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

As the banquet reached its climax, the music gradually subsided.

The emperor put down his wine cup, looked at the bright and spirited Anar in the hall, and then at his two sons, his mind stirring slightly.

"The Princess has come from afar, which is a great comfort to both the Empress and me. What are your impressions of the Yong Kingdom?"

This question, though phrased tactfully, has in fact set the stage for the discussion of marriage alliances.

Anar put down the lamb leg in her hand—she had eaten heartily, with a bit of oil still glistening at the corner of her mouth. She casually wiped it with the back of her hand and smiled, saying, "The capital of Yong Kingdom is prosperous, and the people are happy. His Majesty governs the country well."

She spoke sincerely, but her gaze inadvertently drifted towards Su Yaoyao.

With that glance, he saw Xiao Chenyuan carefully picking out the bones from a piece of steamed sea bass with silver chopsticks.

He moved slowly and deliberately, naturally placing the deboned fish meat onto Su Yaoyao's plate, his face expressionless, as if he had done something completely ordinary.

Su Yaoyao was sipping plum wine when she saw this and was taken aback. Then she smiled at the Crown Prince and unceremoniously picked up a piece of fish and put it in her mouth.

emperor:"……"

He looked at his son below the stage, head down, intently picking out fish bones, and then at Su Yaoyao beside him, smiling and looking at the Crown Prince with her chin resting on her hand. Suddenly, he choked up.

He originally favored the Crown Prince—the Northern Desert Princess was of noble birth, and a marriage alliance with the Crown Prince would be the best way to solidify relations between the two countries.

But... how can I even begin to speak?

His cycad finally bloomed...

The entire hall was completely silent.

The Crown Prince...removing fish bones from a woman's bones?

That aloof and noble prince, who even frowns when a palace maid gets close?

Today is truly unbelievable!

The emperor looked to Prime Minister Chu Ye, who sat at the head of the civil officials' seats, as if seeking help, hoping that this old minister could understand the emperor's intention and help him get started.

Chu Ye did indeed understand.

But just as he cleared his throat, preparing to speak, his cuff was gently tugged by his daughter beside him.

Chu Qingzi peeled the grapes without changing her expression, placed them in front of the Prime Minister, and said in a very low voice, "Eat."

Chu Ye froze.

He glanced at his daughter's calm profile, then at the unspoken tension between the Crown Prince and Su Yaoyao below the stage, swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue, picked up a grape and ate it, keeping his eyes down and his mind at peace.

Mmm, my daughter's peeling is so delicious, haha...

Emperor: "..." Prime Minister, what's wrong with you?

The emperor glared at him, and Chu Ye picked up his wine cup again, took a sip, and silently turned his head to the other side.

I can't see it, I can't see it.

The emperor had no choice but to go see the crown prince again.

As it happened, Xiao Chenyuan looked up, and the father and son's eyes met.

The emperor opened his mouth, but before he could utter a sound, his son glanced at him indifferently, then lowered his head again and continued to serve Su Yaoyao food—this time peeling shrimp.

emperor:"……"

Well, I can't see it, I can't see it, I didn't see anything either.

The Empress sat at the head of the table, smiling as she observed, her gaze shifting between the Crown Prince and Su Yaoyao.

Her niece is indeed capable; it seems the heir to the throne is secure.

As for the marriage alliance with the Northern Desert, she didn't want to make a fool of herself while her adopted son was in the mood for it.

She just thought of her own son. Although his health had improved, his constitution was still too weak, and he was not destined for the throne. He couldn't even attend such an occasion. She wondered if Su Yaoyao could really help him recover.

Consort Chen took in all of this and was overjoyed. She immediately kicked the Second Prince under the table.

Xiao Qiming understood – the opportunity had arrived!

He felt that as long as he could win over the Northern Desert princess and gain the support of the Northern Desert, he would have a better chance of winning the struggle for the throne in the future.

By then, the position of Crown Prince will be his for the taking, and that bitch Su Yaoyao will have no choice but to crawl back to his side.

He straightened his clothes, picked up his wine glass, stood up, and gave Anar what he considered a charming smile:

"Princess, you have come from afar. I offer you a toast. The scenery of the Northern Desert is magnificent, and I have long yearned to visit it. Would you be so kind as to tell me about the interesting things that happen on the grasslands? And perhaps I could show you around the capital?"

He deliberately softened his voice, tried to look affectionate with his eyes, and even blinked deliberately, attempting to show off his "charm".

Anar was engrossed in gnawing on a lamb leg when she heard this. She looked up, frowned at Xiao Qiming, and then turned to ask the old envoy beside her:

"Does the Second Prince of Yong have poor eyesight? Why does he keep blinking at me?"

The old envoy was so embarrassed he dug his toes into the ground: "..."

Princess, please keep your voice down!

Xiao Qiming's smile froze on his face.

Anar turned to the emperor at the head of the table and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, this prince looks too frail, not as good as General Su... oh no,

She paused, glancing at Xiao Chenyuan, who was quietly picking fish bones across from her. "He's not as composed as His Highness the Crown Prince. We women of the Northern Desert don't like this kind of behavior."

His words were blunt and hurtful.

The hall was completely silent.

Someone couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing, then quickly covered their mouth.

Xiao Qiming was filled with shame and indignation, but he could only force a smile and retreat to his seat, his heart churning with hatred—once he ascended to a high position, he would repay this humiliation a hundredfold! Su Yaoyao, Bei Mo, the Crown Prince… he would take everything back!

The imperial concubine's face darkened, but she could only force a smile and try to smooth things over: "Princess, you're joking..."

Anar, seemingly oblivious to the awkward atmosphere, took another swig of wine, smacked her lips, and said, "This wine is not bad, just a bit weak. Our grassland mare's milk wine, that's really strong!"

The emperor chuckled twice, about to say something, when Xiao Yue, who had been holding her breath, suddenly stood up.

"Father," she said sweetly, "I've long heard of the captivating and graceful dances of the Northern Desert. How about a friendly exchange between the noble ladies of our two nations today, to add to the festivities?"

As she spoke, her gaze shifted to Su Yaoyao, her smile laced with malice:

"I've heard that Miss Su is exceptionally talented in both arts and sciences. Why don't you first perform a dance so that our distinguished guests from the Northern Desert can witness the elegance of a noble lady from Yong Kingdom?"

Upon hearing this, many people at the table showed expressions of anticipation – who didn't know that Su Yaoyao used to be timid and insecure because of her plump figure, and that she had no talent whatsoever except following the Second Prince around?

Xiao Yue was clearly trying to embarrass her in public.

Su Yaoyao put down her chopsticks and looked up at her. Before she could speak, Xiao Qiming preemptively "kindly" advised, "Yaoyao, don't be stubborn. In all these years we've known each other, when have you ever learned these things? There's no need to embarrass yourself in front of our distinguished guests."

His tone was concerned, but his eyes held a hint of pleasure—yes, that's it, to remind everyone of Su Yaoyao's former crude and talentless appearance! She, Su Yaoyao, was unworthy of him!

Quiet murmurs arose from the room, and many noble ladies covered their mouths and chuckled, waiting to see the spectacle unfold.

Xiao Chenyuan frowned, about to speak,

Su Yaoyao pressed down on his hand, signaling him to calm down.

He then looked up at Xiao Yue, then at Xiao Qiming, and suddenly smiled.

She rose and bowed gracefully to the emperor: "Your Majesty, I am indeed not skilled in dancing."

A smug glint flashed in Xiao Yue's eyes.

"But since the princess and His Highness have both said so..."

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the room before finally settling on Anar, a bright smile on her face:

"Then this humble woman will make a fool of herself."