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

Before Shen Nannan could dodge, a soft sound came from behind her.

It was the sound of a teacup falling onto the tray.

"This servant has made a mistake; please punish me, Miss."

Ah Chao knelt down, but showed absolutely no "apology."

He looked up, staring at Pei Ran's hand, which hadn't yet retracted.

Pei Ran then got a clear look at the stable boy's face.

Although this person was dressed as a servant, his face—

Too handsome.

He was too handsome to be a servant.

Moreover, even though he stood there with his eyes downcast, his aura was still palpable...

Pei Ran frowned, feeling that something was amiss.

"Ah Chao...right?"

He suddenly spoke up, "Where are you from?"

"Go back to Mr. Pei,"

Ah Chao's voice was flat, "This servant was originally a beggar on the street, and was bought by Miss."

Pei Ran was stunned for a moment, then looked at Shen Nannan.

Shen Nannan was just picking up her teacup to drink when she heard this and almost choked.

She put down her teacup and glared at Ah Chao—why does this person say everything?

Ah Chao lowered his eyes, his face expressionless.

But Shen Nannan just felt that he was smiling.

Pei Ran glanced at A Chao, then at Shen Nannan, a hint of suspicion flashing in his eyes.

"Miss Shen is kind-hearted," he smiled, "but it's always best to be cautious of people of unknown origin. After all..."

He paused, "There are too many people and too many eyes in the mansion, what if something happens..."

Shen Nannan put down her teacup and interrupted him, "Young Master Pei, you're overthinking it. I'm a little tired, I'll go back and rest first."

Pei Ran's smile faltered slightly.

That's... quite a blunt statement.

Shen Nannan would never have spoken to him like this before.

He looked at her, trying to read something from her face.

But she turned and left without even glancing at him.

-

Once outside the main hall, Shen Nannan walked very quickly.

Ah Chao followed behind her, neither too fast nor too slow.

As she reached the corner of the garden, Shen Nannan suddenly stopped.

Look back.

Ah Chao also stopped, his eyes lowered.

Shen Nannan looked at him,

"Ah Chao".

"exist."

"Just now," she said slowly, "were you doing it on purpose?"

Ah Chao looked up.

"What?"

"A teacup." Shen Nannan raised an eyebrow.

"Did you make such a loud noise, as if you wanted everyone to hear you?"

Ah Chao lowered his eyes.

"Your hand slipped."

Shen Nannan laughed out loud.

Accidental slip of the hand?

Who are you kidding?

She took a step forward and moved closer to him.

Ah Chao didn't move.

She just looked at him, at his lowered eyes, at his slightly pursed thin lips.

"Ah Chao," she said softly, "you...don't want him to touch me?"

Ah Chao looked up.

Those eyes were unfathomable.

Shen Nannan looked into those eyes, and her heart skipped a beat.

That look—

In his past life, he always looked at her like this whenever he wanted to pin her down on the bed.

He looked at her, and said, word by word:

"Miss, would you like him to touch you?"

Shen Nannan was forced to take a step back by him.

He took another step forward.

Until his back pressed against the cold pillar,

"Miss," he said in a low voice, "is that hairpin pretty?"

Shen Nannan was taken aback.

Why did he ask that?

"Yes, it looks good," she replied, forcing herself to speak.

She may dislike the person, but she doesn't dislike the hairpin.

Achao nodded.

Then he reached into his sleeve and pulled something out.

It is a red string.

It is finely woven and intricately decorated, with a small silver bell tied at the end.

He took her hand and tied the red string around her wrist.

Shen Nannan was stunned.

His fingertips were slightly cool, and when they touched the inside of her wrist, they sent a tingling sensation through her.

"you……"

He tied the red string, then took a step back.

"Miss, this servant... is displeased."

"Huh? What did you say?" Shen Nannan stared at the red string on her wrist.

Before this... it was tied to my ankle...

Ah Chao looked at her and slowly spoke:

"That hairpin is not worthy of you, Miss."

After he finished speaking, he turned and left.

Shen Nannan stood there, watching his back.

The silver bell on her wrist rang softly, its sound crisp and clear.

She looked down at the red string.

It was blindingly red.

Like the bloodstains on that peach blossom in the morning.

-

Corridor.

Ah Chao walked very slowly.

He stopped at the corner.

Leaning against the wall, he raised his hand and looked at his fingertips.

The spot where I touched her wrist still retains a slightly warm and soft feel.

He closed his eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing.

Mo Bai's voice came from the shadows, extremely soft: "Master."

Ah Chao didn't open his eyes.

"explain."

"Pei Ran, the eldest son of Pei Wenyuan, the Minister of Rites, is engaged to the Shen family. Miss Shen and he... have known each other since childhood and have expressed their admiration for each other in public on many occasions."

Ah Chao opened his eyes.

Those eyes were dark and unreadable, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

"A marriage contract?" he repeated, his voice flat.

Mo Bai lowered his head, not daring to speak.

Ah Chao looked at his hands and slowly loosened his fingers one by one.

Then he straightened up and glanced in the direction of the Wutong Courtyard.

The door was already closed.

He suddenly remembered what had just happened—her smile at that man surnamed Pei.

Her smile was so gentle.

I've never laughed like that when I talk to him.

He lowered his eyes and slowly tucked the hand he had been holding into his sleeve.

"Anything else?" he asked.

Mo Bai continued, "It is said that Miss Shen would always dress up carefully whenever she saw him, and even embroidered a sachet for him—"

That's enough.

Ah Chao interrupted him.

Mo Bai immediately shut up.

A-Chao stood there, looking in the direction of Shen Nannan's boudoir.

"Little sister Nannan".

They call each other so affectionately.

He pressed the tip of his tongue against his palate and chuckled softly.

Do you like him a lot?

"Continue the investigation," he said.

"Yes."

"besides--"

Ah Chao paused.

Who's going on the spring outing in two weeks?

Mo Bai paused for a moment, then quickly replied, "Your Majesty, all the scions of noble families in the capital will be going. The Crown Prince, Prince Rui, and the young masters and ladies of various households—Pei Ran should also be going."

Ah Chao didn't say anything.

He stood under the eaves, the sunlight falling on him, enveloping him in a warm glow.

But those eyes were dark and deep, as if they were filled with ice.

"understood."

Mo Bai dared not linger and vanished into the shadows in a flash.

Ah Chao stood still, looking towards the front hall.

That slender figure in a light purple dress was walking out of her boudoir.

She walked slowly, her skirt trailing on the ground, like a lazy cat.

The sunlight fell on her face, making her look radiant and beautiful.

He suddenly remembered last night—

Her soft lips, her warm breath, and that sweet fragrance.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

He suddenly remembered the smile on her face when she accepted the hairpin.

Soft and sweet.

She wasn't smiling at him.

He lowered his eyes, concealing the darkness in them.

All he knew was that

Today,

I so want to gouge Pei Ran's eyes out.

No one is allowed to look at her.

-

In the room.

Shen Nannan sat in front of the dressing table, looking at the red string on her wrist.

The silver bell is small and rings with the slightest shake.

That's really well written.

It looks much better than the one from his previous life.

She smiled slightly.

Qiu Yu came in from outside and, seeing the red string on her wrist, paused in surprise: "Miss, where did this come from?"

Shen Nannan shook her wrist, and the bell rang a few times.

"I found it."

Qiu Yu blinked: "Found it? Where did you find it? How come I didn't see it?"

Just then, Linglong came over from the side, grinning mischievously.

"Miss! Guess what? Just now, when Young Master Pei went out, he tripped on the threshold and fell flat on his face!"

Shen Nannan was stunned: "What?"

"Really!" Linglong gestured, "He fell so badly, his robe was covered in mud, his hair ornament was askew, and the servants following behind him were trying so hard not to laugh that their faces turned red—"

Shen Nannan paused for three seconds, then suddenly burst out laughing.

"How did you fall?"

"Who knows?" Linglong laughed, her voice trembling. "He was walking along the same road, and suddenly he tripped and fell. It was like... he tripped over something?"

Shen Nannan's smile froze.

"Where's Ah Chao?"

"Huh?" Qiu Yu was taken aback. "Ah Chao? He's under the eaves and hasn't moved."

Shen Nannan quickly walked to the window, pushed it open, and looked outside.

Under the eaves, the blue shadow stood there, motionless.

As if sensing her gaze, he suddenly turned his head.

Eyes facing each other.

He looked at her, his face expressionless.

But Shen Nannan just felt that—

He is laughing.

She glared at him and closed the window.

Leaning against the window, my heart was pounding.

That bastard.

"autumn rain."

"exist."

"Go and check if anything has happened to the Pei family recently."

Qiu Yu was taken aback: "How did you know, Miss?"

Shen Nannan turned to look at her.

Qiu Yu lowered her voice: "I just heard from the people in the front courtyard that the Pei family has been getting close to the Crown Prince recently, and Minister Pei even went to a banquet at the East Palace a couple of days ago."

Shen Nannan nodded.

No wonder.

No wonder Pei Ran suddenly came to find her.

Having pledged allegiance to the Crown Prince, they were eager to win over the Shen family—after all, the Shen family held military power.

She gave a cold laugh.

You want to use her as a stepping stone?

"Okay." She waved her hand. "You can go now."

The autumn rain retreated immediately.

Shen Nannan leaned back in her chair, looking at the red string on her wrist.

The bells gleamed softly in the candlelight.

She suddenly remembered the look in Ah Chao's eyes just now.

It was dark and gloomy, as if it wanted to swallow her whole.

She shivered, but the corners of her mouth curved into a smile.

Xiao Yunzhao.

You've finally met your match.