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

On the day of the palace banquet, Jingyuxuan was already bustling with activity just as dawn was breaking.

Chun Tao held the newly made palace dress, her eyes lighting up: "The workmanship is so exquisite... even better than the craftsmanship of the Imperial Wardrobe."

The moon-white brocade gleamed with a warm, pearly luster in the morning light, luxurious yet understated.

Su Yaoyao reached out and stroked the fabric, a slight smile curving her lips—she had indeed put her heart into it.

While she was doing her hair, Uncle Fu personally brought her a brocade box, inside which was a set of white jade headdresses.

Hairpins, hair ornaments, hair ornaments with dangling ornaments, and earrings are all carved from mutton-fat white jade. The designs are simple, yet each piece is exquisite.

"His Highness said," Uncle Fu said with a smile, "that this set of jewelry matches the young lady's clothes perfectly today."

Su Yaoyao picked up a white jade hairpin, the head of which was carved into a half-open epiphyllum flower, echoing the embroidery on her skirt.

She looked in the bronze mirror and slowly inserted the hairpin into her hair bun.

The woman in the mirror had bright eyes and white teeth, and her hair was styled in a cloud-like pattern and her face was as beautiful as a flower.

Her snow-white dress accentuated her fair skin, her waist was cinched extremely thin, and her breasts were full and alluring.

Her figure was voluptuous and slender, just like a blooming peony, exuding both elegance and charm.

Chun Tao stared, her eyes wide: "Miss...you're so beautiful."

Su Yaoyao smiled and stood up: "Let's go."

The carriage was already prepared at the entrance of the East Palace.

Xiao Chenyuan stood with his hands behind his back beside the car. Hearing footsteps, he turned around and looked back.

Then, I froze.

In the morning light, Su Yaoyao walked slowly, her moon-white dress fluttering in the wind, and the epiphyllum flowers on the hem of her dress seemed to come alive, swirling around her.

The white jade hairpin shone brightly in her hair, making her face even more beautiful.

His gaze slowly moved from her face to the clothes she was wearing, then he looked down at himself—

The same moon white.

The same silver thread pattern.

Even the density of the bamboo leaf pattern on the shawl is exactly the same.

This is clearly... a set that was specially prepared.

Su Yaoyao saw it too, her steps faltered slightly, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, which then turned into a faint smile.

She walked up to him, looked up, and asked with a smile, "Your Highness's attire today... suits me very well."

Xiao Chenyuan's ears turned slightly red, but his face remained calm: "It's just a coincidence."

He reached out to help her into the car, and paused almost imperceptibly when his fingertips touched her wrist.

The carriage slowly drove out of the East Palace.

The car interior was not spacious, and the two sat side by side, their clothes occasionally rubbing against each other, making a soft rustling sound.

The cool sandalwood scent emanating from Xiao Chenyuan mingled with the faint magnolia fragrance in her hair, creating a harmonious blend in the small space.

Su Yaoyao suddenly spoke up: "I heard that the Northern Desert Princess has been sending a visiting card to the Eastern Palace every day these past few days?"

"Hmm." Xiao Chenyuan responded indifferently, "I refused them all."

"Why?" Su Yaoyao turned her head to look at him. "Isn't the princess here for a political marriage? Will Your Highness not see her?"

Xiao Chenyuan raised an eyebrow and turned to look at her: "Do you think I should marry her?"

"How dare I, a mere subject, interfere in the affairs of your court?" Su Yaoyao smiled innocently. "You are the Crown Prince; you can marry whomever you wish."

"Su Yaoyao!" Xiao Chenyuan's voice deepened, tinged with obvious annoyance. "Are you trying to drive me to my death?"

Su Yaoyao blinked: "So, His Highness the Crown Prince... isn't going to marry the princess?"

Xiao Chenyuan glanced at her: "What do you think?"

"If His Highness doesn't marry her," Su Yaoyao said thoughtfully, resting her chin on her hand, "wouldn't that be letting the Second Prince have it easy? Even if you don't marry her, you can't let him marry her."

Xiao Chenyuan's face darkened: "You're still thinking about him?!"

"Oh dear, who's thinking about that good-for-nothing?" Su Yaoyao waved her hand dismissively. "I just want to see him suffer. When he's in trouble, I'll be happy."

Xiao Chenyuan's expression softened slightly. "You dislike him that much?"

"Ugh!" Su Yaoyao answered without hesitation, "Absolutely! That guy, a plain-looking guy, was disgusting."

Although he didn't know what "Pu Xin Nan" meant, Xiao Chenyuan's lips curved into a barely perceptible smile upon hearing the disdain in her tone.

"Don't worry," he said, his tone softening, "it won't be his turn."

She paused, then added, "Moreover, Anar came to the East Palace because of your brother."

Su Yaoyao was taken aback: "I felt something was off at the city gate that day. The two of them... have a story behind them?"

"The princess once fought General Su on the battlefield," Xiao Chenyuan said slowly. "Later, she was the one who advocated for peace talks. However, during the peace talks, she was assassinated by opposing forces within the Northern Desert."

He looked at Su Yaoyao: "This matter concerns the diplomatic relations between our two countries. If the princess is injured within the borders of Yong, the peace talks will inevitably collapse. Your brother saved her, not only for her sake but also for the sake of the country."

Su Yaoyao was silent for a moment: "So, brother is doing this for the greater good..."

"Hmm." Xiao Chenyuan nodded. "This matter involves internal strife in the Northern Desert and should not be publicized. The princess insists on taking care of your brother personally, also to protect him—in the eyes of the Northern Desert, General Su has ruined their plans and will surely be eliminated as soon as possible."

Su Yaoyao's heart tightened: "Then what about my brother's feelings for the princess...?"

Why does this plot sound so familiar?

A hero saves a damsel in distress, they meet on the battlefield, and there are also national and personal grudges mixed in... Even traditional storytellers wouldn't dare to write it like this.

"We'll have to wait until he wakes up to discuss everything," Xiao Chenyuan said calmly, looking at her. "But there are things you don't want me to do, I can still do."

Su Yaoyao looked at him and suddenly smiled: "For example?"

"For example," Xiao Chenyuan raised his eyes, his gaze falling on her face, "if you don't want me to marry the princess, then I won't marry her."

"How did it become my unwillingness? Your Highness, stop using me as a shield."

Xiao Chenyuan found her rare coquettishness quite pleasing.

"It is my unwillingness, it is my...being bewitched by a demon."

Just as Su Yaoyao was about to tease him, the carriage slowly came to a stop.

Ling Feng's voice came from outside: "Your Highness, we've arrived."

Xiao Chenyuan got out of the car first, then turned around and reached out to help her.

The palace gates were already filled with carriages from various mansions, and noble ladies and wives of noble birth alighted one after another, adorned with pearls and jade ornaments, and accompanied by a fragrant breeze.

When Su Yaoyao stepped off the carriage with the help of the Crown Prince, the surroundings suddenly fell silent for a moment.

Countless gazes shot towards them.

Shocked, jealous, inquisitive, complex...

The Crown Prince, dressed in a moon-white gown, and Su Yaoyao, also dressed in a moon-white gown, stood side by side.

One was as aloof as a banished immortal, the other as radiant as the morning sun, yet they were strangely harmonious, as if they were born to stand together.

What's even more jarring is that the patterns on their clothes are clearly a matching set.

What is the Crown Prince openly declaring?

Behind me, I could faintly hear whispers:

"His Highness the Crown Prince actually brought Miss Su with him..."

"Their clothes...were they coordinated?"

"Wasn't it said that the Princess of the Northern Desert was to be married off to the Crown Prince? This...?"

Xiao Chenyuan didn't stop walking; he merely turned his head slightly and whispered to Su Yaoyao:

Ignore it.

Su Yaoyao looked up at his tense profile and suddenly smiled:

"Your Highness, rest assured, this woman has a thick skin..."

Xiao Chenyuan's lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile. He didn't say anything, but simply tightened his grip on her hand.