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

Su Yaoyao briefly recounted what happened at the palace banquet that day—

"I see." Grand Tutor Jiang nodded. "Your Highness is benevolent."

Xiao Chenyuan shook his head: "It was my oversight that caused Miss Su to be frightened."

He paused, then suddenly asked:

"Is Miss Su settling in well at the Grand Tutor's residence?"

That question came out of nowhere.

Su Yaoyao was taken aback, then replied, "Your Highness, my maternal grandparents' family treats me very well, and I am quite used to it."

"That's good." Xiao Chenyuan picked up his teacup, but his gaze fell on Jiang Jingchen.

"Lord Jiang is currently serving in the Dali Temple, and must be very busy with official duties. Miss Su is new to the capital; if there is anything you can help her with, please..."

He didn't finish his sentence.

But the meaning is obvious.

A hint of surprise flashed in Jiang Jingchen's eyes, then he said respectfully:

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Yaoyao is my cousin, and I will take good care of her."

"Cousin..." Xiao Chenyuan repeated the two words, his voice very low.

He looked up at Su Yaoyao:

"You call him cousin?"

Su Yaoyao was taken aback: "...Yes."

Is there a problem with this?

Xiao Chenyuan didn't speak again, but slowly turned the teacup in his hand.

The atmosphere inside the hall suddenly became somewhat subtle.

Grand Tutor Jiang glanced at Xiao Chenyuan, then at Su Yaoyao, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.

Jiang Wan Ning looked at this and then at that, and suddenly had a flash of inspiration. She quietly tugged at Su Yao Yao's sleeve and mouthed:

"Your Highness is jealous."

Su Yaoyao's heart skipped a beat.

Jealous?

How could that be...?

But when she looked up at Xiao Chenyuan, she found that he had his eyelashes lowered and his expression was not clear.

"Your Highness," Grand Tutor Jiang spoke up at the opportune moment.

"It's getting late. If Your Highness has nothing else to do, why don't you stay for a meal? The kitchen just happens to have prepared some black chicken soup, which is Yaoyao's favorite."

That's a clever way of putting it.

It both offered a way out and... had a hidden meaning.

Xiao Chenyuan raised his eyes and looked at Su Yaoyao: "Miss Su, are you staying for the meal as well?"

Su Yaoyao nodded: "Yes."

"Then..." he paused, "I will trouble you then."

Dinner was served in the flower hall.

Because of Xiao Chenyuan's presence, the banquet was arranged more elaborately than usual, but it still maintained the elegant style of the Grand Tutor's residence.

The dishes were exquisite, yet not extravagant.

Su Yaoyao was placed next to Jiang Wanning, facing Xiao Chenyuan.

During the meal, Madam Jiang kept putting food on Su Yaoyao's plate, saying, "Yaoyao, eat more. Look how thin you are."

"Grandma, that's enough, that's enough..." Su Yaoyao looked at the mountain of food piled up in her bowl, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"Eat more, it's good." Jiang Taifu rarely smiled. "A girl looks better when she's a little plump."

These were ordinary words, but Xiao Chenyuan suddenly paused.

Jiang Jingchen served Su Yaoyao another bowl of chicken soup. "Yaoyao, this was specially made for you. Drink it while it's hot."

"Thank you, cousin! Yaoyao will definitely drink it all!" Su Yaoyao replied sweetly, enveloped in a deep sense of family affection—an experience she had never had in her previous life.

Old Madam Jiang kept putting food on her plate, Jiang Wan Ning chattered about interesting things, Jiang Huai Jin ate diligently while clinging to the edge of her bowl, Madam Song smiled gently, Jiang Jing Chen occasionally chimed in, and although Grand Tutor Jiang was serious, there was a smile in his eyes.

The family banquet at the Grand Tutor's residence was warm and lively.

Xiao Chenyuan sat in the main seat and ate his meal quietly.

He ate very little, moved gracefully, and made almost no sound.

He would only give a brief reply when Grand Tutor Jiang spoke to him occasionally.

Halfway through dinner, it suddenly started snowing outside.

Fine snowflakes fluttered and danced in the glow of the lanterns.

"It's snowing!" Jiang Huaijin excitedly ran to the window. "Sister, look!"

Su Yaoyao also walked to the window and stretched out her hand.

A snowflake landed in her palm, melting instantly, leaving a cool sensation.

Be careful not to catch a cold.

Jiang Jingchen's voice sounded from behind her. He draped a cloak over her shoulders, "You're not well, don't stand for too long."

His movements were natural, and his tone was gentle.

Su Yaoyao turned around and smiled at him: "Thank you, cousin."

The snow outside the window was falling heavier and heavier.

Xiao Chenyuan had also walked to the window at some point and stood beside her.

He gazed at the swirling snowflakes and suddenly spoke in a low voice:

"That day in the side hall, you called me... also my cousin."

Su Yaoyao was confused by his seemingly random words.

"Your Highness...you..."

Xiao Chenyuan, however, changed the subject.

"Are you used to wearing the Buddhist prayer beads?"

Su Yaoyao was taken aback, then raised her wrist.

"It's a habit. It's just... the beads are a bit big, I'm afraid I'll lose them."

"It won't get lost."

Xiao Chenyuan said calmly, "This string of beads has recognized its owner."

Recognizing a master?

Su Yaoyao's heart stirred slightly, and she turned to look at him.

The candlelight illuminated his profile, while snowflakes danced behind him.

His eyes were as deep as a cold pool, yet they reflected her image.

"Your Highness..."

She had just opened her mouth when Jiang Jingchen's voice interrupted:

"Yaoyao, it's time to take your medicine. Bailu said you have to take it half an hour after meals."

Su Yaoyao snapped out of her daze: "Okay."

She curtsied to Xiao Chenyuan and said, "Your Highness, please enjoy your meal. I shall take my leave now."

Xiao Chenyuan watched her departing figure, remaining motionless for a long time.

"Your Highness."

Jiang Jingchen walked up to him without him noticing, his voice calm, "Yaoyao has suffered a lot these past years..."

Xiao Chenyuan turned to look at him.

The two men locked eyes.

"Your Highness is entrusted by your grandfather to take care of Yaoyao," Jiang Jingchen said slowly. "But Yaoyao is a girl of the Jiang family, and as her cousin, I will protect her."

He paused, his words carrying a pointed meaning:

"No matter who it is, we can't let her suffer any more injustice."

Xiao Chenyuan was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked:

"What kind of person does Lord Jiang think I am?"

Jiang Jingchen was taken aback.

"I have practiced Buddhism in solitude for many years, and have a pure and desireless mind."

Xiao Chenyuan gazed at the snow falling heavier and heavier outside the window, his voice as soft as a sigh, "But Buddha said that all beings are equal. Then why... are there some people who always make it difficult for cultivators to find peace of mind?"

After he finished speaking, he turned and walked out without waiting for Jiang Jingchen's reply.

"The snow is getting heavy; I should return to the palace."

Ling Feng quickly followed.

Jiang Jingchen stood by the window, watching that aloof figure disappear into the snow, his brows furrowing slightly.

After a long while, he muttered to himself:

"Your Highness, what exactly is wrong with you...?"

"Have I been tempted by worldly desires, or...?"

"Is there another motive?"

The snow fell silently.

Only the empty feeling around my wrist serves as a reminder of a certain fact—

Some things, once given away, can never be taken back.