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

Xiao Qiming's voice grew closer and closer, filled with an impatient urgency.

Su Yaoyao was held tightly in Xiao Chenyuan's arms, pressed against his warm chest.

Her yukata was already thin, and now it was soaked through and clung to her body, making it almost as if she wasn't wearing anything at all.

Her soft breasts pressed tightly against his lower abdomen.

She listened to his heartbeat.

Thump, thump

Calm and powerful, yet lacking in rhythm.

She tilted her head back, about to say something, but Xiao Chenyuan pressed his fingertip to her lips.

"Don't make a sound." His voice was slightly hoarse.

He gripped her lower back with great force, holding her firmly in his arms.

He gently placed his other hand on the back of her head, letting her bury her face against his chest.

The pool was filled with misty steam, enveloping the two of them in a hazy white fog.

"Yaoyao... I knew it, you still can't bear to part with me..."

The gauze curtain was lifted.

"Let me cherish you... Once the deed is done, you'll be mine..."

Before he could finish speaking, when Xiao Qiming saw the person in the pool, he was struck dumb, frozen in place.

"...Your Majesty, Your Majesty?!"

Xiao Chenyuan stood with his back to the entrance, completely blocking Su Yaoyao from view.

From the outside, all one could see was His Highness the Crown Prince soaking alone in the hot spring, his black hair flowing freely, his shoulders broad.

Xiao Chenyuan slowly turned his head, revealing half of his cool profile, his voice calm and even, "Second brother, is there something you need?"

"Yao...no," Xiao Qiming glanced suspiciously at the surface of the pool, "Brother, why...why are you here alone?"

Xiao Qiming watched his elder brother's back as he soaked in the hot spring, then looked at the empty pool.

Just now, Su Yun'er clearly said that Su Yaoyao had asked him to meet her here...

Could it be that Su Yun'er is playing a trick on him?

"Otherwise what?" Xiao Chenyuan said calmly, "Second brother, who else do you think should be here?"

His tone was so calm, yet it instilled fear in Xiao Qiming.

This elder brother of the emperor... has always had this aloof and cold demeanor, yet, the emperor respects him, and the court officials fear him.

Even his mother, Consort Chen, had privately warned him, "Don't provoke the Crown Prince."

"Your Majesty, I dare not," Xiao Qiming lowered his head. "I did not know that Your Majesty was meditating here. I have disturbed you..."

The hot spring pool was quite large, and the steam was so thick that it was difficult to see clearly.

But… his elder brother's back seemed a little stiff? And those ripples on the water… he couldn't help but lean forward to see what was going on.

"Since you know you've disturbed us, why don't you step back?" Xiao Chenyuan's voice deepened, carrying an undeniable air of authority.

Xiao Qiming's heart tightened, and he subconsciously wanted to retreat.

But thinking of Su Yun'er's solemn promise, he felt somewhat unwilling.

What if... Su Yaoyao is really here?

He tentatively asked, "Is Your Majesty soaking in the hot spring alone? Why... are there no palace servants attending to you?"

"I enjoy solitude and quiet."

Xiao Chenyuan's tone was clearly impatient.

"My second brother is very talkative today."

But Su Yaoyao could feel that Xiao Chenyuan's body... was very tense.

It's like something is being desperately restrained.

Su Yaoyao shifted slightly in his arms.

It wasn't intentional.

It was Xiao Chenyuan's hand gripping her waist, the force was too strong, and she was a little out of breath, so she tried to adjust her position slightly.

But with this movement, through the soaked fabric, her softness pressed tightly against Xiao Chenyuan's chest.

Xiao Chenyuan's breath hitched.

Su Yaoyao suddenly had a wicked idea.

Her fingers slowly traced the pale pink fabric peeking out from his shirt.

Xiao Chenyuan's breathing became erratic instantly.

The hand gripping her waist tightened instantly, so forcefully that she let out a soft groan.

It was a very soft sound, yet it was exceptionally clear in the quiet, steamy air.

Xiao Qiming's eyes lit up: "Brother, I think I heard..."

"Get out."

Xiao Chenyuan's voice suddenly turned cold, carrying an unprecedented ferocity.

Even Su Yaoyao was startled.

Xiao Qiming's face turned deathly pale, and he subconsciously took two steps back: "Brother, you..."

"I said,"

Xiao Chenyuan slowly turned his head, his eyes like icy blades.

"Get out."

That look was terrifying.

Xiao Qiming had never seen his elder brother like this before—his usually calm and unwavering eyes were now churning with some kind of emotion that he couldn't understand, yet which made his heart tremble.

He dared not linger any longer, turned around hastily, and practically fled.

The footsteps faded into the distance.

The hot spring pool has returned to its quiet state.

Only the gentle sound of flowing water and...the increasingly clear heartbeats of the two people could be heard.

Xiao Chenyuan still held Su Yaoyao's waist and did not move for a long time.

Su Yaoyao could feel that his heart was beating incredibly fast.

His chest heaved, his breathing was heavy, and the hand clasped around her waist tightened subtly.

"Your Highness..."

She spoke softly, her voice muffled against his chest, "He's gone."

Xiao Chenyuan did not move.

"Your Highness?" Su Yaoyao called out again, gently poking his chest with her fingertip.

It has a solid feel and is scalding hot.

Xiao Chenyuan finally looked down at her.

Water droplets dripped from her hair, slid down her fair neck, and disappeared deep into her collar.

The moon-white fabric became translucent after being soaked, covering that breathtaking body, making every curve clearly visible.

Su Yaoyao lifted her head from his embrace and met his gaze.

His eyes were deep, like the surface of the sea before a storm, with turbulent undercurrents.

"Su Yaoyao."

He spoke, his voice terribly hoarse, "You...did this on purpose?"

"This humble woman does not understand what Your Highness is saying."

As she spoke, her fingertips continued to lightly trace the collar of his soaked undershirt.

"I was just... held too tightly by Your Highness, and couldn't breathe."

Xiao Chenyuan grabbed her misbehaving hand.

"You deliberately let Chun Tao reveal your whereabouts. You deliberately... lured me here."

His palms were burning hot, and he applied slight pressure.

Am I right?

"Since Your Highness already guessed..." Su Yaoyao tilted her head up, leaned closer to him, and said softly, "Why did you still come?"

Xiao Chenyuan remained silent.

Why did you come?

Because he heard Ling Feng report that Su Yun'er had invited him to a hot spring and that Xiao Qiming was on his way.

Because he knew that the little fox was setting a trap again, but this time... she used him as bait.

Because he...can't let go?

"Su Yaoyao." He sighed, a hint of helplessness in his voice.

"So you dressed like this on purpose, on purpose..." He paused, his voice even hoarser.

"Teasing me."

Su Yaoyao blinked and smiled, "Then Your Highness... were you aroused?"

As she spoke, she tilted her head back, her eyes glistening with tears, and her lips, steamed with moisture, were a deep, luscious red.

Like a ripe fruit, waiting to be picked.

Xiao Chenyuan's Adam's apple bobbed again.

His gaze lingered on her lips for a long time. "Aren't you afraid..."

"What are you afraid of?" Su Yaoyao looked up at him, her whole body almost pressed against him.

"Afraid of His Highness's wrath? Or afraid that His Highness... won't be able to control himself?"

She raised her other hand, gently hooked it around his neck, and pulled him closer.

"Your Highness..." her voice was as soft as water, "Which line of your Buddhist scripture... are you on?"

Xiao Chenyuan stared at her, his eyes frighteningly deep.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice hoarse beyond belief:

"...Form is not different from emptiness, emptiness is not different from form."

"Really?" Su Yaoyao chuckled, her fingertips sliding down his chest.

"But I think... Your Highness seems quite 'lustful' right now."