Xiao Qiming’s eyes were glued to the figure not far away, completely stunned.
The flowing sleeves made her pale, flawless skin even more translucent.
Her waist was so slim he could grip it with one hand; the curves at her chest… he felt his Adam’s apple move involuntarily.
And that face… brimming with subtle allure…
This… this is Su Yaoyao?!
His fiancée, the one he had despised for years?
When had she… grown into this?
“Your Highness?” Su Yun’er, sensing his distraction, panicked and called him softly.
But Xiao Qiming seemed not to hear, his gaze locked on Su Yaoyao.
Unfazed by the eyes of the entire hall, Su Yaoyao walked gracefully, a faint, composed smile on her lips.
“Sister…” Yun’er forced a smile and stepped forward. “Sister… today… you’re… unrecognizable.”
Su Yaoyao stopped a few steps away, her eyes briefly sweeping over Xiao Qiming’s arm draped around Yun’er’s shoulder, lips curving into a faint, teasing smile.
“Second Prince, little sister,” she nodded lightly, her clear voice carrying a hint of lazy huskiness. “What a coincidence.”
Xiao Qiming jerked his hand back as if burned, his throat moving, mouth opening and closing—yet no words came out.
The woman before him was so unfamiliar it startled him… yet so beautiful he couldn’t look away.
Yun’er’s jealousy surged.
“Sister, this outfit… is new, right? The color is bright, but… the style…”
She feigned hesitation. “Isn’t it… too figure-revealing? With the Crown Prince present, sister should… be more dignified.”
Her words, outwardly polite, carried subtle criticism—accusing Su Yaoyao of dressing inappropriately, hinting at flirtatiousness.
As expected, a few older ladies looked her over with judgmental eyes.
Su Yaoyao didn’t reply immediately.
A young gentleman in blue couldn’t help speaking up: “Miss Su, your words are mistaken. Miss Su’s beauty is exceptional, her attire elegant, truly stunning.”
Another added: “Indeed. In my opinion, her ensemble is refined and unique, far surpassing those who flaunt gold and jewels.”
The intended meaning was clear—the noble ladies who had mocked Su Yaoyao now looked visibly displeased.
Su Yaoyao smiled faintly at the men, leaving their faces flushed.
Xiao Qiming’s gaze burned with a surge of possessive fire. He sneered:
“All dressed up to show off—who are you trying to impress? Shameless!”
Su Yaoyao turned to him, a flicker of subtle mockery in her eyes, too quick to catch.
In an instant, a soft sheen of unshed tears formed in those beautiful eyes.
She lowered her head slightly, voice trembling:
“Second Prince… there’s no need to humiliate me. Yaoyao… understands…”
She lifted her gaze, tears glimmering in her eyes, yet clarity and quiet strength shone through:
“You and little sister are devoted to each other. Yaoyao sees it.”
Her voice, soft yet audible to all around, carried a tone of self-restraint and dignity:
“Though Yaoyao is betrothed to Your Highness, she does not wish to be the villain who obstructs love…”
Pausing to compose herself, she continued, feigning strength while masking hurt:
“This betrothal… since it was granted by His Majesty, Yaoyao, being insignificant, cannot interfere. But if Your Highness truly loves little sister…”
She bit her full lips, leaving a faint red mark—making several young men’s hearts skip a beat.
“Rest assured, Your Highness… if you truly wish to break this engagement, Yaoyao will kneel before my aunt for three days and nights, begging her to allow you and little sister to be together…”
A single tear fell perfectly down her fair cheek.
A beautiful woman in tears—instantly, all hearts softened.
Silence.
A deathly quiet.
Witnessing Su Yaoyao, tearful yet resolute, prioritizing the happiness of others…
Then seeing the overbearing Xiao Qiming, defending his concubine, showing no respect for his fiancée…
And Su Yun’er, hiding behind the prince, appearing delicate while secretly provoking him to publicly demean her elder sister…
The contrast was unmistakable.
Some of the softer-hearted noble ladies already wiped their eyes, touched by her grace and suffering.
“Miss Su… she’s too pitiful.”
“Yes… clearly, she is the one wronged…”
“The rightful fiancée, yet forced to watch her betrothed with another…”
“And she’s so magnanimous, willing to let them be together…”
“Even Miss Su Yun’er, usually so gentle, seems…”
“The Second Prince is too cruel!”
Xiao Qiming stared at Su Yaoyao’s tearful yet astonishingly beautiful face, hearing the faint accusations from around him. His mind was in chaos.
He used to find her crying irritating—but now…
That single tear… why did it unsettle him so?
And her offer to end the engagement… he suddenly realized, he didn’t feel as satisfied as he thought he would.
She loves him this much, willing to beg to let him be happy…
Doesn’t that prove she has feelings for him?
He opened his mouth, intending to say, “Fine, suit yourself,” but instead it came out:
“You… you understand! But… the engagement was granted by the Emperor—it’s not something that can be dissolved just like that…”
Yun’er was both shocked and furious.
The prince’s tone… sounded reluctant?!
And that wretched girl! When did she learn this tactic of stepping back, playing innocent, and gaining sympathy?!
Even better than her act!
Sensing the tide turning, she hurriedly forced tears:
“Sister, don’t speak like that… I never wanted to compete with you. As long as I can serve near Your Highness, I am satisfied…”
She went to kneel, but Xiao Qiming pulled her up.
“Yun’er, what are you doing!” He held her protectively, then looked at Su Yaoyao with a complex gaze.
Su Yaoyao smirked inwardly.
Oh, now it’s a contest of who can cry better?
She gently dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief, voice softer:
“Little sister, stop crying… rest assured, what I said, I will do. But…”
She paused, hesitating, then looked at Xiao Qiming:
“I am concerned… if this engagement is truly broken, and you marry little sister, it may cause gossip… people might say she… seduced her future brother-in-law while I was ill…”
“You’re speaking nonsense!” Xiao Qiming’s face darkened.
Su Yaoyao shook her head quickly. Tears finally spilled down:
“That’s not what I mean! Little sister is innocent and kind, how could she do such a thing? It’s all idle gossip… I am only concerned for her reputation…”
She spoke, covering her face with a handkerchief, shoulders trembling, crying so pitifully one could hardly bear it.
The noble ladies around began looking at Yun’er differently.
Indeed… Miss Su Yun’er is always by the prince’s side—it may not be proper…
Yun’er trembled with anger, forcing a fragile appearance, her face turning blue.
Su Yaoyao’s gaze swept over both of them, bitterly smiling—a smile so broken it tugged at hearts.
“I understand. Rest assured, Your Highness… I will no longer expect anything.”
She slightly bent her knees, bowed gracefully, and turned to her seat.
The hem of her skirt brushed the polished floor; her pendants swung lightly; her back was slender yet straight.
All eyes followed her, and Xiao Qiming’s face was dark as iron.
He stared at that back, a strange irritation rising in his chest.
Yun’er nestled against him, sensing his brief distraction, alarm bells ringing in her mind.
Something’s wrong… that “useless girl” is off today!
She must act quickly!
Meanwhile, Su Yaoyao, walking to her seat, discreetly wiped the corner of her eyes, lips curling into a fleeting cold smile.
The scoundrel.
Already flustered?
The real show hasn’t even begun.
She sat, lifting her cup; amber liquid rippled inside.
No rush.
The hunter is always patient.
Her true target today… was not the empty-headed Second Prince.
Just then, the high-pitched announcement of a eunuch came from the entrance:
“The Crown Prince arrives—”
The hall fell completely silent.
Su Yaoyao lifted her gaze.
In the brilliance of the palace lanterns, a figure as cold as snow stepped forward with measured grace.