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

On the carriage back to the mansion,

Shen Nannan held the rabbit in her arms. The little guy was probably stared at by A Chao the whole way, so he was very well-behaved at the moment, snuggling in her arms and only daring to gently rub his little nose against her clothes.

She looked at the shimmering brocade beside her.

The one Xiao Yunzhao gave her in her past life was even better; it was made into a nightgown, and the material was as smooth as water.

Clinging to his body, nothing could be concealed. He sat by the couch, his dark python robe accentuating his bewitching features, his fingertips sliding down the fabric as he smiled sinisterly.

"My dear, this fabric suits you perfectly."

That night he tormented her for a long time, forcing her to call him A-Zhao over and over again, his fingertips tracing the corners of her reddened eyes, and he said in a hoarse voice:

"This brocade is a tribute item; there's only one of its kind in the entire world. Only you are worthy of wearing it, and only I can see it."

Later, he tore that nightgown to shreds, just like her crushed pride, which was scattered all over the ground.

"Miss?" Ah Chao's voice rang out.

Shen Nannan was stunned.

Just then, the carriage rolled over the gravel road and lurched violently.

Shen Nannan exclaimed in surprise.

Ah Chao swiftly moved, bracing himself against the wall beside her ear, and pulled her into his arms.

The familiar, crisp scent wafted over.

Shen Nannan hadn't recovered from her memories yet.

Looking at that face that was so familiar to me,

Shen Nannan's body tensed instantly, and she trembled slightly.

Images of being imprisoned and forced in my past life flooded back uncontrollably.

He also used this aggressive posture.

He forced her to look at him.

He forced her to acknowledge him.

He pinched her waist, bit her earlobe, and forced her to call him A-Zhao and say that she was his.

Her face paled for a moment, and a flash of fear crossed her eyes.

Ah Chao noticed it instantly.

He felt as if he had been doused with cold water; he abruptly pulled his hand back from the side of the car and took a large step back.

"This servant has overstepped his bounds, please forgive me, Miss."

Shen Nannan looked at his tense jaw and suddenly felt a pang of sadness.

He would never have acted like this in his past life.

He would simply pinch her chin, forcing her to look at him. No matter how she tried to hide or how afraid she was, he would relentlessly pursue her until he had her wrapped around his arm, leaving her nowhere to escape.

But now, he only took half a step forward, and because of her dodging movement, he immediately withdrew all his sharpness, like a wolf cub scolded by its master, obediently retracting its paws, only daring to peek at her with its wet eyes.

She couldn't help but think,

Xiao Yunzhao, what exactly did you experience during those two years after you left the General's Mansion in your previous life?

"Why don't you ask why I agreed to let Pei Ran pick me up on the day of the spring outing?"

Shen Nannan pinched the rabbit's ears, looked up at him, and deliberately changed the subject to hide the turbulent emotions surging within her.

"A young lady has her own reasons."

He lowered his eyes, avoiding her gaze, his voice slightly hoarse.

"This servant only needs to follow Miss's orders."

"Really?" Shen Nannan raised an eyebrow, deliberately pushing the rabbit in her arms towards him. "Then I'll tell you to stew it, and you'll do it?"

Ah Chao looked up, his gaze falling on the rabbit, then quickly sweeping over her collar, which had been slightly open from being rubbed by the rabbit. His eyes darkened. "If Miss wishes, this servant will go to the kitchen right away."

As if it understood, the rabbit kicked its legs and burrowed even deeper into Shen Nannan's arms, its little head nuzzling into that soft embrace.

Ah Chao's face instantly turned cold.

The next second, he reached out so fast that Shen Nannan didn't even see it clearly, and lifted the rabbit out of her arms. He pinched the back of its neck, and the four little legs kicked futilely in the air, completely powerless.

"Ah Chao!" Shen Nannan was both angry and amused, reaching out to snatch it away. "Why are you getting angry with a rabbit?"

"It's not behaving properly." Ah Chao held the rabbit high so it couldn't touch her at all, her face still calm, but her tone carried a hint of grievance that she herself didn't realize. "Miss said that I belong to Miss. It keeps trying to snuggle into Miss's arms, which is against the rules."

As they were talking, the carriage suddenly stopped, and a deafening wail came from outside, so sharp it could pierce one's eardrums.

"My son! You died such a terrible death!!"

"The General's Mansion has murdered someone! The Shen family, give me back my son's life!!"

Shen Nannan frowned and exchanged a glance with A Chao.

Ah Chao was the first to lift the carriage curtain, jump out of the carriage, then turn around and extend his hand to her, his voice lowered: "Miss, be careful."

Shen Nannan got out of the car with his hand. When she looked up, she saw that there were many people gathered in layers around the entrance of the Shen residence, pointing and talking.

In the very center, a middle-aged woman dressed in coarse cloth was sitting on the ground, slapping her thigh and wailing.

She was none other than Liu, Tong Jian's sister-in-law and his mother.

Standing beside her were several slovenly young men, all of whom were Tong Jian's usual hangouts. They all had crooked eyebrows and squinted eyes, and were cursing under their breath.

-----------

Uncle Shen Zhong shrank to the side, wringing his hands helplessly, and timidly offering advice.

"Sister-in-law, get up first. Let's talk this out. This...this hasn't been investigated clearly yet..."

"What are you investigating! The person died right here in your Shen residence!"

Old Mrs. Liu spat as she pointed at Shen Zhong's nose and began to curse.

"He was perfectly fine yesterday, saying he was coming to your house to see his aunt. Today he's gone, covered in blood, even his manhood is gone! You heartless bastards! Give me back my son!"

Shen Zhong shrank back after being scolded, looked at Madam Tong beside him, and called out for help, "Madam..."

Tong stood under the eaves, her face ashen.

She had just lost 500,000 taels of silver and was looking for a way to vent her anger, but seeing her sister-in-law making a scene gave her an idea.

Especially when she saw Shen Nannan return, her eyes lit up instantly. She took a few steps down the steps, pointed at Shen Nannan, and began to speak:

"Sister-in-law! You've got the wrong person! Jian'er came to the manor yesterday not to see me at all! He came to confront this little slut! The other day, Jian'er only said a few words of gossip about her, and she's already holding a grudge! It must be her, that mysterious stable boy by her side, who harmed Jian'er!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Tong's eyes turned red, and she lunged at Shen Nannan like a madwoman: "A life for a life! My son is dead, you won't live either!"

Before her hand could even touch Shen Nannan's clothes, her wrist was gripped tightly by a hand with distinct knuckles.

Ah Chao stood in front of Shen Nannan, completely protecting her behind him. He lowered his eyes, his face expressionless, but the strength in his hands was terrifying. With a soft "crack," Granny Liu let out a pig-like scream, writhing on the ground in pain, clutching her wrist and rolling around.

"My hand! My hand is broken!"

"If you take one more step, it won't just be your hand that gets severed."

Ah Chao's voice was flat, without any inflection, but the chill in his words silenced the commotion around him instantly, and they didn't even dare to breathe.

Shen Nannan peeked out from behind him, looked at Granny Liu rolling on the ground, then glanced at the pale-faced Tong Shi, and a cold smile appeared on her lips.

In her past life, Tong Jian ruined her reputation, and the Tong family fueled the flames behind the scenes, taking advantage of her misfortune.

This mother and son didn't even have a chance to cause trouble in this life before they suffered retribution. They deserved it.

Before she could even speak, Tong Jian's cronies started making a fuss.

Several men stared intently at Shen Nannan's face, their gazes sweeping over her shapely figure from head to toe. Their eyes were practically glued to her, and foul language poured from their mouths.

"Old Mrs. Liu, don't be so angry. This Miss Shen is as beautiful as an angel. It's not a loss for Brother Tong to lose his life for such a beauty!"

"Exactly! Miss Shen, your stable boy looks fierce, why don't you come with us? We guarantee we'll treat you better than Tong Jian, and make sure you're comfortable..."

"Tsk tsk, that waist, that face, no wonder Brother Tong is completely smitten. I'd be willing to die for such a beauty too..."

The foul language grew increasingly offensive, and the other men joined in the commotion, their eyes fixed on Shen Nannan with ill intent.

Shen Nannan's face instantly turned cold. Before she could react, the person beside her made a move.