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

Chapter 113 The "Wolves" of the Northern Desert Have Arrived

When Ashina Lie's carriages entered Yongjing, it certainly caused quite a stir.

The procession was impressive—a dozen or so tall, majestic horses from the northern desert led the way, followed by a grand convoy laden with furs, jewels, and fine horses, taking up half the street.

The people crowded the roadside to watch the spectacle and discussed it amongst themselves.

"Wow! That's the Crown Prince of the Northern Desert? He's really...really handsome!"

"Goodness, that height... must be over nine feet tall, right?"

"He's not just handsome, his physique, his aura... he's completely different from the young masters of our Central Plains..."

"I heard he hasn't married a principal wife yet..."

Ashina Lie rode on horseback, dressed in the dark riding attire of the Northern Desert royal family. His deep features and wheat-colored skin shimmered in the sunlight.

He smiled broadly, letting the people see him openly, and occasionally winked at a few young women who blushed, eliciting gasps of surprise.

Upon arriving at the post station, Ashina Lie dismounted with the agility of a cheetah.

He looked around but didn't see that familiar figure. Raising an eyebrow, he asked the approaching old envoy, "Where's my sister?"

The old envoy wiped his sweat: "The princess... she's been going to the Yongning Marquis's residence a lot lately, saying she's teaching the future crown princess martial arts..."

Ashina Lie was taken aback, then burst into laughter: "Her mediocre skills? She wants to teach people?" He shook his head, his eyes filled with doting affection. "Don't ruin those noble ladies of Yongjing. Look at how frail they are..."

As he spoke, he seemed to picture a little crybaby being tormented by his younger sister until her face was streaked with tears—well, it was quite pitiful, but I couldn't help but laugh.

"Let's go," he said, grabbing his riding crop, "let's go take a look."

The old envoy nearly knelt before this ancestor: "Your Highness! This is against protocol! You have just arrived; you should first present your credentials and meet with the officials of the Ministry of Rites—"

"What rules or not?" Ashina Lie waved his hand dismissively. "It's only natural for me to look after my own sister! You old man, why do you cause so much trouble as you get older?"

The old envoy was on the verge of tears.

What terrible things has he done to deserve having these two masters...?

If only the gentle and refined Fourth Prince had come!

----

In the training ground in the backyard of the Yongning Marquis's residence,

Anar was enthusiastically demonstrating to Su Yaoyao, while Su Qingrun stood by watching, his brows furrowed slightly—what if his younger sister's skinny arms and legs broke…

Su Yaoyao studied very diligently.

Today she changed into a light blue, narrow-sleeved exercise uniform, which was tightly cinched at the waist, highlighting her shapely figure.

As she moved, fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, her cheeks flushed with a healthy rosy glow, her eyes sparkled, and she looked as vibrant as a peony glistening with morning dew.

Ashina Lie barged in at that moment.

He didn't even have anyone announce his arrival, and just swaggered into the backyard. The guards at the gate wanted to stop him, but when they met his amber eyes, they didn't dare to move.

Then, he saw the figure in the center of the training ground.

Ashina Lie stopped in his tracks.

He had lived for twenty-five years, seen the wildest horses, the most vibrant flowers, and the most beautiful girls on the grasslands. But none of them were like the person before him—

It's not the delicate fragility of a willow swaying in the breeze, nor the valiant spirit of a woman from the northern desert. Rather, it's a... vibrant, full-bodied life force.

She stood there, like a plump, juicy peach, radiating a vibrant, confident, and alluring aura.

He finally understood what his younger sister meant by "different" in her letter.

Su Qingrun was the first to spot him, her brows furrowing even more as she stepped forward: "The Northern Desert... the First Prince?"

This sound drew the attention of both people in the arena.

Anar turned her head, her eyes lighting up: "Brother! What brings you here?!"

She ran over happily, pulling Ashina Lie towards the center of the field: "Come on! Let me introduce you, this is my good sister I mentioned in my letter, Su Yaoyao!"

Su Yaoyao stopped what she was doing and looked up at the person who had come in.

Eyes facing each other.

Ashina Lie felt a "boom" in his mind, like fireworks exploding.

He had seen many beautiful women. But none of them could make his heart skip a beat or his throat tighten.

"Yaoyao, this is my brother, Ashina Lie," Anar said enthusiastically. "Brother, this is..."

"I know." Ashina Lie interrupted her, but his eyes were fixed on Su Yaoyao, and a bright smile appeared on his lips. "Miss Su, the legitimate daughter of the Yongning Marquis's family and the future Crown Princess, it's a pleasure to meet you."

He bowed slightly and performed a gesture of respect with his hand on his chest, but his gaze was so intense it was almost scalding.

Su Yaoyao looked back calmly and curtsied, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Her voice was soft and sweet, her posture elegant, yet her eyes were clear and bright, showing no trace of timidity.

Ashina Lie's heart skipped a beat again.

"No need for formalities." He took two steps forward and naturally reached out to help her. "I heard you're learning kung fu from Anar? Her skills are nothing compared to yours. How about I teach you?"

Before his hand could touch Su Yaoyao, a soft cough came from the side.

Su Qingrun had somehow appeared beside her sister and said expressionlessly, "Your Highness has come from afar, why don't we go to the front hall for tea first?"

Ashina Lie then noticed this Marquis of Yongning.

Their eyes met; one was unrestrained and bold, the other cold and rigid. A subtle tension instantly filled the air.

"My lord," Ashina Lie said with a smile, withdrawing his hand, "I have long admired your name. My sister is in the capital, and she has received much help from you, my lord."

"It's my duty." Su Qingrun said calmly, but emphasized the words "my duty."

Anar's eyes lit up as she watched from the side—her brother and the man she had her eye on were facing off! This scene... was thrilling!

Su Yaoyao caught a glimpse of her brother's tense jaw out of the corner of her eye, and chuckled inwardly, but spoke gently on the surface: "Your Highness must be tired from your journey, why don't you go and rest first? The matter of practicing martial arts... is not urgent."

"No rush, no rush." ​​Ashina Lie laughed heartily. "I love making friends. If the Crown Princess doesn't mind, we can chat more—I've heard that women in the Central Plains love poetry and songs? Although we in the Northern Desert don't have that kind of interest, I've read a few books by Han people and can say a few words about it."

As he spoke, he leaned forward again: "What does the Crown Princess like? Horse riding? Archery? Or...?"

Before the words were finished, a clear, cold voice came from the courtyard gate:

"Your Highness is in high spirits."

Xiao Chenyuan arrived at some unknown time, dressed in a moon-white robe, standing in the morning light, his face calm, but his eyes were like ice.

He walked in slowly, and naturally pulled Su Yaoyao to his side, blocking most of Ashina Lie's view.

"I had no idea that the Crown Prince was so interested in Central Plains culture."

Ashina Lie looked at the hand that was wrapped around Su Yaoyao's waist, his eyes deepened, but his smile widened, revealing a set of white teeth: "Your Highness? I've heard so much about you. I just... felt a sense of familiarity upon seeing the Crown Princess."

"Friendly?" Xiao Chenyuan raised an eyebrow. "It seems that the Crown Prince and Yaoyao are meeting for the first time."

"Some people, you feel like you've known them forever from the first meeting," Ashina Lie said meaningfully.

The smell of gunpowder in the air grew stronger.

Su Qingrun rubbed her forehead.

What should I do if my sister is too attractive?

Su Yaoyao sensed that the atmosphere was off. This man was probably acting possessively again. Sigh! This won't do; I need to discipline him!

Su Yaoyao suddenly tugged gently at Xiao Chenyuan's sleeve, tilted her head up, and spoke in a soft, sweet voice:

"Your Highness, I'm tired..."

She blinked, beads of sweat still clinging to her eyelashes, looking utterly pitiful: "My back aches..."

Xiao Chenyuan immediately lowered his head, his voice softening: "Then go back and rest?"

"Mm." Su Yaoyao nodded obediently, then looked at Ashina Lie and smiled politely, "Your Highness, please excuse me."

Ashina Lie looked at her delicate appearance, and all the blood in his body rushed to his head.

Girls from the grasslands are either dashing or fiery, speaking and acting decisively. He'd never seen anything like this before.

That sweet, delicate voice, those watery eyes, that dependent yet coquettish demeanor…

If that voice is being affectionate with me...

Ashina Lie's Adam's apple bobbed violently.

He felt he could hunt ten wolves now, no, twenty!

"Take care, Miss Su." He heard himself say, his voice a little hoarse.

Xiao Chenyuan glanced at him indifferently, then hugged Su Yaoyao tighter and led her away.

Ashina Lie suddenly spoke up: "Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Xiao Chenyuan stopped in his tracks and turned his head.

Ashina Lie narrowed his amber eyes as he looked at the hand wrapped around Su Yaoyao's waist: "I heard Your Highness's wedding is imminent? Congratulations."

"Thank you," Xiao Chenyuan said calmly.

"I will certainly prepare a generous gift when the time comes," Ashina Lie grinned, but then changed the subject, "However... we have an old saying in the Northern Desert: the fattest sheep always attracts wolves. Your Highness must keep a close eye on them."

This was almost a blatant provocation.

Xiao Chenyuan slowly turned around, his gaze falling on Ashina Lie's face. His voice was calm, yet every word was chilling:

"Your Highness is joking. No one has ever dared to covet my things."

He paused, then added:

"Even if there is a wolf, if it cries wolf... just kill it."

Ashina Lie only withdrew his gaze after the two figures disappeared from the corridor.

Anar leaned closer and whispered, "Brother, how is it? Wasn't I right? Isn't it beautiful?"

Ashina Lie licked his back teeth, and after a long while, he chuckled softly:

"beautiful."

It's more than just beautiful.

It's the kind of beauty that can kill you.

Such a beauty...

Only the wind of the grasslands is worthy of her.