Nong Nu Jiao

Sun Liangyuan turned her face away and glanced at Banxia, ​​waiting for her to come forward and serve her.

Looking at Banxia's new clothes and the pearl hairpins in her hair, she felt a tightness in her chest.

This little vixen has been serving His Highness closely every day lately, and His Highness treats her differently from others.

She was showered with all sorts of good things, and no one held her accountable even for her mistakes or slips of the tongue.

Banxia almost injured Yan Huaijiao and also injured Cen Lingyi.

The Crown Princess wanted to punish Banxia, ​​but His Highness stopped her.

Now, more than twenty days have passed, and not only is Banxia alive and well, but His Highness also only needs her to serve him in the Mingde Palace.

The servants in the Eastern Palace were gossiping, saying that His Highness favored Banxia even more than she did, and these words reached her ears.

I really don't know what Your Highness sees in Banxia?

Her father and brothers risked their lives for His Highness at the border, which earned them His Highness's special treatment of her.

Banxia, ​​a lowly maid, dares to compare herself to her? If this is left unchecked, won't Banxia eventually rise above her?

Upon hearing this, Banxia glanced at Yan Chenghui, who was seated at the head of the table, and felt somewhat unwilling.

She was a servant who served His Highness exclusively, and she had never even served the Crown Princess. Why should she serve Consort Sun, a mere concubine?

Isn't Sun Liangyuan just relying on having a good father and a good brother?

Otherwise, it's uncertain who would be favored in the Eastern Palace.

A glimmer of hope arose in her heart: would His Highness speak up and allow her to stop serving Consort Sun? Or would he directly order Cen Lingyi to serve her?

Cen Lingyi raised her dark eyes, looked around, and then silently lowered her long, curled eyelashes.

She naturally noticed the discord between Sun Liangyuan and Banxia.

Neither of them are good people; it's like dogs fighting each other.

However, they were all women whom Yan Chenghui loved. It was unknown whose side he would take.

Yan Chenghui frowned slightly and looked at Banxia: "What are you waiting for?"

"Yes." Banxia felt a pang of disappointment upon hearing his reply. She dared not delay any longer, took the scissors, and stepped forward. "Please, Lady Liangyuan, raise your hand."

Sun Liangyuan leaned back in her chair, her posture languid, and stretched out a slender hand in front of her, looking at her with a half-smile.

Banxia was unwilling, not knowing what she was laughing at, and felt uneasy under her gaze.

She held Sun Liangyuan's hand and, with utmost care, began to trim her nails.

For a moment, the only sound in the hall was the "snip" of scissors.

Yan Chenghui picked up his pen and wrote quickly on the official document, then calmly instructed Cen Lingyi: "Grind the ink."

Cen Lingyi put down the celadon plate in her hand, stood by the table, rolled up her sleeves, and slowly ground ink in the inkstone.

Just looking at the two of them sitting and standing like this, there is a sense of harmony and tranquility, like a beautiful woman adding fragrance to a painting.

"Banxia, ​​why are your hands shaking?"

Consort Sun suddenly spoke, breaking the silence in the hall.

Banxia paused for a moment, glanced up at her, and then continued what she was doing: "This servant's hands weren't shaking..."

She felt strange; why did Sun Liangyuan suddenly say that?

Sun Liangyuan seized the opportunity and pushed her fingertips forward.

Before Banxia could react, the scissors in her hand slashed down.

"hiss……"

Consort Sun gasped, withdrew her hand, and kicked Banxia: "Damn it, are you blind? You cut my finger. Your Highness, look..."

Banxia was caught off guard and was kicked to the ground.

"How did this happen?"

Yan Chenghui looked up, stopped writing, but did not reach out to check.

Cen Lingyi also looked at the wound on Sun Liangyuan's fingertip. The wound was no bigger than a grain of rice, with a drop of blood seeping out and congealing on the fingertip.

She glanced at Banxia, ​​who was sitting on the ground. She had been focused on grinding ink and hadn't looked over, so she couldn't immediately guess what was going on between the two of them.

Consort Sun nestled close to Yan Chenghui, holding up the small cut on her fingertip to his face, looking aggrieved and spoiled: "Your Highness, it hurts so much... This maid must have done it on purpose. She takes advantage of Your Highness's usual kindness to her, daring to treat me so disrespectfully and deliberately cutting my finger..."

"No, Your Highness!" Banxia realized what was happening and knelt down, her eyes red as she kowtowed to defend herself: "It was Consort Sun who deliberately reached out her hand, and I wasn't paying attention, so I accidentally cut her hand. She's intentionally framing me!"

A sudden realization dawned on her, and she finally understood why Sun Liangyuan had looked at her and smiled like that earlier.

Sun Liangyuan came prepared, specifically to target and frame her!

Yan Chenghui seemed not to hear Banxia's words, took Sun Liangyuan's hand, and looked down at her.

"Your Highness, it hurts so much..."

Sun Liangyuan pouted, speaking in a coquettish voice.

"Apply some medicine."

Yan Chenghui took the handkerchief from her hand and wiped away the bloodstains. He then opened a drawer, took out some ointment, and carefully applied it to her.

"alright."

Yan Chenghui released her, and quietly wiped his hand on the hem of her clothes.

"Your Highness, please blow on it."

Sun Liangyuan raised that finger and presented it to him, gazing at him sweetly.

Yan Chenghui paused for a moment, then gently blew on it.

Sun Liangyuan was overjoyed and giggled as she pinched that finger.

Cen Lingyi put down the ink stick in her hand, lowered her eyes, and took a step back.

Although she knew her own identity and that Yan Chenghui and Sun Liangyuan had done even more intimate things, she still felt somewhat uncomfortable seeing him so attentive and attentive to others, always fulfilling their requests.

Yan Chenghui glanced at her sideways.

She had already composed herself, her expression calm, as if the scene just now had not caught her eye at all.

Yan Chenghui's gaze darkened.

"Your Highness, this maid is really clumsy. She can even hurt me while cutting her nails. If she stays to serve in Mingde Palace, she might hurt Your Highness at any time."

Sun Liangyuan's gaze returned to Banxia, ​​her smile faded, and she spoke slowly.

"Your Highness, it was Consort Sun who harbored ulterior motives and deliberately came to frame me. This is not my fault. I beg Your Highness to see the truth..."

Banxia panicked and started making incoherent excuses for herself.

"What are you going to do?"

Yan Chenghui glanced sideways at Consort Sun.

"She hurt me." Consort Sun snorted, a hint of arrogance in her eyes. "If Your Highness truly agrees with me, then drag her out and beat her to death."

Even a servant girl could steal her thunder; if Banxia didn't die, she wouldn't have peace of mind.

However, she was just saying it casually. With just this little bit of flesh and blood, it would probably not be so easy to kill Banxia.

"It's just a minor injury, it's not that serious."

Yan Chenghui said in a calm voice.

"Does Your Highness think I'm making a mountain out of a molehill? Your Highness shouldn't forget that my father is still fighting valiantly on the frontier, protecting the country for Your Highness and His Majesty. Yet I, in the Eastern Palace, can't even punish a servant who cut my finger. If this gets back to the frontier, wouldn't it demoralize the soldiers?"

Sun Liangyuan twisted her waist, feeling both aggrieved and angry.

Actually, when she said she would drag Banxia out and beat her to death, she was just saying it casually, and she didn't necessarily have to achieve that goal.

But since Yan Chenghui actually spoke up to protect Banxia, ​​she was determined to kill Banxia!

Cen Lingyi glanced at Sun Liangyuan.

Sun Liangyuan's actions were no longer just arrogant due to favor; they had become so powerful that they overshadowed the emperor.

However, before Sun Zhenglie had won this battle and reaped his rewards, she had already taken credit for herself and demanded a lot of favor from Yan Chenghui.

If Sun Zhenglie really wins the battle, who knows what he will do?

However, Yan Chenghui was willing to pamper Consort Sun; it was a case of one willing to give and the other willing to receive, so no one could say anything.

Yan Chenghui lowered his long, thick eyelashes and remained silent for a moment.

The hall fell into a deathly silence.

Banxia opened her mouth, wanting to beg for mercy, but ultimately remained silent.

It was just a small cut; she didn't believe His Highness would execute her.

"Your Highness..."

Sun Liangyuan grew impatient and spoke up coquettishly, tugging at his sleeve and acting spoiled.

"Since you insist on this, then drag him out and beat him to death."

Yan Chenghui regained his usual indifference and spoke in a low voice.

"Thank you, Your Highness! Guards, drag this insolent servant out and beat him to death!"

When Sun Liangyuan saw that he had relented, she was overjoyed and immediately stood up, raising her chin to give instructions.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, spare me! It was Consort Sun who deliberately reached out her hand. It wasn't my fault. Please forgive me, Your Highness! I will never dare to do it again. I'm willing to be transferred away from Mingde Palace and do the hardest and most tiring work..."

Banxia was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she quickly kowtowed and begged for mercy.

Only now did she realize that a place like Mingde Hall, and a person like His Highness the Crown Prince, were not places she should have any illusions about.

Yan Chenghui didn't even lift his eyelids.

Several guards came in and dragged Banxia out.

Cen Lingyi felt a chill run down her spine, her heart clenched, and she felt as if a wad of cotton was stuck in her chest, making it difficult to breathe.

Everyone in the Eastern Palace knows that Yan Chenghui has recently been showering Banxia with favor, keeping her by his side in the Mingde Hall day and night.

Banxia shared all the delicious food and useful items she had with her.

Banxia, ​​whom he loved so much, lost her life simply because she cut a tiny piece of skin the size of a grain of rice on Sun Liangyuan's fingertip.

In other words, in his heart, the tiny, insignificant injury on Sun Liangyuan's fingertip was more precious than Banxia's life.

Sun Liangyuan was the person he cherished most.

He had warned her before that she was not allowed to retaliate against Sun Liangyuan, saying that she wasn't even worthy of carrying Sun Liangyuan's shoes...

She stared blankly at the inkstone in front of her, her fingertips digging into her palm, the stinging pain bringing her back to her senses.

Sun Liangyuan targeted her at every turn, even having Wu Liguang ambush her in the garden, nearly causing her utter ruin.

Whether she retaliates or not, Sun Liangyuan will not let her go.

"Your Highness is so kind to me."

Sun Liangyuan glanced at Cen Lingyi, her eyes full of smugness, and then leaned her head on Yan Chenghui's shoulder.

Yan Chenghui subtly stepped aside: "You've suffered. Let Yun Gong take you to the storeroom to pick out some fine brocade and a few hairpins."

"Really?" Consort Sun's eyes lit up immediately, and she stood up and bowed, "Thank you, Your Highness."

"Go."

Yan Chenghui nodded slightly.

Consort Sun glanced at Cen Lingyi again. His Highness had told her to leave, leaving Cen Lingyi behind?

But having already killed Banxia today, she couldn't go too far, so after hesitating for a moment, she turned and left.

"What are you still standing there for?"

Yan Chenghui turned to look at Cen Lingyi, his gaze cold.

"This servant takes her leave."

Cen Lingyi curtsied and glanced at the osmanthus and chestnut paste dumplings on the plate.

She disliked him and thought he wouldn't eat the snacks, so she insisted on having him bring them to make things difficult for her.

What a waste of this plate of desserts.

Under the eaves outside the hall.

Yun Gong shrank back, watching Banxia being dragged away: "Didn't Your Highness just reward her with a string of coral beads and some top-quality ginseng honey slices yesterday? Why are you going to beat her to death today?"

Banxia has been so favored these days!

Today, all that happened was a tiny cut on Sun Liangyuan's fingertip. It's not a capital offense, is it?

Their prince is not such a tyrannical person.

"His Highness has already allowed her to live for another twenty-odd days."

Yun Que looked in the direction where Banxia was dragged away, his tone full of meaning.

He was startled to see Banxia being dragged out, but after thinking about recent events, he immediately understood.

Banxia was already considered a dead person in His Highness's heart the day she pushed Miss Cen.

Banxia should be grateful to Miss Cen. If Miss Cen hadn't abandoned His Highness back then, and His Highness hadn't held a grudge, the grass on her grave would have grown over a foot tall long ago.

I heard the sound of a door opening behind me.

The two turned around and bowed in unison: "Consort Sun."

"Yun Palace, His Highness wants you to take me to the storeroom to select some items."

Sun Liangyuan was radiant with happiness, her eyes sparkling with smiles.

"Yes."

Yun Gong reached out and took the key from Yun Que, then took Sun Liangyuan away.

A moment later, Cen Lingyi also came out of the main hall.

"Miss Cen..."

Yun Que gave a greeting.

Cen Lingyi glanced at him, nodded, and quickly walked away.

Yun Que watched her retreating figure and sighed.

He finally understood today that His Highness had never let go of Miss Cen.

However, Miss Cen was already married and had children.

Your Highness holds a noble status, second only to the Emperor, above all others.

If a broken mirror were to be mended, I'm afraid...

"Yun Que, come in and help me with my bath."

Yan Chenghui's voice came from inside the hall.

"Yes."

Yun Que responded, pushed open the door, and quickly stepped forward to prepare things.

During the days that Miss Cen was away from Mingde Palace, he was the one serving His Highness.

Banxia was merely a decoration His Highness placed in the Mingde Hall; no, it should be seen as a target set up for Consort Sun.

After bathing and changing his clothes, Yan Chenghui sat down again at his desk, his gaze falling on the small osmanthus and chestnut paste dumplings in the celadon plate.

In a daze, I returned to the past, where the spring breeze was gentle under the eaves.

The bright-eyed girl propped herself up on her elbow, her lively eyes filled with a smile, and picked up a small ball with her fingertips, offering it to him.

Yan Chenghui unconsciously raised his hand, holding the small pastry between his fingertips. He looked at it for a moment, then took a bite.

Soft, sweet, and melts in your mouth – that's her skill.

He pursed his lips and chewed slowly, his dark eyes swirling with unpredictable emotions. By the time he came to his senses, the pastry in his hand had already been crushed into crumbs.

He paused for a moment, then gathered up the crumbs in his palm and ate them all.

"Your Highness, the Crown Princess has sent someone to invite you to have dinner together."

As the sun set in the west, Yun Que came in to report.

"I'm not hungry."

Yan Chenghui remained expressionless, then rose and went into the inner hall.

Yun Que was somewhat taken aback when he saw the empty porcelain plate on the table.

Did His Highness eat the entire plate of Osmanthus and Chestnut Dumplings?

No wonder they don't need to eat dinner.

*

On an autumn afternoon, sunlight streamed through the lattice window into the side hall.

"Let's give His Highness a bath while it's still warm."

Cen Lingyi stood up, holding Yan Chenghui, and made a suggestion.

"Okay, the bathtub is ready. I'll go get some hot water."

Lingzhi immediately agreed.

The two wet nurses, Da Chen and Xiao Chen, exchanged a glance.

"Nanny Cen, what are we doing?"

Da Chen's wet nurse asked.

Since Cen Lingyi arrived at the East Palace, the young prince has only needed her to take care of him.

Even now, the young prince cries and throws a tantrum if he is separated from her for even a moment.

They couldn't intervene and take the young prince away.

The two gradually gave up their thoughts. As long as the Crown Prince didn't send them away, they could stay and still receive a considerable monthly allowance.

Little Chen, the wet nurse, was indecisive. Seeing that Big Chen, the wet nurse, had obeyed Cen Lingyi, she followed suit, standing aside watching Cen Lingyi and waiting for her instructions.

"Please, sisters, fetch me some soft towels, as well as the young prince's clothes and soap. And could someone please lend a hand to Lingzhi?"

Cen Lingyi loosened Yan Huaijiao's clothes and whispered.

The two of them started moving according to Cen Lingyi's instructions.

Little Chen, the wet nurse, went to the wardrobe to fetch Yan Huaijiao's clothes, soft towels, and other items.

Da Chen's wet nurse went out to carry hot water in with Lingzhi.

Yan Huaijiao took off her clothes, her skin was fair and plump, and she felt heavy in her arms.

He was getting bigger and was wriggling restlessly in Cen Lingyi's hands, gesturing to her that he wanted to go into the bathtub.

He likes playing in the water.

"Wait a minute, we can only go in after the water has been turned on, Your Highness, be good."

Cen Lingyi held his soft body, feeling incredibly happy, and gently coaxed him.

"Mmm..."

Yan Huaijiao was dissatisfied and stomped her little feet to go over.

Even the wet nurse, Chen, was amused by his adorable appearance: "Wet Nurse Cen, the little prince is so endearing."

"Who can argue with that?"

Cen Lingyi replied with a smile.

It's rare that someone as cold-hearted and ruthless as Yan Chenghui could give birth to such an adorable little one.

At this moment, Granny Wang, who was in charge of everyone in the side hall, came over.

She glanced around the hall and saw everyone surrounding Cen Lingyi, and the jealousy that had been building up in her heart for a long time suddenly surged up.

Maintaining her composure, she raised her chin and, feigning authority, ordered the wet nurse, Da Chen, at the door in a deep voice, "Come here, the bedding hanging outside the hall needs to be brought in. Come with me to do some work."

If Cen Lingyi's momentum isn't curbed soon, she'll start to climb all over her.

Upon hearing the sound, Cen Lingyi turned around while holding Yan Huaijiao and looked at Granny Wang.

With just one glance, she saw through Granny Wang's thoughts.

Granny Wang had disliked her for quite some time.

On the contrary, the two wet nurses, Da Chen and Xiao Chen, became much more restrained after seeing what happened to Liu the wet nurse.

Da Chen's wet nurse, who was carrying a bucket of hot water with Lingzhi, said upon hearing this, "Don't rush, nanny. I'll take the hot water in for the little prince first and help look after him while he bathes. It's still early; I can take care of collecting the bedding later."

These words were a straightforward and direct rejection of Granny Wang's request.

Several maids stood outside the corridor, peeking out curiously.

None of them were qualified to serve in the side hall; they were assigned to do menial tasks such as sweeping and tending to the flowers and plants outside.

Seeing that there was something interesting to see, they naturally stopped to watch.

Granny Wang, her face ashen, glared at Cen Lingyi: "Granny Cen, the young prince's bathing arrangements are naturally the responsibility of you and Lingzhi. Da Chen and Xiao Chen are wet nurses, not your maids. Are they your servants to order around?"

She was humiliated in front of everyone, and her face turned ashen.

The words of a proper head nanny are not as effective as those of a wet nurse?

Cen Lingyi's reach is a bit too far!

"If what you say is true, then I'm just a wet nurse, and I shouldn't be the one taking care of the little prince's daily needs." Cen Lingyi gently patted the soft body of the little one in her arms and said unhurriedly, "Aren't we all gathered here for the little prince? The little prince refuses to drink their milk, and they are willing to lend a hand in taking care of him. Is Wang Mama forbidding it?"

Her tone was gentle, but her words were sharp.

These words are telling Granny Wang not to forget that their duty is to take good care of the young prince. If she lets go, can Granny Wang handle Yan Huaijiao?

Furthermore, she also implied to the two wet nurses, Da Chen and Xiao Chen, that since they couldn't breastfeed, they should be more attentive to them; otherwise, what need would the Eastern Palace have to support them?

"Granny, Nurse Cen is right. We should work together to take good care of the young prince."

Da Chen's wet nurse was quick-witted and immediately spoke up.

The Crown Prince gives her a lot of money, and she usually has nothing to do, so she should be content with this job.

"yes."

Seeing this, Xiao Chen's wet nurse quickly chimed in.

"Yes, you all take care of the young prince's affairs first."

Granny Wang's face was extremely ugly, her eyes fixed on Cen Lingyi, and her words seemed to be squeezed out from between her teeth.

Cen Lingyi has become increasingly arrogant, taking advantage of the young prince's affection for her.

This side hall was originally under her management.

Before Cen Lingyi arrived, everyone tried every means to please her and flatter her.

Cen Lingyi, a mere wet nurse who had betrayed His Highness, dared to oppose her.

court death.

*

The next day.

Cen Lingyi was squatting in front of Yan Huaijiao, teaching him to speak.

"Your Highness, you said 'Father'."

Cen Lingyi looked at him with a smile and repeated herself tirelessly.

The little one is almost ten months old. He often seems to want to talk, but he can't express it.

She began to try to teach him.

"Beep beep..."

Yan Huaijiao sat on the floor mat and moved her little mouth like she was trying to imitate her, but accidentally spat out some saliva.

He found it very amusing, so he kept making "dudududu" sounds, drooling from the corners of his mouth.

"Your Highness."

Cen Lingyi was both amused and exasperated, and picked up a handkerchief to wipe the corners of his lips.

"Miss," Lingzhi hurried in, lowering her voice, "Lanhua is here. She says she's delivering something to His Highness on behalf of Consort Sun. Are you going?"

"Yes, watch over the young prince for a while."

Cen Lingyi got up and walked out.

"Hmm..."

When Yan Huaijiao saw that she was about to leave, she became anxious and stretched out her little hands, wanting her to hug her.

"Your Highness, look at this."

Lingzhi gave him a small clay figure.

Yan Huaijiao pushed him away, flailing her hands and crying, pointing at Cen Lingyi's back.

"Your wet nurse will be back soon, Your Highness, be good."

Cen Lingyi casually picked up a pastry and handed it to him before hurriedly leaving the side hall.

Sun Liangyuan wouldn't have the time to send anything to Yan Huaijiao; Lan Hua must have some news to tell her.

Lan Hua, who was waiting in the corner outside the courtyard gate, saw her come out and called out, "I'm here."

"What is it?"

Cen Lingyi walked up to her and asked directly.

There was absolutely no affection between her and Lan Hua. Lan Hua was forced into this situation by her and was too busy hating her to change her mind about her.

Therefore, she doesn't need to deal with orchids.

"My lady just saw Granny Wang."

Lan Hua lowered her voice and spoke very quickly and fluently.

"What did you say?"

Cen Lingyi pressed for an answer.

"I don't know." Lan Hua shook her head, her eyes flickering. "Liang Yuan sent us all away."

"You'd better tell the truth." Cen Lingyi smiled slightly, her eyes clear, and turned her head to look straight into her heart: "If anything happens to me, your box of rouge will be sent to the Crown Princess immediately. You should know how the Crown Princess treats me."

Only Xia Qing herself knew what had changed.

Everyone in the Eastern Palace knew that Xia Qinghe never forgot their past friendship and treated her like a younger sister.

This is not something that cannot be utilized.

"I didn't hear what Liangyuan said when she gave the packet of Gelsemium elegans powder to Granny Wang."

Lan Hua swallowed hard, a look of horror flashing in her eyes, and reluctantly recounted what she had seen.

Cen Lingyi realized that Sun Liangyuan was probably preparing to take action against her.

She turned away without saying a word.

"Wait a moment."

Orchid suddenly called out to her.

"Is there anything else?"

Cen Lingyi turned to look at her.

"Can you please stop betraying me? I grew up with Liangyuan since I was little, I don't want to..."

The orchid shed tears.

She didn't want to betray Sun Liangyuan, but if she didn't follow Cen Lingyi's wishes, she would lose her life.

She doesn't want to die.

"Don't worry, as long as I'm alright, I'll make sure you're alright."

Cen Lingyi left without looking back after saying just one sentence.