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

The banquet hosted by the Empress was held in the largest pavilion in the Tangquan Palace, "Tingquan Pavilion".

The floor heater was warm, the palace lanterns were bright, and the soft sounds of string and bamboo instruments created a cozy atmosphere reminiscent of a family dinner.

When Su Yaoyao arrived, Xiao Qiming and Su Yun'er were already there.

The two sat side by side, and Su Yun'er was serving Xiao Qiming food with silver chopsticks, their actions intimate.

When Su Yaoyao came in, Xiao Qiming's eyes lit up, and he subconsciously sat up straighter.

Su Yun'er noticed this and paused almost imperceptibly with her silver chopsticks.

"This humble woman greets Your Majesty the Empress." Su Yaoyao curtsied.

The Empress sat in the main seat, exuding elegance and nobility.

She smiled and waved, "Yaoyao's here, come and sit down. We're all family today, no need for formalities."

Su Yaoyao obediently sat down in the lower seat—right across from Xiao Qiming and Su Yun'er.

The palace servants began serving dishes, all of which were exquisite specialties of Tangquan Palace.

"Are you settling in well, Yaoyao?" the Empress asked with concern. "The hot springs here are very nourishing. You're not very healthy, so soaking in them more often will be good for you."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Everything is fine," Su Yaoyao replied, her eyes lowered.

"That's good." The Empress paused, then asked seemingly casually, "By the way, why hasn't the Crown Prince arrived yet?"

No sooner had the words been spoken than a eunuch's voice came from outside:

"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"

Everyone inside the pavilion looked up.

The light gauze curtains were lifted by the palace servants, and Xiao Chenyuan walked in slowly.

Today he wore a moon-white casual robe with a matching cloak, and his dark hair was tied up with a white jade hairpin, his simple attire completely out of place with the luxurious atmosphere of the room.

But when he stepped into the pavilion, his aloof and solitary demeanor made all the splendor pale in comparison.

"Your Majesty, I am late. Please forgive me." He bowed slightly to the Empress.

"Please sit down," the Queen's smile deepened. "We've been waiting for you."

Xiao Chenyuan sat down next to Su Yaoyao—just one table away from her.

Su Yaoyao glanced at him sideways.

In the candlelight, his features were exquisite, his expression indifferent, but his eyes... were as deep as a cold pool, reflecting the flickering candlelight, giving him a breathtakingly handsome appearance.

She subconsciously touched the Buddhist prayer beads on her wrist.

Xiao Chenyuan's gaze lingered on the string of beads for a moment before shifting away.

"Your Majesty looks quite well today."

Xiao Qiming suddenly spoke, his tone deliberately warm, "I heard that Your Majesty has been troubled by the floods lately, you should come to Tangquan Palace to relax."

Xiao Chenyuan picked up his teacup and said calmly, "Second brother is very thoughtful."

"We're all brothers, it's only right," Xiao Qiming said with a smile, but his gaze drifted to Su Yaoyao. "Speaking of which, Yaoyao is here too. Royal brother, you don't know, do you? When Yaoyao was little, she was most afraid of the cold. Her hands and feet would be freezing cold in winter. It was me..."

"Your Highness is mistaken," Su Yaoyao interrupted him, her voice calm. "When I was a child, I was always warm-bodied and never felt cold."

Xiao Qiming's face stiffened.

Su Yun'er quickly smoothed things over: "Sister is right, His Highness must have misremembered. But Sister is indeed a bit weak right now, she should take good care of herself."

As she spoke, she looked at Xiao Chenyuan, her voice soft and gentle, "Your Highness, wouldn't you agree?"

Xiao Chenyuan raised his eyes and glanced at her.

Just one glance, and he was indifferent, aloof, and devoid of any emotion.

But this sent a chill down Su Yun'er's spine, and the rest of her words caught in her throat.

"Miss Su," Xiao Chenyuan said slowly, "one should not speak while eating or sleeping. It's best to speak as little as possible at a palace banquet."

That was a very blunt remark.

Su Yun'er's face turned pale instantly, her eyes reddened instantly, and she looked at Xiao Qiming with a wronged expression.

Xiao Qiming's expression was also not good: "Brother, Yun'er meant well..."

"Second brother," Xiao Chenyuan interrupted him, his voice still calm, yet carrying an invisible pressure.

"Do I really need to teach you the rule of not speaking while eating?"

The room was completely silent.

Even the music stopped.

The Empress held her teacup, lowered her eyes, and drank her tea, as if she hadn't heard anything.

Su Yaoyao picked up her silver chopsticks, took a bite of stir-fried vegetables, and chewed them slowly.

Hmm, it tastes good.

Xiao Qiming clenched his fists, staring intently at Xiao Chenyuan, his eyes flashing with jealousy and resentment.

On what grounds?

Why is it that this elder brother, who practices Buddhism and is celibate, is respected by everyone?

Even the woman he admired...

His gaze fell on the Buddhist prayer beads on Su Yaoyao's wrist, and anger flared within him.

That should have been his! Su Yaoyao should have been his!

Dinner continued in an eerie atmosphere.

Xiao Qiming stopped talking and just drank in silence.

Su Yun'er carefully served him food, but he pushed her away irritably.

Halfway through dinner, the Empress suddenly spoke:

"By the way, Yaoyao. I heard you were investigating your mother's dowry the other day?"

Su Yaoyao put down her silver chopsticks: "Yes."

"How's it going with the Liu family?"

"It went fairly smoothly," Su Yaoyao replied. "Aunt Liu has drawn up a written agreement, promising to return it within three months."

The Empress raised an eyebrow: "A written agreement? She'd actually agree to that?"

"Probably... they have their own connections." Su Yaoyao's lips curled slightly.

The Empress gave her a deep look, her eyes flashing with approval.

This niece... is smarter than she thought.

The Empress's gaze swept over Xiao Qiming. "Second Prince, do you know anything about Liu's connections?"

Xiao Qiming was taken aback, then frowned and said, "Your subject does not know."

He genuinely didn't know. Aunt Liu had indeed been raising money recently and had even asked him for a loan, but he hadn't given it to her.

The Empress stopped asking questions and changed the subject.

But Su Yaoyao felt a gaze fixed on her.

She looked up and met Xiao Chenyuan's eyes.

He was holding a teacup, quietly watching her, his eyes unfathomable.

Eyes facing each other.

Su Yaoyao suddenly smiled and winked at him.

Xiao Chenyuan paused almost imperceptibly as he twirled his fingertips, then looked away, his ears turning slightly red.

Xiao Qiming witnessed this entire scene.

The veins on his hand holding the wine glass bulged, and his eyes almost spit fire.

You bitch!

She dared to seduce her elder brother right in front of him!

He tilted his head back and gulped down a glass of wine, then suddenly stood up:

"Your Majesty, I am feeling unwell and must take my leave now."

After saying this, he left his seat without waiting for the Empress's permission.

Su Yun'er quickly got up, bowed hastily, and chased after him.

Only the Empress, Xiao Chenyuan, and Su Yaoyao remained in the pavilion.

The Empress rubbed her temples and sighed, "Qiming... he's getting more and more irresponsible as he gets older."

Xiao Chenyuan remained silent.

Su Yaoyao also remained silent.

"That's enough." The Empress waved her hand. "You may all leave now. Yaoyao, see the Crown Prince off."

Su Yaoyao stood up: "Yes."

----

Under the eaves, the moonlight was as clear as water.

The steam from the hot springs rose under the moonlight, like a thin veil enveloping the entire palace.

Su Yaoyao and Xiao Chenyuan walked side by side without saying a word.

The only sounds were footsteps and the gurgling of the hot spring water.

When they reached the edge of the bamboo forest, Xiao Chenyuan suddenly stopped.

"That's enough for now."

Su Yaoyao looked up at him.

The moonlight shone on his face, making his features appear even more aloof. But his eyes... were no longer like a cold pool, but rather like a lake reflecting the moonlight, so gentle that they made one's heart flutter.

"Your Highness," she said softly, "thank you for today...."

"What are you thanking me for?"

"Thank you, Your Highness... for helping me out of this predicament."

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

Are you afraid of him?

"Who? His Highness the Second Prince?" Su Yaoyao smiled. "Why should I be afraid of him?"

"That's good." Xiao Chenyuan turned around and walked into the depths of the bamboo forest.

After taking a few steps, he turned back:

"That string of prayer beads...are you used to wearing it?"

Su Yaoyao raised her wrist, and the sandalwood beads gleamed warmly in the moonlight.

"I'm used to wearing it."

"Okay." Xiao Chenyuan nodded. "That's good then."

He turned and left, his figure quickly disappearing into the depths of the bamboo shadows.

Su Yaoyao stood still for a long time.

Until Su Yun'er's soft voice came from behind:

"Why is my sister here all alone?"

Su Yaoyao turned around.

Su Yun'er had returned sometime earlier, with a smile on her face but a cold look in her eyes.

"His Highness drank too much and has already retired for the night." She walked up to Su Yaoyao, her gaze falling on the Buddhist prayer beads on her wrist, a flash of jealousy in her eyes.

"Sister, these prayer beads...are really beautiful."

Su Yaoyao didn't reply.

Su Yun'er didn't mind and said to herself, "Sister... shall we go to the hot springs together?"

Her smile was innocent and pure:

"Sisters should... get closer together."