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

When the Empress arrived, the entire hall fell silent.

She wore a phoenix robe and, though over forty, was well-maintained. Her features bore a resemblance to Su Yaoyao, but she possessed the authority of someone who had long held a high position.

"Rise," the Empress said gently as she took her seat in the main seat. "Today's banquet is to welcome the Crown Prince, so please don't stand on ceremony."

She looked at Xiao Chenyuan with kind eyes: "Yuan'er, you must have had a long journey."

Xiao Chenyuan rose and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Mother. I am not tired."

His tone was respectful, yet it conveyed a sense of distance.

A complex emotion flashed in the Empress's eyes, but she quickly concealed it and smiled, "Please sit down. I think I heard some noises coming from inside just now when I was outside?"

Su Yun'er was secretly delighted and quickly stood up, saying softly, "Your Majesty, what happened just now... was just an accident. My sister... she didn't mean to disturb the Crown Prince."

This was a cleverly worded statement, seemingly exonerating Su Yaoyao, but in reality confirming her crime of "disturbing the Crown Prince."

Xiao Qiming watched from the side, unable to help but frown. Although he felt that Su Yaoyao was indeed a little different tonight, seeing Su Yun'er speaking up for her so aggrievedly while Su Yaoyao just stood there pretending to be pitiful, his annoyance surged up again.

He snorted coldly and said, "Mother, I saw it just now too. Miss Su's behavior was indeed inappropriate, disturbing my elder brother, the Crown Prince. However..." He glanced at Su Yaoyao, his tone sarcastic.

"She has always been like this, and her lack of manners is nothing new. Please, Mother and Imperial Brother, do not blame her."

Upon hearing this, many people secretly gasped.

The Second Prince is showing his fiancée absolutely no respect!

The Empress's expression darkened slightly, and she was about to speak when Su Yaoyao spoke first.

"Aunt... Just now, this dancer accidentally fell, and the powder that flew out of her sleeve almost hit my face. In my panic, I accidentally broke a wine cup, and that's how... that's how I almost bumped into His Highness the Crown Prince."

She lowered her head slightly as she spoke, her posture respectful yet dignified.

A hint of surprise flashed across the Empress's eyes.

This niece... seems really different now.

Before, when I saw her, she was always timid and hesitant, speaking in a voice barely audible, her eyes darting around, as if she were someone who couldn't be shown up in public. But today…

He was well-mannered and handled situations with composure; what was even more remarkable was the composure that emanated from his very being.

And look at this...

The Empress's gaze lingered for a moment on Su Yaoyao's stunningly beautiful face, then glanced at Su Yun'er, whose face was pale and unpleasant, and she understood.

"Yaoyao, are you alright? Come to my side quickly, let me take a look."

This is blatant favoritism.

Su Yaoyao obediently walked to the Empress's side. The Empress took her hand, carefully examined her complexion, and then noticed the powder on her sleeve. Her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"Poor thing, your clothes are all dirty." The Queen patted her hand.

Seeing this, Su Yun'er quickly and quietly tugged at Xiao Qiming's sleeve, "Your Highness, don't be angry, my sister... she didn't mean it."

These words brought Xiao Qiming back to his senses. He composed himself, and when he looked at Su Yaoyao again, the inexplicable irritation in his heart intensified, and his tone became even more cutting: "Unintentional? I think she's deliberately trying to get attention! Su Yaoyao, don't think that changing your clothes will—"

"Qiming," the Empress interrupted him in a deep voice, "Yaoyao is your fiancée, watch your words."

Xiao Qiming shut his mouth reluctantly, but glared fiercely at Su Yaoyao.

Ling Feng had already brought the dancer closer.

"Your Majesty, this dancer had a seductive fragrance hidden in her sleeve, which she deliberately sprayed onto Miss Su when she fell."

The moment the words "Mei Xiang" were uttered, the entire audience erupted in uproar!

At a palace banquet, someone actually resorted to such despicable means?!

The dancer's face was ashen, and she trembled all over.

"I...I didn't...I didn't mean to..."

"An accident?" Xiao Chenyuan suddenly asked.

He remained seated, his fingers deftly twirling prayer beads, his tone calm:

"The hidden pocket in your sleeve was exquisitely sewn, and the timing and direction of your fall were perfectly precise. Was it an accident?"

With each word he spoke, the dancer's face paled a little more.

Finally, Xiao Chenyuan raised his eyes and looked at Su Yaoyao: "Miss Su, have you made any enemies?"

Su Yaoyao secretly praised him—what a brilliant prince! With just one sentence, he pointed the finger at the person behind the scenes.

She then feigned a bewildered expression:

"This humble woman...this humble woman is meeting her for the first time today, and we have no grudges against each other." She paused, as if remembering something, and said softly,

"Just now... just now when the powder was sprinkled, I vaguely heard this songstress whisper, 'I'm sorry, Miss Su, blame yourself for offending someone you shouldn't have'..."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it was loud enough for people at the surrounding tables to hear clearly.

"Whoosh—"

Discussions arose.

Who has a grudge against Su Yaoyao that they would resort to such despicable means?

Many people subtly glanced at Su Yun'er.

Su Yun'er's face turned green, and she hurriedly stood up: "Sister! You can't talk nonsense! This dancer has no grudge against you, why would she harm you? You must have misheard!"

"Really?" Su Yaoyao looked up at her with teary eyes. "Sister, you're so certain... do you perhaps know something inside?"

"I...how would I know!" Su Yun'er exclaimed anxiously. "I just think...I think maybe my sister is too frightened and is hallucinating..."

"Enough," the Empress said in a deep voice.

Her gaze swept over Su Yun'er, a hint of displeasure flashing in her eyes, and she was about to speak—

"Mother Empress."

Xiao Qiming said impatiently, "Why make such a big deal out of such a small matter?"

He walked to Su Yun'er's side, shielding her behind him, and coldly looked at Su Yaoyao: "Su Yaoyao, you yourself behaved improperly and disturbed your brother, and now you're trying to frame Yun'er? Yun'er is kind-hearted and has said so many good things for you, is this how you repay her?"

He spoke with such conviction, as if what he had witnessed was Su Yaoyao's fault.

Su Yaoyao sneered inwardly, but her expression became even more aggrieved: "Second Prince... I did not implicate my sister, I was just... just stating the truth..."

"Truly?" Xiao Qiming sneered. "When have you ever not pretended to be pitiful while harboring malicious intentions? Yun'er is naive, that's why you always bully her!"

He turned to the Empress, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, I believe this was an accident. The dancer was careless, and Su Yaoyao was timid, causing this farce. Yun'er was innocently implicated. I beg Your Majesty to see the truth!"

This statement is a blatant distortion of the truth.

The noble ladies in the room exchanged bewildered glances, and a few even secretly pursed their lips—the Second Prince's favoritism was far too obvious.

Su Yun'er nestled beside Xiao Qiming, lowering her head to hide the smugness in her eyes.

Looking at the perfect couple, Su Yaoyao suddenly spoke softly, "Your Highness is right... It was my fault."

Her eyes reddened further, but she forced back tears: "This humble woman shouldn't...shouldn't have appeared here, causing displeasure to Your Highness and my sister. This humble woman will take her leave now..."

He then prepared to bow and leave.

"Wait a minute."

It was Xiao Chenyuan who spoke.