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

Shen Nannan was dizzy from his kisses, clutching his clothes and clinging to him.

She could feel the changes in his body—

He released her lips, pressed his forehead against hers, and gasped for breath.

"Can you feel it?" His voice was terribly hoarse. "It's calling the young lady's name."

"You...you shut up..."

"Don't close it." He slid one hand up her waist. "When Miss isn't around, it misses her every day. It can't sleep because it misses her."

Shen Nannan felt hot all over from his touch.

"Ah Chao..." Her voice was as soft as a puddle of water.

"Mmm," he responded, his lips brushing against her earlobe, his tongue gently licking it.

"Does Miss miss her servant?"

"……think."

"What are you thinking about?"

"you--!"

He chuckled, his hand sliding from her back to her front. The scalding heat penetrated her clothes, making her tremble.

"Ah Chao... outside..."

"Nobody's here." He lowered his head and bit her collarbone lightly, leaving a mark.

"When the servant arrived, he had sent everyone away."

"When did you...?"

"When I miss you, Miss," he looked up at her, his dark eyes burning in the moonlight, "I miss you terribly."

Shen Nannan looked at him, her heart filled with a bittersweet feeling. She reached out, cupped his face in her hands, and gently stroked his cheekbone with her thumb.

"Ah Chao".

"Um."

"I told my mother."

His fingers paused for a moment.

"What did you say?"

"I said..." She bit her lip, her cheeks slightly flushed, but her eyes were incredibly serious, "I have someone I love. In this life, I will only marry him."

Achao froze.

"Miss...really?"

"Really." She nodded.

"My mother also said that when the time is right, I should take you back to see her."

Ah Chao stared at her, then suddenly pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly.

"This servant will go and propose marriage right now." His voice trembled. "Right now."

"What's the rush?" Shen Nannan was choked and couldn't breathe, so she patted his back.

"My mother doesn't even know who you are. If you go over like this, won't my brother fight you to the death on the spot?"

Ah Chao paused for a moment.

Shen Run, that sister-protecting maniac...

"Then this servant must hurry." A sly glint flashed in his eyes as he lowered his head and pecked her lips.

"It's more exciting to do things secretly."

"Who's sneaking around with you!" Shen Nannan glared at him.

"Miss." He looked at her seriously.

"You just said you would only marry a servant."

"……Um."

"Then this servant wishes to marry you now." He grasped her hand and pressed it against his chest. Beneath his palm, his heart pounded so hard it felt like it would explode.

"It can't wait any longer."

Shen Nannan was held down by him, her palm pressed against his burning chest, and she could feel his heart beating.

"Your heart is beating so fast."

"Yes. Because of you, Miss."

Her face flushed, but instead of pulling her hand away, she gently drew a circle on his chest.

His breathing suddenly became heavy.

"Miss," his voice was hoarse, "where are you touching?"

"I'll touch you." She looked up, her eyes bright and mischievous. "What? You won't let me touch you?"

He stared at her for two seconds, then suddenly smiled.

That smile held a hint of madness, yet also a touch of doting affection.

"Feel me. Touch me as much as you want."

"You can touch this too."

"you--!"

"Miss touched it." He smiled innocently, "This servant didn't force you."

"You...you're shameless!"

"What's the point of having a face?" He lowered his head, his lips brushing against her ear, his voice as low as sandpaper grinding against her heart.

"Just need a young lady."

— Footsteps suddenly came from afar.

"Madam asked me to bring some warming sweet soup to Miss..."

Shen Nannan froze, pushed A Chao away abruptly, and hurriedly straightened her collar.

"Someone's coming! Hide!"

Ah Chao didn't move, but instead reached out and pulled her back, giving her a hard kiss on the lips.

"Is Miss so afraid of being discovered?" His voice was muffled, tinged with jealousy. "Does Miss think that this servant is shameful?"

"Those are my mother's people!" Shen Nannan stamped her foot anxiously, lowering her voice, "If they find out, we're both finished!"

"It's good that it's over," he said cheekily, resting his chin on her head. "It's a perfect opportunity to propose marriage right away."

"You—!" She was both angry and anxious, but seeing the hint of grievance in his eyes, her heart softened. She stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the corner of his mouth, coaxing him softly.

"Listen to me, I'll come find you next time. You hide first, okay?"

She tilted her head up, her almond-shaped eyes glistening with tears, her expression soft and pleading.

Ah Chao's heart softened, and he couldn't bear to make things difficult for her.

"Then this servant should hide." He lowered his head and kissed her lips fiercely. "Miss, remember you owe this servant."

"Okay, okay," she quickly pushed him, "Hurry up!"

Ah Chao gave her a deep look, then flashed away and retreated behind the screen.

Just as Shen Nannan finished tidying her clothes, the maid came in carrying a bowl of sweet soup.

"Miss, it's late and the dew is heavy. Madam would like you to have some sweet soup to warm you up."

"Put it on the table." Shen Nannan tried to appear calm, but her heart was pounding.

The maid put down the sweet soup and left.

Just as the courtyard returned to quiet, she felt a sudden tightness around her waist as someone pulled her into their arms from behind.

Ah Chao's voice rang in my ear, laced with jealousy: "The young lady is so gentle with the maids."

"That's a maid!" Shen Nannan turned around helplessly and poked his chest. "You're even jealous of women?"

"Eat." He said matter-of-factly, lowering his head to bite her earlobe. "Anything that gets close to Miss, this servant will eat."

"Especially the Third Prince." His aura darkened, and he tightened his grip on the arm.

"The way he looks at Miss, I want to gouge his eyes out."

"It's been so long, and you still remember?" Shen Nannan said, both amused and exasperated. "I've already told you, I won't talk to him or see him."

"But he's after Miss," Ah Chao said sullenly, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes. "This servant wants to kill him."

"Don't talk nonsense!" Shen Nannan quickly covered his mouth. "That's a prince, you can't do anything reckless."

Ah Chao grabbed her hand, brought it to his lips and kissed it lightly, his eyes fixed on her with a determined and earnest gaze.

"For my lady, I would do anything. Anyone who dares to steal my person, I will make sure they disappear from this world."

Shen Nannan's heart skipped a beat, and she tiptoed to kiss his lips.

"I know you're good to me," she said softly, "but you have to take good care of yourself for my sake. Nothing can happen to you, okay?"

"This servant longs to be with Miss for the rest of my life."

Ah Chao's eyes softened instantly, all his hostility soothed by her kiss.

"Miss is so good at sweet-talking me." He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his voice muffled. "This servant is completely under Miss's thumb."

"Then why aren't you listening?"

"Your servant will listen." He nodded immediately, like a docile dog.

"I will listen to whatever you say, Miss. As long as you don't leave me or marry someone else."

"I won't marry you." She leaned against him, listening to his heartbeat. "I'll only marry you."

"My little girl... I love you so much..."

"I love you so much that I would overturn the world for you, give up everything for you, and even die for you."

"As long as you stay by my side, as long as you love me, I will give you anything."

Shen Nannan's tears fell again, and she hugged him even tighter, choking out, "I don't want the world, I don't want everything, I just want you to be safe, and I just want you to stay by my side."

"Okay." Ah Chao nodded, kissing away her tears. "I'm safe. I'll always be here, I'll stay with you and protect you for the rest of my life."

Mo Bai stood expressionless under the eaves.

Their master was nothing like the decisive and ruthless fourth prince; he was clearly a loyal dog who had fallen into Miss Shen's hands and could never get back up.

From afar came Yun Jin's cheeky voice: "Oh, guarding here? I knew it, our master always comes here for a romantic getaway whenever he has a spare moment."

Mo Bai glanced at him coldly: "Shut up."

"I just came to tell you—the Crown Prince has already laid his trap, and is just waiting to pull it in." Yun Jin paused, glancing furtively at the intertwined figures in the courtyard.

"But I think our master is probably just looking to 'close the net' with Miss Shen right now."

Mo Bai: "..."

In the courtyard, Ah Chao finally let go of her, gently combing her messy hair with his fingertips.

"I have to go now."

Shen Nannan felt a void in her heart, hugged his waist tightly, and buried her face in his chest.

"You're leaving again... I don't want you to leave."

"I don't want to leave either." He lowered his head and kissed the top of her head.

"After I've settled everything, I'll stand openly before your parents and beg them to marry you to me."

"A grand sedan chair carried by eight men, a bridal procession stretching for miles." He looked into her eyes, "Let the whole world know that I have married the girl I love most."

Shen Nannan nodded vigorously, tears streaming down her face.

"Okay. I'll wait for you."

He kissed her deeply before letting go.

"Be good."

"Um."

"You can't bear to part with me?" He smiled, looking at her hand clutching his collar, refusing to let go.

"Then I'll come again tomorrow night. I'll secretly hug you and secretly kiss you, okay?"

Shen Nannan blushed, let go of his hand, and glared at him: "Let's go! If we don't leave, someone will see us!"

"Okay." He glanced at her one last time, and his dark figure disappeared into the night amidst the peach blossoms.