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

Shen Nannan was awakened by a commotion.

She opened her eyes to bright daylight and a great deal of noise outside the window.

"Miss! Miss!"

The young maid, Linglong, stumbled in, panting as she leaned against the doorframe.

"It's terrible! The young master heard that you brought a stable boy back to Wutong Courtyard, and Miss Biao is stirring up trouble, saying that the stable boy didn't know his place and offended her—now the young master is punishing him up front, and I think he's about to take action!"

Shen Nannan suddenly sat up.

Miss Lin Wan'er? And an older brother?

That did happen in my past life, but that was several months later!

In her past life, Lin Wan'er instigated Shen Run to humiliate that stable boy in every way.

Back then, my elder brother Shen Run was a reckless fellow, and after being provoked by a few words, he actually started a fight.

That time, Shen Run crushed A-Chao's right index finger.

Later... later Xiao Yunzhao kept her imprisoned by his side, and he always liked to caress her with that missing finger over and over again, and would even touch that hand...

In a moment of passion, he whispered in her ear, "My dear, do you remember this place? It was given to me by your brother."

And her cousin Lin Wan'er, who always pretended to be weak and pitiful...

On the day the house was ransacked, amidst the chaos, she saw Lin Wan'er being held protectively in the arms of a man dressed as a civil official, laughing sweetly:

"...I did as you said, and put all those letters in the secret compartment of my uncle's study. When are you going to marry me?"

Do you hate me? Yes, it's excruciating!

But she hated herself even more for being powerless and unable to even protect herself back then.

Later, one day Xiao Yunzhao returned to his residence and tossed her a brocade box, saying in a flat tone, "Open it and take a look."

Inside was Lin Wan'er's head, her eyes still open, filled with terror.

Xiao Yunzhao embraced her from behind, his body stiff, his voice low and hoarse.

"Don't be afraid, little girl. Stay by my side, and I'll give you whatever you need."

At that time, she was terrified of him, but because of that head, she felt a complex, almost complicit, sense of dread towards him for the first time.

"Miss?" Linglong was so frightened that she fell silent when she saw her face suddenly turn as pale as paper and her eyes filled with a terrifying chill.

Shen Nannan suddenly threw off the covers and got out of bed.

No, we absolutely cannot let that finger break again!

We absolutely cannot allow him to incur another bloody old debt with the Shen family and with her!

---

"Cousin, it's all my fault... I just wanted to see my cousin, but this servant doesn't watch where he's going and bumped into me... but he, he also..."

Lin Wan'er was gently tugging at Shen Run's sleeve, complaining in a sweet, childlike voice.

As she spoke, she secretly peeked at Ah Chao from behind her handkerchief.

The boy knelt upright, eyes downcast, face expressionless. Sunlight fell on his profile, outlining a sharp yet alluring silhouette.

Lin Wan'er's heart skipped a beat.

This stable boy... he's too...

Why is it that all the good things belong to Shen Nannan, even her servants are so dazzlingly beautiful!

Moreover, when she deliberately approached him, this stable boy didn't even lift an eyelid! Did he think he could ignore her? What a waste of his handsome face!

However, she would destroy anything that belonged to Shen Nannan.

She suppressed her thoughts and continued wiping away her tears: "I was just thinking, what if this unruly servant offends my cousin while living in her courtyard..."

Shen Run, dressed in a brocade robe and carrying a riding whip, looked rather unpleasant.

He was lured here by Lin Wan'er, thinking that something had happened to his younger sister, but he couldn't bring himself to leave immediately.

Ah Chao lowered his head, his bangs obscuring his eyes and eyebrows, making it impossible to see his expression.

Two burly servants pressed down on his shoulders, one on each side.

Another tall and burly steward was holding a stick as thick as his wrist, waiting for his master to speak.

Shen Run waved his hand impatiently: "Alright, alright. According to the rules of the manor, offending the master is punishable by twenty lashes. Just send him to the estate."

"Cousin!" Lin Wan'er stamped her foot. "Yesterday, I heard Yin'er say that after he woke up, he wasn't very respectful to Cousin Nannan at all, and he was staring at her with his eyes fixed on her... I wonder if a stable boy is harboring some dirty thoughts!"

When it came to his beloved younger sister, Shen Run's expression suddenly darkened, and his gaze toward A Chao instantly turned hostile.

"How dare you look at my daughter?! It seems I must teach you a lesson so you won't understand the rules of this household!"

He grabbed the stick from the butler's hand and was about to bring it down—

"stop!!"

With a sharp cry and rapid breathing, she thrust in suddenly.

Everyone turned around and saw Shen Nannan running towards them, lifting her skirt.

She ran fast, her cheeks flushed, fine beads of sweat on her forehead, a few stray hairs stuck to her temples, and her chest heaving slightly.

Her pink dress shone brightly in the sunlight, making her look like a delicate forsythia bud covered in morning dew, unexpectedly catching everyone's eye.

Shen Nannan kept looking at the boy in front of her and vaguely saw his tightly clenched fist tremble almost imperceptibly.

Is it... murderous intent?!

"Nannan?" Shen Run was taken aback, withdrawing his hand. "Why are you here? Where are your shoes?"

Shen Nannan shifted her gaze from A Chao to her brother's face.

Shen Run, her biological brother.

He was a notorious playboy in the capital, indulging in cockfighting, dog racing, and neglecting his duties.

From childhood to adulthood, he always covered for her when she got into trouble; he bought her whatever she wanted; and he would step in to help her whenever she bullied someone.

In other people's eyes, the eldest son of General Shen was a reckless and dissolute playboy.

But in my past life...

When news of her brother's death on the battlefield arrived, she was already imprisoned in the Regent's Palace.

It was Xiao Yunzhao who told her.

That day, he unusually walked in normally, not to bother her, but simply sat on the edge of the bed, looking at her with an expression she couldn't understand, and then said:

"Shen Run is dead."

She was freezing cold, but she didn't dare to cry.

That spoiled brat who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun from childhood died with a blood-stained spear still in his hand.

At that moment, Shen Nannan finally couldn't hold back and cried her heart out in front of Xiao Yunzhao.