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

The next morning, A-Chao came out of Shen Nannan's room.

His eyes were dark and bluish, his lips were dry, and he looked like he hadn't slept all night.

In fact, he hadn't closed his eyes either—

The little girl's sleeping posture wasn't bad, but he couldn't resist her constantly snuggling into his arms.

Not only did they arch their backs, but their hands and feet were also restless.

He was, after all, a vigorous young man, and the one he longed for most; this one night had truly ruined it.

He absolutely needs to take a cold shower! And while he's at it, he should ask Yun Jin to get him some medicine to cool him down!

The rabbit hopped out right behind him, its fur all ruffled and looking utterly dejected.

Under the eaves, Qiu Yun was carrying a basin of water. Seeing him emerge from the young lady's room, she paused briefly, then continued walking without changing her expression. She was used to it.

Seriously, I'm used to it.

The first time she saw it, she almost spilled the basin on her feet. The second time, her hand trembled slightly. The third time, she was able to ask without batting an eye, "Ah Chao, is Miss awake?"

Now? Now she's too lazy to even ask.

"Good morning," Qiu Yun greeted.

Ah Chao nodded and took the basin of water from her hands: "I'll do it."

Qiu Yun didn't argue, and turned to get a handkerchief.

Linglong was not so calm.

She served in the outer courtyard and rarely entered the inner courtyard. Today, she was delivering something to Qiuyun when she happened to run into Achao coming out of Shen Nannan's room.

"Sister Qiuyun," she leaned closer, lowering her voice with a gossipy look, "Why did A-Chao... why did he come out of Miss's room?"

Qiu Yu said expressionlessly, "Keep watch."

"Keeping watch? He's a man..."

"You just arrived?" Qiu Yu glanced at her. "He keeps watch every night."

Linglong's eyes brightened even more, and she lowered her voice even further: "Then... then does that mean we can't order A-Chao around anymore?"

Qiu Yun rolled her eyes: "Besides Miss's affairs, what else have you ever seen him care about?" Her tone was flat, "As if you can order him around."

Linglong thought about it and agreed. Ah Chao, that cold-faced doorman, wouldn't listen to anyone except Miss.

"That's true." Linglong sighed, glancing again at her mistress's room. "But the mistress is so good to him, even letting him keep watch at night..."

"Shut up." Qiu Yun covered her mouth with her hand. "Get back to work."

Linglong had her mouth covered, made two soft whimpering sounds, and then obediently left.

Qiu Yun let go of his hand, watched A Chao carry the water inside, and sighed.

Her young lady has probably already been abducted by this man.

The young lady herself is simply unaware of it.

Inside the room, Shen Nannan was already awake and sitting on the bed rubbing her eyes.

Her hair was disheveled, her nightgown was wrinkled, there was a pillow mark on her face, and she looked completely drowsy.

Ah Chao placed the basin on the shelf, wrung out a cloth, and handed it over.

She took the handkerchief, wiped herself haphazardly a couple of times, and handed it back.

"You didn't sleep last night?" She frowned as she looked at the dark circles under his eyes.

"Going to sleep."

"You're lying. There are dark circles under your eyes."

"This is how lackeys are born."

"You said last time that you were naturally fair-skinned."

Ah Chao's lips curved slightly, but he didn't reply.

Shen Nannan glared at him, too lazy to argue with him, threw off the covers, got out of bed, walked to the dressing table, sat down, and picked up a comb to comb her hair.

She combed her hair a couple of times, then it got stuck, pulling at her scalp and making her hiss.

Ah Chao walked over, took the comb, stood behind her, and gently combed her hair.

"Miss's hair is tangled."

"It's because you hugged me too tightly last night, that's why it rubbed against me."

Ah Chao's hand paused for a moment, the comb stopping in mid-air.

"...Is it my fault?"

"Yes, it's all your fault." She looked at him in the bronze mirror. He had his head down, his eyelashes drooping, and his expression was so serious, as if he were doing something important.

He ran his fingers through her hair, smoothing it strand by strand.

"When did you learn it?" she asked.

"I haven't learned it," he said. "I've only seen Qiu Yu comb her hair a few times."

"You'll get it after watching it a few times?"

"It's not difficult."

"Do you know how to style your hair in a bun?"

"……Won't."

"What's the use of just knowing how to comb your hair? I can't exactly go out with my hair down, can I?"

Ah Chao paused for a moment, put down the comb, gathered her hair with both hands, and began to style it.

His fingers moved through her hair, a little clumsy, but very earnest.

Shen Nannan looked at his fingers in the bronze mirror; they were long and slender with distinct knuckles, twirling through her hair.

"Are you sure you can do it?" she asked.

"Soon."

After a while, he let go.

Shen Nannan looked at herself in the bronze mirror—her hair was tied into a bun, crooked and messy, like a bird's nest on her head.

"Is this how you combed your hair?"

"……Um."

Are you taking me to the village entrance to sell sweet potatoes?

Ah Chao's lips twitched: "Doesn't it look good?"

"Take a look for yourself." She turned to the side, showing him the bronze mirror.

A-Chao glanced at it, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "...This servant will comb it again."

"No need." Shen Nannan took off her hair bun, let her hair down, and quickly tied it up herself, then put on a peach blossom hairpin. "You're better suited to doing something else."

"What are you doing?"

"Murder and arson."

Ah Chao's lips curved into a smile: "What are your orders, Miss?"

Shen Nannan glared at him, stood up, and straightened her skirt.

Just as he was about to speak, he heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

"Young Miss! Young Miss! Something terrible has happened!"

The butler rushed in, sweating profusely, and almost tripped over the threshold.

Shen Nannan frowned: "What's wrong?"

The butler, leaning against the doorframe, gasped for breath, "The Crown Prince... the Crown Prince is here!"

"The Crown Prince? What's he doing here?"

"They said they've come to propose marriage! They said the Shen family is loyal and virtuous, and since he wants to marry the second young lady, he needs to come in person to show his sincerity!"

Shen Nannan frowned and stood up.

The Crown Prince. He presented a betrothal gift. He married Shen Yin.

A cold smile curved her lips. What loyalty, what sincerity? Her true intentions were elsewhere.

Is this targeting the Shen family, or is it targeting her?

"Where's my brother?" she asked.

"The eldest young master went to the horse farm early this morning and hasn't returned yet. The second master isn't at home either..." The steward wrung his hands anxiously. "There's not a single person to speak in the main hall, Miss!"

Shen Nannan straightened her sleeves and turned to walk out.

"Miss." Ah Chao's voice came from behind.

The mask covered her face, but her eyes were dark and deep, filled with something familiar.

"Don't go." She turned to look at him, her voice soft but her tone resolute.

Ah Chao stopped in his tracks.

"Why?" His voice was a little muffled.

"Why do you think that is?" she asked in a low voice. "He can't see your face."

He didn't speak, but his hands, hanging at his sides, clenched into fists.

"Be good." She reached out and patted the back of his hand, her tone softening. "Wait for me in the corridor. Don't run around, don't take off your mask, and don't let anyone see your face."

Ah Chao was still worried.

"Listen to me," she said, looking into his eyes. "Okay?"

He stared at her, his Adam's apple bobbing.

"……good."

Shen Nannan smiled and tiptoed to give him a quick kiss on the chin.

"Good girl." She said, then turned and left.

A-Chao stood under the eaves, watching her figure disappear at the courtyard gate, then turned and left the Wutong Courtyard.