“Reporting to Your Majesty, the Third Prince says that in the future, when Your Majesty enters this courtyard, there is no need to request permission.”
The Emperor’s expression eased slightly. Looking at the guard kneeling before him, he said, “This courtyard was a gift I gave to my third son. His cherishing it so much shows his sincerity. He prefers peace and quiet and does not like excessive disturbance. It is best to respect his wishes.”
Hearing this, the guard became even more afraid to relay the rest. Although the Emperor had already told him to rise, he remained kneeling, his troubled face directed toward the Emperor. His lips moved several times, but no words came out.
“Did the Third Prince give any other instructions?” the Emperor asked patiently.
“The Third Prince… also said… just like when Linhan Palace was demolished before, you can simply bring people in directly…” The further he spoke, the softer his voice became. By the end, he almost wished he could disappear into the ground.
“How outrageous!”
With a roar, the Emperor’s expression instantly turned furious. If it were any other time, it might have been tolerable—but now, in front of a foreign ruler, such words from the Third Prince made him lose all face.
“Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I believe His Highness did not mean to target you…” Eunuch Li hurriedly tried to soothe him from the side.
Hao Lin curved his lips into a faint smile and said aloud, “Then is he targeting me?”
“No, no…” Eunuch Li waved his hands quickly, bowing apologetically. “Emperor Lin, please don’t misunderstand. It was my poor choice of words. His Highness is likely just acting out of momentary frustration over the demolition of Linhan Palace without consulting him.”
After speaking, Eunuch Li quickly stepped back behind the Emperor, not daring to say another word.
The Emperor took a moment to steady his breathing before turning to Hao Lin. “I have made a fool of myself before Emperor Lin.”
“Not at all!” Hao Lin replied with a smile. “On the contrary, I quite admire the Third Prince’s straightforward nature.”
The words made the Emperor feel somewhat uncomfortable, but he did not show it. Letting out a soft sigh, he stepped forward, entering the courtyard together with Hao Lin and dozens of attendants behind them.
Hao Lin easily caught the unique floral fragrance in the air. He had heard that the Third Prince’s courtyard contained countless rare flowers and plants. In that enormous flower pond, thousands of precious species grew together. Even smelling their blended fragrance was said to dispel illness.
Thinking of someone emerging from such an environment filled with elegant fragrance, how could they be an ordinary person? Just imagining the Third Prince’s face alone lifted Hao Lin’s mood severalfold.
They had not gone far when they encountered another group. At the front were two people—one who had nearly angered the Emperor to the point of coughing blood earlier, and the other, Hao Lin’s younger sister whom he had not seen for many days.
“Brother!”
The moment Princess Wenyang saw a familiar face, she immediately ran over in small, quick steps. Her agile body threw itself into Hao Lin’s arms, her face glowing with excitement.
Hao Lin carefully examined her. Compared to when she had arrived, she looked slightly fuller, her complexion rosy and fresh like a newly picked fruit. Her bright, lively eyes showed no trace of grievance. This outcome surprised Hao Lin. Could the news from a few days ago have been false? Judging by her current state, it could not have been achieved in just a day or two.
He concealed all his thoughts, and seeing her so lively, he truly appeared like a doting older brother, tapping her forehead affectionately. “You’re about to become someone’s imperial consort, yet you’re still so childish.”
“What are you saying, Brother!” Princess Wenyang lightly punched his chest, her cheeks flushed red.
Hao Lin laughed, then shifted his gaze to the Third Prince. He did not appear as dispirited as rumored. His eyes were sharp and gleaming, as though anyone he looked at might have their soul taken.
The Emperor had entered in anger, but along the way, the fragrance of flowers had already eased his mood. Now, seeing both the Third Prince and Princess Wenyang personally come to receive them—both looking full of vitality—the remaining anger in his heart faded considerably.
“Your son greets Father Emperor,” the Third Prince said, bowing.
Prompted by Hao Lin, Princess Wenyang realized her earlier lack of decorum. She quickly stepped away from him and respectfully bowed to the Emperor.
The Emperor first allowed Princess Wenyang to rise, then looked at the Third Prince for a long moment before saying in a low tone, “Do you still have me, your father, in your heart?”
The Third Prince appeared as though unaware of what had just occurred. He looked at the Emperor calmly and replied respectfully, “Your son has always been concerned about Father Emperor. It is only that I have been in low spirits recently and have not come to pay my respects. I ask Father Emperor’s forgiveness.”
That single sentence—“always concerned about Father Emperor”—instantly dispelled all the Emperor’s anger. For the Third Prince to speak sweetly like the other princes was almost unheard of. Hearing even one such sentence felt better than hearing a hundred flattering words, and the Emperor immediately beamed with joy.
Seeing Princess Wenyang’s expression, the Emperor gained a general understanding of their situation and gradually felt reassured.
Eunuch Li, standing to the side, no longer dared to say a word. He had spoken with such certainty earlier, only for reality to be the opposite. From now on, the Emperor might no longer trust his words as before.
The group proceeded harmoniously to the Third Prince’s residence. At first, the Emperor had worried he might encounter someone he did not wish to see, but recalling Princess Wenyang’s demeanor, he realized it was unlikely. Indeed, upon entering the hall, there was no sign of any outsider.
Feeling at ease, the Emperor turned to Princess Wenyang and asked, “Has my overbearing third son caused you any trouble?”
Princess Wenyang quickly shook her head. “No, no, His Highness treats me very well.” After speaking, she stole a glance at the Third Prince. Her eyes were filled with happiness, without the slightest trace of pretense.
Hao Lin and Shang Chuanhong exchanged a glance in secret. Then, in front of everyone, Hao Lin instructed Shang Chuanhong to present the gift he had brought for the Third Prince. The Emperor had not expected Hao Lin to be so thoughtful as to prepare a gift in advance.
Su Ruhan stood behind the Third Prince. From the moment Shang Chuanhong stepped out, he had heightened his vigilance. Soon after, Shang Chuanhong returned, now holding a long rectangular box.
——
Seeing that Shang Chuanhong had indeed gone out to retrieve a gift, Su Ruhan’s gaze softened slightly. Along with everyone else, he shifted his attention to the box.
Everyone assumed that such a long box must contain some rare treasure unique to Lubei. To their surprise, when it was opened, it revealed a scroll painting. Princess Wenyang was just about to run over and open it when Hao Lin stopped her hand, feigning anger as he said, “This is a gift for the Third Prince—how can you open it first?”
Hearing this, Princess Wenyang withdrew her hand awkwardly. The scroll was placed back into the box by Shang Chuanhong and then respectfully handed over to Su Ruhan.
Su Ruhan accepted it with great respect, holding it as he stood behind the Third Prince.
The Third Prince gave a perfunctory word of thanks. Though his eyes were directed toward Hao Lin, he did not actually look at him.
“I wonder which master painted this?” the Emperor asked with interest.
“Haha…” Hao Lin laughed. “I’m afraid I’ll embarrass myself. It’s not the work of any master—just something I painted on a whim, a humble piece especially for my future brother-in-law.”
“Emperor Lin is too modest. I’ve long heard of your exceptional talent in painting but have never had the chance to see it myself. My third son is truly fortunate to receive your original work. Might we open it and let everyone admire it together?”
Just as Su Ruhan was about to step forward, the Third Prince raised an arm to stop him and said calmly to those in the hall, “Since this is Emperor Lin’s thoughtful gift, it would be better for me to look at it first before deciding whether to let everyone view it.”
The Emperor gave an awkward laugh and added, “That’s fine, that’s fine. Such a precious gift—if it were me, I wouldn’t be willing to let others see it first either.”
As soon as the Emperor said this, everyone in the room nodded in agreement.
Hao Lin’s gaze passed over the Emperor and landed directly on the Third Prince’s face, meeting his eyes. Hao Lin’s expression was extremely ambiguous, with a hint of amusement. He wondered what kind of expression would appear on that strikingly handsome face once the Third Prince saw the painting.
Shang Chuanhong’s disguise skills had reached a masterful level. In the instant he stepped out to retrieve the gift, he had already switched identities with another guard. By the time he reappeared elsewhere, he had seamlessly taken on Su Ruhan’s identity.
Before leaving, Shang Chuanhong remembered Hao Lin’s instructions: within half an hour, he must locate Mu Xueshi, find a way to bring him to Linhan Palace, and do so using his real appearance.
Shang Chuanhong understood Hao Lin’s intentions perfectly. Borrowing Su Ruhan’s identity was most convenient. Moving through any corner of the courtyard, no one would stop him. As long as Mu Xueshi had not left the courtyard, it would not take long to find him.
As he walked, Shang Chuanhong searched his memory. He recalled hearing that the princess had once been neglected in a place called Chun Nuan Pavilion. Now that Princess Wenyang was staying in the Third Prince’s residence, Mu Xueshi was very likely in the place where she had previously stayed…
As he thought this, a small independent pavilion appeared not far ahead, divided into two levels. On the plaque of the second floor were the three characters “Chun Nuan Pavilion.”
This should be the place, Shang Chuanhong thought, slowing his steps as he approached.
“Guard Su.”
A group of servants saw “Su Ruhan” and bowed respectfully. Shang Chuanhong walked unimpeded up to the second floor, where he saw Sun Ye standing there.
He had some impression of this person—Zhang Mu had once fought him, and during the time Shang Chuanhong had impersonated the Third Prince, Sun Ye had been his personal guard. Since the Third Prince had assigned him to guard Mu Xueshi, he would not be easily deceived. Shang Chuanhong immediately reminded himself to be cautious.
“Weren’t you just summoned away by His Highness? Why are you back so soon?” Sun Ye asked in surprise.
So Su Ruhan had only just left. After a moment’s thought, Shang Chuanhong replied, “There are a few things I need to explain to Xueshi. Where is he now?”
“He’s in his room—just fell asleep not long ago.” Sun Ye tilted his chin, gesturing toward the direction.
Shang Chuanhong glanced around, deliberately putting on a thoughtful expression, though in reality he was observing the layout. Fortunately, there were not many rooms on the second floor—aside from the main hall, there were only two separate chambers. Being from Yunxi, he naturally knew that the room near the entrance was not the inner chamber, so he headed straight toward the room where Mu Xueshi was sleeping.
A trace of vigilance appeared in Sun Ye’s eyes. It was not that he had seen through the disguise, but rather that he found Su Ruhan’s frequent visits to Mu Xueshi’s private quarters suspicious. Especially recalling the Third Prince’s instructions, he instinctively moved a few steps closer to the doorway, carefully listening to the sounds inside.
Futile Devices Scans 
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