The Third Prince had almost begun to believe Mu Xueshi’s words were sincere—until that final question betrayed his true intentions.
Looking at Mu Xueshi’s teasing expression, the prince found himself momentarily speechless.
Since Mu Xueshi’s “memory loss,” his mind seemed no more mature than that of a small child. Keeping such a person close was, admittedly, reassuring.
But this also meant that all the prince’s intimidation, coercion, ridicule, and calculated provocations went completely unnoticed.
Worse still, from their conversations, the prince discovered that Mu Xueshi had forgotten even the most basic etiquette of Yunxi—indeed, he spoke in a manner entirely his own.
While the prince pondered this, Mu Xueshi’s attention had already returned fully to the three maids.
Seeing the undisguised admiration in his gaze, displeasure rose in the prince’s heart.
“Attend me,” he called coldly.
Eunuch Tai’an entered at once, head bowed.
The Third Prince enunciated each word deliberately, as if ensuring Mu Xueshi heard clearly:
“Drag these three maids to the back mountain. Flay their flesh and feed it to the dogs.”
In an instant, the women’s faces drained of color. They fell to their knees in unison, trembling, not daring to utter a sound.
Mu Xueshi froze.
When he finally reacted, he turned sharply toward the prince, breath unsteady.
“Why? What did they possibly do to offend you?”
A cold smile.
“No reason. It was your excessive attention toward them that stirred my interest in killing.”
Mu Xueshi did not even question such logic.
Instead, he roared, “You’re Hitler reborn!”
Even Eunuch Tai’an was shaken—never had he heard such a shout directed straight at the Third Prince within this courtyard.
The prince did not know who Hitler was, but he could tell from Mu Xueshi’s grief-stricken tone that it was no compliment.
His gaze darkened.
Mu Xueshi, burning with indignation, stepped in front of the three maids like a hero shielding the innocent.
The prince said nothing—only stared.
Under that cold, oppressive gaze, Mu Xueshi’s fury slowly crumbled into helplessness… then weakness.
At last he stepped forward, grasped the prince’s hand, and pleaded softly:
“Please don’t punish them. For my sake… spare them. Life isn’t easy for anyone.”
The prince glanced at him.
“It is precisely because of you that they are punished.”
“Huh?” Mu Xueshi blinked. “Why?”
At a signal from the prince, Eunuch Tai’an hurriedly explained:
“His Highness has bestowed upon you three personal maids, two bodyguards, one cook, and a superior chamber. His Highness regards you as one of his own and hopes you will treat him with equal devotion—placing no thought upon idle persons beyond him…”
Futile Devices Scans 
Leave a comment