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

Xiao Chenyuan led Su Yaoyao back to her boudoir, and as soon as he closed the door, the calm facade on his face shattered completely.

He didn't speak, but instead pressed Su Yaoyao against the door, buried his head in the crook of her neck, his breathing heavy and deep, his arms around her waist tightening around her.

Su Yaoyao felt a little pain from his grip, but she didn't struggle.

Su Yaoyao sighed inwardly.

In her past life, she had flirted with so many people, including the obsessive, the yandere, and the controlling, but someone like Xiao Chenyuan... was truly a first for her.

On the surface, she appears aloof and reserved, but inside she harbors such a strong obsession.

Ashina Lie's words just now must have really provoked him.

That won't do. How can she, Su Yaoyao's, man be led by the nose by her emotions?

Men are like dogs; they need to be trained.

However, the fact that Xiao Chenyuan was able to finish speaking before taking her away today is already considered... an improvement?

Su Yaoyao almost laughed.

She raised her hand and gently patted his back: "Your Highness, I can't breathe..."

He interrupted Su Yaoyao before she could finish speaking.

"I don't like the way he looks at you," Xiao Chenyuan's voice was low and hoarse with suppressed emotion. "I really don't like it."

He looked up at her, a dark undercurrent swirling in his eyes. "He wants to take you away from me."

He spoke bluntly, his tone carrying a sense of grievance and ruthlessness that he himself was unaware of.

Su Yaoyao's heart softened slightly, but she smiled and said, "Your Highness is overthinking it. He is a prince of the Northern Desert, and I am the Crown Princess of Yong Kingdom. What's there to fight over?"

"He wants to," Xiao Chenyuan said stubbornly, his fingertips tracing her face. "Yaoyao, you have no idea how..."

Hire more people.

He raised his hand, his fingertips gently tracing her cheek, the movement tender, yet his eyes held a frighteningly gloomy look: "I really want to..."

When he saw Ashina Lie's eyes glued to her, he almost snapped.

If it weren't for the last vestiges of his reason holding him back, he might have actually gone up and gouged out those eyes that were bothering him.

He didn't know what was wrong with him.

In the past, when people practiced Buddhism, they emphasized being free from desires and seeking nothing, and letting things take their course.

But after meeting her, all those rules and regulations became a joke.

He became greedy and obsessive, unable to bear anyone coveting even a little bit of her.

This feeling of being out of control... terrified him, yet he knew it was poison but still found it sweet.

But Su Yaoyao understood; how could she not understand?

She smiled sweetly, wrapped her arms around his waist, and nestled into his embrace: "Is Your Highness jealous?"

Xiao Chenyuan remained silent.

"So what if I'm jealous?" Su Yaoyao tilted her head back, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him. "I'm jealous too. Every time I go out with Your Highness, all those noble ladies practically stare at you... I'm so envious!"

Xiao Chenyuan was taken aback: "But I didn't..."

"You don't have one, but she does~" Su Yaoyao pouted, looking aggrieved. "It's normal for a young lady to like someone as handsome as my prince... It's just that I feel sorry for him~"

This was a complete case of turning the tables, but upon hearing it, the gloom in Xiao Chenyuan's eyes dissipated somewhat.

He looked down at her: "Nothing of the sort."

"I don't care," Su Yaoyao said coquettishly, "Your Highness is not allowed to look at other girls in the future, not even once."

Xiao Chenyuan was silent for a moment, then suddenly hugged her tightly, resting his chin on the top of her head, and said in a muffled voice, "Mmm."

Su Yaoyao chuckled inwardly.

That's right. Instead of letting him wallow in his obsessive emotions, we should draw his attention back to himself.

She took his hand, pulled it to her lips, and kissed it: "Your Highness, I'm hungry."

Xiao Chenyuan was taken aback.

"The princess arrived so early, and I haven't had breakfast yet." Su Yaoyao blinked, her voice soft and sweet. "Your Highness, would you like to have some with me?"

She knew exactly how to deal with him.

Sure enough, the darkness in Xiao Chenyuan's eyes lessened slightly, and he frowned slightly: "Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"You forgot?" Su Yaoyao pulled him towards the table. "Your Highness, stay with me."

Xiao Chenyuan was led by her and obediently sat down at the table. Chun Tao had already cleverly prepared breakfast, with porridge, snacks, and side dishes laid out on the table.

Su Yaoyao sat down, but didn't pick up her chopsticks; instead, she rested her chin on her hand and looked at him.

"What's wrong?" Xiao Chenyuan asked.

"I'm exhausted." Su Yaoyao blinked, her voice soft and drawn out. "I was so tired from practicing martial arts that I can't even lift my arms."

As she spoke, she feigned weakness and waved her hand, saying, "Your Highness, will you feed me?"

Looking at her stubborn act, Xiao Chenyuan felt a hint of helplessness in his eyes, but he couldn't help but feel a touch of tenderness.

He picked up his chopsticks, took a crystal dumpling, and held it to her lips: "Eat."

Su Yaoyao opened her mouth and took it in (Author's note: This feels a bit strange), chewing slowly. Her eyes, however, remained fixed on him, curved like honey.

Xiao Chenyuan felt his ears burning slightly under her gaze, but he still persisted in feeding her. A mouthful of porridge, a spoonful of soup, his movements clumsy yet earnest.

Su Yaoyao took a few bites and suddenly said, "Your Highness's food is so delicious~ Your Highness, please eat some too."

Xiao Chenyuan shook his head: "I'm not hungry."

"I'll feed you." Su Yaoyao snatched the chopsticks, picked up a piece of his favorite jade cake, and held it to his lips. "Ah—"

Xiao Chenyuan looked at her, then opened his mouth and ate.

"Is it delicious?" Su Yaoyao asked.

"……Um."

During breakfast, she used a variety of coquettish tricks. One minute she said her hands were sore, the next her back hurt. Xiao Chenyuan was completely at her beck and call, but he enjoyed it immensely.

After feeding him the last bite, Su Yaoyao leaned contentedly on his shoulder, playing with a strand of his hair between her fingers: "Your Highness, what brings you here today?"

"I missed you," Xiao Chenyuan replied directly.

He really missed her. After they parted last night, he didn't sleep well all night, and his dreams were filled with her. He came here as soon as he finished his official business this morning.

Su Yaoyao felt a sweet warmth in her heart, but said aloud, "Your Highness is so clingy, what will we do in the future?"

"From now on..." Xiao Chenyuan paused, then suddenly pulled her onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her tightly, "From now on you will live in the East Palace, and I will watch over you every day."

As he spoke, he lowered his head and kissed her, his voice gradually deepening: "Yaoyao, I really want to take you back and hide you away."

These words sounded stubborn, but Su Yaoyao could hear the unease in them.

She reached out and cupped his face in her hands, looking at him earnestly: "Your Highness, I am yours, I can't run away. But you can't lock me up."

She leaned closer, their noses touching, their breaths mingling: "I love Your Highness, I love that Your Highness cares about me, that Your Highness is jealous of me. But Your Highness has to believe me, okay?"

Xiao Chenyuan looked into her eyes, which were so close to his own; they were clean and clear, reflecting only his image.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and after a long while, he finally let out a soft "hmm".

"Then, Your Highness, give me a smile?" Su Yaoyao poked his cheek.

Xiao Chenyuan twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing a very faint smile.

Su Yaoyao was satisfied and kissed him on the lips: "That's more like it."

Xiao Chenyuan's breath hitched.

She's always like that. A single word can pull him back from the brink of violence, a kiss can disarm him.

He raised his hand and cupped the back of her neck, deepening the kiss. This kiss was no longer filled with anger, but with possessiveness and unease.

He had seriously considered hiding her in a place where only he could see her, so that no one else could even catch a glimpse of her.

Su Yaoyao finally managed to break free from him; they kissed each other every day until her lips were practically chapped.

"I must marry Your Highness in a grand and glorious manner, so that the whole world will know that I am yours."

She spoke playfully, but Xiao Chenyuan sensed her seriousness.

He closed his eyes briefly and pulled her into his arms: "Okay."

Then let's marry him in style and honor.

He'll let the whole world know she's his. Anyone who dares to have designs on her, he'll—

"Your Highness," Su Yaoyao suddenly said in his arms, her voice muffled, "You're holding me too tight, my back hurts."

Xiao Chenyuan quickly released his grip: "Does it hurt?"

"Mmm." Su Yaoyao took the opportunity to act coquettishly, "I twisted my ankle while practicing martial arts... Your Highness, could you massage it for me?"

Without a word, Xiao Chenyuan picked her up and placed her on the soft couch. He placed his hand on her lower back and gently massaged it: "Here?"

"Hmm... a little higher... yes, right there..."

Su Yaoyao squinted her eyes comfortably, like a cat being stroked.

Looking at her like this, Xiao Chenyuan's violent temper was gradually calmed down.

He suddenly felt as if he had truly been tamed by her.

She was the one who caused the trouble, and he should be angry, but in the end, it was she who coaxed him and comforted him.

She even managed to coax him into doing it willingly.

The two were cuddling when Ling Feng's voice suddenly came from outside the door:

"Your Highness."

Xiao Chenyuan frowned: "What is it?"

Ling Feng's voice was a little strange, tinged with hesitation: "The delegation from Xiliang... has also arrived."

Xiao Chenyuan's eyes narrowed.

Su Yaoyao's eyes lit up, and she sat up straight from his lap:

"Xiliang? That matriarchal society? The one where polyandry is allowed?!"

Xiao Chenyuan narrowed his eyes. "Yaoyao is very interested in the matriarchal society?"

Su Yaoyao: Oh no, the big dog I just groomed has turned into a wolf again...