Mu Xueshi failed to notice the prince’s displeasure.
His attention had already been captured by a large bird flying in the distance.
In his entire life, he had never seen such a creature. It didn’t look like an eagle. Instead it resembled a giant lizard with wings—strange beyond description.
Eyes wide, Mu Xueshi jabbed his elbow into the Third Prince’s chest.
“What kind of bird is that? Do you have a bow? I really want to try shooting it!”
The Third Prince was still in a foul mood and intended to continue the journey. But when he lowered his gaze and saw Mu Xueshi’s eager eyes, he hesitated.
As if performing a trick, he drew a bow and arrow from behind him.
Mu Xueshi immediately tried to snatch it.
The Third Prince held it firmly.
No matter how much Mu Xueshi begged, he refused—until Mu Xueshi finally buried his head against the prince’s chest in frustration.
Only then did the Third Prince place the bow into his hands.
Mu Xueshi blinked.
So this trick worked.
Perhaps the Third Prince was ticklish… or perhaps he simply liked being hugged.
In his previous life, Chen Youzai had always disliked excessive closeness with other men. Yet now, embracing the Third Prince, he felt an odd thrill.
The Third Prince steadied Mu Xueshi by the waist and turned him so his back rested against the prince’s chest.
Placing his hands over Mu Xueshi’s, he intended to guide the shot.
But Mu Xueshi stubbornly insisted on doing it himself.
Otherwise, he said, there would be no sense of accomplishment.
Watching him guard the bow so carefully, the Third Prince suddenly felt that the lively and spirited Mu Xueshi from days past had returned.
His earlier anger quietly faded.
Even he found it strange how easily his mood was influenced by this person.
Mu Xueshi awkwardly drew the bow and aimed at the bird.
Yet each time he found the right position, the creature would flap its wings and glide away.
After moving several times, his arms began to ache.
Finally he released the arrow clumsily.
At that instant, the Third Prince gave him the slightest push.
Mu Xueshi did not notice—but the arrow flew directly toward the bird.
At the same time, the Third Prince flicked his fingers, sending a hidden projectile flying.
The bird fell from the sky.
Mu Xueshi’s arrow struck it as well, though the force was too weak to penetrate deeply.
“Wow!”
Mu Xueshi nearly jumped off the horse.
“Xi, look! I’m amazing! This is the first time I’ve ever used a bow!”
Seeing his excitement, the Third Prince smiled faintly.
His eyes softened.
It was the first time Mu Xueshi had ever seen him smile.
And suddenly, the excitement in his heart turned strangely bittersweet.
That smile belonged to the original owner of this body.
Not to him.
If the Third Prince ever learned the truth… would he still smile like that?
One day he would leave this place.
The thought that the prince might show such a smile to someone else made his chest tighten.
Perhaps they were the same kind of person—selfish when it came to affection.
He had once mocked the Third Prince for trying to possess him so completely. Yet wasn’t he doing the same now?
Seeing Mu Xueshi suddenly fall silent, the Third Prince frowned slightly.
Ever since Mu Xueshi had arrived, he often seemed lost in such strange moods. Just when he had begun acting like his old self again, he had grown quiet once more.
The Third Prince said nothing.
He simply urged the horse forward.
Turning Mu Xueshi around again so they faced each other, he continued riding.
Mu Xueshi didn’t understand why they had to ride in such an awkward position, but he didn’t mind.
These moments of closeness would not last forever.
Better to enjoy them while he could.
Besides, he would be staying up late tonight to wait for the Yinglan flowers to bloom. This was the perfect opportunity to get some sleep.
Before leaving, Mu Xueshi insisted they stop to pick up the fallen bird.
Soon the horse carried them—two riders and one strange bird—through a forest and into the grassy lakeside where the Third Prince had first met Mu Xueshi.
Mist drifted across countless distant hills.
Soft white fog hung between the mountains like gauze, leaving only their green peaks visible—like brushstrokes in a tranquil landscape painting.
The lake shimmered gently.
The horse walked along the narrow path between two lakes.
Clear water reflected the figures upon the saddle—two peerless beauties.
One had already fallen asleep, his breath warm against the other’s chest, his face peaceful—like a fairy who had accidentally slipped into someone’s embrace while dreaming.
The other rested a hand lightly on his back.
And on his face lingered a quiet, unguarded smile.
Futile Devices Scans 
Leave a comment