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

He knew his sister was right.

The emperor already suspected the father of holding military power in the Zhenbei Army. If he were to get involved with the affairs of the Crown Prince's Palace at this time, it would only give the emperor grounds for criticism.

"We can't just stand by and watch, can we?"

Shen Run lowered his voice.

"We can't just stand by and watch that wicked woman run rampant in the mansion, and that lecherous Crown Prince—I heard he's been inquiring about you lately!"

Shen Nannan looked up, her gaze passing over Shen Run's shoulder and landing on the doorway to the inner room.

Ah Chao stood there like a silent shadow, but his eyes were fixed on her without blinking, like a wolf staring at its prey, not moving an inch.

Shen Nannan curved her lips into a smile and slowly began to speak.

"What's the rush?"

"No matter how well a fox hides, it will always show its tail eventually."

"Just wait."

Shen Run turned around following her gaze, and met A Chao's unfathomable eyes. He instantly bristled again.

"What are you looking at! Don't look at my sister! Get out!"

Ah Chao didn't move, but looked up at Shen Nannan, waiting for her instructions.

"Alright, brother." Shen Nannan tugged at Shen Run's sleeve. "He's someone I keep around for my own use. Don't always be so hostile towards him."

"You're still protecting him!" Shen Run jumped up and down in anger. "Darling, this kid's background is unknown, and his skills are incredibly strange. It's too dangerous for you to keep him by your side!"

"Danger?" Shen Nannan laughed, looking up at A Chao, deliberately drawing out her words, "A Chao, would you hurt me?"

Ah Chao finally stepped forward and stood before her, bowing deeply. His voice was low and steady, devoid of any emotion, yet every word was clear:

"This servant's life belongs to the young lady."

"If the lady tells me to give birth, then I will."

"If the lady commands me to die, then I will die."

"I have absolutely no ulterior motives."

Shen Run, listening from the side, got goosebumps. Just as he was about to scold him for his sweet talk, he saw his younger sister's eyes crinkle into crescent moons as she smiled charmingly.

"Did you hear that? My Ah Chao is much more reliable than some people."

Shen Run always felt that something was off about this stable boy, but his sister was protecting him. However, if it weren't for this boy's intervention at the door, that crazy old woman Liu would probably have pounced on Nannan.

He snorted angrily, "Fine, then you can protect him all you want! You'll regret it later!"

Despite his anger, he didn't forget the important matter. He took out a horse tag from his pocket and handed it to Shen Nannan: "By the way, I went to the horse farm and picked out a white horse for you. It's very gentle and has good stamina. It'll be perfect for the spring outing. It'll save you from feeling bored in the carriage."

"Thank you, brother." Shen Nannan took the horse card, her eyes crinkling with a smile.

"What are you thanking me for? You're my sister." Shen Run ruffled her hair, then, remembering something, his face darkened.

"And that Pei Ran, if he dares to pick you up on the spring outing, ignore him! That kid looks respectable, but he's full of bad intentions. I can't stand him! If you're not interested in him, when Dad comes back, we'll break off that damn engagement."

"Okay, okay," Shen Nannan replied perfunctorily, but inwardly she sneered.

Pei Ran? She has no time to deal with him right now.

As she was speaking, she caught a glimpse of a furtive figure at the courtyard gate out of the corner of her eye; it was Shen Yin's head maid.

Her eyes darted around, and she deliberately sighed, raising her voice slightly: "Speaking of which, Brother Pei Ran sent me a piece of flowing brocade today. I was thinking of making a spring shirt to wear on a spring outing, but the material is too bright and slippery. I really can't get used to wearing it, and it's a waste to leave it here."

Shen Run was stunned for a moment: "Flowing Light Brocade? That's a tribute item, you can't buy it even if you have money. If you don't like it, give it to me, I'll take it and make a dress for your sister-in-law."

"Sister Qiu Tong doesn't care about this." Shen Nannan waved her hand, and when she caught a glimpse of the maid shrinking back, she secretly curled the corner of her mouth.

The fish has taken the bait.

Shen Run went on and on, giving instructions for a long time, mainly about bringing more people on the spring outing, not running around, and not talking to shady people. Only then did he leave reluctantly, giving A-Chao a fierce glare before he left, warning him to stay away from his sister.

The room finally quieted down again.

-------

Shen Nannan leaned back on the soft couch, looked up at A Chao who was standing there, and beckoned with her finger: "Come here."

Shen Nannan turned around, crossed her arms, leaned against the table, looked up at A Chao who was standing there, and deliberately dragged out her words: "What were you trying to do just now?"

Ah Chao looked up, his dark eyes locking onto her, and walked forward step by step. He walked very slowly, each step feeling like he was stepping on her heart, until he forced her to the brink of despair, her lower back pressed against the edge of the table.

He leaned down, one hand resting on the edge of the table beside her, but he didn't touch her. He just looked down at her reddened eyes, his voice hoarse: "Whatever Miss wants me to do, I will do."

"Really?" Shen Nannan looked up at him, her fingertips gently hooking around his fingers hanging at his side, deliberately rubbing them against his palm. "What if I asked you... to stay away from me?"

Ah Chao's fingers tightened suddenly, gripping her hand tightly. The grip wasn't strong, but it was firm and she couldn't break free.

His Adam's apple bobbed, but he didn't speak. His eyes were fixed on her, filled with emotions that seemed to want to devour her whole.

Shen Nannan looked at him, and for some reason, even though it was still Xiao Yunzhao's stubborn and cold face, something seemed different.

She suddenly asked, "Ah Chao, are you greedy?"

A-Chao looked at her.

Looking at my reflection in her eyes, at her slightly fluttering eyelashes, at the sly curve of her lips.

He spoke slowly, his voice so low it seemed to be squeezed from his chest:

"greedy."

Shen Nannan's heart skipped a beat.

He took a step forward.

She instinctively stepped back.

He took another step forward.

With nowhere to retreat, her back pressed against the dressing table.

Ah Chao lowered his head and leaned close to her ear.

Hot breath brushed against her earlobe, tickling her scalp.

"The things that a servant covets..."

His voice was low and hoarse, like a feather gently brushing against her heart:

"Miss... doesn't want to give it yet."

Shen Nannan's heart felt as if it had been gently bumped by something, leaving it both numb and itchy. She turned her face away, forcing herself to remain calm as she turned around.

"Alright, stop standing there and go see where my rabbit went."

Ah Chao looked at her reddened ears and the corners of his mouth curved slightly, so quickly it was like an illusion.

"Yes, Miss."

-----

Stepping out of the room,

Ah Chao looked at the closed door behind him.

greedy.

Of course he's greedy.

He was greedy for the way she looked at him, for the sound of her calling his name, and for the faint, sweet fragrance emanating from her.

He coveted everything about her.

But he can't have it yet.

He has to wait.

Wait until she gives it to you willingly.

In the shadows, Mo Bai silently made a gesture to Aman, who stood beside him like an iron tower.

—Investigate! Investigate He Jinzhi, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and his ancestors for eighteen generations, thoroughly for the master.

and also,

Looking for rabbits...