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

His free hand suddenly gripped the back of her neck, preventing her from escaping.

Then, he took the initiative and kissed her deeply.

He pried open her teeth and went straight in.

She was forced to endure it, her arms, which had been wrapped around herself, had fallen limply to her sides, leaving her only able to futilely clutch at the front of his shirt.

My head feels dizzy, like it's stuffed with damp cotton, and I can't think straight.

The undried ointment on his back became sticky, his chest was burning hot in front of him, and the cabinet wall was cold behind him.

Ice and Fire.

The moans and cries outside the wardrobe continued, creating an eerie yet stimulating echo with the silent yet intense entanglement inside.

After an unknown amount of time, Qin Jiuchen finally pulled back slightly, but his lips remained pressed against hers.

Yun Nian was breathing heavily, too embarrassed to speak.

She felt his thumb gently caressing the delicate skin on the back of her neck, sending shivers down her spine.

"Are you scared?" he asked in a low voice, his breath mingling.

Yun Nian nodded honestly, then shook her head.

She was afraid—afraid that outsiders would find out, afraid of this forbidden relationship, afraid that she would fall into ruin.

But in his arms, being kissed like that, she felt a strange sense of security and excitement.

Qin Jiuchen chuckled softly.

At this moment, the noise outside gradually subsided, and the sounds of men and women laughing and joking after they had satisfied their desires could be heard.

"When can we meet again?" the woman asked languidly.

"Don't worry, I have everything planned. Just remember to think of me," the man said ingratiatingly.

The sound of footsteps rang out again, gradually fading into the distance.

Then came the sound of the door being gently closed.

Yun Nian let out a long sigh of relief.

Qin Jiuchen pushed open the wardrobe door.

As light streamed in, both of them squinted uncomfortably.

The side hall was now empty, with only the disheveled bed and the lingering scent of lust in the air bearing witness to the absurdity of what had just transpired.

Yun Nian wrapped her cloak tighter around herself, stepped barefoot out of the wardrobe, her cheeks still burning.

She didn't dare look at Qin Jiuchen, and whispered with her head down, "Thank you... thank you for today, Your Highness. I... I'll go back now."

"Just leave like this?"

Qin Jiuchen's voice came from behind.

Yun Nian paused, not daring to turn around and look at him.

Qin Jiuchen pointed to her clothes: "Your clothes."

She then realized that she hadn't put on her inner garment and outer robe properly.

She hurriedly put on her clothes, but the injury on her back made her movements clumsy.

A slender hand took the clothes from her hands.

"Turn around," Qin Jiuchen said calmly.

Yun Nian bit her lip and slowly turned around.

He helped her put on her undergarment, avoiding the wound, and carefully tied the sash.

He straightened her cloak layer by layer, and finally tied it back up.

Throughout the entire process, he remained silent, and so did she.

"I will send someone to find your maid."

Qin Jiuchen took a step back, creating a suitable distance, and resumed his aloof and distant demeanor.

Yun Nian curtsied, barely able to lift her head, and said in a weak voice, "Thank you, Your Highness."

She then turned and walked away quickly.

Qin Jiuchen watched the hastily fleeing figure disappear around the corner of the corridor, his eyes as dark as ink.

The faint scent of herbs lingered in the air, creating an indescribably enchanting atmosphere.

He raised his hand and ran his fingertips along his lower lip.

Her soft touch seemed to linger there.

Qin Jiuchen's eyes darkened slightly.

-

The Prince Ningxiang's Mansion, Jinxiu Garden.

"Waaah, brother, how can I ever face anyone again..."

Qin Jiaxue leaned on Qin Senyao's shoulder, crying her heart out. Her beautiful eyes were red and swollen like peaches, a sight that would make anyone feel sorry for her.

Qin Senyao patted her back tenderly and comforted her softly, "Alright, alright, don't cry. Don't worry about those who saw it, your brother will find a way to shut them up."

Qin Jiaxue raised her tearful eyes, her voice filled with grievance and resentment, "Brother, you must help me."

Qin Senyao said gently, "Don't worry, I'll handle it."

After saying that, he stood up.

Qin Jiaxue nodded obediently and watched Qin Senyao leave.

As soon as the door closed, a cold, sinister look quickly settled on Qin Jiaxue's face.

She raised her hand and fiercely wiped away the tears on her face.

"Bai Cui," she called out coldly.

Bai Cui, the personal maid who had been waiting outside the door, quickly pushed the door open and cautiously said, "Miss."

"Are you sure there's nothing wrong with the dress Yun Nian is wearing?" Qin Jiaxue stared at her.

Bai Cui was so frightened that she knelt down on the ground: "Miss, please be wise! I have personally checked it. The stitching is extremely well hidden. It would be impossible to find it without careful examination."

"Then why did things go wrong?"

Qin Jiaxue's voice rose, her suppressed anger almost bursting out, "My dress was torn in front of everyone, and she's completely unharmed! If she didn't tamper with it, who else could it be?!"

Bai Cui was trembling with fear and dared not respond.

Qin Jiaxue stood up and paced back and forth in the room, growing angrier with each passing thought: "I should have realized it sooner! That bitch may seem weak, but she's actually incredibly cunning. She must have seen through my schemes early on and secretly tampered with my clothes, making me look foolish in front of everyone!"

She turned around abruptly, her eyes fierce: "So this is Yun Nian. I, Qin Jiaxue, have never suffered such humiliation in my entire life."

Bai Cui suggested softly, "Miss, the young master dotes on you so much, why don't you... tell him about this and let him take charge for you?"

Qin Jiaxue shook her head, a cold smile playing on her lips: "No. Although my brother loves me, in his heart I will always be a simple, kind sister who needs protection. If he knew that I also had such schemes, he would inevitably harbor resentment."

She paused, a calculating glint in her eyes: "Besides, there's no pleasure in taking revenge by having someone else do it."

Bai Cui looked up and timidly gazed at her.

Qin Jiaxue walked to the dressing table, picked up a gold hairpin, and slowly turned it between her fingers.

Her beautiful yet cold face was reflected in the bronze mirror.

She carefully inserted the gold hairpin back into the makeup box, making a soft "click" sound.

"Just you wait, Yun Nian."

She looked in the mirror and murmured to herself, but her smile sent chills down one's spine.

-

Meanwhile, Yun Nian returned to the small courtyard where she was temporarily staying at the Ningxiang Prince's Mansion.

As soon as she entered the room, she closed the door behind her, leaned against the door panel, and breathed heavily.

My cheeks were burning hot, and my heart was pounding like a drum.

She raised her hand to cover her face, the skin her fingertips touched burning hot.

The scene in the closet kept replaying in my mind.

His sudden, approaching breath in the darkness, the domineering and burning kiss as he pried open her teeth...

"what……"

Yun Nian let out a soft moan, then suddenly threw herself onto the bed, burying her face deep in the brocade quilt.

She actually got together with Qin Jiuchen...

And surprisingly, she didn't dislike it.

She even felt a thrill she had never experienced before.