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

Shen Nannan walked in.

She wore a light pink spring shirt with the neckline turned up high, covering the marks on her neck.

Her hair was styled in a simple bun, adorned with a peach blossom hairpin, which made her face appear even more beautiful.

Ah Chao followed behind her.

Ah Chao was dressed in a black outfit, with a silver mask covering most of his face. He held the white rabbit in his arms, looking like a cold-faced gatekeeper.

Shen Run frowned again when he saw A Chao, but he didn't say anything in front of Xiao Yunting.

Pei Ran saw Shen Nannan walk in and quickly went to greet her, smiling obsequiously:

"Little girl, you've arrived. I brought you some nourishing food, the finest bird's nest..."

Shen Nannan didn't even glance at him, walked straight to Xiao Yunting, and curtsied.

"This humble woman, Shen Nannan, greets the Third Prince. I am deeply grateful to Your Highness for petitioning the Emperor to expedite the grain supply for the Shen family. I will never forget your great kindness."

Xiao Yunting put down his teacup, looked at her with a smile, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment before quickly sweeping over A-Chao behind her.

"Miss Shen, there's no need for such formalities." He withdrew his gaze, his smile radiant.

"It was nothing more than a small favor for me. Miss Shen, on the other hand, has been working tirelessly on the grain supplies. I heard you even took over your second aunt's household management duties?"

Shen Nannan remained unfazed: "My second aunt is unwell, so it's only right that I help her out."

Xiao Yunting smiled, a hint of amusement in his smile: "Miss Shen is truly... a heroine among women."

"Your Highness flatters me."

Xiao Yunting looked her over.

This eldest daughter of the Shen family is not quite what he expected.

She is neither arrogant nor humble, and knows how to advance and retreat with propriety; she is not the spoiled and willful young lady of the past.

Feeling embarrassed at being left standing there, Pei Ran leaned closer and said, "Little sister, look, I found you another jade hairpin. Do you want to try it on?"

"Young Master Pei," Shen Nannan finally glanced at him, her tone indifferent, "No need, I..."

"Speaking of hairpins, I just remembered something," Xiao Yunting suddenly interjected.

He took a small brocade box from his sleeve and handed it over.

"I found this jade hairpin some time ago, but I didn't know who to give it to. Today, seeing Miss Shen, I realize that she is a woman of exceptional talent and character. General Shen is fortunate to have such a daughter. This jade hairpin is a perfect match for her."

Shen Nannan initially wanted to refuse, but looking at Pei Ran, she thought it might be good to disgust him a little.

He took it, opened it, and saw that it was a white jade hairpin. The jade was warm and smooth, and the carving was exquisite. It was obviously very valuable.

"Then thank you very much for your generous gift, Your Highness."

Pei Ran suddenly found himself unable to give the hairpin away, and he tried to find a way to make up for it.

Looking at A-Chao, he frowned and said:

"Little girl, why are you still with this stable boy? In this kind of situation, he's just a servant..."

"Young Master Pei."

It was Xiao Yunting who spoke again this time.

"What business is it of yours who she brings along? You're not her husband."

Pei Ran's face turned bright red.

Shen Run almost couldn't help but laugh, but he tried his best to keep a straight face.

Shen Nannan turned around and glanced at A Chao.

Ah Chao stood behind her, his face hidden behind a mask, his expression disdainful.

She simply stroked the rabbit in her arms silently.

She withdrew her gaze, smiled at Xiao Yunting, and asked, "May I ask what brings Your Highness here today?"

Xiao Yunting raised an eyebrow, suddenly stood up, walked up to her, and looked down at her.

He was a head taller than her, and by bending down, the distance between them suddenly closed.

"I've come to see," he said in a low voice, in a volume only the two of them could hear.

"Who exactly is the person behind Miss Shen?"

Shen Nannan's heart skipped a beat, but she remained outwardly calm, looking up at him with an innocent smile:

"What did Your Highness say? I don't understand."

Xiao Yunting stared at her for a while, smiled, straightened up, and clapped his hands:

"Never mind if you don't understand. I'm just here for a visit, and by the way—"

He glanced at Pei Ran. "Watching this joke."

Shen Run finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Shen Nannan turned around and glared at him. He quickly stopped, but the corners of his mouth still turned up.

Pei Ran stood there, her face turning red and white in turns, as if she had been slapped in public.

He wanted to say something, but Shen Nannan had already turned away and stopped looking at him.

Xiao Yunting's gaze swept over A Chao, who was standing behind Shen Nannan, seemingly casually.

"By the way, who is this?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

"My bodyguard." Shen Nannan stepped aside, making room for him.

"Ah Chao, pays his respects to the Prince."

A-Chao stepped forward, bowed his head, and said, "This servant greets Your Highness."

Respectful, without fault.

Xiao Yunting looked at him, his gaze lingering for a moment on the mask on his face.

"Why are you still wearing a mask? Take it off and let me see."

Ah Chao didn't move.

"Your Highness, please forgive me," Shen Nannan said, her voice tinged with embarrassment.

"His face was burned when he was a child, and he always wears a mask to avoid frightening people. Your Highness is so noble and precious, it's best not to look at him, lest it offend your eyes."

Xiao Yunting glanced at her, then at A-Chao, and suddenly smiled.

"Miss Shen is certainly protective of her own."

"He belongs to me, so naturally I must protect him," Shen Nannan said matter-of-factly.

Ah Chao lowered his eyes and gently moved his fingers through the rabbit's fur.

Xiao Yunting observed this scene, picked up his teacup, and took another sip.

"Miss Shen just mentioned that his name is A-Chao? I wonder which dynasty it is?"

Before Shen Nannan could speak, A Chao had already bowed his head in greeting.

"Your Highness, it's the 'Chao' of 'morning sun'."

Xiao Yunting looked at him for a long while, then suddenly smiled: "The rising sun sweeps away the past. A good name."

Shen Nannan's heart skipped a beat.

Does this person know Ah Chao's identity?

"Miss Shen," Xiao Yunting said, turning his gaze away and looking at her with a smile.

"Your bodyguard must be quite skilled, right?"

Shen Nannan smiled and said, "It's alright, I can fight."

"He can fight?" Xiao Yunting raised an eyebrow. "How about we have him spar with my men another day?"

Before Shen Nannan could speak, A Chao interrupted, "This servant wouldn't dare. This servant is merely a lowly servant, unworthy to lay a hand on the prince's men."

Xiao Yunting stared at him for two seconds, then suddenly laughed: "You certainly know how to talk."

He stood up, straightened his robes, and smiled casually: "Alright, I've had my tea and seen the person, I should go now."

Shen Run quickly stood up: "Your Highness, please take care. Let me see you off."

"No need." Xiao Yunting waved his hand, walked to the door, suddenly stopped, and looked back at Shen Nannan.

"Miss Shen," he said with a hint of amusement, "you are a remarkable woman. I will be a frequent visitor..."

Ah Chao's gaze sharpened, but he remained silent.

Xiao Yunting caught that look, glanced at the rabbit in A Chao's hand, and chuckled, "It is indeed a cute rabbit."

After he finished speaking, he strode out.

Shen Nannan turned to look at her brother: "Brother, you were quite gentlemanly today."

Shen Run was stunned for a moment: "What?"

"When she spoke to the Third Prince," she said, a slight smile playing on her lips, "she acted like the eldest son of the General's Mansion."

Shen Run's ears turned red, and he turned his face away: "Stop flattering me. I'll go check if the grain has been loaded onto the wagons."

He strode out, but suddenly stopped at the door.

She glanced back at Ah Chao, seemed about to say something, but swallowed it back and turned to leave.

Pei Ran was still standing there, his face very grim.