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

Inside Qingyin Pavilion, candlelight shone brightly.

The Empress sat upright at the head of the table, holding a teacup in her hand, but her gaze fell on Su Yaoyao at the lower table.

Her niece gave her too many surprises today.

At the palace banquet, his performance of feigning retreat and appearing pitiful had already impressed her.

Just now, the nanny came to report that the Crown Prince had personally gone to the side hall and resolved the trouble there...

A profound meaning flashed in the Empress's eyes.

She dismissed everyone around her, leaving only Su Yaoyao alone.

"What do you think of today's events?" the Empress asked, her voice devoid of emotion.

Su Yaoyao lowered her eyes: "Your Majesty, someone is trying to harm me."

Do you know who it is?

"I know what I'm doing." Su Yaoyao raised her eyes and looked at the Empress. "I just don't have any evidence."

The Empress smiled.

That smile carried a hint of approval and a hint of calculation.

The Queen took her hand and led her to sit down beside her.

"I'm sorry you had to go through all this." The Empress gently patted the back of her hand, her voice filled with tenderness. "Those despicable methods, they even dared to use them at a palace banquet. Don't worry, your aunt will definitely give you an explanation."

"Thank you for your concern, Aunt." Su Yaoyao lowered her eyes and spoke softly, "Yaoyao is not wronged, it's just... I've caused you trouble, Aunt."

"Silly child, what are you talking about, trouble or not?" The Empress looked at her meek and obedient appearance, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. "You are the only bloodline left by your sister. If your aunt doesn't love you, who will?"

She paused, then changed the subject: "But Yaoyao, as you've seen, this palace... is never peaceful. Today it's the dancer who drugged you, who knows what will happen tomorrow. You're a young lady alone, without anyone to rely on, you'll ultimately suffer."

Su Yaoyao raised her eyes, her gaze clear: "What Aunt means is..."

She paused, then changed the subject: "What do you think of the Crown Prince's situation?"

finally come.

Su Yaoyao understood, but a hint of shyness appeared on her face: "Your Highness the Crown Prince... is aloof and otherworldly, I dare not speak presumptuously."

"He may be aloof, but he's still a man."

The Empress patted the back of her hand, lowering her voice, "Yaoyao, you are a smart child. You should know why your aunt wanted you to get close to the Crown Prince."

"Although the Crown Prince was raised under my name, he is ultimately not my biological son. In recent years, he has devoted himself to Buddhism and abstained from women, leaving the Eastern Palace vacant. Although His Majesty has not said anything, there are already complaints in the court—how can a Crown Prince who is unwilling to marry and have children inherit the throne?"

Su Yaoyao listened quietly, understanding dawning on her mind.

"But you are different." The Queen looked at her, her eyes sharp.

"You are the Grand Tutor's granddaughter and my own nephew; your status is sufficient. More importantly... the Crown Prince seemed to treat you differently today."

Su Yaoyao lowered her head at the opportune moment, revealing a shy expression: "Your Highness... is merely pitying this humble woman for being bullied."

"Whether it's pity or something else," the Empress patted her hand. "Yaoyao, as long as you catch the Crown Prince's eye and bear his child, the position of Crown Princess... and even the future, will be yours."

She stroked Su Yaoyao's hand and patted it gently.

"Only if the Crown Prince's position is secure can my and Yi'er's positions be secure. Yi'er is still young and frail... How many eyes are watching us in the palace and the court?" The Empress sighed, a look of weariness flashing in her eyes.

"Consort Chen has been making a lot of moves lately, and your father is a fence-sitter. If the Second Prince really gains power, none of us will have an easy time."

Su Yaoyao raised her eyes and looked at the undisguised scheming and anxiety in the Empress's eyes, and sneered inwardly.

Indeed, in the face of power, all kinship is meaningless.

This aunt only remembered her niece because she saw that she had some use to her.

But... that's perfect.

It's simply a matter of each getting what they need.

"Don't worry, Auntie." Su Yaoyao smiled gently. "Yaoyao knows what to do."

The Queen nodded in satisfaction: "Good child. However..."

She frowned slightly: "The Second Prince is ultimately a problem. Your engagement was personally bestowed by His Majesty; if you want to dissolve it, unless..."

Before he finished speaking, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall.

Then came the panicked voice of the head palace maid:

"Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened! There's been an accident at the side hall!"

The Empress's face darkened: "What is it? Explain yourself!"

"It was...it was the Second Prince...and the Second Miss Su..." The palace maid's voice trembled. "They were discovered...in...in one place...disheveled..."

"What?!" The Empress suddenly stood up.

Su Yaoyao also stood up, her face showing a timely expression of shock and heartache.

But a knowing smile flashed in his lowered eyes.

The Empress hurriedly walked out, but after a few steps she turned back: "Yaoyao, you..."

"Aunt, please go quickly," Su Yaoyao said softly. "This humble woman...this humble woman will be there shortly."

The Empress seemed to understand something, and glanced at Su Yaoyao with admiration in her eyes.

They left in a hurry with their entourage.

Silence returned to the hall.

Su Yaoyao walked to the window and pushed it open halfway.

A night breeze swept in, ruffling the stray hairs on her cheeks.

She looked towards the side hall, where the faint sounds of people making noise could already be heard.

A cold smile slowly curved his lips.

"Auntie, there's no need to worry..."

She murmured to herself, her fingertips tracing the dangling prayer beads beside her ear:

"Look, isn't this going to be a 'good show'?"

"As for the engagement..."

She turned around and looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes sparkling and her smile radiant.

"Soon... that won't be a problem anymore."