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

The steward's surname was Fu. He had served in the Eastern Palace for nearly thirty years. His hair was gray, but his back was ramrod straight.

As he led Su Yaoyao through the corridor, he walked exceptionally slowly, occasionally turning to remind her, "Miss, watch your step."

That attitude, respectful yet tinged with a cautious joy.

Su Yaoyao found it amusing: "Uncle Fu, you don't need to be so polite."

Uncle Fu shook his head, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes forming kind folds: "Yes, yes. The young lady is a distinguished guest; His Highness specifically instructed that she be taken good care of."

As he spoke, his eyes welled up with tears. He lowered his head and wiped them with his sleeve, murmuring, "This old servant has watched Your Highness grow up... In all these years, this is the first time I've seen Your Highness bring a young lady back to stay. Good, very good..."

It looked just like the iron tree that had been growing in one's own garden for many years had finally blossomed.

Su Yaoyao was at a loss for words.

After passing through a bamboo grove, a delicate courtyard came into view.

The courtyard is small, but it shows care in every detail.

A small plaque hangs above the courtyard gate, inscribed with the three characters "Jingyuxuan". The calligraphy is elegant and graceful, clearly the handwriting of the Crown Prince.

"This place was cleaned up on His Highness's orders." Uncle Fu pushed open the courtyard gate and stepped aside to let Su Yaoyao in. "It's close to His Highness's bedroom, making it convenient for him to come and go."

Su Yaoyao paused slightly.

Close? It's more than close; it's clearly separated by a moon gate. You can see the windows of the second floor of the opposite palace from the courtyard.

She remained calm and followed the butler into the main room.

Stepping inside, Su Yaoyao paused slightly.

The room's decor... was just what she wanted.

By the window stood her beloved magnolia, in full bloom, its fragrance delicate and elegant; her dressing table was laden with rouge and face powder, even the shades were the ones she usually used; and hanging by the bed was a sky-blue gauze curtain, its corners adorned with tiny silver bells.

What surprised her even more was that the incense burner in the corner of the room was burning her favorite white plum blossom scent.

Every detail was just right, even more to her liking than her own boudoir in the Grand Tutor's mansion. It was as if... someone had carefully considered her preferences and arranged everything bit by bit.

Uncle Fu, smiling broadly, said, "His Highness instructed that the young lady's room should be designed according to her preferences. Please take a look and see if there's anything you're missing?"

Su Yaoyao looked around and smiled: "We don't lack anything, that's good."

Uncle Fu breathed a sigh of relief and then said, "His Highness said that the young lady can move freely throughout the Eastern Palace. Except for..."

He paused for a moment, then said, "The Buddhist hall where Your Highness usually practices is a forbidden area, and Your Highness dislikes being disturbed."

"Understood." Su Yaoyao nodded.

But in his heart, he started to wonder—a Buddhist temple? What could be so shameful about that place?

He then casually asked, "It seems there aren't many people serving the Crown Prince?"

"Yes," said Uncle Fu, "There are no maids in the Eastern Palace, only servants and pageboys. If the young lady needs anything, just tell this old servant."

Su Yaoyao raised an eyebrow: "Such a large Eastern Palace, and not a single maid?"

Uncle Fu's face showed a hint of helplessness: "It happened before. The Empress and the ladies of the palace all sent people to the East Palace, but those girls..." He lowered his voice, "...were 'dealt with' by His Highness after only a few days."

"Handle?" Su Yaoyao's heart skipped a beat.

Uncle Fu realized he had spoken out of turn and quickly waved his hand, "This old servant has been too talkative. In short, please settle in comfortably, young lady. If you need anything or want to eat anything, just let this old servant know. This old servant will take his leave now."

At this moment, Chuntao and Jingzhe entered the room carrying the luggage they had retrieved from the Grand Tutor's residence.

As soon as Chun Tao entered, she exclaimed "Wow!" with wide eyes, "This...this room is decorated...it's just like Miss's boudoir in the Grand Tutor's mansion! No, it's even more exquisite than that!"

Jingzhe was more composed, but she couldn't help looking around, a look of surprise in her eyes.

Su Yaoyao walked to the dressing table and opened the dressing case—the jewelry inside was exquisite, and the style was the simple and elegant style she preferred.

She picked up a white magnolia hairpin, compared it to herself in the bronze mirror, and smiled slightly.

At this moment, Chun Tao opened the wardrobe, preparing to hang up the clothes she had brought. Her hand froze as soon as she put it in, and then she let out a soft "Ah!" and her face turned red.

Su Yaoyao went over and took a look, and she was also stunned.

Several outfits were already hanging in the wardrobe, from outerwear to skirts, all in colors and styles she usually liked.

That's nothing compared to what's outrageous—the bottom layer, neatly folded, contains several sets of intimate apparel.

Moon white, light pink, and light blue—the fabric is the finest soft silk, embroidered with exquisite epiphyllum or intertwined vine patterns.

Most importantly—the size is exactly the same as hers.

Chun Tao's face turned bright red, and she stammered, "Your Highness, how come you don't even know this..."

Su Yaoyao picked up one of the items, looked at it, put it back, and suddenly smiled.

What is this? The person hasn't even moved in yet, and they've already prepared their personal clothing. His Highness the Crown Prince's thoughtfulness...

Precautionary measures? Or... a long-planned scheme?

"They were very thorough in their work," Su Yaoyao said casually, but a subtle feeling lingered in her heart.

Keeping a mistress hidden away? Does this mean...they've started living together?

"Alright, stop making a fuss. Let's hang up the clothes we brought too, so they don't take up too much space."

Jingzhe was calmer than Chuntao and said in a low voice, "Miss, His Highness the Crown Prince seems to be too attentive to you."

"Isn't thoughtfulness good?" Su Yaoyao sat down on the chaise lounge and casually picked up a book from the small table beside it—a popular storybook, which happened to be the one she was currently reading.

She turned two pages, her smile deepening.

This person... probably knows her inside and out.

Just then, a servant came to report that rooms for Chun Tao, Jing Zhe, and the other young ladies had been prepared in the side rooms of Jing Yu Xuan. Even Bai Lu and Gu Yu's accommodations had been arranged—although they hadn't come with us today.

Chun Tao was even more surprised, her eyes filled with admiration as she looked at Su Yaoyao: "We have it too? Miss, the people from the Crown Prince's residence are so efficient!"

The servant respectfully replied, "Your Highness has instructed that the people around the young lady should be properly taken care of."

After the servants withdrew, Chun Tao took Jing Zhe's hand and looked at Su Yao Yao with bright eyes: "Miss, His Highness the Crown Prince really cares about you!"

Su Yaoyao didn't say anything, but walked to the bedside and sat down.

She got up before dawn to wait for the delegation and experienced emotional ups and downs. Now that she has relaxed, she is feeling sleepy.

"I'm tired, I'm going to sleep first." She yawned. "You guys should go and rest too."

She changed into a light nightgown and lay down on the canopy bed covered with a soft gauze cushion.

Chuntao quickly lowered the gauze curtain, tiptoed out, and closed the door behind her.

The room fell silent.

Su Yaoyao lay on her side on the pillow, smelling the faint sandalwood scent on it—it was his scent.

She closed her eyes, and her consciousness gradually faded.

The shadow of the magnolia tree swayed gently by the bed through the window screen.

Su Yaoyao fell asleep.

His breathing gradually became even and long.

Outside the window, the moonlight was perfect.

I do not know how long it has been,

A pair of cloud-patterned brocade boots, carrying the scent of sandalwood, stepped across the threshold and silently entered, stopping in front of the soft couch.

The person on the bed was completely unaware and fast asleep.