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

The room fell silent for a moment, with only the occasional crackling of the candlelight.

Yun Nian held him quietly, feeling his body gradually relax and his breathing become long and steady.

After a long while, Qin Jiuchen spoke in a low voice: "Stay in the manor for the next few days and don't go anywhere."

Yun Nian was taken aback.

He continued, "Have your bodyguard come out too, to protect you closely. Chen Sha will also be in the courtyard."

These words startled Yun Nian.

He was first surprised, realizing that he already knew she had bodyguards.

She always thought she had hidden it well, but little did she know that in his eyes, her little thoughts were completely exposed.

Then came the worry; his deliberate arrangement clearly indicated that he had anticipated something.

"Your Highness..."

She pulled slightly away from his embrace, looked directly into his eyes, and asked, "Will you be in danger?"

She was stunned as soon as she said it.

Even though she was the one being protected, the first thing that came to mind was concern for his safety.

Qin Jiuchen's eyes flickered slightly, and he raised his hand to gently stroke her long hair.

"Don't worry about me, no one can hurt me."

Seeing his resolute gaze, Yun Nian felt somewhat relieved, but was still worried: "Then Your Highness must also be careful."

"Yes," he replied, gently stroking her cheek with his thumb. "I will."

He seemed unable to resist and placed a light kiss on her forehead.

Yun Nian's heart started racing again.

Qin Jiuchen suddenly spoke again: "I'll stay here tonight."

Yun Nian was startled and suddenly looked up at him.

In the candlelight, his eyes were smiling, with a hint of languor and a hidden emotion that she couldn't quite understand.

Seeing her reaction, his smile deepened, and he couldn't help but tease her, "Nian'er, it's time for you to grow up."

These words were quite meaningful, and Yun Nian immediately understood, her cheeks burning hot.

"W-What did you say...?"

She frantically tried to pull away from his embrace, "What do I need to grow up for...?"

She struggled to stand up, but Qin Jiuchen didn't force her this time and let go of her hand.

Yun Nian stood a few steps away, her cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling.

She composed herself and tried to appear calm. "Your Highness, my courtyard is small, the rooms are small, and the bed is small. It's not suitable for too many people."

Qin Jiuchen seemed oblivious to her refusal, remaining leisurely seated on the soft couch, propping his chin on one hand, and smiling at her: "I just like small, cozy places. It's warm when two people are snuggled together."

Yun Nian opened her mouth, "This is too unfair to Your Highness, let's not do it."

"I'm not wronged."

Qin Jiuchen stood up and slowly walked towards her. "How could I feel wronged being with Nian'er?"

Yun Nian instinctively wanted to step back, but her feet seemed to be rooted to the spot, unable to move.

Seeing her shy, timid, and yet trying-to-remain calm appearance, Qin Jiuchen found her extremely adorable.

He stopped teasing her, turned and walked to the bed, naturally beginning to untie the sash of his outer robe.

Hearing the rustling sound of fabric, Yun Nian quietly raised her eyes and saw him take off his outer robe and casually drape it over the back of the chair.

His moon-white undergarment accentuated his tall and straight figure, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and smooth lines.

Her face burned even hotter, and she quickly looked away.

Qin Jiuchen seemed oblivious to her embarrassment, and naturally lay down on the bed, sleeping on the inside.

He patted the empty spot next to him, turned to look at her, and asked, "Nian'er, aren't you coming to sleep?"

Yun Nian stared at him speechlessly, her mind in turmoil.

Finally, she bit her lip, slowly moved to the bedside, and carefully lay down next to him without even taking off her coat.

There was a fist's distance between them. She was stiff as a board, and even her breathing was deliberately slowed down.

She had just lain down when Qin Jiuchen suddenly turned over.

Before Yun Nian could react, he was already on top of her, his hands on either side of her ears.

He leaned down to look at her, and the distance between them suddenly shortened, so close that she could see the flickering candlelight in his eyes and the meaningful smile on his lips.

Startled, Yun Nian instinctively put her hands in front of her body to protect herself, tightly covering her collar.

Qin Jiuchen's smile deepened: "Is Nian'er afraid I'll do something?"

Yun Nian nodded honestly.

Qin Jiuchen chuckled softly.

He suddenly leaned down and kissed her lips.

His lips were warm and soft, silencing all her gasps.

Yun Nian wanted to refuse, but his kiss was too lingering, as if it was melting her whole body.

Yun Nian's mind went blank, and she felt light as a feather, as if she were walking on clouds.

His kiss deepened, and one hand slid down from her ear, gently supporting the back of her neck, drawing her closer to him.

His other hand rested on her waist.

Yun Nian felt weak all over, and she didn't even realize when she had let go of the hand that was covering her collar, which hung limply at her side.

She closed her eyes and responded awkwardly, her tongue occasionally and timidly touching his, which only provoked him to make a deeper demand.

The candlelight flickered outside the tent, casting the intertwined shadows of the two people onto the bed curtains.

In the quiet night, only the soft sounds of kissing and increasingly rapid breathing could be heard.

The warm and passionate touch made Yun Nian tremble slightly, and she couldn't help but let out a soft moan.

The sound seemed to startle Qin Jiuchen awake.

His movements came to an abrupt halt.

Yun Nian opened her eyes in a daze, her eyes glistening with tears, her cheeks flushed like the sunset.

Qin Jiuchen took a deep breath and suddenly buried his face in the crook of her neck, his breathing rapid and disordered.

He muttered to himself, "Nian'er is just too tempting..."

His voice was incredibly hoarse, filled with barely suppressed emotion.

Yun Nian's face was burning hot. She was about to push him away when he got up first.

Qin Jiuchen lay back down in his seat, reached out and pulled her into his arms.

His arms were strong and powerful, holding her tightly, his chin resting on the top of her head.

"Go to sleep."

He closed his eyes, his voice still carrying lingering desire, yet he had regained his usual composure.

Yun Nian nestled in his arms, able to feel his still-beating heart and the undeniable change in his body.

Her face turned even redder, but she dared not move.

After a moment, she quietly looked up at him.

Candlelight filtered through the bed curtains, casting soft shadows on his face.

His eyes were closed, his long eyelashes casting a faint shadow under his eyelids, and his breathing gradually became steady and long.

The weariness between his brows finally showed, making him look much gentler than usual.

He fell asleep.

Yun Nian looked at him quietly, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her.

She shifted slightly, finding a more comfortable position in his arms.

His embrace was warm and comforting, carrying a reassuring power.

The cool, refreshing scent emanating from him filled her nostrils, and she felt incredibly at ease.

As her eyelids grew heavy, Yun Nian closed her eyes and let herself drift off to sleep.