"You're such a worry..." she whispered reproachfully, her tone carrying a softness she herself didn't realize. She forced herself not to think about his possessive face, instead pondering how he had managed to escape to come here. How was the case in Jiangnan going? He... looked travel-worn and exhausted?

Just as I was lost in thought, there was a very faint "tap" sound outside the window, like a leaf being blown off the windowsill by the wind.

Shen Yuewei's heart leaped! Chun Tao was sleeping in the outer room, and Zhang Mama and the others were downstairs... That sound...

Almost simultaneously, a dark figure appeared silently in front of her tightly closed door, as if blending into the night. There was no knocking, no calling, just a quiet presence. Through the thin door panel, an invisible, heavy, and familiar sense of oppression permeated the air.

Shen Yuewei held her breath instantly. It was him! He was back!

She wanted to rebuke, to call for help, but her throat felt blocked, and she couldn't make a sound. She could even clearly feel the heavy, suppressed breathing of the person outside the door—a restlessness that had been forcibly suppressed during the day but could no longer be hidden in the quiet night.

Time seemed to stand still. The candlelight inside flickered, casting her shadow on the door. The figure outside remained motionless, like a cold stone sculpture, only her heavy breathing revealing the turbulent emotions beneath.

Shen Yuewei's palms were sweating, and the composure she had forced during the day seemed pale now. She didn't know what he wanted. Was he here to interrogate her? Or...?

Just when her nerves were stretched to the limit, the door was silently pushed open by an irresistible force!

Xiao Chengjing's tall figure blocked the doorway, the dim candlelight inside outlining the cold, hard lines of his profile. He was still wearing that black outfit, the night dew soaking his shoulders, his hair slightly disheveled. The royal dignity he had deliberately maintained during the day was gone, leaving only a wild, weary feeling, tormented by jealousy and some deeper emotion, and... stubbornness.

His gaze, like a tangible hook, instantly seized Shen Yuewei on the bed. She wore a loose nightgown, her long hair flowing freely, her figure plump and radiant with the glow of her pregnancy. In the warm candlelight, she exuded a fragile yet breathtakingly beautiful softness.

This scene, even more direct and intimate than the image of her standing with Manager Wang during the day, struck Xiao Chengjing's nerves! The anger that had been building up during the day, the embarrassment of being rejected, and the searing bitterness in his heart were magnified to the extreme at this moment!

He stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. His movements were so fast that Shen Yuewei had no time to react.

"Your Highness..." She had barely uttered a word when her chin was suddenly seized by a large hand, cool with night dew and calloused.

The force was considerable, carrying an undeniable sense of control and punishment, forcing her to raise her head and meet his unfathomable eyes, which, in the candlelight, seemed to be churning with a terrifying storm.

“Shen Yuewei,” his voice was low and hoarse, each word seemingly ground out from between his teeth, carrying a strong smell of alcohol (Shen Yuewei only then noticed the faint scent of alcohol on him) and an even stronger… jealousy, “Are you in such a hurry? One shopkeeper isn’t enough, how many more men do you want to seduce for you? Hmm?”

His hot breath splattered on her face, mingled with the smell of alcohol and a strong sense of masculine aggression. The word "seduce" pierced Shen Yuewei's heart like a poisoned needle!

"What nonsense are you spouting!" Shen Yuewei was both shocked and furious, struggling to break free from his grip, but the difference in strength was too great. "Let me go! Xiao Chengjing, what's wrong with you! Manager Wang is just the shop manager, I have nothing to do with him!"