Song Xingzhi didn't overthink it – he actually admired this brother Zhang San quite a bit. To dare openly provoke the mountain bandits of Jiu Lan Mountain, who had already listed him as their primary target for elimination.
Though young in age, his courage was substantial.
Song Xingzhi quite fancied this young brother.
Besides, if he didn't take Zhang San, he couldn't very well let the Prince carry him. Duan Wang had always kept strangers at arm's length, disliking others' touch.
"Hurry up, don't waste time."
Seeing Zhang San hesitate, Song Xingzhi feared the Prince might get angry at their dawdling and quickly urged him on.
Song Xingzhi's hands were beautiful – bony and clean. His eyes were clear, dressed in black brocade robes, his high ponytail giving off strong youthful vibes.
Whatever, since Zhou Jin wasn't making a move, he couldn't let Song Xingzhi be embarrassed.
When someone kindly offers to take you, refusing would make future interactions awkward.
Just as Xu Bao'er was about to place her hand in Song Xingzhi's, suddenly her waist tightened as someone hauled her onto the horse.
The familiar scent of ebony agarwood and the overly intimate distance made Xu Bao'er involuntarily recall that night.
Brutal, fierce, and rude.
The frosty Zhou Jin had seemed like a different person that night, practically insatiable in his demands.
"Sit steady."
Zhou Jin tugged the reins, spurred the horse with his legs, and took the lead.
Song Xingzhi's eyes widened in disbelief as he watched his Prince's retreating figure.
Heavens, could capturing mountain bandits really make one so favored by the Prince?
Zhang San actually got to enjoy the privilege of sharing a horse with the Prince – Song Xingzhi was envious. After all these years following the Prince, he'd never been that intimate.
Looks like he'd have to step up his performance in the battle against the Jiu Lan Mountain bandits.
Since Jiu Lan Mountain was located in rugged terrain, the path was strewn with rocks, making the journey exceptionally bumpy.
Xu Bao'er leaned against Zhou Jin's chest, her ears burning red. Only now did she truly realize the difference in their physiques.
Zhou Jin was tall and broad-shouldered, easily enveloping Xu Bao'er completely in his embrace.
His arm muscles were well-defined, full of powerful beauty, the veins visible in his hands gripping the reins – large and strong hands.
With his scorching breath, Xu Bao'er felt her neck grow warm, her thoughts already wandering far away.
She still remembered that night's burning breath.
The deep, panting sounds.
Those large palms, firmly clasping her slender hands, fingers tightly interlocked. Zhou Jin was quite skilled at serving others – he had potential as a male concubine.
"What are you thinking about?"
Zhou Jin looked down to see Zhang San's fiercely blushing face, unaware that in the other's mind he was being considered as a male concubine.
So shy now – how dare she reach for Song Xingzhi's hand earlier?
Thinking this, Zhou Jin's eyes darkened as he deliberately tightened the reins, forcing Xu Bao'er to shrink completely into his embrace.
A small bundle, like a kitten.
The close proximity wasn't comfortable for Zhou Jin either. This woman who called herself Zhang San carried a pleasant jasmine scent – fresh and elegant.
Her skin was fair, her body soft.
With every jolt of the horse, she rubbed against him.
Zhou Jin began to regret pulling this scheming woman onto his horse – it was truly distracting.
The Jiu Lan Mountain bandits were unusually quiet – there must be something unusual going on. Zhou Jin felt his previous strategy of holding position to disrupt the enemy had achieved its purpose.
Looks like it was time to reel in the net – he'd already identified the mole among the officials.
"Let's go, we're heading back."
Zhou Jin reined his horse to turn back, noticing Xu Bao'er looked unwell, her small face flushed crimson as she seemed dizzy.
"What's wrong?"
Zhou Jin halted his horse, asking with concern.
"Perhaps I'm not accustomed to riding yet—it's making me uncomfortable."
So delicate? Song Xingzhi feared his prince might kick Zhang San off the horse any moment. He'd always despised frail men lacking masculinity.
Zhou Jin slowed their pace. Such a delicate little thing, yet she insisted on coming along.
"Shall we visit the physician?"
"No, that won't be necessary."
Xu Bao'er quickly declined, aware her condition stemmed from recent exhaustion. If a physician discovered her pregnancy, how could the charade continue?
"Resting at home will suffice. It's nothing serious, and I'd rather avoid becoming a laughingstock."
Xu Bao'er felt utterly drained, her body limp as jade-like fingers casually brushed against Zhou Jin's hand—pale against dark, soft as boneless silk.
Zhou Jin felt he was holding a hot potato—troublesome yet unavoidable.
What a nuisance.
Back at the estate, Xu Bao'er slumped over the horse saddle, completely spent.
Zhou Jin dismounted, encircled Xu Bao'er's waist, and lifted her down. Her arms wound around his neck, head resting against his shoulder.
The intimacy was staggering.
This scene astonished Song Xingzhi. Heavens, the prince was carrying a man in his arms! When comrades were injured before, he'd always slung them over his shoulder.
How peculiar—it looked exactly like he was carrying a woman.
While Song Xingzhi puzzled over this, Zhou Jin strode away with Xu Bao'er, vanishing from sight.
"Still unwell?" Zhou Jin settled Xu Bao'er in her chamber, propping a pillow behind her.
This brute could be quite tender when not provoked. If only he'd remain this agreeable after discovering she was Xu Bao'er. Any normal man would rage after being deceived in marriage. Xu Bao'er didn't particularly care—she just needed to complete her mission. Whatever Zhou Jin thought, she'd hook him first.
"Still uncomfortable."
Xu Bao'er whimpered pitifully, though mostly feigning—she'd long recovered.
"Then I'll summon the physician."
As Zhou Jin rose to call for help, Xu Bao'er wrapped her arms around his waist.
"I just want Your Highness to stay with me."
Xu Bao'er gazed up at him with dewy eyes, bewitching as a siren.
"Without proper standing or justification, please maintain decorum."
Zhou Jin peeled her hands away and swiftly departed. With Zhang San's identity still unclear—her true name and background unknown—this person couldn't be trusted lightly.
"Your Highness."
Once the door closed, the mournful Xu Bao'er sat upright, playfully adjusting her pillow.
It seemed Zhou Jin was slightly moved. She needed to intensify her efforts.
Her bottom still ached from the saddle earlier.
In the study, incense coiled through the air.
Song Xingzhi entered to find Zhou Jin reviewing documents. The prince's ink-black hair was noticeably damp, cascading over his shoulders with lazy arrogance.
Why would His Highness bathe in broad daylight? Ah, probably fastidious about cleanliness.
Song Xingzhi detailed the spy situation, but noticed the prince seemed disinterested, almost displeased.
Had he offended His Highness somehow?
"By the way, where did the maids discard that Peace Buckle from this morning?"
Song Xingzhi hadn't expected the prince to suddenly ask him about this matter. Could it be that the prince had discovered he secretly kept the Peace Buckle? That couldn't be.
Should he lie? But he had never lied to the prince before.
"Don't you remember?"
Song Xingzhi walked to the prince's desk and took out the Peace Buckle he had kept in his robe.
"Your Highness, I thought this Peace Buckle was quite exquisite, with your courtesy name engraved on the bead. I was afraid it might fall into the wrong hands if discarded, so I took the liberty of keeping it. I beg for your punishment."