Nong Nu Jiao

"Where did you go?"

Cen Lingyi, with the box of rouge she had obtained from Lan Hua hidden in her sleeve, walked to the gate of Mingde Hall.

Suddenly, Yan Chenghui's cold voice was heard.

She was startled and looked up.

Yan Chenghui stood inside the door, his gaze indifferent, coldly watching her.

The lanterns overhead cast a warm glow over him, making him appear less imposing than usual, yet still keeping strangers at bay.

"This servant went out for a walk."

Cen Lingyi quickly composed herself and replied with her eyes lowered.

"Why didn't you bring Huai Jiao?"

Yan Chenghui glanced at her from head to toe, seemingly disbelieving.

Yun Que touched his nose from behind.

Your Highness, please don't expose the fact that he had someone keep an eye on Miss Cen.

Although he was simply following His Highness's orders and doing his duty, he still felt guilty towards Miss Cen.

Whether in the past or present, Miss Cen has always treated people with utmost kindness.

Both he and Yun Gong had received favors from Miss Cen.

"There are many mosquitoes outside at night, and Your Highness's skin is delicate, so you can't go."

Cen Lingyi then replied, her words perfectly watertight.

Yan Chenghui said nothing more and turned to walk inside.

Cen Lingyi also stepped across the threshold, following him at a distance that was neither too close nor too far.

As she walked down the corridor, she turned a corner, clutching the box of rouge through her sleeve.

This is irrefutable evidence of Yuzhu and Lanhua's secret affair. She needs to hide it in the side room to keep Lanhua under control.

Just now, she had learned from Lan Hua that Sun Liangyuan had bought Gelsemium elegans powder, perhaps to do something to her.

She will definitely find a way to retaliate for the thing Sun Liangyuan arranged for Wu Liguang to plot against her in the garden.

Where are you going?

Yan Chenghui had already reached the entrance of the main hall when he suddenly turned back.

Cen Lingyi stopped and turned around to reply, "This servant will return to my room."

"Come in and serve."

Yan Chenghui gave an order and stepped across the threshold.

Cen Lingyi looked back towards the side room, wanting to return the rouge in her sleeve, but if she delayed, Yan Chenghui would lash out again.

Never mind, he probably doesn't know what she did. She started walking towards the main hall.

Banxia stood by the door, glaring at her hatefully.

Since what happened last time, His Highness has never allowed her to serve in the main hall again; all matters, big and small, have been handled by Cen Lingyi.

Fortunately, His Highness did not send her away. Being able to stay in Mingde Hall was already a rare privilege for the servants of the Eastern Palace.

If something happens to Cen Lingyi and she can't enter the main hall to serve, then this job still belongs to her.

Cen Lingyi naturally noticed her jealous gaze, glanced at her deliberately, and closed the door.

Banxia almost jumped up and down. That damned Cen Lingyi has fallen to such a state, she can be said to be on equal footing with her. His Highness even despises Cen Lingyi, yet she still dares to provoke her.

Yan Chenghui remained at his desk, opening a volume of official documents.

He didn't even look up when Cen Lingyi entered the main hall.

She stepped forward silently, added some water to the inkstone, rolled up her sleeves, and quietly ground the ink.

The hall was completely silent, with only the faint sound of ink sticks scraping against inkstones creating a harmonious atmosphere.

Cen Lingyi ground the ink and tidied up his desk, piling up the official documents he hadn't read before in places he could easily reach.

She dutifully tidied everything up, stepped aside, and stood ready to await his orders.

"Come stand over here."

Yan Chenghui suddenly spoke.

Cen Lingyi glanced at him, unsure of his intentions, bit her lip, and obediently walked to his side.

"Holding the inkstone."

Yan Chenghui gave her instructions.

Cen Lingyi reached for the inkstone, and the rouge box in her sleeve bumped against the desk with a soft sound.

Yan Chenghui looked up at her: "What are you hiding in your sleeve pocket?"

"It's nothing, just a little trinket."

Cen Lingyi's dark pupils suddenly contracted, and her heart skipped a beat.

Yan Chenghui forbade her from seeking revenge against Consort Sun.

If he sees this box of rouge, he will definitely investigate it thoroughly.

At that point, Lan Hua will have lost her pawn, making it even more difficult for her to deal with Sun Liangyuan.

"Let me take a look."

Yan Chenghui raised his hand and reached into her sleeve pocket.

Cen Lingyi, protecting her sleeve pouch, subconsciously took a step back. She lost her footing and stumbled several steps, causing her embroidered shoe on her right foot to fall off.

With a "thud," it landed at Yan Chenghui's feet.

The hall fell completely silent.

Although it was summer, the main hall had plenty of ice, and the gold bricks were cool to the touch.

She stepped barefoot on it, the coolness penetrating through her soles and reaching her heart, chilling her blood to the bone.

She froze there, too afraid to move, unable to understand how her embroidered shoes had fallen off her feet.

Yan Chenghui's gaze fell on her bare feet.

Her plain-colored silk skirt draped down, revealing a small section of her slender ankle. Her skin was delicate and smooth, as white as if it had been soaked in milk. She was small, with delicate feet and graceful toes, as beautiful as jade.

His usually clear and sharp gaze wavered for a moment.

His slender ankles, which he had once held in his hands, left a red mark from his kisses.

These bare feet once rested on his shoulders and hooked around his waist.

She used to kick him softly, she used to perch on him coquettishly, she used to sway arrogantly in front of him, asking him to give her a massage...

Cen Lingyi noticed his gaze, her ears burned, and her face flushed red. Instinctively, she tucked her bare foot into her skirt.

"go out."

Yan Chenghui withdrew his gaze, a hint of embarrassment and annoyance flashing in his eyes.

"Yes."

Cen Lingyi was granted a general amnesty.

She bent down to pick up her shoes.

Yan Chenghui stared at her hurried and disheveled back, coldly throwing the pen in his hand aside.

Cen Lingyi lifted the curtain and entered the side room.

Yan Huaijiao was crying and making a fuss.

"Waaah..."

As soon as the little guy saw her, he waved his little hands and came to greet her.

"Miss, you're finally back! The young prince wants to sleep and is looking for you."

Lingzhi also breathed a sigh of relief.

"Don't cry, Your Highness." Cen Lingyi took Yan Huaijiao's hand and patted her gently, then took out some rouge from her sleeve and handed it to her: "Lingzhi, please keep this for me."

"Did the girl catch them?"

Lingzhi's eyes lit up when she saw the exquisite rouge box, and she looked up to ask her a question.

"Um."

Cen Lingyi nodded.

Lingzhi couldn't help but smile. This girl had always been like this since she was little; she could always achieve whatever she wanted to do.

"I was just holding the young princess at the door when I heard from Yun Palace that Princess Qingle's birthday is in a few days. I wonder if Your Highness will take the young lady out?"

The girl said that she had asked Princess Taihe and the young master of the Song family for something, but she couldn't leave the East Palace and find out how things were going.

"We'll see."

Cen Lingyi was indeed thinking about having Princess Taihe help her investigate.

Despite Song Mingchi's several visits, Yan Chenghui only spoke to him in the main hall.

She didn't get a chance to see him.

Princess Taihe was hit several times, and it's unclear whether she has fully recovered.

Outside the window, Banxia took advantage of the night to leave through the gate of Mingde Hall and disappeared into the darkness.

*

Three days later, it was Princess Qingle's birthday, and the residence hosted a banquet.

Cen Lingyi carried Yan Huaijiao down from the carriage. Looking up, they saw the wide-open vermilion gate of Princess Qingle's residence, with palace lanterns hanging high, illuminating the area as bright as day.

Yan Chenghui walked in front, with the well-behaved Crown Princess Xia Qinghe on his left and Consort Sun on his right, who seemed to want to stick to him.

Normally, when Yan Chenghui went out to a banquet, he would only bring the Crown Princess with him, since she was the principal wife.

Bringing Sun Liangyuan along today shows how much he dotes on her.

Cen Lingyi ignored their movements, only looking around to see if Princess Taihe and Song Mingchi had arrived.

I asked them to investigate my father's matter last time; I wonder if they've made any progress.

Lingzhi followed closely behind, carrying some odds and ends that Yan Huaijiao needed, and Banxia also came along.

Inside the main hall, guests from all walks of life chatted and laughed in small groups.

Yan Chenghui stepped across the threshold.

Everyone quieted down and bowed in unison.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

No need for formalities.

Yan Chenghui slightly raised his hand.

Princess Qingle, who was sitting in the main seat, stood up and bowed to him.

"You're too kind, Your Highness."

Yan Chenghui offered her a slight helping hand.

"Didn't I tell you to bring Huai Jiao here?"

Princess Qingle spoke.

Yan Chenghui turned to the side and glanced at Cen Lingyi.

With her back straight, Cen Lingyi carried Yan Huaijiao forward under everyone's gaze.

She had already been the center of attention at the Second Prince's residence last time.

She knew that her appearance in public would inevitably draw criticism.

But so what?

What they said had no effect on her whatsoever; she didn't care.

When Yan Huaijiao saw so many people staring at him, he turned his dark eyes to look at them, but his little head was already resting in Cen Lingyi's arms, looking somewhat wary and timid.

"This child is so beautiful."

Princess Qingle looked Yan Huaijiao over carefully and praised her with a smile.

"You flatter me, Your Highness."

Xia Qing responded with a smile, displaying grace and poise.

"You've worked hard, bearing children for the royal family..."

Princess Qingle took her hand and began to talk to her.

Sun Liangyuan rolled her eyes discreetly.

Xia Qinghe entered the Eastern Palace before her and gave birth to a legitimate son, didn't she?

We don't even know if we can raise it to adulthood yet, so what's the big deal?

While they were talking, Cen Lingyi couldn't just take Yan Huaijiao away directly, so she could only stand there holding the child.

"Hmm, um..."

Yan Huaijiao grew impatient and pointed towards the door.

He wants to go out.

"What's wrong with the child?"

Princess Qingle noticed Yan Huaijiao's antics.

"Your Highness, the young prince wishes to go out and play."

Cen Lingyi lowered her head and replied softly.

Princess Qingle then noticed her and frowned, asking, "You are... that child from the Cen family?"

"Yes, this servant is Cen Lingyi."

Cen Lingyi nodded with her eyes lowered, her expression calm.

Princess Qingle looked at her with a complicated expression: "Since Huaijiao wants to go out, why don't you carry him for a walk?"

"Yes."

Cen Lingyi curtsied and turned to leave.

Once she stepped out of the main hall, the gazes and whispers behind her vanished, and she instantly felt much more relaxed.

"Your Highness, where are we going?"

Cen Lingyi walked along the corridor, feeling somewhat lost.

She had been to this Princess's residence before, but she wasn't familiar with its layout.

"Girl, let's stay here."

Lingzhi said from behind.

"it is good."

Cen Lingyi didn't dare to go far, afraid of getting lost. She found a place to sit down and looked back.

I didn't see Princess Taihe or Song Mingchi earlier. Aren't they coming tonight?

The sound of string and wind instruments could be heard coming from the main hall, indicating that the banquet had begun.

Yan Huaijiao was also hungry, and he whimpered impatiently in her arms, rubbing against her with his little mouth open.

"The young prince is hungry." Lingzhi said with a smile, "Miss, you feed him, and I'll go to the front to watch over him."

Cen Lingyi responded.

Yan Huaijiao nestled in her arms and drank his fill.

As Cen Lingyi was straightening her clothes, Lingzhi, who was standing guard in front, spoke up: "Miss, Princess Taihe has arrived."

"Zhenzhen."

Cen Lingyi called out and stood up, holding Yan Huaijiao in her arms.

"Little Six, look what I brought you."

Princess Taihe had a clear, melodious voice and a flamboyant tone.

She carried an exquisite plate in her hand and walked quickly to Cen Lingyi.

Cen Lingyi didn't look at the contents of the plate, but instead examined her: "Are you healed?"

"It's ready already, eat quickly."

Princess Taihe placed the plate in front of her.

A sweet aroma wafted over, and Cen Lingyi couldn't help but look at the plate, somewhat surprised: "Yellow Jade Rice Cake?"

This is a tribute to the palace; it's not something you can eat normally.

Yan Huaijiao was very mischievous; whenever he saw something delicious, he would reach out and grab it.

"Where did it come from?"

Cen Lingyi quickly stopped him, picked up a piece, pinched off a tiny bit, and fed it to him.

This yellow jade rice cake contains glutinous rice, and if the little one takes too many bites at once, he might choke.

"It was given to me by Father. I put it on the main table and asked Fifth Brother to eat with me. I remember you liked it, so I wanted to get you two pieces. I said I wanted some too, and then Fifth Brother gave me all of them. Here, they're all for you."

Princess Taihe placed the plate in front of her.

"I'll have one piece."

Cen Lingyi declined.

"Take the rest back with you. As for Suiyu, get something to wrap it up," Princess Taihe instructed, adding, "This won't be available until the next tribute."

Cen Lingyi nodded and remained silent for a moment.

She choked up a little.

After the Cen family was destroyed, she witnessed too much of the coldness and warmth of human relationships.

Princess Taihe treated her the same as before, and this affection was truly precious.

"I was afraid I wouldn't be able to find out the details of what you asked me to do, so I told Song Mingchi everything. He sent someone to handle it, and he'll come and talk to you about it in a bit."

Princess Taihe looked around and spoke in a low voice.

"it is good."

Cen Lingyi nodded.

"Here, take this."

Princess Taihe then gave her something else.

Cen Lingyi felt a sudden weight in her hand; it was another purse, containing crumbs.

"What is it?"

She couldn't help but ask.

"Here's the gold ingot, take it and use it."

Princess Taihe waved her hand casually.

"I don't need it..."

Cen Lingyi declined.

"Hey, take it. With your current status, how can you manage without money?"

Princess Taihe pushed her hand back.

Cen Lingyi remained silent, her eyes welling up with tears.

She wasn't someone who cried easily, but Princess Taihe was incredibly kind to her.

"Orderly ceremony."

Song Mingchi approached under the cover of night.

His gait is easily recognizable: spirited and imposing.

"Jing Xiao, I'm here."

Cen Lingyi waved to him.

Song Mingchi walked closer and looked at her intently: "How have you been lately?"

"It's fine." Cen Lingyi smiled at him, her eyes crinkling. "Thank you for your help."

"Don't be so formal." Song Mingchi took out a booklet from his pocket: "These are my uncle's accounts of buying materials in various prefectures, counties, canal wharves, and shops in the city. I assigned people to collect them from various places. These are all copied from the original accounts. I had them carefully check them, and there are no errors or omissions."

"Your Highness, there are little parrots over there. Shall I carry them to you to see them?"

Lingzhi knew that Cen Lingyi was dealing with important business, so she coaxed Yan Huaijiao from her arms to go see the parrot.

Cen Lingyi took the booklet from Song Mingchi, carefully examined the accounts by the light of the lantern, and nodded: "These are indeed the original accounts, which can prove my father's innocence to some extent."

"I've asked all those merchants, and they seem to have been warned and don't want to get into trouble, so they refuse to testify for my uncle."

Song Mingchi looked at her and said.

"This amount of evidence isn't enough," Cen Lingyi shook her head. "No rush."

Since the person behind it all had arranged everything, it was naturally not something she could easily overturn.

She needs to find more conclusive evidence.

"A clue about that child..."

Song Mingchi hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Cen Lingyi couldn't help but raise her head and look at him expectantly.

Song Mingchi sighed and shook his head.

Cen Lingyi was disappointed, but she didn't show it. She simply said, "There's no rush. Let's wait and see."

"I've had someone keeping an eye on the Second Prince. I'll let you know if I get any leads."

Song Mingchi leaned closer and lowered his voice.

Thank you.

Cen Lingyi nodded.

Until there are any clues about the child, keeping an eye on the Second Prince is one possible approach.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?"

Song Mingchi asked her softly.

His gaze, tinged with a hint of pity, fell upon her beautiful face, revealing a sadness that couldn't be concealed beneath her long, curled eyelashes.

"My half-sister is in Lu Huaiyou's hands. I don't know where Lu Huaiyou has arranged for her. I want to see her without alerting Lu Huaiyou."

Cen Lingyi raised her hand and whispered in his ear.

Lu Huaiyou had taken her to see her sister in person, which was why she had trusted Lu Huaiyou before.

At that time, her older sister told her personally that her parents and older brother were still alive.

Now, she doesn't trust Lu Huaiyou and wants to meet with her sister privately to hear what her sister has to say.

"Let me check."

Song Mingchi's furrowed brows relaxed slightly.

She finally realized Lu Huaiyou's true colors.

He always felt that Lu Huaiyou was no good.

If he hadn't been at the border and hadn't returned, how could Lu Huaiyou have gotten such an advantage over Lingyi?

"If possible, I would also like to go to the Ministry of Justice to see my father's case file and the evidence from that time."

As Cen Lingyi spoke, her voice trailed off.

She seems a bit greedy, wanting to do everything, yet accomplishing nothing.

"I can figure something out; I have connections in the Ministry of Justice."

Song Mingchi promised her his love.

"Jingxiao, thank you."

Cen Lingyi lowered her head and spoke softly, her eyes welling up with tears.

Both he and Princess Taihe treated her extremely well.

"Why are you being so polite with me?"

Song Mingchi smiled broadly and raised his hand to straighten her collar.

"Fifth Brother..."

Princess Taihe, who was standing nearby, was startled when she inadvertently saw the tall figure standing not far away and blurted out a cry.

His upright posture and imposing presence made it obvious that it was Yan Chenghui without even needing to identify him.

Cen Lingyi's eyelids twitched, and she took a step back, distancing herself from Song Mingchi.

Song Mingchi turned around to shield her, then bowed to Yan Chenghui and said, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Ignoring him, Yan Chenghui walked slowly to the three of them, his gaze fixed on Cen Lingyi's face.

He had witnessed the intimacy between Song Mingchi and her just now.

"We had a very pleasant conversation. Perhaps I've come at the wrong time?"

He opened his lips slightly.

Cen Lingyi lowered her long eyelashes and remained silent.

Song Mingchi, however, couldn't stand him and turned to say, "We're all people who grew up together. Does Your Highness mean you won't even allow her to speak to us?"

"What are you holding in your hand?"

Yan Chenghui still ignored him and only stared at Cen Lingyi.

"It's a book." Cen Lingyi raised her hand and handed the book to Song Mingchi: "Jingxiao, here you go."

This evidence is useless to her now; in fact, it might be discovered by Yan Chenghui.

Given Yan Chenghui's hatred for her, he would definitely prevent her from overturning her father's case.

She couldn't let him know what she was doing.

Without saying a word, Yan Chenghui snatched the booklet from Song Mingchi's hand.

Song Mingchi reacted quickly, dodging with one hand and striking straight at Song Mingchi's face with the other.

Yan Chenghui dodged his attack by sidestepping, but not to be outdone, he threw a punch at him in return.

The two disliked each other so much that they started fighting.

Cen Lingyi tried to stop her, but Princess Taihe grabbed her arm, saying, "Sixth Brother, don't go up there. Fists and kicks have no eyes; they might hit you."

Two muffled thuds.

Yan Chenghui punched Song Mingchi hard in the chest.

Almost simultaneously, Song Mingchi raised his hand and swung a punch hard into his arm.

They both took a solid punch, staggered back, and stared at each other with livid faces.

"Jingxiao, stop hitting me! What did I tell you last time?"

Cen Lingyi grabbed Song Mingchi's sleeve and pulled him back.

She didn't try to persuade Yan Chenghui; he wouldn't listen anyway, and it would only provoke him further.

Song Mingchi, however, was willing to listen to her.

Fighting Yan Chenghui would bring him no benefit whether he won or lost.

When Song Mingchi saw her grab him, his beautiful peach blossom eyes darted around, and he immediately clutched his chest, revealing a pained expression: "Okay, I'll listen to you, I won't fight him."

Are you alright?

Cen Lingyi noticed his pale face and couldn't help but feel concerned.

"It's just a surge of qi and blood, nothing serious."

Song Mingchi waved his hand, a slight smile playing on his lips, which he quickly suppressed, and glanced at Yan Chenghui.

Yan Chenghui stared at her concerned expression towards Song Mingchi, his eyes reddening slightly, a fierce aura churning in his dark pupils, his chest heaving violently, and his already clenched fists cracking even more.

"Song Mingchi, let's go quickly, Fifth Brother is going to kill someone."

Princess Taihe had been afraid of Yan Chenghui since she was a child. Seeing him like this, she was so frightened that she grabbed Song Mingchi's arm and dragged him outside.

Song Mingchi stood motionless, raising his eyes to meet Yan Chenghui's gaze without fear.

It seemed that a fight between the two was about to break out.

"Your Highness, what brings you here? Come quickly, your cousin wants to offer you a toast."

Princess Qingle's voice suddenly came from the front.

The tense atmosphere was immediately broken.

Yan Chenghui gave Cen Lingyi a deep look, then turned and left.

Cen Lingyi breathed a sigh of relief, looked up at Song Mingchi, and couldn't help but scold him: "And you, why are you always arguing with him? He's the Crown Prince, no matter what, you'll always be the one who suffers."

"Yeah, Song Mingchi, what's wrong with you?"

Princess Taihe, ever the easygoing one, chimed in.

"Lingyi, why don't you stay in the Eastern Palace?"

Song Mingchi paused for a moment, then tentatively began to speak.

He didn't understand why Lingyi wanted to stay in the Eastern Palace.

Could it be that she still can't let go of Yan Chenghui?

"That's right, why don't you come to the palace and follow me, and say you're my maid?"

Princess Taihe wholeheartedly agreed.

"Why be a maid? Come to my residence."

Song Mingchi blurted out.

"What would we do at your residence? You're a young man, and it's inconvenient to bring him along."

Princess Taihe snorted and retorted.

"I can support her."

Song Mingchi was taken aback by her words and paused for a moment before speaking, his bright eyes and brows turning slightly red.

"Not now, let's talk about it later."

Cen Lingyi shook her head and sighed inwardly.

She didn't want to stay in the East Palace, where she would be despised and humiliated by Yan Chenghui, and schemed against by the women in his harem.

But she wants to find her child.

Lu Huaiyou didn't come tonight, but she did gather some information about Yan Chenghui, which she could tell him to take to the Second Prince to see if they could exchange it for clues about the child.

Of course, all these things about Yan Chenghui are harmless.

She wouldn't do anything to hurt him.

As the party ended, Cen Lingyi carried Yan Huaijiao and walked out with the crowd.

To the left is a wall of roses, full of pink blossoms, which, under the warm yellow light, are hazy and beautiful, like a scene from a dream.

She couldn't help but glance at it a couple more times.

Banxia, ​​who was following behind her, took advantage of her momentary lapse in attention and suddenly raised her hand and shoved her towards the flower wall.

Is Cen Lingyi just someone with a pretty face who can seduce His Highness?

Then she'll ruin Cen Lingyi's seductive face and see if His Highness will still give her a second glance!