yan Huaijiao as her own child.

Yan Huaijiao is the child of Xia Qinghe and also the child of Yan Chenghui.

He's sure he'll say she's not good enough for him.

Yan Chenghui glanced at Cen Lingyi, his eyes deep and his face expressionless.

Seeing that he did not make any sarcastic remarks, Cen Lingyi relaxed a little.

"Sit down quickly. You seem to have lost weight these days. I have some bird's nest soup with blood, which you used to love. Have someone bring it over later."

Xia Qinghe also sat back down.

"The food at the Crown Prince's Palace is already very good; Your Majesty need not bestow any further rewards."

Cen Lingyi lowered her eyes and softly declined.

Xia Qinghe sighed, seemingly with a touch of melancholy: "It's true what they say, life is unpredictable. You used to be such a free-spirited and flamboyant girl. I've always envied you since I was little. Who knew... sigh..."

She looked at Yan Chenghui as she spoke.

Yan Chenghui held the chopsticks with knuckles white, his long eyelashes drooping as he remained silent.

"Your Majesty, that's all in the past."

Cen Lingyi pursed her lips and glanced at Yan Chenghui.

She knew that Yan Chenghui couldn't stand these things; they would annoy him if he did.

He hasn't said anything to her yet, probably out of consideration for Xia Qinghe.

"Life is truly unpredictable. However, Sister Cen has always been intelligent." Xia Qinghe continued with a smile, "She used to be a pampered child, with everything done for her and she didn't know how to do anything. Now that she has a child and has become Huai Jiao's wet nurse, she can manage his trivial matters properly and without making any mistakes. That's quite remarkable."

"Your Majesty flatters me."

Cen Lingyi frowned slightly, then returned to normal.

Doubts began to grow in her mind.

Xia Qinghe was not unaware of her past relationship with Yan Chenghui, yet in front of Yan Chenghui, she repeatedly brought up the past, mentioning her time as a wet nurse and her childbirth.

If the first sentence was unintentional, what about the rest?

Xia Qinghe seemed to be saying this on purpose for Yan Chenghui to hear.

Yan Chenghui glanced at her sideways and snorted softly, "There aren't that many unpredictable things in life. She's just inherently lowly and born to serve others."

"Your Highness is right."

Cen Lingyi's expression remained unchanged; instead, she agreed with him.

He was indeed enraged by Xia Qinghe's words.

Yan Chenghui slammed down his chopsticks, stood up abruptly, lifted his thin eyelids to stare at her, his aura fierce.

She could always provoke his anger with just a single sentence.

Cen Lingyi's long eyelashes drooped, and her eyelids didn't move at all.

He said she was born lowly, and she admitted he was right, but never argued with him.

What's making him unhappy?

"Your Highness..."

Xia Qinghe hurriedly got up to persuade him.

Yan Chenghui left without saying a word.

As he left, his wide sleeve scraped against the rice bowl on the table, making another crisp sound.

Yan Huaijiao was taken aback.

"Your Highness, don't be afraid."

Cen Lingyi quickly patted his back to comfort him.

"Sigh, it's all my fault, I shouldn't have brought those things up."

Xia Qinghe patted his chest, as if only now remembering the reason why Yan Chenghui was angry.

"How can you blame Your Highness? It was this servant who angered His Highness." Cen Lingyi rose to take her leave: "If there is nothing else, this servant will take His Highness's leave."

"I'll have someone deliver it to you."

Xia Qing said hurriedly.

"No need to trouble yourself, Lingzhi is waiting for me outside."

Cen Lingyi declined with a smile.

She carried the child out of the palace courtyard, with Lingzhi following beside her, holding an umbrella for them.

Cen Lingyi gazed ahead, lost in thought.

Only now did she realize that Xia Qinghe seemed different from before.

She had always thought that Xia Qinghe's feelings for her had not changed, and was even glad that Yan Chenghui's Crown Princess was Xia Qinghe, so that she wouldn't deliberately try to torment her.

After all, ever since she entered the Eastern Palace, Xia Qinghe had taken care of her in every way, helping her hide from Yan Chenghui and considering everything very carefully.

She had never suspected Xia Qinghe, but now, after carefully considering what Xia Qinghe had said in front of Yan Chenghui today, she was shocked to realize Xia Qinghe's true intentions.

"Girl, what's wrong?"

Lingzhi noticed that she looked unwell and asked her with concern.

Cen Lingyi snapped out of her reverie and smiled at her, "It's nothing, I was just thinking how lucky I am to have you by my side."

There are still unchanging friendships in this world.

"I often think that way too, and I'm so glad I can be by the girl's side."

Lingzhi smiled happily upon hearing her words.

"Your Majesty, everyone has left."

Every year we enter the main hall.

Xia Qinghe was sitting at the table, lost in thought. He glanced at her but didn't say anything.

"Your Highness, do you think the mark on His Highness's lips was really left by Consort Sun?"

After cleaning up the mess on the ground every year, he hesitated for a moment and asked.

She knew that the Empress was probably thinking about this as well.

Xia Qinghe's fingers tightened involuntarily, his gaze becoming heavy: "Now it seems that's how it is."

When Sun Liangyuan talked about this, a shy look appeared in her mind.

When she married Yan Chenghui, they agreed that it would be a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Yan Chenghui used her maternal family to gain a foothold in the Eastern Palace. She needed the status of the Crown Princess, and also to elevate her maternal family's position in the court.

But that's not all she did.

She has admired Yan Chenghui since she was a child!

At that time, Yan Chenghui had Cen Lingyi by his side and never gave her a second glance.

She had finally waited for the destruction of the Cen family, and was able to stand beside Yan Chenghui.

Therefore, when Yan Chenghui proposed to draw up a contract to be husband and wife in name only, she agreed without hesitation.

She thought that Cen Lingyi had already married and moved far away, and sooner or later, she would replace Cen Lingyi in his heart and become his true wife.

They have gotten along well for so long.

She brought a child back with his consent. Yan Huaijiao was someone she had bought to be their legitimate son, so that Yan Chenghui would not be criticized by other princes for having no children and thus his position as crown prince would be unstable.

In this way, her position as Crown Princess became more secure.

Everything was progressing well, and Yan Chenghui was expected to accept her eventually, but then Sun Liangyuan suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

"Consort Sun is just arrogant and domineering because she has a good father. She even dares to openly use her father's achievements to blackmail Your Highness."

I feel indignant every year.

Xia Qinghe bit her lip and remained silent for a moment.

"Your Majesty, perhaps..."

Every year, I come up with ideas.

"We can't touch her now. His Highness needs her father, and she's at the height of her power."

Xia Qinghe slowly shook his head.

"What should we do then?" Nian Nian moved closer and lowered her voice, "What if she really is pregnant with His Highness's child..."

That was His Highness's first biological child.

"Spread the word that she bit His Highness, and let Consort Gu know about it."

Xia Qinghe thought for a moment and said.

"Will Consort Gu deal with her?"

I feel a little worried every year.

"Don't worry, Consort Gu isn't someone who can tolerate others."

Xia Qinghe dusted off her clothes, her expression returning to its usual gentleness.

"Yes."

Every year, he would kneel in a gesture of respect, bow his head, and leave.

*

"We've arrived. You must be terribly hot, Your Highness?"

Cen Lingyi carried Yan Huaijiao to the door of the side room, raised her hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, spoke to him, and reached out to lift the curtain.

The little guy was sweating profusely, with wet strands of hair curling up on his forehead, looking quite adorable.

"Well……"

Yan Huaijiao followed her example and reached out to lift the curtain.

The curtain was parted slightly.

Just as Cen Lingyi was about to lean in, she saw Yan Chenghui sitting by the cradle, staring intently at her.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she abruptly pulled her hand back.

He came back first, so why is he sitting in the side room?

Are you waiting for her?

She couldn't help but recall that she hadn't said anything excessive to Xia Qinghe earlier.

Just because he "makes a good point" doesn't mean he has to wait for her to come back and deal with her.

"What's wrong, young lady? Why aren't you going in?"

Lingzhi closed her umbrella and saw her standing at the door holding Yan Huaijiao, not moving. She couldn't help but ask a question.

Cen Lingyi turned to look at her, about to speak.

"Come in."

Yan Chenghui's indifferent voice came from inside the room.

Lingzhi opened her eyes wide in astonishment and looked at Cen Lingyi with a questioning gaze: "Why is Your Highness inside?"

Cen Lingyi shook her head at her; she didn't know either.

"Let me hold your little prince."

Lingzhi reached out to take Yan Huaijiao's hand.

"Well……"

Yan Huaijiao held Cen Lingyi's neck with one hand and hit her with the other.

He doesn't want anyone to hold him!

"I'll carry him inside so he doesn't get heat rash."

Cen Lingyi reached out and lifted the curtain, then entered the side room.

She also had her own selfish motives: if Yan Chenghui got angry, Yan Huaijiao's presence would make him more restrained.

A cool breeze swept over us.

While she was out, the ice in the side room hadn't broken.

"This servant greets Your Highness."

She stepped forward and respectfully bowed to Yan Chenghui.

Yan Chenghui stared at her without saying a word.

"Why is Your Highness in my room?"

Cen Lingyi had no choice but to ask a question.

She stepped forward, helped Yan Huaijiao sit in the cradle, and took a handkerchief to wipe his back.

In the middle of the day, the little guy went out with her, and he was covered in sweat, which must have been tough for him.

"You've bitten me so badly that I can't see my father and court officials. If I'm not here, where else can I go?"

Yan Chenghui spoke in a cold voice.

When he spoke, the red teeth marks on his lips were very clear.

Cen Lingyi glanced at him. For a prince of a country to have such a mark on his lips was indeed an eyesore.

"This isn't my fault."

Her voice was soft and pointed, and she turned her gaze away, silently scoffing to herself.

If he hadn't come back after doing intimate things with Sun Liangyuan and forcibly kissed and disgusted her, how could she have gone to such lengths to kiss him?

"A weirdo?"

Yan Chenghui turned his head to look at her.

"This servant wouldn't dare."

Cen Lingyi put down the handkerchief in her hand.

Yan Chenghui stared at her with cold eyes.

"Your Highness, please look at the young prince. This servant will go and fetch the ointment."

As she spoke, she turned to head towards the main hall.

"stop."

Yan Chenghui called out to her.

Cen Lingyi turned to look at him: "Does Your Highness have any further instructions?"

Yan Chenghui remained silent, only looking at the table.

Cen Lingyi followed his gaze and saw the box of ointment from last night sitting quietly there.

He came here to demand an explanation, and he even brought the ointment with him.

Cen Lingyi turned around and walked back, took the ointment and opened it.

"Kiss kiss..."

Even sitting in the cradle, Yan Huaijiao was restless, reaching out to grab Yan Chenghui's sleeve, wanting him to hold her.

Yan Chenghui turned to look at him, his brows furrowed slightly.

"Well……"

Yan Huaijiao held onto his sleeve tightly, and extended her other hand to him, her dark eyes sparkling with pure and innocent affection.

Yan Chenghui picked him up from the cradle, sat him in his lap, and looked down at him.

"whee……"

Yan Huaijiao grinned at him, excitedly wriggling in his arms.

The shadows between Yan Chenghui's brows unconsciously lifted a little.

"This servant will apply medicine to Your Highness."

Cen Lingyi stepped forward, her fingertips dabbing at the milky white ointment, and spoke softly.

Yan Chenghui raised his head and glanced at her, his gaze darkening again.

Cen Lingyi stood in front of him, leaning slightly forward, her beautiful eyebrows and eyes lowered, her long eyelashes trembling gently like raven feathers, her gaze fixed on his lips.

His lips were exceptionally beautiful, neither too thin nor too thick, with clean, crisp lines and a subtle luster.

He was originally an unapproachable and aloof person, but the swelling and injury on his lip shattered his cool and noble demeanor, revealing an unspeakable ambiguity.

"Hmm..."

Yan Huaijiao was curious and reached for her hand, wanting to see what was stuck to her fingertips.

Cen Lingyi snapped out of her daze and dodged the little guy's hand.

Her delicate fingertips touched his lips, and the soft warmth made her unconsciously slow her breathing.

Yan Chenghui's body tensed slightly, and his lips were pressed into a straight line.

Her fingertips were slightly cool, carrying the scent of ointment, which seeped into her flesh and blood along her skin, bringing a tingling, numb sensation.

The room was quiet, and the air seemed to have become thick.

Cen Lingyi was sweating and wondered if the ice in the room had run out.

She glanced at it and saw that the ice jar was still more than half full of ice.

Yan Chenghui raised his dark eyes and stared intently at her.

Cen Lingyi felt uncomfortable under his gaze, so she had to find something to do herself.

"Your Highness, shall I apply some more medicine to your shoulder injury?"

She pursed her lips and spoke, prepared to be met with his harsh words.

Yan Chenghui remained silent, only slowly raising his chin.

Cen Lingyi reached out and slowly unbuttoned the buttons on his collar.

Yan Chenghui's long, straight, jet-black eyelashes trembled slightly.

Her soft, boneless hand groped around his neck, the cool skin on the back of her hand brushing against his neck, a touch that was neither quite a touch nor a full contact.

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

Her pale, muscular shoulders were exposed; the wounds from last night had scabbed over, but there were also a few open wounds with faint traces of blood.

Cen Lingyi wrung out a handkerchief, cleaned his wound, and took the ointment from the side to apply it to him.

Yan Chenghui slightly turned his body to avoid her movement and looked up at her.

Cen Lingyi paused for a moment, then realized what was happening. She leaned over, took a deep breath, and gently blew on his wound.

He used to never utter a sound no matter how badly he was injured. When did he develop this new tendency to be so dramatic?

"Huff huff..."

Yan Huaijiao, nestled in Yan Chenghui's arms, found her actions amusing and began to imitate her.

He puffed out his cheeks, blew on them twice, and drool started to drip from his mouth.

Yan Chenghui stepped back in disdain.

"Your Highness, you mustn't blow that."

Cen Lingyi took a handkerchief and wiped Yan Huaijiao's mouth.

Yan Huaijiao, however, found it very interesting and blew it even more enthusiastically.

Cen Lingyi couldn't help but laugh at his adorable appearance.

"Hmm..."

Yan Huaijiao grabbed her sleeve and climbed onto her.

"Your Highness, your wet nurse will hold you in a moment."

Cen Lingyi held his little hand to comfort him, while quickly applying medicine to Yan Chenghui with her other hand.

From the moment Yan Huaijiao made a move, most of her attention was focused on him.

Yan Chenghui's face darkened.

"Alright, Your Highness."

Cen Lingyi withdrew her hand and put the cap back on the ointment.

Yan Chenghui did not make a move for the time being.

Cen Lingyi hesitated for a moment, then reached out to straighten his clothes and fasten the buttons.

She smiled and clapped her hands at Yan Huaijiao: "Come here, Your Highness, let your wet nurse hold you."

Yan Huaijiao smiled happily, her eyebrows curving upwards, and clapped her hands in imitation.

"Your Highness is so clever."

Cen Lingyi picked him up from Yan Chenghui's arms and sincerely praised him.

"You're very good to him."

Yan Chenghui suddenly spoke.

"This is what a servant should do."

Cen Lingyi paused for a moment, then spoke softly.

As Yan Huaijiao's wet nurse, it was only natural for her to treat him well.

Furthermore, Yan Huaijiao is his child, and her child is his half-brother.

Her child must bear some resemblance to Yan Huaijiao.

She sighed inwardly.

"Have you always treated him like your illegitimate child, showering him with affection?"

Yan Chenghui suddenly raised his eyes, his dark pupils as deep as a cold pool, chilling and sharp as a knife.

"Your Highness, my child is not a bastard."

The color drained from Cen Lingyi's face quickly, her eyes instantly reddened, and tears welled up in her eyes.

He said she could tolerate anything else, but he couldn't say anything about her child.

Those were his children too!

"Don't treat my child as your bastard."

Yan Chenghui stood up, enveloping her entirely in his shadow, leaning forward slightly, and whispered in her ear.

His voice was clear and pleasant, like jade striking each other, and his warm breath touched her earlobe, but the words he spoke were icy cold and extremely hurtful.

Cen Lingyi hugged the child tightly, her body trembling slightly, and stubbornly bit her lip to keep her tears from falling.

Yan Chenghui turned around and left in a huff.

Cen Lingyi finally couldn't hold back anymore, and large tears rolled down her face.

"Hmm..."

Yan Huaijiao cupped her face in one small hand, her clear eyes filled with innocence, and she babbled softly.

"Girl, what's wrong?"

Lingzhi had been waiting outside. When she saw that His Highness the Crown Prince looked strange when he went out, she quickly went into the side room to ask him.

"fine."

Cen Lingyi turned around and wiped away the tears on her face.

"Shall I go check on the orchids?"

Lingzhi paused for a moment before speaking.

"Go ahead, and if they are together, don't disturb them. Come back and call me."

Cen Lingyi nodded, still with her back to her.

"I've got it."

Lingzhi responded and withdrew.

Cen Lingyi lowered the bed curtains halfway, allowing Yan Huaijiao to sit in the center of the bed. She lay on her side next to him, burying her face in the blankets, and her tears finally flowed freely.

She knew why Yan Chenghui had said that.

Xia Qinghe's words stirred up his memories, reminding him of her marriage to Lu Huaiyou and the birth of their child.

His accusations and attempts to get her to apply medicine were all pretense. He waited for her to return in the side room specifically to publicly humiliate her by calling her child a bastard.

He had no idea how much she had endured to keep the child.

He didn't know that it was his child.

She wanted to tell him that the child was his, and that he could humiliate her, but please don't talk about his own child like that.

However, he never listened to her explanations, and even if she did, he wouldn't believe her.

She wanted to prove it to him, but the children weren't around. How could she prove it?

She has to hide even when she cries, what else can she do?

"Waaah..."

Yan Huaijiao was initially sitting there playing by herself, but as she played, she started to pout and cries while leaning against Cen Lingyi.

He cried so hard, big tears rolling down his face, he was breathless and felt very wronged.

"Your Highness, why are you crying?"

Cen Lingyi wiped away her tears, sat up, and picked him up.

When she was sad, Yan Huaijiao was sad as well.

She had heard people say that mothers and children are connected at heart, but she had never heard of any child being connected at heart with their wet nurse. Perhaps it was because the child was with her all the time, and the child's heart was pure, that he could sense her sadness.

This also shows that Yan Huaijiao is a good person, unlike Yan Chenghui who is so ruthless.

"Alright, alright, wet nurse, stop crying. Your Highness, stop crying too."

Cen Lingyi wiped away her tears and gently comforted him.

"Waaah..."

Yan Huaijiao hugged her neck, buried her face in her shoulder and cried for a while before finally stopping.

Lingzhi didn't return until evening.

"Miss." She entered the side room, placed the food box on the table, and said hurriedly, "Yuzhu and Lanhua haven't seen each other all afternoon. It's almost dinnertime now, and when I went to the kitchen to get dinner, I saw Lanhua heading towards the alley of the abandoned storeroom. But whether she went to see Yuzhu, I don't know."

"You keep the young prince occupied, I'll go check on him."

Cen Lingyi handed Yan Huaijiao over to her.

Yan Huaijiao refused, waving her little hands to be held.

"Lingzhi is feeding His Highness something delicious, come on."

Cen Lingyi opened the food box and showed it to Yan Huaijiao.

"Your Highness, I've brought you some cherries."

Lingzhi picked up a cherry to tease him, and then winked at Cen Lingyi.

Taking advantage of Yan Huaijiao's inattention, Cen Lingyi lifted the curtain and went out the door.

Outside, the sun had already set, and the sky was filled with the glow of the sunset. It was cooler than during the day, but still hot.

She went straight to the back warehouse.

These warehouses are connected together, all empty, quiet and dark, rarely visited, making it a good place for a rendezvous.

She walked quietly along the corner of the wall, turned two corners, and heard voices coming from the alley ahead.

She slowed her pace and walked to the end of the alley, slowly peering out.

"I spent a lot of money on this box of rouge. It's a tribute from the Western Regions, and only the ladies of the palace can use it. Even the Crown Princess only received one box."

Yu Zhu stood in front of the orchid, his tone somewhat smug.

"Was it given to me on purpose?"

Lan Hua leaned against the wall, took the box of rouge with obvious delight, and asked in a sweet voice.

"Of course, who else would I give it to if not you?"

Yu Zhu countered with a question.

"I thought you bought it for your cousin."

The orchid is shy.

"Banxia is just my cousin. It's not like I wasn't on good terms with you before; I gave her some things. How can she compare to you?"

Yuzhu raised his hand to touch her face.

Orchid tilted her head to avoid it, and giggled, "Don't touch me. I'm not that kind of person. If you're not going to marry me, don't touch me."

"Of course, but a kiss wouldn't be too much, would it?"

Yuzhu lowered his head and leaned closer.

"Tell me first, has His Highness recently been spending money privately? Has he secretly purchased any rare items, engaged in any social interactions, or bought any small gifts for those people in the inner quarters?"

Lan Hua asked a lot of questions in one breath.

She also had to gather some information for Sun Liangyuan before Sun Liangyuan would allow her to be with Yuzhu.

Yuzhu whispered intimately in her ear with a playful laugh.

Finally, Orchid let him kiss her on the cheek.

Yuzhu then stood up straight, reluctant to leave: "I'll go first, you wait a while before you go out, don't let anyone see you."

Orchid responded with a "yes".

Cen Lingyi quickly retreated to a side alley, watching Yuzhu's figure gradually disappear into the distance.

She quickly returned to her previous position and waited.

Orchid was in a good mood, humming a little tune as she looked at the box of rouge in her hand and strolled along.

As soon as she turned the corner, Cen Lingyi's face appeared before her.

Before she could react, Cen Lingyi reached out and snatched the rouge from her hand.

"It's you!" Lan Hua was stunned for a moment before realizing who it was, her face changing instantly. She reached out to snatch the rouge box: "Give it back to me!"

"The Crown Prince's Palace has explicitly forbids servants from exchanging gifts or engaging in clandestine affairs. Anyone caught red-handed will be dragged outside the main hall and beaten to death." Cen Lingyi put the rouge box into her sleeve, raised her dark eyes to look at her, and slowly said, "Lan Hua, you choose whether to be used by me or beaten to death."