Nong Nu Jiao

The persimmon tree beside the gate of Mingde Hall has sparse green leaves, and the lanterns under the eaves sway gently in the wind, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

Cen Lingyi hesitated for a moment. Why was there no one guarding the door?

Is Yan Chenghui not here?

But the door was open, so there must be someone inside.

She hesitated for a moment, then stepped over the threshold and looked down into the distance.

Yun Que stood there alone.

She felt a sense of relief; if Yun Que was there, then Yan Chenghui must be there too.

Yan Chenghui doesn't easily allow anyone to set foot here; Yun Que should come and stop her.

What should she say?

Just as he was hesitating, Yun Que spoke first.

"Miss Cen is here?"

Yun Que greeted her with a smile.

"Yes." Cen Lingyi took a deep breath, looked up and slowly approached, replying, "I would like to see Your Highness. Please inform him for me."

"His Highness has given the order; please come in, young lady."

Yun Que smiled and looked at her.

Cen Lingyi couldn't help but look towards the main hall, her brows furrowed in confusion.

Did Yan Chenghui know she was coming?

There was no movement inside the main hall; it was completely quiet.

He was probably sitting at his desk, busy reviewing official documents.

"Miss Cen."

Yun Gong opened the door to the main hall and came out. He greeted her with a smile.

Cen Lingyi nodded to him, then lifted her skirt and went up the steps.

"Miss Cen, please."

Yun Que opened the door for her.

"Wait a moment……"

Yun Gong grabbed Yun Que's sleeve to stop him.

"What are you doing? His Highness gave the order, don't worry about it."

Yun Que pushed him away.

Yun Gong hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Cen Lingyi glanced at Yun Gong, then ignored everything and stepped inside, only to hear the door close behind her.

She couldn't help but look back, only to find that Yun Que had already closed the door tightly.

"His Highness was bathing inside, why did you put Miss Cen in there?"

Yun Gong couldn't help but speak softly.

He was inside just now, delivering clothes to His Highness.

"Did Your Highness say that Miss Cen is not allowed to enter for bathing?"

Yun Que asked him.

"No, not at all." Yun Gong scratched his head. "But..."

"Come on, get it," Yun Que tapped his forehead. "Why do you think His Highness is bathing at this hour?"

"When His Highness questions me later, it won't be my problem."

Yun Gong knew he was right, but still snorted coldly and stubbornly distanced himself from the matter.

Yun Que glanced at him sideways and then ignored him.

Cen Lingyi entered the main hall but did not see the familiar figure at the desk.

Is Yan Chenghui in the inner hall?

At this time of day, people are probably taking their afternoon nap.

Isn't that perfect?

She hesitated for a moment, clutching her skirt. Thinking that Lingzhi was about to die, she gritted her teeth, stepped forward, pushed open the door to the inner hall, and quietly went inside.

The inner hall was empty.

She was taken aback. She had finally mustered up the courage to invite Yan Chenghui.

The faint sound of water could be heard in my ears.

Is Yan Chenghui taking a bath in the bathhouse?

That's true. He's always been a clean person, so he probably needs to take a shower after sweating during lunch before he can take a nap.

Cen Lingyi swallowed nervously, walked over and pushed open the bathroom door.

A misty haze hung in the air. The tall young man stood with his back to her, most of his body submerged in the water, revealing his firm and upright back. A thin layer of water droplets covered his shoulders, and the pale lines of his skin were faintly visible in the hazy mist.

"Your Highness..."

She called out, her voice a little hoarse.

Yan Chenghui turned around at the sound, and through the mist, he saw her fair face and her deliberately styled bun. His gaze deepened, and he pursed his lips without saying a word.

Cen Lingyi slowly walked towards him.

Her fingertips trembled as she untied her sash, her clothes and skirt falling to the ground as she walked.

When she reached him, she was only wearing a plain white brocade bellyband and a thin pair of ivory-white underpants.

Yan Chenghui's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. He looked away and said in a hoarse voice, "Get out."

Seeing his disgust for her and his cold tone, Cen Lingyi's eyes reddened instantly. She felt extremely embarrassed and wished the ground would crack open so she could crawl into it.

She hesitated, wanting to pick up her clothes and turn to leave.

But then she thought of the Ganoderma lucidum, and her outstretched fingertips retracted, without making any further movement.

What is dignity compared to life?

Wasn't this all planned out?

From the moment she became the wet nurse of the Crown Prince's palace, she lost all dignity.

She slowly stepped into the warm pool water, the warm water soaking her trousers and clinging to her body, her thin waistband half-transparent from the water.

Yan Chenghui stared at her, his eyes reddening, his pale, muscular chest heaving.

Cen Lingyi's eyelashes, still damp with moisture, trembled a few times as she walked towards him, her footsteps echoing through the water.

The girl's carefully styled bun had loosened slightly, with a few strands of her dark hair hanging softly beside her face, the stray hairs damp with fine moisture, making her look delicate and frail.

The abdomen is slightly translucent when exposed to water.

The snow piled up, and the bright moon rose and fell.

"My husband..."

Cen Lingyi walked up to him, her slender, pale arm reaching towards his chest, her voice soft and slightly trembling.

"Husband".

No matter how he tried to coax her, she would never call him "husband".

She was shy and always felt embarrassed to talk about it.

Only in the throes of passion, when she was lost in thought, would she listen to his seductive words and call him that while crying.

She remembered that he liked him very much.

The first time she called him that, he almost immediately handed it to her.

Yan Chenghui took a deep breath.

The next instant, Cen Lingyi felt a tightness around her waist as his iron arm gripped her, squeezing her painfully.

The world spun before my eyes.

Cen Lingyi let out a soft cry as her back pressed against the cool jade wall.

"Splash—"

A large ripple spread across the water in the bathtub.

His eyes were bloodshot as he lowered his head and covered her lips with his own, forcefully grinding them together.

She went to such lengths for others.

But she abandoned him back then.

He wanted to ingrain the person who had wronged him into his very bones and blood, to devour them inch by inch, only then could he quell the hatred in his heart.

Cen Lingyi tilted her head up to meet him.

She had never acted like this since their reunion.

Her eyes were red and wet, her hair was disheveled and wet at her temples, her hair bun was askew and about to fall, and she was shivering all over.

Yan Chenghui skillfully loosened his belt, then landed with his arms around his stomach.

High on Jade Mountain, small corals adorn the landscape.

Cen Lingyi's heart was captured by him once again.

He repeatedly kneaded and pinched her heart, making her feel pain and itchiness, as if he still wasn't satisfied.

It took a bite out of her heart.

Cen Lingyi snorted and leaned against the jade wall, almost sitting down.

Her eyes shimmered with a gentle light as she hugged his neck, her voice trembling as she spoke, "Your Highness, Lingzhi is ill. Could... could you please fetch a doctor for her..."

She did not forget the purpose of her trip.

Yan Chenghui paused in his movements and slowly raised his head.

His breathing remained rapid, and his dark eyes turned crimson, piercing her like knives.

Cen Lingyi subconsciously shrank back, hugged herself, her long eyelashes, wet with tears, fluttered slightly, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"If Your Highness is willing to find a doctor for Lingzhi, this servant is truly willing to serve Your Highness."

A gentle mist swirled around her, and her voice was soft and humble.

He had never seen her so humble.

"Get out."

His chest heaved violently, his long eyelashes pressed tightly together, and anger surged in his eyes.

She's just a maid, yet she cares about her so much!

She willingly offered herself up for the sake of Ganoderma lucidum, thus demeaning herself and humiliating herself.

When he abandoned her, he didn't feel any regret whatsoever; he even wanted her dead.

He frowned slightly, and the old wound in his heart ached again.

Cen Lingyi bit her lip, her face flushing red and then pale. She loosened her grip on her hands, grabbed his arm, and pleaded softly, "Husband, please have mercy and save Lingzhi. Whatever you want me to do, I will do it, and I will never say no."

Yan Chenghui's gaze was irresistibly drawn to her.

Frosty jade pills, delicately adorned with goji berries.

Suppressing her embarrassment, Cen Lingyi straightened her back and moved forward a little more.

"Please, my husband..."

Her voice was soft and gentle, like a willow branch, as if she were coquettishly pleading, making one's heart itch.

Yan Chenghui snapped out of his daze, raised his hand to push her away, and turned his back.

"I find you dirty."

His tone was cold and harsh, full of disgust.

She treated Lingzhi, a mere maid, so well!

What about him?

Jealousy and resentment were intertwined, burning him so badly that his internal organs ached, and the wound in his heart throbbed with pain.

Unable to bear the embarrassment any longer, Cen Lingyi covered her face, squatted down, and buried most of herself in the water, sobbing uncontrollably.

The crying was intermittent, and it was clear that the person was trying hard to suppress it but couldn't.

Like annoying willow catkins, they linger in the air, irritating the listener.

"Don't cry."

He turned around and snapped at her.

"You won't help me, you won't even let me cry..."

Cen Lingyi turned away angrily. She was so embarrassed that she was going crazy, but she had no choice. Her mind was a mess, and she was speaking purely on instinct.

This tone of voice is just like when he used to annoy me and throw tantrums.

Yan Chenghui gave her a deep look.

She covered her face, her disheveled, wet hair clinging messily to her temples. Although she was in the water, the water was crystal clear and couldn't hide anything.

The next moment, he forcibly withdrew his gaze.

"I will have Yun Que send a physician over there."

He spoke curtly.

As soon as he finished speaking, Cen Lingyi's crying stopped abruptly. She looked up at him, her wet eyes lighting up with surprise.

"You're not lying to me?"

She asked him in a low voice.

"I'll lie if you ask again."

Yan Chenghui stepped ashore.

Cen Lingyi covered her mouth, blinked her wet, dark eyes, and then noticed the crisscrossing whip marks on his lower back, his lean waist, and his pert and firm buttocks.

Her face flushed, and she hurriedly looked away.

Do not look at what is improper! Do not look at what is improper!

"Aren't you going to serve me?"

Yan Chenghui did not turn around, but spoke in a cold voice.

"oh."

Cen Lingyi responded, pulled her belly button out of the water, and quickly tied it on.

She looked down at herself.

The bellyband got wet, so it didn't really cover much, but it was still better than not wearing anything at all.

Recalling her impetuous actions, she blushed deeply, stepped out of the water, took a clean towel, and went forward to wipe him from behind.

She then took clothes from the rack and helped him put them on, fastening his belt.

Cen Lingyi couldn't help but glance at him again.

He put on his clothes and looked dignified and noble, just like a prince should.

"Cloud Palace".

He opened the door and called out.

Cen Lingyi hurriedly took a few steps back, picked up the clothes on the ground, and put them on.

"You're still wearing it because it's wet?"

Yan Chenghui turned to look at her.

Cen Lingyi stopped what she was doing, hugged a pile of clothes to her chest, looked at the ground in front of her, and remained silent.

If she doesn't wear this, what will she wear?

"Your Highness."

Outside, Yun Que's voice could be heard.

"Get her some clothes," Yan Chenghui instructed. "Go check on Lingzhi and fetch a doctor for her."

Hearing her words, Cen Lingyi felt a little relieved.

He wasn't lying to her; he really did call a doctor for Lingzhi.

She clutched the clothes in her arms tightly. "Lingzhi, you must be strong and get through this difficult time."

"Yes."

Yun Que responded and quickly walked to the wardrobe.

He knew that His Highness had a whole wardrobe of women's dresses in his closet.

These are all items that His Highness brings back from time to time; they are made of fine fabric and are brand new.

Now he knows that these were all prepared for Miss Cen, but His Highness is holding a grudge and refuses to give them away after buying them.

A moment later, Yan Chenghui handed a dress to Cen Lingyi.

Cen Lingyi reached out and took it, unfolded it and saw that a complete set of women's clothing was provided, from the inside out, even a belly band and socks were prepared.

This dress is especially beautiful.

The upper garment is a dark gold-threaded flowing cloud-patterned blouse, paired with a pomegranate-red eight-panel swirling skirt, embroidered with blooming peonies in gold and crimson silk threads, intense, bright, gorgeous and flamboyant.

She used to love wearing dresses in this color, but it had been a long time since she had worn anything like this.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Cen Lingyi looked at the person standing upright by the door.

How come he has such new women's clothing here? And it's so complete.

"It wasn't prepared for you, it's just for you to wear."

Yan Chenghui coldly uttered a sentence, opened the door, and walked out.

Cen Lingyi was somewhat puzzled by his words.

Of course she knew that the clothes were not prepared for her.

He loathed her so much, how could he possibly prepare clothes for her?

It should be for Banxia?

Previously, only Banxia had entered this inner hall.

But Banxia is already dead.

Thinking of this, she frowned, reluctant to wear something belonging to a dead person.

But there was no choice at the moment. The clothes looked new, so he probably hadn't had time to give them to Banxia yet.

She hesitated for a moment before putting on her clothes, then scooped up a handful of water from the bathtub to wash away the tears on her face. She then tidied her hair in front of the bronze mirror on the wall before going out.

Yan Chenghui sat at his desk, flipping through a book in his hand.

"Your Highness, this servant takes her leave."

Cen Lingyi stepped forward to bow, then lowered her head and was about to leave.

He was probably disgusted by her behavior today and didn't want to see her.

She wasn't going to stay here and annoy him.

"Don't even think about leaving the Eastern Palace."

Yan Chenghui lifted his eyelids to look at her.

The dress fit her perfectly, and her half-wet, unkempt hair made her skin appear even fairer and her features more exquisite.

She was bright and beautiful, and her features showed some resemblance to her former self.

Upon hearing this, Cen Lingyi looked up at him, her eyes filled with astonishment.

Did he know she was leaving?

Previously, I was only worried about the Ganoderma lucidum and hadn't thought about it in detail.

Hearing his words now, many questions arose in my mind.

Lingzhi was always healthy and only caught a cold once every year or two. This time, she suddenly fell ill, just as she was about to leave.

He said those words again.

It was hard for her not to connect this incident with him.

"Lingzhi's illness is caused by you..."

She was terrified and chilled to the bone, her voice trembling slightly.

Did he poison the Ganoderma lucidum?

Yan Chenghui's long eyelashes drooped, and his jaw was taut.

He did not speak.

That's the default!

Why did you do this?

Cen Lingyi's eyes reddened with anger, and she took a step back, blurting out a question to him.

He wasn't like this before.

He is very reasonable, has a good temperament, and is also very kind.

Even if it's just cats and dogs on the street, he'll still go with her to buy food and feed them.

Every winter, people are sent to distribute porridge.

How did he become like this? Targeting innocent people?

Yan Chenghui merely glanced at her, remaining silent.

"You've always disliked me and made things difficult for me at every turn, so why won't you let me go?"

Cen Lingyi was somewhat agitated, her chest heaving, and tears almost welled up in her eyes.

She thought he would be more than happy if she left.

I never expected him to target Ganoderma lucidum.

Overwhelmed with emotion, she forgot to refer to herself as "this servant."

"Stay to atone for your sins."

Yan Chenghui's eyes reddened, he glanced at her up and down, then his gaze returned to the book in his hands.

His hand, gripping the book, was pale at the knuckles.

She wanted to abandon him and run away with Lu Huaiyou.

wishful thinking!

This time, he will not repeat the same mistake.

She wanted to escape, to flee the Eastern Palace, to abandon him once again and run to Lu Huaiyou.

Unless he dies.

"What happened back then is in the past. We're both married and have children now. If you keep me around and I make you angry just by looking at me, isn't that torture?"

Cen Lingyi calmed down and tried to reason with him.

Now that she has found her child, she is going to find her parents. She doesn't want to stay in the Eastern Palace to suffer humiliation and waste her time with him.

"Then let's torture each other until we die!"

Yan Chenghui threw down the book, stood up, and stormed off.

*

The next day.

In the side hall, Cen Lingyi held Yan Chenghui as they sat on a small stool under the eaves.

The sunset cast a warm orange glow on two similar faces, one large and one small.

"daughter."

Yan Huaijiao playfully grabbed a stray lock of Cen Lingyi's hair with her small hand and called out to her clearly.

Cen Lingyi was preoccupied with her thoughts. When she heard him call her, she came back to her senses and corrected him, "Your Highness, I am your wet nurse, you cannot call me that."

"daughter."

Seeing that she looked serious, Yan Huaijiao assumed she was teasing him and called her name in a childish voice, giggling.

"You can't call me that. Your father and mother will be angry if they hear it."

Cen Lingyi felt a little helpless and snuggled up to rub her face against his.

This little guy is getting more and more handsome as he grows up. His features and demeanor are just like Yan Chenghui's. He's really adorable.

"Walk……"

Yan Huaijiao pointed his little finger towards the courtyard gate, indicating that she should take him there to play.

He learned another character, "走" (walk), in the last two days.

"Your Highness, shall we not go out today?"

Cen Lingyi was preoccupied with Lingzhi and had no intention of taking him to play in the garden.

Yesterday, Yun Que from the Huizhou branch of the imperial court went to fetch a doctor for Lingzhi, but there has been no further news since.

It's been almost two days, and she's worried.

"Mmm..."

Yan Huaijiao grumbled in dissatisfaction, but did not cry or make a fuss.

Several figures suddenly appeared at the courtyard gate.

Yun Que was in the lead.

Behind them, several people carried a flat palanquin, on which lay the Ganoderma lucidum.

Cen Lingyi quickly picked up Yan Huaijiao and stood up: "Lingzhi!"

"Miss Cen, Lingzhi is fine now, just a little weak. She'll be alright after a couple of days of rest. His Highness has instructed us to take her back to the side hall."

Yun Que stepped forward and spoke to her.

"Girl, don't worry, I'm fine..."

Lingzhi lay on the palanquin, weakly comforting her.

Cen Lingyi's heart clenched as she looked at her pale face.

Lingzhi suffered this undeserved disaster because of her.

"Send Ganoderma lucidum back to the house."

Yun Que gave the order.

Cen Lingyi followed after Yan Huaijiao, carrying her in her arms.

After Yun Que left, Cen Lingyi sat down by the bed and reached out to touch Lingzhi's forehead.

"Miss, I took the pills Yun Que gave me, and I feel much better now. My fever has subsided."

Lingzhi propped herself up and leaned against the headboard.

"It's my fault for dragging you down with me."

Cen Lingyi frowned slightly, her eyes filled with thought.

Lingzhi was somewhat surprised: "What do you mean by that, young lady?"

She's sick, what does that have to do with the girl?

"He wouldn't let me leave, he wanted me to stay and atone for my sins, and he drugged you."

Cen Lingyi held the little one tightly in her arms, her eyes fixed on the ground, her voice heavy.

Lingzhi was startled, and after a moment, she suddenly grabbed her hand: "Girl, take me with you, I promise I won't be a burden."

She understood the girl's personality; she was always stubborn and proud.

The more His Highness the Crown Prince acted this way, the more the young lady wanted to leave.

Moreover, the girl has already found her child; she wants to find her relatives and overturn the verdict against the master.

No one can keep a girl.

"Now that things have come to this, I have no choice but to suffer with you."

Cen Lingyi looked at her and sighed.

If she abandons Lingzhi and leaves, Yan Chenghui will definitely still try to harm her.

If he can't find her, Yan Chenghui might kill Lingzhi to vent his anger.

How could she bear to part with it?

"As long as I'm with a girl, I don't feel bitter."

Lingzhi leaned closer and rested on her shoulder.

"Hmm..."

Yan Huaijiao glared at her with displeasure, then reached out her little hand and pushed her face away, preventing her from leaning against her mother.

"Miss, look at the young prince, he's even jealous now, he won't let me touch you."

Lingzhi was amused by his adorable appearance.

Cen Lingyi smiled too. She leaned over and kissed Yan Huaijiao on the forehead, her heart filled with reluctance to part with this adorable little guy.

"Aunt Cen, Her Highness the Crown Princess has arrived and is waiting in the side hall."

Little Chen's wet nurse ran over to deliver the news.

"I'll go check on him. You get some rest."

Cen Lingyi gave Lingzhi instructions.

Lingzhi nodded, though she was a little worried, but there was nothing she could do to help the girl.

Cen Lingyi carried Yan Huaijiao back to the side hall.

She knew Xia Qinghe's purpose in coming—she hadn't left, and Xia Qinghe felt uneasy.

Xia Qinghe stood with her back to her in the center of the side hall.

"This servant greets Your Highness the Crown Princess."

Cen Lingyi curtsied.

Xia Qinghe's face darkened as he listened to her voice.

Damn it.

I made a solemn promise to him the day before yesterday, saying that I would definitely leave today.

It was getting dark, but the person was still here with the child.

She knew she wouldn't leave the Eastern Palace easily.

Xia Qinghe slowly turned around, the gloom on her face disappearing, replaced by a dignified and gentle expression.

"It's wonderful that Sister Cen doesn't plan to leave. I've been worried these past few days about how I'll take care of Huaijiao if you leave."

She took a step forward, placed her hand on Cen Lingyi's hand, and smiled gently.

"Your Highness, I still have to leave," Cen Lingyi said softly. "But His Highness doesn't want to let me go and has drugged Lingzhi. Your Highness knows that Lingzhi and I are like sisters, which is why I can't leave."

"When Ganoderma lucidum gets sick..."

Xia Qinghe's eyes widened in astonishment.

She was unaware of this, and felt both surprised and jealous.

Yan Chenghui, a cold and indifferent person who doesn't care about anything, actually did such a thing just to keep Cen Lingyi!

How much does he really care about Cen Lingyi?

"That's right." Cen Lingyi nodded, then continued, "So this servant would like to ask Your Highness to secretly give me Lingzhi's indenture so that I can take her with me."

She had long, straight eyelashes, and her voice was soft but firm.

"That's easy to say," Xia Qinghe said. "But His Highness doesn't want you to leave, so he'll definitely send people to keep an eye on you. How can you possibly escape?"

She had all the indentures of the servants in the Eastern Palace, including Lingzhi's.

It's not that Cen Lingyi is unwilling to leave, but that Yan Chenghui is preventing her from doing so.

Somewhat tricky.

"Isn't Lu Huaiyou going to marry Princess Anshun in half a month?"

Cen Lingyi raised her dark eyes and looked at her.

"you mean?"

Xia Qinghe met her gaze and understood her perfectly.

"Given His Highness's personality, he will definitely take me with him. I will then take Lingzhi with me."

Cen Lingyi pursed her lips and spoke slowly.

"Okay." Xia Qinghe breathed a sigh of relief and nodded in agreement: "I'll help you then."