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

The carriage stopped in the back alley of the Shen residence. Mo Bai lifted the curtain and said, "Miss Shen, we've arrived."

Shen Nannan glanced outside; the back door was tightly shut, and the alley was deserted.

"Nobody here?"

"Master has made all the arrangements." Mo Bai jumped out of the car, knocked lightly on the door three times, paused, and then knocked twice more.

The door opened from the inside, revealing Qiu Yu's face. When she saw Shen Nannan, her eyes immediately reddened, but she said nothing and stepped aside.

Shen Nannan lifted her skirt as she got out of the car and quickly walked through the door.

Qiu Yu closed the door, bolted it, and then let out a long sigh of relief.

"Miss, you're finally back." Her voice was still trembling. "You scared me to death."

Has anyone noticed?

"No. Ah Chao sent word last night that you stayed in the palace to accompany the Imperial Concubine to admire the flowers, and since it was getting late, you rested in a side hall. No one in the manor suspected anything."

Shen Nannan breathed a sigh of relief and started walking towards the Wutong Courtyard. After taking two steps, she stopped again: "Where's Sister Qiu Tong?"

"Miss Qiu..." Qiu Yu's expression was a little subtle, "in the eldest young master's room."

Shen Nannan was stunned for a moment: "What?"

"When Miss Qiu was brought back last night, she was unconscious. The eldest young master was extremely anxious and personally guarded her all night. Later, when Miss Qiu woke up, the eldest young master said it was too late and not safe, so... so he let her rest... in the young master's room."

"My brother's room?"

"...Young Master went to sleep in the side room."

Shen Nannan chuckled. Her brother had been a coward to Qiu Tong for half his life, and when he finally stood up for himself, he only managed to be half-hardened.

"Let's go take a look."

Shen Run's courtyard was on the east side. When Shen Nannan went there, she saw a maid carrying a basin of water coming out of the house. She kept her head down and walked quickly.

"Young Miss." The maid curtsied, suppressing a smile.

"What's wrong?"

"N-nothing." The maid ran away, and you could still hear her laughing from a long distance away.

Shen Nannan walked into the courtyard, and before she even entered the house, she could hear voices coming from inside.

"I can do it myself!"

"Don't move! You still have a bump on your head!"

"Wrap it on your head, not your feet!"

"But you can't... I'm just worried you'll fall!"

Why would I slip and fall while wearing shoes?

"What if!"

Shen Nannan leaned against the door frame, arms crossed, and looked inside.

Qiu Tong sat on the couch, wrapped in a quilt, her hair loose, her face flushed.

Shen Run squatted on the ground, holding an embroidered shoe in his hand, trying to put it on her foot. He was clumsy and couldn't get it on after a long time. He was so anxious that he was sweating.

Qiu Tong kicked him, but missed and landed on his shoulder. Shen Run leaned back and almost fell to the ground.

"Don't move!" He pounced on her again, this time grabbing her shoes and hands together.

Qiu Tong looked down at her hand being held, paused for a moment, and blushed even more.

"Let go!"

"No! Put your shoes on first!"

"How can I get dressed if you're holding my hand?"

"I'll help you put it on!"

"Why are you holding my hand while wearing shoes?!"

The two of them argued back and forth, getting into a huge fight.

Shen Nannan stood at the door, watched for a while, and finally couldn't help but laugh.

"elder brother."

Shen Run looked up, saw her, and the shoe in his hand fell to the ground.

"Nannan! You're back!" He stood up and tried to rush over, but his foot tripped over his shoe, and he stumbled a couple of steps, almost falling.

Qiu Tong rolled her eyes from behind: "Can't you be a little more composed?"

"My sister's back! Can't I be excited?"

Shen Run steadied himself and looked Shen Nannan up and down, his gaze traveling from the peach blossom hairpin in her hair to the embroidered shoes on her feet. "Are you alright? Why did the Imperial Concubine suddenly ask you to rest in the palace? That damned Crown Prince didn't do anything, did he?! I'm so angry! That bastard, I'm really going to kill him!"

Shen Nannan quickly grabbed him, "You killed him? He's the Crown Prince! Brother, are you planning a rebellion...?"

"I……"

"Alright, those who do many evil deeds will surely perish. Just wait and see."

Shen Run reached out and rubbed her head.

Have you eaten? I'll have the kitchen make you something.

"I ate." Shen Nannan looked at him, then at Qiu Tong, deliberately drawing out her words, "You...last night..."

"Nothing happened!" the two said in unison.

Shen Nannan laughed: "I didn't ask what happened."

Shen Run's ears turned even redder. Qiu Tong slapped him on the back of the head: "Why are you blushing?"

"I'm not blushing!"

Your ears are practically bleeding!

"It's hot!"

"What's with the heat so early in the morning!"

"Can't I have a warm heart?"

Qiu Tong: "..."

The two started arguing again.

Shen Nannan shook her head and turned to walk out. Just as she reached the courtyard gate, she bumped into the housekeeper, who was out of breath.

"Young Miss! No, something terrible has happened!"

"What's wrong?"

"General Qiu is here! He's throwing a tantrum in the front hall! He's saying... he kidnapped Miss Qiu... he wants to settle accounts with the eldest young master!"

Inside the room, Shen Run was still squatting on the floor picking up his shoes, while Qiu Tong stood beside him cursing.

Hearing this, Qiu Tong winked at Shen Run, "Good luck to you~"

Before Shen Run could react, a booming voice came from the courtyard gate.

"Shen Run! You little brat! Get your ass out here!"

Shen Run trembled with fright and quickly grabbed Shen Nannan's leg, crying, "Sister! Good sister! Dear sister! Kind-hearted sister! Please, please, please save your brother!"

Shen Nannan looked down at her eight-foot-tall brother squatting on the ground, hugging her legs, and couldn't help but laugh. She patted his head, covered her mouth, and giggled.

"Alright, I'll go and comfort Uncle Qiu first. You're going to suffer what you deserve; there's no escaping it~"

In the front hall, a burly middle-aged man stood in the center, with broad shoulders, thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a full beard. He looked like a mountain.

"Where's Shen Run?!" General Qiu slammed his hand on the table, making the teacup jump. "Tell that little brat to get out here right now!"

Shen Nannan quickly stepped forward and bowed: "Uncle Qiu, please calm down, my brother..."

"Calm down?" General Qiu turned his head and saw her. His anger subsided a little, but his voice was still loud.

"Daughter, don't try to excuse your scoundrel brother! He lured my daughter into his room and kept her there all night! I'm not letting this go!"

Shen Nannan's lips twitched.

Ah Chao, he could have easily sent her back to the Qiu residence, but he insisted on sending her to his brother's place...

Is this person helping their brother or sabotaging him?

"Uncle Qiu, things aren't as you think..."

Just as Shen Nannan was about to explain again, Shen Run rushed in from behind, his hair not yet combed, his clothes wrinkled, and he was out of breath.

"Uncle Qiu! I...I can explain!"