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

Ah Chao's hand, hanging by his side, silently produced a thin, cicada-wing-like blade from his fingertips, its cold light flashing and disappearing in an instant.

His eyes were lowered, and no one saw the murderous intent surging within them, almost devouring them.

In my past life, some fools thought Shen Nannan was nothing more than the Regent's plaything, and after drinking too much at a banquet, they uttered a few inappropriate remarks.

That day, in front of her, he gouged out the eyes of those people, cut off their tongues, and threw them to the vicious dogs in the manor.

He grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at the blood on the ground, and asked her with a smile, "Little girl, look, this is what will happen to anyone who dares to look at you like that again."

She was so scared that she trembled all over and cried all night in the corner of the bed, not daring to even look at him.

Ah Chao's finger blade was already clenched at his fingertips. If he raised his hand, these foul-mouthed bastards would be bleeding on the spot in the next second.

These bastards actually dared to set their sights on her.

court death!

He took half a step forward, his aura of ferocity almost overflowing, and was about to raise his hand...

A sharp shout suddenly came from outside the crowd.

"The Dali Temple is investigating a case! Bystanders, please keep clear!"

The crowd parted instantly to make way, and a dozen or so constables, armed with swords, quickly approached and surrounded the scene.

The leading man was dressed in blue, with a tall and upright figure and clear and honest features. He had a Dali Temple badge hanging from his waist, and was none other than He Jinzhi, the Vice Minister of the Dali Temple.

He walked over with steady steps, his gaze sweeping across the scene.

Finally, the gaze fell on Shen Nannan, who nodded slightly in acknowledgment, her eyes clear and honest, without the slightest transgression.

Shen Nannan looked at him, and her heart skipped a beat.

Scenes from my past life flooded back instantly.

When the Shen family was raided, the officials either kicked them while they were down or avoided them like the plague; not a single person dared to stand up and say a word of justice for the Shen family.

Only he, this lone official, this upright and incorruptible Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review,

Holding the evidence they had gathered, they argued their case forcefully in the imperial palace, demanding that the Shen family be exonerated.

Finally, he was banished from the capital by the emperor. Before leaving, he dared to break into the regent's palace, kneel on the cold ground, and beg the powerful regent to release him.

She hid behind the screen and heard Xiao Yunzhao's furious voice.

"He Jinzhi! You're my man, what right do you have to meddle in my business? Get out!"

He, however, remained upright, speaking each word clearly and deliberately.

"Your Highness, General Shen is loyal to the emperor and serves his country, and the entire Shen family is filled with martyrs. Miss Shen is innocent. Even with Your Highness's immense power, you cannot disregard the law!"

She watched from behind the screen, feeling both heartache and admiration.

Of all the officials in the court, only one seemingly heartless criminal official was willing to speak a word of justice for the Shen family.

She couldn't remember how angry Xiao Yunzhao was that day.

All she remembered was that later, Xiao Yunzhao pinned her down on the bed, biting her neck, and almost frantically asked, "He can't even protect himself, yet he's still thinking of saving you? My dear, are you that attractive to men?"

That night, he tormented her until she was almost breathless, repeatedly chanting her name, obsessive and frantic.

And now, the very person who risked his life to plead for the Shen family in her past life was standing alive and well before her.

His features were clear and upright, and he possessed a noble character.

Shen Nannan suppressed the surging emotions in her heart, curtsied slightly to He Jinzhi, and nodded in return.

His eyes held undisguised admiration and gratitude.

That one look, falling on Ah Chao's face, ignited an inexplicable anger within him, burning him with rage.

He watched her give that tender look to another man.

Recalling the figure in blue robes in the backyard of Futailong that had momentarily captivated her...

Could the prince she called out in her dream be him?

Why does she look at him differently than she looks at others?

With a "crack," the blade between his fingers was snapped off.

He took another step forward without making a sound, almost completely encircling Shen Nannan in his arms.

He leaned down slightly, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe, and spoke in a low voice, audible only to the two of them, carrying a hint of barely perceptible danger.

"Miss, why are you looking at him?"

"Your servant is still here."

Shen Nannan instinctively tried to break free, but he held her even tighter.

He Jinzhi naturally saw this scene as well. His eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly, but he didn't say anything.

He then turned to the group of men and said in a deep voice, "You dare to cause trouble in broad daylight and even harass the families of officials of the imperial court! You have some nerve!"

When the men saw the officials arrive, they immediately wilted, but still forced themselves to say:

"Sir, we're not causing trouble! My brother Tong Jian lost his life at the Shen residence, we're just here to demand an explanation!"

"You want an explanation?" He Jinzhi's voice was cold and hard.

"Old Lady Liu, you've accused the General's Mansion of harming your son Tong Jian. Do you have any witnesses or evidence? If there's no concrete evidence, then blocking the street to obstruct the family of an official of the imperial court is punishable by thirty strokes of the cane according to the law!"

Old Mrs. Liu was so frightened by his official demeanor that her legs went weak, and she sat back down on the ground with a "thud," still shouting:

"My lord! My son really did die in the general's mansion! He was murdered! I beg you, my lord, to do justice for the people!"

Madam Tong immediately realized what was happening and quickly stepped forward to say...

"Lord He! Jian'er came to the manor for dinner yesterday, and he was fine then! After that, he disappeared and is now dead. Someone must have poisoned him!" As he spoke, he glanced at Shen Nannan.

Shen Nannan found it laughable to watch the two women, the aunt and the sister-in-law, singing in unison.

Just as she was about to speak, her wrist was suddenly grabbed.

Ah Chao's hands were burning hot, and his strength was undeniable as he pulled her further behind him.

He lowered his head slightly, his voice low yet resolute.

"Miss, don't worry."

"He can protect you, and so can I."

His fingertips caressed her wrist, as if marking his possession, and his breath brushed against her earlobe, sending a shiver through her body.

Meanwhile, He Jinzhi, who was opposite him, had already looked up at A Chao, his brows furrowing slightly.

This guard doesn't look like a simple man.

On the steps, Tong watched this scene, a sinister glint flashing in her eyes.

He Jinzhi was known for her impartiality; even if Shen Nannan had nothing to do with this matter, He Jinzhi would still try to pin the blame on her.

Then, add fuel to the fire...

Just then, the constable behind He Jinzhi suddenly ran over quickly, bowed, and whispered:

"My lord! On Tong Jian's body, we found the Crown Prince's token! And Fu Tailong's silver note stub!"

The room fell silent upon hearing this.

Tong's face instantly drained of all color.

"H-How is this possible...?"

Ah Chao lowered his eyes, concealing the cold glint that flashed in them.

It's finally arrived...

Shen Nannan's heart skipped a beat, and she instantly understood.

She subconsciously looked at A-Chao beside her, only to be met with his unfathomable eyes.

He looked at her, a very faint smile playing at the corners of his lips, a smile that...

It concealed the ruthlessness and scheming familiar to her, that belonged to the future regent.

Shen Nannan's heart skipped a beat.

It seems she has never truly seen the person in front of her.