Because you like her!

These words from Eldest Princess Changrong kept echoing in Chi Can’s mind, making his whole body shudder.

How could he like a thirteen or fourteen-year-old little girl?

No, absolutely not!

Eldest Princess Changrong looked deeply at her son, picked up a grape to eat, wiped the corner of her mouth, and said unhurriedly: “Speaking of which, you’ve reached marriageable age.”

Chi Can suddenly snapped back to attention. Looking at his mother, whose emotions were hard to read, he secretly took a breath and said casually: “Mother is joking. Your son currently has no thoughts of marriage, nor does he… like anyone.”

Eldest Princess Changrong chuckled softly: “A mother knows her son best—you needn’t make excuses.”

Make excuses?

Chi Can’s heart grew cold.

What kind of mother accuses her son of making excuses?

He suddenly felt somewhat disheartened and said coolly: “Think whatever Mother wishes.”

“Heh.” Eldest Princess Changrong smiled, stroking her fingers painted with bright red nail polish, and said leisurely, “Can’er, remember this—I don’t approve of that girl. So, whether you admit to liking her or not, I won’t agree to her entering this household.”

Chi Can said nothing and turned to leave.

“Stop!”

Chi Can’s steps halted.

“You’ve grown up, so your sweetheart is more important than your mother?”

Chi Can slowly turn around, helpless and pained, secretly taking a breath: “Mother, you’re overthinking.”

After speaking, he lifted his feet and left.

The azure translucent gauze curtains swayed gently with his departure. Female official Dongyu said carefully: “Your Highness—”

“Get out!” Eldest Princess Changrong swept her hand, overturning the crystal plate. The crystal-clear peeled grapes were scattered everywhere.

Female official Dongyu secretly sighed and silently withdrew.

Chi Can stood by the water in a daze.

Dongyu walked over and said softly, “Young Master.”

Facing Dongyu, Chi Can’s expression softened slightly: “Aunt Dongyu.”

“Don’t blame Her Highness. Though she says such things with her mouth, her heart doesn’t think this way.”

Chi Can’s gaze fell on the lake surface as he said coolly: “I know.”

After a moment of silence, he asked: “But Mother saying she doesn’t like Third Miss Li—that’s sincere, isn’t it?”

After a long while, Dongyu sighed softly: “Young Master knows that what Her Highness the Princess dislikes most are women of humble birth.”

Chi Can felt irritated and kicked a pebble into the lake.

With a thunk, the lake water rippled outward in circles.

He turned and left.

“Where is Young Master going?”

“To drink!”

Chi Can left the Princess’s residence, mounted his horse, and headed straight for Chunfeng Tavern.

“Your general isn’t here?”

“No, the general returned to his residence.”

Chi Can found this quite strange: “Returned to his residence?”

The personal guard quickly explained: “To Marquis Guanjun’s residence. Our general’s brother-in-law is staying there and is currently ill. The general was worried, so he went back.”

“Damn!” Chi Can punched the wall hard.

He couldn’t even find someone to drink with—how was he so unlucky today!

“Young Master Chi, should this humble servant go inform the general?”

“No need. Go invite Young Master Zhu and Young Master Yang here.”

“Yes.”

By the time Zhu Yàn and Yang Houcheng arrived, Chi Can was already dead drunk.

His drinking behavior was still decent, though his cheeks were flushed red and his mind was unclear; he wasn’t making noise. He just lay quietly on the table, half-opening his eyes to count: “One stalk, two stalks, three stalks…”

Zhu Yàn and Yang Houcheng looked at each other.

Shixi rarely got drunk—what happened today?

“Shixi, what are you counting?”

Chi Can half-lifted his head, his gaze hazy, honestly telling his friend: “Shh, don’t disturb me. I’m counting cabbages.”

“Why count cabbages?” Yang Houcheng asked with a smile.

“I need to count clearly to see which cabbage is mine.”

Yang Houcheng laughed: “Cabbages aren’t worth much—if you want them, they’re all yours.”

Chi Can squinted at Yang Houcheng and smiled forlornly: “You’re wrong. I’ve been counting for so long, and not one is mine—”

Yang Houcheng opened his mouth and turned to look at Zhu Yàn.

Zhu Yàn stepped forward to pat Chi Can, comforting: “It’s fine. If there are no cabbages, there are still radishes.”

Chi Can’s beautiful eyes opened with effort, containing intoxicating rippling light, his voice very soft: “But I only like cabbages.”

Yang Houcheng sat down heavily, poured himself a drink, and downed it. Unable to stand his friend’s pitiful appearance, he patted his chest and guaranteed, “It’s fine. Whatever kind of cabbage you like, I’ll buy it for you! It’s just cabbage—my private savings could buy all the cabbages sold in the capital in a day.”

“You?” Chi Can shook his head, spraying Yang Houcheng’s face with alcohol fumes. “Can’t buy it.”

Yang Houcheng wiped his face and said helplessly to Zhu Yàn: “I don’t remember Shixi being like this when drunk.”

Zhu Yàn chuckled softly: “Better than you.”

“What do you mean?”

Zhu Yàn coughed lightly: “Ahem, hanging on Tingquan’s leg crying, wanting to follow him into the bridal chamber—”

Yang Houcheng immediately surrendered: “Don’t bring up old embarrassments!”

As the two were talking, they heard a crash as Chi Can knocked the wine pot to the ground.

“Shixi—” The two were startled.

Chi Can closed his eyes, murmuring: “I only like the cabbage I picked up myself. Other cabbages—none were picked by my own hands—”

Yang Houcheng looked seriously at Zhu Yàn: “Zi Zhe, I suddenly feel that ‘cabbage’ might not mean what I understood!”

Zhu Yàn could only smile bitterly: “Good that you know.”

Yang Houcheng suddenly slapped his forehead and exclaimed, “Could it be Miss Li?”

Zhu Yàn said nothing.

“It is, Miss Li?” Yang Houcheng stood up abruptly, paced back and forth, then sat down heavily with a grave expression: “This isn’t good—”

Zhu Yàn nodded.

Yes, their backgrounds and ages were vastly different. Shixi’s feelings were probably like flowers in a mirror, moon in water.

“Shixi doesn’t seem as smart as Miss Li,” Yang Houcheng said, stroking his chin.

Zhu Yàn: “…” Why was he the only normal one left among their group of friends?

“Let’s send Shixi back.” Zhu Yàn stood to help Chi Can, having lost all mood for drinking.

“Go back? I’m not going back.” Chi Can pushed Zhu Yàn away and staggered outside. “I’m going to find Li Third.”

The two held him back firmly.

“Don’t! If you show up drunk like this, you’ll be beaten out with clubs!” Yang Houcheng said.

Chi Can grinned: “Shh, I have a way. I went there once before without any trouble.”

What? Shixi had been to Miss Li’s house? When did this happen? How did they not know?

Zhu Yàn and Yang Houcheng exchanged glances.

“What way?” Yang Houcheng asked curiously.

“I snuck in as my half-sister.” The incomparably handsome Young Master Chi said proudly.

“Huh?” Zhu Yàn and Yang Houcheng looked bewildered.

Yang Houcheng scratched his head: “Though I haven’t been drinking today, I might be drunk. Shixi’s half-sister… is a girl, right?”

Chi Can raised an eyebrow and smiled: “Yes. Don’t I look better in women’s clothing than she?”