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

Su Cheng'an was taken aback by the question, and his face showed some embarrassment: "No, I'm not asking you to pay, it's just... your maternal grandfather's side, and your uncle's side, are at the Dali Temple... if you could..."

"Father," Su Yaoyao interrupted him, "Grandfather has been retired for many years and it's inconvenient for him to get involved in these matters. Besides, the evidence against Liu Dafu for gambling and receiving bribes is irrefutable; even if Grandfather intervened, it wouldn't change anything. Not to mention Uncle, you know his temper!"

She looked at Aunt Liu, her tone calm:

"Instead of crying and begging Father here, Auntie should think about where that 15,000 taels of silver came from. Oh, right, there are also those 'damaged' items from my mother's dowry. The three-day deadline is fast approaching."

Aunt Liu suddenly looked up, a flash of hatred in her eyes: "Is Miss trying to force me to my death?!"

"Forced to death?" Su Yaoyao laughed. "Auntie is joking. Paying back debts is a matter of course. Does Auntie think that you can take my mother's things at will, but renege on other people's debts at will?"

"You!" Aunt Liu was so angry that she trembled all over.

Su Cheng'an's face darkened as well: "Yaoyao, how dare you speak to your aunt like that!"

"I am merely stating the facts," Su Yaoyao curtsied. "If Father has nothing else, I will take my leave. I am quite tired from copying scriptures at Xiangguo Temple today."

"Wait." Su Cheng'an called out to her, his gaze sweeping over her with a complex expression. "You... went to see the Crown Prince today?"

Su Yaoyao's heart stirred.

The news spread really fast.

"Yes," she readily admitted, "I'm going to return something to His Highness."

"Returning the gift?" Su Cheng'an narrowed his eyes. "I heard the Crown Prince gifted you a string of Buddhist prayer beads?"

Sure enough, there were eyes everywhere in the mansion.

"Yes." Su Yaoyao raised her wrist, revealing the string of sandalwood beads. "His Highness said this is an apology."

"An apology?" Su Cheng'an and Aunt Liu were both taken aback.

Su Yaoyao briefly recounted what happened in the side hall on the day of the palace banquet—of course, she omitted the part about Nuanqingxiang and Su Yun'er's scheme, only saying that a dancer caused a disturbance and the Crown Prince came to her aid.

"I see..." Su Cheng'an pondered for a moment, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, "His Highness the Crown Prince is quite attentive to you."

Su Yaoyao lowered her eyes and remained silent.

"Yaoyao," Su Cheng'an's tone suddenly softened.

"Although your engagement with the Second Prince has been dissolved, I will find you another good marriage. As for the Crown Prince..."

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He paused, his words carrying a pointed meaning:

"Your Highness is of noble status, you must be careful with your words and actions, and lest you lose your composure."

Su Yaoyao wondered, shouldn't this fence-sitter be happy to see this happen?

Could it be...?

She had a plan in mind, but outwardly she obediently replied, "Daughter understands."

When I came out of the study, it was already late at night.

Chun Tao, carrying a lantern, waited under the eaves. Seeing her come out, she quickly stepped forward: "Miss, are you alright?"

"What could it be?" Su Yaoyao said calmly. "Father just wanted to sound out the Crown Prince's opinion."

She looked up towards the direction of the East Palace, where the lights were faintly visible, standing out prominently in the night.

"Spring Peach".

"This servant is here."

"Tomorrow, go and take a look at those shops in the west of the city," Su Yaoyao instructed softly.

"But Miss, those shops..."

"Those shops originally belonged to my mother." Su Yaoyao's eyes turned cold. "She's occupied them for so many years, it's time to give them back."

-----

East Palace, Quiet Room.

Xiao Chenyuan knelt on the prayer mat, holding a secret letter in his hand.

The candlelight flickered, illuminating his cool profile.

"Your Highness," Ling Feng reported in a low voice, "We've found out. The 'Warmth Incense' came from a black market pharmacy in the south of the city. The buyer was a masked woman, but judging from her figure and accent... she should be a maidservant of Miss Su."

Xiao Chenyuan lit the letter over the candle flame and watched it turn to ashes.

"Furthermore," Ling Feng continued, "the matter concerning Aunt Liu's brother was orchestrated by the Grand Tutor's mansion. A few days ago, Granny Lin's people went to the gambling den to contact Liu Dafu, and she also arranged for someone to pawn that 'ancient jade from the previous dynasty.'"

Xiao Chenyuan raised his eyes: "Does Su Yaoyao know?"

"Miss Su should know this." Ling Feng paused.

"Today, the Marquis of Yongning summoned her to his study. Concubine Liu begged the Marquis to help her pay off her debts, but Miss Su was adamant and even brought up her mother's dowry."

Xiao Chenyuan twirled his fingertips, but the place remained empty.

"She wants to take back her dowry?"

"Yes. Aunt Liu has been given three days."

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

"What has she been doing since returning home today?"

Ling Feng was taken aback, and answered truthfully: "After Miss Su returned to her room, she copied some scriptures for a while, and then asked her maid to prepare to check the accounts at the shop tomorrow."

"Copying scriptures?" A hint of surprise flashed across Xiao Chenyuan's eyes.

"Yes, it's the Diamond Sutra that I copied," Ling Feng added. "I copied it very carefully, and even had the maid grind the ink three times."

Xiao Chenyuan lowered his eyes and looked at the scriptures spread out in front of him.

The same Diamond Sutra.

The same words and phrases.

"All phenomena are illusory."

But why... does the image of her holding prayer beads and copying scriptures with her eyes lowered always appear before his eyes?

"Your Highness?" Ling Feng called softly when he saw him lost in thought.

Xiao Chenyuan snapped out of his reverie and said calmly, "Continue to keep an eye on the Liu family. Report back immediately if there are any unusual movements."

"Yes!" Ling Feng responded, then hesitated, "Your Highness, what do you think of Miss Su...?"

Xiao Chenyuan looked up at him.

Ling Feng immediately lowered his head: "This subordinate has spoken out of turn."

"It's alright." Xiao Chenyuan put the hairpin back in its place, his voice devoid of emotion. "My teacher entrusted me with her care, so naturally I must protect her."

But... did the teacher entrust this to you...?

Ling Feng dared not ask any more questions and quietly withdrew.

The quiet room returned to silence.

Xiao Chenyuan closed his eyes, attempting to enter a meditative state.

But the feeling of emptiness on his wrist always made him uneasy.

I've worn those Buddhist prayer beads for ten years; they've become an extension of my body.

Now that it's suddenly gone, it feels like something is missing.

No.

It's not that the prayer beads are missing.

There are more... other things.

He opened his eyes and looked at the bright moonlight outside the window.

The image of her looking up at him in the library earlier that day, asking, "Is it true?" flashed through his mind again.

So bright, so stubborn.

It's like trying to see right through a person.

Xiao Chenyuan raised his hand and gently pressed it against his left chest.

There, my heartbeat was steady.

But why... do I always feel like something is quietly sprouting from the ground?

He got up and walked to the window.

A night breeze carried the faint fragrance of magnolia blossoms from afar.

It smelled very similar to the scent she had that day.

Xiao Chenyuan stood there for a long time, until the moon began to set in the west.

He then uttered a sentence in a low voice:

"trouble."

I don't know if I'm referring to her, or... myself.