With legs weak, the sickly stable boy became a mad regent.

Qiu Tong was already waiting at the entrance of the Shen residence.

Today she was dressed in a pomegranate red riding outfit, her hair tied up high, a long sword at her waist, looking dashing and heroic, like a drawn sword. When she saw Shen Nannan come out, she strode forward to greet her and looked her up and down.

"You look great today."

Shen Nannan smiled: "Sister Qiu Tong looks beautiful today too."

"Of course." Qiu Tong raised an eyebrow. "What's your brother still dawdling about inside? Tell him to come out and see me off!"

Before he finished speaking, Shen Run ran out from inside, carrying a food box in his hand, panting heavily.

"Here it is!" He handed the food box to Qiu Tong. "I brought this for you to eat on the way."

Qiu Tong opened it and saw a box of osmanthus cakes, which were crooked and messy, clearly not from a store.

"You did this?" She raised an eyebrow.

Shen Run's ears turned red: "...Mm."

Qiu Tong picked up a piece, took a bite, chewed it, and frowned.

"It is too sweet."

"Then give it back to me." Shen Run reached out to snatch it.

Qiu Tong hid the food box behind her back and took another bite: "What are you fighting over? You want to take back what you've already given away?"

Shen Run was speechless, standing there with his ears turning even redder.

Qiu Tong looked at him, suddenly laughed, and flicked his forehead.

"Alright, stop standing there. I'm taking your sister with me; I'll return her to you tonight."

"You..." Shen Run rubbed his forehead, "Could you be a little gentler?"

"No." Qiu Tong mounted her horse, reached out and pulled Shen Nannan onto the saddle, sitting behind her. "Let's go!"

She spurred the horse, and it bolted. Shen Run stood at the door, watching their retreating figures, and called out, "Qiu Tong! Protect my sister!"

"I know! Stop nagging!" Qiu Tong's voice drifted back on the wind, growing farther and farther away.

Shen Run stood there, watching the chestnut horse disappear around the street corner, for a long time.

On horseback, Shen Nannan sat behind Qiu Tong, her arms around her waist.

"Sister Qiu Tong," she called out.

"Um?"

"When are you and my brother getting married?"

Qiu Tong paused for a moment, then laughed: "What's the rush? Your brother is such a coward, he doesn't even dare to mention it."

"He's afraid to bring it up, but you can."

"Me, bring it up?" Qiu Tong scoffed. "Why should I? He's a grown man, why should I have to say anything?"

Shen Nannan looked at the two of them and smiled.

In her past life, her brother and sister-in-law were the same way, always bickering, but neither could be without the other. In this life, she was determined to make sure Qiu Tong was well, to make sure her brother was well, and to make sure the two of them could live a good life.

Shen Nannan's eyes welled up with tears, and she pressed her face against Qiu Tong's back.

"Sister Qiu Tong."

"Um?"

"Don't leave my side today."

Qiu Tong was taken aback: "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Shen Nannan smiled, "I just want to be with you."

Qiu Tong didn't ask any more questions, but simply reached out and patted the hand that was wrapped around her waist: "Okay, I'll protect you today."

Ah Chao stood on the steps, watching the carriage slowly drive away, his fingers clenched tightly in his sleeve.

The rabbit poked its head out from his arms, its red eyes darting around, looking at the carriage and then at him.

"She's gone," he said softly.

The rabbit twitched its ears.

"She will come back."

The rabbit twitched its ears again.

He looked down at the rabbit, and a slight smile curved his lips.

"Why are you shaking? She's not your wife."

The rabbit immediately tucked its head inside its body and wouldn't come out.

At the palace gate, a long line of carriages stretched out.

The ladies and young women of various noble families filed in, their passes and identities checked, under tight security. Shen Nannan and Qiu Tong dismounted and joined the queue, waiting to enter the palace.

"There are so many people." Qiu Tong looked around. "Is today for flower viewing or a talent show?"

Shen Nannan smiled and glanced around the crowd. She saw Su Yue, who waved to her and squeezed through the crowd.

"Shen Nannan!" Su Yue grabbed her hand. "Why are you so late? I've been waiting for ages!"

"There was a traffic jam." Shen Nannan looked her up and down. "You're dressed like a butterfly today."

"You're the one who's all showy!" Su Yue glared at her. "This is called beautiful! Don't you understand?"

The two exchanged a few words, and the line moved forward a little. Shen Nannan's gaze suddenly stopped.

Not far away, Shen Yin and Lin Wan'er were getting off the carriage.

Shen Yin wore her new peach-colored dress, a smile on her face, but it was stiff, like a mask. Lin Wan'er walked behind her, head down, her face covered by a thin veil, obscuring most of her features.

"Why is she here?" Su Yue frowned. "Isn't she...?"

"The Crown Prince has made the betrothal." Shen Nannan said calmly, "She is now the Crown Prince's fiancée... uh, I don't know what kind of title to give her."

Su Yue snorted and said nothing more.

Shen Nannan's gaze fell on Lin Wan'er. Her head was down, so her expression couldn't be seen, but Shen Nannan noticed that her sleeve moved slightly—as if she was touching something.

Her eyes narrowed.

"Nannan," Qiu Tong suddenly spoke, lowering her voice.

"Um?"

"Something's not right with your cousin."

"I know."

"Should we keep an eye on her?"

Shen Nannan thought for a moment, then shook her head: "No need. She can't cause any trouble."

Finally, it was their turn in the queue. After their passes were checked and their identities verified, the guards let them through. The three of them walked side by side into the palace gate.

The palace walls were very high, with red walls and yellow tiles, gleaming coldly in the morning light. As Shen Nannan walked in, she suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.

She glanced back.

Outside the palace gates, people came and went, but nothing seemed amiss.

But her heart was beating fast, as if something was watching her from the shadows.

"What's wrong?" Qiu Tong asked.

"It's nothing." She turned back, smiled, and said, "Let's go."

A banquet had already been set up in the Imperial Garden, with flowers in full bloom and a fragrant aroma filling the air. The Empress had not yet arrived, nor had Consort Shu. The ladies and young women of various noble families gathered in twos and threes, chatting and laughing.

Shen Nannan found a seat and sat down. Qiu Tong sat to her left and Su Yue sat to her right, sandwiching her in the middle.

"What are you two doing?" she laughed. "Afraid I'll be eaten?"

"I'm afraid you'll get bullied." Su Yue snorted. "You seem shrewd, but you're actually quite naive."

"You're the idiot."

"You're stupid."

"You're stupid."

Qiu Tong watched the two bickering and smiled. She looked around, then her gaze suddenly froze.

"Nannan." Her voice was lowered.

"Um?"

"The Crown Prince has arrived."

Shen Nannan looked up.

The Crown Prince walked over from the other end of the Imperial Garden, his bright yellow python robe making his face appear even paler and more swollen. His gaze swept across the crowd, landing on Shen Nannan, and the corners of his mouth curved into a smile.

There was something indescribable in that smile—it was like a sure thing, or like someone waiting to see a good show.

Shen Nannan lowered her eyes, picked up her teacup, and took a sip.

The crown prince walked over and sat down opposite her.

"Miss Shen," he said with a smile, "we meet again."