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

The red wine swirled in the luminous glass, creating an arc.

Xiao Chenyuan's Adam's apple bobbed, and the wine disappeared between his thin lips.

He put down his wine glass, his expression unchanged, but his fingertips trembled almost imperceptibly.

The Queen's smile froze for only a moment before blossoming into an even brighter one.

"Yuan'er is quite unusual today." The Empress smiled even more lovingly and poured him another cup herself.

"Since you like this wine, please drink a few more cups. Not much of it comes from the Western Regions as tribute, and I specially reserved some for today."

Xiao Chenyuan did not refuse, took it, and drank it all again.

Three cups.

Su Yaoyao lowered her eyes and counted, her fingertips gently twisting inside her sleeve.

Not right.

She had witnessed the Crown Prince's drinking capacity firsthand—that night at the Nanfeng Pavilion, he drank an entire jar of strong liquor before getting drunk.

These three cups of wine shouldn't have meant much to him, but his ears...

It even turned slightly red.

Su Yaoyao lowered her eyes, a cold smile playing on her lips.

Is the Empress determined to send her own niece to the Crown Prince's bed at her own birthday banquet?

She looked up and met Xiao Chenyuan's gaze.

His eyes were deep, like thick ink that couldn't be dissolved, churning with emotions she couldn't fathom.

In an instant, he looked away and turned back to his seat.

His steps were so steady that there was not the slightest abnormality.

But Su Yaoyao noticed that the tips of his fingers, hidden under his wide sleeves, were slightly white.

The medicine... is working?

The banquet continued.

The Imperial Concubine smiled and raised her cup to the Emperor: "Your Majesty, Minister Li of the Ministry of Revenue praised Qiming again and again for handling the grain transport case the other day."

Her voice was soft and sweet, and her eyes were full of smugness.

The emperor said "Oh," and looked at the second prince: "Oh? Qiming has improved."

Xiao Qiming quickly stood up: "Your subject dares not take credit; it is all thanks to Your Majesty's excellent guidance."

His words were humble, but the smugness in his eyes was impossible to hide.

The Empress picked up her teacup, gently blew away the foam, and interjected softly, "Yes, the children are all doing their best. Recently, Yuan'er has been reviewing memorials on the floods in Jiangnan until late at night, and he's gotten so thin. It breaks my heart to see him like this, but I can't dissuade him from his ways."

As she spoke, she looked at the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, you must reward them handsomely."

In a single sentence, the Second Prince's "achievements" were easily overshadowed—it's good that you judged the case, but the Crown Prince is in charge of flood control. Which is more important?

The emperor nodded, his gaze softening as he looked at the crown prince: "Yuan'er, you've worked hard."

Xiao Qiming's face instantly turned ugly, and he sat down sullenly.

Su Yun'er gently comforted her from the side, "Your Highness, please don't be angry. His Majesty has seen all your kindness..."

"Shut up." Xiao Qiming hissed irritably, but his eyes were fixed on the person opposite him—Su Yaoyao was talking to Jiang Wanning beside her, her profile glowing like jade under the palace lantern, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

The fire in his heart burned even brighter.

The Empress turned her concerned gaze to the Crown Prince: "Yuan'er, are you feeling unwell? Your face looks a little pale."

Xiao Chenyuan slowly raised his eyes, his lips indeed paler than usual. He stood up, his voice still clear and steady: "Thank you for your concern, Mother. I'm just feeling a bit stuffy and want to go out for some fresh air."

"Then go quickly," the Queen waved her hand kindly, "It would be good for you to change and rest."

The emperor asked with concern, "Should we summon the imperial physician?"

"No need, I'll be right back."

He bowed and left his seat, his moon-white robe sweeping across the polished ground, his steps still composed.

However, as he passed in front of Su Yaoyao's seat, his steps paused almost imperceptibly for a moment.

Su Yaoyao's heart sank.

He knew there was something wrong with the alcohol...

he……

Her mind raced, but she still smiled and spoke to Jiang Wan Ning.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that Li Yan across from me had drunk so much that her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were a little unfocused, but she was still forcing herself to hold up her wine glass, muttering something about someone.

She put down her wine glass, stood up, and whispered to Jiang Wan Ning, "I'm going to sober up."

"Shall I go with you?"

"No need, just follow along with Jingzhe."

She walked out of the main hall with Jingzhe in her arms, and the night breeze did indeed make her much more awake.

She walked through the brightly lit corridor and turned towards the side hall—it seemed that Xiao Chenyuan had left his seat this way earlier.

"Su Yaoyao!"

A low voice came from behind, accompanied by rapid breathing.

Su Yaoyao kept walking, only giving Jingzhe a wink.

Jingzhe understood, quietly took half a step back, and hid in the shadow of the corridor pillars.

Xiao Qiming was quickly catching up, tearing open a paper package as he walked. He had clearly drunk quite a bit, as he was swaying and unsteady on his feet.

"A treasure from the Western Regions... just a little bit, and you'll obediently follow its lead—"

Just then, another figure staggered over!

"Su, Su Yaoyao, stop right there!"

Li Yan's face was flushed, and her hair was slightly disheveled. She pointed at Su Yaoyao, her words slurred.

"You...you weren't satisfied with seducing the Crown Prince, you even had to meet with the Second Prince in secret? Shameless—"

Xiao Qiming was startled by her sudden appearance, and his hand trembled—

With a soft "poof" sound.

The white powder in the paper packet spilled out, landing directly on his face, while some drifted towards Li Yan.

"Cough cough cough—" Xiao Qiming coughed repeatedly, choked by the fumes, and hurriedly wiped his mouth.

Li Yan inhaled some as well, and immediately felt even more dizzy. She swayed and steadied herself by holding onto a pillar. "It's so...so hot..." she murmured, tugging at her collar, her eyes glazed. "Second Prince...you..."

Xiao Qiming's expression changed drastically.

The medicine took effect very quickly; he himself felt his blood surging, and seeing Li Yan's appearance, he knew things were about to go wrong.

Su Yaoyao had already retreated to a safe distance, watching this scene with cold eyes.

Very well, he brought it on himself.

The medicine was extremely potent, and Xiao Qiming had inhaled a large amount. At this moment, his whole body was burning hot, and his vision was starting to blur.

He pinched himself hard, his eyes turning ferocious as he looked at Su Yaoyao: "You...you plotted against me?"

Su Yaoyao had already retreated three steps away, and upon hearing this, she almost laughed in anger: "Your Highness took the medicine powder yourself and sprinkled it yourself, what does it have to do with me?"

She looked at Jingzhe and whispered quickly, "Go, keep an eye on them secretly, don't let them cause any deaths. If necessary... lend a hand, let those who should see it see it."

As the insects awaken, they nod and silently disappear into the darkness.

Su Yaoyao turned and left.

This place is no longer safe. The Second Prince has been poisoned, and so has Li Yan. If they were to embarrass themselves in public... she doesn't want to get involved.

She hurried through the corridor, trying to find a secluded side hall to take refuge. Just as she reached a secluded corner, suddenly—

A strong hand reached out from the side and suddenly pulled her over!

"Hmm!"

Caught off guard, Su Yaoyao stumbled into a burning embrace. The familiar, cool sandalwood scent wafted to her nose, mingled with hot breath.

Before she could react, she was pulled into a dimly lit side hall.

"Bang."

The palace doors were slammed shut behind them.

Outside the door, the sounds of hurried footsteps and groans grew louder—the sounds of Li Yan's drug taking full effect, mixed with Xiao Qiming's panicked growls: "Get out of my way! Don't touch me!"

The sound gradually faded away, indicating that the two had moved on to another place.

The side hall was completely silent.

Only the heavy breathing sounded exceptionally clear in the darkness.

Su Yaoyao leaned against the cold door panel, her body burning hot in front of her.

The familiar scent of sandalwood filled my nostrils.

Xiao Chenyuan's pale white crown prince's casual robe had been loosened at the collar, revealing his snow-white, lean chest.

His hair was soaked with sweat and clung to his pale skin.

Her usually cold and aloof phoenix eyes were now bloodshot at the corners, shimmering with tears, churning with intense desire and struggle, and her breathing was heavy and hot.

"Slender and graceful..."

He spoke, his voice hoarse and trembling with suppressed emotion.

"Why...did you come?"