Just as Mu Xueshi’s thoughts were spiraling wildly, the strip of black cloth over his eyes was suddenly removed.
For a moment, his vision swam in hazy light. When clarity returned, he found a small child kneeling upon his bed, staring at him with wide, luminous eyes.
“Waa!”
“Waa!”
They cried out in unison.
Mu Xueshi’s exclamation was one of astonishment. What on earth had this child been raised on? His skin was so fair and tender it seemed one could pinch water from it. His features were as exquisite as a porcelain doll’s, a small topknot tilted playfully beside his ear, lending him a lively charm. If only Mu Xueshi could move, he would have already reached out to squeeze those soft little cheeks. Though he despised judging by appearance, when confronted with such beauty, even he could not resist drawing close.
The child’s cry, however, was prompted by Mu Xueshi’s eyes. His face had already been scratched into uneven patches, comical and blotched, but those great, flawless eyes shone brilliantly before the boy. Clearly captivated, the child reached out with tiny hands, stroking about them curiously.
“Don’t touch—it tickles! I can’t move, little ancestor…”
“An..ans…” the child mumbled, then crawled straight onto Mu Xueshi’s body.
It took Mu Xueshi a moment to decipher the slurred word-ancestor. The child’s tongue was unsteady, hence it came out as “An-ans.” And that earlier yi..dao for “arrived”? Likely yanzhao or zuzong for “blindfold.” Mu Xueshi pieced it together inwardly.
Suddenly the child shifted higher and lay flat upon Mu Xueshi’s chest, small face pressed there, arms wrapped around him in silent embrace.
“Hey!” Mu Xueshi called.
The child lifted his little head to glance at him, then promptly nestled back down against his chest.
Mu Xueshi could neither laugh nor cry. What sort of people lived in this place? Why were they all so strange? Judging by the child’s attire, he must at least be a young prince. His garments were of the finest silk; a delicate hairpin adorned his topknot, set with five gleaming pearls of unmistakable value.
Mu Xueshi sighed inwardly. If he could move, he would surely trick that hairpin away—useful travel funds for his eventual escape.
The child stirred again upon his chest. Seizing the chance, Mu Xueshi asked, “Hey, what are you doing here?”
“Smells nice…” the child murmured, nose pressed against Mu Xueshi as he sniffed with innocent earnestness.
At last Mu Xueshi understood. The boy clung to him for the fragrance. He could not help but laugh softly, amused. Finding the child approachable, he asked, “Who are you?”
The boy blinked blankly.
Realizing he had not understood, Mu Xueshi tried again. “May I ask your name?”
“Impudent!”
The child suddenly barked, eyes widening in what seemed genuine outrage. For a fleeting instant he bore the imposing air of a tiny emperor, causing Mu Xueshi to falter.
So he truly is a prince, Mu Xueshi thought, unease creeping in. And if not merely a prince—what if he were the Crown Prince? That would be disastrous indeed.
Futile Devices Scans 
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