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

"Sister Nian'er, are you going out? You've just recovered, so it's not good for you to overwork yourself."

Upon being asked this question, Yun Nian's eyes flickered, and she lowered her head in a flustered manner, unconsciously twisting the fabric at her sides with her hands, her voice stammering.

"Yes...yes, I was just thinking of going out to buy something."

Qin Jiaxue took in all of these subtle expressions and movements.

Qin Jiaxue's doubts deepened.

But Qin Jiaxue showed no sign of it on her face. Instead, she smiled considerately and said, "Then I won't bother you any longer, sister. Take care on your journey."

Yun Nian seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and quickly said, "Thank you for your understanding, sister. I'll take my leave now."

After saying that, she quickly curtsied and walked hurriedly toward the side gate of the Prince's Mansion.

Qin Jiaxue stood there, watching Yun Nian's departing figure, the gentle smile on her face gradually cooling down...

-

Yun Nian circled around to a relatively secluded side gate of the Prince's Mansion.

Qiluo was already waiting there, holding two light gauze hats in her hands.

When she saw Yun Nian come out, she quickly went to greet her, and while she was doing so, she quickly put on the veil for Yun Nian to cover her face, and then she quickly put it on for herself as well.

"Miss, are you alright?" Qi Luo asked in a low voice, her eyes full of worry.

"fine."

Through the light veil, Yun Nian's voice regained its composure, "Proceed according to plan, let's go."

After the master and servant put on veils, their figures and faces were concealed, and they blended into the crowd in the market without being noticeable.

They deliberately chose to wander through quiet alleys, turning and twisting until they finally arrived at a deserted alley in the west of the city.

"Qiluo, you stay here and keep watch," Yun Nian whispered.

"Yes, Miss, please be careful." Qi Luo nodded and cautiously retreated to the vicinity of the alley entrance.

Yun Nian walked alone to the depths of the alley and stopped.

She waited quietly for a while.

Suddenly, a dark figure silently floated down from the low roof ridge next to her and stood steadily three feet in front of Yun Nian.

The newcomer was completely covered in black night clothes, and his face was also covered with a black cloth.

Yun Nian immediately bowed, her attitude humble and respectful.

The man in black spoke directly: "My master asked when we will receive the list of promotions from the Ministry of Personnel?"

Yun Nian remained bowed. "Please grant me a few more days. The Prince of Ningxiang's study is heavily guarded; I need time to find an opportunity."

The man in black spoke in a hoarse, impatient voice, "My master said it won't be long. Three days, is that possible?"

Yun Nian seemed to have been driven to the brink of despair. She gritted her teeth and said with difficulty, "I will try my best."

The man in black seemed dissatisfied with her answer, but he didn't press her further.

Instead, he took out a small package carefully wrapped in oiled paper from his bosom and handed it to Yun Nian: "My master instructed that if you encounter any obstacles, you can use this. It is colorless and odorless, dissolves in water, and will cause you to fall into a deep sleep for half an hour after ingestion, making you completely at the mercy of others."

Yun Nian took the oil paper package. "Yes, Nian'er understands."

The man in black said no more, and with a flicker, disappeared into the rooftop alleyway.

Yun Nian kept her head down, but out of the corner of her eye, she keenly caught a glimpse of a pink hem of clothing moving slightly behind the shadows at the alley entrance before quickly retreating.

Yun Nian sneered inwardly.

She quickly stuffed the oil paper package into her bosom, turned around, and walked toward the alley entrance as usual.

"Qiluo," she said, walking up to Qiluo who was waiting there, "let's go back."

-

The following day, the afternoon sun was still shining brightly.

As Yun Nianru had said yesterday, she once again carried the food box and came to the outside of the Canglang Pavilion study.

Today, the study's doors were wide open, but Chen Sha, who was on duty, was nowhere to be seen.

Yun Nian stopped outside the door and tentatively called out twice, "Guard Chen Sha? Your Highness?"

No one responded.

Her gaze quickly swept around, confirming that there was indeed no one nearby.

After a slight hesitation, she stepped into the study.

The study was still filled with the familiar scent of ink and the cool fragrance of pine.

On the large rosewood desk, there were many open memorials and documents.

Yun Nian's heartbeat quickened uncontrollably.

She put down the food box in her hand, but her gaze involuntarily drifted to the desk.

A red-covered memorial was half-open, with the words "List of Officials for Promotion and Performance Review" prominently displayed on the cover.

She glanced quickly at the open door and the silent courtyard...

-

Qin Jiuchen walked forward with a sullen face and a slightly faster pace.

As Chen Sha walked behind him, he whispered, "Master, Prime Minister Yun went to the Emperor today to complain about you, saying that you abused your power for personal gain and interfered with the Ministry of Personnel's assessment."

"Let him be."

Qin Jiuchen snorted coldly, his expression unchanged.

As they spoke, the two had already arrived in front of the study in Canglang Pavilion.

Qin Jiuchen looked up and paused slightly.

What comes into view is a woman sitting upright on a pear wood chair on the side of the study.

She wore an elegant moon-white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with light makeup, and looked pure and refined.

She held a book in her hands, her head slightly bowed, engrossed in reading.

Qin Jiuchen's gaze lingered on her for a moment.

At this moment, Yun Nian noticed someone's arrival. She turned around and saw Qin Jiuchen. She quickly put down her book, stood up, and gave a graceful bow: "Your Highness, you've arrived."

Qin Jiuchen looked at her expressionlessly.

Yun Nian followed his gaze to the book in her hands and explained softly, "Your Highness, I apologize. This book, 'Travels in the South,' was on your bookshelf. I was bored while waiting, so I picked it up and started reading. I didn't expect to become so engrossed in it."

With a calm expression, she gently placed the book back on the coffee table beside her.

Qin Jiuchen walked around to the back of the desk and sat down in the large rosewood chair.

My gaze shifted to the desk.

Several memorials lay untouched on the table, showing no signs of having been moved.

"Come here," he said.

Yun Nian obediently approached him, went around behind him, thinking he wanted her to give him a massage, so she placed her hands on his shoulders.

With her fingertips touching the taut muscles beneath his clothes, Yun Nian began to massage them skillfully.

Her technique was gentle yet precise, with just the right amount of force.

Suddenly, Qin Jiuchen reached out and grabbed her wrist.

With a slight pull, he yanked her towards him.

Caught off guard, Yun Nian was forced to take two steps forward and suddenly fell onto his back.

At first glance, it looks like she's hugging him from behind.

He spoke suddenly, his voice carrying an invisible pressure.

"Miss Yun seems to treat this place as her own home, daring to come and go as she pleases."

A hint of panic flashed in Yun Nian's eyes, and she quickly explained, "Your Highness misunderstands. I came as promised today, and seeing the study door open, I assumed you were here, so I came in by myself. Later, when I found you were not here, I was about to leave when I noticed this travelogue on the bookshelf. On a whim, I picked it up and started reading, and I became engrossed in it. Nian'er did not mean to trespass, please forgive me, Your Highness."

As she spoke, she secretly glanced at Qin Jiuchen's expression. Seeing that he remained expressionless, she couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Qin Jiuchen's eyes darkened. "You'd better know what you should and shouldn't do."

Yun Nian was taken aback.

She nodded quickly: "Nian'er naturally understands."

He turned his head, and their eyes met, a subtle tension filling the air.

Yun Nian felt her heart racing, but she forced herself to remain calm, her eyes unwavering.

A moment later, Qin Jiuchen abruptly released her wrist, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes: "Keep pressing."

Yun Nian secretly breathed a sigh of relief, stood up straight, and placed her hands back on his shoulders.

The comfortable pressure eased Qin Jiuchen's slightly furrowed brows.

The delicate fragrance of jasmine lingered in my nostrils once again.

"Your Highness seems very tired today."

Yun Nian spoke softly.

"Um."

Qin Jiuchen closed his eyes and responded without saying anything more.

"Nian'er, massage it for a little longer."

Yun Nian's voice was gentle, and the force in her hands was adjusted to be more relaxed.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting dappled shadows on the study floor.

The room was completely quiet.

Yun Nian focused intently on the massage.

Suddenly, Qin Jiuchen spoke.