The Third Prince sat by Mu Xueshi’s bedside, gazing at him in silence for a long, long time. Mu Xueshi lay there peacefully, his face serene—so beautiful he seemed like an unworldly immortal untouched by mortal affairs.
“In the end… you still left,” the Third Prince said softly, his hand gently brushing Mu Xueshi’s cheek.
In just a few short days, he had lived in constant disappointment and despair, exhausted to the core. He remembered clearly—only when Mu Xueshi was asleep did the hatred and anxiety in his heart fall quiet with him. Now he slept completely, never to oppose him again, never to face him with that cold expression.
But back then, there had still been a sliver of hope.
Now, there was nothing.
All struggle had turned to ashes with a single, resolute decision of the Third Prince.
“Why did you lie to me…?” The Third Prince lay down beside him, pressing his face against Mu Xueshi’s, murmuring softly.
If I cannot have you, then I might as well destroy you… but now that I’ve destroyed you, I’ve destroyed myself along with you.
He held Mu Xueshi all the way until dawn.
When he gently pushed the door open, the world outside was already alive with birdsong and blooming flowers, peaceful and bright.
Su Ruhan had not slept all night. He had long been accustomed to keeping watch inside the prince’s chamber; now standing outside, his expression remained as composed as ever. Sun Ye was there as well, along with nearly everyone in the courtyard—almost no one had slept.
The Third Prince turned back into the room, lifted Mu Xueshi from the bed, and walked outside.
“Your Highness, where are you going?” Sun Ye was the first to ask.
In the past, when the Third Prince went out, no one dared to question him. But ever since Mu Xueshi arrived, the prince’s temperament had softened, and people began to cautiously show concern.
“I’m taking Xueshi out for a walk,” the Third Prince replied lightly.
Su Ruhan stepped forward, looking at him with concern. “Your Highness, your health—perhaps you should rest for a few days first.”
The Third Prince ignored him and continued walking. At the stables, he paused, turned in, and led out his horse.
With a swift leap, he mounted, bringing Mu Xueshi up with him. Mu Xueshi’s face rested toward him; the prince pressed his head against his chest, then snapped the reins and rode off.
Su Ruhan and Sun Ye watched silently, their expressions grave, until his figure disappeared completely.
Only then did they turn back.
“What should we do? I’ve never seen His Highness like this…” Sun Ye said, a heaviness in his chest.
“There’s nothing we can do,” Su Ruhan replied. “Once His Highness decides on something, no one can stop him.”
…
Hao Lin held a twin-handled porcelain vase adorned with poetic floral patterns, examining it carefully. Beside him, Eunuch Li wore a broad smile, repeatedly praising it as a priceless treasure.
“No matter how valuable it is, it can’t compare to a person,” Hao Lin said, smiling with a hint of spring in his eyes.
Eunuch Li stiffened, forcing a laugh and nodding in agreement.
“In your Yunxi Empire, handsome men fill the streets. I only wish to take four or five hundred—surely your master isn’t so stingy?” Hao Lin placed the rare antique back on the table and turned his gaze toward Eunuch Li.
Though Hao Lin appeared relaxed, the look in his eyes sent a chill through the eunuch.
After a moment of silence, Eunuch Li glanced at the vase and said, “This humble servant did not intend to bribe Your Majesty with this item. Even if Your Majesty wishes to take more people, you may still accept it. With such a priceless object, one need only display it in the markets, theaters, and teahouses—four or five thousand beautiful men could easily be gathered…”
“Hahaha…” Hao Lin burst into laughter, the mockery in his eyes unmistakable.
“Tell your emperor this: I, Hao Lin, am not fond of wealth—I am fond of beauty. I may not know Yunxi well, but I trust your emperor. If I wish to take a few beauties away, I’ll have to trouble him to make the arrangements.”
Eunuch Li’s temples twitched. Just as he was about to persuade him further, the door suddenly opened. His words caught in his throat.
Hao Lin turned his head to see Shangchuan Hong entering.
Shangchuan Hong gave Eunuch Li a faint smile as a form of greeting, then glanced at Hao Lin, clearly indicating he had something to report.
“I shall take my leave, then…” Eunuch Li bowed slightly, preparing to depart.
“Wait,” Hao Lin said.
Eunuch Li turned back—only to find the vase placed before him again. Hao Lin’s smiling face was partially hidden behind it as he added playfully:
“One more thing—if the emperor wishes to avoid trouble, he may exchange a single beauty for those four or five hundred.”
“Who?”
“The Young Master Xue from Qinyi Courtyard.”
A meaningful smile appeared on Hao Lin’s face.
Eunuch Li froze for a moment, then, after some thought, said nothing. He bowed and left.
As soon as he was gone, Hao Lin turned to Shangchuan Hong, signaling him to speak.
Shangchuan Hong had questions after hearing the earlier conversation, but didn’t dare ask directly. He chose to report the important matter first.
“Zhang Mu has returned.”
Hao Lin tapped the table lightly, his expression unchanged. “You mean… he survived the Third Prince’s courtyard?”
“You could say that. That day, Zhang Mu led several hundred elite soldiers to dismantle Linhan Palace. Midway, Princess Wenyang insisted on going to the Third Prince’s chambers, so he followed her briefly. When he returned, he found the soldiers gathered around a grave. As he approached, a veiled woman suddenly flew out of it—her beauty was beyond compare…”
“And then she charmed them all, and they climbed into the grave themselves?” Hao Lin said with a half-smile.
Shangchuan Hong frowned slightly. “Your Majesty jests.”
Hao Lin gestured for him to continue.
“Zhang Mu reacted quickly—he sealed his own meridians and feigned death. Later, a powerful internal force lifted his body. Days later, he unsealed himself and found he and hundreds of men were kneeling inside a great tomb. The others were dead. While the woman was absent, he escaped through a hidden passage, though badly injured. He is now recovering.”
Hao Lin’s smile slowly faded into seriousness.
“Any movement from the Third Prince’s courtyard these past days?”
“You could say yes—or no.”
“Oh?”
“He has changed compared to before. But at the same time, he has sealed off the entire courtyard. No one may enter or leave, so no information can be gathered.”
“Zhang Mu just returned, didn’t he?” There was a hint of danger in Hao Lin’s tone.
Shangchuan Hong’s expression shifted slightly, but he remained composed. “Yes—but he was hidden in the tomb the entire time. He had no access to outside information. Escaping alive was already fortunate.”
Hao Lin stood and walked over, leaning close to Shangchuan Hong’s ear. His breath brushed against him, warm enough to make his ear redden slightly.
“What are you hiding?”
“I’m hiding nothing.” Shangchuan Hong shifted subtly away.
Hao Lin showed no anger. He returned to his seat, lifting his teacup and blowing gently across its surface.
“But I’ve heard… Zhang Mu escaped because Su Ruhan fought that mysterious woman at Linhan Palace—fiercely enough to create an opening.”
Shangchuan Hong inhaled deeply but said nothing.
“Do you know why they fought?” Hao Lin asked softly.
“I don’t.”
“Then I’ll tell you.” Hao Lin’s gaze sharpened. “Because the Third Prince ordered Mu Xueshi to be buried alive—and that woman is his mother. The prince’s own aunt.”
“If Your Majesty already knew, why ask me just to humiliate me?” Shangchuan Hong said calmly.
“Because I want you to remember who you are!” Hao Lin’s voice suddenly rose.
Shangchuan Hong knew Hao Lin was angry, even if he didn’t show it openly.
“You need not feel guilty,” Hao Lin added, his tone softening again. “Your reaction has only made me more interested in this Mu Xueshi.”
Shangchuan Hong’s heart tightened, though his face remained unchanged.
Hao Lin continued leisurely, “The Third Prince has been acting abnormally—absent from court, sealing his residence. The emperor will surely grow suspicious. The more he behaves like this, the more Mu Xueshi becomes a liability in the emperor’s eyes.”
“And we can use that,” Shangchuan Hong said quietly.
“Exactly. Better for the emperor to give up one dangerous beauty than let the people see soldiers abducting their sons from their homes.”
“The ruler of Yunxi values the imperial image among the people greatly.”
“Not just Yunxi—every ruler does. Water can carry a boat, but also overturn it. The tragedy of Shengnan is proof enough. And the Yunxi emperor is cautious—he will weigh his options.”
“But if Mu Xueshi is taken to Lubei… will he not still be a danger?”
Hao Lin sighed softly, gazing at Shangchuan Hong’s refined face.
“No. I have my methods.”
Shangchuan Hong smiled faintly. “Then I shall take my leave.”
“Why leave?”
“Why stay?”
Hao Lin frowned slightly, then relaxed. “Go then. The emperor of Yunxi sent some pastries and jade fruits today—rare in Lubei. I’ve had them delivered to your residence.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Shangchuan Hong bowed and departed.
Hao Lin watched his retreating figure, a complex expression flickering in his eyes.
Futile Devices Scans 
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