Nong Nu Jiao

"Have Lotus come to the door and listen."

After a moment's thought, Cen Lingyi understood Sun Peihuan's intentions.

Sun Peihuan has finally realized that she has spies in Yunxiang Courtyard.

However, there were too many people in Yunxiang Courtyard, and she couldn't find out who was responsible for it. To save trouble, she simply arrested them all.

That's consistent with Sun Peihuan's usual style.

"Aunt Cen."

Lotus's voice drifted in through the door.

"Is your beloved wife going to replace you too?"

Cen Lingyi looked at the figure through the window screen and asked.

"Liangyuan only intends to keep me and Lanhua."

Lotus replied.

Cen Lingyi smiled silently.

Even now, Sun Peihuan still didn't suspect Lan Hua.

What exactly does Yan Chenghui like about such a foolish and arrogant person?

"The palace servants in Yunxiang Courtyard are all registered. Replacing them all would require re-reporting to the Imperial Household Department and creating a new register, as well as purchasing additional items, which would be a waste of public funds. Everyone is already familiar with the duties in the courtyard, and abruptly replacing them would easily cause chaos. Moreover, the Eastern Palace has its own rules regarding personnel matters; a large number of palace servants cannot be dismissed without a major offense. Go back and tell Consort Sun that if a few individuals make a mistake or are not to her liking, they can be replaced, but replacing all the palace servants is impossible."

Cen Lingyi's refusal was decisive and well-founded.

She could not possibly grant Sun Peihuan's wish.

Zhu Sha looked at her approvingly and nodded secretly.

In the past, I often heard the Imperial Concubine speak of Miss Cen, praising her highly.

Seeing her today, I can see that a noble lady is indeed a noble lady. Even in her downfall, she does not lose her elegance. No wonder the Imperial Concubine likes her.

"Many of those people were brought from the Sun family; can't they be replaced?"

Lotus was silent for a moment before asking.

"Once you're registered in the Eastern Palace, you're no longer a member of the Sun family."

Cen Lingyi spoke calmly.

"Then... what if my lady pays for a replacement herself?"

Lotus asked again.

Cen Lingyi's reason for refusing was impeccable; she didn't even dare to go back and explain herself.

Liangyuan is in a bad mood right now. If she hears such words, won't she take all her anger out on her?

"Should we buy people from outside? Or replace them with people from the Sun family?" Cen Lingyi said, "Neither is acceptable. The palace servants in the Eastern Palace have all been vetted. How can Consort Sun guarantee that the people she replaces will not harm the Eastern Palace or His Highness?"

"Aunt Cen is a wise woman. My lady is a bit spoiled, but His Highness the Crown Prince usually indulges her as well. Even with such a big mistake today, he was only punished with confinement. Please, Aunt, be lenient with my lady for the sake of General Sun and his son."

Lotus Flower brought up Yan Chenghui, not enough; she also brought up Sun Zhenglie.

Even His Highness the Crown Prince has to give the General some face, how could Cen Lingyi dare not?

"I am merely a steward of the Eastern Palace and have no prior acquaintance with General Sun. You need not tell me these things. I know that Consort Sun is deeply favored by His Highness the Crown Prince. She can ask His Highness to give the order, and I will naturally comply."

Cen Lingyi said slowly and deliberately.

Sun Peihuan always liked to bring up her father and brothers, and Hehua also learned this trick.

Like master, like servant.

Seeing that bringing up Sun Zhenglie and His Highness the Crown Prince was ineffective, Lotus stopped talking and turned to leave.

Cen Lingyi has clearly gained power and is making things difficult for Liangyuan.

She went back and exaggerated, pinning all the blame on Cen Lingyi, saying that Cen Lingyi was targeting Liang Yuan—which was indeed the case.

In this way, Liangyuan will only hate Cen Lingyi and won't bother to punish her.

Even when she vents her anger, she only hits him a couple of times or smashes things; she is not severely punished.

"Wait a moment."

Cen Lingyi suddenly called out to her.

Lotus stopped in her tracks, turned around to look in her direction, and secretly felt smug.

Cen Lingyi must have realized she was afraid.

Her daughter-in-law has the entire Sun family backing her up; how could Cen Lingyi, a mere palace maid, possibly afford to offend her?

"From this day forward, all of Sun Liangyuan's food, clothing and daily necessities will be delivered according to the standard of her rank. She can send someone to buy anything else she wants to eat or use herself, and she is not allowed to use the public accounts."

"In addition, according to the regulations of the Eastern Palace, the quota for a Lady of the Liangyuan rank is two personal maids, two cleaning maids, four eunuchs on duty, and one head nanny, for a total of nine people."

"I just looked at the roster. There are fifteen palace maids in Yunxiang Courtyard. I will dismiss the six who are more than the limit tomorrow. Go back and inform Consort Sun, and ask her to decide which six to dismiss."

Cen Lingyi spoke calmly and composedly, her every word adhering to the rules of the Eastern Palace, upholding justice and performing her duties without any flaws.

Sun Peihuan tried to kill her several times and showed no mercy to Huai Jiao.

The relationship between her and Sun Peihuan was already irreconcilable.

Now that she has the upper hand, why wouldn't she target Sun Peihuan?

"Yes, I will convey it to my Liangyuan."

Lotus gritted her teeth, seething with anger.

Cen Lingyi wasn't afraid at all. As soon as she gained control of the household affairs, she issued such an order.

It's clearly targeting her daughter, Liangyuan, and is a deliberate act of revenge.

Her concubine did do some things that were against the rules, but these were all tacitly approved by His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Crown Princess.

Who doesn't know that His Highness the Crown Prince favors her concubine?

Why should Cen Lingyi meddle in other people's business?

She stormed off.

"Well done, young lady." Lingzhi was pleased and praised her without hesitation, but then worried, "It's just that Consort Sun probably won't let this go. Will she complain to His Highness the Crown Prince?"

"Let her sue if she wants; I'm just following the rules."

Cen Lingyi walked to the table, sat down, and picked up an account book.

"Don't worry, young lady. Even the Imperial Concubine has to abide by the rules in the palace, let alone a mere Lady of the Court."

Zhu Sha offered words of comfort.

Cen Lingyi and she exchanged a smile, understanding each other's meaning.

The Imperial Concubine will support her.

It feels so good to have someone back you up.

She opened the account book, pointed to a spot, and instructed, "Lingzhi, give the order that from today onwards, the rice, flour, cooking oil, and fresh fruits and vegetables used by the Crown Prince's Palace will no longer be purchased from Fengyu Grain Store."

"We will no longer purchase the incense, perfumes, and medicinal herbs used in the various hospitals from Ningxiangzhai."

"Just like when the Crown Princess was in charge of the palace, the daily necessities were procured and distributed by the steward after comparing prices and goods."

In the evening, despite her exhaustion, she looked at the accounts for a while and discovered that Sun Peihuan had placed the two purchases in a shop under the Sun family's name.

These things are not particularly valuable, but the Crown Prince needs them every day. Over time, they can generate a considerable income.

Sun Peihuan is lining her own pockets.

Cen Lingyi originally planned to go to sleep first and deal with it tomorrow.

Since I've been woken up and can't fall back asleep anytime soon, I'll give the order and carry it out as soon as possible.

"Okay."

Lingzhi responded with a crisp and clear voice.

*

The next day, early in the morning.

Once Yan Huaijiao woke up, she wouldn't let anyone sleep. She sat next to Cen Lingyi and started poking at her eyes.

Cen Lingyi was also very excited because he had learned to walk.

The bedroom was well-heated with the underfloor heating working properly.

Both mother and daughter were only wearing their undergarments.

"Huaijiao, come here to your mother."

Cen Lingyi held a rattle drum and coaxed the little guy to walk.

Yan Huaijiao was wearing fewer clothes, making him more agile. He stretched out his arms and swayed as he walked towards her. When he reached her, he giggled and jumped into her arms.

"Our Huai Jiao is really great."

Cen Lingyi picked him up, couldn't help but kiss his fair and tender little face, and then rubbed against his neck.

"You're so cute, Mommy loves you so much."

The little one was fragrant and soft, like a glutinous white jade cake; she couldn't bear to let go of it once she held it.

"mother……"

Yan Huaijiao was ticklish and giggled, shrinking her neck.

"Miss, today's shopping has been arranged. Sister Zhu Sha will go personally."

Lingzhi came in from outside and saw the mother and son being affectionate, and a smile appeared on her face.

"Has her accommodation been arranged?"

Cen Lingyi held Yan Huaijiao as they sat down and asked.

"It's already been cleaned up; it's right next to mine."

Lingzhi took the rattle drum and teased Yan Huaijiao.

Yan Huaijiao snatched it from her hand and tried to shake the rattle drum, but he couldn't quite get it right.

"Mother, shake."

He handed the rattle drum to Cen Lingyi.

Cen Lingyi grabbed his hand and shook it twice.

"Miss, yesterday Consort Sun was confined to her quarters and stripped of her power as head of the palace. She threw a huge tantrum when she returned to Yunxiang Courtyard. Last night, when Lotus came back from our place, she was beaten up by her."

Lingzhi smiled and told him the information she had gathered.

"She always takes her anger out on others." Cen Lingyi wasn't surprised at all, and asked with a smile, "Didn't she hear that I cut off her source of income?"

Rice, noodles, vegetables, fruits, incense, herbs, and medicinal herbs are all daily necessities for the Crown Prince's palace. These are purchased regularly from the Sun family's shop, which is a real source of income.

If Sun Peihuan knew that this source of income was cut off, how could she not be anxious?

"I heard that, I haven't finished yet." Lingzhi laughed: "When Consort Sun heard this news, she was furious and immediately made a scene, demanding to see His Highness the Crown Prince at Mingde Hall to seek justice for herself. But the palace servants guarding the door refused to let her out no matter what, and she's making a scene right now."

Let her make a scene.

Cen Lingyi didn't care much.

Yan Chenghui will probably still meet with Sun Peihuan, but not in the near future.

After all, the mistake Sun Peihuan made this time could really cost him his position as crown prince if he's not careful.

"Good boy, go to Lingzhi."

She intended to hand Yan Huaijiao over to Lingzhi.

"No, I want my mother."

Yan Huaijiao was unhappy, so she wrapped her little hands around her neck and buried her face in her chest, refusing to let go.

"I'm not going out," Cen Lingyi coaxed him with a laugh. "I'm just checking the accounts. Your birthday is in three days, and lots of people will be coming to celebrate. We can't afford to make any mistakes, or we'll become a laughingstock."

"Well……"

Yan Huaijiao raised her little face and looked at her with a blank expression.

Although he didn't understand what his mother was saying, it seemed like she had something important to say.

He hesitated whether to listen to his mother.

"Come, Your Highness, I won't take you out. We'll stay here with Mother, okay?"

Lingzhi took the opportunity to pick him up.

Yan Huaijiao grunted, and seeing that her mother had sat down at the table and indeed showed no intention of going out, she was relieved.

This was Yan Huaijiao's first birthday celebration, and both the Crown Prince's Palace and the Ministry of Rites attached great importance to it.

Cen Lingyi valued him more than anyone else. This was her own son. Even on her own birthday, she had never been this serious. She sat at the table for the entire morning.

At lunchtime, Meixiang returned with the food.

"Auntie, dinner's ready."

Cen Lingyi responded, put down her pen, and stretched.

"Your Highness, dinner is ready."

Lingzhi wanted to pick up Yan Huaijiao, who was playing by the bed, and take him to the main hall.

"Ugh, Mother..."

Yan Huaijiao pushed Lingzhi's hand away and pointed at Cen Lingyi.

He wanted his mother to hold him.

"Can't you just let me rest for a bit?"

Cen Lingyi smiled helplessly, stepped forward, gently pinched the little guy's nose, picked him up, and walked out of the bedroom.

Lingzhi opened the food box and took out the food.

"Let's see what we're having for today? It's shredded chicken noodles, steamed egg custard, and..."

Cen Lingyi sat down and let Yan Huaijiao sit on her lap, speaking these words to him.

"Girl, what is this?"

Lingzhi spoke in surprise.

Cen Lingyi looked at her.

Lingzhi held up a small piece of paper, folded neatly, with faint ink stains showing through the back of the paper; it was a note.

Cen Lingyi frowned and reached out to take it.