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

The Grand Tutor's residence was bustling with activity today.

Grand Tutor Jiang and Madam Jiang sat at the head of the table, receiving New Year's greetings from the younger generation. Jiang Ci and Madam Song entertained the guests, while Jiang Wan Ning and Jiang Jing Chen helped with the arrangements. Jiang Huai Jin, dressed in new clothes, ran around the courtyard.

When Su Yaoyao and Xiao Chenyuan arrived, Xie Yu was also there.

"Sister Su!... Uh, Your Highness!" Xie Yu greeted her, "Happy New Year!"

He was dressed festively today, in a royal blue brocade robe, which made him look handsome and radiant.

Xiao Chenyuan nodded slightly, and Su Yaoyao smiled and returned the greeting: "Thank you, General Xie, for a Happy New Year."

The group entered the main hall together to offer New Year's greetings to Grand Tutor Jiang and Madam Jiang.

Su Yaoyao and Su Qingrun knelt down side by side and kowtowed three times respectfully.

"Granddaughter (grandson) wishes grandparents a Happy New Year! May grandparents enjoy good health and longevity year after year!"

Grand Tutor Jiang stroked his beard and smiled, while Old Madam Jiang's eyes reddened, and she repeatedly said, "Alright, alright, get up, get up!"

As soon as Su Yaoyao stood up, a red envelope was stuffed into her hand.

"Take it." Old Madam Jiang took her hand, smiling broadly. "Grandma saved this for you."

The red envelope was ridiculously thick.

Su Yaoyao was stunned for a moment, and before she could react, Grand Tutor Jiang handed her one as well.

"If the old lady has given what she deserves, then naturally I should give what I deserve as well."

Su Yaoyao's eyes lit up, but she still politely said, "How could I possibly accept this..."

But his hand had already scooped up all the red envelopes and he did it with such efficiency.

Su Qingrun watched from the side, her eyes twitching.

Next came Jiang Ci and Song Shi.

"Yaoyao," Madam Song smiled gently, stuffing two red envelopes into her hands, "Your aunt doesn't have much of a good stuff, take these and buy some snacks."

Jiang Ci nodded in agreement: "Live a good life in the Marquis's mansion. If anything happens, just send someone to tell you. Your uncle will back you up."

Su Yaoyao's nose tingled a little, and she nodded vigorously, "Mmm!"

"Sister Yaoyao!" Jiang Huaijin ran over with her short legs, holding up a small red envelope. "I prepared one for you too!"

Su Yaoyao was taken aback, then squatted down: "Huaijin gave my sister a red envelope?"

"Yes!" The little one nodded vigorously. "My sister always gives me delicious food, I want to give some to my sister too!"

Su Yaoyao looked at his chubby little face, her heart melting. She took the small red envelope and gave him a big kiss on the cheek: "Thank you, Huaijin!"

Jiang Huaijin was a little dazed by the kiss, her face turned red, and she ran back to Song Shi's side shyly.

Grand Tutor Jiang stroked his beard and looked at Xiao Chenyuan: "Your Highness, are you settling in well for the New Year at the Grand Tutor's residence this year?"

Xiao Chenyuan bowed slightly: "I am very grateful for the Grand Tutor's hospitality, it is quite a pleasure to have you here."

Grand Tutor Jiang nodded in satisfaction.

He had watched this student grow up since he was a child. He was aloof and kept to himself. Now that he had Yaoyao, he finally had some warmth and humanity.

good thing.

After paying New Year's visits, it's time to go to the palace to inquire after the emperor's health and well-being.

Su Qingrun's expression wasn't good, but she didn't say anything, only saying, "Go."

Grand Tutor Jiang rose, walked to Su Yaoyao, and carefully instructed her:

"Now that you have been betrothed to the Crown Prince, and the wedding is imminent, your entry into the palace today is no ordinary occasion," he said slowly. "The palace is filled with many eyes and ears; you must be careful in your words and actions. As for the Empress..."

He paused, then gave her a meaningful look: "You know what you're doing."

Su Yaoyao's heart skipped a beat.

The grandfather clearly felt a great deal of helplessness regarding this daughter…

She nodded obediently and said, "Yaoyao understands."

Grandma Jiang also held her hand and instructed her, "Speak properly, and don't be clumsy. If you've been wronged, come back and tell your grandmother, and your grandmother will stand up for you."

"Okay, Grandma."

Su Yaoyao felt a warmth in her heart.

This family truly cherishes her like a treasure.

Su Yaoyao and Xiao Chenyuan were sitting in the carriage on their way to the palace.

"Are you happy?" Xiao Chenyuan asked her, looking down at her.

Su Yaoyao nodded and leaned on his shoulder: "I'm happy."

Xiao Chenyuan pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head.

"From now on, I will spend every year like this with you."

Su Yaoyao looked up at him: "Does Your Highness keep your word?"

"I mean it," Xiao Chenyuan said seriously. "Every New Year's Day, every Lunar New Year's Eve, every single day of the year."

He paused, his voice lowering:

"I'll stay by your side."

Su Yaoyao felt a lump in her throat and planted a kiss on his lips.

"it is good."

The road to the palace wasn't long, but Su Yaoyao felt that with Xiao Chenyuan holding her like that, they arrived in the blink of an eye.

Inside the Qianyuan Hall, the Emperor and Empress were already seated at the head of the table.

Su Yaoyao bowed to Xiao Chenyuan in perfect decorum, without the slightest fault.

"Get up," the emperor said with a smile, his eyes looking at her with kindness. "My lovely girl, come here and let me take a look at you."

Su Yaoyao stepped forward as instructed.

The emperor looked her up and down, then nodded: "Hmm, you look good, a bit fuller than before. The Crown Prince is well-nourished."

Su Yaoyao blushed slightly.

The Empress smiled gently, took her hand, and said affectionately, "Yaoyao, come to your aunt."

Su Yaoyao stepped forward as instructed.

The Empress removed a jade bracelet from her wrist and personally put it on the girl's wrist: "This is a small token of my appreciation. This marriage strengthens our kinship; if you need anything, just tell your aunt."

Su Yaoyao lowered her eyes to look at the bracelet on her wrist, but a slight thought stirred in her heart.

The Empress's words were far too intimate.

Their intimacy... seems so fake.

She looked up and met the Empress's eyes.

Those eyes were smiling, but beneath the smile, something heavy and unclear.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Su Yaoyao smiled sweetly and innocently.

The Empress nodded, patted her hand again, and then let go.

Next came the greetings from the concubines and noblewomen of the imperial family. Su Yaoyao followed the Empress to greet everyone, her face almost stiff from smiling so much.

After finally enduring the ceremony, she breathed a sigh of relief and quietly rubbed her face.

Xiao Chenyuan looked down at her: "Tired?"

"A little," Su Yaoyao said softly, "I'm so tired from laughing."

Xiao Chenyuan's lips curled up slightly as he tightened his grip on her hand: "If you don't want to do something, then don't do it. My Crown Princess can afford to be spoiled."

Just as Su Yaoyao was about to say something, she caught a glimpse of the Empress speaking quietly to the nanny beside her. Her gaze swept over Su Yaoyao inadvertently before quickly looking away.

That one glance, though indifferent, sent a jolt through her heart.

She recalled the Empress's intimacy earlier, and what was beneath those eyes.

After leaving the palace, Su Yaoyao leaned on Xiao Chenyuan's shoulder and remained silent the whole way.

Xiao Chenyuan noticed her unusual behavior and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?"

Su Yaoyao thought for a moment and then didn't hide it from him: "Her Majesty the Empress... seems a little different."

Xiao Chenyuan remained silent for a moment, then said calmly, "I know."

Su Yaoyao looked up at him.

Xiao Chenyuan didn't explain, he just hugged her tighter.

"Don't be afraid." He lowered his head and kissed the top of her head. "I'm here for you."

Regarding why I didn't add "outer" when referring to the grandparents in the text, it's because the author was raised by his maternal grandparents and had a very deep bond with them, always calling them "grandpa" and "grandma." So in my mind, there's no such thing as "outer" in this context; it just feels a bit distant. Therefore, I simply used "grandpa" and "grandma." Please don't mind this.

Today is the first day of the new year, and coincidentally, the timelines overlap. Wishing all the little ones a happy and prosperous new year! May all your wishes come true!