Xiahou Jin laughed in exasperation. He had never met someone so shameless.
And yet, faced with Sinan’s defenseless, soft, and adorably clingy drunken state, he simply couldn’t bring himself to be harsh. He didn’t even realize how intimate their posture had become, nor how gentle his voice sounded.
It was almost the tone one would use to coax a child.
“Sinan, you’re drunk. Stop fooling around.”
“Hehehe~ Me? Fooling around? I’m such a serious person! If you accuse me like that… then… then I can’t just let you slander me!”
That innocent, lively face leaned straight toward his without the slightest hesitation.
Xiahou Jin’s breathing hitched. The hand supporting Sinan’s back unconsciously clenched into a fist.
Surely… Sinan wasn’t actually going to kiss him?
They were both men. How could that…
His thoughts were in complete turmoil, yet he made no attempt to dodge.
His gaze drifted away from those beautiful amber eyes and landed, inexplicably, on Sinan’s rosy lips. They were as delicate and enticing as flower petals, as soft and vivid as a woman’s, inviting anyone to steal a taste.
Sinan… is far too beautiful…
His mind went blank as he slowly closed his eyes.
The faint fragrance lingering before his lips suddenly retreated. A heavy weight dropped onto his shoulder, instantly bringing him back to his senses.
Sighing inwardly, Xiahou Jin slipped an arm around Sinan’s waist and lifted him into his arms. Only then did he realize just how slender the waist hidden beneath those loose robes really was.
He could encircle it with one hand.
Can a man’s waist really be this slim?
The door opened.
The guards took one look before hurriedly lowering their heads, standing as stiff as wooden statues.
What had they just witnessed?
Their Third Prince—who never allowed anyone to touch him—was carrying Young Master Si in his arms with remarkable gentleness, without the slightest trace of impatience.
Shou Er, the shadow guard who had served Xiahou Jin for over ten years, asked in astonishment,
“Your Highness, what about the people inside? Weren’t we here to settle accounts with them?”
No answer came.
The man ahead never even slowed his pace.
The guards silently followed.
Inside the lavish carriage, Xiahou Jin carefully laid Sinan onto a thick, furry cushion before moving to sit on the opposite side.
The carriage rolled forward steadily.
The drunken man lying on the cushion whimpered uncomfortably.
Already uncomfortable with having someone invade his personal space, Xiahou Jin found the soft, kitten-like sounds oddly irritating… and strangely distracting.
Looking down, he saw Sinan sprawled across the cushion. Half of his palm-sized, exquisitely beautiful face was buried in the fur. A few strands of black hair tickled his nose while his pink lips pouted in sleepy dissatisfaction, making him look almost…
…adorable.
Adorable?
Xiahou Jin curled his lips coldly.
He had actually described the notorious playboy Sinan as adorable.
He really must have lost his mind.
Another soft, sweet murmur escaped those tempting lips.
The voice was completely different from Sinan’s usual slightly husky youthful tone.
He had noticed it earlier in the private room.
Not only did drunk Sinan behave differently, even his voice became soft and delicate.
This spoiled, pampered version of him was far more likable than his usual self. Otherwise, Xiahou Jin would never have behaved so strangely tonight.
Could it be…
Had Sinan been pretending all along?
“…Feels awful…”
His thoughts were interrupted.
Seeing Sinan clutch his stomach, Xiahou Jin immediately warned him,
“Sinan, you’re not allowed to throw up. If you dare vomit in my carriage, I’ll throw you out right now.”
The moment the words left his mouth, Sinan looked up with watery, glistening eyes full of grievance.
“Y-You yelled at me…”
“…”
Xiahou Jin had never been left speechless like this.
This was his carriage.
He was the prince.
Yet somehow, confronted by this tiny, kitten-like drunk whose anger carried absolutely no intimidation whatsoever—only made him seem even cuter—Xiahou Jin instinctively felt as though he was the one at fault.
Sinan angrily climbed to his feet.
Just then, the carriage jolted unexpectedly.
His slender body swayed before toppling straight toward Xiahou Jin.
Without thinking, Xiahou Jin caught him securely.
The person in his arms immediately began pounding tiny fists against his chest.
It didn’t hurt.
It merely made something itch inside him.
He caught Sinan’s wrists.
His hands… are so small…
His large palm completely enveloped them.
His fingertips brushed smooth, delicate skin.
So soft…
Almost unconsciously, his grip tightened.
Sinan struggled unhappily.
Letting out a slow breath, Xiahou Jin loosened his hold.
But instead of moving away, Sinan adjusted himself into an even more comfortable position, curling up in Xiahou Jin’s embrace.
Resting his head against Xiahou Jin’s chest, he wrapped both arms around the prince’s waist affectionately.
Looking down, Xiahou Jin saw the discomfort had disappeared from Sinan’s face.
His brows were relaxed.
The corners of his lips curled upward.
He looked exactly like a kitten that had just stolen cream and was thoroughly satisfied.
Forget it.
I’ll let him stay like this.
Just this once.
The carriage came to a stop.
A guard announced from outside,
“Your Highness, we’ve arrived at the General’s Residence.”
Looking down at the sleeping figure, Xiahou Jin spoke softly,
“Sinan. We’re here.”
Outside, Shou Yi’s eyes widened.
Was this really his Third Prince?
The aloof, dignified prince who resembled untouched mountain snow?
This was the first time he had ever heard His Highness speak to anyone so gently.
If Young Master Si weren’t a man…
He would have thought the prince had found himself a future wife.
Sinan remained sound asleep, completely ignoring him.
Frowning slightly, Xiahou Jin tried again.
“Sinan. Wake up.”
Still no response.
He reached out, intending to pat Sinan’s face awake.
But just before his hand landed…
His strength mysteriously disappeared.
Instead, he gently pinched the soft baby fat on Sinan’s cheek.
The sensation was unexpectedly pleasant.
Without realizing it, he pinched it twice more.
His sleeping victim frowned slightly, looking pitifully adorable, then burrowed even deeper into Xiahou Jin’s chest as though trying to hide from the disturbance.
For some reason…
Xiahou Jin found himself in an unusually good mood.
The icy frost in his eyes quietly melted.
Forget it.
I’ll let him sleep a little longer.
Outside, seeing no movement, Shou Yi quietly resumed his post without another word.
Sinan slept exceptionally well.
When she finally woke, her nose was still filled with the refreshing scent of cold plum blossoms.
Then memories suddenly flooded back into her mind all at once, making her head ache.
Closing her eyes, she took a moment to recover.
Then realization struck.
“Ahhh—!!”
She shoved Xiahou Jin away with all her strength.
His embrace instantly became empty.
Looking at Sinan scrambling frantically to the opposite side of the carriage while hugging herself defensively, glaring at him with obvious vigilance, Xiahou Jin felt inexplicably irritated.
Does she really dislike me that much?
Sinan never imagined that getting drunk once would somehow end with her tangled up with the icy Xiahou Jin.
Her clothes were intact.
Xiahou Jin looked perfectly normal.
Good.
Her identity hadn’t been exposed.
Lifting the curtain and seeing the General’s Residence, she awkwardly muttered a quick “Thank you” before jumping out of the carriage as though wolves were chasing her.
Xiahou Jin’s frown deepened.
Am I some kind of terrifying beast?
Before he could sort out why he was feeling this way, the residence gates opened.
A graceful, elegantly dressed middle-aged woman stepped outside.
The moment Sinan saw her, she shrank her neck like a mouse meeting a cat.
Although Xiahou Jin had never revealed his martial prowess publicly, his skills ranked among the very best in the Kingdom of Qian.
With hearing sharpened by years of cultivation, every word exchanged between mother and daughter reached his ears effortlessly.
Shou Yi wisely refrained from driving the carriage away.
“Mother…”
“You brat! Think you’re all grown up now? Why didn’t you just wait until dawn to come home? Do you know what time it is?”
“Mother, I didn’t mean to… I accidentally got drunk…”
“What?! You got drunk?!”
“Mother! I’m fine!”
Knowing her mother was worried her female identity might have been exposed, Sinan hurriedly reassured her.
Lady Li glanced toward the luxurious carriage outside before lowering her voice.
“Whose carriage is that?”
“The Third Prince’s.”
“The Third Prince?”
The change in her mother’s tone caught Sinan off guard.
Why did she sound…
…excited?
“You spent the evening with His Highness?”
“…More or less.”
Lady Li’s eyes immediately brightened.
She smiled and tapped Sinan lightly on the forehead.
“You silly child. You’re impossible once you’re drunk. It was kind enough of His Highness not to blame you, and he even brought you home. How could you be so rude? You should at least invite him in for a cup of tea.”
“Huh?”
Sinan stared blankly in disbelief.
Before she could react, Lady Li had already walked toward the carriage.
The curtain lifted.
A tall, elegant man stepped down gracefully.
His bearing was as refined and untouchable as snow atop a mountain peak.
Sinan’s eyes grew even wider.
Why is he actually getting out?!
She knew Xiahou Jin well enough.
He hated empty formalities.
He never attended banquets or lively gatherings.
He disliked visiting other people’s homes.
Her mother had only been making a polite invitation.
Why was he actually accepting it?!
Even Xiahou Jin wasn’t sure what had gotten into him.
He could have left immediately after delivering Sinan home.
He disliked unnecessary entanglements more than anything.
Yet seeing the obvious reluctance on Sinan’s face awakened a rare mischievous streak.
Precisely because she didn’t want him to come…
He decided he would.
Walking toward the General’s Residence, he caught sight of Sinan’s wonderfully expressive face.
His mood immediately improved.
As he passed her, he deliberately met her gaze.
There was unmistakable provocation in his eyes.
Behind him came the sound of Sinan stamping her foot in frustration.
The smile at the corner of Xiahou Jin’s lips widened.
Only after noticing Lady Li’s inquisitive glance did he suppress it, returning to his usual cold, distant expression filled with the natural authority of royalty.
Lady Li appeared completely unfazed.
With a gentle smile, she called,
“Nannan! Hurry and come inside!”
Nannan?
Xiahou Jin silently repeated the nickname.
So that was Sinan’s childhood name?
“Nannan…”
He had heard girls being nicknamed Nian Nian before. Though pronounced similarly, calling a man “Nannan” somehow felt…
…rather unsuitable.
It suited him, though.
Delicate.
Pampered.
How could the son of the mighty Great General seem so… soft, almost like a young lady?
Lady Li invited Xiahou Jin to the seat of honor and had servants bring the finest tea.
As a maid presented the tea, Lady Li shot Sinan a meaningful look.
“Nannan, aren’t you going to properly thank His Highness?”
Sinan pulled a miserable face.
She had already thanked him in the carriage.
Making her humble herself before Xiahou Jin again was simply too embarrassing.
“You child. When you were little, His Highness even carried you in his arms. He used to bring you your favorite lotus pastries all the time. You…”
“Mother, when did I ever—”
A cool, clear voice interrupted her.
“Shimu, those childhood matters are hardly worth mentioning now.”
“…Shimu?!”
Sinan froze in disbelief.
Surely she had misheard.
How could Xiahou Jin possibly have just called her mother Shimu—Master’s Wife?