The first thing that greeted her wasn’t the cold, hard ground, but a broad, cool embrace that somehow made her feel safe.
Without even looking, Si Nan knew who had caught her.
She had thought that after Xiahou Jin began keeping his distance and acting as though they were strangers, he would no longer care about her. Yet, at the critical moment, he had rushed forward and caught her.
His usually calm, icy voice lost its composure.
“Si Nan!”
The assassins were subdued. The one who had struck her bit down on poison and killed himself the next second. The chaotic scene finally settled.
The Emperor hurriedly ordered, “Summon the Imperial Physician at once!”
Since childhood, Si Nan had rarely been injured. The only wounds she’d ever suffered were when Li Bo had struck her with a hidden weapon, and now this. This was the first time she had ever been so seriously hurt.
She could only hope that risking her life to shield the Emperor would soften His Majesty’s heart, even a little.
But…
Her shoulder hurt so much.
Cool fingertips brushed the corner of her eye as a gentle yet anxious voice soothed her.
“The Imperial Physician will be here soon. Don’t cry. Don’t be afraid. You’ll be alright.”
Only then did she realize she’d been crying from the pain.
How embarrassing…
What a disgrace to the General’s Manor.
Then, through the haze clouding her mind, a terrifying thought surfaced.
The Imperial Physician!?
No—she couldn’t let the Imperial Physician examine her!
Seeing the pale young man struggling weakly in his arms, Xiahou Jin frowned as she repeatedly protested.
“Don’t call the Imperial Physician… I’m fine… It’s just a small wound. I’ll return to the General’s Manor…”
His icy eyes darkened.
At a time like this, she was still being stubborn.
“Your injuries are severe. You must be treated immediately! Si Nan, this is no time to throw a tantrum!”
From above, the Emperor quietly watched the scene unfold.
In all these years, he had never seen his third son speak so sharply or lose his composure like this. It was the first time he had seen the ever-calm Xiahou Jin reveal such obvious anxiety.
It seemed the two truly shared a close bond.
But Si Nan refused to yield.
“No. You absolutely cannot summon the Imperial Physician! I want to go back to the General’s Manor!”
As the two argued, a palace attendant announced loudly,
“Her Highness the Grand Princess has arrived!”
Grand Princess Xiahou Yanxi swept into the hall in a brilliant crimson gown, its long train trailing elegantly behind her.
Her silky black hair flowed freely to her waist, adorned only by a fiery red peony tucked behind one ear. Her exquisitely beautiful face balanced seductive allure with heroic elegance, the two contrasting qualities blending together without the slightest discord.
Her slightly narrowed, enchanting eyes resembled those of a hunter patiently waiting for the perfect moment to spring her trap.
The moment she entered, her scarlet lips curled into an amused smile.
“My, what a lively scene. Who’s so bold as to cause trouble before His Majesty?”
Her cool, beautiful gaze landed on Si Nan and Xiahou Jin, flickering between them before she clicked her tongue softly and sauntered over.
When she drew near, she heard Si Nan repeatedly refusing the Imperial Physician. Her eyes lingered on Si Nan’s delicate features, and for a brief moment, she seemed lost in thought.
“That badly injured?”
Si Nan had rarely interacted with the Grand Princess. She had only heard the rumors—that the princess had a sharp tongue, a colder heart, and never formed close relationships with anyone. She certainly wasn’t someone who showed concern for others.
So the princess’s sudden concern only made Si Nan more confused and wary.
Without warning, Xiahou Yanxi leaned close to whisper in her ear—
Only to have a moon-white sleeve intercept her path.
She looked up at Xiahou Jin, who had blocked her with unmistakable caution, and amusement sparkled in her eyes.
So her aloof nephew could actually care this much about someone.
That was unexpected.
“My dear nephew,” she teased, “I’m your aunt. Is there really a need to guard against me like this?”
Xiahou Jin slowly lowered his arm.
Chuckling, she continued,
“My dear nephew, I have a few private words for the young general. Why don’t you step aside for a moment?”
His brows sank, an unmistakable chill radiating from him.
She turned toward Si Nan instead.
“I have something to tell you. A secret. Tell my dear nephew to move away. I’ll only say it to you.”
Meeting those alluring eyes, Si Nan felt an inexplicable sense that the woman could see straight through her.
Perhaps it was a woman’s intuition.
“Your Highness,” she said softly to Xiahou Jin, “please step aside.”
He looked at her in surprise.
She was actually asking him to leave?
Could it be that she shared some secret with the Grand Princess that he knew nothing about?
After a brief silence, he finally released her.
For some reason, Si Nan thought she caught a trace of grievance in his expression.
“Don’t worry, Your Highness… I’ll be alright…”
He stepped back while Si Nan, pale as paper, swayed unsteadily.
“Grand Princess… you may speak now…”
Xiahou Yanxi leaned close, her breath warm against Si Nan’s ear.
Her voice was soft as a whisper.
“I know you’re a woman.”
In an instant, Si Nan’s entire body turned ice-cold.
Seeing her reaction, the Grand Princess laughed even harder.
“My, you’re easy to fool. I only wanted to test your reaction, and you confessed everything without saying a word.”
The little color left in Si Nan’s face vanished completely.
It felt as though the sky had collapsed.
“Don’t be afraid,” Xiahou Yanxi said with a smile. “If I intended to expose you, I wouldn’t have sent my nephew away.”
Si Nan looked at her with forced composure, fear filling her eyes.
What exactly did this woman want?
“Come with me. I’ll have my own trusted physician treat your injuries. Your secret won’t be exposed.”
Turning toward Xiahou Jin, she smiled brilliantly.
“We’re finished talking. I’ll be taking her.”
Before she could finish, Xiahou Jin flashed forward like the wind, catching Si Nan just as she started to collapse.
His gaze toward the Grand Princess was cold enough to freeze.
“You are not taking her.”
“But she’s already agreed. If you don’t believe me, ask her yourself. Will she go with you… or with me?”
Unable to meet his eyes, Si Nan lowered her head.
“I’ll go with the Grand Princess.”
The hand gripping her shoulder slowly loosened.
His deep voice was colder than she’d ever heard before.
“Very well… very well.”
For some reason, those simple words made Si Nan’s heart ache unbearably.
The Grand Princess signaled for her female official to carry Si Nan.
“Your Majesty, I’ll take her back to my palace for treatment.”
Without waiting for the Emperor’s reply, she departed with Si Nan.
At last, Si Nan could finally relax.
The moment the tension left her body, darkness claimed her.
When she awoke again, a female physician was sitting beside her bed.
“You’re awake. I’ll inform Her Highness immediately.”
Lying in bed, Si Nan glanced around.
The palace chamber was unfamiliar, though every decoration was dominated by crimson, a style so distinctive that anyone would immediately think of the breathtaking Grand Princess.
What was her true purpose?
There wasn’t a single member of the imperial family who was harmless.
If someone claimed the Grand Princess had saved her out of pure kindness, Si Nan simply couldn’t believe it.
Xiahou Yanxi arrived quickly, walking with graceful, unhurried elegance.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
“Pfft—”
The Grand Princess burst into laughter, nearly doubling over.
Gone was the aloof, seductive beauty from before.
Now she looked more like a warm older sister from next door.
“Am I really that frightening?”
She dismissed every attendant from the room.
“Relax. I won’t harm you, nor will I blackmail you into doing anything for me.”
Seeing Si Nan’s confusion, the princess smiled mischievously.
“It’s your elder brother who caught my eye.”
Si Nan’s eyes flew open.
What!?
Her brother!?
Had the Grand Princess… actually taken a liking to him?
Rumor had it that the Grand Princess adored handsome men. She kept dozens of beautiful men within her palace, and any man who caught her fancy would eventually be brought into her collection.
Her brother…
There was no way he would willingly become one of them.
If the Grand Princess truly set her sights on him, she was bound to be disappointed.
“Your Highness… my brother believes in spending his life with one woman only.”
“I merely said your brother is handsome.”
Xiahou Yanxi pinched her cheek playfully.
“And you’ve already imagined this entire story.”
“You really are innocent.”
“No wonder my nephew—who’s never shown interest in women—treats you differently.”
“You misunderstand,” Si Nan hurriedly explained. “His Highness and I aren’t even friends.”
“Oh?”
“When you were injured, he panicked more than anyone.”
“I’ve never seen him care this much about another person.”
“You can say you’re only friends if you like.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“He doesn’t know I’m a woman.”
“How could two men possibly have those kinds of feelings for each other?”
The Grand Princess smiled knowingly.
“Not necessarily.”
“Haven’t you heard the old tales of duanxiu?”
“Who says two men can’t fall in love?”
“You wanted to know why I helped you, didn’t you?”
Si Nan looked at her in confusion.
“I think it would be far too boring if my nephew learned you’re a woman so soon.”
“I’d much rather see whether, without ever knowing your true identity…”
“…he chooses to face his own heart…”
“…or not.”
“Your Highness, you’ve truly misunderstood,” Si Nan insisted.
“The Third Prince doesn’t have those feelings for me.”
“Shh…”
The Grand Princess pressed a finger lightly to her lips.
“I’ll judge that for myself.”
“This little drama has already made me far too curious.”
“I simply have to see how it ends.”
After instructing Si Nan to rest and recover, the Grand Princess left, leaving her alone in the vast, quiet chamber.
Si Nan couldn’t stop thinking about the look in Xiahou Jin’s eyes before she left—
The hurt.
The disappointment.
The disbelief.
It made her chest tighten painfully.
She wondered what he was doing now.
“Your Highness, the Grand Princess has sent word. Young Master Si’s condition has stabilized. His life is no longer in danger.”
Separated by the heavy door, Shi Yi reported quietly.
From inside came only a single, indifferent response.
“I know.”
Shi Yi sighed before silently disappearing back into the shadows.
Shi Er looked puzzled.
“Didn’t His Highness think highly of Young Master Si? Why does he sound so… indifferent after such serious injuries?”
Shi Yi rolled his eyes.
“I called you slow before, and you really are.”
“His Highness is angry.”
“Tell me—did Young Master Si ever have any dealings with the Grand Princess?”
“No.”
“We investigated.”
“They’ve never had any contact, publicly or privately.”
“Exactly.”
“And yet, after being gravely wounded, Young Master Si chose to go with the Grand Princess instead.”
“So?”
Shi Yi sighed.
“His Highness has helped him time and time again.”
“But in the end…”
“He trusted a complete stranger more than the prince who had always stood by him.”
“How could His Highness not be hurt?”
Shi Er finally understood.
“That’s too much!”
“Young Master Si doesn’t deserve His Highness’s special treatment!”
Shi Yi could only rub his forehead.
“Whether he’s worth it or not…”
“…is for His Highness to decide.”
Shi Er snorted confidently.
“Our master won’t tolerate this.”
“After this, he definitely won’t look after Young Master Si anymore.”
“Even if Young Master Si begs for help in the future, His Highness won’t lift a finger.”
Realizing it was impossible to reason with him, Shi Yi simply stopped talking.
Xiahou Jin locked himself inside his room.
For an entire day, he neither ate nor drank.
Outside, perched on a large tree, Shi Yi and Shi Er exchanged worried glances.
“If this keeps up, even His Highness’s body won’t withstand it.”
“Why don’t you ask if he’d like something to eat?”
“You ask.”
Shi Er jumped down from the tree and knocked.
“Your Highness, would you like your meal served?”
“No.”
Defeated, Shi Er returned.
After thinking for a while, Shi Yi finally made up his mind.
“You stay here.”
“I’ll be back.”
“Who’s there?”
The moment Si Nan sensed a powerful presence enter the room, she became instantly alert.
A figure stepped into the candlelight.
She stared in surprise.
“Shi Yi?”
“Young Master Si.”
“Since returning, His Highness hasn’t taken a single drop of water.”
“He hasn’t slept all night.”
“If this continues, even his health won’t endure it.”
“You’re his friend.”
“If anyone can persuade him, it’s you.”
Ignoring the pain, Si Nan immediately pushed herself upright.
“How can he treat his body so carelessly?”
“Young Master Si, your injuries—”
“I’m fine.”
“They’re healing well.”
“I can walk.”
She made it sound convincing.
In truth, she was forcing herself through the pain.
At that moment, her worry for Xiahou Jin far outweighed the agony of her own wounds.