The abstinent prince, practicing Buddhism, is seduced by a voluptuous beauty into breaking his vows.

Holding the outer robe still imbued with the scent of sandalwood, Su Yaoyao hadn't even had a chance to savor this "trophy" when there was a gentle knock on the door of the side hall.

"Miss Su."

It was a palace maid's voice: "This servant has come to serve His Highness the Crown Prince on his orders."

That's really efficient.

Su Yaoyao carefully folded the moon-white outer robe and hid it inside the bundle of new clothes before replying, "Come in."

The door opened, and a pretty palace maid walked in with her head down, carrying a complete set of clothes—from inner garments to outer robes, everything was there.

"After you have changed your clothes, please follow me to Qingyin Pavilion." The palace maid's voice was respectful. "Her Majesty the Empress is waiting for you there."

Su Yaoyao raised an eyebrow.

Qingyin Pavilion? That's a secluded palace garden not far from the banquet.

It seems that her aunt didn't want anyone to know about this private meeting.

"Thank you for your trouble." Su Yaoyao smiled, picked up the clothes, and went behind the screen.

Inside the screen, Su Yaoyao changed her clothes while thinking rapidly.

The fact that the Empress met with her alone at this time was definitely not simple.

The Empress must have already noticed something amiss during the banquet just now.

In addition, Xiao Chenyuan's rare intervention...

This aunt is probably getting restless.

I just don't know how far this aunt is willing to go for her.

----

At the banquet, the music continued as usual, and toasts were exchanged.

But many people's minds are no longer on the singing, dancing and drinking.

Su Yun'er fidgeted, clutching her wine cup nervously, her eyes frequently drifting towards the outside of the hall.

Why is there still no movement?

The man she arranged should have succeeded by now.

Even if Su Yaoyao manages to escape by sheer luck, she should at least make some noise...

But the side hall was quiet.

She was getting anxious when she suddenly saw the head maidservant beside the empress whisper a few words in the empress's ear.

The Empress's expression changed almost imperceptibly. She then stood up, said to everyone, "I am a little tired and will go to change my clothes for a while," and left the room with her entourage.

Su Yun'er's heart skipped a beat.

The Empress went too?!

Could it be... that things have escalated? Is the Empress going to clean up Su Yaoyao's mess?

No!

If the Empress intends to protect her and suppress the matter, then wouldn't all her efforts today have been in vain?

No!

She had gone to great lengths to set this up, and she absolutely couldn't let Su Yaoyao have a chance to turn the tables!

Su Yun'er gritted her teeth and glanced at the Second Prince Xiao Qiming, who was drinking and laughing with someone not far away.

She took a deep breath, put on a tearful expression, and got up to walk over.

"Your Highness..." She gently tugged at Xiao Qiming's sleeve.

Xiao Qiming turned around and saw that her eyes were red. He frowned and asked, "What's wrong?"

"I...I'm worried about my sister..." Su Yun'er's voice trembled with tears. "My sister went to change her clothes, and she hasn't come back for almost half an hour. Just now...just now I think I saw a man going towards the side hall..."

Xiao Qiming's face darkened: "What?"

"I...I don't know if I saw it wrong..." Su Yun'er said timidly, "But my sister hasn't come back for so long, I'm afraid something might have happened to her...Your Highness, should we go and check on her?"

Xiao Qiming was already resentful of Su Yaoyao's "abnormal" behavior today, and when he heard Su Yun'er say this, he immediately became furious.

That shameless woman! Could she really dare to have a secret rendezvous with someone at a palace banquet?!

"Let's go!" He grabbed Su Yun'er's hand. "This prince wants to see what she's up to!"

The two left together without attracting much attention.

After all, it was no secret that the Second Prince favored the concubine's daughter from the Su family.

Outside the side hall, all was quiet.

The door was ajar, and there were no lights inside.

Su Yun'er was overjoyed—this quietness meant it must have succeeded! After getting what he wanted, that man was probably...

"Your Highness, the door isn't closed..." she whispered a reminder.

Xiao Qiming's face turned ashen. He raised his foot and kicked the door open with a "bang"!

Several pieces of women's clothing were scattered on the ground—the flowing brocade, the very outfit Su Yaoyao was wearing today.

The screen fell to the ground, spilling most of the water from the bathtub.

a mess.

But... there was no one there.

Su Yun'er was stunned.

What about people?

Where is the man she arranged?! Where is Su Yaoyao?!

"Su Yaoyao!" Xiao Qiming roared, "Get out here for me!"

No one answered.

Only the night breeze drifted through the open window, causing the curtains to sway gently.

Su Yun'er walked inside unwillingly.

She didn't believe it! How could someone just disappear?!

Could it be... that Su Yaoyao sensed something was wrong and ran away?

Or was it that the man was incompetent?

She didn't notice that the door behind her was gently closed by the night breeze.

They didn't even notice that the gilded incense burner in the corner, which had been extinguished, had started to emit wisps of smoke again.

Su Yun'er suddenly felt a little dizzy.

Xiao Qiming stood by the door and suddenly felt a bit hot.

He tugged at his collar, his tone growing increasingly impatient: "Su Yun'er, what exactly do you want to see? She's not here..."

Before he could finish speaking, his gaze suddenly stopped.

Beside the pile of wet clothes on the ground, there was a light pink undershirt.

It's very thin and transparent.

After being soaked in water, the embroidered twin lotus pattern underneath is almost visible.

Xiao Qiming's Adam's apple bobbed.

He suddenly remembered the sight of Su Yaoyao's soaked dress clinging to her body at the banquet earlier.

That curve... was breathtaking.

And when she looked up at him, her eyes, filled with tears, shone with an astonishing brightness.

How come he never noticed before... that good-for-nothing actually...

"Your Highness?" Su Yun'er turned around and saw him standing still, so she called out in confusion.

But when she saw Xiao Qiming's expression, her heart sank.

Why is his face so red?

His eyes looked a little off...

"Your Highness, are you feeling unwell?" Su Yun'er quickly stepped forward, wanting to help him out.

But as soon as her hand touched Xiao Qiming's arm, he grabbed it with his own.

The grip was so strong that it made her wrist ache.

"Your Highness?" Su Yun'er panicked.

Xiao Qiming stared at her, his eyes glazed over, his breathing heavy: "Yun'er...you look...so beautiful today..."

"Your Highness, what are you saying..." Su Yun'er tried to pull her hand away, but he gripped it even tighter.

The sweet aroma grew stronger and stronger.

Su Yun'er gradually felt dizzy and a strange heat surged deep within her body.

She suddenly realized—this was the sleeping potion she had asked someone to prepare! How could this be…

But it was too late.

Xiao Qiming had already drunk quite a bit of wine, and now, stimulated by the sweet aroma, he felt a surge of heat rising from his lower abdomen.

He pulled her into his arms, his hot breath brushing against her neck.

"Yun'er... let me pamper you properly..."

"No... Your Highness... You can't..." Su Yun'er pushed him away in a panic, but her strength was waning and her body was becoming weaker and weaker.

In her hazy state, she heard the sound of clothes tearing.

There was also the soft click of the door being gently locked from the outside.