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

Shen Nannan tilted her head back, her almond-shaped eyes, naturally full of spring, staring straight at him.

Her eyes were still red at the corners, yet they possessed a captivating allure.

It was a charm etched into her bones from a past life, a charm she herself was unaware of.

She deliberately dragged out the tone, making it soft and gentle.

With a hint of spoiled reproach, she gently poked his chest with her fingertip.

"What, I gave you a name, so I can't even call you that in my dreams?"

Ah Chao's fingers loosened slightly.

She clearly saw his Adam's apple bob violently.

She leaned forward again, her nose almost touching his, and watched as his pupils suddenly contracted.

A sly smile curved at the corners of his lips.

"Are you jealous of yourself?"

Ah Chao's breathing became heavier.

The hand pressing on her shoulder tightened slightly.

But he still couldn't bring himself to use force.

He looked at her face so close to his, at her reddened lips, at the barely concealed panic and fear beneath the feigned arrogance in her eyes.

And that alluring charm.

He'd been watching her for so long, he'd figured her out long ago.

She was terrified of him, and her whole body tensed up every time she got close to him, but she still forced herself to move closer to him.

Even though every step she took was calculated, she still teared up when she saw him injured.

She might say she treats him like a servant, but when everyone else is cursing him to die, she'll whisper to him, "Live well."

She was like a poison coated in honey.

Knowing full well that touching it would lead to utter ruin,

But he still couldn't resist wanting to get closer.

I want to try it.

I wanted to hold her completely in my hands and not let anyone else see her.

But who is she really hiding in her heart?

From the first moment I saw her in that cage,

He wanted her.

I wanted to crush her arrogant spine and make her grovel at my feet.

I want to devour that mouth that's cursing him...

I want to lock her up and possess her...

but now,

He wanted her heart more.

The thought that she might have another man in her heart...

"And who is the prince in the young lady's dream?"

His fingers slid from her chin to her cheek, his palm pressed against her face.

"So that the young lady can't forget it even in her dreams."

Shen Nannan's heart skipped a beat.

That's really Xiao Yunzhao's personality.

He likes to hold onto things and never let them go...

She decided to go all in and moved closer, their breaths mingling.

She looked into his eyes, deliberately drawing out her words, and asked in a soft, coquettish voice:

"You want to know?"

She could clearly feel his muscles tense up instantly.

Like a wolf poised to pounce, yet restraining itself fiercely, afraid of hurting her.

In his past life, he would only use force to trap her beneath him and force her to say what he wanted to hear.

In this life, he had countless opportunities to make a move, yet he only ever watched her, even touching her with extreme caution.

They were afraid of startling away the bird that had finally managed to get close to them.

Shen Nannan's heart suddenly softened; her initial intention to take advantage of him was unexpectedly mixed with a touch of heartache.

She raised her hand, her fingertips gently tracing his cheek. Her tone softened, the previous arrogance gone, replaced by an indescribable tenderness.

"The person in my dream has power over the world, can protect my Shen family, can shield me from all storms, can protect me behind my back, and no one can bully me in the slightest."

She paused, then wrapped her arms around his neck, gently pulling him down to look at her. Her almond-shaped eyes were filled with moonlight, and also with his shadow.

"Ah Chao, do you think you can become him?"

A sudden thought struck Ah Chao.

He was certain that, apart from the few people around him, his identity belonged to none other than himself.

Almost nobody knows.

Even if someone knows,

He either killed her, or he kept her alive; she might still be useful.

He could even confirm that,

This sheltered young lady

I know who he is!

Shen Nannan looked at him without saying a word.

She leaned in and kissed his lips.

If these things can't break the heart of this wolf cub

Let's use what she does best...

Xiao Yunzhao was very good at training people; she had been begging for mercy under him earlier.

Later, she was also able to make Xiao Yunzhao lose control...

What she learned was simply how to please him.

The person in front of him remained frozen in place.

She curled her tongue and licked his dry lips.

Push it inwards with the tip of your tongue.

No response?

Her lips traveled downwards, gently licking his Adam's apple.

Ah Chao's fingers clenched tightly, and her Adam's apple bobbed between her lips.

She knew that in her past life, Xiao Yunzhao was most sensitive about this.

She wanted to continue downwards—

Ah Chao pulled her up forcefully.

An arm instantly wrapped around her waist.

He pressed her down onto the couch.

He was on top of her, breathing rapidly.

His eyes were frighteningly red, burning with even more lust than when he was taking the Chinese medicine.

"Whatever Miss wants, this servant can give you. But what this servant wants..."

His voice was hoarse, then returned to his usual tone as he slowly and deliberately traced the contours of her face.

"Miss... shall we give it to you or not?"

Shen Nannan was pinned down by him, her heart pounding like a drum.

His hot breath washed over her, and the hand on her waist was burning hot.

She could feel the scorching heat even through the fabric.

especially,

They were so close together that she could feel the change in him...

She opened her mouth—

"Nannan! Are you awake?"

Qiu Tong's voice came from outside the tent, urgent and loud, and the footsteps grew closer.

Shen Nannan's hand trembled, and she nudged A Chao.

He didn't move, but instead buried his face deeper into the crook of her neck.

"Someone's coming—" she whispered, nudging him.

"Hmm," he responded, without moving.

"Get up!"

"Hold me a little longer."

The curtain was suddenly yanked open.

Qiu Tong strode in, still shouting.

"My dear, I have something to tell you about the Crown Prince—"

She stopped in her tracks.

Shen Nannan sat on the tatami mat, the blanket pulled up to her chin, her face as red as a boiled shrimp.

Ah Chao stood by the couch, hands hanging down, respectfully, his face expressionless, but his lips were red, an unnaturally red.

His collar was slightly open, revealing a small section of his collarbone, on which a small patch of water glistened.

Qiu Tong's gaze swept back and forth between the two of them twice, and the corner of her mouth twitched.

"Did I arrive at the wrong time?"

"Yes," A-Chao said.

"No!" Shen Nannan said at the same time.

Qiu Tong looked at this and then that, suddenly smiled, sat down in a chair, and crossed her legs:

"It's good that you're awake. Your brother was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, pacing around outside all night."

As she spoke, she glanced at Ah Chao, her gaze lingering on his face for a moment before returning to her gaze without saying anything.

Shen Nannan cleared her throat, trying to appear normal: "What exactly happened with the Crown Prince?"

Qiu Tong's smile faded, and she said seriously, "He Jinzhi is here."

Shen Nannan nodded. She had indeed heard He Jinzhi's voice before she fainted.

That man was extremely impartial and incorruptible; he disregarded imperial power and wealth, and when it came to cases, he always fought to the bitter end.

"How are you now?" she asked.