Although Mu Xueshi calmed down after making a fuss for a while, his mouth continued chattering without pause. The Third Prince finally reached the limits of his patience and began to suspect that Mu Xueshi was not pretending. Unless he had truly lost his mind, not a single thing he had done today would have been possible for the Mu Xueshi of the past.
There was no time to disguise Mu Xueshi’s appearance, so the Third Prince pushed him behind a beaded curtain and drew the gauze canopy closed, leaving only a section of his wrist exposed. Imperial Physician Li placed his fingers on Mu Xueshi’s pulse and examined him carefully, a grave expression appearing on his face.
When Imperial Physician Li saw the small, jade-white hand extended from behind the curtain, he became momentarily dazed. In all his years of practicing medicine, he had never encountered anyone with fingers so beautifully formed. Although the shape of the joints clearly revealed that the person was male, his face must surely possess peerless beauty as well.
“I don’t have any contagious disease. There’s no need to take my pulse…” Mu Xueshi said, not forgetting to steal two grapes and pop them into his mouth.
The Third Prince restrained Mu Xueshi’s body behind the beaded curtain and cleared his throat. Hearing him, Imperial Physician Li immediately said, “Your Highness the Third Prince, there is nothing seriously wrong with this person—”
“Holy crap!” Mu Xueshi loudly interrupted him. His radiant eyes widened as he looked excitedly at the Third Prince and asked, “You’re a prince? Do people here call princes ‘Your Highness’? I remember… it was… mmph…”
Before Mu Xueshi could finish, the Third Prince covered his mouth with one hand. Mu Xueshi’s nimble lips continued squirming desperately against his palm, sending a tingling sensation through the Third Prince.
The Third Prince’s brows drew tightly together as he barked at Mu Xueshi, “Say one more word, and you will be beheaded immediately.”
At those words, Imperial Physician Li hastily dropped to his knees, not daring even to breathe loudly. It was extremely rare for the Third Prince to lose his temper. Unless something had enraged him beyond endurance, he would scarcely become angry. The thought made Imperial Physician Li tremble with fear, terrified that there might have been some error in his diagnosis.
Mu Xueshi was frightened as well. His face, which had been glowing with excitement only moments ago, immediately dimmed, like a freshly blossomed flower wilting beneath the scorching sun.
The Third Prince continued staring at him without moving. Mu Xueshi’s large eyes fluttered several times, and he secretly glanced at the Third Prince from the corners of his eyes. The instant their gazes met, he immediately withdrew his own. In the end, he simply lowered his head and silently fiddled with the ornament hanging from his waist.
I absolutely must not anger him. It would be too unjust if I finally came back to life only to be beheaded, Mu Xueshi thought. Only by remaining alive would he have a chance to find the silver coin, and once he found it, he could return home. At the thought, Mu Xueshi secretly smiled to himself.
The moment the Third Prince saw that blissful smile, warm enough to melt accumulated snow, his expression froze. That smile was far too familiar. Had he not once encountered it by accident, Mu Xueshi’s head would already have fallen today. Yet now Mu Xueshi was displaying it so freely once more. What exactly was he trying to accomplish? If he had not lost his mind, had he truly chosen to debase himself willingly?
You intend to bewitch me so that you may survive? Mu Xueshi, if this is what you have become, I will show you even less mercy.
Seeing the faint disgust in the Third Prince’s smile, Mu Xueshi remembered the nauseating face he had seen reflected in the pond. He probably looked even more unbearable now. Realizing this, Mu Xueshi hurriedly erased his smile and bowed his head to hide his face.
Futile Devices Scans 
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