The night breeze was cool, brushing against Su Yaoyao’s drenched gown, sending a shiver through her.
She lowered her head, looking at the blotchy wine stains spreading across her chest, clinging to her skin—messy and embarrassing.
Su Yun’er was still fussing, holding out a handkerchief, her eyes reddened with feigned concern.
“Sister, I really didn’t mean it… It’s the slippery floor’s fault… Come with me to the side hall to change. I’ve… I’ve prepared clean clothes!”
She reached to pull Su Yaoyao, but Su Yaoyao lightly dodged.
“Why so anxious, little sister?” Su Yaoyao looked up, a faint smile playing on her lips.
“It’s just wine on a dress; a wipe will do.”
And with that, she calmly took the handkerchief from Yun’er, carefully dabbing at the stains.
Every movement was poised, not a trace of panic.
Su Yun’er’s heart skipped.
Something was wrong…
How could this “straw bag” remain so composed? Didn’t she know that wandering around the palace soaked was a grave breach of etiquette?
Or…
Was she not afraid at all?
“Sister…” Yun’er forced a smile.
“This stain will be hard to remove; better to go to the side hall. I’ve already had the maids prepare hot water and fresh clothes…”
Su Yaoyao paused, tilting her head, eyes glinting with amusement.
“Hot water too? How did little sister know… I would wet my clothes?”
Yun’er’s face paled. “I… I’m just being cautious…”
“Is that so?”
Su Yaoyao returned the handkerchief, then glanced at the main hall.
“But if I go back now and tell the Empress that little sister accidentally spilled wine on me, preventing me from continuing the banquet…”
She paused, looking at Yun’er’s suddenly pale face.
“What would Her Majesty think? Might she believe little sister deliberately embarrassed me, her elder sister, just to monopolize the Second Prince’s attention?”
“You—!” Yun’er nearly bit through her teeth.
She took a deep breath, suppressing the fury, voice softening:
“Sister, you misunderstand… I’m just worried about you. How about this—if you won’t go to the side hall, let my maid escort you to the dressing room nearby? It’s closer to the banquet…”
Her tone was sincere, yet a calculating glint lingered in her eyes.
The side hall was a trap she had meticulously arranged—but the dressing room also had contingencies.
No matter what, Su Yaoyao had to “get into trouble” tonight.
Su Yaoyao looked at Yun’er’s feigned innocence and smiled.
“All right,” she agreed cheerfully,
“Then little sister, I’ll trouble you.”
Yun’er’s heart leaped; she quickly signaled her maid.
The maid understood, stepping forward: “Miss Su, please follow me.”
Su Yaoyao adjusted her soaked outer robe and followed the maid toward the dressing room.
A few steps in, she turned back, giving Yun’er a faint smile:
“Oh, little sister, the Crown Prince gave me something just now, told me to keep it safe.”
She drew out the hairpin wrapped with purple sandalwood beads, letting the moonlight catch its gleam.
Jade and purple sandalwood intertwined, shimmering in the night.
Of course, she had picked it up unnoticed—though she wouldn’t admit it.
“Little sister, does this mean… the Prince looks at me differently?”
She spoke, ignoring Yun’er’s twisting expression, and walked away with deliberate grace.
Yun’er stared at her retreating figure, nails digging into her palm.
The Crown Prince… actually gave her the beads?!
Impossible!
That cold, untouchable Prince—how could he look upon a “straw bag” like Su Yaoyao with favor?!
No… impossible!
She must be lying!
Yun’er forced herself to calm down.
It didn’t matter… even if the Prince did take notice, after tonight, once she was a ruined flower, who would look at her?
She turned quickly toward the banquet, a vicious curve forming on her lips.
She had to keep an eye on the Second Prince; he mustn’t see anything unusual…
The dressing room was on the east side of the imperial garden, a separate pavilion.
The maid stopped at the door. “Miss Su, please enter. Clean clothes are behind the screen. I’ll wait outside.”
Su Yaoyao pushed the door open.
Inside, a single lamp lit the simple room. Behind the screen lay a set of pale purple garments—ordinary in material and style.
Her eyes swept the room, resting on the incense burner.
Blue smoke curled upwards, carrying a sickly-sweet scent.
A fragrance meant to confuse.
Su Yaoyao smirked.
Su Yun’er was…
So amateurish! Couldn’t she use anything fresher?
Playing these outdated tricks with ancient people… she was exhausted!
She walked to the window, cracking it slightly.
The night wind flowed in, dispersing some of the cloying scent.
Behind a corridor pillar, a shadowy figure peeked cautiously.
A man.
Su Yun’er was truly… ruthless.
Not only trying to ruin her reputation, but cutting off all escape routes.
If she were caught here “meeting” a stranger, even the Crown Prince—and certainly the Second Prince—would never want her again.
Perhaps… not even her life would be safe.
Su Yaoyao, however, ignored him.
She returned to the center, methodically loosening her drenched outer robe.
The brocade slipped from her shoulders, pooling at her feet.
Then the undergarments.
One by one, soaked clothes tossed carelessly to the ground, soft rustling filling the room.
Outside, the shadow seemed restless, creeping toward the door.
Su Yaoyao’s back faced the entrance, a subtle, icy smile on her lips.
The one she awaited… was not this fool.
Just as the figure was about to enter—
Bang!
A muffled sound, then something heavy falling.
A low voice outside: “Your Highness, it’s fragrance—and… he’s been given an aphrodisiac.”
Then another voice, clear and cold as jade:
“Keep watch.”
The door opened.
The night wind carried a faint sandalwood scent inside.
Su Yaoyao stood in just a lotus-colored undergarment and matching silk bottoms.
Moonlight traced her breathtaking curves.
A narrow waist, delicate and firm. Below, full, perky hips. Above… softness almost pressing against the undergarment.
Her skin gleamed like jade, radiant in the moonlight.
A living sculpture—fragile, yet breathtaking.
Xiao Chenyuan paused almost imperceptibly at the sight, but quickly diverted his gaze, voice calm as ever:
“Miss Su, are you hurt?”
Only then did Su Yaoyao slowly turn, instinctively clasping her hands over her chest—
A movement that only made her curves even more stunning.
The jade pendant swayed between the curves, glowing softly in the flickering lamplight.