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

He lowered his head, buried his face in the crook of her neck, and took a deep breath. Her sweet fragrance filled his nostrils, making him feel completely weak.

"Miss."

"Um."

You smell so good.

"Of course, I just took a shower."

"The lady's bathwater smells nice too, may I bathe with her?"

"you……!"

His hand slid down a little, and Shen Nannan's legs went weak.

"You...you're so mean...I...I don't want you to sleep with me anymore..."

She reached out to push him, but he didn't budge. Instead, he buried his face in the crook of her neck and chuckled softly.

"Miss is so soft," he said.

Shen Nannan's face was so hot it could fry an egg.

"Shut up."

"Don't close it."

"You... um..."

His hand slid up again and gently pinched her erect nipple once more.

He roamed over her body, every inch of it like a burning flame.

She bit her lip, trying to keep quiet, but he wouldn't let her. He lowered his head and bit her lower lip, giving it a gentle tug.

"Say it out." His voice was terribly hoarse. "This servant loves to hear it."

"I won't call it."

"Then the servant will not be intimate with you."

As he spoke, he actually stopped, braced himself above her, looked down at her, and smiled with a hint of triumph.

Shen Nannan was both angry and embarrassed by his gaze, so she reached out and punched him.

"you……!"

"Should we call out or not?"

"I won't call it."

"Then the servant will continue counting."

His hand slid down from her waist, hooked the hem of her nightgown, and lifted it up, about to bury his head in it...

"Darling! Darling, are you asleep?!"

Shen Run's loud voice suddenly rang out.

Shen Nannan froze and abruptly pushed A Chao away.

Ah Chao was pushed backward by her and almost fell off the bed, but he managed to steady himself by supporting himself on the edge of the bed with one hand.

His face darkened.

"Nannan!" Shen Run's footsteps grew closer and closer, and he had already entered the courtyard.

"I heard the Crown Prince came today? Did he give you any trouble? Open the door, I want to say a few words to you!"

Shen Nannan hurriedly pulled the blanket up, wrapping herself up like a dumpling.

Ah Chao sat on the edge of the bed, her collar open, her hair loose, and her lips still smeared with her lipstick. She looked both dangerous and...sexy.

"You'd better hide!" she whispered, pushing him.

Ah Chao didn't move, just looked at her.

"Where are you hiding?"

"Under the bed...in the closet...anywhere!"

"I won't dodge."

"you……!"

With a "bang," the door was knocked on from the outside.

"Nannan? Are you in there?" Shen Run's voice came through the door, tinged with worry. "Are you alright? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Shen Nannan took a deep breath and tried her best to make her voice sound normal.

"Brother, I...I'm going to sleep! Let's talk about it tomorrow!"

"Asleep?" Shen Run's voice rose. "What time is it and you're already asleep? Are you feeling unwell? Open the door, let me see you..."

"No, no! I'm fine! I'm just sleepy!" Her voice trembled slightly as she desperately tried to wink at Ah Chao.

Ah Chao looked at her, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly. Instead of dodging, he leaned forward, lowered his head, and gently bit her ear.

Shen Nannan trembled all over, almost cried out, and bit her lip tightly.

"Nannan?" Shen Run's voice came closer again. "Is someone in your room?"

"No!" Her voice cracked. "It's...it's just me!"

Ah Chao took another bite, this time a little harder, his teeth gently grinding against her earlobe.

Shen Nannan's body went limp.

"Brother, you...you go back first...we'll talk about it tomorrow..." Her voice trembled.

Shen Run paused for a moment, then asked, "Why does your voice sound strange?"

"I...I bit my tongue..." She wanted to slap herself as soon as she finished speaking. What a lame excuse.

Shen Run stood outside the door for a while, seemingly hesitant.

"Alright, then go to sleep early. I'll talk to you again tomorrow." He paused, "Sweetie, if anyone bullies you, tell your brother."

"Okay... I understand... Brother, you should go now..."

Shen Run's footsteps finally faded into the distance.

Shen Nannan lay sprawled on the bed, gasping for breath. A-Chao, propped above her, looked down at her, a smile playing on his lips, his eyes bright.

"You...!" She reached out and punched him. "You did that on purpose!"

He took her fist and kissed it.

"Yes, it was intentional."

"You...do you know how dangerous that was! What if my brother had come in..."

"Since you're in, you're in." He lowered his head and kissed her on the corner of her mouth. "This servant just happened to tell the young master that I want to marry you, Miss."

Shen Nannan was stunned.

"What...what did you say?"

Ah Chao looked at her; in the moonlight, his eyes were dark and deep, filled with seriousness.

"This servant says I wish to marry Miss," he said in a low voice. "I've been thinking about it for a very, very long time. Ever since I first saw Miss."

Shen Nannan's tears suddenly fell.

She didn't know why she was crying.

Was it because he said he "wanted to marry her"? Was it because she had waited two lifetimes for those words? Or was it because she had finally realized something... that no matter the past or present life, all he ever wanted was her?

"Fool," her voice was hoarse, "how can you, a mere stable boy, marry me?"

Ah Chao reached out and wiped away the tears on her face.

"Only a servant will strive," he said, "striving to be worthy of the young lady."

Shen Nannan looked at him and suddenly smiled. Her smile was tinged with tears, glistening in her eyes.

"You deserve it all along..."

Ah Chao lowered his head and kissed her. It wasn't the passionate kiss from before; it was gentle, careful, as if afraid of breaking something.

He kissed her for a long time, until her lips were numb, before he pulled away, his forehead pressed against hers, breathing heavily.

"Miss." His voice was terribly hoarse.

"Um."

"You lackeys."

"How long will it take?"

"I don't know." He paused, "but the servant will be quick."

Shen Nannan reached out, cupped his face, and gently stroked his cheekbone with her thumb.

"I'll wait."

She thought to herself,

We've waited two lifetimes, so what's one more?

Ah Chao looked at her, his eyes red and wet. He lowered his head, buried his face in the crook of her neck, tightened his arms, and pulled her into his embrace.

"Nannan," he called her name, his voice muffled.

"Um."

"You are mine."

"Yes, yours."

"This life, and the next life, are all mine."

Shen Nannan smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her face against his chest.

"Yes, they're all yours."

Quiet fell inside the tent. Moonlight filtered through the gaps, casting a thin white line on the floor. The rabbit, who had somehow hopped onto the bed, nestled at their feet, ears drooping, fast asleep.

Shen Nannan closed her eyes, listened to his heartbeat, and slowly fell asleep.

Ah Chao looked down at her; the moonlight fell on her face, making her eyelashes appear distinct.

He reached out and tucked the stray hairs that had fallen across her face behind her ear. His fingertips brushed against her earlobe, and she flinched slightly but didn't wake up.

He lowered his head and placed a very light kiss on her forehead.

"Nannan," he whispered her name, "Wait a little longer. It'll be soon."