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

Qiu Tong reined in her horse ahead and waited. Seeing the two getting close, she raised an eyebrow and whistled.

"You two, you have to stick together even when you're walking, as if you're afraid no one will see you?"

Shen Nannan blushed and quickly moved away from A Chao, stubbornly saying,

"What nonsense are you talking about, Sister Qiu? He's just a guard; it's his duty to stay close to him."

"Oh? Behave yourself?" Qiu Tong glanced at A Chao with a half-smile. "I've never seen a guard so close to his master that their skirts are practically intertwined."

Ah Chao didn't reply, but followed Shen Nannan at a distance, like a loyal dog. However, his eyes, which were exposed outside the mask, were always locked on Shen Nannan's back, never moving away.

They soon arrived at the camp in Peach Blossom Valley, where quite a few people had already gathered.

A gentle voice came from the side.

"Little sister Nannan."

Pei Ran, holding a bouquet of peach blossoms, smiled gently as she walked over quickly.

Several young ladies from prominent families nearby had already started whispering among themselves:

"Young Master Pei is so kind to Miss Shen."

"I heard they were betrothed since they were little."

"Miss Shen is so lucky..."

"My dear sister, you must be tired from your journey." He reached out to help Shen Nannan dismount. "Let me help you—"

Before she could finish speaking, a hand had already firmly supported Shen Nannan's waist.

Ah Chao stepped forward, blocking Pei Ran's path perfectly. He knelt on the ground, supporting her calf with one hand and holding her waist with the other, steadily catching her.

The movements were swift and the posture was perfect; there wasn't a single mistake.

But his fingertips gently pressed on the soft flesh of her waist.

The pressure was just right, not too light, not too heavy, enough to make her legs go weak.

Shen Nannan almost lost her balance and grabbed his shoulder.

She glared at him; his eyes behind the mask were dark and unreadable, but the corners of his mouth curved slightly.

She suddenly realized that this person had become much bolder after putting on the mask.

"Miss, hold on tight."

His voice was flat, but his hand didn't immediately let go. It lingered on her waist for a moment before slowly withdrawing.

Shen Nannan's ears were burning. She took a deep breath and calmed herself down.

Pei Ran stood to the side, his expression not very good.

His hand was still outstretched, but Shen Nannan had already been helped down by others, making his hand seem particularly superfluous.

He awkwardly withdrew his hand, his smile almost faltering, but he still forced himself to hand over the peach blossoms.

"My dear, I specially climbed halfway up the mountain to pick this for you. It's the most beautiful one."

Shen Nannan reached out to take it—

"Thank you, Young Master Pei."

Ah Chao, however, took the flowers first.

Just then, the rabbit peeked out from under Ah Chao's clothes.

Smelling the fragrance of flowers, her ears twitched, she opened her eyes, looked at the bouquet, then at Ah Chao, and then lowered her head and took a bite.

Pei Ran's face turned completely green.

"You—!" He pointed at Ah Chao, his finger trembling.

Ah Chao turned around, looking completely innocent.

"Please forgive me, Young Master Pei, this rabbit is hungry and will eat anything it sees. This servant thanks you for your kindness on behalf of Miss."

After he finished speaking, he bowed respectfully.

Shen Nannan almost burst out laughing.

She cleared her throat, suppressing a laugh, and said to Pei Ran, "Brother Pei, please don't be offended. This rabbit is mine; it was indeed greedy. I'll accept the flowers, thank you for your kindness."

Pei Ran's facial muscles twitched. He wanted to get angry but didn't dare. After all, Shen Nannan had already said "accepted it," and it would be too rude of him to make a scene.

"I'm glad my sister likes it." He forced a smile through gritted teeth and glared at Ah Chao.

Ah Chao kept his eyes down, not even glancing at him, and was diligently feeding the rabbit flowers.

The rabbit took two bites, found it didn't taste good, spat it out, and turned its head away in disgust.

Ah Chao threw the flowers away expressionlessly.

Pei Ran: "…………"

Just then, a soft laugh came from behind.

"elder sister!"

Shen Yin stepped down from the carriage dressed in a flowing brocade, her skirt trailing on the ground. She walked with a swaying gait, as if afraid that others wouldn't see how smooth and shiny the fabric was.

Lin Wan'er followed beside her, dressed in a light green shirt, gentle and sweet, holding Shen Yin's arm, and said with a sweet smile: "Cousin, you're here so early."

Shen Yin walked up to Pei Ran, twirled around, and her face was full of spring-like joy.

"Brother Pei, do you think this outfit looks good on me? Yes—"

She paused, glanced at Shen Nannan, and smiled smugly, "It's made from that shimmering brocade that Brother Pei gave me."

Pei Ran was stunned: "When did I—"

Shen Yin blinked. "This fabric is so good, but my sister said she didn't like it, so I... accepted it for her. Brother Pei won't be angry with me, will he?"

Pei Ran opened his mouth, wanting to say that he had never given it to her, but Shen Yin's eyes were looking at him with watery eyes, and Lin Wan'er was standing next to her. If he denied it in public, he would seem petty.

"...I'm glad my sister likes it." He said dryly.

Shen Nannan stood aside, watching this scene, and almost burst out laughing.

That day, she deliberately let Shen Yin's maid overhear.

Sure enough, Shen Yin managed to "borrow" it that same day after much pleading and cajoling.

As she was laughing, Lin Wan'er spoke up: "Cousin and this stable boy have such a good relationship, they're inseparable."

Shen Nannan frowned, but before she could speak, a sweet voice came from behind her—

"Oh, I thought it was someone farting here, but it turns out to be Miss Shen the Second."

Su Yue rode over on horseback, dressed in a bright and flamboyant pomegranate red riding outfit.

Behind her followed a handsome young man, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, with red lips, white teeth, and dashing features.

Su Yue dismounted, looked Shen Yin up and down, and clicked her tongue in amazement:

"Luminous brocade? This material is indeed of good quality, but unfortunately, on some people, it looks like they're wearing a rag."

Shen Yin's face paled: "You—"

"Did I misspoke?" Su Yue raised an eyebrow. "This fabric is precious; it takes a certain air to pull it off. You look like you stole it."

Shen Yin's face turned red with anger, and Lin Wan'er quickly pulled her back, saying softly to Su Yue, "Miss Su, Yin is young and doesn't know any better. Please don't take it to heart."

Upon seeing Lin Wan'er, Su Yue rolled her eyes and asked, "Who are you?"

Lin Wan'er bit her lip: "I...I came with my cousin Nannan..."

Su Yue: "Your cousin? Oh, so you're the one who's been sponging off the Shen family."

Shen Yin's face flushed red and then paled, and she pulled Lin Wan'er away, saying, "Let's go!"

Shen Nannan stood to the side, watching Su Yue take on two opponents by herself, and couldn't help but smile.

In her past life, she had fought with Su Yue for over a decade and knew all too well how sharp-tongued this woman could drive a man mad.

As she was thinking, Su Yue had already moved closer to her, proudly raising her chin: "Shen Nannan, look!"

She pointed to the side.

"Look! The one I found is prettier than your stable boy, isn't it?"

Shen Nannan looked at the young man—he was indeed handsome, with red lips and white teeth, a face like jade, and a pair of naturally affectionate peach blossom eyes that seemed to be radiating charm to everyone he looked at.

But that aura...

They don't look like they come from a respectable family.

She glanced back at A-Chao.

Ah Chao stood three steps away, holding a rabbit in his arms, wearing a half-face silver mask that only revealed his dark eyes and sharp jawline.

He did nothing, he just stood there.

Cold. Sharp. Dangerous. Yet incredibly handsome.

"It's beautiful." Shen Nannan nodded sincerely. "It's especially beautiful."

Su Yue became even more smug: "Of course! How could the people I, Su Yue, choose be anything less than excellent?"

The handsome young man jumped off his horse with a swift movement, but he twisted his waist when he landed and rubbed it for a long time.

Su Yue's face darkened: "Can't you have some self-respect?"

The boy grinned and said, "Don't be angry, miss, your back is important."

Su Yue: "..."

The young man bowed respectfully to Shen Nannan, saying, "Yun Jin greets Miss Shen." He then gave Shen Nannan a flirtatious wink.

Shen Nannan: ...

The boy rubbed his lower back, his gaze sweeping across the crowd before landing on Ah Chao, his eyes suddenly lighting up.

"Brother—" He moved closer, circling Ah Chao, "Are you also serving a master?"