Nong Nu Jiao

Cen Lingyi opened it, and there was only a short sentence on it.

"Jiaojiao, the tenth day is dangerous. Before the banquet, go to the back door and leave with me to take refuge. Remember this well!"

She blinked, then remained motionless for a moment.

Yan Huaijiao saw the note in her hand and reached out her little hand to snatch it.

Cen Lingyi raised her hand to dodge and handed the note to Lingzhi.

"Burn it."

Lingzhi obediently took out a tinderbox and burned the note before asking in a low voice, "Miss, who wrote this?"

"Lu Huaiyou".

Cen Lingyi frowned slightly.

The tenth day was the day to hold a birthday banquet for Huai Jiao.

She didn't know what Lu Huaiyou was up to, but she would never trust him again.

She's in the Eastern Palace; what danger could she possibly face if she didn't go out?

Unless Yan Chenghui suddenly goes mad, unable to bear the events of that year, and wants to take her life.

She wouldn't just sit idly by and wait to die.

"What did he say?"

Lingzhi pressed for more information, still uneasy.

"You said I would be in danger."

Cen Lingyi explained.

"Could what he said be true?"

Upon hearing this, Lingzhi became worried.

She always felt that Lu Huaiyou wasn't a good person, but Lu Huaiyou must genuinely like the girl.

She remembered that in the past, Lu Huaiyou would always stare blankly at the girl's figure in a secluded corner.

No matter what, he wouldn't be thinking of harming a girl, would he?

Cen Lingyi shook her head, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Lu Huaiyou appears gentle and refined on the surface, but is actually quite cunning.

Who knows what he's up to?

Anyway, she didn't trust him.

"No matter what, young lady, you'd better be careful."

Lingzhi gave her instructions.

"Has Cinnabar returned?"

Cen Lingyi asked her.

"I'll go take a look."

Lingzhi went outside.

A moment later, she took the cinnabar into the side hall.

"Did you need something, young lady?"

Zhu Sha asked with a smile.

Let's have dinner together.

Cen Lingyi greeted her.

"this……"

Cinnabar hesitated.

The Imperial Concubine sent her to assist Miss Cen; in her eyes, Miss Cen was her mistress.

How could she possibly dine at the same table as her master?

"We are all servants, there is no distinction of rank, please sit down."

Cen Lingyi saw through her thoughts and greeted her with a smile.

She was naturally kind to people.

The cinnabar was given to her by Consort Xiao, so she should treat it kindly and be close to it.

"Okay." Zhu Sha glanced at Yan Huaijiao and smiled, "Your Highness is so cute."

"Yes."

Cen Lingyi fed Huai Jiao until she was full before she started eating herself.

Zhu Sha saw this and knew that she truly loved Yan Huaijiao from the bottom of her heart, so she naturally knew what to do next.

"The young prince's first birthday celebration is still missing some items. I've made a list, so I'd appreciate it if you could take someone to the market again this afternoon."

Cen Lingyi remembered to say to Zhao Zhu Sha.

"Please don't say that, young lady. It's no trouble at all; it's what I should do."

Zhu Sha smiled and agreed.

Cen Lingyi had only eaten half of her rice when Meixiang ran in.

"Miss, Yun Gong has arrived."

"What is it?"

Cen Lingyi looked up and saw Yun Gong standing at the door, and asked him a question.

"Miss, Consort Sun has hanged herself in Yunxiang Courtyard. His Highness has instructed me to invite you there."

Yun Gong entered and answered loudly.

Cen Lingyi almost laughed at his words.

If it were Yun Que, he would definitely say "hanging himself." Yun Gong's words and actions are quite interesting.

"I'll go check on him. If he doesn't want to sleep, I'll wait for him to come back and coax him."

Cen Lingyi turned around and gave Lingzhi some instructions.

She didn't believe Sun Peihuan would really hang herself; she thought it was just an act to see Yan Chenghui.

"Young lady, why don't you finish your meal before you go?"

Lingzhi felt sorry for her.

"No, I'm pretty full too."

Cen Lingyi took out a handkerchief and wiped the corners of her lips.

Yan Chenghui is currently unpredictable, so she'd better go as soon as possible to avoid angering him again.

She left the side hall courtyard, entered the garden, took a shortcut, and as she turned through the winding corridor, she caught a glimpse of that familiar figure in the distance.

It was Yan Chenghui. He should have just come out of Mingde Hall and was also heading towards Yunxiang Courtyard.

A biting north wind swept through the garden, and the plum blossoms had not yet bloomed, their branches covered with buds.

Yan Chenghui, draped in a black cloak, stood tall and imposing, his aura even colder than the weather.

Yun Que followed closely behind, his gait had returned to normal, and it seemed his injury had healed.

Cen Lingyi slowed her pace and glanced at Yan Chenghui, secretly pondering in her heart.

If he doesn't look at her, she doesn't need to bow to him.

Anyway, he didn't want to see her.

But strangely enough, Yan Chenghui seemed to have eyes in the back of his head.

He stopped and turned to look at her.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Cen Lingyi stepped forward, bowed her head, and curtsied.

Her long eyelashes fluttered slightly in the cold wind, her fair cheeks were flushed red, her nose was red, and her ears were red as well.

She was too frail; she was always sensitive to the cold, and after giving birth, she became even weaker…

Yan Chenghui looked down at her, and subconsciously reached out to unfasten his cloak.

But he lowered his hand halfway up.

She had given birth to Lu Huaiyou's child.

He doesn't need to pity her.

"Your Highness, shall we go?"

Cen Lingyi looked up at him.

Sun Peihuan was about to hang herself, so why wasn't he worried at all?

They probably knew Sun Peihuan's personality and that she wouldn't actually commit suicide.

He was so intelligent, almost supernatural, how could he not see through Sun Peihuan's tricks? He was just spoiling Sun Peihuan.

"Do you have anything to say to me?"

Yan Chenghui glanced at her and suddenly spoke.

Cen Lingyi paused for a moment, her face showing a hint of confusion.

Is there anything she should say to him?

She thought for a moment and suddenly understood.

"This servant has been in charge of managing the affairs of the Eastern Palace, and has been doing so in accordance with the rules. I have not targeted anyone specifically."

She lowered her long, curled eyelashes and explained softly.

He truly loved Sun Peihuan from the bottom of his heart; he couldn't even wait until they reached Yunxiang Courtyard before he was eager to confront her.

"Anything else?"

Yan Chenghui looked at her.

Cen Lingyi glanced at him again, feeling utterly bewildered.

besides?

What else?

"This servant has done nothing wrong. If Your Highness wishes to protect Consort Sun, please give the order. Although there are rules in the Eastern Palace, rules are rigid while people are flexible. This servant will do as Your Highness commands."

She pondered for a moment, suppressed her grievances, and spoke respectfully.

"It has nothing to do with Sun Peihuan."

Yan Chenghui frowned slightly, a hint of impatience in his eyes.

Cen Lingyi was even more confused.

It has nothing to do with Sun Peihuan?

She had just taken over the management of the Eastern Palace, and apart from dealing with Sun Peihuan and preparing Huai Jiao's birthday banquet, she had not yet started on anything else.

She shouldn't have done anything wrong, right?

Yan Chenghui was unusually patient, standing quietly there, waiting for her to speak.

Yun Que watched Cen Lingyi anxiously from behind, wishing he could speak up and remind her.

His Highness already knows that Lu Huaiyou sent a note in.

If the young lady and His Highness talk things out and open their hearts to each other, wouldn't they be able to reconcile?

"This servant has nothing to report to Your Highness."

Cen Lingyi couldn't think of anything to say to him, so she shook her head and replied softly.

As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding air suddenly felt heavy.

Yan Chenghui's dark eyes were filled with a fierce light, and his brows were covered with a murderous aura, making his imposing presence terrifying.

He gave her a cold look, then turned and left.

A cold wind swept in, and the fluttering edges of his robes seemed to carry a chilling resolve.

Cen Lingyi stared blankly at his retreating figure, wondering why he had suddenly become angry.

She frowned and followed, racking her brains over the conversation, but she couldn't figure out what she had said wrong.

Upon entering Yunxiang Courtyard, before even stepping through the door of the house, one could hear Sun Peihuan's somewhat shrill voice.

"Don't stop me, any of you! These days, just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can bully me. I'd rather die than suffer this kind of humiliation..."

It seems that Sun Peihuan is still contemplating suicide.

Then came the cacophony of voices from a group of maids, all trying to persuade him.

"A respectable woman is out of the question..."

"This servant has already sent someone to invite His Highness the Crown Prince. His Highness will surely uphold justice for Consort Liang..."

"Yes, Liangyuan, come down quickly..."

When Cen Lingyi heard the words "upholding justice," she suddenly understood.

Just now, Yan Chenghui asked her that question on purpose, trying to pick a fight.

Actually, nothing really happened. He just wanted to find an excuse to turn against her so that he could then legitimately side with Sun Peihuan.

He didn't need to do that.

She was already used to his unpredictable temper, cold treatment, favoritism towards others, and even public humiliation. Why should he bother with all this?

She has already said that she will do as he instructs.

Yun Que pushed open the door.

Yan Chenghui stepped into the house, and Cen Lingyi followed closely behind.

"What's going on?"

Yan Chenghui spoke.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived..."

A maid saw him and shouted.

Sun Peihuan stood on a stool, a three-foot-long white silk ribbon hanging from the roof beam, tied in a knot at the bottom, which he held in his hand.

Upon seeing Yan Chenghui arrive, she immediately burst into tears, feeling wronged: "Your Highness..."

"Help her down."

Yan Chenghui's brow twitched, a look of disgust flashed in his eyes, and he gave the order in a cold voice.

The maids quickly helped Sun Peihuan down from the stool.

Cen Lingyi took a second look. Sun Peihuan's clothes were disheveled, her hair was half-disheveled, and there was only a faint red mark on her neck.

She twitched her lips, realizing that Sun Peihuan knew Yan Chenghui was coming and deliberately left marks on her neck, otherwise what would she have to say?

Supported by her maids on either side, Sun Peihuan stumbled and fell to Yan Chenghui's feet: "Your Highness, you must do me justice..."

"Stand up and speak."

Yan Chenghui walked over and sat down in the main seat, his expression returning to its usual indifference.

Sun Peihuan had no choice but to stand up, tears streaming down her face, and walk to him, her words filled with anguish: "Ever since Your Highness confined me to my quarters, I have been quietly reflecting on my mistakes behind closed doors, never daring to cause any trouble. But Consort Cen is deliberately seeking revenge, targeting me at every turn. She wants to reduce the number of people in my quarters and cut back on my food, clothing, and other necessities. This has been how I've lived since I entered the Eastern Palace. Your Highness and the Crown Princess have never interfered in these matters. She treats me like this, showing me absolutely no respect. I truly cannot go on living like this!"

"If Your Highness doesn't stand up for me, I'd rather die..."

She started sobbing again as she spoke.

Everyone inside held their breath and lowered their heads, not daring to speak.

For a moment, only Sun Peihuan's sobs could be heard all around.

Cen Lingyi stood there, quietly watching her act, her eyes filled with nothing but tranquility.

She had anticipated this scene upon entering, and she had also anticipated Yan Chenghui's reaction.

He would naturally side with Sun Peihuan and help her get back everything that was against the rules.

"What did you say?"

Yan Chenghui leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on her, his emotions unreadable.