Clutching the moon-white robe still carrying the faint scent of sandalwood, Su Yaoyao hadn’t even had time to savor her “spoils” before the side hall’s door was gently knocked.
“Miss Su,” a palace maid’s voice called. “By the order of His Highness the Crown Prince, I have come to attend to you.”
Efficiency was impressive.
Su Yaoyao carefully folded the moon-white robe, tucking it into the package of new clothes, then replied, “Please, come in.”
The door opened, and a delicate-looking palace maid stepped in, head lowered, carrying a complete set of garments—from inner robes to outer cloak.
“After you change, please follow me to Qingyin Pavilion,” the maid said respectfully. “Her Majesty the Empress awaits you there.”
Su Yaoyao raised an eyebrow.
Qingyin Pavilion? That was a quiet palace garden not far from the banquet hall.
It seemed her aunt was intent on keeping this private.
“Thank you,” Su Yaoyao smiled, carrying the clothes behind the screen.
Behind the screen, she changed quickly, thoughts racing.
For the Empress to summon her alone at this moment was no simple matter.
At the banquet earlier, the Empress had likely already sensed something.
Combined with Xiao Chenyuan’s rare intervention…
Her aunt could not remain idle any longer.
The question was how far her aunt was willing to go for her.
Back at the banquet, music played, wine flowed.
But many minds were no longer on song or drink.
Su Yun’er sat fidgeting with her cup, glancing frequently toward the side hall.
Why was there still no sign of movement?
The man she had arranged should have succeeded by now.
Even if Su Yaoyao had narrowly escaped, there should have been some noise…
Yet the side hall was eerily silent.
Frustrated, she noticed the Empress’s chief maid whispering in her ear.
The Empress’s expression shifted ever so slightly, then she rose and said to the assembly, “I feel weary; I shall retire briefly to change,” and left with her attendants.
Su Yun’er’s heart skipped.
The Empress left too?!
Could it be… things had escalated? Was the Empress going to clean up Su Yaoyao’s mess?
Impossible!
If the Empress intended to cover for her, all her efforts today would be wasted!
Impossible!
She had carefully set the trap—she could not let Su Yaoyao have any chance to turn the tables.
Su Yun’er clenched her teeth, eyes scanning the Second Prince Xiao Qiming, who was laughing and drinking nearby.
Taking a deep breath, she put on a tearful, pitiful expression and approached.
“Your Highness…” she tugged at Xiao Qiming’s sleeve softly.
The prince turned, frowning at her reddened eyes. “What is it?”
“I…I am worried about my sister…” Su Yun’er’s voice quivered with feigned sobs. “She went to change, and it’s been nearly half an hour. Just now… I thought I saw a man heading toward the side hall…”
Xiao Qiming’s face darkened. “What?”
“I…I don’t know if I saw correctly…” Su Yun’er said timidly. “But my sister hasn’t returned for so long, I fear something happened… Your Highness, should we check?”
Xiao Qiming already resented Su Yaoyao’s “unusual” behavior today. Hearing this, his anger flared.
That shameless woman! Could she really dare meet someone privately during the palace banquet?!
“Let’s go!” He grabbed Su Yun’er’s hand. “I want to see what she’s up to!”
The two left quietly, drawing little attention.
After all, the Second Prince’s fondness for the Su family’s younger daughter was well known.
Outside the side hall, silence reigned.
The door was ajar, no light inside.
Su Yun’er’s heart leapt—so quiet! It must have succeeded! The man had done his part, and…
“Your Highness, the door isn’t closed…” she whispered.
Xiao Qiming’s face darkened. He lifted his foot and kicked the door open with a bang.
Scattered on the floor were several pieces of women’s clothing—the shimmering silk Su Yaoyao had worn today.
The screen had toppled, the bath bucket spilled half its water.
A complete mess.
Yet… no one was there.
Su Yun’er froze.
Where were they?
The man she arranged? Su Yaoyao?
“Su Yaoyao!” Xiao Qiming shouted. “Come out this instant!”
No response.
Only the night wind slipped through the open window, causing the curtains to flutter.
Su Yun’er stepped inside, unwilling to believe it.
How could they just vanish?!
Had Su Yaoyao sensed danger and escaped?
Or had the man failed?
She didn’t notice the door behind her slowly closing in the night wind.
Nor did she notice the gilded incense burner in the corner, previously extinguished, now sending curling wisps of smoke into the air.
Suddenly, Su Yun’er felt dizzy.
Xiao Qiming standing at the door felt a strange warmth rising.
He tugged at his collar, growing impatient. “Su Yun’er, what exactly are you trying to see? There’s no one here…”
His gaze froze mid-sentence.
Next to the pile of wet clothes on the floor lay a thin, lotus-colored undergarment.
Very sheer, soaked, the twin-lotus embroidery clearly visible beneath.
Xiao Qiming’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
He suddenly recalled how Su Yaoyao’s soaked dress had clung to her body at the banquet.
Those curves… breathtaking.
And when she had looked up at him, eyes brimming with tears yet stunningly bright…
How had he never noticed before? That airhead actually…
“Your Highness?” Su Yun’er looked back, puzzled at his frozen stance.
But seeing Xiao Qiming’s flushed face, her heart sank.
His expression… so red.
And his eyes… not right.
“Your Highness, are you unwell?” Su Yun’er hurried forward to support him.
But the moment her hand touched his arm, he grasped her wrist with a strong, vice-like grip.
“Y-Your Highness?” she panicked.
Xiao Qiming stared at her, eyes dazed, breath heavy. “Yun’er… you look… so beautiful today…”
“What… Your Highness, what are you saying?” Su Yun’er tried to pull away, but his grip tightened.
The sweet, intoxicating fragrance grew stronger.
Su Yun’er’s head swam, a strange heat rising from within her body.
She realized—this was the aphrodisiac incense she had prepared! How could this…
But it was too late.
Xiao Qiming, already drunk from wine, was overwhelmed by the scent. A surge of heat shot up from his lower abdomen.
He pulled her into his embrace, scorching breath on her neck:
“Yun’er… let me take good care of you…”
“No… Your Highness… you can’t…” Su Yun’er struggled, but her strength waned, her body softening.
Her consciousness blurred. She heard the tearing of fabric…
And the faint click of the door being gently locked from the outside.