Nong Nu Jiao

The study was silent for a moment.

"In your eyes, Second Brother, am I someone whose eyes are only filled with romantic feelings for my children?"

Yan Chenghui leaned back in his chair, looking at Yan Qingci with an ambiguous expression.

The posture of someone in a superior position.

"no."

Yan Qingci said subconsciously, suppressing the unease in his heart.

Previously, Yan Chenghui was just an insignificant prince.

He once thought that among these imperial brothers, Yan Chenghui was the least threatening.

After all, his mother had been in the cold palace for many years and had no chance of turning her life around.

Unexpectedly, after the Cen family's misfortune, Consort Xiao was released from the Cold Palace and became deeply favored by the Emperor.

Yan Chenghui, thanks to his mother's status, rose to the position of Crown Prince.

Initially, he did not take Yan Chenghui seriously.

A fallen prince, who has never been properly taught and whose maternal family is not in the capital, how long can he hold on to that position even if he puts on a python robe?

He didn't need many tricks to make Yan Chenghui fall from the position of Crown Prince and live a life even worse than before.

Unexpectedly, after Yan Chenghui took over the Eastern Palace, he displayed extraordinary methods, acting decisively and handling matters meticulously, completely unlike his previous quiet and unassuming self.

The court officials praised Yan Chenghui highly, saying that he was upright and incorruptible, and that it was a great blessing for the country to have such a crown prince.

It can be said that Yan Chenghui held the position of Crown Prince very securely.

So how could such a person be someone who only cares about love and family?

He seems to have misjudged the situation.

"Why does my second brother believe that a woman who abandoned me to marry another and bore him a child can be used as a bargaining chip in your exchange with me?"

Yan Chenghui gave a half-smile.

"Younger brother, don't pretend. You and she grew up together as childhood sweethearts, how could you have no feelings for each other at all?" Yan Qingci didn't believe it: "If you really had no feelings for her, why would you have made this trip?"

He felt a chill run down his spine.

Yan Chenghui's words were not without reason.

Put yourself in their shoes. Who would remain devoted to a woman who betrayed them, was defiled by another, and even bore another man's child? Especially since Yan Chenghui already holds a high position.

Did he make a mistake with this move?

"My second brother set the fire, which terrified my concubine, Consort Sun. I have come to return the favor."

Yan Chenghui put down the chess piece in his hand and stood up.

Cen Lingyi sat on the simple bamboo couch, the last glimmer of light in her eyes slowly fading away.

She was stunned; the last vestige of hope in her heart was shattered by his words.

Sure enough, he still hated her and still looked down on her.

He came for Sun Peihuan. Because Yan Qingci set fire to Yunxiang Courtyard, he set fire to the Second Imperial Concubine's courtyard in order to vent his anger for Sun Peihuan.

How deeply affectionate he was! And how cruel he was!

A dull ache rose in her chest, and her nose stung, but she forced herself to remain calm and act as if nothing was wrong.

Lu Huaiyou was still in front of her; she couldn't let him see through her act.

Lu Huaiyou, standing to the side, felt a surge of joy upon hearing Yan Chenghui's words.

Now, Cen Lingyi should be able to see Yan Chenghui's heart clearly and give up on him, right?

"Since the Crown Prince doesn't care about Cen Lingyi, then I'll keep her here."

Yan Qingci's eyes darted around, and she tried to probe him with words.

"Second brother, please do as you please."

Yan Chenghui's voice was cold and clear, and his expression remained completely calm.

Hearing his nonchalant words, Cen Lingyi felt an even greater pang of pain in her heart.

His tone made it sound as if he were casually handing over a worthless trinket that Yan Qingci liked and so he gave it to him.

She thought that even though he had been pestering her relentlessly and acting like a madman, and that he had done those things with her, he still cared about her to some extent—or at least he didn't hate her as much as before.

But it didn't.

It turns out she was just being delusional.

In his heart, she might not even be considered a trinket, and he wouldn't feel a pang of heartache if he gave her away to someone else.

But she couldn't stay in the Second Prince's residence; she had to find a way to escape and then shamelessly return to the East Palace.

Huai Jiao was still waiting for her there.

She didn't come home all night, and when the child woke up and couldn't see her, he would probably cry.

I wonder if Lingzhi can appease him?

Yan Qingci gave a forced smile: "Your Highness is truly generous."

"It's just about brotherly affection and respect."

Yan Chenghui remained indifferent.

"You can draw up your own path in business; I'm not a stingy person. But I advise you to leave yourself a way out, because you might end up in my hands one day."

Yan Qingci was unwilling and looked up at him.

As long as my father doesn't find out, paying a higher price is worthwhile.

"Wouldn't that make me collude with those corrupt and lawless people?"

Yan Chenghui asked in return.

If he agrees, it will give Yan Qingci leverage over him, and the situation will immediately turn around.

Yan Qingci, having been seen through, remained silent with a cold expression.

"It's getting late, Second Brother, go and check on your sister-in-law and the child."

After saying this, Yan Chenghui got up and left without looking back.

Cen Lingyi heard a "bang" and was startled. It seemed that Yan Qingci in the study had smashed something on the table.

After leaving the Second Prince's residence, Yan Chenghui rode his horse for a while, then suddenly pulled on the reins.

"Your Highness."

Yun Que reined in his horse and stopped beside him.

"Have someone send the horse back."

Yan Chenghui jumped off his horse and threw the reins to him.

"Is Your Highness going to the Second Prince's residence to keep watch?"

Yun Que tossed the reins to his subordinate and followed.

Yan Chenghui remained silent and walked quickly back.

"Your Highness, I have already sent men to guard the Second Prince's residence. As soon as the young lady appears, we will receive news immediately."

Yun Que hurriedly said.

Yan Chenghui's pace actually quickened.

"If Your Highness is truly worried, I will stay here..."

Yun Que wanted to persuade him again.

"Has Yan Qingci's residence been searched inside and out?"

Yan Chenghui suddenly asked him.

"Yes," Yun Que said. "I had my men secretly search the Second Prince's residence thoroughly. Only the study we just saw was there; the Second Prince has been inside ever since he returned and we didn't search it. By the way, before Your Highness arrived, Lu Huaiyou also went into that study. Did Your Highness see him?"

Yan Chenghui abruptly stopped and turned to look at him: "Are you sure?"

"Yes, that's what my subordinate reported. Lu Huaiyou entered the Second Prince's study about fifteen minutes before you came in."

Yun Que was quite certain.

Yan Chenghui pondered for a moment: "Send more people to surround the study."

The fact that he saw Lu Huaiyou in the study indicates that there was a secret room in that study.

"Yes."

Yun Que understood and immediately made the arrangements.

The figures of the master and servant disappeared into the darkness of the Second Prince's residence.

in the secret room.

"Go and invite the Second Prince in. I have a few requests. If he agrees, I will grant them and become your inside man in the Eastern Palace."

Cen Lingyi looked at Lu Huaiyou, her eyes shining with sincerity and clarity in the dim candlelight, making it easy for people to believe her words.

She calmed down and organized her thoughts.

Unable to rely on Yan Chenghui, she had to rely on herself to escape.

"it is good."

Lu Huaiyou had no suspicions and got up to go outside.

Cen Lingyi watched as he pressed something on the wall, and a small door appeared in the perfectly sealed wall.

It was still pitch black outside the small door; there must be another door outside.

She sat there patiently without moving, listening intently.

The sound of a door opening came from outside twice; there were actually three doors leading from this secret room to the outside.

Let alone her, even someone with exceptional skills would have no chance of breaking out by brute force if locked up.

She heard Lu Huaiyou seemingly saying something to Yan Qingci, but his voice was too soft to hear clearly.

A moment later, the sound of two people's footsteps came towards her.

Cen Lingyi took a deep breath to relax her tense body and tried her best to control her rapid heartbeat.

"Lord Lu, please don't come in yet. I have something to say to the Second Prince in private."

She parted her lips slightly.

"Jiaojiao..."

Lu Huaiyou frowned, still worried.

He didn't want Cen Lingyi to be alone with any man.

The second prince was also a man.

"Go outside and wait."

Yan Qingci gave him instructions.

Lu Huaiyou was unwilling, but dared not disobey him, so he turned around and walked out.

Yan Qingci entered the secret room.

He stood there, looking at Cen Lingyi, his hands twirling prayer beads, showing no pity, but rather a condescending attitude.

"What do you want to say to me?"

Cen Lingyi's long, dark eyelashes fluttered gently as she looked up at him with her deep black eyes.

"I'd like to ask Your Highness, what benefits would I receive if I helped you?"

A perfectly measured glint of greed and anticipation flashed in her eyes.

What do you want?

Yan Qingci twirled her prayer beads and chuckled.

Cen Lingyi must have overheard his conversation with Yan Chenghui in the study.

Yan Chenghui was so ruthless, so it was no surprise that Cen Lingyi turned to him. With no one else behind her, Cen Lingyi should remain utterly loyal to him.

"I don't know the whereabouts of my family. Can Your Highness help me find them?"

Cen Lingyi tilted her head and asked him.

"You should have heard that I never mistreat my subordinates."

Yan Qingci did not give a direct answer.

"I wonder if Your Highness dislikes that I have given birth to another man's child?"

Cen Lingyi looked straight at him without any attempt to hide her gaze.

"You want to join my inner quarters?"

Yan Qingci raised an eyebrow.

"I have to plan for my own and my child's future." Cen Lingyi tilted her head to look at him, her eyebrows curving slightly. "If Your Highness succeeds, I can also enter the palace in the future. Even if Your Highness fails, I will never have to worry about food and clothing if I follow Your Highness for the rest of my life."

"You're quite clever." Yan Qingci smiled again, his gaze on her face slightly narrowing. "My fifth brother has good taste; your appearance is impeccable."

"Does Your Highness agree to my request?"

Cen Lingyi stood up. With her delicate eyebrows, bright eyes, and slender waist, she was still breathtakingly beautiful even without elaborate attire, all under the dim candlelight.

"nature."

Yan Qingci curled one corner of her lips into a smile.

Cen Lingyi is a pragmatic person.

Whether he has one more woman or one less in his harem is of no concern to him.

Even if it was just to annoy Yan Chenghui, he would still accept Cen Lingyi.

"I only have these two requests. Does Your Highness agree to both?"

Cen Lingyi's dark eyes were smiling, and her fair face was dazzlingly beautiful.

She took a step forward, her hands clenched in her palms. The slight pain kept her calm as she carefully considered her options.

She only has one chance, and she must wait for the right moment to make her move.

"Can."

Yan Qingci readily agreed.

"Does Your Highness keep your word?"

Cen Lingyi raised her chin, her words and actions displaying a charming coquettishness, yet also a hint of disbelief.

"I never break my word."

Yan Qingci immediately replied.

"I believe Your Highness, but words are not enough."

Cen Lingyi lowered her eyes, but a smile remained on her face.

"What do you want? Do you want me to draw up a document for you?"

Yan Qingci frowned.

"There's no need for that." Cen Lingyi turned to the side and said softly with a smile, "Your Highness, please kiss me. At least it will prove that Your Highness doesn't dislike me."

Her posture appeared shy, but in reality, her eyes were constantly on Yan Qingci, watching his every move.

Yan Qingci hadn't expected her to bring this up: "That's easy."

He smiled, looking smug, and slowly approached her.