At the first crow of the rooster at dawn, Mu Xueshi’s round eyes snapped open.
Out of habit, he turned his head toward the Third Prince.
To his surprise, the prince was still asleep.
His handsome profile faced Mu Xueshi, expression relaxed, brows unknotted in rare peace.
Mu Xueshi had completely forgotten everything that had happened after he became drunk the night before.
All he remembered was that the Third Prince had helped apply medicine to him—and had mentioned taking a consort.
The thought instantly darkened his morning mood.
He let out a heavy sigh and climbed out of bed. Since Mu Xueshi slept on the inner side, the only way to leave without disturbing the prince was to step over him.
He lifted one leg—
And immediately froze.
A sharp pain erupted from somewhere far too private.
“Ah—!”
Caught completely off guard, Mu Xueshi collapsed forward with a cry, landing squarely on top of the Third Prince and waking him instantly.
The prince opened his eyes slowly and looked up at him.
Mu Xueshi stared back.
Originally he had intended to apologize—or perhaps beg forgiveness—but seeing that the Third Prince did not seem angry, he instead reached out and patted his forehead.
“You’re dreaming,” Mu Xueshi said solemnly. “Go back to sleep.”
The Third Prince nearly laughed.
Mu Xueshi’s words were always absurd—yet strangely adorable.
Still half-awake, Mu Xueshi’s loose under-robe slipped from his shoulder, and his wide, sparkling eyes shone with cheerful mischief.
The Third Prince moved as if to sit up with him—
But Mu Xueshi suddenly used both slender arms to pin him down.
He even bumped his head against the prince’s chest several times.
“You tell me the truth,” Mu Xueshi demanded, pointing accusingly at his nose. “Are you the type who values beauty over friendship?”
At first the Third Prince did not understand the question. But after reflecting briefly on the words beauty and friendship, he realized what Mu Xueshi meant.
“Yes,” he answered frankly.
Mu Xueshi misunderstood completely.
The “beauty” he meant was clearly not the same person the prince had in mind.
Hearing that answer, Mu Xueshi slammed his fist against the carved bedpost.
“I knew it…”
The Third Prince had no idea what had angered him, yet Mu Xueshi had already climbed off the bed.
The prince rose as well and began helping him dress.
Mu Xueshi quickly blocked his hands.
“No need. You can’t dress me for the rest of my life. I need to learn to take care of myself.”
The Third Prince’s hands paused.
A trace of disappointment flickered across Mu Xueshi’s face.
Then the prince spoke quietly.
“That is exactly what I intend.”
“I will dress you for the rest of your life.”
The words struck Mu Xueshi like a stone dropped into still water.
It took him a long moment to recover, by which time the prince had already begun fastening his inner robes.
Mu Xueshi asked hesitantly,
“But what about when you sleep with your consort? Will you wake up early just to dress me?”
The Third Prince replied without expression.
“I will not share a bed with anyone but you.”
Mu Xueshi’s eyes suddenly grew wet.
From childhood until now, no one had ever made him such a promise—not even a casual one.
Joy and sorrow tangled together in his heart.
Part of him desperately wished the person who would accompany the prince in the future could be himself.
But perhaps fate had other plans.
Perhaps it was his own greed that had led him into this trap.
Futile Devices Scans 
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