The Third Prince’s expression remained as cold and intimidating as frost. This time, Mu Xueshi was not sure whether his usual tactic would work. Holding the prince, he could feel that this anger was different from before. Even when the Third Prince was normally angry, his chest remained warm. Now his entire body was rigid and cold enough to make Mu Xueshi shiver as he clung to him.
In the end, the Third Prince still walked straight toward Wu Cai. Mu Xueshi let go but followed close behind.
The Third Prince hauled Wu Cai up from the ground with one hand and forced him to stand. His other hand moved casually along Wu Cai’s left arm, and without warning, a crisp cracking sound rang out, sharp enough to make Mu Xueshi’s ears hurt.
Wu Cai lay on the ground with a face as pale as paper, his whole body trembling, yet he still kept nodding and thanking the Third Prince for showing mercy.
Uneasy, Mu Xueshi looked from the suffering Wu Cai to the Third Prince already walking out the door. After a brief hesitation, he followed. Before leaving, he quietly instructed Steward Wang to find Wu Cai a good physician and added that he would cover the medical expenses this time.
Mu Xueshi no longer dared criticize the Third Prince for hurting Wu Cai. For the prince, this already counted as considerable restraint, and he had done it in order to stand up for Mu Xueshi. At a time like this, Mu Xueshi knew he ought to behave himself and stop causing trouble everywhere.
The Third Prince and Mu Xueshi returned early. Mu Xueshi could not explain why, but the prince seemed to be in an especially dark mood. Sitting on the horse, he secretly glanced at him several times, only to find the same gloomy expression each time. With no idea what to say, Mu Xueshi could only sit quietly beneath the prince’s gaze and play with his clothes and fingers.
There was nothing on his soft, pale hands to fiddle with, and after pinching at them for a while without finding anything interesting, Mu Xueshi began playing with his clothes instead. Before long he became so absorbed that he tugged over part of the Third Prince’s robe and started braiding the fabric together.
The Third Prince’s expression grew increasingly grave, while Mu Xueshi’s eyelids gradually drooped. At last his head sank and he fell heavily into the prince’s chest. Within moments, he was sleeping soundly with a contented expression.
After they returned to the palace, the emperor summoned the Third Prince to the Golden Hall to discuss affairs of state. Mu Xueshi, meanwhile, secretly slipped away to the embroidery room to look for Qing Yun. The moment Eunuch Tai’an told him Qing Yun had been unwell, he had wanted to visit her, but he had not dared mention it for fear of angering the Third Prince.
When the Third Prince reached the hall, he saw the Second Prince, whom he had not seen for several days. The Second Prince still wore his faint, unreadable smile and was dressed casually, hardly like a prince at all. Su Ying was in his arms, and the moment the child saw the Third Prince, he tightened his hold on the Second Prince so much that he nearly plastered himself against him.
The emperor smiled at the sight. His favorite son and beloved grandson were both beside him, so naturally he was in an excellent mood. Seeing the unease on Su Ying’s little face, he laughed and beckoned. “My good grandson, come. Let Imperial Grandfather hold you.”
Su Ying understood that Imperial Grandfather had even more authority than Imperial Uncle, so he eagerly stretched out his plump, lotus-root-like arms. The emperor carefully took him into his embrace and held him with open affection, even smiling toward the Third Prince.
“The ruler of Lubei will soon visit Yunxi. Although the two nations have appeared peaceful these past two years, small clashes have continued in secret. I hear Hao Lin is coming specifically to seek a marriage alliance. His younger sister has reached marriageable age, and he wishes to choose a husband for her from among my sons.”
“Husband!”
Su Ying repeated the word solemnly despite having no idea what it meant. Afterward, he rubbed his soft cheek against the emperor’s face, giggled, and made a triumphant face at the Second Prince.
No matter the occasion, the Second Prince’s attention was always fixed on Su Ying. Even while the emperor discussed an important matter between two nations, the two of them kept playing together. Whenever he was with Su Ying, the Second Prince seemed to become six years old himself.
“Lu Huan, what do you think about this?”
“…Lu Huan? Lu Huan?”
Only then did the Second Prince realize the emperor was calling him. He quickly restrained his smile and answered seriously, “A marriage alliance with Lubei would be a good thing and could ease the tension between our nations. Besides, I have heard Hao Lin’s younger sister is exceptionally beautiful. If Father proposed such a match, I doubt any prince would refuse the honor.”
The emperor smiled faintly. “And would you accept?”
The Second Prince’s expression shifted slightly, though his smile remained. Bowing, he said, “Father thinks too highly of Lu Huan. Su Ying is still young, and all my attention is on him. I have no intention of marrying again. Besides, the ruler of Lubei’s younger sister is a woman of noble birth. If he intends to marry her off, he will surely choose the most outstanding prince. Naturally, that would be Third Brother.”
With a single sentence, the Second Prince directed the matter toward the Third Prince. A cold gleam flashed through the Third Prince’s eyes. Although he had no intention of agreeing, he still said nothing.
The emperor was accustomed to the Third Prince’s silence, but when he looked at him now, his expression became slightly complicated.