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

The hall fell silent for a moment.

All eyes were focused on Xiao Chenyuan, who had suddenly appeared—

This Crown Prince has always lived a secluded life, rarely setting foot in the residences of his subjects, except for attending a Buddhist service at Xiangguo Temple on the first day of each month.

Your sudden visit today is truly unexpected.

Grand Tutor Jiang was the first to react, and bowed respectfully:

"This old minister greets Your Highness. I was unaware of Your Highness's arrival and have failed to greet you properly."

Xiao Chenyuan stepped forward to help him up: "Teacher, there's no need for such formalities. I was out of the palace on business today and just happened to stop by to visit you."

He spoke casually, but everyone knew that the Crown Prince would never "go anywhere on his way".

Jiang Jingchen and Madam Song also stepped forward to pay their respects, and Jiang Wanning pulled the still bewildered Jiang Huaijin down to kneel.

The little guy lay on the ground, curiously peeking at the extraordinary "Crown Prince"—he often heard his grandfather mention that His Highness the Crown Prince was his grandfather's most prized student.

Only Su Yaoyao remained kneeling with her eyelashes lowered, her mind racing.

Why did he come?

Is it really just...on the way?

"Rise, all of you." Xiao Chenyuan said calmly, his gaze sweeping across the hall before finally settling on Su Yaoyao. "Miss Su is here too."

Su Yaoyao stood up and looked up at him: "This humble woman is visiting her maternal grandparents' home today."

"Hmm." Xiao Chenyuan responded without asking any further questions. He turned to Grand Tutor Jiang and said, "How have you been lately, Master? I acquired an ancient inkstone the other day and thought you might like it, so I brought it with me."

Ling Feng then presented a brocade box.

When Grand Tutor Jiang opened it, inside was a purple stone inkstone. The stone was delicate and warm, and the carving was simple and elegant; it was indeed a treasure.

"Your Highness is too kind." A complex look flashed in Grand Tutor Jiang's eyes as he closed the brocade box and gestured for a servant to serve tea. "Your Highness, please sit down."

Xiao Chenyuan sat down to the left of Grand Tutor Jiang, his demeanor composed.

The atmosphere inside the hall became subtle.

Madam Jiang and Madam Song exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes.

Jiang Wan Ning secretly tugged at Su Yao Yao's sleeve and mouthed silently, "Your Highness is so handsome..."

Su Yaoyao gently slapped her hand away, signaling her to stop fooling around.

Jiang Jingchen stood beside his father, his gaze shifting between Xiao Chenyuan and Su Yaoyao, his brows furrowing slightly.

"Yaoyao has just returned to the manor, and this old minister is chatting with her about everyday matters."

Grand Tutor Jiang broke the silence, "Your Highness has not visited for a long time, has something happened?"

Recently, the Imperial Concubine has been making frequent small moves, so the Grand Tutor naturally assumed that the Crown Prince had come for this reason.

"It's nothing serious."

Xiao Chenyuan picked up the teacup, his fingertips brushing against the warm cup. "By the way... I also have some things I'd like to ask you, teacher."

As he spoke, his gaze inadvertently drifted towards Su Yaoyao.

She was looking down when Jiang Wan Ning whispered something in her ear, making her eyes crinkle and a faint blush rise on her cheeks.

That smile... was dazzlingly bright.

This was completely different from the way she looked with her head down and tears streaming down her face in the library.

Xiao Chenyuan twirled his fingertips; the area felt empty and somewhat unsettling.

"Yaoyao, you should stay for a while this time you're back."

Old Madam Jiang's voice pulled him back to reality, "Look how thin you are, you need to eat more."

Su Yaoyao nodded obediently: "I'll do whatever Grandma says."

"How long are you staying, sister?" Jiang Huaijin asked in a childish voice, her little hands gripping the edge of the table, looking at her expectantly. "Can you stay until the New Year?"

Madam Song smiled and patted his head: "Your sister will naturally stay until the New Year, and maybe... she'll live at home from now on."

This statement has a hidden meaning.

Jiang Jingchen coughed lightly: "Mother."

"What's wrong?" Song glared at him.

"Am I wrong? Yaoyao is a daughter of the Jiang family, it's only natural for her to live at home. Does she expect to go back to that Marquis's mansion and suffer the wrath of that mother and daughter?"

Grand Tutor Jiang frowned, but said nothing.

Clearly, the Grand Tutor's household harbored deep resentment towards the Marquis of Yongning's household.

Xiao Chenyuan listened quietly, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

The tea is top-quality Longjing, with a refreshing aroma.

But he felt... the taste was a bit bland.

"Your Highness," Grand Tutor Jiang suddenly spoke, "You said you had something to ask me?"

Xiao Chenyuan put down his teacup, his expression returning to normal: "It concerns the strategy for dealing with the floods in the south. His Majesty has ordered me to assist in this matter. I recall that my teacher once oversaw the dredging of the Yellow River, and I would like to ask for some advice."

When the topic turned to serious matters, Grand Tutor Jiang's expression became serious, and the two began to discuss it in hushed tones.

The hall was divided into two areas—one for serious discussions of state affairs, and the other for warm, casual conversation.

While listening to her grandmother and aunt talk, Su Yaoyao couldn't help but glance at Xiao Chenyuan out of the corner of her eye.

He sat upright, his profile sharply defined in the candlelight, speaking calmly and clearly, each point he made.

Occasionally, when Grand Tutor Jiang offered a different opinion, he would listen attentively, sometimes nodding and sometimes asking questions.

His focused and attentive demeanor... was somewhat captivating.

"What are you looking at, sister?" Jiang Wan Ning suddenly leaned over, followed her gaze, and chuckled, "Oh—you're looking at His Highness the Crown Prince."

Su Yaoyao's face flushed: "Don't talk nonsense."

"I'm not making this up," Jiang Wan Ning said in a low voice, a sly glint in her eyes. "But sister, His Highness the Crown Prince really is as handsome as the rumors say. He's just so cold, I heard he never lets women near him..."

She paused, her gaze falling on Su Yaoyao's wrist: "But these prayer beads... were they really a gift from His Highness?"

Su Yaoyao subconsciously pulled her wrist back: "Mm."

"Oh my god!" Jiang Wan Ning almost exclaimed, quickly covering her mouth, her eyes wide open.

"His Highness the Crown Prince's ever-present Buddhist prayer beads... he actually gave them to my sister?!"

Although she spoke in a low voice, it still drew attention in the quiet hall.

Jiang Jingchen looked over, and the discussion between Grand Tutor Jiang and Xiao Chenyuan paused.

Xiao Chenyuan raised his eyes and his gaze fell on Su Yaoyao's slightly flushed face.

"What is Miss Jiang saying?" he asked calmly.

Jiang Wan Ning shuddered in fright and quickly waved her hands, "N-nothing..."

Su Yaoyao took a deep breath, stood up, and curtsied to Xiao Chenyuan: "Your Highness, my cousin is asking about... the origin of this string of Buddhist beads."

She raised her wrist, revealing the string of sandalwood beads: "This humble woman has not yet formally thanked Your Highness for the gift of these beads."

Under the candlelight, the prayer beads gleamed with a warm luster, making her skin appear even whiter.

Xiao Chenyuan looked at her and remained silent for a moment.

"No need to thank me," he said calmly. "It's just an apology."

"An apology?" Old Madam Jiang looked at Su Yaoyao with suspicion.

"Yaoyao, what happened?"