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

It was already dusk when the carriage stopped in front of the Grand Tutor's mansion.

When Su Yaoyao stepped down from the carriage, a lingering smile still graced her lips—she couldn't help but laugh when she thought of the Crown Prince's hasty escape from the Plum Pavilion.

What talk of being pure of heart and free from desires, what talk of not getting close to women.

It's just that... I just haven't met her yet.

Chun Tao followed behind her, keeping her eyes down – her young lady had been wearing this expression ever since she left the Xie residence, and she dared not ask any questions.

"Yaoyao?" A familiar voice came from behind.

Su Yaoyao turned around and saw Jiang Jingchen getting off the carriage, wearing a dark red official robe, clearly having just stepped down from his post.

"Cousin," she greeted him with a smile.

Jiang Jingchen looked her over, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly when his gaze fell on her slightly swollen lips, but he asked nothing, only gently saying, "Did you enjoy the plum blossom viewing banquet today? I heard that girl from the Li family caused you trouble again?"

"It's been resolved." Su Yaoyao walked inside with him. "Thank you for your help, General."

Mentioning Xie Yu, Jiang Jingchen's expression softened: "That kid may be reckless, but he's a good person. However..." He turned to look at her, his eyes probing, "You seem particularly happy today?"

"Really?" Su Yaoyao touched her face, her smile deepening. "Well... I teased a cat with its fur standing on end. It was quite amusing."

"A cat?" Jiang Jingchen chuckled. "When did the Xie family get a cat?"

"It's not the Xie family's cat." Su Yaoyao smiled, her eyes crinkling. "It's a... exceptionally beautiful black cat. It usually has a stern face, looking like it doesn't want to be approached. But today, I teased it, and it's been scratching and biting me. It's quite amusing."

Jiang Jingchen was confused but too lazy to investigate further, taking it as just a young girl's joke.

Just as the two were about to enter, a figure in pure white suddenly rushed out.

"Miss!"

He Qing rushed to Su Yaoyao's side, knelt down with a thud, her eyes red and swollen: "Miss! Please take me in! I've already buried my father, and I have nowhere else to go!"

Today he wore a clean, plain white robe, his hair loosely tied back with a wooden hairpin, revealing his delicate features. Kneeling in the snow, his eyes brimming with tears, he was indeed a pitiful sight.

Su Yaoyao raised an eyebrow: "How did you find your way here?"

"I...I found out that Miss is staying at the Grand Tutor's residence..." He Qing raised her tearful eyes, "Miss's kindness is beyond repayment. I only ask to be a lowly servant by your side, serving tea and water, washing clothes and sweeping the floor, I would be willing to do anything!"

He spoke with such sincerity that tears streamed down his face.

Jiang Jingchen frowned: "Who is this?"

"Oh, him?" Su Yaoyao said casually, "The one who owes me money."

He Qing: "..."

Jiang Jingchen carefully examined He Qing for a few moments.

Suddenly, he said, "This young master... looks somewhat familiar."

He Qing's body stiffened almost imperceptibly, then she raised her tearful eyes and said, "This...this is my first time in the capital. Young master must have mistaken me for someone else..."

"Is that so?" Jiang Jingchen smiled faintly. "Maybe."

He turned to Su Yaoyao and asked, "How much do I owe you?"

"Thirty taels." Su Yaoyao took out the IOU from her sleeve. "It's signed. It will be repaid in three months with five percent interest."

Jiang Jingchen glanced at the IOU, a smile flashing in his eyes: "You little girl... you know how to do business."

He looked at He Qing: "Since you have nowhere to go and are in debt... are you looking for work?"

He Qing nodded quickly: "Yes! This servant can do anything! As long as I can repay Miss..."

Su Yaoyao smiled and looked at Jiang Jingchen, "Cousin, is our family shop still hiring? Which one... pays more?"

She blinked at Jiang Jingchen as she asked this question.

Looking at her mischievous smile, Jiang Jingchen suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

He pondered for a moment, a smile flashing in his eyes: "Speaking of a lot of money... there really is one. But it's not our shop."

"Oh?" Su Yaoyao asked curiously, "What's that?"

"There's a 'South Wind Pavilion' in the south of the city," Jiang Jingchen said slowly. "I passed by it when I was investigating a case before. I heard it's extremely popular, making a fortune every day. But the owner is rather mysterious..."

He Qing's expression changed drastically: "Wh-what?!"

"Nanfeng Pavilion?" Su Yaoyao's eyes lit up. "That...that one..."

An ancient version of a karaoke shop?!

"Ahem." Jiang Jingchen coughed lightly. "Yaoyao, young ladies shouldn't inquire about these things."

Su Yaoyao was already excited: "I heard that all the young men inside are incredibly handsome! They're proficient in everything from music and chess to calligraphy and painting! Is that true?"

Jiang Jingchen rubbed his forehead: "...Where did you hear that from?"

"I read it in a storybook!" Su Yaoyao said confidently, turning to look at He Qing with sparkling eyes. "With Young Master He Qing's looks, he could definitely be the top courtesan there! Thirty taels, three hundred taels wouldn't be a problem!"

He Qing's face flushed red and then turned pale. "I...I'm a dignified..."

"What do you mean, 'dang'?" Su Yaoyao raised an eyebrow.

He Qing choked, and after a long while, she gritted her teeth and said, "I...I won't go to that kind of place!"

How could he not know about Nanfeng Pavilion—he knew it better than anyone else!

But I can't say that, or I'll give myself away!

"Then pay me back." Su Yaoyao reached out her hand.

"..."

"He can't pay back the money, and he refuses to work..." Su Yaoyao sighed. "Young Master Heqing, this is putting me in a difficult position. How about... I go to the Jingzhao Yin's office and file a complaint?"

He Qing almost choked.

Looking at the smiling woman in front of him, he finally realized that he had been completely fooled by her.

From the very beginning, she never believed his story.

Borrowing money, signing a written agreement, and now forcing him to go to Nanfeng Pavilion... every step is forcing him to reveal his true colors.

"Miss..." He took a deep breath, forcing out tears, "Can you bear to see me... reduced to prostitution?"

"I couldn't bear it," Su Yaoyao said frankly.

"That's why I pointed you in the right direction. What's wrong with Nanfeng Pavilion? It's a legitimate business. It's better than you 'selling yourself to bury your father,' isn't it?"

She emphasized the phrase "sold herself to bury her father".

"Fine!" He Qing gritted her teeth. "I...I'll go! I'll go, okay?!"

Su Yaoyao nodded in satisfaction: "That's more like it. Chuntao, write him a letter of recommendation, and send him to Nanfeng Pavilion tomorrow."

"Yes," Chun Tao replied, suppressing a laugh.

He Qing staggered to his feet and gave Su Yaoyao a deep look. His gaze was so complex that it was hard to describe—it contained hatred, resentment, and a hint of… interest that even he himself didn’t realize.

This woman...

That's really interesting.

He turned and left, his figure appearing particularly lonely in the twilight.

After they had walked away, Jiang Jingchen asked in a low voice, "Yaoyao, what are you up to? That person is obviously suspicious."

"I know," Su Yaoyao said, stroking the Buddhist prayer beads on her wrist with a sly smile. "That's why I have to keep an eye on him, knowing he has a problem."

Jiang Jingchen looked at her and suddenly laughed: "You're becoming more and more like a member of the Jiang family."

Meticulous in thought and decisive in action.

"That's right." Su Yaoyao raised her chin. "I'm my maternal grandfather's granddaughter."

Once back in her courtyard, Su Yaoyao excitedly told Chuntao:

"Chuntao, get ready... We're going to the east of the city in the next few days."

Chun Tao was taken aback: "East of the city? To do what?"

A sly glint flashed in Su Yaoyao's eyes:

"Let's go and see... Nanfeng Pavilion."

Chuntao: "..."

After all, we're already here.

It would be such a waste not to go and see it.

-----

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Palace...

Ling Feng watched as his Crown Prince went to soak in cold water again.

In the dead of winter, is this some kind of special kind of spiritual practice...?

I've never seen this before...

Meanwhile, a certain prince was in a cold bath, trying to extinguish the evil fire in his heart with cold water.

But when I close my eyes, all I see is her infatuated and confused appearance.

And that alluring soft moan.

"evil creature……"

He cursed under his breath and submerged himself in the water.

The water rippled.

Yet, I can't shake that image from my heart.