Nong Nu Jiao

A translucent and warm pink jade lotus clasp lay quietly in Madam Sun's hand.

Pink jade is rare in the world, and it is even more rare to find a piece with a uniform pink hue and exquisite carving, where every petal and every line is delicate and lifelike.

The thin petals are translucent, and the stamens are fine, plump, and lifelike.

Yan Chenghui stared at the lotus-shaped clasp, a faint red tinge appearing at the corners of his eyes, his lips almost pressed into a straight line.

Cen Lingyi's gaze also fell on the lotus button.

Her heart was not at peace, but her face remained calm and serene, as if the lotus knot was just an ordinary object.

The atmosphere inside the hall was so oppressive and suffocating that it was hard to breathe.

Lady Sun, observing Yan Chenghui's expression, sensed his displeasure and was secretly pleased.

His Highness is indeed angry!

This time, it's not as simple as just kicking Cen Lingyi out. If His Highness gets angry, he might just push her out and beat her to death with sticks, just like Liu the wet nurse.

"Your Highness, isn't this lotus clasp one of your most cherished possessions? Before, I only glanced at it occasionally, and you wouldn't even let me look at it more than a few times, let alone touch it. Such a precious thing, I found it at Nurse Cen's place, she must have stolen it from you when you weren't looking..."

Madam Sun looked resentful and added fuel to the fire.

Earlier, she saw His Highness's lotus-shaped clasp and wanted to take a look, but His Highness stopped her.

Now it has fallen into Cen Lingyi's hands. If it wasn't Cen Lingyi who stole it, could it have been a gift from His Highness?

"Shut up." Yan Chenghui's voice was a little hoarse, his cold gaze falling on Cen Lingyi's face: "You still have the nerve to hide?"

Cen Lingyi lowered her long, curled eyelashes, holding Yan Huaijiao in her arms, pursing her lips, her posture gentle and composed, trying her best to maintain a normal expression.

This lotus-shaped clasp would have been lost had it not been hidden on Lingzhi's body.

"I have long since discarded it like worn-out shoes."

Yan Chenghui's chest rose and fell slightly, and his fingers slowly tightened.

He stared at Cen Lingyi, his gaze dark and fierce, it was unclear whether he was referring to the person or the lotus knot.

"Nanny Cen is truly audacious, daring to steal His Highness's beloved possession. His Highness should punish her..."

As Madam Sun spoke, she glanced at Cen Lingyi with a look of satisfaction.

By daring to steal His Highness the Crown Prince's beloved possession, Cen Lingyi is courting death; she has no one to blame but herself.

"Kneel down and slap yourself."

Yan Chenghui rebuked coldly, veins throbbing on his forehead.

"Nanny Cen, did you hear me? His Highness ordered you to kneel down and slap yourself..."

Madam Sun immediately became smug, straightened up, raised her chin, and bossed Cen Lingyi around.

Cen Lingyi glanced at her indifferently, without saying a word or making any move.

The person who should be slapped is not her.

This lotus-shaped clasp doesn't belong to Yan Chenghui; it belongs to her.

In fact, this can only be considered half a piece.

Because when Yan Chenghui carved this lotus button, he made a pair that could be combined into one.

This was a token of love that Yan Chenghui gave her.

Yan Chenghui hated her, and she was certain that if Yan Chenghui saw this thing, he would not spare Madam Sun.

He painstakingly found the jade, and he personally carved the lotus flower for her after learning the carving techniques from several skilled craftsmen bit by bit.

It took more than three years of effort.

The two lotus-shaped buckles are slightly different.

His is a lotus with slightly inward-curving petals and a deeper color.

Hers was a lotus on the right, with petals slightly outward and a lighter color.

But apart from them, no one else could tell the difference between the two.

Therefore, Madam Sun believed that she had stolen the lotus-shaped clasp.

Yan Chenghui already disliked her, and seeing this lotus clasp only reminded him of the time when his sincerity was misplaced, which made him angry.

Madam Sun was unaware of the situation and continued to chatter on the side, repeatedly referring to her as "my beloved possession." It would be strange if Yan Chenghui didn't slap her.

She just didn't expect that Yan Chenghui still kept Zuo Lian, and that Madam Sun even said that it was his beloved possession.

That must have been before she entered the Eastern Palace.

Now, didn't he say that he has already "discarded the lotus clasp as if it were a worn-out shoe"?

"You, slap yourself."

Yan Chenghui's cold gaze fell on Madam Sun's face.

Lady Sun trembled with fright, her knees buckled, and she knelt down. Her eyes instantly reddened, and she looked at him in disbelief: "Your Highness, I..."

She didn't know what had happened. Why did His Highness suddenly have a fit, or was it her?

The thief was Cen Lingyi. Your Highness should punish Cen Lingyi instead of making her slap herself.

Yan Chenghui glanced at her sideways, his eyes surging with a fierce and chilling murderous intent.

Madam Sun had never seen him so terrifying before. She gasped in shock and instinctively moved back. The words of pleading she was about to say were swallowed back down, and she dared not utter a sound.

"Slap, slap, slap..."

Without hesitation, she immediately raised her hands and slapped herself repeatedly across the face.

His Highness looked terrifying. She dared not show favoritism and slapped him hard with every blow. Not only did his face hurt, but his palms also ached.

Her face quickly swelled up, a mixture of pain and shame. Although her father and brothers did not hold high official positions, she had never suffered such humiliation in her life.

She couldn't help but burst into tears, her face streaked with tears and snot from the resounding slaps.

"Alright, get off."

Yan Chenghui closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his gaze had returned to a deep and indifferent one.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Madam Sun then stopped, kowtowed, covered her face, and retreated.

Her face was in too much pain, and she felt too ashamed to lift her head. She was also frightened by Yan Chenghui's appearance, so she didn't even bother to glare at Cen Lingyi.

Cen Lingyi raised her eyes and quietly watched her step out of the threshold and leave the hall until she disappeared from sight before she looked away.

Turning her head, she saw that Yan Chenghui had walked up to her at some point and was staring at her coldly.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively took half a step back and lowered her head.

"Are you quite pleased with yourself?"

Yan Chenghui took a step closer, his gaze fierce and sharp.

"This servant has none."

Cen Lingyi swallowed hard, looking at the gold bricks on the ground, her brows furrowed and eyes lowered.

"What happened just now was to avenge Madam Sun for hitting you; it was done on purpose."

Yan Chenghui took another step closer, his gaze sharp as a blade, as if he wanted to slice her to pieces.

Using the lotus-shaped button to design for Madam Sun, well, she's really quite clever!

"It was Madam Sun who broke into my residence without my permission while I was away and took my things. I was unaware of this."

Cen Lingyi gripped Yan Huaijiao's swaddling clothes tightly, suppressing the panic in her heart.

The little one in my arms seemed to sense something was wrong, its dark eyes looking this way and that, pouting its little mouth in grievance.

"Your stuff?" Yan Chenghui scoffed, giving her a cold look. "Are you worthy?"

"I am unworthy, Your Highness, please take it back."

Cen Lingyi suppressed the stinging in her eyes and the pain in her heart, and spoke softly.

She betrayed his deep affection; she truly didn't deserve him.

Yan Chenghui was inexplicably angry when he saw her submissive appearance. His eyes instantly turned red, and he grabbed her neck with his big hand.

Her neck was suddenly locked, and Cen Lingyi was forced to raise her head, her chest heaving rapidly.

"How dare you scheme against my wife! What is your punishment?"

He lowered his head and stared intently at her, his dark eyes swirling with emotion.

"This servant...no..."

Her eyes welled up with tears, which she stubbornly refused to let fall.

Despite being on the verge of gasping for breath, he did not admit his mistake or beg for mercy.

He had witnessed Madam Sun bullying her first, and the lotus-shaped buckle was stolen by Madam Sun from her residence, yet he wanted to punish her.

"Wow……"

As if sensing her distress and heartbreak, Yan Huaijiao, still in her swaddling clothes, pouted and burst into tears.

"You think you can deny it?" Yan Chenghui leaned closer and whispered coldly in her ear, "Here, you're not even worthy to carry Madam Sun's shoes!"

After saying that, he abruptly withdrew his hand.

Cen Lingyi took two steps back, the grip on her neck suddenly loosened, and fresh air filled her lungs. She opened her mouth and coughed twice, the bluish-red finger marks on her neck clearly visible on her fair skin.

With her eyelashes lowered, she endured the physical and mental pain, forcing herself to stand there, refusing to show any weakness.

She did nothing wrong.

"Get out and kneel down!"

Seeing her like this, Yan Chenghui's eyes turned red with rage, and he was furious beyond control.

Cen Lingyi carried Yan Huaijiao and walked slowly outside.

The little one, perhaps knowing she was alright, still had tears on his face, but he grinned at her and reached out his soft white hand to touch the stray hairs at her temple.

Cen Lingyi wiped away the tears from his cheeks and knelt down in the corridor, holding him in her arms.

Inside the hall.

Yan Chenghui stood by the desk, looking at the lotus clasp on the table, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

After a long while, he slowly raised his hand and took out his left lotus from his bosom, which was slightly larger than the right lotus on the desk.

The pink jade felt warm to the touch. The two lotuses on the left and right came together with a "click," fitting perfectly and becoming one.

Cen Lingyi's charming and bright face from her youth appeared before my eyes.

"Wow, they're so beautiful! Yan Chenghui, you're amazing! If I hadn't seen you close them, I would have thought they were originally one piece."

The girl had clear, dark eyes and beautiful features. She clasped her hands together and looked at her, her bright and pretty face full of joy.

She always called him by his full name, her voice was sweet and clear, and every move she made was full of the lively and bright spirit of a young girl, innocent and naive.

"They were meant to be together."

The handsome young man's gaze fell on her face, his dark pupils filled with indulgence and favoritism, brimming with doting affection.

He was talking about the lotus knot, and he was also talking about them.

"Huh? Why is there golden light coming from the gap? How did they do that?"

Cen Lingyi opened her dark eyes wide, held the lotus clasp that had been joined together in front of her, and looked at it repeatedly with a look of amazement, unable to put it down.

"That's the gold dust I infused." Yan Chenghui pulled her into his arms. "This is called a golden autumn encounter."

"Surpassing countless others in the mortal world."

Cen Lingyi tilted her pretty face up and smiled as she answered his question.

Yan Chenghui's gaze deepened slightly. He cupped the back of her neck with his large hand and lowered his head to kiss her pink lips...

"Bang!"

A heavy thud was heard from inside the hall.

Yun Gong, who was standing by the door listening intently to the sounds inside, was startled and took a step back to look at Yun Que beside her.

Yun Que's gaze fell on Cen Lingyi's kneeling figure, and he sighed inwardly.

"The young lady used the lotus-shaped clasp to plot against Madam Sun; it was made by His Highness himself..."

He turned his head and whispered to Yun Gong.

The fact that the young lady abandoned His Highness was already a thorn in His Highness's side.

Now, the girl is using the token of their love to scheme against Madam Sun, and he can understand her actions.

After all, the young lady was the most beloved youngest daughter of Grand Tutor Cen. Even though the Grand Tutor's mansion was destroyed and the young lady was reduced to a wet nurse in the Eastern Palace, she was still proud at heart and would naturally not allow Madam Sun to belittle and humiliate her.

Using a lotus-shaped clasp to scheme against someone—if His Highness saw this, wouldn't it be a sign that he didn't value his feelings?

Your Highness is heartbroken.

It's really hard to say who's right and who's wrong in this matter.

"I have a feeling that His Highness is angry and embarrassed because the young lady found out he was still hiding the lotus-shaped clasp?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Gong couldn't help but speak.

In the Eastern Palace, who doesn't know that His Highness dislikes Miss Cen?

He hadn't expected that His Highness would keep the token of love he and Miss Cen had exchanged years ago. And now that Miss Cen had found out, His Highness must have felt embarrassed and that's why he was so furious.

"Shut up."

Yun Que nudged him.

The door in front of them suddenly opened.

Yun Gong quickly stood up straight, keeping his eyes fixed straight ahead.

"Your Highness..."

Yun Que braced himself and went to meet him.

Yan Chenghui ignored him and his piercing gaze fell on Cen Lingyi, who was kneeling on the east side.

She knelt on the ground, holding little Yan Huaijiao in her arms, her back ramrod straight.

Despite his calm demeanor, he inexplicably displayed a stubbornness that refused to back down.

"Who told you to kneel here? Kneel outside."

Yan Chenghui's jaw tightened, and his eyes grew even colder.

Cen Lingyi remained silent, and slowly rose while holding Yan Huaijiao.

She had been kneeling for a while, and her knees were numb. When she stood up, her legs went weak and she stumbled, almost falling.

Yan Chenghui clenched his fist tightly.

Yun Que, who was beside him, had already subconsciously reached out his hand, wanting to help Cen Lingyi.

Yan Chenghui glanced at him sideways.

Yun Que withdrew her hand and lowered her head; her palms were covered in cold sweat.

Fortunately, Cen Lingyi reacted quickly, regained her balance, and protected the child in her arms, preventing herself from falling.

She walked with a slightly awkward gait, slowly descending the jade steps, and knelt down in the sun, still kneeling upright.

Yun Gong couldn't bear it, so he turned to look at Yun Que.

Although it's not yet the height of summer, the midday sun is already quite intense.

Is Miss Cen's body able to handle it?

Yun Que was also filled with pity, but dared not offer any words of advice, and could only sigh inwardly.

Yan Chenghui stepped out.

"Your Highness, where are you going?"

Yun Gong followed and couldn't help but ask a question.

"Let's have lunch at the Crown Princess's place."

Yan Chenghui spoke indifferently and strode forward.

Yun Gong couldn't help but turn around and glance at Cen Lingyi.

She seemed not to hear His Highness the Crown Prince's words. The thin and frail woman knelt alone in the sun, leaning forward to shield Yan Huaijiao from the sun.

*

The East Palace's sleeping quarters are spacious, secluded, and tranquil.

This place should have been Yan Chenghui's residence, but only Crown Princess Xia Qinghe lives here.

"She had a past with His Highness. The legitimate daughter of the Grand Tutor has fallen to the position of wet nurse in the Eastern Palace; her situation is already difficult enough. Why would you provoke her?"

Xia Qinghe was applying a hot egg to Madam Sun's face, gently advising her.

"She's just a wet nurse who stole His Highness's things, so why should His Highness make me slap myself?" Madam Sun squatted in front of her, her eyes red with anger. "I don't have Your Highness's magnanimity. I'll make her pay sooner or later."

She felt a surge of hatred just thinking about it; she vowed to kill Cen Lingyi in this lifetime!

"You..."

Xia Qinghe tapped her forehead, intending to offer further advice.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, Your Highness has arrived."

The maidservant hurriedly entered the room to report every year.

"Your Highness has arrived?" Upon hearing this, Madam Sun abruptly stood up and said angrily, "Then I'm leaving."

She was still angry and didn't want to see His Highness the Crown Prince. With that, she turned around and stormed out.

"you……"

Xia Qing reached out his hand to her, but couldn't stop her.

"Your Majesty, Lady Sun has a fiery temper; please ignore her."

Sui Sui stepped forward to support her and led her to the outer corridor, where she saw Madam Sun and Yan Chenghui pass by, with Madam Sun even letting out a cold snort.

Yan Chenghui ignored her.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Xia Qinghe knelt down and bowed gracefully to the Emperor during the court banquet.

Her features were very regular, her eyebrows and eyes were relaxed, and she always had a just-right smile on her face. She wasn't extremely beautiful, but she was dignified and proper, making people feel comfortable looking at her.

She was the daughter of the Vice Minister of Rites, and her manners were second to none in the capital.

She never smiles, always walks with proper manners, and is gentle yet dignified, as if she were born for the position of Crown Princess.

No need for formalities.

Yan Chenghui walked past her and went straight into the main hall, where he sat down in the main seat.

Xia Qinghe followed, a smile on his face, about to speak.

"Prepare the meal."

Yan Chenghui gave the instructions in a low voice.

Xia Qing and Han Xiao waved to the maid.

Sui Sui and Niannian bowed their heads and retreated to fetch their lunch.

"Madam Sun is young and has a quick temper. Your Highness, please don't take it to heart."

Only Yun Que and Yun Gong remained standing at the entrance.

Xia Qinghe spoke up, offering words of comfort with a smile.

"It has nothing to do with her."

Yan Chenghui lowered his eyes to look at the ground in front of him, his lips slightly pursed.

"Is that related to Sister Cen?"

Xia Qinghe paused for a moment, then spoke carefully, her tone gentle.

After a moment of silence, Yan Chenghui said, "Only you still acknowledge her as your sister."

"After all, we grew up together, so our bond is different from that of others."

Xia Qinghe's tone seemed to carry a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both emotion and reflection).

The three of them had known each other since childhood.

Yan Chenghui often stayed at the Cen family home when he was young, and his studies were all taught by Cen Lingyi's father.

Cen Lingyi and Xia Qinghe were playmates, along with a young marquis from the Weining Marquis's mansion and Princess Taihe from the palace. The five of them grew up together.

Yan Chenghui remained silent.

"If Your Highness truly cannot let her go, then bring her into the Eastern Palace and give her a lower rank..."

Xia Qinghe gently persuaded him.

"How could I not be able to let her go?"

Yan Chenghui suddenly raised his eyes, anger flashing in them.

"Your Highness placed her in the Mingde Hall, I thought..."

Xia Qing explained softly.

Yan Chenghui's eyes darkened, and he remained silent, pursing his lips.

Two maids brought up the food and placed it on the table, then bowed their heads and silently withdrew.

"I can understand why Your Highness is humiliating her like this, but Huai Jiao is still so young, I'm afraid she can't withstand such a scorching sun."

Xia Qinghe held the bowl and chopsticks in front of him with both hands, then turned to look at the bright sun outside.

"He's not our biological child, why are you so sorry for him?"

Yan Chenghui gripped the chopsticks tightly, his knuckles turning white.

The little guy also sided with Cen Lingyi in every way.

"Although he is not my biological son, didn't Your Highness say that you would treat him as your own? I brought that child back with me. He is still so young and innocent. Please have mercy, Your Highness."

As Xia Qinghe spoke, she lifted her skirt and knelt down in front of him.

She was very well-behaved; even when kneeling, her posture was upright, and her hands were neatly clasped in front of her knees.

Upon seeing this, Yun Que and Yun Gong also knelt down.

They dared not plead for Miss Cen, but since the Crown Princess had pleaded for the young prince, they would do the same.

"Isn't there a maid in the side hall who is responsible for taking care of Huai Jiao? Send one over there."

After a moment of silence, Yan Chenghui finally spoke.

"I will make the arrangements immediately."

Yun Que agreed and quickly got up to leave.

Xia Qinghe stepped forward to serve him his meal.

They didn't speak while eating or sleeping, and the two remained silent.

Only after Yan Chenghui put down his chopsticks did Xia Qinghe ask, "Would Your Highness like to rest in the East Hall?"

The sleeping quarters are divided into east and west halls, with the east hall at the head, which should be the residence of the crown prince.

Although Yan Chenghui did not stay there, she still ordered people to clean and tidy up the place every day. Yan Chenghui would occasionally take a nap in the East Chamber.

Yan Chenghui did not speak, but got up and went to the East Chamber.

Xia Qinghe stood up and bowed, watching him step across the threshold.

Yan Chenghui lay down fully clothed, closed his eyes, but couldn't fall asleep for a long time, so he sat up again.

"Cloud Palace".

He called out.

"Your Highness?"

Yun Que pushed open the door and entered.

"How is Huai Jiao?"

Yan Chenghui asked a question.

Yun Que replied, "I've already ordered a maid to carry it to a side room."

"Has she ever realized her mistake?"

Yan Chenghui glanced at him and asked another question.

"You mean Miss Cen? She..."

Yun Que was halfway through speaking when she saw her master's sharp gaze, so she immediately changed her mind.

"Nanny Cen should still be kneeling..."

He didn't send anyone to investigate, nor did he know anything about it.

But given Miss Cen's personality, she probably wouldn't get up on her own.

Yan Chenghui remained silent. After a moment of silence in the East Palace, he got up and walked out.

"Your Highness, Huaijiao only wants Sister Cen to take care of her. For the sake of the child, please let her get up once you've calmed down," Xia Qinghe said from outside the door. "I had someone send some swelling-reducing ointment to Madam Sun in Your Highness's name. Please don't take it to heart."

Yan Chenghui ignored her and walked straight out.

"Respectfully seeing off His Highness the Crown Prince."

Xia Qinghe, accompanied by her maids, curtsied and watched him depart.

"You may all step back."

She gave an order, then turned and entered the East Chamber.

Inside the East Chamber, only one side of the bed curtains were raised, and Yan Chenghui merely leaned against the headboard; the brocade quilt remained almost untouched.

She still stepped forward and meticulously tidied the brocade quilt on the bed, then raised her hand to lower the hanging bed curtains.

*

As Yan Chenghui stepped into the courtyard of Mingde Hall, he looked up and saw Cen Lingyi still kneeling in the same spot, her back straight, just as he had left.

It seemed as if she hadn't moved at all in the past hour or so.

A nameless anger suddenly surged within him, and he strode forward.

Lingzhi held Yan Huaijiao in her arms, stood beside Cen Lingyi under an umbrella, and looked anxious.

She wanted to tilt the umbrella to the side to provide some shade for the girl, but the girl wouldn't allow it.

This girl's personality...

Ugh.

She caught sight of Yan Chenghui entering out of the corner of her eye, and quickly curtsied, saying, "This servant greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Yan Huaijiao was also anxious and restless, whimpering and constantly turning her little face towards Cen Lingyi.

Cen Lingyi stared blankly at the ground in front of her, beads of sweat dripping from her forehead down her chin, her wet hair sticking to her pale face, her inner clothes soaked with sweat, her knees numb and tingling, yet her body remained unshaken.

"What are you doing standing here?"

Yan Chenghui walked past them without glancing at them, only asking a question indifferently.

"The young prince cries incessantly when he can't see his wet nurse."

Lingzhi explained in a low voice, looking pleadingly at Yunque and Yungong.

Cen Lingyi and Yan Chenghui grew up together, and as servants, they naturally knew each other well.

Under the blazing sun, the girl's body couldn't take it if she knelt down any longer.

As if to prove her point, Yan Huaijiao began to hum aggrievedly as soon as she finished speaking.

Yun Que secretly shook his head at her.

"Miss, please apologize to His Highness. I beg you."

Lingzhi saw Yan Chenghui walk into the palace without the slightest hesitation.

His Highness has no intention of being lenient with the young lady now, which made her even more anxious, and she whispered her advice.

Cen Lingyi, however, seemed not to hear, remaining kneeling there motionless.

"Get in here."

Yan Chenghui's angry rebuke came from inside the hall.

As if hearing celestial music, Lingzhi quickly dropped her umbrella and bent down to help Cen Lingyi: "Miss..."

"Don't call me that, it'll get you in trouble."

Cen Lingyi used her strength to stand up, slightly out of breath.

Lingzhi couldn't help but shed tears again. How long would this girl have to endure?

Cen Lingyi paused for a moment, bent down to brush the dust off her knees, and then slowly climbed the stone steps, stepped over the threshold, and entered the Mingde Hall.