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

Jiang Jingchen whispered in her ear, "It's Huaijin, your little cousin, he's five years old. You probably haven't met him yet..."

Just then, a round little dumpling rushed out of the house and almost bumped into Su Yaoyao's leg.

The little one looked up, blinked her big, dark grape-like eyes, and asked in a childish voice, "Are you a big sister?"

Su Yaoyao squatted down to look him in the eye: "Yes. You're Huaijin?"

Jiang Huaijin nodded vigorously, then suddenly stretched out her little hand and pulled out a pastry wrapped in a handkerchief from her bosom, handing it to her: "Grandma said that eldest sister likes to eat osmanthus cake, so I... I secretly hid one for you."

The pastry was a little broken, and there were sugar crumbs stuck to the handkerchief.

Looking into those clear eyes, Su Yaoyao's heart softened completely.

"Thank you, Huaijin." She took the pastry and took a small bite.

Very sweet.

It was so sweet it made my eyes burn.

"Slender and graceful..."

An old, trembling voice came from ahead.

Su Yaoyao raised her head.

Two elderly people were standing under the eaves.

My maternal grandfather, Grand Tutor Jiang, was dressed in a simple blue robe. His hair and beard were all white, and he was thin but stood very straight.

He leaned on his cane, looking at her with a complex expression—a mixture of heartache, guilt, and a hidden authority.

Beside him, supported by a maid, was his maternal grandmother, Madam Jiang.

The elderly woman was wearing a deep purple jacket and skirt, her hair was gray, and her face was full of kindness.

She looked at Su Yaoyao, her lips trembling, tears falling silently.

"Grandfather...Grandmother..." Su Yaoyao stood up and walked over step by step.

With each step I take, my memory becomes clearer.

When she was little, her maternal grandmother would hold her in the yard to bask in the sun and tell her funny stories about her mother's childhood. Her maternal grandfather would hold her hand and teach her to write, praising her as "just like your mother, so smart."

Later... how did we drift apart?

"Child..." Old Madam Jiang finally couldn't hold back and stepped forward to hug her tightly.

"My slender figure... has lost weight, so much weight..."

Su Yaoyao leaned against the old lady's chest, smelling the familiar, warm scent with a faint medicinal fragrance, and finally couldn't hold back her tears.

The original owner's lingering emotions surged forth like a tide—the missing care from those years, the unspoken grievances, all found a home at this moment.

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back..."

Grandma Jiang patted her back repeatedly, saying, "From now on, this is your home, and no one can bully you anymore."

Grand Tutor Jiang walked over, leaning on his cane, and said in a low voice, "Let's go inside first, don't stand in the wind."

His tone remained serious, but Su Yaoyao noticed that his hand holding the cane was trembling slightly.

----

Inside the main hall, the charcoal fire was burning brightly.

Su Yaoyao was made to sit down next to Old Madam Jiang, with a hand warmer stuffed into her arms.

Jiang Wan Ning sat next to her, chattering about the interesting things happening in the mansion.

Jiang Huaijin lay on Song's lap, his big eyes fixed on Su Yaoyao.

The maids filed in, bringing out various snacks: osmanthus cake, almond shortbread, jujube and yam cake... all of which she loved to eat when she was a child.

"Try this." Old Madam Jiang personally placed a piece of jujube and yam cake on her plate. "I remember your mother loved to eat this when she was little."

Su Yaoyao took a bite, and the sweet and glutinous texture melted on her tongue.

"tasty."

"Eat more if you like it," Madam Song said with a smile. "You're too thin; you need to eat more. Your aunt has asked the kitchen to make some black chicken soup, which will be delivered later."

Jiang Jingchen sat opposite Su Yaoyao, his eyes full of gentle smiles.

"Jingchen told me about your auditing of the accounts," Grand Tutor Jiang suddenly spoke, his voice serious. "What do you plan to do about Lady Liu?"

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Su Yaoyao put down her chopsticks and said seriously, "Grandfather, I must get back my mother's dowry. And what Aunt Liu has misappropriated over the years, I will get back with interest."

Grand Tutor Jiang looked at her sharply: "Do you know that Consort Chen is backing Liu? Although the Second Prince has had intimate relations with that concubine's daughter, Consort Chen may not genuinely accept Liu. If you push too hard, you may bring trouble upon yourself."

"Granddaughter understands." Su Yaoyao raised her eyes, her gaze firm. "But that's precisely why we must act decisively. If we wait for Consort Chen to free up her hands to help Aunt Liu, things will become even more difficult."

A hint of approval flashed in Grand Tutor Jiang's eyes.

This girl... is definitely different now.

"Jingchen will help you find out the details of the ledger," he said slowly.

"As for Brother Liu's gambling debt... I have already sent word that it must be paid off within three days. Otherwise, the Court of Judicial Review will arrest him on charges of 'extortion of officials' families'."

Su Yaoyao felt a warmth in her heart: "Thank you, maternal grandfather."

"What are you thanking me for?"

Old Madam Jiang held her hand, her eyes reddening again. "It's our Jiang family that failed to protect you... If we had been more assertive in the past and brought you back directly, you wouldn't have suffered so much injustice."

"Grandmother, it's all in the past now," Su Yaoyao comforted softly.

"Yes, yes, it's all in the past," Jiang Wanning said with a grin, leaning closer.

"From now on, sister, you'll live at home. I'll take you to the garden, to see operas, and to buy clothes! Oh, and in a few days, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is having a plum blossom viewing banquet. That boy Xie Yu said he absolutely has to invite you!"

"Young General Xie?" The young man had been summoned away by the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion on his way back, and no one knew what had happened...

"Yeah, that kid's always been following his brother around since he was little." Jiang Wan Ning blinked. "Yesterday he even came over to ask me what kind of snacks you like to eat."

Jiang Jingchen shook his head helplessly: "Wan Ning, don't talk nonsense."

"I'm not talking nonsense!" Jiang Wan Ning stuck out her tongue. "Xie Yu's thoughts are written all over his face."

Just as they were talking and laughing, the butler's voice suddenly came from outside:

"Grandpa, Madam, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."

There was silence in the hall.

Grand Tutor Jiang and Jiang Jingchen exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.

The Crown Prince... why are you here at this time?

Su Yaoyao subconsciously touched the Buddhist prayer beads on her wrist.

The sandalwood beads are cool, yet they seem to still retain the warmth of someone.

Grand Tutor Jiang stood up and straightened his robes: "Please come in quickly."

Before the words were finished, a cool and aloof figure stepped into the hall.

Xiao Chenyuan was dressed in a moon-white casual robe today, with a dark black cloak over it, and the collar was trimmed with silver fox fur.

Her black hair was tied up with a jade crown, and her expression remained normal, except that her gaze paused slightly as she swept across the hall.