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

After Xiao Chenyuan finished speaking, the room fell into a deathly silence.

All eyes were focused on his clasped hands with Su Yaoyao's.

Beneath the sleeves of his dark gold python robe, his slender fingers gripped hers tightly, with a force that was almost like a vow, or more like possession.

Xiao Qiming froze on the spot, the ferocity on his face still contorted into a comical distortion.

He looked at Xiao Chenyuan—his elder brother who had always been superior to him since childhood and was even favored by their father—who was now holding Su Yaoyao's hand with eyes as cold as ice in the twelfth lunar month.

Xiao Qiming's Adam's apple bobbed as a surge of emotion, a mixture of humiliation, jealousy, and fear, rushed to his head, consuming all his reason.

He suddenly pointed at Su Yaoyao, his voice hoarse:

"I said she's a bitch! A—"

"Xiao Qiming!"

A sharp shout rang out, and the words came to an abrupt halt.

Xiao Chenyuan stepped forward, completely shielding Su Yaoyao behind him. The hem of his black and gold python robe brushed against the back of her hand, bringing a slightly cool touch.

"Su Yaoyao," he said, his gaze sweeping over the stunned crowd before finally settling on her slightly widened eyes, "is my fiancée."

These few words.

It wasn't heavy, but it struck everyone like a thunderbolt.

The entire venue fell silent for a moment, then exploded with a "boom"!

"Fiancée?! His Highness the Crown Prince himself admitted it?!"

"My God... this is even more... than an imperial decree of marriage..."

"The Buddhist prayer beads on Miss Su's wrist, the jade pendant at her waist... were they actually tokens of their betrothal?"

A chorus of voices rose up, and countless gazes darted back and forth between Xiao Chenyuan and Su Yaoyao, filled with shock, envy, jealousy, understanding... a mix of emotions.

Su Yaoyao stood behind Xiao Chenyuan, looking at the man's tall, straight back and his hand, with its distinct knuckles, tightly clasped hers. Her heart fluttered.

He said it in front of everyone.

A title, a promise, announced to the world.

Xiao Qiming was struck dumb, his face ashen, his lips trembling: "F-fiancée?! Father didn't issue a decree... How could you..."

"The decree will be issued soon." Xiao Chenyuan interrupted him calmly, his gaze sweeping over the mess on the ground and the wailing Aunt Liu, his tone filled with undisguised disgust, "Second brother, you should take care of your own family affairs first."

Xiao Qiming was thoroughly enraged by his arrogant attitude. His eyes turned bloodshot, and he blurted out:

"Xiao Chenyuan! She was my fiancée! I was the one who didn't want her—"

"presumptuous!"

A cold shout, carrying the power of thunder.

The room fell silent again; even breathing was hushed.

Xiao Chenyuan stood before Xiao Qiming, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

He was half a head taller than Xiao Qiming, and when he looked down at him, the imposing aura of his superior position made Xiao Qiming subconsciously take a half step back.

"Now," Xiao Chenyuan said, his voice cold and devoid of any warmth, "call me... Empress... Sister-in-law."

He paused, his voice growing even colder:

"Today, out of consideration for the mess in your household, I will not punish you for disrespecting your elder brother and defying imperial authority. But next time—"

He took half a step forward, the dragon patterns on his black and gold python robe gleaming coldly in the sunlight:

"Don't call me by the wrong name again."

Xiao Qiming trembled all over, forced to the ground by that aura, his lips moved but he couldn't utter a single word.

The room was deathly silent.

Everyone held their breath, watching the Crown Prince—this Buddhist monk, who was usually aloof and taciturn, even somewhat detached from worldly affairs, was now displaying such a sharp and undeniable possessive attitude for a woman.

Su Yaoyao was behind him and gently grasped his hand in return.

My fingertips were slightly cool, but my palms were warm.

She had seen him lose control, seen his embarrassed face with his ears turning red, and seen his struggle of restraint and self-control.

But this was the first time she had ever seen Xiao Chenyuan so openly defend her, clear her name, and protect her.

Xiao Chenyuan noticed her movement and gripped her hand even tighter.

At this moment, Su Cheng'an scrambled to his knees before Xiao Chenyuan, his forehead pounding against the ground with loud thuds.

"Your Highness! Your Highness, please understand! I know nothing of what Lady Liu did! I beg Your Highness to forgive me this time, for I am Yaoyao's father..."

Su Yaoyao watched coldly without saying a word.

Su Qingrun sneered, "So now Father remembers Yaoyao's father? Where was Father all these years when she was mistreated? Where was Father when Mother's dowry was misappropriated?"

Su Cheng'an was speechless, his face turning pale and then flushed.

Xiao Chenyuan didn't even look at Su Cheng'an, only saying indifferently:

"The Marquis of Yongning neglected his household management, allowing his concubine to kill his wife and seizing his wife's dowry. What is his punishment?"

Su Cheng'an collapsed to the ground, his face ashen.

The dust has settled.

Aunt Liu was dragged away by the arriving government officials—the illegal seizure of imperial land, the enormous debt, and the suspected plot to murder the mistress of the house—each and every one of these charges was enough to get her killed several times over. Su Cheng'an publicly wrote a letter of divorce and threw it in her face, severing all ties with her.

Su Yun'er was still lying on the ground, surrounded by blood, weakly reaching out to grab Xiao Qiming's sleeve: "Your Highness...Your Highness, save me...our child..."

Xiao Qiming disgustedly shook off her hand, as if shaking off something dirty: "Bad luck!"

A grand "double marriage" turned into a complete joke.

The crowd gradually dispersed.

He Qing waved her folding fan, and before leaving, her peach blossom eyes behind her mask were full of smiles. She then turned to Xiao Chenyuan, whose face was cold and stern, and winked provocatively before leisurely disappearing into the crowd.

Chu Qingzi walked to Su Yaoyao's side and said softly, "My father will report today's events truthfully. If needed in the future, you can come to the Prime Minister's residence to find me."

Su Yaoyao smiled and nodded: "Definitely. Thank you, Miss Chu."

Chu Qingzi gave her a deep look, then turned and left.

Xiao Chenyuan: "..."

He pursed his lips, said nothing, but tightened his grip on Su Yaoyao's hand even more.

Looking at Su Cheng'an, whose face had turned ashen, Su Qingrun nodded to the Crown Prince and said, "Your Highness, please take Yaoyao back first. I need to take care of some family matters."

Although Su Cheng'an is not very capable, Su Qingrun, as the heir apparent, still holds some military power in the Marquis's mansion. At this time, we cannot allow anyone with ulterior motives to take advantage of the situation.

On the return journey in the carriage.

Su Yaoyao leaned against Xiao Chenyuan's shoulder, her fingers unconsciously playing with the gold thread embroidery on his python robe, her voice soft:

"Your Highness is quite impressive today."

Xiao Chenyuan didn't say anything, but simply reached out and put his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

After a moment of silence, he asked in a low voice:

"Who was that masked person just now?"

Su Yaoyao blinked, looking completely innocent: "Mr. Lu is a royal merchant from Jiangnan, here today to deliver gifts."

Xiao Chenyuan lowered his eyes to look at her, his gaze deep: "Yaoyao, don't lie to me."

Su Yaoyao's heart skipped a beat, but her smile grew even sweeter: "How could this humble woman dare to deceive Your Highness? You truly are a royal merchant."

Xiao Chenyuan stared at her for a long time, then suddenly lowered his head and bit her neck lightly.

"Ah!" Su Yaoyao exclaimed softly, "Is Your Highness a dog? Why are you biting me again!"

"That Mr. Lu, and Chu Qingzi... I don't like the way they look at you."

Looking at his jealous expression, Su Yaoyao suddenly found him extremely cute.

She reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning close to his ear, her voice soft and gentle:

"Is Your Highness... jealous again?"

Xiao Chenyuan did not deny it: "Yes."

He gently stroked her slightly swollen lips with his fingers, his eyes deep and intense:

I dislike it when others look at you, when others smile at you, and when others... touch you.

He paused, then pulled her closer to him, his voice muffled:

"You are alone. From head to toe, inside and out."

Su Yaoyao chuckled, her fingertips gently tracing his burning earlobe, sliding down to his Adam's apple, feeling the slight movement as he swallowed:

"Then Your Highness will have to keep a close eye on her. After all, my daughter is so charming; what if she gets kidnapped one day..."

Before she could finish speaking, Xiao Chenyuan suddenly grabbed the back of her head and kissed her fiercely.

The kiss was tinged with obvious anger and a certain uneasy possessiveness. He pried open her teeth, thrusting deep inside, his kisses so forceful they made her lips go numb.

Su Yaoyao was breathless from his kisses, but she clung to his shoulders even tighter and responded passionately.

After a long while, he finally released her, his forehead pressed against hers, his breathing heavy.

"They can't escape."

His voice was low and hoarse, carrying an undeniable resolve:

"You were born to be mine, and you will die to be mine. If you dare to run away... I will lock you in the East Palace, and you will not be allowed to go anywhere."

Su Yaoyao was panting, but her eyes shone like they were filled with starlight. She leaned closer, her nose brushing against his, and whispered:

"Your Highness... would you like to lock it now?"

Xiao Chenyuan's Adam's apple bobbed heavily.

He stared at her smiling lips, his eyes frighteningly deep, but in the end he simply pulled her tightly into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head, his voice muffled:

"...Stop fooling around."

The horse-drawn carriage rolled over the cobblestone road, its rumbling sound echoing in the night.

Su Yaoyao leaned against him, listening to the steady heartbeat in his chest, and the smile on her lips grew deeper.

This person...

He was incredibly jealous, and he wanted her to the core, yet he still restrained himself, unwilling to hurt her in the slightest.

She reached out and gently wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Your Highness," she said softly, "this humble woman will not run away."

He paused, then added:

"Because there is no place in the whole world more reassuring than in His Highness's arms."

Xiao Chenyuan's body stiffened slightly.

After a long while, he gave a soft "hmm" and hugged her even tighter.