Si Nan had just stepped outside when the Grand Princess stopped her.
“My little Si Nan, instead of resting properly, where do you think you’re going~?”
“I want to go see the Third Prince.”
The Grand Princess clicked her tongue.
“He’s perfectly healthy, yet he doesn’t come to see you, the poor little thing who’s injured—and you’re the one running off to see him? That’s ridiculous! Stay in bed. I’ll go have a word with him myself!”
She swept away with imposing momentum.
Si Nan reached out instinctively, afraid the Grand Princess would go cause trouble for Xiahou Jin, but failed to stop her.
Shi Yi hadn’t expected the Grand Princess to interfere either. He stood awkwardly, completely at a loss.
Si Nan started walking toward the door.
“I’ll go see him.”
“Your Highness has already given her orders. If you leave now, she’ll definitely punish this servant.”
Not wanting Shi Yi to be implicated, Si Nan could only sigh helplessly and return to sit on the couch.
Inside the Third Prince’s residence.
The Grand Princess’s personal shadow guard kicked open the gates to the inner courtyard.
Shi Er immediately leaped down from a nearby tree, and the two guards clashed in combat.
Standing outside, the Grand Princess cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted toward the courtyard,
“If you don’t come out this instant, I’ll throw your little Young Master Si out of Yanxi Palace!”
The door that had remained shut for an entire day and night finally opened.
At a single gesture from the Grand Princess, her guard, Chang’an, stopped fighting.
Shi Er did the same.
The Grand Princess looked Xiahou Jin up and down with open fascination.
Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and his face carried the unmistakable exhaustion of someone who hadn’t rested.
“Tsk, tsk. Such a commotion outside and you didn’t even react. Yet the moment I mentioned Young Master Si, you came out immediately. Tsk, tsk.”
Xiahou Jin’s voice was cold and impatient.
“You’re the one who insisted on taking him away.”
“And now, before his injuries have even healed, you’re already throwing him out.”
“Aunt, you’re truly heartless.”
The Grand Princess rolled her eyes.
“Now that’s unfair.”
“The moment Young Master Si heard you hadn’t slept all night, he became worried sick.”
“He insisted on dragging his injured body over to see you.”
“I had to persuade him for quite a while before he finally stayed put.”
She didn’t miss the flicker in Xiahou Jin’s eyes.
The concern that flashed across his face had been pure instinct.
“Go see him.”
“Otherwise he’ll stubbornly come looking for you himself.”
She waved her hand.
“Chang’an. We’re leaving.”
The moment Xiahou Jin stepped into Yanxi Palace alone, the Grand Princess hid nearby, secretly observing.
Inside, Si Nan was too restless to sit still.
She stood anxiously at the entrance, constantly looking outside.
The instant Xiahou Jin appeared in her line of sight, their eyes met.
Time seemed to stand still.
A gentle breeze drifted through the palace carrying the fragrance of blooming red camellias.
The cool air tickled her nose.
“Achoo!”
In the blink of an eye, the elegant, aloof prince was standing before her.
Without a word, he swept her into his arms.
He carried her back inside, gently laid her onto the couch, and carefully tucked the blanket around her.
“You’re sick, yet instead of lying down to rest, you’re wandering around.”
“Si Nan…”
“I truly don’t understand what’s going on in that head of yours.”
His tone was stiff and awkward.
But as Si Nan quietly gazed into the concern hidden within his cold eyes, her own expression softened into something impossibly gentle.
That soft, obedient look melted the walls he’d built around himself.
Silently, Xiahou Jin sighed and adjusted the blanket once more.
“Why did you choose the Grand Princess?”
Si Nan looked back at him.
“Why did you stay awake without eating or sleeping?”
He hadn’t expected her to answer his question with another.
After a brief pause, she lowered her eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
“I still can’t tell you the reason.”
“But if the day ever comes…”
“I promise I’ll explain everything.”
Those large, round eyes remained fixed on him stubbornly, clearly saying:
I answered your question. Now it’s your turn.
Xiahou Jin looked into those clear, beautiful eyes.
For one dangerous moment, he nearly blurted out everything in his heart.
Instead, he simply said,
“There are… some troublesome matters.”
“I haven’t figured out how to deal with them yet.”
The light in Si Nan’s eyes dimmed.
She wasn’t sure what answer she’d wanted to hear.
Only that… it wasn’t this one.
“What’s wrong?”
“Does your wound hurt again?”
Without answering, Si Nan turned over with considerable effort, presenting him only with her back.
She didn’t want to look at him.
“Your Highness…”
“You should go.”
“Go back and get some rest.”
Despite her annoyance, she couldn’t suppress her concern.
Those dark circles beneath his eyes made her heart ache.
She closed her eyes.
She waited.
And waited.
Yet she never heard him leave.
He simply remained seated quietly beside her bed.
A short while later, the Grand Princess entered with several maids carrying fresh medicine.
“Young Master Si.”
“It’s time to change your dressing.”
The maid respectfully placed the medicine tray beside the bed—
Then, to Si Nan’s surprise, everyone quietly left the room.
The Grand Princess smiled brightly.
“My dear nephew, I’ll leave Young General Si in your care.”
“I have other matters to attend to.”
Before Si Nan could refuse, she was already gone.
A terrible feeling crept into Si Nan’s heart.
What was the Grand Princess thinking?
She had deliberately sent everyone away…
…so Xiahou Jin could help apply her medicine?
Had she lost her mind!?
“I can do it myself.”
Xiahou Jin glanced out the window before turning back as though nothing were unusual.
“There’s no need to force yourself.”
“I really can do it myself!”
Besides…
Men and women should avoid unnecessary physical contact.
Her injury was on her shoulder.
Treating it meant exposing too much.
There was no way she could let Xiahou Jin do it.
Ignoring her protest, Xiahou Jin picked up the medicine and reached toward her collar.
Si Nan reacted like a startled kitten.
She instantly clutched her collar shut with both hands, as though protecting her greatest secret.
“You’re guarding yourself against me?”
“N-No…”
“We’re both men.”
“What are you afraid of?”
As he spoke, he leaned closer.
Far too close.
She could almost feel his breath against the tip of her nose.
Those dark eyes remained fixed solely on her.
Within their depths, she could see her own reflection.
Just for that single moment she lost herself…
Her collar was gently pulled open.
She hurriedly covered her chest before anything more could be revealed, but most of one shoulder was already exposed.
Heat flooded her cheeks.
She didn’t even need a mirror to know her face had turned as red as a ripe apple.
Xiahou Jin stared silently at her exposed shoulder.
He didn’t move.
Si Nan became so embarrassed she felt ready to burst into flames.
Unable to endure it anymore, she glared at him with watery eyes.
“Are you going to apply the medicine or not?”
“If not, I’ll do it myself!”
Only then did he seem to come back to himself.
His pupils slowly refocused.
He sprinkled the medicinal powder onto her wound.
“Hah…”
The sharp sting made her squeeze her eyes shut, her brows knitting tightly together.
Xiahou Jin took a deep breath, forcing himself to concentrate.
His movements became noticeably faster.
“It’s done.”
She opened her eyes.
Seeing the moisture clinging to her lashes and those shimmering, tear-bright eyes, Xiahou Jin found himself momentarily distracted once again.
Si Nan hurriedly fixed her clothes before burrowing beneath the blanket in embarrassment.
“You should leave.”
“Your complexion is so terrible that I’ll lose sleep just looking at you.”
“Go back and get some proper rest.”
Xiahou Jin nodded quietly.
“Take good care of your injuries.”
“I’ll be leaving.”
The moment he stepped outside, the Grand Princess was already waiting nearby with a mischievous grin.
“Oh my~”
“It was only changing some medicine.”
“So why are your ears this red?”
“Aunt.”
“I have matters to attend to.”
“Farewell.”
“Oh, don’t be in such a hurry~”
“At least stay for a meal before leaving.”
Watching Xiahou Jin depart, Shi Yi noticed that although his master still looked exhausted, there was finally a trace of color back in his face.
He couldn’t help smiling to himself.
Going to Young Master Si really had been the right decision.
Nearly half a month had passed since the assassination attempt at the victory banquet.
Si Nan’s injuries had completely healed, and she had returned to the General’s Manor.
She hadn’t expected that on the very day she returned, someone would present a calling card.
Li Bo wanted to see her.
…What?
Damn it.
At the banquet she’d secretly observed him.
His expression had remained perfectly normal.
The way he’d looked at her hadn’t changed at all.
She’d assumed he hadn’t recognized her as the female thief from that night.
But now…
Coming to visit her personally…
She couldn’t help overthinking it.
“Show him in.”
Li Bo entered the hall wearing a dark blue robe.
Si Nan instructed the maid to serve tea.
“Young Master Li, your visit truly honors my humble General’s Manor.”
“Please, have a seat.”
Li Bo looked oddly nervous.
“You flatter me, Young Master Si…”
“What brings you here today?”
He looked up at her.
His large, round eyes gave him an almost guileless appearance.
“Your injuries…”
“They’ve healed.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
“I’m relieved to hear that…”
Li Bo produced a small wooden box.
“You were gravely wounded.”
“This thousand-year ginseng replenishes qi and nourishes the blood…”
Si Nan frowned inwardly.
They had never been close.
At best, they were casual acquaintances.
Why would he give her something so valuable?
Could this gift merely be an excuse to test her?
Although her female and male appearances differed greatly…
Her facial features were still the same.
It wouldn’t be impossible for someone to connect the dots.
Seeing the caution in her eyes, Li Bo immediately became flustered.
“I don’t mean anything by it…”
“You were badly hurt.”
“I only wanted to come see how you were doing…”
He gently placed the box containing the thousand-year ginseng onto the table.
“I’ll take my leave.”
Watching him go, Si Nan frowned thoughtfully.
Had he truly come only to deliver a tonic?
Outside the General’s Manor.
A luxurious carriage slowly emerged from a nearby alley.
Shi Yi didn’t dare look behind him.
Inside the carriage, the curtain had been lifted halfway.
His master had watched Li Bo leave the manor.
The concern and obvious reluctance on Li Bo’s face…
The repeated glances he cast back toward the manor…
The lovestruck expression…
All of it made the cold aura radiating from behind Shi Yi so intense that he nearly shivered.
“Your Highness…”
“Are we still going to the General’s Manor?”
Darkness gathered in Xiahou Jin’s eyes.
His jaw tightened.
“…Yes.”
“Young Master!”
“His Highness the Third Prince has come to visit!”
Compared to Li Bo’s visit…
Hearing that Xiahou Jin had arrived filled Si Nan with a happiness she refused to admit.
Xiahou Jin stepped into the hall.
She carefully examined his face.
Seeing that his complexion had improved considerably, she unconsciously smiled.
“Why are you here?”
The cold anger Xiahou Jin had been holding onto quietly melted away.
But remembering the infatuated expression on Li Bo’s face made irritation rise in his chest again.
“He can come.”
“So why can’t I?”
She blinked.
“Did you eat explosives or something?”
His eyes immediately landed on the thousand-year ginseng sitting on the table.
Sensing his mood turn dangerous, Si Nan instantly dashed forward and hugged the ginseng box protectively.
“The ginseng is innocent!”
“Don’t even think about it!”
“It’s only a thousand-year ginseng.”
“There are countless treasures in my residence worth twice as much.”
“I’ll exchange something worth double.”
“This was a gift.”
“You can’t trade away someone else’s sincerity.”
“That’s disrespecting their feelings.”
“So…”
“You treasure his feelings.”
“Very well.”
His face turned cold as he spun around to leave.
Si Nan hurried after him and grabbed his sleeve.
“What exactly is wrong with you now?”
Her voice carried both helplessness and urgency.
Realizing what was happening, Shi Yi tactfully slipped away, leaving the two alone.
Xiahou Jin shook his sleeve free.
“I’m the one being unreasonable?”
“You think I’m making a scene?”
Si Nan hurried around to stand in front of him.
Looking up into his eyes with complete seriousness, she called him by name for the first time, abandoning all formal titles.
“Xiahou Jin…”
“We’re both men.”
He froze where he stood.
It felt as though lightning had struck him.
Women were naturally more perceptive when it came to matters of the heart.
Si Nan had long sensed that Xiahou Jin might harbor feelings for her.
This had merely been a test.
And now…
She had her answer.
A faint crimson slowly spread through Xiahou Jin’s icy eyes.
His voice became colder than ever.
“Young Master Si…”
“Do you think too highly of yourself?”
“I merely looked after you out of respect for the bond between your father, the Great General, and my late master.”
“And you’ve mistaken that for… improper affection?”
Every word cut like a blade.
“Si Nan.”
“I’m a normal man.”
“Even if you’re good-looking…”
“Even if your character is decent…”
“I could never develop that kind of feeling for you.”
His cold gaze settled on her.
“Stop flattering yourself…”
“Young Master Si.”