Nong Nu Jiao

Lingzhi carried Yan Huaijiao and followed her outside, not daring to cross the threshold.

Without His Highness's permission, she cannot enter Mingde Hall at will.

Cen Lingyi walked to the desk, stood with her head down, and remained silent, pursing her lips.

Just now, he told her to "get in here," and judging from his tone, he was angry again.

She didn't know how he intended to humiliate her after calling her in. She looked down at the gold bricks on the ground, her face expressionless.

Yan Chenghui sat at his desk, looking down as he flipped through the documents in front of him, his expression cold and aloof.

He didn't look up, nor did he give any instructions.

Cen Lingyi could only stand there, motionless.

"Waaah..."

Xiao Yan Huaijiao became impatient and aggrieved. He had been whining for a long time because his wet nurse wouldn't hold him, and now that his wet nurse was nowhere to be seen, he twisted his body in Lingzhi's arms, looking around everywhere.

"Your Highness, stop making a fuss, your wet nurse is over there."

Lingzhi coaxed him in a soft voice, sweating profusely with anxiety.

"Waaah..."

Yan Huaijiao wouldn't listen. Unable to find Cen Lingyi, he simply closed his eyes and started wailing loudly.

When Cen Lingyi heard him cry, she felt heartbroken and her body seemed to respond, with a swelling in her chest.

She glanced down and saw that her clothes were gradually becoming stained dark, and her face finally flushed red.

But Yan Chenghui didn't speak, and she couldn't go and coax Yan Huaijiao.

"Clatter—"

A soft sound.

Cen Lingyi couldn't help but look up.

It was Yan Chenghui who slammed the document in his hand onto the desk. He had already looked up at her without her noticing.

His gaze fell on her, scraping over her inch by inch like a blade, from her docile, drooping eyebrows down to her tense body.

The hall was silent. He didn't say a word, but that was enough to make Cen Lingyi feel utterly ashamed.

He looked down at her with disdain, contempt, and scrutiny, as if she were some filthy, unworthy thing that would only soil his ground if she stood there.

She looked down at the wet patches on her body, feeling ashamed and humiliated as if being boiled in hot oil.

She pinched her palms to stop the tears from falling. She was no longer the daughter of a Grand Tutor, but just a lowly wet nurse. What was the point of this useless pride?

"As a wet nurse, I don't know what I'm supposed to do?"

Yan Chenghui slowly opened his lips, his tone icy.

Upon hearing this, Cen Lingyi quickly turned around, walked to the door, and took the child from Lingzhi's arms.

"Hmph..."

The moment Yan Huaijiao landed in her arms, her crying changed.

He whined and whined with his eyes half-closed, eagerly snuggling into her arms with his little mouth open.

The little guy is hungry and sleepy.

Cen Lingyi hugged him and walked quickly outside.

"Who told you to go out?"

Yan Chenghui's clear and melodious voice suddenly rang out.

Cen Lingyi paused, then turned and walked towards the inner hall.

She wasn't allowed to go out, so she went to the inner palace to feed the children.

"You dare to enter my inner palace?"

Yan Chenghui spoke again, his tone even colder, with a hint of sarcasm.

Cen Lingyi bit her lip, stopped in her tracks, and stood there, her hand unconsciously patting the swaddled baby, comforting the crying Yan Huaijiao in her arms.

"Sit there."

Yan Chenghui raised his chin to one side.

Cen Lingyi followed his gaze and saw a plain silver 13-string zither lying quietly on the table, with a stool in front of it.

Her face paled, and her heart ached as if it had been ripped open by a knife.

Back then, her hands hurt when she was learning the piano, so he simply stopped her from learning, which made her happy and relieved.

It just so happens that she doesn't like the sound of the zither, but prefers the sound of the zheng.

Later, she insisted on learning the zither for a few more days, but her fingers would hurt when she learned, so she refused to learn again, though she still loved listening to it.

Because she loved listening to it, Yan Chenghui practiced playing the zither very well.

In the past, whenever he had free time, he would play the zither for her.

Now, however, he made her sit in front of the zither and breastfeed Yan Huaijiao... He was reminding her of the past and also making her realize her current identity.

The only saving grace was that only Lingzhi was guarding the entrance; if Yun Que and Yun Gong had been there, she would have felt like dying.

She froze for only a moment before walking over there, sitting down on the stool with her back to him, and lifting the hem of her dress.

Yan Huaijiao was already starving and thirsty, so she pounced on her and swallowed hard, her little hands instinctively squeezing her again and again.

The hall was quiet except for the sound of the little one swallowing hard.

Suddenly, a clear and melodious zither sound came from behind.

Yan Chenghui's slender fingertips landed on the zither, casually plucking a few notes, his gaze fixed on her back.

Cen Lingyi shuddered. Already feeling uneasy, she tensed up even more, her already red ears looking as if they were about to bleed.

"Would you like me to play a tune to liven things up, Nurse Cen?"

Yan Chenghui held the zither strings and plucked them one by one.

"This servant wouldn't dare."

Cen Lingyi paused for a moment, then spoke softly.

Her tone was devoid of emotion, but her face was completely drained of color.

She's no longer the pampered young lady she used to be; what's so exciting about breastfeeding?

Besides, how could a mere wet nurse be worthy of listening to the zither music of a crown prince?

He was mocking and humiliating her.

The way I used to cherish her is how I'm now crushing her into the dust.

"You dare not?"

Yan Chenghui scoffed.

"This servant is not worthy."

Cen Lingyi pursed her lips, her eyes stinging with tears.

This is probably what he wants to hear.

"At least they have self-awareness."

Yan Chenghui stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes darkening as he gazed at her retreating figure.

Yan Huaijiao ate her fill and slept soundly with her little fists clenched.

Cen Lingyi lowered her clothes and felt a little more at ease, looking down at Yan Huaijiao's serene face.

The little one's soft, tender face glowed with a warm, gentle light. His eyelashes were long, and his little mouth would occasionally pout and smack twice, making him look incredibly adorable.

Her heart softened as she watched.

"Why are you holding him like that?"

Yan Chenghui spoke coldly.

"This servant will escort Your Highness back to your side room."

Cen Lingyi carefully picked up Yan Huaijiao and walked out.

This time, Yan Chenghui did not make things difficult for her again.

Lingzhi was overjoyed and quickly followed.

Yun Que had already arranged for the side room to be converted into a small bedroom, furnished with a simple four-poster bed, as well as a table and chairs.

Yan Huaijiao's cradle was right next to the bed.

Cen Lingyi gently placed the little one inside, took a thin blanket and covered his tummy, then gently rocked the cradle.

"Miss, let me do it."

Lingzhi reached out and supported the cradle.

Cen Lingyi glanced at her sideways, her delicate brows furrowing slightly.

"This servant...I forgot."

Lingzhi covered her mouth.

Whenever she saw a girl, she would habitually refer to herself as "this servant girl".

"If you don't want to hurt me, stop referring to yourself like that."

Cen Lingyi straightened up and said softly.

"I've got it." Lingzhi nodded. "Your clothes are in the closet. Go and change."

"You need to fan him, otherwise he'll get heat rash."

Cen Lingyi gave her instructions.

It's almost May, and the temperature is quite high right now. The little one's skin is delicate and can't stand the heat.

Lingzhi agreed and picked up a fan from the side, waving it gently.

Cen Lingyi went behind the curtain and changed into a clean set of clothes.

As soon as I stepped out from behind the curtain, I heard Yun Que knocking on the door.

"Miss, His Highness requests your presence."

Cen Lingyi and Lingzhi exchanged a glance.

Lingzhi whispered, "Miss, when you go, please be obedient to His Highness."

That way, the girl can suffer less.

Cen Lingyi didn't speak, but just gave a bitter smile.

Go along with him?

She serves him when he tells her to, kneels when he tells her to, does whatever he asks. Isn't she already being obedient enough to him?

If you want to find fault, you can always find a pretext.

He could always find an excuse to humiliate her.

She stepped into the main hall, which was quiet and deserted, and hesitated slightly.

"Come in."

Yan Chenghui's voice came from the inner hall.

Cen Lingyi paused for a moment, then took a step towards the inner hall.

Stepping across the threshold, she hesitated for a moment, then closed the door.

She didn't want Yun Que and the others to see or hear her being humiliated.

Yan Chenghui leaned against the headboard, his eyes closed, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he were displeased.

"Your Highness."

Cen Lingyi curtsied to him.

"Fan."

Yan Chenghui did not open his eyes, but only gave two instructions.

"Yes."

Cen Lingyi responded, picked up a plain white silk fan from the side, and stood by the bedside to fan him gently.

Without realizing it, her gaze fell on his face.

His eyes were closed, his long, thick eyelashes casting a soft shadow beneath them, concealing all the fierceness and sharpness in his eyes. The coldness faded, and his features regained a touch of the youthful gentleness and elegance they once possessed.

She felt a pang of bitterness in her heart as she looked at it, biting her lip and turning her gaze away.

Time has passed, and he is no longer the same person he used to be, nor is she.

"Sing."

Yan Chenghui suddenly spoke.

Cen Lingyi paused involuntarily as she fanned herself, looking at him with a puzzled expression.

What are you singing?

"Don't you know how to sing to soothe a child?"

Yan Chenghui did not open his eyes, but continued speaking.

Cen Lingyi was stunned again.

She sang nursery rhymes to lull Yan Huaijiao to sleep; how could he have known?

Seeing the impatient look on his face, she lowered her head and said, "This servant only knows that one song."

That nursery rhyme was one that her mother often sang to her when she was little.

Later, he would suffer from headaches and insomnia on rainy days.

She learned that nursery rhyme and would stay with him on rainy days, singing it to him when he was feeling down.

If she sings it, won't he get angry again?

"Sing."

Yan Chenghui gave another order.

Cen Lingyi stopped thinking about it, raised her head and gently opened her lips.

"The moon climbs to the top of the willow tree, little baby, go to sleep."

"The wind doesn't blow, the trees don't sway, and the birds don't sing."

"Close your eyes and take a nap, I'll make you osmanthus dumplings when you wake up..."

After the song ended, the inner hall fell into a depressing silence.

Yan Chenghui remained silent and did not open his eyes. The sunlight fell on his slightly furrowed brow, revealing no emotion.

The first time she sang this nursery rhyme to him, she mistakenly sang "osmanthus cake" as "osmanthus dumpling".

He teased her, asking her how to eat "osmanthus dumplings".

She got annoyed and started to act out, pestering him relentlessly until he picked osmanthus flowers to make osmanthus dumplings for her.

He naturally obeyed her. Before she abandoned him, he did whatever she wanted and never said "no" to her.

He climbed the osmanthus tree in the Imperial Garden, secretly picked a bamboo sieve full of osmanthus flowers, added sugar to half of them to make sweet dumplings, and put mutton in the other half to make meat dumplings.

After he made them, she tried two, but refused to eat any more.

She was very spoiled when she was a child.

Cen Lingyi lowered her eyes and continued fanning herself, her eyes already moist.

This nursery rhyme not only reminded her of their past, but also made her miss her parents, whose current situation she didn't know. She wondered how her parents were doing, whether they were in good health, and whether they would be able to wait until she could clear their names and they could be reunited.

"You're becoming more and more skilled at singing the songs; do you often sing them for your husband?"

Yan Chenghui slowly opened his eyes and looked at her, his tone carrying a faint sarcasm.

Cen Lingyi's heart clenched, and she could no longer hold back. A large tear rolled down her face, landing on her clothes and staining them with a dark color.

He knew perfectly well that singing this nursery rhyme would hurt her, but he still used those words to wound her.

Yan Chenghui suddenly stood up, his sleeve flicking the teacup on the bedside table with a crisp sound.

Cen Lingyi was so startled that she took half a step back.

Yan Chenghui leaned forward and stood in front of her, his tall figure looming over her. His long fingers pinched her chin, forcing her to look up and meet his gaze.

"Why are you crying? Is it because you're worried about your husband and don't want to sing for me?"

He leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against her cheek, his gaze cold and sharp, a hint of mockery playing on his lips.

Cen Lingyi obediently tilted her head back, looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar face in front of her, her hand gripping the fan handle tightly, her knuckles pale.

"If Your Highness is not satisfied, this servant may sing it again."

Her eyes were red-rimmed, and she was holding back tears. Her wet eyelashes trembled slightly, and her voice was soft, like that of a real maid.

Her appearance was one of resignation, but in his eyes, it seemed more like she was ready to die.

This ignited a fire of anger within him.

"go out."

Yan Chenghui abruptly released his grip and swung away the round fan in her hand.

Cen Lingyi bit her lip, her hurried departure revealing a slightly disheveled figure.

The moment she turned around, Yan Chenghui's gaze fell on her fleeing figure.

A moment later, he picked up the round fan from the ground; the handle still held her lingering warmth.

He lowered his eyes and stared at the round fan, his fingertips slowly tightening, the veins on the back of his hand bulging, as if he wanted to crush something, or as if he was holding on tightly and refusing to let go.

*

As dusk fell, the setting sun painted the sky red.

Cen Lingyi stood by Yan Huaijiao's cradle, clutching the heavy gold seal in her hand, lost in thought.

"Girl, I've brought back dinner."

Lingzhi went into the side room.

Cen Lingyi came to her senses, put away the gold seal, and stood up.

"Lingzhi, watch over the young prince. I'm going out for a bit."

As she spoke, she glanced at Yan Huaijiao, who was fast asleep in the cradle.

"Where are you going, young lady?" Lingzhi couldn't help but ask, then cautiously turned her head to look outside: "I'm afraid His Highness will be back soon."

It's alright that His Highness isn't here, but if he returns and doesn't see the young lady, he'll probably be annoyed again.

"I'll be back in a bit."

Cen Lingyi didn't say much to her.

She stepped out of the side room, glanced at the darkening sky, took a deep breath, and walked out of the courtyard of Mingde Hall.

She was filled with anxiety and hurried her steps.

As they turned through the moon gate, they saw two night patrolling eunuchs.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly stopped and lowered her head to hide in a corner, watching the two people.

Once they were out of sight, she emerged from the corner and hurried to the back gate of the East Palace.

By this time, it was completely dark.

The dim light of the lanterns illuminated her slender figure as she waited under the porch.

She swallowed hard, looked down at the golden seal in her hand, and waited anxiously.

Lu Huaiyou sent her a letter through someone, asking her to come to the back door tonight, saying that he had a clue about the child and that she should bring Yan Chenghui's gold seal.

She knew that Lu Huaiyou wanted to take the golden seal.

If Yan Chenghui knew that she had betrayed him again by handing over his golden seal to Lu Huaiyou, would he kill her in a fit of rage?

As she leaned against the wooden door, memories of the past flooded her mind—every little thing they had shared, his doting care and tenderness towards her, all surging into her heart like a tide.

Her hands clenched tightly, the hard edges digging painfully into her palms.

She turned around, rested her forehead against the wooden door, slowly spread her hands, and looked down.

The gold seal lay quietly in her hand.

Her palms were covered in cold sweat, her fingertips trembled uncontrollably, and after much deliberation, she withdrew her fingers and gripped the gold seal again.

The obsession with finding the child and the concern for the parents ultimately couldn't overcome the guilt towards him.

She had already abandoned him once; she couldn't bear to hurt him again. She truly couldn't overcome that hurdle in her heart and do anything to harm him.

If Lu Huaiyou takes this golden seal, who will it end up in? The Second Prince? The Fourth Prince? Or some other prince?

They would forge letters, stamp them with his gold seal, and claim they were written by him. Or they would do something wrong, leaving his gold seal at the scene to frame him...

He appears to be living a glamorous life as the crown prince, but in reality, he is surrounded by wolves.

They obtained this golden seal not as a trivial matter, but to remove him from the position of crown prince, or even to take his life.

He's already having such a hard time, how could she stab him in the back?

Never mind, child... she'll find another way.

She sighed inwardly, lowered her head dejectedly, and finally decided to turn back.

As she turned around, she caught a glimpse of someone, and her hair stood on end. She was so terrified that she almost lost her mind.

Standing before her was that familiar, tall, and upright figure. The light of the lantern above his head cast a shadow in front of him, enveloping her entirely in his presence.

It's Yan Chenghui!

Why is he here? When did he arrive?

She glanced around nervously, realizing she hadn't heard a sound when he arrived.

Yan Chenghui's gaze fell on her face as he slowly approached.

Cen Lingyi opened her mouth, but couldn't say a word.

She instinctively hid the hand holding the gold seal behind her back, took a step back, and her heel hit the wooden door.

The door was right behind her; there was no way out.

Yan Chenghui looked down at her from above, the light from the lantern falling on him from behind.

She couldn't see his face clearly, but she could see the chilling light flashing in his eyes, like a beast eyeing its prey, locking her in tightly.

She could only shrink back as much as possible, her body pressed tightly against the wooden door, her dark eyes wide with fear, like a little white rabbit cornered by a hawk, unable to maintain her usual calm and obedience, fear and panic written all over her face.

Her hands trembled violently; the gold seal burned in her palms, like a scalding sweet potato just pulled from a fire.

She wanted to get far away from it, but she couldn't.

Even if she throws it, he will definitely notice it as soon as she makes a move.

wrong……

She suddenly remembered the whole story. When she arrived, he had not yet returned to the East Palace, but he arrived shortly after she got there.

Did he discover long ago that she had taken his gold seal, but pretended not to know and secretly sent people to watch her, just waiting for this moment to catch her red-handed?

She was slightly out of breath, her heart felt like it was blocked by despair, and she could hardly breathe.

"Did Nurse Cen arrange to meet someone here in secret?"

Yan Chenghui moved closer, his tone both cold and flippant.

"I...I came out for a walk to clear my head..."

Cen Lingyi's heart was pounding wildly, and her mind was in turmoil. She forced herself to calm down and came up with a not-so-convincing excuse.

They were only a fraction of a centimeter apart, or even less; his chest pressed against hers, seemingly close yet distant.

She could even feel the warmth emanating from him, reaching her heart. With each breath, she could smell the clear, cool scent of ebony emanating from him, both familiar and strange.

Her long, curled eyelashes trembled slightly, and she nervously swallowed, trying to press the back of her head against the door to get away from him.

Upon hearing this, Yan Chenghui curled his lips into a cold laugh.

Clearly, he didn't believe her.

"Your Highness, it's getting late. It's time for me to go back and take care of the young prince."

Cen Lingyi calmed down, pursed her lips, and her expression returned to its usual calm and compliant state.

She moved to the side with her back against the wooden door. If she could take a few steps away from him and throw the golden seal into the bushes, she could escape this calamity.

She absolutely must not let him discover the golden seal in her hand.

Given Yan Chenghui's current loathing for her, if the matter were exposed, she would probably die without a burial place.

Actually, it doesn't matter if she dies. She's already lived through so much suffering, so what's there to be afraid of? She just can't let go of her children, parents, and relatives.

"If you're here to relax, why is Nurse Cen carrying my golden seal?"

Yan Chenghui reached out his hand towards her.

Cen Lingyi instinctively tried to dodge, but where could she hide?

He easily grasped her slender wrist and held it up to his eyes.

Cen Lingyi lowered her head and clenched her fingers with all her might, but it was no use—the tassel of the gold seal was hanging right next to her hand.

The blue tassels swayed back and forth, as if mocking her.

Yan Chenghui's calloused fingers pinched her fingertips and slowly pried her fingers apart one by one.

She was no match for him, and the golden mark on her palm slowly became visible.

He casually pinched the tassel, and lifted the gold seal upside down, swaying it back and forth between the two of them.

Cen Lingyi's face was deathly pale, her ears were ringing, her mind was blank, and her legs were weak. If she hadn't been leaning against the door, she probably would have collapsed to the ground.

She always felt that what he was carrying in his hand was not a golden seal, but her precarious life.

These past few days she has thought about it many times: what would happen if the golden seal were given to Lu Huaiyou, and what would happen if Yan Chenghui found out?

He really found out.

"Isn't Nurse Cen going to give me an explanation?"

Yan Chenghui's voice was cold and harsh, each word dripping with chill.

He lifted her chin, forcing her to look up.

Cen Lingyi was forced to look up at him.

He was backlit, so she couldn't see his face.

Her face, however, was bathed in the dim light, and he could see it clearly, just as her actions at that moment were completely exposed and beyond dispute.

Her lips moved, but she still couldn't find any reason to excuse herself.

"Just kill me."

She closed her eyes, and two lines of clear tears streamed down her cheeks.

The moment he discovered her, she knew she was about to die.

She felt guilty towards him, and died at his hands, yet she had no complaints.

I'm just sorry to my parents and family, and sorry to the child I only had time to see once.

When she dies and becomes a ghost, she will protect them.