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

Chapter 158 Betrothal

The day the Crown Prince presented his betrothal gifts, the entire capital was in an uproar.

Before dawn, the entire East Street was cleared out.

The soldiers of the Five Cities Garrison stood in two rows, keeping the onlookers at least ten feet away.

"Make way, make way, make way—" someone tiptoed forward, "Whose wedding is this? Why such a big commotion?"

"Haven't you heard? The Crown Prince is presenting his betrothal gifts today!"

"The Crown Prince?! That Crown Prince who's indifferent to women?!"

"What do you mean by not being interested in women! That's just because you haven't met the right person! I heard he cherishes that eldest daughter of the Yongning Marquis's family like the apple of his eye!"

There was a lot of discussion among the crowd.

At the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), the sound of gongs and drums came from afar.

Everyone turned around at the same time—

As far as the eye can see, everything is red.

At the very front were two teams of guards leading the way, each dressed in crimson ceremonial robes, with long swords at their waists, and marching in perfect unison.

Behind them followed the procession of betrothal gifts, one after another, stretching from one end of the street to the other, seemingly without end.

Gold and silver utensils, jewels and pearls, silks and satins, antiques and calligraphy, gold and silver ingots...

The number of onlookers was countless.

All I know is that the red ribbon stretched endlessly, like a flowing river.

"My God..." someone murmured, "How much silver would that cost?"

"Silver? Some things money can't buy! See those geese? The Crown Prince hunted them himself!"

"And those jewels, each piece is a rare treasure!"

"His Highness is going to spoil his future Crown Princess rotten!"

"I heard the betrothal gift list was ten feet long, and it took the officials from the Ministry of Rites half an hour to finish reading it!"

Gasps of astonishment rose and fell from the crowd.

Xiao Chenyuan rode on his horse, leading the betrothal gift procession.

Today he was dressed in a black prince's robe with red trim, his hair tied up with a golden crown, and a jade belt around his waist.

He usually wore moon white or black, looking as aloof as a deity untouched by worldly affairs.

Today's outfit accentuated his handsome features, while softening his overall aura.

A smile played on her lips, impossible to suppress.

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.

"Your Highness...you're so handsome..."

"If I were Miss Su, I'd be laughing in my sleep..."

Behind him, Ling Feng followed closely with a group of guards.

At the very end of the procession followed a dozen or so eunuchs carrying several large chests—containing rewards for everyone in the Marquis's household. From the gatekeepers to the kitchen staff, from the lowest maids to the head matrons, everyone received a share.

This is a move to buy off the entire government.

---

At the gate of the Yongning Marquis's residence, Su Qingrun and her family had been waiting for a long time.

Today, he was dressed in a rare crimson brocade robe, his face stern, with an expression that said, "My brother-in-law is trying to take my sister away today, so I have to be serious."

Grand Tutor Jiang stood at the front, dressed in a brand-new brocade robe, his white hair neatly combed, a smile on his face, but beneath that smile, there was clearly a hint of... reluctance?

His uncle, Jiang Ci, stood beside him, his eyes already red.

"Father," he lowered his voice, "I can't bear to part with Yaoyao..."

Grand Tutor Jiang patted him on the shoulder.

"Even if it's hard to bear, I have to let go. That child is destined to be a phoenix."

Jiang Jingchen stood at the back, with Jiang Wanning and Jiang Huaijin beside him.

Xiao Huaijin stood on tiptoe to look outside, muttering to herself.

"Why isn't Crown Prince here yet? I'm starving..."

Jiang Wan Ning covered his mouth.

"Don't talk nonsense!"

Jiang Jingchen smiled, his gaze falling on the grand procession of betrothal gifts, and sighed inwardly.

Your Highness, are you planning to move the entire Eastern Palace here?

The procession finally stopped in front of the Marquis's residence.

Xiao Chenyuan dismounted, walked to Grand Tutor Jiang, and bowed deeply in respect.

"Student Xiao Chenyuan pays his respects to the Grand Tutor."

Grand Tutor Jiang was taken aback and quickly helped him up.

"What is Your Highness doing! Get up!"

Xiao Chenyuan did not get up, but raised his head and looked at him.

"The Grand Tutor is Yaoyao's maternal grandfather, and therefore my elder. This bow is only right."

As Jiang Taifu looked at him, his eyes also became a little hot.

This child, whom I've watched grow up, is aloof and proud, and never bows his head to anyone.

Now, in order to be slim,

He took a deep breath and helped Xiao Chenyuan up.

"Good boy," he said, "I'm at ease entrusting Yaoyao to you."

---

The betrothal gifts were carried into the Marquis's mansion, one load at a time, and the courtyard was soon piled high with them.

Su Qingrun stood under the corridor, looking at the red silk, gold ingots, jade artifacts, and satins, her expression somewhat complicated.

"Your Highness," he began, "isn't your betrothal gift... a bit too much?"

Xiao Chenyuan glanced at him.

"not much."

"A slender figure is worth all that."

Su Qingrun choked.

Jiang Jingchen couldn't help but laugh.

Su Qingrun glared at him, thinking to herself, "It seems I'll have to increase the dowry!"

"Where's Yaoyao?"

Xiao Chenyuan's gaze passed over the crowd and landed in the direction of the backyard.

"I will go and fetch her."

---

Su Yaoyao's boudoir was in complete chaos.

Madam Jiang and her aunt, along with several maids, were busily doing her hair and makeup.

"This hairpin won't do, it's too plain! Change it to the one with the ruby!"

"Your lip gloss is too light, apply more!"

"The clothes! Where are the clothes? Where is that bright red one with gold trim?"

Su Yaoyao was pressed down in front of the dressing table, completely bewildered.

She had only slept in late when she woke up to hear that the Crown Prince had come to propose marriage, and then she was kept here and tormented by Old Madam Jiang.

"Grandmother," she whispered, "that's enough..."

"What do you mean 'almost'!" Old Madam Jiang glared at her. "Today is the day His Highness proposes marriage; the whole capital is watching! You must be dressed to the nines!"

Su Yaoyao sighed and had no choice but to sit obediently.

I had just finished combing my hair and changing my clothes when I heard footsteps outside.

"Graceful".

Xiao Chenyuan's voice came from outside the door.

Su Yaoyao's heart skipped a beat.

Old Madam Jiang glanced at her, smiled, and stepped aside.

The door opened.

Xiao Chenyuan stood at the door, dressed in a black tuxedo with red trim, which made his features appear even more aloof. But his phoenix eyes were fixed on her, their depths filled with unreadable emotions.

Su Yaoyao also looked at him, watching him walk towards her.

Backlit, the man's handsome features, accentuated by the red background, were even more captivating.

This person...

How can it be so beautiful?

Eyes facing each other.

She suddenly felt a little nervous.

Xiao Chenyuan stopped in front of her.

He looked at her for a long time, his gaze as gentle as melting spring water.

Then, he slowly knelt down.

Su Yaoyao was stunned.

"Your Highness..."

Xiao Chenyuan raised his head and looked at her.

Those usually aloof eyes now only reflected her own image.

"Graceful".

He spoke, his voice low but incredibly earnest.

"In my entire life, I have never asked for anything."

"The position of Crown Prince is not something I sought. Nor is this empire something I desired."

"But only you—"

He held her hand, his fingertips gently stroking the back of her hand.

I beg you…

"Please stay with me for the rest of my life."

"I beg you to be my wife, my crown princess, and my future empress."

"I know I'm not good; I'm cold-hearted, aloof, and bad at saying nice things. But I promise—"

He looked at her, speaking each word clearly.

"In this life, you are the only one."

"In this life, I will never let you down."

"Su Yaoyao is the only person Xiao Chenyuan ever wanted to marry in his life."

"For the rest of my life, through thick and thin, through life and death."

"As long as you are here, I am here too."

"Even if you're not here, I'll chase you to the underworld and bring you back."

"Yaoyao, you are my destiny."

Su Yaoyao's eyes reddened.

She watched him kneel before her, saw the rare seriousness on his usually aloof face, and the deep affection in his eyes.

Suddenly I laughed.

"Xiao Chenyuan," she called his full name, her voice a little hoarse, "get up."

Xiao Chenyuan did not move.

Su Yaoyao bent down and cupped his face in her hands.

"I'll marry you," she said, her eyes sparkling, filled with both tears and laughter. "I'll marry you."

Xiao Chenyuan stood up, pulled her into his arms, and whispered in her ear:

"Yaoyao, is my Yaoyao."

Madam Jiang quietly wiped the corner of her eye.

Jiang Taifu stroked his beard, a look of satisfaction on his face.

Su Qingrun stood at the door, watching this scene, and her nose suddenly felt a little sore.

He turned his face away, pretending to look at the scenery.

Jiang Jingchen leaned closer and whispered, "My lord, if you want to cry, just cry. No one will laugh at you."

Su Qingrun glared at him.

"……Shut up."

Jiang Wanning held Jiang Huaijin's hand and whispered.

"Brother Crown Prince is so amazing..."

Jiang Huaijin nodded, then shook his head.

"Sister Yaoyao cried."

"Those were tears of joy."

"Oh……"

---

Xiao Chenyuan held Su Yaoyao in his arms for a long time.

After a long while, he finally released her and looked down at her.

Su Yaoyao's eye makeup was a little smudged, and her eyes were red, but she smiled with her eyes crinkling.

"Your Highness," she poked his chest, "I've remembered everything you just said."

Xiao Chenyuan raised an eyebrow.

"so?"

"So," Su Yaoyao blinked, "if you dare to go back on your word—"

Xiao Chenyuan lowered his head and kissed her.

The kiss was light and gentle, as if it were for some fragile treasure.

After a long while, he finally released her, pressed his forehead against hers, and said in a low voice:

"I will not go back on my word."

"I'm sticking with you for the rest of my life."

Su Yaoyao smiled.

"Me too."

Outside the door, the sound of gongs and drums rang out again.

The betrothal gifts were as high as mountains, and the red silk was as deep as the sea.

The entire capital was abuzz with talk of this grand betrothal ceremony.

And everyone in the Eastern Palace and the Yongning Marquis's residence knew—

This perfect couple is finally getting married.

In the distance, on the second floor of a teahouse on the street corner, a window was half-open.

A figure in crimson purple stood quietly.

He stared at the red silks lining the street and the grand procession of betrothal gifts for a long time.

Then he chuckled softly.

"Congratulations."

He spoke softly, his voice as light as a sigh.

"Owner."

He clutched the epiphyllum earring in his hand, then turned and walked into the shadows.