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

Su Yaoyao had just put down her chopsticks and hadn't even had a chance to drink some tea to catch her breath when the sounds of carriages and laughter came from the entrance of the Marquis's residence.

Chun Tao came running in, a smile on her face: "Miss, everyone from the Grand Tutor's mansion is here! The Old Madam, Uncle, Cousin's son and daughter... they're all here!"

Su Yaoyao's eyes lit up, and she lifted her skirt and ran outside.

Just as I stepped out of the second gate, I saw my maternal grandmother being helped out of the car by my aunt. The old woman's eyes were still a little red, and as soon as she saw me, she opened her arms and cried out, "My Yaoyao..."

Su Yaoyao threw herself into her grandmother's arms, her nose tingling with tears: "Grandma..."

"Good child, good child..." Old Madam Jiang hugged her and patted her back gently. "The hard times are over... Your mother in heaven can rest in peace now."

Grand Tutor Jiang followed behind, his expression somewhat complicated. His student had been calm and composed since childhood. While other children were still playing in their mothers' arms, he was already at his desk, writing policy essays over and over again.

He felt then that this child was too intelligent, but cold-hearted and heartless...

I don't know if my granddaughter's marriage is a good thing or a bad thing...

Aunt Song smiled gently and directed the servants behind her to carry in more than a dozen large red wooden boxes: "These are all the things your aunt has saved up for you over the years. There are fabrics and jewelry. Take a look and see if you like them."

Jiang Wan Ning skipped over and mysteriously handed her a small brocade box: "Cousin, this is a hairpin I made with my secret savings. You can't think it's shabby!"

Even her five-year-old cousin, Jiang Huaijin, ran over carrying a ceramic jar and said in his childish voice, "Cousin, this is my candy. It's all for your dowry!"

Surrounded by this large family, Su Yaoyao felt a sharp pain in her nose and tears welled up in her eyes.

In her past life, she was all alone and had never experienced the warmth of being pampered and protected by her whole family.

At the back of the crowd, Xie Yu slowly dismounted.

He wasn't wearing military uniform today, but a scarlet brocade robe that made the young man look spirited, though his brows showed obvious frustration and disappointment.

Ever since that day at the palace banquet, when he failed to promptly inform Su Yaoyao of her brother's serious injury, a thorn had been stuck in his heart.

Later, he wanted to visit her to apologize, but he heard that she had moved into the Eastern Palace. He hesitated for a long time before sending his invitation, but the Crown Prince refused him outright.

Then... came the news of the arranged marriage.

That budding boyish affection, which hadn't even had a chance to be expressed, was nipped in the bud.

Looking at the glaring string of Buddhist prayer beads on her wrist, Xie Yu felt a pang of bitterness in his heart and could only let out a long sigh.

"Yaoyao," he forced a smile, "congratulations."

There was a subtle bitterness in his voice.

Su Yaoyao could easily tell what was going on. She blinked and smiled as she returned the greeting, "General Xie, you've come too? Please come in."

She was poised and natural, as if she hadn't noticed his little scheme.

Seeing her so open and honest demeanor, Xie Yu felt even more bitter, but he could only force a smile and follow her inside.

So be it.

She deserves better. The Crown Prince... is indeed more deserving of her than him.

The crowd entered the main hall, where maids served tea and refreshments.

Uncle Jiang Ci sat at the head of the table.

Dressed in a dark blue official robe, he exuded a refined and composed air. As he looked at Su Yaoyao's face, which bore an uncanny resemblance to his younger sister, a complex light flashed in his eyes—in a daze, it was as if he had returned to twenty years ago—when his sister got married, she was just as radiant and beautiful, just as… heartbreaking to see her go.

Jiang Ci closed her eyes, suppressing the dull pain in her heart.

Su Yaoyao noticed her uncle's gaze and looked up. Their eyes met, and she opened her mouth, wanting to ask something, but didn't know where to begin.

What Heqing said that day, and the "remnants of Liang" that her cousin had vaguely mentioned before... these things were like a fog, lingering in her heart.

She wanted to know, but didn't know where to begin.

Jiang Ci seemed to sense her hesitation and said gently, "What's wrong? Is there something you want to say to your uncle?"

Su Yaoyao bit her lip, then simply shook her head, smiling as she took his arm.

"It's nothing, it's just... I feel so good to have my uncle around."

Jiang Ci patted the back of her hand, her eyes full of affection: "Silly child. Don't worry about the dowry, the Jiang family has already prepared it for you, and we will never let you suffer any injustice."

Su Yaoyao's nose started to sting again...

Looking at the lively atmosphere and gifts filling the room, Xie Yu felt increasingly uneasy.

He silently rose, walked to Su Yaoyao, and took out a small brocade pouch from his robes:

"This... is for you."

Inside the brocade pouch was a talisman, written on yellow paper with red characters, its edges worn and frayed, clearly indicating it had been worn for a long time.

"This is something my mother prayed for at the temple when I first went to the battlefield," Xie Yu said in a low voice. "It protected me for five years, and I never lost a battle. Now... I'm giving it to you, wishing you peace and good fortune."

Su Yaoyao paused for a moment, then took the amulet, which still held his warmth, and said solemnly, "Thank you."

As Xie Yu watched her carefully put away the brocade pouch, the resentment and bitterness in his heart suddenly faded a little.

At least... she's willing to accept it.

At least, his efforts were not in vain.

He took a deep breath and flashed a bright smile: "Su Yaoyao, I wish you happiness. If the Crown Prince treats you badly... I, Xie Yu, will be the first to object!"

Su Qingrun scoffed, "Do I need you? With me here, who would dare bully her?"

Jiang Jingchen glanced at him as well, "She's my own sister. You, go to the back of the line."

Xie Yu scratched his head and gave an embarrassed smile.

The atmosphere inside the room warmed up again.

-----

Meanwhile, at the Eastern Palace.

Xiao Chenyuan was standing by the study window, listening to Ling Feng's report.

"At the Yongning Marquis's residence, the entire Grand Tutor's family has arrived and is discussing the dowry. General Xie also went and presented a protective amulet."

Xiao Chenyuan's eyes darkened slightly: "A talisman?"

"It was Madam Xie who got it for him back then, and he wore it for five years." Ling Feng paused, "Miss Su accepted it."

Xiao Chenyuan remained silent for a moment before saying, "I understand."

Uncle Fu came in carrying a long list of betrothal gifts, his hands trembling.

"Your Highness... this, this..." He swallowed hard. "Are we really going to move everything over as a betrothal gift?"

Xiao Chenyuan didn't even turn his head when he heard this:

"Um."

"But...but..." Uncle Fu wiped his sweat, "The items on this list are almost worth half the national treasury..."

"Then it's worth it," Xiao Chenyuan said calmly. "Yaoyao deserves the best."

Uncle Fu stared at the shocking rows of items on the gift list.

This isn't a betrothal ceremony; it's clearly a move!

No, they've emptied their savings!

Xiao Chenyuan looked up at him: "Uncle Fu, do you think this is inappropriate?"

Uncle Fu quickly bowed: "This old servant wouldn't dare! It's just... this commotion is too great, I'm afraid it will cause gossip..."

"What are they gossiping about?" Xiao Chenyuan interrupted him, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable air of authority. "When I take a wife, I naturally want to give her the best. If they have time to gossip, they should be thinking about whether they've done their job properly."

Uncle Fu: "..."

He silently put away the gift list and decided not to ask any more questions.

This master has been acting strangely ever since he met Miss Su.

No, the person is completely abnormal.

The once abstinent Crown Prince, who would frown even if a woman came within three feet of him, now not only stays in Miss Su's room every night, but also wants to give away all his possessions as a betrothal gift...

That's enough.

Uncle Fu shook his head and instructed the servants to begin counting and packing.

Anyway, the Eastern Palace will belong to Miss Su sooner or later, so it doesn't matter whether it's given to her sooner or later.

But with this spectacle... once the news of the imperial decree granting the marriage spreads, the entire capital will probably be in an uproar.

"Add one more."

Uncle Fu: "...Your Highness, please give your orders."

Xiao Chenyuan looked in the direction of the Yongning Marquis's residence, his voice gentle yet firm:

"Add my personal seal to the betrothal gift list as well."

Uncle Fu's hand trembled, and he almost knelt down: "Your Highness! The private seal is..."

"It's alright," Xiao Chenyuan interrupted him. "I trust her."

Uncle Fu opened his mouth, but in the end he could only bow and say, "...This old servant obeys."

Ling Feng looked at Uncle Fu, his lips twitching. As he watched Uncle Fu retreat with the heavy gift list in his hand, he thought to himself, "This future Crown Princess is probably going to be the richest Crown Princess since the founding of Dayong."

Well, the number of guards around the Crown Princess's side needs to be doubled, after all... from now on, it will be the Crown Princess who pays their monthly salary...