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

Shen Nannan called out at the end,

The voice grew softer and softer.

It sounded like a cat meowing, and she blushed.

Ah Chao buried his face in the crook of her neck and counted, one note at a time.

As they counted, their breathing became heavier, and their arms tightened more and more.

The head, which had been buried in the crook of her neck, lifted slightly.

A pair of dark, deep eyes were fixed on her, their surging desire and obsession almost overflowing.

Like a wolf whose fur has been stroked, or a dog that's been ravenously hungry.

Shen Nannan raised her hand and gently patted him, "You...you're pressing down on me, get up."

Ah Chao seized her wrist and brought it to his lips.

From her fingertips, little by little upwards,

I kissed her wrist and forearm.

Finally, it rested on her soft arm, and its teeth gently ground together.

Shen Nannan trembled all over, and glared at him coquettishly.

"You scoundrel, are you a dog?"

He didn't speak, the redness in his eyes hadn't faded, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

He gently licked the spot where he had just bitten her, his movements both devout and... lewd.

"Miss, you have a lovely voice."

His voice was terribly hoarse, and as it pressed against her skin, it sent shivers down her spine.

"Say it a few more times."

Shen Nannan's face flushed instantly.

In his past life, Xiao Yunzhao always liked to force her to call his name during sex.

He kept making noises, one after another, refusing to stop until she cried and begged for mercy.

At that time, I was afraid, and I was forced into it.

But now my heart is burning hot...

She reached out and pushed him away, saying coquettishly.

"Dream on. A couple of calls are enough; you're really pushing your luck!"

The force with which she pushed him was so light, like a tickle.

Ah Chao leaned back slightly, but then pulled her into his arms as well.

He pulled her onto his body, his arms tightly wrapped around her waist, not letting her escape at all.

Shen Nannan was startled and instinctively glanced towards the tent entrance.

Afraid that Shen Run would rush in again, she raised her hand to pat him.

"Are you crazy? Let go of me right now! My brother's coming, he'll break your legs!"

"He can't beat me."

Ah Chao spoke calmly, yet with unwavering confidence, while his arms around her waist tightened, drawing her into his embrace.

"Besides, the young lady is mine, and it's none of his business."

He nuzzled his nose against her neck, his voice hoarse.

"Miss smells so good."

"What's so fragrant? I haven't showered for three days."

"It still smells good."

Shen Nannan felt weak all over from his rubbing against her. She couldn't push him away, nor could she bear to scold him, so she could only let him do as he pleased.

After a long while, he slowly raised his head. The bloodshot in his eyes was still there, but he looked much more relaxed than before, like a satiated wolf, lazy and with his tail wagging.

With a smile playing on his lips, he finally had that clean, youthful vibe.

Looking at him like this, she felt both annoyed and amused.

This person, who knew how to play the victim last night while under the influence of the drug, has now learned to act coquettishly after the effects wear off.

"Alright, alright." She looked away and cleared her throat. "You didn't sleep a wink last night, go and get some rest."

"Not sleepy."

"Go even if you're not sleepy." She glared at him. "The dark circles under your eyes are practically hanging down to your chin."

He reached up and touched his face: "Really?"

"Yes. Go quickly."

A-Chao stared at her without moving. Shen Nannan felt uneasy under his gaze. Just as she was about to speak, he suddenly reached out, pulled the corner of her blanket up, and tucked it under her chin, the action as natural as if he had done it a thousand times.

"Miss, please sleep a little longer," he said. "I've calculated the time; there's still an hour until dawn."

Shen Nannan wanted to say she wasn't sleepy anymore, but his palm was pressed against the quilt, which was warm and cozy. The room was quiet, with only the sound of the wind blowing through the peach blossoms outside.

Sleepiness suddenly washed over her, she yawned, and her eyelids began to feel heavy.

"And what about you?" she asked vaguely.

"Your servant will guard you."

She wanted to say there was no need to wait, but he had already moved the low stool to the edge of the tatami mat and sat down.

Leaning against the edge of the tatami mat, with her long legs stretched out, she closed her eyes.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, falling on his face and clearly illuminating his jawline.

Shen Nannan stared at his profile for a long time before slowly closing her eyes.

I slept soundly and didn't dream.

When I opened my eyes again, it was already broad daylight.

Ah Chao is not here.

A glass of warm water and a piece of milk candy were placed next to the pillow.

A peach petal, pink and glistening with dew, was pressed onto the candy wrapper.

Shen Nannan looked at the petal and the corners of her mouth curved slightly.

She was just about to unwrap the candy wrapper

The tent flap was flung open with a loud bang.

Shen Run's face was devoid of its usual playful smile.

Filled with anxiety and panic, he clutched a mud-stained urgent report in his hand, his voice trembling.

"My dear... Father... Father's in trouble..."

The candy in Shen Nannan's hand fell to the ground with a thud, her face instantly turning pale. She reached out to snatch the urgent report from Shen Run's hand.

"Give me!"

As she opened the envelope with trembling hands, Shen Run spoke beside her.

"Father is trapped at the border! The Northern Barbarians have suddenly reinforced their troops, and our supplies have run out. Father sent a messenger back saying that we can only hold out for another half a month at most!"

The letter was in my father's handwriting; the handwriting was hurried and very messy.

"...Supplies are running low, and we fear we cannot sustain this long... We urge the court to allocate provisions quickly... Please do not worry about us..."

Do not worry about your subjects.

Shen Nannan clutched the letter and bit her lower lip hard.

No! This shouldn't be the time!

In my previous life, the border was in dire straits, and my father sent three urgent reports urging the delivery of grain.

The Ministry of Revenue kept delaying.

My father led the remaining troops in three charges into the enemy lines before he could barely hold the border town.

But it was also during that incident that my father was severely injured, and then...

But this should have happened two months later!

Don't rush, don't rush.

In her past life, she stumbled at this very hurdle—her father was trapped, and she panicked.

They went to find Madam Tong, who said the public funds were empty.

I went to ask Pei Ran for help, but Pei Ran gave me a perfunctory response.

She begged everyone she knew.

They got nothing in return, but instead revealed all of the Shen family's trump cards to others.

She raised her head, the panic in her almond-shaped eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a cold composure, her voice unusually steady.

Who in the Ministry of Revenue was in charge of grain supplies?

Shen Run was startled by her appearance.

He had never seen his sister like this before. In the past, when something like this happened, she would only cry and run to him and their parents.

But now, as she stands there, her face is still delicate and pretty, but her eyes are like ice, making people inexplicably convinced.

"It's...it's Qian Mingyuan, the Vice Minister of Revenue!"

Shen Run gritted his teeth and said,

"It's him! The Crown Prince just got into trouble, and he's trying to use the grain supplies to strangle the Shen family. He's saying that there have been disasters in various places this year, the granaries are empty, and he can't provide any grain, so he's been pushing back the delivery dates! I think he's doing it on purpose!"

Qian Mingyuan.

Sure enough it was him.

The Ministry of Revenue was in charge of money and grain.

If I hadn't known that he was the civil official Lin Wan'er had worked for back then...

Who would have thought that he was secretly working for the Crown Prince?

Why is the Crown Prince so determined to destroy the Shen family?

Shen Nannan sneered, a ruthless glint flashing in her eyes.

"Don't worry, brother."

She folded the urgent report and tucked it into her sleeve.

"Regarding the provisions, let's gather some from the manor and send it to Father first. As for the rest, we'll find a way..."

"Gather?"

Shen Run was stunned.

"My dear! This isn't just a few hundred or a few thousand taels; it's the provisions for an army of 100,000, costing hundreds of thousands of taels of silver! The household affairs... the household's finances have always been controlled by the second branch of the family. That vicious woman, Madam Tong, has made a complete mess of the household's accounts. It's not going to be that easy for her to cough up the money now!"

"The Tong family?" Shen Nannan raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on her lips.

"That was before; now, it's time to take it back."

Just then, Ah Chao came in.

Shen Nannan looked at him coming towards her against the light.

"Let's go back to the mansion! Let's get the money!"

"Yes, Miss."

He bowed slightly, answered readily, and stepped forward.

He naturally stood half a step to her side.

Like the most loyal guard, and like the sharpest knife.

Shen Run looked at his younger sister like this,

Then look at the imposing stable boy beside her.

He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a word.

He suddenly felt that, as if from some point onwards,

His spoiled and willful younger sister is really different now.