Nong Nu Jiao

"Nanny Cen".

Granny Wang called out from outside the side hall.

"Is there something you need, Granny?"

Cen Lingyi gently patted Yan Huaijiao in her arms.

The little one had a big lunch and played for half an hour before finally falling asleep in her arms.

"Is His Highness asleep?"

Granny Wang stepped into the room and glanced at her and Lingzhi.

"Just fell asleep."

Cen Lingyi also glanced at her without making a sound.

Granny Wang has had the herbal powder of Gelsemium elegans from Consort Sun for more than three days, but has remained inactive.

Can't hold back any longer today?

"Place the little prince in the cradle and let Banxia watch over him. Go and wash the little prince's undergarment and handkerchief that he changed out of today."

Granny Wang raised her chin and adopted a superior posture as she gave orders.

"Have you forgotten, Granny? I am just the young prince's wet nurse."

Cen Lingyi replied to her in a calm voice.

Yan Huaijiao had dedicated staff to take care of her cleaning, tidying, and meals.

Her only duties were to feed the young prince and keep him company.

"Isn't this being watched over by Ganoderma lucidum?"

Granny Wang frowned, her face showing displeasure.

"I can only feel at ease when I see His Highness with my own eyes."

Cen Lingyi's expression remained unchanged, and her tone was indifferent.

"Has Nurse Cen forgotten who's in charge of this side hall? Do you think I can't order you around?"

Granny Wang's face darkened, and her tone became unfriendly.

"When I came to the Eastern Palace, I learned the rules: no one should be left alone while the young prince is asleep." Cen Lingyi looked at Wang Mama and said slowly, "I can follow your arrangements and do other things. But if the young prince suffers even the slightest mishap during this time, may I ask if you can bear this responsibility? As long as you say you can bear it, I will do as you say."

She observed Wang Mama's expression and became wary.

Granny Wang's insistence must be for some ulterior motive.

"What a sharp tongue you have! Lingzhi, go wash up."

Granny Wang's face was a mixture of pale and ashen, and she felt a chill run down her spine.

She turned away dejectedly, and in the end did not force her to go out and do chores.

"Lingzhi, come here."

Cen Lingyi called Lingzhi back after she went out the door.

"What's wrong, young lady?"

Lingzhi looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"From now on, we'll take turns. Granny Wang has ill intentions, and the young prince can't be left alone for even a moment."

Cen Lingyi solemnly instructed her.

Previously, I always thought that Sun Liangyuan bought the Gelsemium elegans herbal powder in order to harm her.

Today, Granny Wang suddenly came over, wanting to send her away.

She suddenly understood what Granny Wang and Consort Sun were planning—they wanted to harm Yan Huaijiao so that they could say she hadn't taken good care of the young prince, and then they could punish her with a legitimate reason.

To deal with her, Consort Sun ordered Granny Wang to harm such a young child; she was truly ruthless.

"Don't worry, young lady," Lingzhi replied solemnly. "I haven't left Your Highness's side before."

Cen Lingyi nodded, sat down on a small stool next to the cradle, gently rocked the cradle, and looked thoughtful.

There's no reason to guard against thieves for a thousand days.

Wang Mama is easy to deal with, but Consort Sun is protected by Yan Chenghui. Even if this matter is exposed, Consort Sun probably will not receive the punishment she deserves.

Perhaps Xia Qinghe could make the decision while Yan Chenghui is not in the Eastern Palace?

However, Xia Qinghe always goes along with Yan Chenghui's wishes, so he probably won't punish Sun Liangyuan severely.

But not necessarily.

Yan Huaijiao is, after all, Xia Qinghe and Yan Chenghui's only child. A mother's love is strong, so surely Xia Qinghe wouldn't not love her child?

As evening fell, Cen Lingyi slowly walked out of the side hall.

She looked up at the sky, where the sunset had dyed the western clouds orange, like a magnificent painting.

To give her a break, Lingzhi carried Yan Huaijiao to the garden to feed the fish.

Several maids in the courtyard also went along.

Granny Wang has disappeared.

The large courtyard was empty, with a pomegranate tree in the southeast corner bearing lush foliage and a swing hanging below it.

She looked at the swing and a smile appeared on her face.

Once upon a time, there was also a swing in her yard, which her father made for her by hand on her seventh birthday.

At that time, her father also had many flowers picked for her so that she could decorate the swing herself.

She walked over, gently sat down on the swing, looked up at the sky, and let out a soft sigh.

I wonder how Father and Mother are? Are my older brother, sister, and aunt all alright?

She was preoccupied with her own thoughts, her fingertips fiddling with the knot of the swing, her toes touching the ground as she unconsciously swayed the swing gently.

Suddenly, someone gave me a light push from behind.

The swing swayed gently, the wind ruffling the stray hairs at her temples. Cen Lingyi snapped out of her reverie, her brows relaxed, and a smile appeared on her face.

"Why are you back so soon?"

Without turning around, she swung gently on the swing and asked a question.

In this side hall, besides Lingzhi, there was no one else who would tease her like this.

Behind her, Lingzhi didn't respond, but simply pushed the swing for her again.

"Did the young prince bother you?"

Cen Lingyi's words were tinged with laughter, a relaxed and joyful feeling she hadn't experienced in a long time.

She simply relaxed, letting the swing carry her up and down, her skirt fluttering in the wind, which was quite interesting and temporarily dispelled the gloom in her heart.

After a long while, Lingzhi still did not reply to her.

Her eyes were full of smiles, her face blooming like a flower, but when she turned around to look, her smile immediately froze.

Yan Chenghui's dark black hair ribbon fell over his shoulders, and he stood under the shadow of a tree in a light blue robe. The dappled orange shadows fell on his chest, and amidst his imposing presence, he still retained some of the youthful spirit he once had.

He looked at her with his clear, downcast eyes, his gaze deep and unfathomable, his lips slightly pursed, revealing no emotion.

"Your Highness..."

Cen Lingyi was startled, stretched out her legs to get off the swing, and wanted to bow to him.

In the rush, she didn't notice that the two were too close. As she stood up, a strand of her hair caught on the jade belt hook at his waist.

"hiss……"

She gasped in pain and had no choice but to bend down in front of him.

Yan Chenghui stood still, looking down at her, his hands behind his back, showing no intention of helping her.

Cen Lingyi moved her head, trying to let her hair fall down on its own, but it didn't work. Instead, the strand of hair became even more tangled, and she felt even more pain.

She dared not move an inch, feeling incredibly embarrassed. Her ears burned bright red, and she held up her hands, yet dared not touch him. It took her a while to calm herself down: "Your Highness... this servant has been impolite..."

Why was he standing silently behind her? She thought Lingzhi had returned!

"Nanny Cen has such a leisurely life."

Yan Chenghui tilted his head to look at her, a slight smile playing on his lips, his tone laced with a hint of sarcasm.

"Your Highness, could you please help me untangle my hair?"

Cen Lingyi asked, forcing herself to be brave.

She leaned her head against him, her breath filled with his refreshing fragrance, and a blush rose to her cheeks.

He'll surely say she did it on purpose, trying to seduce him.

"cannot."

Yan Chenghui's refusal was quite straightforward.

"I'm sorry, this servant has offended you."

Cen Lingyi gritted her teeth and raised her hand to reach for his waist.

Yan Chenghui watched her movements coldly.

Since she couldn't see clearly, her hand naturally lacked accuracy, and she ended up touching his tight, firm abdomen.

My fingertips touched his well-defined muscles, the warm, hard sensation transmitted through the thin brocade.

Cen Lingyi's heart skipped a beat, and she withdrew her hand as if burned. However, her hair was still not straight, so she could only maintain this close position and raise her hand again.

This time, she was extra careful, and sure enough, she didn't touch anything she shouldn't have.

She fumbled to fix her hair, her breath carrying his scent. Despite the mild weather, her back was covered in sweat.

Yan Chenghui's back trembled slightly, his gaze darkening as he looked at her. He pursed his lips and remained silent, watching her carefully smooth out her tangled hair.

"I'm so sorry, Your Highness, I was rude."

As soon as her head was loosened, Cen Lingyi immediately took a step back and bowed to him again to apologize.

Her face was flushed, her forehead was covered in sweat, and she was all sweaty and her face was flushed, as if she had just taken a bath.

Yan Chenghui stared at her disheveled hair, remaining silent.

Cen Lingyi took another step back and raised her hand to tidy up the strand of hair that had fallen down.

She lowered her long eyelashes, refusing to look up at him.

Why is he staring at her like that? Can't he get enough of her disheveled and embarrassed state?

Yan Chenghui suddenly reached out and pulled the strand of hair from her hand.

"What is Your Highness doing?"

Cen Lingyi couldn't help but frown as she looked at him.

Without looking in a mirror, she managed to pin her hair up with great difficulty, but he yanked it off in one go.

Yan Chenghui stared at her woman's hairstyle for a moment, a feeling of unease rising in his heart.

He raised his hand again.

Having learned from past mistakes, Cen Lingyi naturally instinctively dodged.

Yan Chenghui, however, would not allow her to escape. He grabbed her thin shoulders and pulled the silver hairpin from her hair.

Her already loose hair suddenly lost its support, and her thick hair cascaded down like silk, falling softly along her slender shoulders and back.

Her hair was extremely black, which made her face appear even whiter and whiter, like the finest mutton fat jade. A few strands of hair fell lazily over her full, rosy lips.

Black hair, red lips, and snow-white skin.

She opened her dark eyes wide and stared at him in astonishment, unintentionally revealing a hint of her former arrogance.

In that instant, she seemed to have returned to the past, to be the most radiant and incomparable beauty in the world.

"From now on, women are not allowed to wear their hair in a traditional Chinese updo."

Yan Chenghui withdrew his gaze, glanced elsewhere, and spoke in a cold voice.

"This servant does not understand Your Highness's meaning."

Cen Lingyi lowered her eyes and spoke softly.

She's been married and had children; if she doesn't wear a woman's hairstyle, why would she wear a young girl's?

Yan Chenghui squinted at her with his narrow eyes, his face expressionless, only showing a hint of coldness and sarcasm.

"Your Highness, the Crown Princess and Consort Sun both wear their hair in a married woman's bun. This servant has already been married..."

Cen Lingyi hesitated for a moment before speaking.

If she didn't wear a woman's hairstyle, who knows what people in the Eastern Palace would say about her? Consort Sun would definitely say that she had given birth but still wore a girl's hairstyle, and that she was trying to seduce him.

She didn't care about that; what mattered was Xia Qinghe. Now that she knew Xia Qinghe's intentions, how could she not be on guard?

After moving back to the side hall, Xia Qinghe did nothing more to target her.

If she were to revert to her maidenly hairstyle, Xia Qinghe would inevitably overthink things.

"If you can't do it, then leave."

Yan Chenghui left a sentence and turned to walk towards the side hall.

"Yes."

Cen Lingyi pursed her lips and had no choice but to agree.

He's really being unreasonable and incomprehensible now.

Yan Chenghui sat down at the table in the side hall.

"This servant will go and make tea for Your Highness."

Cen Lingyi turned and went out, taking the opportunity to tie her hair up again, and then made tea and brought it to him.

Yan Chenghui took the teacup and glanced at her.

She styled her hair in the loose bun that she used to wear most often.

His brow relaxed a little, and he lifted the lid and took a sip.

Cen Lingyi stood quietly to one side, her hands hanging down, her raven-feather-like eyelashes drooping.

"The day after tomorrow is my mother's birthday. Everyone in the Eastern Palace will be attending the banquet. My mother specifically asked to see Huai Jiao."

Yan Chenghui spoke in a calm voice.

"Yes."

Upon hearing this, Cen Lingyi's mind stirred.

Is it Consort Xiao's birthday?

Consort Xiao was Yan Chenghui's birth mother. Her original name was Xiao Yulou. She was the daughter of the head of the Hanlin Academy and had always treated Yan Chenghui very well.

She was still young when she met Consort Xiao, who was then in the Cold Palace and she didn't know what mistake Consort Xiao had made.

All she knew was that Consort Xiao's father had also been demoted and sent to serve as a prefect in another region.

Xiao Yulou was in the Cold Palace, and Yan Chenghui, as her child, naturally received no proper treatment.

It was around that time that Cen Lingyi begged her father to take Yan Chenghui with him. In the years that followed, the Cen family always kept a courtyard for Yan Chenghui.

In her memory, Xiao Yulou was always cold and aloof, and didn't like to talk to anyone, but he was very kind to her.

When they met occasionally, Xiao Yulou would always give her his treasured possessions, cook her delicious food, and coax her to call him "Auntie".

She thought Xiao Yulou would spend her whole life in the cold palace, but she didn't.

Not long after the Cen family's incident, Xiao Yulou reconciled with the Emperor and was quickly promoted from a beauty to the only Imperial Concubine of the court, enjoying undiminished favor ever since.

Yan Chenghui's status also rose accordingly, and he eventually became the crown prince.

"When you're in front of your mother, put away your little schemes and behave yourself."

Yan Chenghui glanced at her sideways, his eyes sharp.

"Yes."

Cen Lingyi lowered her head and obediently agreed.

*

"Young lady, if you go to the palace, you can only have two people with you." Lingzhi walked into the side hall: "I originally wanted to go with Da Chen's wet nurse, but Granny Wang said that she was afraid that Da Chen's wet nurse would be too clumsy, so she wanted to go with me herself."

She spoke with a frown, clearly unhappy.

Granny Wang always targets the young ladies, and she doesn't want Granny Wang to go to the palace with them.

"Whatever she wants."

Cen Lingyi responded and busied herself with the things she was doing.

"Miss, what are you wiping for the young prince?"

Lingzhi got closer and then noticed what she was doing with her hands.

There was a soft cushion on the bed, and the girl had stripped the young prince naked, patting something watery onto his body.

The little prince thought he was a girl playing with him, and he grinned and giggled.

"It's to prevent allergies."

Cen Lingyi did not offer any further explanation.

Lingzhi seemed to understand, but didn't ask any further questions.

There must be a reason why the girl does what she does.

Cen Lingyi turned her head and waved to her.

"Girl, what's wrong?"

Lingzhi couldn't help but move closer.

"When we set off later, I'll leave for a bit. If Granny Wang tries to get rid of you, just go along with it."

Cen Lingyi leaned close to her ear and whispered in her ear.

"But didn't you say, young lady, that Wang Mama shouldn't be allowed to have contact with the young prince alone?"

Lingzhi glanced at Yan Huaijiao, who was warm on the bed, waving her white and tender hands and feet like lotus roots. She was really cute.

"Times have changed, do as I say."

Cen Lingyi patted her hand.

"Yes, I'll listen to you, young lady."

Lingzhi readily agreed.

The Crown Prince's family had many women, and when they were about to depart, several carriages were parked side by side in front of the main hall, which was quite impressive.

Inside the carriage.

Cen Lingyi held Yan Huaijiao in her arms and sat in the main seat.

Lingzhi and Granny Wang sat on either side of the table.

"Well……"

Yan Huaijiao raised her chubby little hand and pointed outside.

"Your Highness is in such a hurry to leave? Don't rush, we'll be leaving soon."

Cen Lingyi coaxed her.

Yan Huaijiao stepped on her legs and kept jumping, eager to leave as soon as possible.

"Lingzhi, you comfort the little prince for a while, I'm going to the washroom."

Cen Lingyi teased Yan Huaijiao for a while before handing the child over to Lingzhi.

"Waaah..."

When Yan Huaijiao saw that she was about to leave, she was immediately unhappy and grabbed her sleeve with her small hand, refusing to let go.

"Baby, be good, your wet nurse will be back soon."

Cen Lingyi bent down to coax him.

Granny Wang's eyes darted around. "Go quickly. Can't Lingzhi and I keep the young prince calm for a little while?"

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Granny."

Cen Lingyi smiled at her, then lifted her skirt and stepped off the carriage.

Peering through the gap in the carriage window curtain, Granny Wang watched as Cen Lingyi walked away, then turned to Lingzhi and asked, "Did you bring a cloak for the young prince?"

"It's not that cold today, is it?"

Lingzhi blinked; it wasn't even late autumn yet.

"It's cold at night, go and get it quickly, I'll hold the little prince for a while."

Without saying a word, Granny Wang took Yan Huaijiao from her arms.

Lingzhi was worried, but remembering Cen Lingyi's words, she didn't say anything more and got off the carriage.

The girl must have her own plans.

If she doesn't listen to the girl, she'll only ruin things for the girl.

"Waaah..."

When Yan Huaijiao saw that none of the familiar people were there, she immediately burst into tears.

"My dear little prince, please stop crying. Your nanny will love you."

While coaxing her, Granny Wang glanced outside and, seeing no one around, immediately took out a small paper packet and opened it.

She reached out and picked up a small pinch of extremely fine powder, then quickly applied it to Yan Huaijiao's delicate skin from under his collar.

Yan Huaijiao cried even harder, kicking her little legs and waving her little hands wildly.

"Don't cry, Your Highness, the wet nurse is coming soon..."

While coaxing him, Granny Wang grabbed a handful of fine powder, slipped it under his waist, and haphazardly applied it to his soft skin.

Once they enter the palace, in front of the Imperial Concubine, the young prince will develop a rash. Let's see how Cen Lingyi will explain herself.

Yan Huaijiao cried even harder after being disturbed by her.

"Your Highness, don't cry, your wet nurse is back."

Cen Lingyi heard the little one crying from afar, and her heart clenched. She hurried away.

When Wang Mama heard her voice, her hand trembled involuntarily, and some of the medicine powder spilled onto the hem of her clothes.

She quickly crumpled the paper packet haphazardly, stuffed it into her sleeve, and then dusted off the powder from the hem of her clothes.

Just as she finished preparing everything, Cen Lingyi lifted the curtain.

"Hmm..."

As soon as Yan Huaijiao saw her, she reached out her little hand to greet her, her little face covered in tears.

"Oh dear, our poor little prince, isn't he? His wet nurse only left for a short while and he's already crying like this, and look how disheveled his clothes are."

Cen Lingyi spoke tenderly to the little guy, gently wiping away his tears and tidying his clothes.

She smelled a faint medicinal scent; Granny Wang must have succeeded.

"Your Highness just can't live without you. In just this short time, you've made me sweat profusely."

Granny Wang spoke insincerely, raising her sleeve to wipe the sweat from her forehead.

"Where's the Ganoderma lucidum?"

Cen Lingyi looked up at her, her eyes clear and filled with a faint smile.

"She... went to get a cloak for the young prince, in case he gets cold when he comes back tonight."

Wang Mama guiltily turned her gaze away.

Cen Lingyi nodded without saying anything more.

The carriage rumbled along until it came to a stop in front of the palace.

There are palace rules that require everyone to dismount from their horse or sedan chair and walk into the palace to pay their respects.

With Lingzhi's help, Cen Lingyi carried Yan Huaijiao down from the carriage.

She glanced ahead.

Yan Chenghui and Xia Qinghe walked side by side toward the palace gate.

Next came Consort Gu, Consort Sun, and Consort Li walked last.

"Well……"

Yan Huaijiao, who was in Cen Lingyi's arms, pointed ahead with her little finger and leaned forward, gesturing for her to go inside.

The little guy weighed eighteen pounds, which was quite heavy. She was pulled forward a step by him and whispered to coax him, "Your Highness, don't rush, we'll go now."

She carried the little one and walked into the palace gate. The imperial guards on both sides stood tall, holding their spears, their faces expressionless.

"Your Highness, I have been waiting for you."

A high-pitched voice came from behind.

Everyone stopped in their tracks and looked at the newcomer.

The visitor was Wang Deming, the chief eunuch serving Emperor Shengwu.

Yan Chenghui raised his hand: "Eunuch Wang, no need for formalities. Is there something you need?"

"By order of the Imperial Concubine, we have come to fetch the wet nurse, Madam Cen, and the young prince."

Wang Deming stepped aside and raised his hand.

Only then did everyone notice that a palanquin was following behind him, carried by four eunuchs, waiting quietly in that spot.

Cen Lingyi naturally heard Wang Deming's words and saw the palanquin.

Consort Xiao treated her even better than she had when she was a child. But her status was no longer suitable for her to sit in this carriage.

Yan Chenghui gazed at the palanquin, remaining silent for a moment.

There was complete silence.

Xia Qing broke the silence with a smile: "Your Highness, I had heard before that Mother Consort dotes on Sister Cen, and seeing her today, it is indeed so. Since it is Mother Consort's wish, and it is inconvenient for Sister Cen to carry Huai Jiao, then let..."

She moved aside, implying that she wanted Cen Lingyi to sit on the palanquin.

In fact, she almost pinched her own palms raw.

She is Yan Huaijiao's mother!

Consort Xiao neglected her proper daughter-in-law and instead doted on Cen Lingyi.

Isn't this a slap in the face for her in front of everyone?

Gu Liangdi looked at her coldly, a sneer on her lips.

Xia Qinghe is good at putting on an act. He hates Sun Liangyuan to death but pretends to be magnanimous. Isn't he just deliberately trying to provoke Sun Liangyuan to take the lead?

"His Highness is still walking, why should Cen Lingyi, a wet nurse, be carried around while sitting?"

Sun Liangyuan, as expected, couldn't hold back and immediately spoke up to stop her.

The Cen family has all fallen. Except for Cen Lingyi, everyone else is dead. What is the Imperial Concubine thinking? Why is she still praising Cen Lingyi like this!

Li Fengyi shrank back, not daring to speak.

"Look at what Consort Sun is saying." Wang Deming laughed. "The little prince can't walk yet, and Her Majesty is just feeling sorry for him. This is the Imperial Concubine's decree. Why don't you go and talk to Her Majesty?"

When the Imperial Concubine brought this up, His Majesty was right there but didn't say anything, which meant that His Majesty tacitly approved.

He was given the order and naturally had to do his job well.

"Your Highness, I disagree. If Cen Lingyi rode in the palanquin, then I want to too..."

Sun Liangyuan was speechless, stamped her foot, and turned to look at Yan Chenghui.

Yan Chenghui turned to look at Cen Lingyi, his expression indifferent, his eyes cold.

Cen Lingyi carried Yan Huaijiao as she slowly walked out of the crowd, her long, butterfly-like eyelashes drooping, her expression showing no arrogance, remaining as serene and obedient as ever.