Futile Devices Scans

Mu Xueshi knew the storm was far from over. What awaited him would be another round of torment. After completely losing face just now, he no longer cared. However the Third Prince wanted to treat him, so be it—his dignity was already gone.

“Was your answer to me earlier sincere?”

Mu Xueshi hadn’t expected the Third Prince to ask him this. He turned his head to look at him, the mockery in his eyes gone. That expression seemed to genuinely be waiting for an answer, not meant to humiliate him.

“Then was your question sincere?”

The Third Prince hadn’t expected that even now, Mu Xueshi would still dare to question him in return.

When the Third Prince remained silent for a long time, Mu Xueshi knew he must be angry, so he continued provocatively, “If your question was sincere, then of course my answer was sincere too.”

…

With his eyes closed, Mu Xueshi waited for a long time, but no punishment came. Unable to hold back any longer, he turned his head to look at the Third Prince. The Prince was staring at him without moving, his gaze devoid of anger—only filled with a long-lost tenderness.

Don’t look at me like that, Mu Xueshi murmured inwardly. I have no resistance. As long as you show even a little kindness, I’ll keep holding onto hope.

“Say it again—whose are you?” the Third Prince asked.

Mu Xueshi looked at him in surprise. The Prince’s gaze was almost bewitching, making him lose himself instantly. Since when had he last seen such an expression from him?

“I… am Xi’s…” Mu Xueshi said, as if under a spell, unable to control himself.

The Third Prince hadn’t expected to be moved so deeply by such a simple sentence. No matter how many times Mu Xueshi had said he loved him before, he had never felt this way. Back then, his identity had been hidden, and everything Mu Xueshi said or did might have had ulterior motives.

“Xi…” Mu Xueshi called uncertainly.

The Third Prince suddenly thought of something—if Mu Xueshi did not originally belong to this body, then he shouldn’t have any of its memories. So why did he know his name?

“How do you know my name?”

Mu Xueshi froze, searching through his memories. After thinking for a long time, he answered honestly, “I think… I once looked through the historical records in your room and saw many princes’ names. They all had the same prefix, but I didn’t seem to see yours…”

Frowning, he continued, oblivious to the chill rising in the Third Prince’s eyes, “Then somehow… you told me yourself that your name was Xi. It looked familiar, like I’d seen it before, so I thought your name was Ye Lü Xi…”

The name Mu Xueshi mentioned actually belonged to the Sixth Prince. After being prompted, he had mistakenly placed that name onto the Third Prince. Mu Xueshi didn’t know the Third Prince’s real name at all.

In that moment, the Third Prince felt everything he had carefully guarded collapse. The affectionate name Mu Xueshi used—was actually meant for someone else. Even the moment his heart had softened had been built on misunderstanding.

“How many things have you lied to me about?!” the Third Prince suddenly roared.

Mu Xueshi had no idea what was happening before he was grabbed and thrown to the ground. He had rarely seen the Third Prince like this. Even when angry before, the Prince would still torment him calmly. But now, he was enraged in an instant.

What’s going on?

Mu Xueshi wanted to ask, but before he could, he was dragged up again, and the Third Prince began acting violently.

Mu Xueshi stopped speaking entirely. Just as he had thought—whatever the Third Prince did was his will, and he had no right to understand. That brief moment of tenderness had already vanished, replaced by silent endurance once more.

“I don’t love you!”

The Third Prince spoke as he moved, repeating it again and again—not just to Mu Xueshi, but to himself. This person had deceived him from beginning to end. Why should he still think of him? Why should he feel pain when he suffered?

“I don’t love you. I don’t love you. I don’t love you…”

Mu Xueshi couldn’t even cry out. His ears rang, his vision blurred, and only those words remained in his mind.

In truth, from the moment he returned, he had never expected the Third Prince to love him. But after his master’s words, after that look just now… he had almost believed it.

Suddenly, the Third Prince flipped him over—and saw a small curved dagger embedded in Mu Xueshi’s chest. It had a white hilt, a weapon of a northern style, placed there by Princess Wenyang.

“You actually dared to kill yourself?!” the Third Prince shouted, completely losing control. “You dare harm yourself? You dare leave me again?!”

As he pulled him up, blood poured from Mu Xueshi’s chest.

With what little strength he had left, Mu Xueshi weakly pleaded, “I’m sorry… let me die…”

The Third Prince froze, then suddenly pulled him into his arms, his whole body trembling.

“Xueshi… no… Youzai… wake up…” His voice was filled with panic as he shouted outside, “Quick! Call the imperial physician!”

“I heard you call my name…” Mu Xueshi forced out a faint smile, his eyes half-open.

Seeing him awake, the Third Prince spoke desperately, saying anything to keep him conscious. But Mu Xueshi could no longer hear. His gaze grew unfocused, his weight collapsing against him.

The Third Prince suddenly took out the silver coin from his sleeve and pressed it into Mu Xueshi’s hand, almost pleading, “Change back… no matter whose body you become, I’ll treat you the same… I just need you to stay…”

Mu Xueshi closed his eyes. The coin slipped from his palm.

“What happened?!”

Su Ruhan rushed into the room, only to see the Third Prince covered in blood, holding Mu Xueshi.

The Third Prince looked at him—that single glance carried all his despair and pain.

“Your Highness, don’t panic. I’ll help stop the bleeding first,” Su Ruhan said as he stepped forward—but was blocked by the Third Prince.

“I’ll do it.”

…

Sun Ye was leading the imperial physician out when Princess Wenyang suddenly blocked their path. She had stationed countless people to monitor the servants in Chun Nuan Pavilion, stopping any use of its resources.

“Where are you going?” she demanded sharply.

Sun Ye ignored her, pulling the physician forward—but dozens of people blocked the way.

“Young Master Xue’s life is in danger. This is the Third Prince’s order. Who dares disobey?”

Princess Wenyang sneered. “Who says it’s his order? Everything here belongs to me. Why should my people be used? If his life is in danger—good. I hope he dies sooner.”

Sun Ye’s expression changed. He grabbed the physician and leapt over the blockade. The guards didn’t dare stop him—even if they could, they wouldn’t risk their lives.

“Useless trash!” Princess Wenyang cursed.

After calming down, she glanced at Qingyun beside her and said coldly, “Why don’t we go watch the show?”

…

“Your Highness, don’t worry. The wound did not damage his heart or lungs. His life is no longer in danger, but he is very weak and needs proper care.”

The bedding had been replaced. Mu Xueshi had been dressed in clean clothes and lay quietly on the bed. The Third Prince had not left his side even for a moment.

Now, finally reassured, he allowed the servants to change his bloodstained clothes.

As if all his strength had been drained, he stared at Mu Xueshi’s face, no longer able to maintain his usual cold composure.

“Your Highness,” Sun Ye called softly.

The Third Prince finally looked away, stood up, and said, “Take good care of Xueshi.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Before Sun Ye could finish speaking, the Third Prince had already disappeared from Chun Nuan Pavilion.

Previous

Main

Next