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

The voice was languid, with a hint of cynical laughter.

Su Yaoyao's drowsiness vanished instantly.

She lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside—

Beside the stone lions at the entrance of the East Palace, leaned a figure in crimson robes.

He Qing is dressed exceptionally flamboyantly today.

He wore a deep purple brocade robe with a wide-open collar, revealing a large expanse of his snow-white chest.

Her long hair was loose, with only a few strands loosely tied up with a gold hairpin.

The crimson beauty mark at the corner of her eye made her look like a beautiful ghost who had just escaped from a demon's lair.

He was fanning himself with a gold-flecked folding fan, and despite the cold weather, he was doing it quite vigorously.

When he saw Su Yaoyao peek out, he smiled, his eyes crinkling with a captivating charm.

"Master, it's been so long! I've missed you terribly!"

Su Yaoyao: "..."

Xiao Chenyuan's face instantly darkened.

He helped Su Yaoyao out of the car, his movements still gentle, but his eyes were as cold as ice.

What are you doing here?

He Qing put away his folding fan and walked over with a smile.

"That's a good question from my cousin," he said.

"I just returned from Jiangnan, and I'm quite tired from my journey. I thought I'd come and see you all first."

Xiao Chenyuan silently stepped in front of Su Yaoyao.

"Finished watching?"

He Qing raised an eyebrow.

"Oh dear, is my cousin kicking us out?"

Xiao Chenyuan remained silent.

He Qing wasn't annoyed. He looked past him and landed on Su Yaoyao.

"Master, I brought you some specialties from Jiangnan." He took a small box out of his sleeve. "They're delicious, would you like to try some?"

Su Yaoyao looked at him, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

This person had just made a trip to Jiangnan for them, and upon returning, they eagerly brought over some snacks...

She was about to reach out to take it when Xiao Chenyuan snatched the box first.

"I'll keep it for her."

He Qing smiled.

"My cousin's jealousy is still as intense as ever."

Xiao Chenyuan remained expressionless.

"Get to the point."

He Qing, fanning himself with a folding fan, said slowly,

"The matter is settled."

He said, "The Shen family's account books, details, and correspondence are all here."

He pulled a thick envelope from his sleeve and handed it to Xiao Chenyuan.

"Enough for the Empress Dowager to drink a whole pot of."

Xiao Chenyuan took it and handed it to Ling Feng.

Thank you.

"Don't thank me, we're brothers."

He paused, then looked at Xiao Chenyuan.

"I made this whole trip and didn't even get a sip of water, and this is how my cousin treats me?"

Xiao Chenyuan looked at him,

"What do you want?"

He Qing stretched, and his robe opened a little more.

"I'm so tired from helping my cousin, I really want to take a break!"

Xiao Chenyuan looked at him, his eyes growing even colder.

"Is the inn not enough for you to rest?"

He Qing blinked.

"No inn is as comfortable as the Eastern Palace."

He said matter-of-factly, "Besides, we're cousins. I rarely come all this way, shouldn't you show me the utmost hospitality?"

Xiao Chenyuan remained silent.

He Qing continued:

"Your Eastern Palace is so big, would you mind if I had a room?"

Xiao Chenyuan's face darkened. "What did you say?"

He Qing blinked and continued, "We're cousins, after all. I've come all this way to help you, so what's wrong with staying for a few days?"

He looked at Su Yaoyao, smiling brightly, "Cousin-in-law, don't you think so?"

Su Yaoyao looked at him, then at Xiao Chenyuan's face, which was as black as the bottom of a pot, and suppressed a laugh.

"This...you'll have to ask His Highness."

He Qing looked at Xiao Chenyuan with anticipation.

Xiao Chenyuan stared at him for a long time.

It went on for so long that He Qing could barely keep up the laughter.

Finally, Xiao Chenyuan spoke.

"I don't mind." He gritted his teeth, uttering each word clearly, "I hope—you can handle it."

He Qing raised an eyebrow.

"What can you bear?"

Xiao Chenyuan didn't say anything, but simply took Su Yaoyao's hand and walked into the mansion.

He Qing followed behind, waving his fan, and laughed like a cat that had stolen some fish.

Su Yaoyao turned around and glanced at him.

They met each other's gazes.

Those peach blossom eyes still held a smile, but beneath that smile, something else seemed to be hidden.

exhausted.

There was also a hint of... indescribable loneliness.

Su Yaoyao's heart stirred slightly.

She turned back and gripped Xiao Chenyuan's hand tightly.

Xiao Chenyuan sensed her movement and looked down at her.

"What's wrong?"

Su Yaoyao shook her head.

"fine."

Xiao Chenyuan didn't speak, but simply held her hand tighter.

---

He Qing was assigned to the most remote courtyard in the East Palace.

When Ling Feng led him there, he looked around and nodded in satisfaction.

"It's alright, better than the post station."

Ling Feng remained expressionless.

"Princess, please feel free to ask if you need anything."

He Qing waved his hand.

"No need, no need, I can do it myself."

He paused, then suddenly asked.

"By the way, which courtyard do your Highness and Crown Princess live in?"

Ling Feng's expression stiffened even more.

"...His Highness instructed that the Princess need not go over unless necessary."

He Qing raised an eyebrow.

Why?

Ling Feng remained silent for a moment.

"His Highness said he was afraid you wouldn't be able to handle it."

He Qing paused for a moment, then smiled.

There was a hint of bitterness and self-mockery in that smile.

"Okay. I understand."

Ling Feng stepped down.

He Qing stood in the courtyard, looking in the direction of the main courtyard of the East Palace.

The place was brightly lit, and one could vaguely see figures moving about.

He knew that person was there.

With her.

He stood there for a long time, so long that the night breeze chilled his fingertips.

Then he turned around, pushed open the door, and went inside.

---

In the main courtyard, Su Yaoyao leaned against Xiao Chenyuan's chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.

"Your Highness," she said softly.

"Um."

"You really don't mind letting Heqing move in?"

Xiao Chenyuan remained silent for a moment.

"I mind," he said.

Su Yaoyao looked up at him.

Xiao Chenyuan lowered his head and met her gaze.

"But he helped me a lot," he said. "He saved your life and helped me find out about the Shen family. I owe him."

Su Yaoyao looked at him.

"So His Highness allowed him to move in?"

Xiao Chenyuan nodded.

"Let him stay," he said. "Let him keep an eye on things."

Su Yaoyao was stunned for a moment.

"What are you looking at?"

Xiao Chenyuan lowered his head and gently bit her lip.

"Seeing that you are alone."

Su Yaoyao blushed.

"Your Highness..."

Xiao Chenyuan hugged her tightly.

"Let him see clearly," he said in a low voice, "No one can take you away from me."

Su Yaoyao leaned against him, feeling a mix of sweetness and bitterness in her heart.

This person is incredibly jealous.

But she liked him just the way he was.

Outside the window, the night was deepening.

He Qing's voice came from afar, seemingly asking Ling Feng for hot water.

"Guard Ling, why doesn't my courtyard even have hot water? Is this how you entertain guests in the Eastern Palace?"

Ling Feng's voice came softly.

"Princess, your courtyard is the furthest from the boiler room, so the hot water will be cold by the time it's delivered."

He Qing remained silent for a moment.

"...Xiao Chenyuan!"

Su Yaoyao couldn't help but laugh when she heard that voice.

This person is really...