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

Xiao Chenyuan turned his face away, his entire being screaming, "I'm insanely jealous, but I can't help it."

But I still forced myself to say it.

"He is the Princess of Xiliang, and he has appeared in the palace. Even if the Empress Dowager is crazy, she would not dare to easily touch the people of Xiliang."

He paused, clenching his teeth even tighter, as if each word was being ground down on his back teeth.

"Besides, he's skilled in combat; if something really happens, he can take the knife for you."

Even though he was so jealous that his eyes were red, he still put her safety first, and was willing to let his rival, whom he disliked, stay by her side to ensure her safety.

Seeing his awkward yet adorable expression, Su Yaoyao couldn't help but laugh. She leaned in, hooked her arms around his neck, and nibbled on his earlobe.

"Oh, is our Crown Prince so jealous he's practically swallowing vinegar? Isn't he afraid I'll run off with He Qing?"

"You dare!"

Xiao Chenyuan instantly grabbed her waist, pressed her onto the bed, and lowered his head to kiss her. His kiss was fierce and intense, yet he couldn't bear to hurt her. Finally, his voice was hoarse and obsessive as he pressed his lips against hers.

"If you dare to run away, I'll turn the world upside down to catch you and keep you locked up by my side, never letting you get out of bed for the rest of your life."

His kisses slid down her jawline, and just as he was about to make a move, the urgent voice of a guard came from outside the door.

He could only stop reluctantly, his forehead pressed against hers, his voice full of grievance and worry.

"Yaoyao, please don't get hurt, I'm begging you."

"Okay, okay."

Su Yaoyao laughed and pushed him up. "I heard my brother was also called away. Something big must have happened. If Your Highness doesn't go soon, your brother-in-law will give you a hard time. Don't worry, Your Highness, who am I? An old hag, I can't stump you."

Xiao Chenyuan gave her countless instructions, explaining what she should and shouldn't drink when she entered the palace, and where she should and shouldn't sit. He then stuffed his crown prince token into her hand, saying that with this, no one in the palace would dare to touch her. Only then did he leave, looking back every few steps, as the guards urged him on.

Before leaving, he deliberately went around to the corridor and gave He Qing, who was waiting there, a look that was so cold it could freeze someone to death:

"Take good care of her. If she loses even a single hair, I'll skin you alive."

He Qing put away his folding fan, unusually serious.

"Don't worry," he said.

"Even if I die, she will be fine."

Su Yaoyao had just finished getting ready when...

She chose a bright red palace dress, her black hair was tied up high, which made her skin look as white as snow, and her eyes and brows were sharp and bright. She looked exactly like the Crown Princess of the Eastern Palace who was not to be trifled with, and she had lost all the softness and tenderness she had in Xiao Chenyuan's arms.

As soon as I stepped out of the main courtyard, I saw Heqing leaning against the corridor.

It was rare to see someone wearing a deep purple brocade robe so neatly.

The beauty mark at the corner of her eye appeared even more alluring and seductive in the morning light.

Upon seeing her emerge, He Qing's captivating eyes instantly lit up. He swiftly closed his folding fan, took a few steps forward, and approached her with a beaming smile.

"Master! I heard you're taking me to the palace today?"

Su Yaoyao nodded. "What's wrong? Why are you so happy?"

"Of course!"

He Qing moved closer to her, his tone both smug and arrogant.

"Cousin, you've finally come to your senses, haven't you? You realize that among everyone in the Eastern Palace, I'm the most reliable and the most capable of protecting our master?"

He had barely finished speaking when Ling Feng coughed, trying to suppress a laugh, came from behind him.

There was also a chilling gaze that could freeze you to death, shooting straight in from the doorway.

He Qing turned around and saw Xiao Chenyuan still standing there.

Jealousy was practically overflowing from her phoenix eyes.

The court beads he was clutching made a clicking sound.

Not only was He Qing not afraid, but he smiled even more brightly, raising his chin at him. His expression was so irritating that it could make anyone jump up and down.

Xiao Chenyuan gritted his teeth, about to utter some harsh words, when Su Yaoyao turned around and waved her hand at him.

"Your Highness, please go about your business! Don't worry, I've brought your rival along; you'll be perfectly safe."

These words made Xiao Chenyuan's face darken even more, yet he was helpless.

He could only glare fiercely at He Qing, his eyes clearly conveying—dare to touch her, or I'll chop off your hand.

He Qing pretended not to see anything, and happily moved closer to Su Yaoyao, raising his hand to shield her from the cold wind blowing in her face, just like a loyal follower protecting his master.

At this moment, a guard came to report.

"We just received news that Miss Chu... Chu Qingzi, was summoned to Shou Kang Palace half an hour ago."

He Qing's smile vanished instantly, and a hint of coldness flashed in her peach blossom eyes:

"Her? How come she was summoned by that old hag too? This girl is strange, Master, you should be careful."

Su Yaoyao showed no sign of panic whatsoever.

She looked up at He Qing, smiling casually, "What's the rush? It's good that she's gone. I'd like to see what secret this Sister Chu, who's been hiding for so long, is up to."

Looking at her in her red attire, her sharp eyes, and her composure in the face of danger, He Qing's smile deepened. He leaned closer to her and whispered:

"Don't worry, Master. Even if it costs me my life, I won't let you get hurt in the slightest. I'm much more reliable than my jealous cousin."

Su Yaoyao glanced at him, smiled, and patted his shoulder.

"Do your best. If you do well, I'll talk to your cousin and tell him to stop giving you the cold shoulder."

As the carriage moved along, Su Yaoyao pondered matters in her mind.

Could the old hag be looking for that jade pendant?

She placed that thing in Xiao Chenyuan's study.

last night……

Too busy...

I don't have time to go see it.

But she had looked at that thing over and over again many times before.

Aside from its smooth and warm texture, it has nothing particularly special about it.

At that moment, the sound of urgent horse hooves suddenly rang out.

Jingzhe rushed over, her face pale: "Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened! A report has come from the woodshed that Shen Qinghe... Shen Qinghe has disappeared!"

Su Yaoyao suddenly lifted the car curtain.

Gone?

The Eastern Palace was heavily guarded, and the woodshed was surrounded by people arranged by Ling Feng. How could Shen Qinghe, a woman who was powerless, simply disappear into thin air?

Unless... someone with extraordinary connections rescued her!

He Qing's face instantly darkened:

"Master, perhaps we shouldn't go to the palace? This is clearly a trap! With Shen Qinghe gone, the Empress Dowager will have no more scruples; she'll dare to harm you!"

Su Yaoyao tapped her fingertips lightly on the car wall, her mind racing.

Shen Qinghe disappeared, Chu Qingzi entered Shou Kang Palace, the Empress Dowager invited her to the palace at this critical juncture, and an urgent report arrived from the border, thus sending Xiao Chenyuan away...

All of this was meticulously planned, with each step interconnected.

But the more this was the case, the more she wanted to go.

If we don't go, how will we know what that old witch, the Empress Dowager, is up to?!

She had a vague feeling.

Everything,

They're all after her.

Half an hour later, in front of the Shou Kang Palace.

As soon as Su Yaoyao stepped off the carriage, she saw Zhang Mama, the Empress Dowager's most trusted confidante, standing at the door with several palace maids waiting for her.

Standing next to Granny Zhang was none other than Chu Qingzi.

Chu Qingzi, dressed in a plain-colored dress, looked at her with a complicated expression when she saw her coming.

With a forced smile, Granny Zhang stepped forward, curtsied, and spoke in a way that was more of a hollow smile than a genuine one.

"Your Highness, the Crown Princess, you've finally arrived. The Empress Dowager is waiting for you inside."

Su Yaoyao glanced at Chu Qingzi, then looked at Zhang Mama, a smile playing on her lips, and slowly spoke:

"What's the rush? I didn't expect Sister Chu to be in Shou Kang Palace as well..."

Chu Qingzi looked at her, her lips moved, but in the end she only said one sentence: "Yaoyao, go in. The Empress Dowager is waiting for you."

Inside the Shou Kang Palace, the Empress Dowager sat in the main seat, twirling Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, a sinister smile flashing in her eyes.

Standing beside her was...

It was Shen Qinghe, who should have been locked in the woodshed of the East Palace!