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

Shen Nannan looked at Shen Nian's innocent face and didn't react.

"ha?????!"

"Stealing...stealing someone?? Her??"

Shen Nian's eyes sparkled, and she nodded.

"Every month on the fifteenth, she would go to the estate outside the city, ostensibly to check the accounts, but actually to see a man. Once, her maid was sick, so she took me with her. I saw it with my own eyes! She forgot to close the door, and when I went in to deliver tea, I saw that man embracing her... the two of them were..."

Shen Nannan quickly covered her mouth.

"Don't talk about such dirty things, you're just a kid."

She looked down at Shen Nian, the little girl blinking her eyes, not embarrassed at all.

Shen Nannan smiled.

Her younger sister is no little rabbit; she's clearly a little fox.

He keeps quiet, yet knows everything.

She released her grip and tapped Shen Nian's head. "You! As a girl, you shouldn't talk about these things outside. You'll be getting married someday!"

Shen Nian shook her arm. "I know, I only tell my little secret to my sister. Sister, I don't want to get married in the future. I just want to stay with you and protect you."

As he spoke, he snuggled closer to her.

"You!" Shen Nannan ruffled her hair. "But don't tell anyone about the Tong family matter. When the time is right, your sister will handle it."

Shen Nian nodded, then suddenly grasped Shen Nannan's hand, her eyes sparkling, "Sister, did I... help?"

Looking into her bright, sparkling eyes, Shen Nannan suddenly felt a lump in her throat.

This child does everything to help her.

"That was a great help, a huge one." She pinched Shen Nian's cheek. "Nian Nian is the best."

Shen Nian's face flushed red, she smiled with pursed lips, and snuggled into Shen Nannan's arms triumphantly.

"Miss," Qiu Yu's voice came from the doorway, "It's time for your meal."

"I'm not hungry," Shen Nannan said without looking up.

"Miss, you haven't eaten much since yesterday..."

I told you I wasn't hungry.

Qiu Yu dared not utter a sound, standing at the door, unsure whether to go in or back.

"Miss."

A-Chao's voice came from behind Qiu Yu.

"This servant has cooked you some porridge, please have a sip."

Shen Nannan looked up.

He stood at the doorway, holding a tray with a bowl of porridge and a plate of peach blossom pastries on it.

The porridge was still steaming, its white liquid blurring his face.

She looked at the bowl of porridge and suddenly felt hungry.

"Come in."

A-Chao walked in, his gaze sweeping over Shen Nian without making a sound.

She was clinging to Shen Nannan's arm, practically hanging on it, her little face pressed against Shen Nannan's shoulder, her eyes crinkling, smiling like a triumphant little fox.

He paused for a moment.

Then he went over and placed the tray on the table.

I casually moved the account books and letters to the side to make room.

Shen Nannan picked up the bowl of porridge and took a sip. It was made of glutinous rice and was sweet, just like the bowl she had this morning.

"Did you make this again?"

"Um."

Shen Nannan took two sips, put down the bowl, picked up a peach blossom pastry, and took a bite.

It was crispy and sweet, filled with red bean paste; it was so delicious that her eyes narrowed.

"Did you make this too?"

"no."

He paused for a moment.

"Bought on the street."

Shen Nannan smiled.

This person can't even lie.

Can peach blossom pastries bought on the street really look like this?

She didn't call him out on it, but stuffed the remaining half into her mouth and mumbled, "Delicious."

His lips curved slightly, but quickly disappeared.

Shen Nian had already stepped aside, watching Shen Nannan eat with relish.

"Sister, this is too sweet. Didn't you say you wanted something savory last time? I'll make you something savory tomorrow, it'll be better than this."

Shen Nannan was taken aback: "You can make desserts?"

Shen Nian nodded, smiling sweetly, "When I was in the second household, the kitchen nanny taught me. I would make whatever my sister wanted to eat."

Ah Chao stood to the side, coldly sweeping over them.

Shen Nian: I can't see it, I can't see it.

Unaware of anything amiss, Shen Nannan picked up another peach blossom pastry and ate it happily.

Taking the opportunity, Shen Nian squeezed closer to her, almost sitting in her lap, and looked up at her, saying, "Sister, can I sleep with you tonight? I'm scared to sleep alone."

"What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid of the dark." Shen Nian blinked. "Sister smells so good, I want to sleep with you."

Before Shen Nannan could speak, A Chao's voice interrupted calmly: "Miss's bed is too small to fit two people."

Shen Nian whispered, "I won't take up any space, I won't crowd your sister..."

Ah Chao narrowed his eyes.

Shen Nannan suddenly felt a chill down her back.

She glanced at Ah Chao.

The man even gave her a polite smile... but it was sinister...

"Heh... um... Niannian, I have something to do. It's getting late, you should go back and rest."

Shen Nian was a little disappointed, but still sweetly replied, "Okay, I'll come and sleep with you again next time."

Before leaving, he gave Ah Chao a smug look.

Ah Chao: My fist has hardened.

After eating the peach blossom pastry and drinking half a bowl of porridge, Shen Nannan felt completely revitalized.

She picked up the ledger again, flipped through it, and then put it down.

These items belonging to the Tong family are scattered; finding them one by one and then selling them would probably take a lot of effort.

On my parents' side...

I'm afraid there's no time left...

"Miss."

Ah Chao suddenly spoke up, "Did you see the box on the dressing table, Miss?"

Shen Nannan was taken aback: "What box?"

"It's nothing..." Ah Chao didn't say much.

Shen Nannan was a little puzzled.

"Qiuyu," she called, "bring me that box from my dressing table."

Qiu Yu responded and went off, returning shortly with a small, heavy mahogany box. "Miss, is this it?"

Shen Nannan took it and opened it.

Inside, there was a neat stack of silver notes!

She paused for a moment, then picked it up and counted it.

One million taels.

Her hand trembled slightly, and she looked up at Ah Chao.

He stood there, eyes downcast, expression indifferent.

But for some reason, Shen Nannan felt that this person's face seemed to say, "Praise me!"

"Where did this silver come from?" she asked.

"I found it."

"Where did you find it?"

"On the way." He paused. "Tong Jian dropped it."

"This servant just happened to come across it and took it without thinking."

Shen Nannan stared at him for a long time.

Did you find it? Or did Tong Jian drop it?

This person lies without even thinking.

She deliberately put on a stern face.

"Ah Chao".

"Um."

"to be honest."

He looked up at her, and a slight smile curved his lips:

"This servant is keeping it for you, Miss. I took it from Tong Jian that day, but I haven't had a chance to give it to you yet."

Shen Nannan looked down at the stack of banknotes, her fingers gently stroking them.

The 500,000 taels were the silver that Lady Tong gave to the Crown Prince.

But here is one million taels.

She suddenly remembered her past life. Before becoming regent, Xiao Yunzhao already had a network of undercover agents spread throughout the country, doing the most profitable business.

He was never a stable boy.

He is a dragon lying in wait, waiting for the day he can take flight.

"You—" She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but her throat felt like it was blocked by something.

That's enough. Father is saved. She clutched the silver note, her fingers trembling.

"Don't cry, Miss."

He reached out, his fingertips brushing against the corner of her eye; it felt cool.

"This servant cannot stand this."