Mu Xueshi had originally intended to loudly declare his identity, but the moment he met the Third Prince’s gaze, he hesitated. His trousers were still not properly fastened, his belt hanging messily on either side of his waist, while patches of black paste remained smeared across his face.
“If I told you that I’m not the person you think I am, what would you do with me?”
The Third Prince’s gaze abruptly sharpened, a sinister darkness gathering in his pupils as he stared at Mu Xueshi. His lips moved slightly before he slowly said, “Look at the scene around you, and you will know your fate in advance.”
Mu Xueshi hurriedly looked around with exaggerated movements. Yet apart from finding the scenery exceptionally beautiful and the surroundings quiet and elegant, he could see nothing that seemed remotely connected to his fate.
He had originally wanted to ask directly, What do you mean? But judging from the situation, he needed to choose his words carefully. Although they had spent only one day together, Mu Xueshi had already realized that the Third Prince had always known the original owner of this body. If that were true, then the Third Prince must also have known that he had been serving a sentence. In that case, perhaps rescuing him had not been an act of kindness at all.
“I humbly ask Your Highness the Third Prince to enlighten me.” Mu Xueshi gave the Third Prince a proper forty-five-degree bow, his expression filled with respect.
The Third Prince’s gaze bore straight into him. Seeing that Mu Xueshi remained bent at the waist, he said coldly, “A moment ago, servants were stationed throughout every corner of this courtyard. Now not one of them can be seen. Do you know why?”
Mu Xueshi raised his head and looked at the Third Prince. Seeing nothing unusual in his expression, he answered humbly, “I don’t know!”
The Third Prince gave a cold snort. His voice was as light as a breeze brushing past one’s face, yet the chill within it was unmistakable. He explained every word clearly to Mu Xueshi. “The moment you rushed out of the room, those servants saw you. Anyone who sees you must die.”
At first, Mu Xueshi merely frowned in thought. But once he had fully processed the Third Prince’s words, disbelief was all that remained on his face. He vaguely remembered that there had indeed been people outside the door when he ran out. Yet by the time he prepared to relieve himself, only the Third Prince remained nearby. Mu Xueshi wanted to ask whether the Third Prince was joking, but the instant he met his gaze, he knew this was not a man who made jokes. At the thought of death, a chill rose along Mu Xueshi’s spine.
Once he realized that it had truly happened, Mu Xueshi staggered several steps toward the Third Prince and asked with agitation, “Why must anyone who sees me die?”
The Third Prince’s thoughts faltered, and he did not immediately answer. He had assumed Mu Xueshi would continue asking about his own fate. Instead, he had unexpectedly asked such a question. With a doubtful gaze, the Third Prince looked Mu Xueshi up and down. His eyes were clear and his expression foolishly innocent, without the slightest hint that he was joking.
The Third Prince gently lifted Mu Xueshi’s chin between his fingers. As he stroked his cheek, he murmured, “Because only I am permitted to see this face. Not one more person may look upon it. Anyone who peeks will have both eyes pierced through by a sword and die.”
Mu Xueshi had no attention to spare for how intimate the Third Prince’s actions were. As though he had received a terrible shock, he dropped heavily to the ground. Although his face was covered in black paste, it could not conceal the deathly pallor beneath it. Mu Xueshi’s entire being became dispirited once more, all the cheerfulness he had displayed upon waking long since gone.
The Third Prince showed no trace of pity and continued mockingly, “Are you Mu Xueshi?”
Mu Xueshi listened quietly, his large, lifeless eyes fixed on the ground as he obediently nodded. So my name is Mu Xueshi. It’s a beautiful name, yet I still have an ugly face, bear the guilt of some crime, and even bring disaster upon other people. Mu Xueshi believed that his ignorance of the taboos and rules of this place had caused those innocent deaths.
Futile Devices Scans 
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