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

Chapter 106 Revisiting the Hot Springs

The hot springs on the back mountain are hidden deep in the bamboo forest, filled with steam that warms you to the bone.

Xiao Chenyuan placed Su Yaoyao on the soft cushion by the pool, then squatted down to test the water temperature: "Just right."

Su Yaoyao, wrapped in her outer robe, looked at him expectantly: "Isn't Your Highness going to take a bath?"

Xiao Chenyuan paused, raised his eyes,

"Yaoyao." His voice, damp with moisture, was deep and hoarse. "Do you know... what it means to invite a man to bathe together?"

Su Yaoyao's heart was pounding, but she forced a smile: "Does that mean...saving money and water?"

Xiao Chenyuan chuckled and kissed the still-present hickey on her neck:

"If I leave, you won't be able to sleep tonight."

As he spoke, he knelt down and began to untie the outer robe she was wearing.

"I can do it myself!" Su Yaoyao covered her collar and glared at him warily.

Xiao Chenyuan raised an eyebrow: "Where didn't I see last night?"

"...That's different!"

Su Yaoyao turned her back to herself, unbuttoned her outer robe, revealing only a small garment with floral patterns.

Those bluish-purple marks, under the dim lights by the hot spring, possessed a captivating beauty.

Xiao Chenyuan's eyes darkened, his Adam's apple bobbing: "Will you get down yourself, or shall I carry you?"

Su Yaoyao looked at him, then at the steaming pool water, and decisively reached out: "Hug."

Xiao Chenyuan chuckled softly and slowly took off his outer robe.

One by one, the moon-white robes fell to the ground, and Su Yaoyao stared in disbelief—

In the rising steam of the hot spring, his well-defined body was on full display.

He had broad shoulders and a narrow waist, with smooth lines. His body was fine, but when he turned around, his back was covered in scratches from fingernails.

Su Yaoyao abruptly turned her face away, her ear tips turning bright red.

Oh dear! Last night, I... was I really that reckless...?

"Why are you hiding?" Xiao Chenyuan reached out and pulled her over.

He picked her up and carefully stepped into the hot spring.

The warm water flowed over her skin, and Su Yaoyao sighed softly in comfort, her whole body going limp in his arms.

"Don't soak the painful areas for too long." Xiao Chenyuan circled her around the edge of the pool, leaning against her back so she could comfortably rest against his chest.

Su Yaoyao squinted, feeling the water flow over her aching waist, and suddenly remembered something: "Speaking of which... this doesn't seem to be our first time soaking in a hot spring."

Xiao Chenyuan was gently massaging her lower back with his fingers when he heard this, he paused.

"That time at Tangquan Palace." Su Yaoyao turned her head, her eyes sparkling. "Does Your Highness still remember—"

"I remember." Xiao Chenyuan's voice lowered, with a barely perceptible hoarseness. "That time... I almost broke my vow."

Su Yaoyao laughed, turned around and nestled against his chest, her fingertips tapping his heart: "What do you mean 'almost'? Your Highness... you were practically poking me..."

As she spoke, she leaned close to his ear, her breath sweet as orchids: "You hypocrite, why don't you just say something like 'Please have some self-respect, female benefactor'..."

Xiao Chenyuan's breath hitched.

He suddenly grabbed her waist, lifted her up, and made her straddle his lap.

Warm water flowed over their tightly pressed bodies, and the temperature suddenly rose.

"Then today... please, female benefactor, gather as much as you like..."

His voice was low and hoarse, but his hands began to wander. "This humble monk... finds it sweet..."

Su Yaoyao's fingers slid down his chest, tracing his abs...: "Always so good at witty banter, Your Highness...were you thinking about it back then?"

Xiao Chenyuan's breath hitched, and he gripped her wrist: "Yaoyao."

Su Yaoyao wasn't afraid. Instead, she leaned in and gently bit his Adam's apple: "Now you want to?"

"..." Xiao Chenyuan closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again, his eyes filled with dark emotions. "Your body can't take it."

"Then Your Highness will endure it?" Su Yaoyao blinked, looking completely innocent.

Xiao Chenyuan stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled.

That laugh was a little dangerous.

He held her waist and lifted her up, the water level just reaching her chest, her figure appearing and disappearing amidst the rippling waves.

"I can't bear it," he said, lowering his head to seek her lips.

Su Yaoyao turned her head to dodge, her heart skipping a beat, but she wrapped her arms around his neck, smiling like a cunning fox:

"Then this benefactor will not stand on ceremony~"

The air was thick with moisture, and the two were so close that they could see their own reflections in each other's eyes.

Xiao Chenyuan looked at her, then suddenly raised his hand to caress her cheek, his fingertips gently tracing the hickeys on the side of her neck, his eyes terrifyingly deep.

"Yaoyao," he suddenly spoke, his voice very soft, "there are some things... I can't explain to you right now."

Su Yaoyao's heart skipped a beat.

coming.

She remained expressionless, simply watching him quietly.

"But you must believe me." Xiao Chenyuan hugged her tightly, resting his chin on the top of her head, his voice deep and firm, "No matter what happens, I will protect you. I will protect you with my life."

He paused, as if afraid she wouldn't believe him, and added:

"You must believe in me."

These words seemed to come out of nowhere, but Su Yaoyao understood them.

He was talking about He Qing, about the Liang Kingdom, and about the secrets he kept hidden in his heart that he couldn't reveal.

Su Yaoyao leaned against him, listening to his steady heartbeat, and suddenly felt a little soft-hearted.

She reached out and traced circles on his chest with her fingertips: "When will Your Highness finally explain things to me clearly?"

"Wait..." Xiao Chenyuan closed his eyes, "wait until I've taken care of everything."

"What if it's not handled properly?" Su Yaoyao pressed.

Xiao Chenyuan opened his eyes, looked at her, and his eyes held a seriousness she had never seen before:

"Then I'll take you with me and run away."

Su Yaoyao was taken aback.

"Jiangnan, the northern deserts, overseas... anywhere is fine." He said it as if it were a matter of course, "This position of crown prince, this empire, none of them can compare to you."

Su Yaoyao's heart skipped a beat.

She suddenly remembered her past life. Those men had also said sweet words, but none of them were like him—he spoke of giving up the country so casually, yet so seriously.

Her nose stung a little, but she still stubbornly insisted, "Who wants to run away with you? I've already prepared my dowry, and I'm just waiting to marry into the Eastern Palace in style."

Xiao Chenyuan smiled, lowered his head and kissed her forehead: "Alright, then let's have a grand and glorious wedding."

The atmosphere was just right, but Su Yaoyao suddenly remembered something and poked his chest: "By the way, brother... what does His Highness plan to say to him?"

Upon hearing Su Qingrun's name, Xiao Chenyuan's expression subtly stiffened for a moment.

"I will personally go to the Marquis's residence," he said solemnly, "to plead guilty with a bundle of thorns on my back."

Su Yaoyao chuckled, "Bearing thorns to plead guilty? Does Your Highness intend to kneel at the Marquis's gate carrying thorns on your back?"

"If necessary," Xiao Chenyuan said without changing his expression, "I may kneel."

Su Yaoyao laughed until her stomach hurt, and she clung to his shoulder, shaking uncontrollably. After she'd had her fill of laughter, she leaned close to his ear and whispered:

"Actually... I can talk to my brother about it."

Xiao Chenyuan raised an eyebrow at her.

Su Yaoyao blinked: "I knew it, it was I who slept with His Highness."

Xiao Chenyuan: "..."

"Brother can't blame me, can he?" she said with a sly smile.

"If anyone's to blame, it's Your Highness for lacking self-control and being seduced by me."

Seeing her smug little face, Xiao Chenyuan felt a surge of warmth in his heart. Without giving her a chance to dodge, he held the back of her head and kissed her deeply.

The kiss was urgent and fierce, carrying the heat of the hot spring, almost engulfing her completely.

Su Yaoyao was dizzy from the kiss, her hands unconsciously gripping his shoulders, her fingertips sinking into his firm muscles.

Only when they were both almost out of breath did Xiao Chenyuan release her, pressing his forehead against hers, his voice hoarse:

"Yes, it's because I lack self-control."

He looked at her lips, red and swollen from being kissed, his eyes darkening:

"So...seduce me one more time?"

"Be gentle," Xiao Chenyuan kissed her earlobe, his voice muffled, "Just once."

You'd be crazy to believe him.