Nong Nu Jiao

Qin Luoshui was surprised that he would ask such a direct question, and her face flushed.

She lowered her head, blushing, and said, "It was the Empress Dowager and my grandfather's idea..."

"I'm asking what you mean."

Yan Chenghui interrupted her again.

Qin Luoshui glanced at him.

It seems His Highness the Crown Prince doesn't like her very much?

"A daughter's marriage is always decided by her parents and elders; it's not up to us to make the decision ourselves."

She lowered her head and whispered.

From the moment she entered the East Palace, she brought gifts for Xia Qing and the others, and also visited Cen Lingyi.

It can be said to be comprehensive in every aspect.

I wonder what she did to displease His Highness the Crown Prince?

"If you marry into this family, I will not consummate our marriage." Yan Chenghui picked up a document, opened it, and lowered his eyes to review it: "Think carefully before you make a decision."

The hall fell silent immediately.

Qin Luoshui's face turned even redder.

Today's visit to the Eastern Palace was completely different from what she had imagined.

She thought that with the Empress Dowager as her aunt and the Duke of Dingguo's mansion as her backer, the Crown Prince would naturally accept her.

Wasn't Crown Princess Xia Qinghe very polite to her?

I didn't want to be treated like this the first time I faced His Highness the Crown Prince alone.

However, being a girl raised in a wealthy family and possessing some intelligence, she quickly calmed down.

"May I ask Your Highness why?"

She mustered up her courage and spoke.

"I promised the Crown Princess."

Yan Chenghui didn't look up, only replying indifferently.

Qin Luoshui was stunned upon hearing this.

What does His Highness mean by that? Does it mean he's promising to only touch the Crown Princess and not anyone else?

That Xia Qinghe is being far too domineering.

No wonder, of the four women in the Eastern Palace, only the Crown Princess gave birth to a prince.

However, everyone outside is saying that His Highness the Crown Prince was deeply in love with Cen Lingyi before, so where did he get such deep feelings for Xia Qinghe? However, Xia Qinghe did get pregnant as soon as they got married.

"If there's nothing else, you may leave."

Yan Chenghui glanced at her.

Qin Luoshui left Mingde Hall with the waist protector she had made herself, her brows furrowed, deep in thought.

If she marries into the Eastern Palace and His Highness the Crown Prince doesn't touch her, then she cannot have children.

If you can't have children, your position is unstable, and you'll have no one to rely on for the rest of your life. It's better not to come in at all.

However, His Highness the Crown Prince has excellent character and temperament, and is also good-looking.

My father and grandfather both said that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Crown Prince would surely be the one to inherit the throne.

What should she do?

My mother once said that boys are fickle; their affection is genuine, but it is also true that it doesn't last.

Isn't His Highness the Crown Prince the same?

They grew up together, childhood sweethearts, and their relationship was a celebrated story in the capital, yet they still broke up just like that.

Now that he is deeply in love with Xia Qing, who says that the Crown Prince can't be the one he likes in the future?

Having figured this out, she quickened her pace.

"Your Majesty, she has arrived."

Along the corridor, Nian Nian quietly reminded Xia Qinghe.

Xia Qing glanced at Sun Peihuan not far away. Qin Luoshui was about to pass by, so she walked towards Sun Peihuan.

"Sister Sun."

Sun Peihuan was leaning against the railing, throwing handfuls of fish food into the water as if venting her frustration.

She wanted to confront Xia Qinghe, but Hehua persuaded her to stay, leaving her with nowhere to vent her anger.

Suddenly hearing Xia Qinghe call her, she turned around, her face showing barely concealed disgust.

"Does Your Highness the Crown Princess have something to say?"

"Liangyuan, you must remain calm and not let her know that you are hostile towards her, otherwise it will be difficult for you to make a move against her."

Lotus whispered a reminder from behind her.

Sun Peihuan managed to suppress her unpleasant expression and bowed to Xia Qing and Yi Fu.

"The eldest daughter of the Duke of Dingguo, Ms. Qin, has come to visit the Eastern Palace. This is a gift she asked me to give to you."

Xia Qinghe raised his hand and handed her the white porcelain jar with gold decoration.

"What is it?"

Sun Peihuan took it and looked down to examine it.

Qin Luoshui?

She knew that she would definitely be one of the new concubines entering the Eastern Palace this time.

"It's a moisturizing balm; it's a good find at the market."

Xia Qinghe observed her expression and spoke with a smile.

"Anyone can buy it, so what's so special about it?"

Sun Peihuan scoffed in disdain.

"If my sister doesn't like it, she gave me this. Sister, you can take it and use it. I heard it's a secret palace-made anti-aging cream bestowed by the Empress Dowager."

Xia Qinghe took out the round box made of Hetian jade and handed it over with both hands.

Upon seeing the jade box, Sun Peihuan sneered and threw the porcelain box in her hand onto the ground in front of her face: "What is this? Giving gifts and showing favoritism, do you think I care?"

Xia Qing wanted to burn her alive, but the man surnamed Qin didn't take her seriously either.

Sending her this junk, while giving Xia Qinghe things made with secret imperial recipes, are they treating her like a beggar?

Qin Luoshui observed the situation of the two of them and slowed her pace slightly.

"Girl, let's go."

The maidservant reminded him from behind.

Qin Luoshui quickened her pace and left, her eyes filled with contemplation.

It seems she underestimated Xia Qinghe.

She had always thought Xia Qinghe was a person of integrity, but she never expected that she was actually the most capable person in the Eastern Palace and was favored by the Crown Prince.

If she wasn't mistaken, the whole scene just now was deliberately staged for her.

Before she even entered the East Palace, she was tricked by Xia Qinghe, which made Sun Peihuan hold a grudge against her.

"hehe……"

She chuckled.

This Xia Qinghe is quite interesting.

*

"Your Highness, it's time for dinner."

Yun Que knocked on the door.

Yun Gong followed closely behind him, carrying a food box.

Yan Chenghui stopped writing with his brush and looked up at him.

Yun Que touched his nose and looked at Yun Gong.

He said that Miss Cen would bring snacks to His Highness, but all day has passed and the young lady has not come here, let alone brought any snacks.

Yun Gong didn't know what riddle he was speaking, so he didn't dare to say anything.

Yan Chenghui slowly put down his pen.

"Your Highness, I heard that Miss Cen spent the whole day making pastries; perhaps she was too busy."

Yun Que thought for a moment and then forced himself to speak.

"Young lady, you want to open a pastry shop?"

Yun Gong asked curiously upon hearing this.

If you don't open a shop, why make so many pastries?

Yun Que turned her head and glared at him, wishing she could slap him across the face.

The girl made many pastries, but did not send them to His Highness.

His Highness will surely be unhappy again.

Yan Chenghui got up and walked out.

"Your Highness does not need dinner..."

Yun Gong blurted out a question.

Yun Que gestured for him to be quiet.

Yun Gong quickly shut his mouth.

The two silently followed.

Yan Chenghui didn't beat around the bush and went straight into the side hall courtyard where Cen Lingyi was.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

The maids in the courtyard saw Yan Chenghui and quickly bowed.

Yan Chenghui ignored them and looked towards the main hall.

"Where is Miss Cen?"

Yun Que was very perceptive and immediately asked.

"Aunt Cen and her team are making snacks for His Highness in the small kitchen."

The maidservant hurried back.

Upon hearing this, Yan Chenghui walked towards the small kitchen.

You've really been making desserts since early morning until now?

"You may all leave now."

Yun Que gestured to the maids.

Yan Chenghui stopped in front of the small kitchen.

The setting sun shone through the carved window frame, and a ray of golden light gently covered Cen Lingyi's fair face, dyeing the fine strands of hair at her temples a light gold.

She was kneading small glutinous rice balls in her hands, talking to Cen Wanrou beside her. Suddenly she laughed, her clear black and white eyes glistening with tears, her bright face lively and charming, as if she had returned to the days when she lived in the Cen family mansion.

Yan Chenghui paused involuntarily.

"Mom, eat."

Yan Huaijiao held Lingzhi in one hand and a small round dumpling in the other, tilting her little face up to look at Cen Lingyi.

"Your Highness wants to eat this? It's cooking in the pot right now; you can't eat it raw."

Cen Lingyi bent down, took the small round dumpling from his hand, and tapped a small white dot on the tip of his nose with her fingertip.

Yan Huaijiao blinked and giggled.

"The little prince is so cute."

Cen Lingyi lowered her head and kissed his forehead.

"Your Highness..."

Cen Wanrou looked up unintentionally and saw Cen Lingyi standing at the door. She quickly nudged her and curtsied.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Lingzhi, Da Chen, and Xiao Chen bowed together.

Cen Lingyi also put down what she was holding, curtsied to him, but did not speak.

Upon seeing him, the smile on her face vanished instantly, and she lowered her eyes, reverting to her submissive and calm demeanor in his presence.

She was startled. She was so focused on leaving more food for Yan Huaijiao that she forgot that making so many snacks at once might arouse his suspicion.

She gripped the apron with her fingertips, then let go.

Yan Chenghui slowly walked into the small kitchen.

No one dared to move; the only sounds were the crackling of the firewood and the boiling water in the pot.

He looked around the small kitchen.

"What kind of glutinous rice balls are these?"

He looked at the small white dumplings she had just rolled out in the bamboo sieve.

"It's lotus root milk balls," Cen Lingyi replied softly. "They're made with lotus root juice, glutinous rice flour, and red date paste, then warmed with milk to make small balls. They're cooked until soft and the broth is sweet and mild, perfect for Your Highness's daily consumption."

Two tables were laden with all sorts of snacks.

Yan Chenghui looked at each item one by one, remained silent for a moment, and then spoke again: "What about these?"

"This is Snowflake Sweet Potato Cake. It's made by steaming sweet potatoes, using egg yolks and goat milk, and adding a small amount of fine oat flour. It has a soft, chewy, and fluffy texture, perfect for Your Highness without causing any choking. This is Jade Cream Cake..."

Cen Lingyi stepped forward and explained everything to him, one by one.

Yan Chenghui looked at her profile.

Her eyelashes were extremely long, like raven feathers, and when she blinked, they rose and fell, inexplicably alluring.

He twitched his fingertips, wanting to reach out and pluck at her eyelashes.

He liked to do this when she was asleep, teasing her into whimpering and gently pushing him away.

Yun Que had already waved his hand, dismissing everyone else.

He himself retreated outside the small kitchen.

"The kitchen is filled with the smell of cooking. If Your Highness has nothing else to do, you should go out first."

After Cen Lingyi finished speaking, seeing that he was just staring at her without saying a word, she pursed her lips and reminded him.

Yan Chenghui snapped out of his daze: "Why did you do so much at once?"

"His Highness is growing up and his appetite is increasing." Cen Lingyi lowered her eyes and said, "This servant is thinking of making more food. There is an ice cellar in the East Palace where we can store it, so His Highness can take it out whenever he wants."

Just now, when she thought that he might become suspicious, she thought of an excuse.

Yan Chenghui looked at her for a moment longer: "You treat Huai Jiao very well."

"This servant has never regarded His Highness as his own child. His Highness was born with a noble status, and this servant is not worthy to think that way."

For some reason, Cen Lingyi felt a pang of sadness.

She probably guessed that he would say she treated Yan Huaijiao as her child and that her child was a bastard.

She didn't want to hear it.

Of course, he didn't know which child was hers, and she didn't blame him for scolding the child.

Yan Chenghui's chest heaved slightly, which angered her again.

He didn't say a word, so what was she implying?

Cen Lingyi walked to the stove and scooped the lotus seed milk balls that were bubbling in the pot into a bowl.

"If Your Highness has nothing else to do, this servant will go and feed the young prince."

She spoke to Yan Chenghui.

"I haven't had dinner either."

Yan Chenghui looked at her and suddenly spoke.