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

The emperor was carried to the rear hall for treatment, Xiao Qiming was taken away, and Su Yun'er was dragged away like a dead dog.

The hall gradually quieted down.

The master of ceremonies wiped the sweat from his brow and cautiously looked at Xiao Chenyuan.

"Your Highness, this...this wedding..."

Xiao Chenyuan looked up at him.

"continue."

The official in charge of ceremonies was taken aback.

"continue?"

"The wedding isn't over yet."

Xiao Chenyuan held Su Yaoyao in his arms, his expression calm.

"continue."

The officials looked at each other, but no one dared to say anything.

Today's game has made everything clear to everyone—

The Crown Prince had known all along that someone wanted to harm the Crown Princess.

He used a counter-strategy to lure the enemy into his trap.

Without making a sound, they captured the second prince and his concubine in one fell swoop.

This scheming, this cunning...

The officials looked at him with more awe.

Someone quietly wiped the sweat from their forehead.

Fortunately, I didn't choose the wrong side when I was lining up.

The master of ceremonies took a deep breath and stood up straight again.

The master of ceremonies cut off a lock of hair from each of them and tied them together with a red string.

"We became husband and wife, and our love is unwavering."

Xiao Chenyuan looked at the tangled strands of black hair, and a tenderness rose in his eyes.

Their eyes met just inches apart.

Xiao Chenyuan looked at her, his eyes filled with heartache.

"Were you startled just now?" he asked softly.

Su Yaoyao shook her head, a smile curving her lips.

"With Your Highness here, there's nothing to fear."

Xiao Chenyuan's expression softened.

The ceremony is complete.

"Send them to the bridal chamber—!"

---

Xiao Chenyuan took her hand and walked along the long palace path.

Behind him, the entire court of civil and military officials knelt in farewell.

One by one, the palace lanterns were lit, illuminating the entire East Palace as if it were daytime.

Through the veil, Su Yaoyao could only see the red carpet extending beneath her feet and the hand that was always holding hers.

That hand was dry and warm, and although it wasn't holding her tightly, it made her feel incredibly at ease.

---

Inside the bridal chamber, red candles burned brightly, and the wedding curtains hung low.

The wedding ladies spoke auspicious words as they scattered the bridal curtains and helped the bride sit on the bed, while red dates, peanuts, longans, and lotus seeds were thrown at her with a clattering sound.

Su Yaoyao was forced to sit on the bed, her veil still on, so she couldn't see anything.

All that could be heard was the clamor of people in the room.

Xie Yu squeezed to the front and started making noise.

"Your Highness, lift the veil! Let us see the bride!"

Ashina Lie joined in the commotion.

"Yes! Hurry up and lift it! We've been waiting forever!"

Anar squeezed to the front, her voice almost cracking.

"I want to see how beautiful my sister looks today! Lift it up, lift it up!"

Su Yaoyao couldn't help but laugh.

This group of people were even more anxious than she was.

Xiao Chenyuan glanced at them, picked up the scale, and walked up to her.

The light from the red candle shone through from under her veil, and she saw the tips of his boots stop in front of her.

The steelyard lifts the red veil, inch by inch.

First, her smooth chin, then her rosy lips, her pert nose, and finally, her watery eyes.

The veil fell off.

Su Yaoyao raised her head and met a pair of deep phoenix eyes.

The candlelight illuminated her face, highlighting her beautiful features and rosy lips, making her even more charming than usual.

Xiao Chenyuan paused for a moment.

He just stared at her for a long time.

It went on for so long that the people around started to make a fuss.

"His Highness is stunned!"

"The bride is so beautiful!"

"Your Highness! Snap out of it!"

Xiao Chenyuan's Adam's apple bobbed.

"Graceful".

He uttered just two words, but his voice was hoarse.

Su Yaoyao smiled.

"Why is Your Highness still calling me Yaoyao?" She blinked. "You should call me Madam now."

Xiao Chenyuan was stunned.

Immediately, the corners of his lips curled up.

That smile was gentle, yet full of doting affection.

"lady."

The room erupted in chaos.

"Oh my goodness!" Anar screamed, "Ahhh, it's so sweet! I can't take it!"

Xie Yu slapped his thigh and continued to stir up trouble.

"Your Highness, give me a kiss!"

Ashina Lie also shouted.

"Yes! Give me a kiss!"

Anar clapped her hands.

"Give me a kiss!"

Xiao Chenyuan lowered his head and gently kissed Su Yaoyao's lips.

The crowd protested.

"Not enough! Not enough!"

"What kind of 'kinship' is this?!"

"Let's start over!"

Su Yaoyao blushed and glared at them.

"That's enough!"

Jiang Wan Ning whispered from the side,

My cousin is shy...

Jiang Huaijin, carrying a thick stack of red envelopes, squeezed over in her childish voice.

"Brother Crown Prince, I want another red envelope!"

Xiao Chenyuan looked down at him.

"How much did you take?"

Jiang Huaijin counted on his fingers, but couldn't quite make it up.

"……many!"

The crowd laughed.

---

Just as the commotion was starting, Old Madam Jiang finally stepped in to drive them away.

"Alright, alright, let the newbies rest!"

She shooed everyone out.

"Everyone, leave! Let's make trouble again tomorrow!"

Xie Yu was pushed to the doorway, and he glanced back at Su Yaoyao.

He smiled and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"Yaoyao, I wish you happiness."

Su Yaoyao looked at him, feeling a mix of emotions.

This young general remained open and honest throughout.

"Thank you," she said sincerely.

Ashina Lie was also pushed out, and before leaving, he didn't forget to look back.

"Little sister, if the Crown Prince bullies you, come find me in the Northern Desert—"

Xiao Chenyuan raised an eyebrow at him.

Ashina Lie met those cold eyes and quickly changed his words.

"Just kidding, just kidding!"

Anar pulled Su Qingrun outside.

"Come on, let's go grab a drink!"

Su Qingrun was being pulled along by her, looking helpless.

"Let go, I can walk by myself."

"I won't let go!"

Su Qingrun was dragged away by her, and glanced back at her sister.

That look in his eyes clearly said—good luck to you.

The two of them went out, pulling and tugging at each other.

Jiang Jingchen stood at the door and looked at Chu Qingzi.

"Miss Chu, shall I take you there?"

Chu Qingzi's ears turned slightly red, but she still maintained her calm and indifferent demeanor.

"……good."

The two left side by side.

Jiang Wan Ning, holding Jiang Huai Jin's hand, obediently followed the old lady.

The door closed.

The room finally quieted down.

---

The red candles flickered, and the room was quiet.

Xiao Chenyuan stood there, looking at her.

His gaze was so deep it seemed to draw you in.

Su Yaoyao's heart raced as he stared at her.

"Your Highness..." she began, her voice soft.

Xiao Chenyuan walked over and stopped in front of her.

He looked down at her, his emotions surging with feelings he had never shown in front of others.

"Yaoyao," he called softly.

"Um?"

You look so beautiful.

Su Yaoyao smiled.

"His Highness has said it many times today."

Xiao Chenyuan raised his hand and gently stroked her face.

"Then I'll say it again."

His thumb caressed her cheek, his gaze so tender it could melt hearts.

You look so beautiful.

Su Yaoyao felt a sweet warmth in her heart and raised her hand to cover the back of his hand.

"Your Highness is handsome too."

The two looked at each other, their eyes seeing only each other.

Drinking from the same cup.

Their arms crossed, their eyes locked.

He drank it all in one gulp.

Xiao Chenyuan put down his wine glass and looked at her.

"Yaoyao, you are my wife now."

Su Yaoyao blinked.

"It has been like that for a long time."

Xiao Chenyuan smiled and lowered his head to kiss her.

Suddenly, Su Yaoyao swayed slightly.

She raised her hand to her forehead, her brows furrowing slightly.

"What's wrong?" Xiao Chenyuan immediately took her hand.

Su Yaoyao shook her head.

"It's nothing...it's just a little hot..."

That heat wasn't ordinary heat; it surged from deep within my body, carrying an indescribable... longing.

She looked up at Xiao Chenyuan, her gaze more affectionate than usual.

"Your Highness..." Her voice softened.

Xiao Chenyuan noticed her unusual behavior.

"Slender?"

Su Yaoyao leaned into his arms, her face pressed against his chest.

"hot……"

That burning sensation came rushing back.

More intense, more ferocious.

The heat surged from her limbs to her lower abdomen, making her feel weak all over.

Her face flushed instantly, and her eyes became unfocused.

"Your Highness..." She nestled into his arms, her voice soft and almost pleading, "I...I feel unwell..."

Xiao Chenyuan's expression changed, and he grasped her hand, which was burning hot to the touch.

"The antidote..."

Su Yaoyao shook her head, her eyes beginning to glaze over.

"I ate it... but still..."

Before she could finish speaking, the heat surged up again, burning her so much that she couldn't speak.

She leaned softly against him, her breathing rapid and her body trembling slightly.

Suddenly, the words He Qing had said flashed through Xiao Chenyuan's mind—

"This medicine will have three effects. However, she has been taking it for too long, so we can't guarantee... complete..."

He looked at the person who had gone limp in his arms, at her flushed cheeks and dazed eyes, and suddenly he understood.

Su Yaoyao looked up at him groggily.

"Your Highness..."

Xiao Chenyuan stood up.

"I'll go and summon the imperial physician!"

He had just taken a step when a hand grabbed him.

Su Yaoyao tugged at his sleeve and looked up at him.

Her eyes were shimmering with tears, carrying a hint of pleading.

"It's too late... Your Highness..."

She leaned against him, her whole body limp as if she had no bones.

Xiao Chenyuan's Adam's apple bobbed violently.

She leaned against him, her body burning hot, her eyes glazed, her lips slightly parted, her breath hot as she exhaled.

"Yaoyao..." His voice was terribly hoarse.

Su Yaoyao leaned against him, her voice soft like she was being coquettish.

"Your Highness... I feel so bad..."

He picked her up horizontally.

Su Yaoyao instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest.

He carried her and walked step by step toward the bed.

Red candles flickered, and curtains hung low.

He gently placed her on the bed and leaned down to look at her.

Those phoenix eyes churned with heartache, desire, and a hint of indescribable depth.

"Don't be afraid," he whispered, his voice hoarse. "I'm here."

In her hazy state, Su Yaoyao heard him say—

"I still have the antidote for the third attack of that drug."

She groggily opened her eyes and looked at him.

"What... antidote?"

Xiao Chenyuan lowered his head and kissed her.

Warm lips pressed against mine, with an irresistible force.

Then he looked up at her, his gaze as deep as the sea.

"solitary."