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

The following morning, Tangquan Palace was shrouded in a thin mist.

When Su Yaoyao woke up, the corners of her lips unconsciously turned up—the way someone's ears were red and his breathing was rapid last night was much more interesting than his usual aloof demeanor.

Chuntao couldn't help but laugh as she combed her hair:

"Miss, there was quite a commotion at the Second Prince's place last night. I heard that when he got back, he scolded Miss Su and even... he hit her."

Su Yaoyao straightened her sideburns in front of the mirror.

Dogs fighting, a mouthful of fur.

However, a man who lays a hand on a woman is truly despicable.

But it has nothing to do with her anymore.

She changed into a light and comfortable ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), loosely tied up her long hair with a wooden hairpin, and without any makeup, she possessed a natural charm reminiscent of a lotus emerging from clear water.

Yesterday, because of that jerk, I didn't even get to properly soak in the hot spring. Today, I absolutely have to go and enjoy myself.

Su Yaoyao walked along the corridor toward the hot spring pool, but ran into Su Yun'er halfway there.

Just as Chun Tao had said, her left cheek was swollen and red. Although she covered it with thick makeup, the clear handprint was still visible.

His eyes were red, as if he had been crying.

Upon seeing Su Yaoyao, her eyes widened in panic. She instinctively covered half of her face with a handkerchief and turned to walk down another path.

"What's wrong, little sister?" Su Yaoyao stopped and asked with concern, "You don't look well."

Su Yun'er stiffened, turned around, and forced a smile: "N-nothing... I just didn't sleep well last night."

"Really?" Su Yaoyao took a few steps closer, her gaze sweeping over the girl's face. "Little sister's face..."

Su Yun'er's face stiffened, and she subconsciously raised her hand to cover herself: "N-nothing... I just bumped into something last night."

As she spoke, she tried to cover herself with her handkerchief again.

"That was quite a coincidence," Su Yaoyao said with a half-smile, "It looks like a handprint."

Su Yun'er clenched her handkerchief tightly.

You bitch! It's all because of this bitch!

Last night, the Second Prince returned from the hot springs, angrily questioning her about whether she had deliberately plotted against him.

Despite her attempts to explain, she was still slapped.

The second prince even threatened that if she dared to play any tricks again, he would make sure she couldn't even remain a concubine!

She was clearly in the bathhouse yesterday, how could she have turned into the Crown Prince!

It must have been that vixen's doing!

Su Yun'er bit her lip, about to say something, when suddenly a series of rapid breathing sounds came from the path beside her.

The sound was suppressed, intermittent, mixed with painful coughs, as if someone couldn't breathe.

Su Yaoyao frowned and walked over quickly.

On the stone bench under the plum tree sat a boy dressed in fine clothes, about twelve or thirteen years old, with a pale face and purple lips, clutching his chest and breathing heavily.

Two eunuchs stood beside him, pacing anxiously.

"Your Highness! Your Highness, what's wrong?!" a eunuch cried out, his voice trembling with tears. "Quickly, quickly, go and fetch the imperial physician!"

Su Yaoyao immediately noticed something was wrong—these symptoms were clearly an acute asthma attack!

She quickly stepped forward and crouched down to examine it.

The boy was already losing consciousness, breathing was becoming increasingly difficult, his chest was heaving violently, but he couldn't take in much air.

"Make way!" she shouted at the surrounding palace servants. "Spread out and let the air circulate!"

The palace servants looked at each other, but no one moved.

"What are you all standing there for?!" Su Yaoyao's voice grew even harsher. "Do you want to suffocate the young prince?!"

The shout startled the palace servants, who instinctively took a few steps back.

Su Yaoyao then lowered her head and looked at the young master.

His face had turned from red to blue, and his breathing was becoming increasingly weak.

There's no time to wait for the imperial physician!

She reached out to loosen the young master's collar—the tight collar would worsen his breathing difficulties.

"What are you doing?!" a sharp voice suddenly rang out.

Su Yun'er, who had somehow followed them, immediately shouted upon seeing the situation, "Su Yaoyao! How dare you lay a hand on His Highness! What medical skills do you know? Don't harm people here!"

Su Yaoyao ignored her and continued working, quickly unbuttoning the young master's collar and belt.

"Are you all blind?!" Su Yun'er shouted at the palace servants, "Stop her now! If anything happens to the young princess, can you bear the responsibility?!"

Several palace servants hesitated before stepping forward.

"Let's see who dares!" Su Yaoyao suddenly looked up, her eyes icy cold. "I'm saving people right now. If anyone delays and something happens to the young prince, none of you will escape!"

Her imposing presence momentarily stunned the palace servants.

The boy was already in a daze, his eyes unfocused, and he instinctively grabbed her sleeve as if grasping at a straw.

"Don't be afraid."

Su Yaoyao softened her voice as she continued to loosen his tightly bound collar and belt, "Follow me, breathe slowly... Yes, inhale... exhale..."

Her movements were decisive and professional, unlike those of a pampered young lady raised in seclusion.

In her past life, one of her ex-boyfriends had severe asthma, and she learned first aid from him, which unexpectedly came in handy now.

After undressing him, she helped the boy sit up, supporting his back with one hand and patting him gently with the other: "Relax, don't be nervous... Yes, just like that..."

Time passed little by little.

The bruises on the boy's face gradually faded, and his breathing slowly calmed down.

His unfocused gaze refocused as he stared blankly at the unfamiliar woman in front of him.

"How are you feeling now? Still feeling stuffy?" Su Yaoyao asked softly, then reached out and touched his forehead.

The young master shook his head, staring intently at her: "You...who are you?"

This is a very beautiful child, with delicate features like a porcelain doll, but her face is too pale, giving her a sickly and fragile appearance.

"My name is Su Yaoyao, the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Yongning." Su Yaoyao smiled slightly, "and also the Empress's niece."

"Su Yaoyao..." the young master murmured repeatedly, a blush rising on his pale face, "I... my name is Xiao Yi."

Xiao Yi.

The Queen's biological son, her younger cousin.

Su Yaoyao understood, but her expression remained gentle: "Your Highness, you must carry your medicine with you at all times, understand? It can be very dangerous if it flares up."

The boy nodded, his voice weak: "Th-thank you, sister..."

Su Yun'er watched in stunned silence, then a flash of jealousy crossed her eyes—when did this bitch learn all this?!

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps approached.

"Yi'er!" The Empress, seeing the young master, turned pale and rushed forward. "What happened to you?!"

"Mother..." Xiao Yi smiled weakly, "Your Majesty, I am alright. It was this lady who saved me."

Only then did the Empress notice Su Yaoyao.

A look of surprise flashed in her eyes, quickly turning to gratitude: "Yaoyao, it's you..."

"This humble woman merely happened to be passing by." Su Yaoyao rose, curtsied, and said, "His Highness is temporarily unharmed, but he still requires careful examination and medication by the imperial physician."

The Empress held Su Yaoyao's hand, her eyes slightly red: "My good child, I owe you so much today. If it weren't for you... I really can't bear to think about it..."

"Auntie, you flatter me," Su Yaoyao said gently. "The young prince is blessed with good fortune and will surely be safe and healthy."

The Empress's eyes showed even more approval. Just as she was about to say something, she caught a glimpse of the person standing under the eaves.