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

The Yongning Marquis's Residence

Su Yun'er leaned back on the soft couch, gently stroking her still-flat belly, her eyes full of pride. "The doctor said the pregnancy is stable, it's definitely going to be a healthy boy."

Aunt Liu sat beside her, touching her daughter's hand, her eyes crinkling into slits with laughter:

"My son is so promising... It hasn't been long, and he's pregnant again." Her voice trembled. "This is the royal family's first grandson! My son's good days are coming!"

Su Yun'er smiled, but a hint of worry flashed in her eyes: "Mother, although that's true... the Second Prince hasn't mentioned the matter of a principal wife yet. I can't keep this pregnancy a secret forever."

"What are you afraid of?" Aunt Liu patted her hand. "With this child, isn't becoming the principal wife just a matter of time? Once you give birth to the eldest grandson of the emperor, not only will you become the principal wife, but in the future... you might even be promoted to a higher position!"

She spoke with great enthusiasm, as if she could already see her daughter in her phoenix coronet and wedding gown.

Su Yun'er, however, didn't feel entirely at ease. She recalled the Second Prince's expression when he learned of her pregnancy—not one of surprise, but rather… annoyance.

"Mother," she began hesitantly, "what about my dowry..."

Mentioning this, Aunt Liu's face darkened slightly: "Don't worry, Mother will definitely make sure you have a grand wedding with a magnificent procession! I've taken good care of all those shops and properties; I will never let you embarrass yourself in the Second Prince's residence!"

She spoke with great confidence, but she was actually quite insecure inside.

Although what her brother said was indeed profitable, it was still far from what he had promised Su Yaoyao and his daughter's dowry.

—What utter nonsense, Mr. Deer!

A few days ago, they sent someone over saying something about "this matter being suspicious and requiring caution," and told her to "wait a little longer." Wait? Wait for what?! Wait for all the money in her hands to disappear?!

He's probably unhappy because he saw her make money and then show off in front of the Imperial Concubine, making him, the merchant, look worse. So he's deliberately delaying!

No, we can't listen to him. We have to take advantage of the opportunity to make money and invest the rest of our money!

"By the way," Aunt Liu suddenly asked, "Where is the Second Prince? Did he come to see you after hearing the news?"

Su Yun'er's face darkened, and her voice lowered: "They only...only sent someone to deliver some tonics. They said...they said they're busy lately and will come to see me when they have time."

She bit her lip, her eyes reddening: "Mother, do you think he... still can't forget that bitch Su Yaoyao?"

Aunt Liu's face darkened, and she was about to say something when a maidservant came to report:

"Aunt, Second Miss, the Marquis has sent some bird's nest over, saying it's to help Second Miss recover."

Su Yun'er's eyes lit up: "Father, he..."

"Take it." Aunt Liu waved her hand, and after the maid left, she sneered, "Your father is only being kind to you because you have someone to rely on. Yun'er, you must remember, in this mansion... in the end, you have to fight for it yourself."

Su Yun'er nodded emphatically, then placed her hand on her lower abdomen again.

This child is her biggest bargaining chip.

Su Yaoyao...

Once her child is born, let's see what that bitch has to fight her for!

----

The Second Prince's Mansion.

Xiao Qiming kicked over the low rosewood table in front of him, shattering teacups all over the floor.

"What are you! You're nothing but a dog raised by my mother! How dare you tell me what to do?! Don't forget, if it weren't for my mother..."

A man dressed in a moon-white robe and wearing a silver mask stood before him.

The man held a jade-ribbed folding fan in his hand, and the lower half of his face, which was exposed, had a slight smile on his lips.

Upon hearing this, a hint of malice flashed in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it, still smiling as he waved his folding fan.

"Your Highness, please calm down. I was merely relaying a message on behalf of the Imperial Concubine."

"Pass on a message?" Xiao Qiming sneered. "Then you should pass on the message properly! Stop pointing fingers here!"

"This servant wouldn't dare." The masked man closed his folding fan and gently tapped his palm. "It's just... back then, it was His Highness who didn't want the Grand Tutor's residence. If only you had treated Miss Su a little better back then..."

"Shut up!" Xiao Qiming grabbed the inkstone on the table and was about to smash it.

The masked man moved slightly, nimbly dodging the attack. The inkstone slammed against the wall, splattering ink everywhere—his speed was astounding, clearly indicating he possessed martial arts skills.

"Your Highness, please don't be angry." He still smiled.

"Her Highness the Imperial Concubine said that at the Empress's birthday banquet, you will have a good opportunity to get to know the Prime Minister's daughter. That young lady usually keeps to herself and rarely goes out, so her appearance this time is your chance..."

"An opportunity?!" Xiao Qiming was even angrier. "That boring woman?! Just like my brother! All she does is read books or copy scriptures all day long. I don't want that!"

He clenched his fists, his eyes filled with obsession:

"I want Su Yaoyao!"

A mocking glint flashed in the masked man's eyes, but his voice remained gentle:

"A boring woman?" the man chuckled. "That's what you said about Miss Su back then, wasn't it?"

Xiao Qiming's expression changed drastically: "You—"

"I have delivered the message." His voice turned colder. "How to proceed is Your Highness's business."

He took a small paper packet from his sleeve and placed it on the desk:

"Oh, right, this is for you. Her Highness the Imperial Concubine said that if necessary... we can take some necessary measures."

The masked man bowed and said, "This servant will take his leave now..."

He walked to the door, then turned back, a glint of something eerie in his peach-blossom eyes:

"I still have to earn money for you."

The last few words seemed to be squeezed out between his teeth, carrying a kind of repressed, deep-seated resentment.

Xiao Qiming was the only one left in the study.

He stared at the paper package for a long time before slowly reaching out and picking it up.

He thought of Su Yaoyao's bright and beautiful face, her alluring body, and her cold, icy gaze...

"Su Yaoyao..."

He gripped the porcelain bottle tightly, his eyes surging with madness:

"Don't blame me..."

"You asked for this!"

-----

The Grand Tutor's Residence.

Su Yaoyao sat by the window, holding a gold-embossed invitation in her hand.

Chun Tao stood beside her, and on the table was a brocade box—inside was a dress that the Empress had specially ordered to be sent. It was made of moon-white brocade, embroidered with exquisite epiphyllum flowers, and shimmered softly in the sunlight.

"Another palace banquet..." Su Yaoyao put down the invitation, a smile playing on her lips. "Well, there's going to be some more excitement."

Chuntao said worriedly, "Miss, Her Majesty the Empress specially sent these clothes this time, I'm afraid..."

"What are you afraid of?" Su Yaoyao opened the brocade box, her fingertips tracing the soft fabric. "Afraid she'll scheme against me again?"

She looked up at the deepening twilight outside the window, a cold glint in her eyes:

"When soldiers come, generals will block them; when water comes, earth will dam it."

"Besides..."

She stroked the jade pendant engraved with the character "Yuan" at her waist, a sly smile on her face.

"In this charade, it's still uncertain who's outmaneuvering whom."

----

Meanwhile, inside the Eastern Palace's sleeping quarters.

Xiao Chenyuan awoke with a start, a fine layer of cold sweat beading on his forehead. In the dream, his master's withered hand pointed at him, his voice like the tolling of an ancient temple bell: "Chenyuan, you have harbored delusional thoughts."

In an instant, the Empress Dowager's despairing face blurred again: "Yuan'er...don't end up like your mother..."

He closed his eyes to calm his breathing, but then he smelled a sweet plum blossom scent on his pillow—it was the calming sachet that Su Yaoyao had given him that day, with a magnolia embroidered on the apricot-colored brocade.

Xiao Chenyuan held the sachet in his palm. The light fragrance mixed with the scent of herbs miraculously calmed his palpitations.

The moonlight outside the window was cold and desolate.

He lowered his eyes to look at the sachet, his fingers tightening.

This incense... it's probably for calming the nerves.

It is a poison that gnaws at your very bones and soul.