By the time Mu Xueshi finished dressing, the two stepped into the courtyard.
Su Ruhan was already there, practicing swordsmanship.
His movements were swift and elegant, each strike cutting the air with precision. Watching him was less like observing training and more like witnessing a performance.
The Third Prince studied him thoughtfully.
He had personally witnessed Su Ruhan cripple his own martial arts years ago. Yet somehow the man had recovered at astonishing speed.
Seeing his movements now confirmed what the prince had suspected.
Mu Xueshi, however, had no interest in admiring swordplay.
The more agile Su Ruhan appeared, the more miserable Mu Xueshi’s expression became.
If he had to perform large stretching movements today, he might actually die from pain.
He needed an excuse.
Immediately.
“Oh dear… my stomach hurts. I need the latrine.”
Bending over dramatically, Mu Xueshi attempted to sneak away.
He had only taken a few steps when Su Ruhan landed directly in front of him, blocking his path with a stern expression.
Mu Xueshi glanced helplessly at the Third Prince standing nearby.
Seeing the prince’s calm face, he could only shuffle back miserably.
Soon a sword was placed into his hands.
Unfortunately, every technique Su Ruhan taught required large movements.
Each time Mu Xueshi spread his legs even slightly, his face twisted in agony.
Su Ruhan quickly noticed something was wrong.
The look in his eyes became… complicated.
And the training grew even harsher.
Whenever Mu Xueshi tried to slack off—or made even the smallest mistake—the wooden hilt of Su Ruhan’s sword struck him.
Always on the same place.
His backside.
Before long Mu Xueshi was howling miserably, face pale from pain.
Finally, the Third Prince stepped forward.
“Xueshi must accompany me to the Grand Tutor’s manor.”
Su Ruhan cupped his fists and departed without a word.
As he left, the Third Prince caught the mocking look in his eyes.
It was clearly a reminder of the prince’s earlier declaration that he would never interfere with Mu Xueshi’s martial training.
Yet here he was, doing exactly that.
The Third Prince had always been firm in his decisions.
But seeing Mu Xueshi’s pained expression earlier had caused something sharp to twist inside his chest.
Before he realized it, he had stepped forward to stop the training.
Now he wiped the sweat from Mu Xueshi’s forehead with a silk handkerchief.
A horse was brought forward. A soft cushion had already been placed on the saddle.
The Third Prince merely glanced at it calmly.
He knew very well that everyone in the courtyard must have heard Mu Xueshi’s cries last night.
The fact that he had not silenced them all was already an act of mercy.
Mu Xueshi, however, flushed bright red with embarrassment.
Seeing that cushion nearly made him wish the earth would swallow him whole.
He assumed everyone had noticed his discomfort because he had made it too obvious.
If the Third Prince discovers the real reason… how could I ever face him again?
Perched anxiously on horseback, Mu Xueshi silently made up his mind.
When they returned, he would secretly find the courtyard physician and have this mysterious ailment examined—
Preferably before the Third Prince ever found out.
Futile Devices Scans 
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