Nong Nu Jiao

"Please show some self-respect, Your Highness."

Cen Lingyi raised her hand and forcefully pushed away his hand that was caressing her lower lip.

His fingertips had thin calluses, and his pressure was strong, causing a slight stinging sensation when they landed on my lips.

"You, who so eagerly curry favor with the powerful, dare to tell me to respect myself?"

Yan Chenghui gripped one side of her face with even more force.

Cen Lingyi's lips moved slightly.

She wanted to explain to him that things weren't as he thought they were.

But she ultimately lowered her long eyelashes and swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

He won't listen, and he won't believe it.

He only believes what he sees.

"I'll make you laugh."

Yan Chenghui was even more annoyed.

"This servant cannot smile."

Cen Lingyi turned her face away, avoiding his hand.

"Smile." Yan Chenghui pinched her chin, his eyes reddening. "Weren't you laughing happily in front of Song Mingchi just now?"

Upon hearing this, Cen Lingyi suddenly opened her dark eyes and looked at him.

Did he see her meeting with Song Mingchi and Princess Taihe in the pavilion?

Did he overhear what she was planning to do? Will he try to stop her from overturning her father's case?

"Your Highness? Is it His Highness the Crown Prince?"

At the end of the passageway, Xia Qinghe's gentle voice could be heard.

Xia Qinghe stopped and looked at the two people under the lights in the distance.

Without looking closely, she recognized them as Yan Chenghui and Cen Lingyi.

Yan Chenghui held Cen Lingyi in his arms in a very domineering manner.

He hated Cen Lingyi.

Little did they know, hatred is something they couldn't let go of either.

"The Crown Princess has arrived."

Cen Lingyi subconsciously raised her hand and pushed against Yan Chenghui's firm chest.

In the past, she couldn't bear to hurt Xia Qinghe, and didn't want Xia Qinghe to see any connection between her and Yan Chenghui.

Now, she sensed Xia Qinghe's hostility towards her and was even more unwilling to let Xia Qinghe see this scene.

Her status in the Eastern Palace was low, and dealing with just one Consort Sun was already exhausting, not to mention that Xia Qinghe had also joined the fray.

She already faced enough difficulties in the Eastern Palace, and she didn't want her life to become even harder.

Yan Chenghui, however, showed no hurry. He pursed his lips, stared at her intently for a moment, and then suddenly raised his hand.

Her large hand landed on the hair behind Song Mingchi's ear, where he had picked up the fallen leaves, and she rubbed it vigorously.

"What are you doing...?"

Cen Lingyi hurriedly raised her hand to protect him, but he still managed to ruffle her hair into a mess.

Yan Chenghui turned and left without looking back.

Cen Lingyi was furious. She took two steps after him, placed her hands on his lower back, and shoved him hard.

Caught off guard, Yan Chenghui stumbled as she pushed him.

He stopped and looked back at her.

Cen Lingyi stood there, her chest heaving slightly, whether from anger or from running away, her face showing a stubbornness and innate pride as she met his gaze.

She subtly curled her fingertips, and it was only because he was so angry that she impulsively pushed him.

However, since it's already done, there's no use in regretting it.

Do whatever you want with him.

Anyway, even if it weren't for her pushing him, he would still have dealt with her to avenge Sun Fengyi.

Unexpectedly, Yan Chenghui only glanced at her twice before turning away.

Cen Lingyi straightened her hair and walked forward, staring at his and Xia Qinghe's backs as they walked side by side, feeling both angry and bitter.

He used to forbid her from wearing a woman's hairstyle, but she has changed it.

Why is he still touching her hair? What did she do to offend him by putting her hair up in a bun?

He simply loathed her; he found fault with everything about her.

*

The Eastern Palace.

Yan Chenghui rode back, with Yun Que following closely behind.

"Your Highness."

Yun Gong and the others stood at the entrance and stepped forward to pay their respects.

"What is it?"

Yan Chenghui strode forward and asked in a low voice.

"Sun Fengyi's elder brother, Sun Junchi, came to visit."

Yun Gong followed and replied.

Where is he/she?

Yan Chenghui paused slightly and glanced at him.

"In the front hall, they said they hadn't seen His Highness for a long time and wanted to have a word with him."

Yun Gong pointed to the main hall not far away and exchanged a glance with Yun Que.

Sun Fengyi was beaten with twenty strokes of the cane by the Imperial Concubine and has been bedridden for several days. She is helpless against the Imperial Concubine and must have said a lot of bad things about Miss Cen in front of her brother.

Sun Junchi's intention to speak with His Highness is a pretense; his true purpose is probably to interrogate him.

Yan Chenghui remained silent and walked towards the front hall.

The front hall of the East Palace.

Sun Junchi was sitting in the guest seat when he saw Yan Chenghui enter. He put down his teacup and went to greet him.

"This humble official pays his respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince."

He resembled his mother more, unlike his father who was so rugged. He had delicate features and was not only not as rough as a warrior, but also had a scholarly air about him.

"Brother, you're too kind. Please have a seat. When did you return?"

Yan Chenghui bypassed him and sat down in the main seat.

"I returned at dawn. My father sent me back to oversee the transport of grain. I heard that my sister had been punished by the Imperial Concubine, so I took the time to come and visit her."

Sun Junchi's eyes concealed a hint of melancholy and resentment.

"I visited Consort Sun this morning, and she is in good spirits."

Yan Chenghui said in a calm voice.

"Peihuan has always been spoiled and willful by me and her parents. She has never been slapped, let alone beaten. My mother sheds tears every day, heartbroken, saying that physical pain is a small matter, but losing face is a big deal."

Sun Junchi spoke in a gentle and restrained tone, never revealing any anger.

However, his words already revealed his dissatisfaction with Sun Peihuan's treatment and implied that he wanted an explanation.

Yan Chenghui said slowly, "She has indeed suffered this time. I have ordered the Imperial Hospital to use the best medicine for her injuries, and I believe she will recover soon."

He pretended not to understand the implied meaning in Sun Junchi's words.

Seeing that he didn't respond, Sun Junchi said bluntly, "Good medicine can heal physical wounds, but it can't soothe the heart. Huan'er has always been reckless and acts without any rashness. She may be arrogant, but I don't believe she harmed the imperial heir. I've heard that the whole thing started because of a wet nurse in the Eastern Palace stirring up trouble and sowing discord?"

He looked at Yan Chenghui, his words were a question, but his tone was one of certainty.

"This matter was indeed caused by the wet nurse's report."

Yan Chenghui paused for a moment, then nodded slightly.

"Your Highness, this wet nurse has falsely accused Huan'er of drugging and plotting to harm the imperial heir, which angered the Imperial Concubine, who then punished Huan'er with a beating, thus disgracing the Sun family. Such a lowly palace servant has committed insubordination; shouldn't she be severely punished to uphold the rules of the inner court?"

Sun Junchi stood up, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

"Sun Fengyi herself admitted to what happened that day, and Wang Mama also testified. In front of my mother, I cannot say much more."

Yan Chenghui's fingertips curled slightly as he looked up at him.

"This humble official does not necessarily intend to force Your Highness to punish that wet nurse," Sun Junchi said, sitting down again. "However, as Your Highness knows, my father has always doted on Huan'er. He is fighting on the northwestern border and, upon hearing that Huan'er was unjustly humiliated and flogged, has been restless and sleepless for days. Your Highness must understand that border warfare is perilous, and a commander-in-chief with a confused mind is a major taboo in military strategy."

Upon hearing this, Yan Chenghui's gaze deepened slightly as he stared directly at him.

"The military situation at the border is heavy, but a trivial matter at the Eastern Palace has spread quickly, causing General Sun some trouble."

His voice was clear and pleasant, but his words carried a subtle warning.

Sun Junchi was speechless upon hearing this.

In order to get Yan Chenghui to punish Cen Lingyi, he deliberately used his father and the morale of the army to put pressure on her, but Yan Chenghui saw through his rhetoric.

He didn't refute it, but simply lowered his eyes, which was taken as tacit agreement.

The hall fell silent, the atmosphere somewhat oppressive.

"Brother Sun, rest assured, Nurse Cen has indeed committed an act of insubordination. I will make her apologize to Consort Sun and punish her severely to give the Sun family an explanation."

After a long pause, Yan Chenghui's gaze returned to its usual indifference, and he spoke slowly.

"Your Highness treats Huan'er so well, my father and I have no worries about the future, and we can focus on defending against the enemy and returning in triumph as soon as possible."

Sun Junchi was very satisfied with his words, stood up, bowed, and took his leave.

*

As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the mornings and evenings are getting cooler, and the fragrance of osmanthus wafts through the side hall.

Yan Huaijiao had just woken up from her afternoon nap and reached out to Cen Lingyi for a hug.

"Your Highness is awake?"

Cen Lingyi leaned down beside the cradle and gently stroked his little head.

"Miss, shall we dress His Highness in this outfit?"

Upon hearing this, Lingzhi turned around and went to fetch Yan Huaijiao's clothes.

"It's not cold in the afternoon, so let him wear this for now. We'll add more clothes for him in the evening."

Cen Lingyi took the clothes.

"Father."

Suddenly, Yan Huaijiao, still in the cradle, clearly uttered two words.

Cen Lingyi was pleasantly surprised upon hearing this, her dark eyes lighting up immediately: "Oh!"

The little one who used to only babble all day can talk now!

"The little prince can call me 'Daddy' now!" Lingzhi heard this too and quickly came over: "Miss, did you hear that?"

"I heard you." Cen Lingyi smiled and picked up the little guy. "He's talking quite early, only a little over ten months old. I heard from my mother that my older brother also started talking at a little over ten months, but he walked late. I walked early, but I talked late."

"If that's the case, does that mean every child can only choose to be early in one thing? Either talk early or walk early?"

Lingzhi asked curiously.

"Perhaps."

Cen Lingyi smiled, sat down and let the little guy sit in her lap, and helped him put on his clothes.

"Your Highness, would you like to call out 'Father' to your wet nurse again?"

She teased the little one in her arms.

The little guy refused, pointing to the door to indicate that he wanted to go out and play.

"What's the rush?"

Cen Lingyi tied his belt for him.

"The little prince is getting more and more difficult to serve as he gets older. He wants to run away as soon as he opens his eyes."

As Lingzhi spoke, she picked up the things Yan Huaijiao needed to take with her when she went out.

"I just woke up, so I can't go out in the wind. I'll just take a walk in the yard."

Cen Lingyi picked up the little guy, put a hat on him, and carried him out of the side hall.

Say it again, "Father."

When they arrived at the pomegranate tree, she sat down on the swing and coaxed Yan Huaijiao to talk with a smile.

"Father."

Yan Huaijiao bounced around in her arms and repeated it clearly.

Cen Lingyi couldn't help but smile, feeling very gratified and comforted.

Although this is not her child, she raised it herself. Now that it can speak, how could she not be gratified?

Looking at Yan Huaijiao's adorable little face, she thought of her own child again.

There was still no news from Lu Huaiyou, and the Second Prince refused to give any information. What could she possibly do to find her child?

Yan Chenghui stood by the door, watching this scene unfold.

The dappled sunlight fell on her, illuminating her beautiful eyebrows and eyes, while the little child looked up at her with his small face.

This scene was serene and gentle.

Yun Que stood behind him, watching this scene, feeling a pang of pity.

I thought that after these days, Sun Fengyi's matter would be over and done with.

I didn't want Sun Junchi to come back to transport grain and fodder. Today's trip to the East Palace is to vent my anger on behalf of Sun Fengyi.

He glanced at his prince's expression and sighed inwardly.

His Highness is being pressured by Sun Junchi, and Miss Cen is stubborn and refuses to back down. He's probably in for a lot of trouble now.

"Father, Father..."

Yan Huaijiao called out twice more.

"Can't you say anything else? You said 'Mother'."

Hearing him shout happily, Cen Lingyi taught him new words.

"Whom do you want him to call 'Mother'?"

A clear, indifferent voice broke the tranquil scene.

Cen Lingyi was startled by the sound, turned her head and saw Yan Chenghui standing at the courtyard gate. She picked up Yan Huaijiao and bowed.

"This servant greets Your Highness."

When did he arrive? Why was there no sound at all?

Lingzhi, holding Yan Huaijiao's snacks, was startled as she walked out of the palace and quickly bowed.

Yan Chenghui walked without saying a word to Cen Lingyi and looked down at her.

"Father."

Yan Huaijiao called out in a childish voice.

Cen Lingyi couldn't help but glance at the little one in her arms, her eyes softening.

This little guy is so endearing that even the most indifferent person would have their heart melt upon seeing him.

Will Yan Chenghui soften upon hearing "Father"?

"Your Highness, the little prince can call you 'Daddy' now."

Yun Que spoke, easing the atmosphere.

Yan Chenghui's gaze fell on Yan Huaijiao.

"Father..."

The little one looked back at him, waving her tiny hands, wanting him to hold her.

Yan Chenghui paused for a moment, then reached out and pulled him into his arms.

"Father, Father."

Yan Huaijiao hugged his neck, being very affectionate with him.

Cen Lingyi lowered her long eyelashes and stepped back.

Yan Chenghui probably missed his children and came to visit them.

"Go and apologize to Sun Fengyi."

Yan Chenghui's gaze fell heavily on her face, and he gave her the order directly.

Upon hearing this, Cen Lingyi's body stiffened abruptly. She slowly raised her head, and her clear eyes quickly welled up with tears.

"May I ask, Your Highness, what wrong have I done?"

She lowered her head again, clenched her fists to hold back her tears, suppressed the disappointment and grievance in her heart, and asked him softly.

The evidence against Sun Fengyi for drugging Yan Huaijiao is conclusive, both in terms of witnesses and physical evidence, and Sun Fengyi herself has also confessed to it.

Now that several days have passed, he came today specifically to ask her to apologize, so as to vent his anger for Sun Fengyi.

"He spread rumors in front of his mother and acted disrespectfully towards Consort Sun."

Yan Chenghui spoke coldly, his face expressionless.

"The evidence for what happened that day is irrefutable. This servant was merely revealing the truth to protect His Highness; how could it be considered 'spreading rumors and insubordination'?"

Cen Lingyi raised her tear-reddened eyes and met his gaze openly.

She was deliberately seeking revenge against Sun Fengyi, but it was Sun Fengyi who was vicious and first plotted to harm the young prince.

She has a clear conscience about this matter.

"This is my order."

Yan Chenghui's tone turned cold.

"Please forgive this servant for being unable to obey Your Highness's order."

Cen Lingyi lowered her head, but her back was straight, and her voice was soft yet stubborn.

"Father..."

Yan Huaijiao seemed to sense that something was wrong between the two of them. She tugged at his clothes with her small hand and turned her face to look at Cen Lingyi.

"I can bear the injustice I suffer, Your Highness, but ask yourself honestly, how can you force me to apologize to Consort Sun? Do you truly deserve the title of 'Father' from the young prince?"

Cen Lingyi raised her dark eyes, her words clear yet sharp.

Sun Fengyi harmed his only child.

Yan Chenghui's brows furrowed suddenly, and his tone turned cold: "Since you are so stubborn, you are no longer allowed to serve in the side hall. From this day forward, Cen Lingyi is demoted to the servants' quarters. She may only come out when she is willing to apologize to Sun Fengyi."

"Yes."

Cen Lingyi nodded slightly in agreement.

"Your Highness, please!" Lingzhi rushed forward, kneeling at Yan Chenghui's feet and pleading, "Your Highness, the little prince cries incessantly whenever he's separated from Aunt Cen. Besides, he needs to nurse at night, and he won't drink anyone else's milk except Aunt Cen's. Please, Your Highness, for the sake of the little prince, spare Aunt Cen..."

Tears streaming down her face, she kowtowed repeatedly.

Everyone knows that the menial laborers' quarters are full of heavy and dirty work: washing clothes in cold water, carrying water and chopping wood, cleaning filthy ditches, busy from dawn to late at night, without a moment's rest.

Even in her impoverished state, the girl had never suffered such hardship. She was frail and could hardly endure it.

Cen Lingyi pulled Lingzhi back: "Stop kneading."

He won't be soft-hearted; even if Lingzhi breaks his head, it's all for nothing.

"Waaah..."

Upon seeing this, Yan Huaijiao pouted and was about to cry. She didn't want Yan Chenghui anymore and reached out her little hand to Cen Lingyi, wanting her to hug her.

"If you stop eating, then wean your baby."

Yan Chenghui looked at Cen Lingyi's stubborn appearance, spoke coldly, and turned to leave with Yan Huaijiao in his arms.

"Waaah... Mother..."

Yan Huaijiao started crying, and in her haste, the little one blurted out "Mother" to Cen Lingyi, her voice childish yet incredibly clear.

Cen Lingyi shuddered and subconsciously stood up, her eyes suddenly welling up with tears.

Even though he wasn't her biological child, that call seemed to pierce her heart.

Her heart felt both tender and bittersweet.

Her child, somewhere, does he also call others "mother"?

Yan Chenghui stopped in his tracks, slowly turned around, and stared at her coldly.

"You taught him to call you 'Mother'?"

"No, I always refer to myself as a servant..."

Cen Lingyi snapped out of her daze and subconsciously offered an explanation.

In front of Yan Huaijiao, she always referred to herself as "wet nurse".

"You dare to challenge me?"

Yan Chenghui interrupted her, a faint mockery playing on his lips.

Cen Lingyi felt a pang of sadness, lowered her head, and stopped arguing.

He didn't believe a single word she said.

If that's the case, what else can she say?

"Wow..."

As Yan Huaijiao watched herself and her wet nurse drift further and further away, and her father showed no sign of abandoning her, she burst into tears and threw a tantrum, struggling and kicking in Yan Chenghui's arms.

He wants a wet nurse!

"Your Highness, the young prince can't be without Aunt Cen, otherwise you would..."

Yun Que tried to persuade him.

Yan Chenghui glanced at him sideways.

Yun Que was so frightened that she immediately fell silent.

"Go and tell her to pack her things and go to the servants' quarters immediately."

The crying of the baby in his arms annoyed him, and Yan Chenghui quickened his pace.

He refused to believe that no one but her could win over Yan Huaijiao.

"Yes."

Yun Que stopped and walked back.

He knew that His Highness wanted him to persuade Miss Cen.

He walked into the courtyard, where several maids who were peeking out from outside the hall were watching. When they saw him enter, they scattered in a flurry.

Yun Que entered the side hall.

Cen Lingyi was packing her things; she didn't have many things, and she could leave with just a few.

Lingzhi wiped away her tears.

Both wet nurses, Da Chen and Xiao Chen, looked completely at a loss.

"Aunt Cen is gone, how can we take care of the young prince?"

Da Chen's wet nurse looked worried.

They take care of the young prince every day, how could they not know his character?

Apart from Cen Lingyi, no one can control the young prince.

Especially after Wang Mama was executed by the Imperial Concubine, they trusted Cen Lingyi even more.

"Yes, what should we do?"

Little Chen's wet nurse turned pale with fright.

"You can express some milk and feed him at night. I might cry if he doesn't see me for the first couple of days, but he'll get used to it after a while."

Cen Lingyi gathered her old clothes into a bundle and spoke to them casually.

"Girl, I'll go with you too."

Lingzhi's eyes were swollen from crying.

She can help the girl with the work, so that the girl doesn't have to work so hard.

"Silly girl, what will happen to the young prince if you go? Besides me, he loves you the most." Cen Lingyi raised her hand to wipe away her tears: "I'm not going to die, what's there to cry about?"

"girl."

Yun Que spoke.

"Yun Que, why are you back?"

Cen Lingyi turned to look at him and asked a question.

"Your subordinate... I... I've come to see the young lady off."

Yun Que subconsciously used self-reference, then quickly corrected himself.

These are all habits formed before, and they are really hard to change.

"No need to trouble you."

Cen Lingyi tied up her bundle and headed out.

"Young lady, why are you doing this to yourself?" Yun Que reached out to stop her, earnestly advising, "Just go and apologize to Consort Sun. A few words will suffice, and the matter will be over. Why go against His Highness and suffer in the servants' quarters?"

Why be so stubborn, girl? It's something that could be resolved with just a few words.

"I didn't do anything wrong, why should I apologize to her?"

Cen Lingyi raised her face and asked in return.

"I know you've done nothing wrong, but you also need to..."

Yun Que wanted to persuade her again.

"Since you know I'm not wrong, then don't say anything more."

Cen Lingyi carried her bag and walked straight out.

"girl……"

Yun Que turned around and followed, feeling utterly helpless.

His Highness and the young lady were both unwilling to give in, leaving him caught in the middle, truly helpless.

"Yun Que, please go and persuade His Highness. The young lady is frail, and the weather is getting colder and colder. How can she bear it?"

Lingzhi's voice was hoarse as she went up to him and pleaded.

"Oh dear, I'd like to advise you too, but you've seen the pride in this young lady." Yun Que said helplessly, "I'll go to the servants' quarters first."

At least give the order first, so that those in charge will not bully Miss Cen.

*

With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, the kitchen staff of the Eastern Palace are working day and night to prepare various pastries and mooncakes for the festival.

Cen Lingyi was assigned to the kitchen to do the most arduous work—keeping watch over the cold stone mortar, pounding rice and fillings day and night.

This is a tiring job that everyone avoids.

The heavy, solid bluestone pestle was so heavy that each rise and fall required all her strength.

Piles of soaked glutinous rice and thick, simmered fillings were stacked in front of her.

She gripped the heavy stone pestle tightly with both hands and slammed it into the mortar again and again.

"Thump—thump—thump—"

The dull thuds continued uninterrupted from dawn until dusk.

Her entire arm was numb and stiff, gradually losing sensation, leaving only mechanical movements.

The tiger's mouth was repeatedly pounded and ground by the stone pestle, causing wounds. The debris stuck to the wounds, which were both astringent and stinging, causing excruciating pain.

She bit her lip, showing no sign of stopping.

"Young lady, why don't you go and apologize to Sun Fengyi..."

Lingzhi held Yan Huaijiao in her arms and stood aside, watching her forehead beaded with cold sweat and tears streaming down her face.

Why is the girl so stubborn?

"mother……"

Yan Huaijiao stretched out her little hands, wanting her to hug her.

The little guy cried all night yesterday, and his voice is a bit hoarse.

Today, Lingzhi had no choice but to bring him to Cen Lingyi's side early in the morning. He stopped crying, but kept fussing for Cen Lingyi to hold him.

"Baby, have some of this."

Cen Lingyi picked out a little red bean paste and fed it to the little guy with a smile.

Yan Huaijiao wasn't greedy anymore. She turned her little face away and stubbornly stretched out her little hands, wanting her to hug her.

Mingde Hall.

Yan Chenghui sat upright at his desk, holding a purple brush with three fingers at an angle, not putting it down for a long time.

"Is there anything you need to report?"

He asked in a low voice.

Yun Gong was completely bewildered and turned to look at Yun Que: "This subordinate has nothing to report."

He scratched his head. Should they have something to report?

Yun Que's eyes darted around, and he understood.

He stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, Miss Cen was sent to the kitchen to pound pestles. The area between her thumb and forefinger on both hands was cracked and ulcerated, and her palms were covered with blisters. She can't even lift her hands to hold a bowl of water."

Yan Chenghui's fingers tightened suddenly as he gripped the pen, his knuckles turning white, and the ink droplet spread a patch of black on the paper.

He stared at the smeared ink for a moment, then abruptly threw down the pen, got up, and walked outside.