With her delicate face and slender waist, the royal uncle lost control.

Qi Luo was taken aback.

Yun Nian's gaze fell on the swaying bamboo shadows outside the window, a sharp, knife-like glint flashing in her eyes.

"An opportunity has come knocking on our door!"

She withdrew her gaze and looked at Qiluo, who looked completely puzzled. "Since the prince suspects I have ulterior motives, then let him continue to suspect me..."

-

Within two days, Yun Nian's injuries began to heal.

She picked up the food box that had been prepared on the table and went to the study in Canglang Pavilion.

Chen Sha stood guard outside the study. When he saw Yun Nian arrive, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He stepped forward and respectfully blocked their path.

"Miss Yun, please wait. The master is inside discussing important matters with several officials, and it is not convenient to disturb him at this time."

Yun Nian stopped, her face showing no displeasure at being stopped.

She nodded obediently: "Guard Chensha, I won't go in. I'll just wait here in the corridor for His Highness to finish his work."

Her attitude was humble and submissive, so Chensha had no choice but to return to her original position.

The sun outside the corridor gradually rose higher, and the early summer sunlight already carried a hint of heat.

Yun Nian maintained an upright posture throughout, though fine beads of sweat gradually appeared on her forehead.

Standing for a long time was clearly a considerable burden on her still-recovering body, and her figure swayed slightly.

Chen Sha saw this and felt a pang of pity.

He said in a low voice, "Miss Yun, the sun is getting stronger, and you've just recovered; I'm afraid you can't withstand it. Perhaps... you could go back first? After the Prince's affairs are settled, I'll send someone to fetch you?"

Yun Nian raised her pale face and forced a smile at Chen Sha. "I came here to thank Your Highness. If I can't even wait this long, wouldn't that seem insincere? I... can do it."

Seeing her like this, Chen Sha didn't dare to try to persuade her any further.

After an unknown amount of time, the study door was finally opened from the inside.

Several officials in official robes filed out.

Yun Nian immediately lowered her head, closed her eyes, and held her breath.

Chen Sha entered the study and reported, "Master, Miss Yun Nian is outside requesting an audience."

Behind the desk, Qin Jiuchen was rubbing his temples, which were throbbing slightly.

Upon hearing Chen Sha's words, he coldly replied, "I won't see her. Tell her to go back."

Chen Sha hesitated for a moment, then added, forcing a smile, "Master, Miss Yun has been standing in the corridor for more than two hours..."

Qin Jiuchen paused slightly.

He lowered his hand and looked out through the open study door.

In the light and shadow under the corridor, the slender figure was indeed still there.

She held the large food box tightly in one hand. Her face was pale from standing for a long time and being exposed to the sun. Her hair was wet with sweat and stuck to her smooth forehead.

She was standing on tiptoe, peering anxiously and expectantly into the study.

Qin Jiuchen's eyes darkened slightly.

He withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "Let her in."

"Yes," Chen Sha replied.

As Yun Nian stepped across the threshold of the study, her legs went numb from standing for so long, and she swayed suddenly due to exhaustion.

She quickly grabbed the door frame beside her and managed to steady herself.

"Miss Yun!" Chen Sha instinctively reached out to help her.

"It's alright, thank you Guard Chensha, I can manage on my own."

Yun Nian quickly stopped her, a blush rising on her face from the sudden embarrassment.

She forced herself to stand up straight and walked as steadily as possible to the center of the study.

Qin Jiuchen had already taken in her disheveled state, but his face remained expressionless. Only after she had stopped did he speak coldly, "You're not fully recovered yet, what are you doing wandering around?"

Yun Nianming's bright smile blossomed on her face, and her voice became lighter: "Nian'er has come here specifically to thank Your Highness for saving my life and for taking care of me these past few days."

"So Nian'er personally prepared some food and brought it along. I wonder if Your Highness would do her the honor of trying some?"

Qin Jiuchen gave a faint "hmm" and casually put down the vermilion brush in his hand.

Leaning back in his chair, he raised one hand and gently turned his stiff neck.

With his other hand, he rubbed his aching right arm and frowned.

Yun Nian put down the lid of the food box and asked, "Does Your Highness have any discomfort in your neck or arm?"

She paused, her voice softening further, "Nian'er once learned some massage techniques to relax muscles and improve circulation from an old nanny. Though not very skilled, they might relieve some fatigue. If Your Highness doesn't mind, could Nian'er give it a try?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Jiuchen turned to look at her.

After a long pause, he finally curled the corners of his lips into a smile.

He relaxed his body, which was leaning back in the chair, and adjusted his posture, which was considered a tacit agreement.

Yun Nian stepped forward and went around to the back of the large chair.

Qin Jiuchen sat while she stood. From this angle, she could clearly see his broad shoulders and straight back beneath his dark brocade robe.

Her fingertips were slightly cool, with a softness unique to women, and gently landed on the junction of Qin Jiuchen's shoulder and neck.

Qin Jiuchen's body stiffened for a moment.

He is not used to close physical contact with others, especially women.

But the next moment, the perfect pressure and the precise touch on the sore acupoints made his tense muscles relax involuntarily.

Yun Nian's strength was perfectly controlled.

With fingertips and the base of the palm, gently massage along the tendons on the side of his neck.

Wherever my fingertips touched, they brought a wave of tingling and numbness followed by a sense of comfort, as if a blocked river channel had been quietly cleared.

Her breathing was very light, but Qin Jiuchen could feel her warm breath brushing against the skin behind his ear.

Her fingers were soft, sometimes light, sometimes heavy, sometimes slow, sometimes fast, as if she were playing a silent melody, patiently soothing every stiffness and discomfort in his shoulders and neck.

Gradually, her hands slowly moved down, from his strong shoulders to his right arm.

Qin Jiuchen closed his eyes and let her do as she pleased.

The atmosphere suddenly became subtle when her hands finally slipped into his palms.

Her hands were small, soft, and somewhat cold.

After a moment's hesitation, she gently placed his hand in her own palm.

Qin Jiuchen's eyelashes trembled.

Yun Nian's fingers wedged between his fingers.

Cool, soft fingertips slowly intertwine with warm, dry, slender fingers.

Their fingers are intertwined.

Qin Jiuchen suddenly opened his closed eyes.

At the same moment, Yun Nian raised her head.

Eyes facing each other.

He seemed to realize her transgression.

Her cheeks instantly turned bright red, like ripe cherries, and even her ears and neck were tinged with a blush.

"Your Highness..."

Her voice trembled as she hurriedly tried to explain, her fingers instinctively trying to pull away, "Nian'er... I just wanted to help you loosen up your fingers..."

Before he could finish speaking, Qin Jiuchen suddenly tightened his grip.

"what!"

Yun Nian was suddenly pulled forward.

In the blink of an eye, she fell into Qin Jiuchen's arms.

She sat directly on his lap, half of her body nestled in his arms.

In the chaos, Yun Nian grabbed Qin Jiuchen's neck to barely steady herself.

She looked up, still shaken, and saw Qin Jiuchen standing close by, a wicked smile on his face.

He leaned slightly forward, his thin lips close to her earlobe, and his deep voice slowly rang in her ear.