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

Meanwhile, in Shen Yin's boudoir.

Shen Yin sat in front of the dressing table, clutching a handkerchief in her hand, her eyes red and her face pale.

She didn't sleep well again last night. Every time she closed her eyes, she could see the Crown Prince's face, the way he was on top of her, and the nonsense he said.

She was afraid... but she had no way out.

Lin Wan'er stood behind her, holding a comb, and gently combed her hair.

Her face was still bruised, with a bruise on the corner of her mouth and several scratches on her cheeks. She had covered them with makeup, but they were still visible.

Shen Yin looked at her face, then at the wound on her neck, and hesitated for a moment: "Sister, your face..."

"It was an accident," Lin Wan'er said with an awkward smile. "I tripped and fell while walking a couple of days ago, but it's nothing serious."

"Little sister Yin'er, I know you're suffering. But things have already come to this, crying won't help."

Shen Yin looked up. "What can I do? He...he's too scary...I don't want to go..."

"Sister Yin'er, don't be afraid," Lin Wan'er said softly. "His Highness the Crown Prince has come personally to propose marriage, which shows he truly loves you. Once you marry into the Crown Prince's residence, you'll be a concubine, and a member of the royal family. Who would dare look down on you then?"

Shen Yin bit her lip, her voice hoarse: "But...but I'm still scared."

"What are you afraid of?"

"The Crown Prince..." Shen Yin paused, blushing, "...he's so exhausting. I went there last time, and when I came back, my whole body ached, and I couldn't get out of bed for several days."

Lin Wan'er paused for a moment, a glint of something flashing in her eyes, which she quickly concealed.

"That's because His Highness likes you." Her voice softened even more. "Men are all like that. You'll get used to it after you stay in the manor for a while."

She reached out and gently took Shen Yin's hand.

"Sister Yin'er, listen to me. It's definitely not okay for you to go to the Crown Prince's residence alone. You need someone to accompany you, speak up for you, and keep an eye on the servants so that you won't be bullied."

Shen Yin was stunned: "You...you mean..."

"I'll go with you." Lin Wan'er smiled. "I'll disguise myself as your maid and go with you into the Crown Prince's residence. If anything happens, I'll protect you."

Shen Yin looked at her, her eyes reddening: "Sister Wan'er, you are so good to me."

Lin Wan'er smiled, a smile so gentle it was like a flower blooming in the shadows.

"I treat you like a younger sister. If I'm not good to you, who will I be good to?"

Shen Yin was so moved that tears streamed down her face. She threw herself into Wan'er's arms and said, "Sister Wan'er, once I become a concubine, I will definitely ask the Crown Prince to find you a good family."

Lin Wan'er patted her back, her lips curving into a smile, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.

A good family? She didn't want any good family. What she wanted was—that bed, that spot, in the Crown Prince's residence.

Qian Mingyuan's path was blocked, so she needed to find a bigger tree to climb. Shen Yin was her ladder.

Once she enters the Crown Prince's residence, with her methods, how could she not win the Crown Prince's heart? At that time, what would Shen Yin be? And what would Shen Nannan be?

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Don't worry, little sister Yin'er," she whispered, "I'll always be with you."

Shen Yin cried in her arms, oblivious to everything.

------

Inside the main hall, the Crown Prince was growing impatient.

He wore a bright yellow brocade robe, a gold belt around his waist, and a jade crown on his head, exuding an air of wealth and nobility. However, his face was pale and swollen, with droopy eye bags, clearly indicating that he had been drained of his health by wine and women.

He paced back and forth in the main hall, his boots creaking on the floor tiles.

"Why haven't they arrived yet?" he snapped at the butler. "The Shen family's attitude is far too arrogant!"

The butler smiled ingratiatingly, "Your Highness, please calm down. Miss will be here shortly, very shortly."

"How long is 'soon'?" The Crown Prince slammed his hand on the table. "I've been waiting for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea!"

He was almost frantic with worry.

That day upstairs, he didn't see her face clearly, only a pale yellow figure, slender and graceful, with a full figure, yet her waist seemed so fragile it could snap in two.

He wanted to find an opportunity to get close to her, but he was confined to his home during this time. He relied entirely on her portrait, which hung in his study, and looked at it every day, his heart itching with longing.

Although Shen Yin was somewhat beautiful, she was worlds apart from the woman in the portrait.

Countless ants crawled inside him; was this woman really as beautiful as she appeared in the portrait?

Just then, footsteps sounded at the door.

The prince looked up and almost dropped his teacup.

Sunlight streamed in through the doorway, illuminating a graceful figure.

Shen Nannan stood at the door, dressed simply, but her alluring charm was impossible to conceal.

She wore no makeup, but her face alone was enough to kill. Her almond-shaped eyes were naturally alluring, and when she looked at people, it seemed as if she was smiling or seducing them. Yet, she herself was completely unaware of it, making his heart itch.

So vivid and lifelike, it's a hundred times more beautiful than any portrait! No, a thousand times more!

He had seen many beauties, including imperial concubines, female relatives of ministers, and top courtesans in brothels—he had seen all kinds.

But there isn't one like her—

She is not the kind of delicate, easily manipulated beauty.

She stood there, her back ramrod straight, a polite smile on her lips, but there was no hint of flattery in her eyes, only a faint, condescending detachment.

Like a noble cat, she's watching you, but you know she might turn and walk away at any moment.

The prince's eyes were glued to her, sliding from her face to her neck, from her neck to her chest, from her chest to her waist, and then from her waist to the embroidered shoe tips that were faintly visible beneath her skirt. Inch by inch, like a snake, sticky and nauseating.

He swallowed hard. He had never seen such a beautiful woman before; that face, that figure—he had been thinking about her until now. Today, he had finally met her! He smiled obsequiously, "Miss Shen, it's an honor to meet you."

Shen Nannan curtsied, neither humble nor arrogant: "This humble woman greets Your Highness the Crown Prince. Your Highness's arrival is an honor, I apologize for not being able to greet you properly."

"No offense, no offense." The Crown Prince took two steps forward and reached out to help her. "Miss Shen, there's no need for such formality. Please have a seat."

Before his hand even touched Shen Nannan's arm, she had already taken a step back, subtly creating distance between them.

"Your Highness, please have a seat." She smiled, her tone polite. "I'll have someone serve you tea."

The prince's hand froze in mid-air, and he awkwardly withdrew it. He sat down in the chair, his gaze still fixed on Shen Nannan, unable to look away.

Shen Nannan sat down in the guest seat, one table away from the Crown Prince.

"Miss Shen?" he said, his voice changing, carrying an indescribable meaning, "I have long heard of Miss Shen's reputation, and seeing her today, it is indeed true..." He paused, licking his lips, "her reputation is well-deserved."

Shen Nannan remained unfazed. "Your Highness flatters me. The Shen family is overwhelmed with gratitude that Your Highness has come in person to offer the betrothal gifts."

"Of course, of course. I have always kept the Shen family's loyalty in my heart. I have also heard about Miss Shen's hard work in handling the grain supplies; she is truly a heroine among women..."

"How old is Miss Shen this year?"

"eighteen."

"Are you married?"

Shen Nannan picked up her teacup and gently blew on it: "There is a marriage agreement. He is the son of Minister Pei."

"Pei Ran?" The Crown Prince scoffed. "That coward? It's a pity Miss Shen is with him."

Shen Nannan didn't reply, she just smiled.

The Crown Prince leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice, "Miss Shen, I'm a straightforward person, please don't take offense. I think a beauty like Miss Shen deserves..." He paused, his eyes fixed on her, "...to the most noble person in the world."

Shen Nannan paused in her teacup and looked up at him.

There was no panic or shyness in those almond-shaped eyes, only a faint, all-knowing understanding.