Nong Nu Jiao

Cen Lingyi bit her lip and looked at him, refusing to go forward.

Yan Chenghui didn't urge her. He raised his hand to examine the white jade thumb ring on his thumb and gently stroked it with the tip of his index finger.

"Give it back to me!"

Cen Lingyi felt that he was implying something, and the blush on her face spread to her jawline and even her neck was tinged with a rosy hue.

She raised her hand, trying to snatch back the jade thumb ring.

He's been wearing this jade thumb ring all along, and now he's deliberately showing it off in front of her. How could he be so shameless?

If it were in the past, she would never have imagined that he would do such an absurd thing.

Yan Chenghui subtly shifted his hand behind him, his brow furrowing slightly: "Don't you want the power to control the palace anymore?"

Cen Lingyi lowered her hand, her eyes red as she looked at him, feeling humiliated and indignant.

Open your mouth.

Yan Chenghui placed the jade thumb ring against her lips.

Cen Lingyi parted her red lips slightly.

The jade thumb ring was slightly cool, pressed between her lips and teeth. The jade was delicate and smooth, and her fingertips carried his unique, refreshing scent. The calluses on her fingers rubbed against her soft tongue.

Cen Lingyi was forced to open her mouth and look at him. Her cheeks burned hot and red, and her eyes uncontrollably welled up with tears. She was both ashamed and angry and felt wronged.

"Do you know what to do?"

The touch on his fingertips made Yan Chenghui's eyes redden and his breathing become more rapid than before.

He withdrew his hand.

Cen Lingyi took a deep breath, her dark eyes glistening with tears. After hesitating for a moment, she grasped his belt, stood on tiptoe, and slowly leaned closer, gently kissing the corner of his lips before pulling away.

The kiss was as light as a feather brushing against my heart, a ticklish sensation slowly spreading, and a surge of restlessness welling up inside me.

Yan Chenghui's body trembled slightly, and he grabbed her waist.

"No, let's start over."

Yan Chenghui lowered his eyes and gazed at her pink lips, his gaze deep.

Cen Lingyi froze for a moment, blinked her moist red eyes, and once again tiptoed closer.

And just like that, she kissed him squarely on the lips.

She wanted to retreat again, just like before.

But he held her tightly in his arms.

"continue."

Yan Chenghui lowered his head, his words slightly muffled as he pressed his lips to hers.

Cen Lingyi gazed into his dark eyes, paused for a moment, then closed them. As if taking a leap of faith, she mimicked his earlier kiss and tasted his lips.

Yan Chenghui paused for a moment.

Cen Lingyi, however, only focused on tracing the shape of his lips.

"How many times have I taught you? You idiot."

Yan Chenghui could not contain himself.

He no longer allowed her to hesitate and test him; he gripped the back of her neck with his large hand and tightened his grip, turning the tables and taking the initiative.

The previously light touch became domineering and intense, leaving her no room to dodge.

He ripped off the cloak that was in her way, held her tightly in his arms, and forcefully invaded her body with his breath, grinding and rubbing against her until she could no longer breathe.

He stole all of Cen Lingyi's breath, making her feel weak and almost unable to stand. She only managed to stay upright because he supported her with his arm.

"I usually serve you, but today it's your turn."

He let her breathe, his lips still close to hers as he spoke, his voice hoarse.

"I...I can't..."

Cen Lingyi almost slid off his arms and onto the ground, her face flushed red as if all the blood in her body had rushed to her head.

She seemed to understand what he meant by "serving".

He never forced her to do it when she refused.

But last time, he had already forced her to help him once.

So that's what he meant by "pleasing"?

"Didn't we try that last time?"

Yan Chenghui pressed his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling together.

"Then...then you...go take a bath first."

Cen Lingyi stammered several times before she could utter a complete sentence.

"Together."

Yan Chenghui picked her up and carried her into the inner hall.

Cen Lingyi hooked her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest, refusing to lift it up.

At these times, she always felt that his doting and love for her was still there.

However, she knew that this was just her imagination.

He was much gentler with Sun Peihuan and the others than he was with her; he probably couldn't bear to humiliate them in the slightest...

Thinking of this, she calmed down again.

Yan Chenghui put her down, leaned her against the jade wall, and looked down at her.

She was immersed in the clear water of the bath, surrounded by wisps of mist, like a goddess descending from the heavens.

Every frown and every movement is captivating.

Her lips were exceptionally beautiful, round and full, and when he kissed them, they became a shimmering crimson, glistening with tiny drops of moisture, soft and fragile, captivating all who beheld them.

"stand up."

Yan Chenghui pulled her out of the water.

She has always been stubborn, and after their reunion, she became even more rebellious towards him. She was not someone who would easily give in to or try to please him.

She abandoned him and even wanted to kill him.

This is what she deserves.

He shouldn't have pitied her.

Seeing how obediently she served him, he not only lost interest but also felt a bit annoyed.

With a "splash," Cen Lingyi stood up from the water. Her long eyelashes were wet, whether from moisture or tears, and her eyes were red. She looked at him innocently and confusedly, appearing pitiful.

Yan Chenghui's lips were almost pressed into a line, and his chest heaved.

"Go back to the side hall."

After saying that, he turned around and prepared to go ashore.

"Yan Chenghui..."

Cen Lingyi grabbed his hand.

Yan Chenghui turned to look at her.

"Was it...that I didn't do well?" Cen Lingyi pursed her lips, the blush spreading to her heart, and said with some difficulty, "Tell me, I can change..."

What's done is done, and as long as it brings the power to rule the palace, it's all worth it.

Right now, she doesn't want anything else but to protect Huai Jiao and help her grow up properly.

"Is the power to control the palace that important to you?"

Yan Chenghui frowned and spoke in a cold voice.

"Um."

Cen Lingyi didn't know why he suddenly became unhappy, and felt a little helpless.

She wasn't really good at "serving" him.

She had never done anything like this before, when they were together.

He hadn't taught her either.

She really wasn't good at pleasing him.

Yan Chenghui remained silent.

"I...ever since I entered the Eastern Palace, I have often been humiliated by Consort Sun. Your Highness knows my temperament..."

Cen Lingyi turned her head to the other side, looking somewhat embarrassed.

At first, she was unwilling to have marital relations with him.

Right now, it's her who's bothering him.

This was an excuse she had prepared beforehand.

She couldn't possibly tell him that Huai Jiao was their child.

It can only be said that she is strong-willed and cannot stand being bullied.

"Isn't this something you deserve?"

Yan Chenghui felt a pang of pain in his heart. He glanced down at the wound and his tone grew even colder.

"This servant has only wronged Your Highness, not Consort Sun."

Cen Lingyi didn't look at him, but her tone unconsciously carried a hint of stubbornness.

"So, you mean only I can bully you?"

Yan Chenghui pulled her close.

Cen Lingyi staggered and fell into his arms, her hands instinctively pressing against his chest.

"You really will do anything for power."

Yan Chenghui said sarcastically.

"Yes."

Cen Lingyi's eyes reddened, and she responded with a soft "yes".

She wanted to explain to him that what happened back then was beyond her control and was also to protect him.

But he won't listen, nor will he believe.

She doesn't want to explain anymore.

What's the point of talking about things that have already happened? No one can change what has already happened.

Yan Chenghui was angered by her once again.

"Come up."

He lay down on the bath couch by the water and glanced at her sideways.

Cen Lingyi walked step by step to his side.

"So unfamiliar, didn't Lu Huaiyou teach you?"

Yan Chenghui stared at her, his words like sharp blades.

He always criticizes what others do.

Cen Lingyi was embarrassed and annoyed, so she pressed her forehead against his collarbone and simply didn't move.

"Stop playing dead."

Yan Chenghui slapped her on the waist and hip.

Why do you always talk about him?

Cen Lingyi retaliated by hitting him back.

"You did it, and you're afraid I'll say anything? Hmm?"

The two wrestled and fought, she bit him and scratched him, enjoying herself to the fullest.

But she was no match for him in the end, and was forced to whisper many promises in his ear again, saying that she would never leave him, never betray him, never abandon him, and that she would only be with him for the rest of her life...

Her tears fell drop by drop onto his chest, and when she looked down, she could see the bluish veins throbbing on his neck.

After a long while, the bathroom returned to silence.

Cen Lingyi wiped his back, looking at the old wounds all over his back, and the new wounds she had just scratched on his shoulder blades.

"Can I see my second sister?"

She sensed that he seemed to be in a good mood, which was a good opportunity to speak.

"Do you want to see Cen Wanrou, or do you want to see the child?"

Yan Chenghui didn't turn around, but asked a question indifferently.

"I want both."

Cen Lingyi replied with two words.

He was indeed in a good mood and did not call the child a "bastard".

She wanted to see her second sister, and she also wanted him to feel that she wanted to see Cen Chiyao.

In his eyes, Cen Chiyao was her child.

If she doesn't want to see him, that's not normal, and he'll become suspicious.

In that case, Huai Jiao's secret would be exposed.

"You want to take them and escape again?"

Yan Chenghui turned around and stared at her coldly.

"I won't leave."

Cen Lingyi blurted out.

Huai Jiao is here, where can she go?

As soon as she finished speaking, she noticed Yan Chenghui staring at her, and her heart skipped a beat. She quickly tried to explain.

"I... promised Your Highness I wouldn't leave."

In my moment of confusion and infatuation, I agreed to his request several times.

"Agree?" Yan Chenghui scoffed. "How much is your agreement worth?"

She made many promises to him, but how many of them did she keep?

"If Your Highness does not trust me, you may send someone to keep an eye on me."

Cen Lingyi whispered.

She waited a moment, but he didn't say anything more.

She sighed inwardly; he still hadn't given in.

But it doesn't matter, as long as she knows that her second sister is safe and sound.

As for Cen Chiyao, he's just an ignorant little kid. His second sister will take good care of him, and Yan Chenghui shouldn't make things difficult for him.

She helped him change his clothes, and the two of them left the inner palace together.

The sun was already setting outside.

"This servant takes her leave."

Cen Lingyi curtsied and prepared to leave.

"You don't want the seal anymore?"

Yan Chenghui sat down at the desk.

Cen Lingyi stopped in her tracks and turned to face him.

Her heart was pounding, but she dared not show the slightest joy on her face.

He was unpredictable, and she was afraid he might suddenly change his mind again.

Yan Chenghui pushed the Crown Prince's seal, a box of categorized storeroom keys, and the private seal for account reconciliation in front of her.

This was just submitted by Sun Peihuan.

"If there were no one else capable in the inner palace, I would not have entrusted the management of the household to you."

Yan Chenghui picked up a document, opened it, and spoke in a cold tone.

"Yes."

Cen Lingyi took those things and held them in her hands.

"This servant takes her leave."

She felt a pang of sorrow.

Even if he didn't say it, she knew he had no one else to rely on.

She had calculated this precisely, which is why she came to him to expose Sun Peihuan.

Why did he have to say such hurtful things to deliberately hurt her?

"If I fail to perform my duties effectively, I will not let it go lightly."

Yan Chenghui glanced at her retreating figure and then uttered another sentence.

"This servant understands."

Cen Lingyi turned around, bowed to him, and then quickly walked away.

Yan Chenghui put down the documents and stared blankly in the direction she had left.

A moment later, he summoned Yun Que and said, "Send someone to tell Mother that the management of the Eastern Palace is now under the control of Consort Cen."

"Yes."

Yun Que agreed and withdrew.