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

"What's wrong?" Su Yaoyao lifted the car curtain.

The coachman's face turned pale: "Miss, there's a carriage blocking the road ahead..."

Su Yaoyao looked up.

In the snow, a black carriage lay across the middle of the road. There were no insignia on the carriage, but the four horses pulling it were all rare and fine steeds.

The carriage curtain was drawn, obscuring the people inside.

The Awakening of Insects and Grain Rain immediately went on alert.

Just then, the curtain of the carriage was lifted by a slender hand.

Xiao Chenyuan sat in the carriage, dressed in a dark brocade robe, his expression calm, his eyes sweeping over indifferently.

"Miss Su."

He spoke, his voice clear and cool, "Skilled."

Su Yaoyao's heart skipped a beat.

skillful?

This road is the only way to get from the Grand Tutor's residence back to the Yongning Marquis's residence.

Was he waiting for her here on purpose?

"This humble woman pays her respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince."

She alighted from the carriage and curtsied in the snow.

Snowflakes fell on her hair and shoulders, and her snow-white cloak made her skin look even whiter than snow.

The Buddhist prayer beads on her wrist slipped out from her sleeve, the sandalwood beads gleaming warmly in the snow.

Xiao Chenyuan's gaze lingered on the string of Buddhist beads for a moment.

"Get in the car."

He said calmly, "I have something to ask you."

Ling Feng immediately brought over a footstool.

Su Yaoyao hesitated for a moment, but still got into his carriage.

The interior of the vehicle was spacious, covered with thick plush carpets, and the charcoal brazier was burning brightly, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. A tea set sat on a small table, its aroma of tea wafting through the air.

Xiao Chenyuan gestured for her to sit down.

"What does Your Highness wish to ask?" Su Yaoyao sat down opposite him, her eyelashes lowered.

Xiao Chenyuan did not speak immediately.

He picked up the teacup, gently blew away the foam, his movements calm and elegant.

The carriage moved slowly, crunching through the snow with a soft creaking sound.

"You've returned to the Marquis's residence to settle scores with Lady Liu?" he finally asked.

Su Yaoyao nodded: "Yes."

Are you confident?

"Yes." Su Yaoyao looked up at him. "Your Highness... are you concerned about me?"

Xiao Chenyuan twirled his fingertips—the place remained empty.

"Your teacher entrusted you with their care and protection."

His voice was calm. "If something happens to you, I won't be able to explain myself."

Is that all?

Su Yaoyao's heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly asked, "Your Highness, you waited here specifically to ask this?"

Xiao Chenyuan looked up at her.

Eyes facing each other.

His eyes were deep, like a cold pool, yet they reflected the light of charcoal fire, giving them a strange warmth.

"Su Yaoyao," he said slowly, "do you know that Consort Chen isn't the only one behind Lady Liu?"

Su Yaoyao was taken aback: "What does Your Highness mean?"

Xiao Chenyuan took a piece of paper from his sleeve and pushed it in front of her.

It is a list.

The list included several names: some were court officials, some were merchants, and some were...江湖人士 (jianghu figures).

"Liu's brother, Liu Dafu, has done more than just gambling over the years," Xiao Chenyuan said in a slightly cold voice. "He also lends money at exorbitant interest rates, runs underground gambling dens, and buys and sells official titles. These... are all his 'business partners.'"

Su Yaoyao looked at those names, and her heart sank.

She guessed that Aunt Liu was not simple, but she never expected... to be involved so deeply.

"You've touched the Liu family's purse strings, which is tantamount to cutting off their source of income." Xiao Chenyuan looked at her. "They won't let this go easily."

"So, Your Highness came today..." Su Yaoyao raised her eyes, "to warn this humble woman?"

"It's a reminder," Xiao Chenyuan corrected. "Since you're wearing my Buddhist beads, it's my responsibility to protect you."

He spoke frankly, but Su Yaoyao sensed something else in his words.

responsibility?

Is it just a matter of responsibility?

"Then what does Your Highness think I should do?" She tilted her head to look at him, a sly glint in her eyes. "Back down? Give away your mother's dowry?"

Looking into her bright eyes, Xiao Chenyuan suddenly asked:

"What if I say, is that so?"

Su Yaoyao smiled.

That smile was bright and unrestrained, like a red plum blossom blooming in the snow.

"Then all I can say is..." She stood up, walked to him, and leaned closer, "Your Highness has mistaken me for someone else."

The two were very close.

Xiao Chenyuan was so close that he could smell the faint fragrance of plum blossoms on her body and see the fine snowflakes on her long eyelashes.

"This woman of mine..."

Su Yaoyao whispered, her breath brushing against his ear, "I hate it when people take my things away from me."

"If you steal something, you have to get it back tenfold or a hundredfold."

She straightened up, her eyes gleaming with a determined light:

"If Your Highness is worried about trouble, it's not too late to take back the prayer beads now."

Xiao Chenyuan looked at her in silence.

After a long while, he suddenly reached out and grasped her wrist.

The palms are warm, the fingertips have thin calluses, and the touch is distinct.

Su Yaoyao's heart skipped a beat.

Xiao Chenyuan gently stroked the Buddhist prayer beads on her wrist with his thumb, his voice as low as a sigh:

"Once something is given away, there's no reason to take it back."

He released her hand, took something out of his pocket, and handed it to her.

It is a small jade pendant, pure white, carved with intricate cloud patterns, and the character "渊" is engraved on the front.

"This is my token," Xiao Chenyuan said calmly.

"If there is any danger, show this token and you can summon the Crown Prince's guards."

Su Yaoyao took the jade pendant; it felt warm and smooth to the touch.

"Your Highness..."

She looked up at him, a sly glint in her eyes. "Why are you so kind to me?"

Xiao Chenyuan turned his gaze away and looked at the snow falling outside the window.

The Buddha said, "Saving one life is better than building a seven-story pagoda."

He paused, his voice even lower:

"Besides... you're wearing my Buddhist prayer beads."

The carriage stopped in front of the Yongning Marquis's residence.

She got out of the car and walked to the door, but then she heard Xiao Chenyuan's voice:

"Miss Su."

She turned around.

Xiao Chenyuan took out the plain embroidered pouch from his sleeve and gently shook it:

"I have received the sachet."

His voice was low, yet it reached her ears clearly:

"It smells very good."

Su Yaoyao's heart skipped a beat.

She smiled slightly:

"I'm glad Your Highness is pleased."

After saying that, he quickly left.

Su Yaoyao gripped the jade pendant in her hand and then stroked the Buddhist prayer beads on her wrist.

A slow smile crept onto his lips.

"The Buddha's disciple descends from the altar..."

She murmured to herself, her eyes gleaming:

"interesting."

The snow is getting heavier.

In the distance, inside a carriage.

Xiao Chenyuan closed his eyes, his fingertips unconsciously twirling.

It was empty there, yet it seemed as if the warmth of her wrist still lingered...

"Your Highness," Ling Feng's voice came, "Should we take action against Liu Dafu?"

Xiao Chenyuan opened his eyes, his gaze deep and intense.

"Wait a little longer," he said slowly.

"Let her...play for a while."

He stroked the sachet in his arms.

Calming incense?

He has trouble sleeping... How did she know?

Was it that day in the Sutra Pavilion that she noticed the blue shadow under his eyes?

Or...did she inquire about it on purpose?

Ling Feng looked at his master's appearance.

As is customary, His Highness would return anything sent by a woman.

But this time...

It seems that Miss Su's secret guards will need to be doubled in number from now on.