Nong Nu Jiao

Cen Lingyi glanced at Yan Chenghui, then her gaze swept over Xia Qing and the others before she silently lowered her eyelashes.

She wasn't particularly moved.

He already has four women in his household, so what difference would it make if a few more came?

In the Crown Prince's harem, just those whose ranks are known include one Crown Princess, two Crown Concubines, Liangdi, Liangyuan... According to regulations, there must be dozens of these in total.

As for the other maids, there was none that Yan Chenghui couldn't touch if he wanted to.

If a few more come in, what difference will it make from the current situation?

However, she didn't care, but Xia Qing and the others did care a lot.

Xia Qinghe smiled outwardly, but inwardly he was extremely unhappy.

She wouldn't have agreed to this if Sun Peihuan hadn't been so popular.

She knew what the Empress Dowager was planning.

Although she and the Empress Dowager were related, the Empress Dowager would usually side with her. But when she encountered someone who was closer to the Empress Dowager than she was, the Empress Dowager would naturally not give her a second glance.

The Empress Dowager was so eager to have Yan Chenghui take more new concubines into his harem, but in reality, she wanted to send her younger brother's eldest granddaughter, Qin Luoshui, into the Eastern Palace.

The Empress Dowager had mentioned this matter several times before.

She brushed them off.

Now, she can't openly oppose Sun Peihuan, Gu Liangdi hasn't been able to fight against Sun Peihuan either, and Li Fengyi is useless.

It's time to bring Qin Luoshui into the Eastern Palace.

Sun Peihuan has her father and brothers behind her, and Qin Luoshui has the Empress Dowager behind her. Let them fight like dogs and see who the final winner is.

Gu Liangdi was furious.

His Highness did not touch her, so of course there was no sign of pregnancy in her belly.

With a son by her side and no longer any worries, Xia Qinghe pretended to be virtuous and wanted to bring in new concubines for His Highness.

This is absolutely outrageous!

"Your Highness's back injury hasn't healed yet, and you're already busy with official duties. Bringing people in suddenly would only cause Your Highness to have to put in a lot of trouble. It would be better to wait until Your Highness's injury is fully healed and you have more free time before considering this matter."

Sun Peihuan got anxious; she was the most impatient of them all and spoke first.

His Highness now treats her differently from others; in the fire, His Highness truly risked his life to save her.

Given time, she will surely be able to consummate her marriage with His Highness and bear him children.

Moreover, with her father and brothers backing her up at the border, now is the perfect time for her to advance her relationship with His Highness.

How could Xia Qinghe propose recruiting new people at this time?

She disagrees!

"Sister Sun, why are you in such a hurry?" Xia Qinghe turned around, her smile dignified and proper. "I was just discussing it with His Highness. Even if His Highness agrees, this matter cannot be accomplished overnight. We still need to prepare, which will take some time. By then, His Highness's injuries will have already healed."

She scoffed inwardly.

That stupid Sun Peihuan can't keep a single word to herself.

She should really thank her father and brother for being able to stand here.

"Even if his injuries heal, His Highness is so busy every day, we'll have to wait until he has some free time..."

Sun Peihuan wanted to say more.

"His Highness holds the position of Crown Prince, how could he possibly have any free time? Sister Sun, don't think too simply. This matter still depends on His Highness's decision."

Xia Qinghe turned to look at Yan Chenghui.

Yan Chenghui glanced at Cen Lingyi.

She was standing in the corner, holding Yan Huaijiao, wiping Yan Huaijiao's face with a handkerchief, her eyes full of doting affection and a slight smile on her lips, as if she hadn't heard Xia Qinghe's words at all.

His heart skipped a beat, and he lowered his long eyelashes: "Then let's get ready."

Cen Lingyi pretended not to hear and continued what she was doing.

People do change.

His vow to her, that he would only have her for the rest of his life, still echoed in her ears.

Of course, it's not his fault.

"Yes."

Xia Qing and Han Xiao agreed.

Sun Peihuan's face immediately fell.

She summoned Your Highness today so that he could publicly announce her promotion to the rank of Liangyuan.

I didn't come here to listen to Xia Qinghe say these unlucky things.

The key point is that His Highness actually agreed!

Gu Liangdi's expression also turned somewhat unpleasant, but she quickly returned to normal.

What if a few more women come in? Which one can stand on equal footing with her?

"There is one more thing I have come to tell the Crown Princess."

Yan Chenghui spoke slowly.

"Please speak, Your Highness."

Xia Qing gazed at her with gentle eyes.

Sun Peihuan sat up straight.

"Restore Consort Sun's position as a Lady of the Palace."

Yan Chenghui spoke slowly.

Cen Lingyi wasn't surprised to hear this, but he still paused for a moment while tidying Yan Huaijiao's clothes.

How long had it been since Consort Gui demoted Sun Peihuan to the rank of Fengyi? And she had committed the grave crime of plotting to harm the imperial heir.

Is he so impatient that he doesn't even consider Yan Huaijiao's feelings at all?

Both women nearly died in the fire, but Sun Peihuan only needed to act cute and make some soup to regain her status as a concubine.

And she would only be criticized and bullied by him...

Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore.

In his heart, she was not worthy of being compared to Sun Peihuan.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Sun Peihuan beamed with joy, rose gracefully, and knelt to express her gratitude.

She raised her chin, her gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall, looking quite triumphant.

Now, let's see who dares to look down on her?

Xia Qinghe was somewhat surprised, then smiled and said, "Since it is Your Highness's decision, then that's naturally good."

"Your Highness," Consort Gu couldn't help but rise and say, "Consort Sun poisoned the imperial heir, a grave crime. She hasn't rendered any service. Why has Your Highness suddenly restored her rank?"

She glanced at Sun Peihuan with a condescending look, as if she were looking at a clown jumping around.

Without Sun Zhenglie and his son, Sun Peihuan would never have had a place in the Eastern Palace.

"you……"

Sun Peihuan was surprised that she would stand up and stop her, so she was about to argue with her.

"She did not intend to harm Huai Jiao." Yan Chenghui said calmly, without expression, "A few days ago, Fahua Temple caught fire. Consort Sun was terrified, but she always cared about me and personally prepared nourishing soup for me, taking care of everything. Moreover, her father and brothers guarded the border and defended the country, making great contributions and demonstrating commendable loyalty and bravery. Today, I am restoring her title of Liangyuan as a reward."

"I also sent His Highness a nourishing soup, but His Highness did not see me."

Gu Liangdi stared straight at him.

She didn't know why, but Yan Chenghui had a son with Xia Qinghe and was often with Sun Peihuan, yet he never went to her courtyard.

He had advised her against coming to the Eastern Palace.

But she's already here. Is he angry and deliberately ignoring her? She's proud to the core and can't bring herself to lower her head and pester Yan Chenghui like Sun Peihuan did.

We can only endure it day after day like this.

Xia Qinghe's lips moved, but she refrained from speaking.

She also sent nourishing soup to Yan Chenghui, and sent it three times.

However, Yan Chenghui never saw her.

She didn't know why, but Yan Chenghui seemed colder towards her than before.

Before, I treated her as a friend, and I would occasionally talk to her or have a meal together.

Now, he almost ignores her.

She turned her gaze to Cen Lingyi, who was silently comforting Yan Huaijiao.

She always felt that the problem lay with Cen Lingyi.

"Your Highness," Yun Que bowed as he entered, "the Second Prince requests an audience."

Yan Chenghui stood up, glanced at Cen Lingyi again, and walked away.

*

Cen Lingyi had been waiting for many days, and finally Lu Huaiyou got married.

According to custom, when people from the capital get married, they invite guests for two days, symbolizing that good things come in pairs.

However, the day before, both the man and woman invited close relatives and friends.

People of such high status as Yan Chenghui would only visit on the day of the ceremony.

At noon, the woman's family hosted a banquet.

The wedding banquet was held at the Lu family's house in the evening.

As Cen Lingyi carried Yan Huaijiao and followed Yan Chenghui into the house, they happened to witness Lu Huaiyou and Princess Anshun holding their wedding ceremony.

Red silk ribbons hung high in the wedding hall, and Lu Huaiyou, dressed in a bright red wedding gown with a large red flower tied in front of him, looked joyful.

Princess Anshun wore a gorgeous red and green wedding dress, holding a fan with magpie on a branch to half-cover her face, her eyebrows and eyes curved.

"He was willing to give up Anshun."

Yan Chenghui turned slightly to the side, teasing Yan Huaijiao in Cen Lingyi's arms, observing Cen Lingyi's expression, and spoke in a low voice.

Cen Lingyi sensed the sarcasm in his words, but remained calm on the surface.

She didn't like Lu Huaiyou, and since their marriage was a sham, there was no need for any grand ceremony.

Let him say whatever he wants.

Seeing that she ignored him, Yan Chenghui asked again, "How are you feeling right now?"

"This servant hopes that Lord Lu will be happy."

Cen Lingyi looked at Lu Huaiyou, her tone flat.

Yan Chenghui gritted his teeth, and the fingers held by Yan Huaijiao's small hand twitched.

He stared at Cen Lingyi's submissive and calm face, wanting to pinch her.

Are you faking it?

In truth, her heart was breaking, after all, she had disregarded everything and run away with Lu Huaiyou.

Lu Huaiyou turned around just then, thanked the guests, and happened to meet Cen Lingyi's gaze.

He paused for a moment, hesitated, then realized what he was doing and smiled at her.

Cen Lingyi nodded absentmindedly at him.

Why haven't I seen Song Mingchi? He said he was taking her to see his sister today.

She was familiar with the layout of the Lu family compound, having lived there for a while. When Song Mingchi still hadn't arrived, she went to find her sister herself.

"Don't look at him."

Yan Chenghui grabbed her wrist and pulled her to his side.

Cen Lingyi was caught off guard and stumbled as he pulled her.

"Does Your Highness even interfere with who this servant looks after?"

She was a little annoyed by him, and her face flushed.

He's really being unreasonable.

"You are a servant of the Crown Prince's Palace. If I say no, then no."

Yan Chenghui snorted.

Cen Lingyi turned her face away from him.

That's so naive.

He loathed her; nothing she did pleased him.

"Father."

Yan Huaijiao rushed over and wanted Yan Chenghui to hug her.

Yan Chenghui took the little one and, seeing Cen Lingyi's sullen face, felt inexplicably good.

"Huaijiao, come to your mother."

Xia Qinghe approached, smiling kindly, and took Yan Huaijiao's small hand.

"No, no."

Yan Huaijiao looked at her, withdrew her small hand that had been touched, and hid in Yan Chenghui's arms, looking at her with unfamiliar eyes.

"You only love your father, you don't even want your mother."

Xia Qinghe patted his hand with a smile.

Yan Huaijiao seemed to feel unsafe in Yan Chenghui's arms, so she turned and stretched out her hands towards Cen Lingyi, wanting to go back to her mother's arms.

Cen Lingyi reached out and took him from him.

As soon as Yan Huaijiao landed in her arms, she tightly hugged her neck with both hands, turning her small face to look at Xia Qinghe warily.

"Your Highness, there are too many people, and the young prince is a little shy."

Knowing that Xia Qinghe disliked her, Cen Lingyi casually found an excuse for Yan Huaijiao to prevent Xia Qinghe from seeing that the child liked her and from trying to harm her in every possible way.

But she felt something was off.

Logically speaking, Yan Huaijiao is Xia Qinghe's biological daughter. No matter how much she raised him, he shouldn't be so hostile towards Xia Qinghe, his own mother.

Mother and child are connected by blood and should be close by nature.

Moreover, Xia Qinghe doesn't seem to genuinely love the child.

I don't miss Yan Huaijiao even if I haven't seen her for a long time.

What's going on?

At this moment, Yan Chenghui was escorted aside by several officials to speak.

Xia Qinghe stepped forward, looking at her with a smile: "Sister Cen, you said you're leaving today, do you still need my help?"

She hadn't forgotten Cen Lingyi's promise to her.

"I'm not fully recovered yet and would like to rest for a few more days. There are also some things I need to prepare." Cen Lingyi glanced around and lowered her voice, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will definitely leave within half a month."

"No rush, just tell me if you need anything."

Xia Qing straightened her collar, inwardly scoffing.

Sure enough, she delayed again, clearly not wanting to leave.

"This servant will go see Jing Xiao."

Cen Lingyi spotted Song Mingchi as he passed by the door; he glanced at her.