“Princess, this is the chamber temporarily prepared for you. His Highness the Third Prince’s inner quarters are not far—just pass through that circular archway, and you will arrive directly.”
“I was told I would reside in the Third Prince’s sleeping palace. Why is there still a door separating us?”
“This is His Highness’s palace. It consists of a main hall and two side halls, and each hall contains a reception room, inner chamber, and several side rooms. Other princes only have a single palace, but the Third Prince possesses an entire courtyard complex. Even among the others, each palace holds only one hall. If a prince takes a principal consort, she resides in the inner chamber, while concubines stay in the side rooms. But, Princess—you have been given an entire side hall!”
A faint smile appeared on Princess Wenyang’s delicate face. She looked at the maid and asked, “What is your name?”
“This servant is called Qingyun. His Highness assigned me to attend to you,” the maid replied with a smile.
Princess Wenyang studied her for a moment, then asked, “Did you previously serve that Young Master Xue?”
Qingyun froze slightly but answered honestly, “Yes, Your Highness.”
“Someone who has served him, then comes to serve me—I am not so cheap.”
Qingyun’s expression changed in shock. When she looked up again, Princess Wenyang’s eyes were already filled with disdain and sharp malice.
“Princess, I only served Young Master Xue for two or three days before His Highness transferred me to the embroidery room,” Qingyun hurriedly explained.
Princess Wenyang stepped closer, suddenly grabbing Qingyun’s hair and yanking it downward. Her eyes flashed with cruelty.
“Two or three days doesn’t count as service? You addressed him as ‘Young Master Xue,’ poured his tea, used these hands of yours to dress and groom that wretch—just thinking about it disgusts me!”
Qingyun cried out in pain as she was dragged, but Princess Wenyang only grew more enraged.
“Guards! Drag this wretch away—chop off her hands and send them to Chun Nuan Pavilion!”
At those words, Qingyun’s face turned deathly pale. She had been warned that the princess was difficult—but she hadn’t imagined it would be this severe.
No guards entered.
Instead, another figure appeared at the doorway.
Princess Wenyang turned—and her expression transformed instantly. The harshness vanished, replaced by tender grace.
“Your Highness has arrived—why did you not send word? I would have gone out to receive you.”
The Third Prince’s gaze was deep and unreadable. Though his lips curved slightly, it only sent a chill through those who saw it.
“Are you dissatisfied with the attendants I arranged for you?”
Under his gaze, Princess Wenyang felt momentarily dazed. She quickly replied, “Not at all. Anyone chosen by Your Highness must surely be the most pleasing within this courtyard.”
The Third Prince said nothing more. He walked slowly to Qingyun’s side, looking down at her disheveled state, and asked calmly, “What happened?”
Qingyun glanced at Princess Wenyang, who glared back in warning—but she did not dare deceive the prince. Steadying herself, she recounted everything truthfully.
Rather than feeling remorse, Princess Wenyang put on a pitiful expression and said, “Your Highness, whenever I hear anything about Young Master Xue, I lose control.”
“Why trouble yourself over someone of no worth?” the Third Prince replied lightly.
Those words struck like thunder.
No worth… no worth… no worth…
The phrase echoed endlessly in Princess Wenyang’s mind.
“Your Highness…” She clutched him, tears streaming as she buried her face in his chest. “Will I end up like him one day? I’m afraid…”
“You will not,” the Third Prince said indifferently.
Though still crying, Princess Wenyang felt as though she had fallen into honey, sweetness flooding her heart. She looked up at him, her crystal-like eyes blinking as she pouted playfully.
“Your Highness is so cruel. You left me alone in Chun Nuan Pavilion these past days and never came to see me.”
“There were… inconveniences.”
She huffed lightly. “Inconveniences? Surely it was because of Young Master Xue. Even the servants say His Highness has been tending to him personally while he was unwell—”
“Enough.”
The Third Prince cut her off sharply, his expression darkening.
“Do not mention this person in front of me again.”
“I wouldn’t want to either,” Princess Wenyang sniffed, putting on an obedient, gentle expression. “I only hope Your Highness forgets that wretch soon.”
The Third Prince silently pushed her away, his deep gaze fixed on her.
“Qingyun will remain to serve you. If you mind that she once attended Mu Xueshi, you may choose another from this courtyard.”
“Anyone I choose may serve me?” A glint of cunning flashed in her eyes.
The Third Prince saw through her at once but gave neither affirmation nor denial. He only said, “Rest early.”
With that, he turned and left.
“Your Highness…” Princess Wenyang called softly, her tone tinged with grievance.
He paused but did not turn back. “What else?”
“Have you forgotten—you promised to apply medicine for me?”
Her tone now was cautious and gentle—completely different from the one she used moments ago with Qingyun.
“I will have Imperial Physician Li come.”
…
As his figure disappeared, Princess Wenyang felt a trace of disappointment—but recalling his earlier words, she could not help feeling secretly pleased.
She turned to Qingyun. The maid was disheveled, hair in disarray—yet now, she seemed far more tolerable.
“You… will stay. Tomorrow, go to Chun Nuan Pavilion. I have something… interesting for you to do.”
…
Fearing the maids would laugh at him, Mu Xueshi did not summon anyone. He quietly fetched cold water himself and wiped down his body.
Without the Third Prince’s help this time, he could only slowly deal with the aftermath on his own. Though it was summer, the heat of his skin meeting cold water still made him shiver.
All night, he curled beneath the blankets, trembling.
From that unspeakable place behind him came wave after wave of stinging pain—silent proof of just how furious the Third Prince had been.
At dawn, he was shaken awake by urgent cries. His body felt like a sack being rattled. When he opened his eyes, the figures before him seemed to split into four or five.
“Young Master Xue—you have a fever!”
Hearing that, his obsidian-like eyes flickered open, then drooped again before forcing themselves open once more.
“Qingya… Qingzhu… is that you?”
The two maids exchanged glances, overjoyed.
“Young Master Xue, you’re awake! You don’t know—these past days, you didn’t even recognize us!” Qingya nearly burst into tears.
Mu Xueshi couldn’t quite process it. Something felt off.
“Yes, yes… you weren’t like yourself before. When we were punished, you didn’t react at all…” Qingzhu added, breaking into sobs.
As they both cried, Mu Xueshi hurried to comfort them, confusion churning in his mind.
Had the original Mu Xueshi never lived here before? Why do they all know me… yet seem unfamiliar with him?
He had always assumed the original owner of this body had a close relationship with him—otherwise, why would he have rescued him from exile at the frontier?
Before he could think further, Sun Ye stepped forward.
“Young Master Xue, His Highness has ordered me to guard you from now on. Qingya and Qingzhu have also been assigned to attend you.”
Seeing Sun Ye, Mu Xueshi felt an unexpected warmth. Though he had been driven here, there were still familiar faces—his gloom eased somewhat.
Perhaps, like Su Ruhan, they had never known the original Mu Xueshi either…
Remembering their worried expressions when he first awoke, he felt touched again. His gaze swept over them—then he chose the least awkward target and threw himself into an embrace.
Sun Ye froze completely.
Realizing the person in his arms was the Third Prince’s beloved, even the usually composed guard panicked.
“Don’t move. Let me feel some warmth,” Mu Xueshi said openly.
Sun Ye had never been so flustered. He was a man who kept himself strictly disciplined, rarely allowing close contact. Yet now, glancing downward, he caught sight of the smooth skin revealed beneath Mu Xueshi’s loose collar, along with a faint, enticing fragrance.
It was impossible not to feel something stir.
Awkwardly, he patted Mu Xueshi’s back, intending to comfort him while urging him to let go—only to feel his body suddenly go limp.
Looking down, he realized Mu Xueshi had fainted in his arms.
Only then did he notice how burning-hot his body was.
“Quick! Fetch Imperial Physician Li—Young Master Xue has a high fever!”
Moments later, the guards returned.
“Imperial Physician Li has gone to His Highness’s chambers—Princess Wenyang injured her hand.”
Mu Xueshi had been drifting in and out of consciousness—but those words struck him with sudden clarity.
“Does it hurt?”
“When we return, I’ll apply medicine for you.”
He remembered those words clearly.
Princess Wenyang’s injury had come from striking him.
He did not find it excessive. Once, even the slightest injury of his would make the Third Prince anxious.
Now… it was simply someone else’s turn.
Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west…
Opening his eyes, Mu Xueshi said weakly, “It’s just a fever. No need for a physician—just prepare some medicine.”
“Young Master Xue is awake!” Qingya brought the bowl forward to feed him.
Mu Xueshi sat up obediently, but at the sight of the dark, bitter decoction, he shook his head and pushed it aside.
“You said you would take medicine—why refuse now?” Qingya asked anxiously.
Mu Xueshi glanced at the bowl again, recalling the nauseating bitterness. In the past, he would resist—but eventually, the Third Prince would force it down his throat.
Now… the prince likely wouldn’t even bother.
His small face tightened. He sat in silence for a long while, the servants watching helplessly.
Suddenly, he turned to Sun Ye with solemn seriousness.
“Sun Ye—you feed it to me.”
“Feed…?” Sun Ye blinked, confused.
Mu Xueshi rasped, “Hold my mouth open and pour it in. No matter how I struggle, make sure I drink it all.”
Sun Ye hesitated. Who would make such a request?
“…Forget it. I’ll drink it myself.”
Mu Xueshi suddenly realized how cruel it was to project his suppressed emotions onto those who cared for him.
So he picked up the bowl, pinched his nose—and gulped it down in one go.
Futile Devices Scans 
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