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

When Ling Feng came to report, Xiao Chenyuan was frowning at the bowl of freshly brewed "cooling medicine".

"Your Highness," Ling Feng stood outside the door, his voice tinged with barely suppressed laughter, "Miss Su invites you to dine with her."

Xiao Chenyuan paused, put down the medicine bowl, and said, "I understand."

Ling Feng acknowledged and withdrew. As he left the study, he couldn't help but sigh to himself, "It has to be Miss Su. It's truly not easy to make an iron tree bloom."

Xiao Chenyuan sat in the study for a while, then got up, walked to the bronze mirror to straighten his clothes, but then felt it was not appropriate, so he went back to the inner room to change into a moon-white casual dress.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and silently recited the Heart-Cleansing Mantra twice before pushing open the door and going out, once again displaying the aloof and self-possessed demeanor of a prince.

But his pace was still a bit faster than usual.

----

In the small hall of Jingyuxuan, bowls and chopsticks were already set on the round table.

Su Yaoyao sat at the table, resting her chin on her hand as she looked out the window at the magnolia trees.

Hearing footsteps, she turned around, her eyes curving into crescents: "Your Highness is here."

Xiao Chenyuan paused almost imperceptibly.

Sunlight streamed through the curtains and bathed her in a soft glow.

She had changed into a light blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), and only a white jade hairpin was in her hair. She was simple and plain, unlike her usual bright and flamboyant style, but she had an indescribable... gentleness.

For a fleeting moment, he felt as if something was different.

The East Palace is large and quiet.

Over the years, he has gotten used to eating alone, reading alone, and practicing swordsmanship alone.

Uncle Fu and Ling Feng would occasionally chat with him for a few minutes, but the feeling was ultimately different.

But now, looking at the figure sitting at the table waiting for him, looking at the steaming food on the table, looking at the room that she had brought so much life to since she moved in…

Suddenly, this desolate Eastern Palace seemed to have a touch of "home".

"Sit down," Su Yaoyao pointed to the seat opposite her.

Xiao Chenyuan suppressed the unfamiliar flutter in his heart, walked over calmly, and sat down opposite her.

The dishes on the table were simple yet exquisite: stir-fried seasonal vegetables, emerald shrimp, a clear chicken soup, and a steamed sea bass.

Su Yaoyao picked up her chopsticks and served him food: "Uncle Fu said that Your Highness usually eats light meals, so I had them prepare some as usual. Your Highness, please try it and see if it suits your taste?"

Xiao Chenyuan looked at the shrimp she placed in his bowl, and after a moment of silence, asked, "Why did you suddenly decide to invite me to dine with you?"

"Can't I have dinner with His Highness for no reason?" Su Yaoyao raised an eyebrow, speaking with righteous indignation.

"Now that I've moved in, there's no reason for me to eat alone."

As she spoke, her voice suddenly lowered, and she lowered her eyelashes: "I'm very afraid of eating alone... I always feel too lonely."

These words were half true and half false, but Xiao Chenyuan's heart felt as if it had been gently bumped by something.

He tightened his grip on the chopsticks and said in a low voice, "Let's eat."

The two ate their meal in silence.

Xiao Chenyuan ate with excellent manners, eating slowly and quietly, making almost no sound.

He noticed that Su Yaoyao had touched all the dishes on the table, but she hadn't even glanced at the fish.

"You don't like eating fish?" he asked.

"Not really." Su Yaoyao shook her head, a little embarrassed. "When I was little, I got a fish bone stuck in my throat, and it hurt for several days. After that, I didn't dare to eat fish anymore."

She paused, then smiled again: "But Uncle Fu said you like it, so I had the kitchen make it. Your Highness, please eat more."

Xiao Chenyuan looked at her, then at the fish.

As if guided by some strange force, he picked up a piece of the tenderest fish belly meat with his chopsticks and carefully, bit by bit, removed the fish bones.

He was stunned when he finished. He had already picked up the fish meat and removed half of the fish bones, so putting it down now seemed even stranger.

He pursed his lips and continued to pick at the thorns, his movements still composed, though his ears were turning red again.

After finally cleaning the fish, he placed the piece in her bowl and said calmly, "You can eat now."

Su Yaoyao was stunned.

Even Uncle Fu and Chun Tao, who were waiting on the side, stared wide-eyed.

Your Highness... is picking fish bones out of someone?

Su Yaoyao looked at the cleanly picked fish meat in the bowl, her eyelashes trembling.

Xiao Chenyuan looked away, his voice a little dry: "It's ready to eat."

Su Yaoyao suddenly smiled, picked up the piece of fish and put it in her mouth. She chewed it carefully and looked at him with bright eyes: "Your Highness picked out the fish bones so cleanly."

Xiao Chenyuan lowered his head and ate his food, saying, "Mm."

"Your Highness," Su Yaoyao said, resting her chin on her hand, her voice soft and sweet, "Now that I'm staying at the Eastern Palace... could you come and dine with me every day?"

She paused, then added, her tone even more innocent:

"Dinner will do. His Highness has to attend court for breakfast, and His Highness is in the palace for lunch, so dinner... is that alright?"

Xiao Chenyuan looked up at her.

Her eyes held expectation, and a hint of barely perceptible dependence. She looked like a kitten tentatively extending its paw, tickling the heart with a delightful itch.

"...I'll do my best." He finally agreed.

As soon as he finished speaking, several servants came in, carrying several plates of new dishes—bright red and obviously spicy.

Boiled beef in chili oil, Mapo tofu, spicy diced chicken...

Su Yaoyao's eyes lit up instantly: "Wow! These are...!"

"This old servant thought the young lady had a strong palate, so I specially asked the kitchen to add it," Uncle Fu said with a smile, glancing at his master out of the corner of his eye. Of course, this was all at the master's behest.

Su Yaoyao looked at Xiao Chenyuan, her eyes filled with surprise: "Your Highness even knows I love spicy food?"

Xiao Chenyuan's expression remained unchanged: "Let's have our meal."

Su Yaoyao didn't ask any further questions and ate heartily.

She gasped, her lips instantly turning red from the spiciness, and her eyes welled up with tears, but she didn't stop eating: "Delicious..."

Xiao Chenyuan looked at her lips, slightly swollen and red from the spiciness. Her lips were as vibrant as ripe cherries, slightly pouting, opening and closing gently with each chew...

His Adam's apple bobbed violently, and he subconsciously swallowed.

Su Yaoyao noticed his gaze and, assuming he wanted some too, picked up a piece of boiled pork and naturally held it to his lips.

"Your Highness, would you like to try some? It's delicious!"

Xiao Chenyuan hesitated for a moment as he looked at the slice of meat covered in chili peppers in front of him.

He usually eats a light diet and almost never touches spicy food.

But those smiling eyes were looking at him expectantly...

He opened his mouth and ate.

The next second, a burning sensation shot from the tip of my tongue straight to the top of my head!

"Cough...cough cough!" He turned his head to the side, his face instantly turning red, and his eyes glistening with tears.

Su Yaoyao was startled and quickly handed over some tea: "Your Highness, are you alright? Please have some water!"

Xiao Chenyuan took the teacup and drank it all in one gulp, barely managing to suppress the spiciness.

He looked up, his eyes still misty with tears, his lips red from the spiciness. His usual aloofness was completely gone, replaced by a certain... allure.

As Su Yaoyao watched, she suddenly burst out laughing.

"Your Highness," she leaned closer and lowered her voice, "you seem...as if you've been bullied."

Xiao Chenyuan glared at her, but his eyes were watery and lacked any real threat.

Uncle Fu watched this scene from the doorway, his old face beaming with joy. He then quietly pulled Chun Tao away.

Inside the room, Su Yaoyao was still smiling, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

"Your Highness," she laughed, her shoulders shaking, "you should have said you couldn't eat spicy food earlier."

Xiao Chenyuan wiped his eyes, his ears were red, and his voice was still a little hoarse: "...It's nothing."

Su Yaoyao leaned closer and gently wiped the water from the corner of his lips, her movements soft but her eyes playful.

"Your Highness is... kind of cute like this."

Xiao Chenyuan froze.

The two were very close, close enough that he could see his reflection in her eyes—disheveled, flustered, and unable to hide his excitement.

He suddenly grabbed her wrist.

Su Yaoyao paused.

Xiao Chenyuan stared at her, his eyes darkening, his voice low and husky:

"Su Yaoyao."

"Um?"

"Stop fooling around."

As he spoke, he didn't stop; instead, he gripped her wrist even tighter.

Su Yaoyao's heart skipped a beat, but she still smiled on the surface:

"Your Highness, you looked at me first."

"..."

"You were staring at my mouth just now," she whispered, her breath brushing against his ear, "making me too embarrassed to eat."

Xiao Chenyuan's ears turned even redder, but he forced himself to remain calm:

"One should not speak while eating."

"Then why don't you speak in bed?" Su Yaoyao replied casually.

Xiao Chenyuan raised his hand and touched the back of his neck, where the scratches had long since healed. Looking at her carefree appearance, he smiled with a hint of indulgence.

He picked up his chopsticks, took another piece of spicy chicken, and put it in his mouth without changing his expression.

This time I was prepared, and although it was still spicy, at least I didn't lose my composure again.

Su Yaoyao rested her chin on her hand and looked at him, then suddenly said softly, "Your Highness, you don't really need to force yourself."

Xiao Chenyuan raised his eyes.

"But you're willing to eat spicy food with me," she smiled, a glimmer of light in her eyes, "I'm very happy."

Xiao Chenyuan tightened his grip on the chopsticks.

After a long pause, he said in a low voice:

"……Um."

The sunlight outside the window was perfect, and the shadow of the magnolia tree swayed gently on the window screen.

The two continued their meal at the dining table.

One person was hissing and panting from the spiciness, yet still kept eating, while the other ate the spiciest dish they ever hated without batting an eye.

Their eyes occasionally met, then quickly looked away.

A faint, indescribable warmth permeated the air.

Uncle Fu peeked from behind a pillar, wiped his eyes, and muttered:

"Great...that's really great..."

This Eastern Palace is finally starting to feel a bit lively.

After the meal was finished, Chun Tao came over to clear the dishes and muttered, "Miss, you looked so pitiful just now... you really acted it out."

Su Yaoyao picked up a piece of crystal cake and slowly took a bite:

"How can you call it pretending? I'm genuinely afraid of being alone."

Chuntao: "..."

I'd never believe you.

However, seeing her young mistress smiling like a little fox, Chun Tao also started to laugh.

This is good.

A young lady should be pampered and spoiled.

Instead of being all alone like when he was in the Marquis's mansion, unable to even get a hot meal.