Futile Devices Scans

“Your Highness, there is one more matter—the painting that Emperor Hao Lin sent you.”

As he spoke, Su Ruhan stepped out of the room and, after a short while, returned with the long box.

The Third Prince looked at the box, and Su Ruhan also stared at it. Neither of them made a move. In the end, Su Ruhan thought for a moment and decided to open it himself.

Su Ruhan stood facing the Third Prince. The painting paper was thin, yet the lines were bold and forceful. Even though he only unfolded it toward himself, the Third Prince could already make out the general contents from the back.

Su Ruhan’s gaze merely swept across the painting once, and his expression changed slightly. Upon taking a closer look, his face darkened even more.

This Emperor Hao Lin was truly courting death.

The figure in the painting was vividly lifelike. Though lifeless, under Emperor Hao Lin’s brush, it seemed to possess spirit. Yet the person in the painting was completely naked. The detailing of the most private areas was exquisitely precise, as if this person had once stood unclothed before Emperor Hao Lin.

No one would dare admire such a painting—because the person depicted was the fearsome Third Prince.

Su Ruhan rolled up the painting and looked toward the Third Prince, hesitating over whether to show it to him.

“I’ve already seen it,” the Third Prince said calmly.

“Then why is there no reaction at all?”

“I was just thinking about what you said earlier—how to make Emperor Hao Lin pay a price greater than what he gains.”

……

“These days, the palace is in chaos. Don’t go wandering out casually.” Sun Ye stretched out his arm, blocking Mu Xueshi’s path.

“I really have something to do.” Mu Xueshi paced anxiously in front of Sun Ye.

Sun Ye noticed that Mu Xueshi was holding a basket, its contents unknown. Seeing how secretive he was about going out alone, Sun Ye was certain he couldn’t allow it. Mu Xueshi had only just begun to recover, and with so many unfamiliar faces outside, if anything happened, even several lives wouldn’t be enough to atone for it.

Mu Xueshi clasped his hands in supplication and said many flattering things. If those words had come from anyone else, Sun Ye wouldn’t have listened at all. But this was Mu Xueshi without his mask. Whether pleading, coaxing, or anxious, every expression on that face was irresistibly endearing.

Taking advantage of Sun Ye’s momentary distraction, Mu Xueshi lowered his head and tried to slip through the gap. But just as he was about to succeed, Sun Ye snapped out of it, grabbed his clothes, and pulled him back.

Seeing so many servants staring at him, Mu Xueshi felt utterly embarrassed. He rolled up his sleeves, took a deep breath, and shouted at Sun Ye, “Let me out!”

Sun Ye remained unmoved.

“Ow, my stomach hurts!” Mu Xueshi suddenly crouched down, clutching his stomach with a pained expression.

At his cry, five or six maidservants rushed over, their faces full of concern. When they turned to look at Sun Ye, their expressions became fierce.

“You’re too heartless! If Young Master Xue wants to go out, why won’t you let him?”

“His injuries haven’t healed yet, and you’re still making him angry!”

“If anything happens to him, we’ll all fight you to the death!”

“……”

Sun Ye knew Mu Xueshi was pretending and commented blandly, “Soft-hearted fools.”

Upon hearing that, Qingzhu—already someone who never held back—became even more outspoken.

“Sun Ye, you’re just jealous that our Young Master Xue is handsome! You oppose him in everything. Before, when he said one, it wasn’t two—now when he says one, it’s not even one anymore… uh, why does that sound so confusing…” Qingzhu scratched her head.

Sun Ye glanced sideways at Qingzhu but didn’t bother arguing.

In his view, he himself had never changed. It was these women who, after seeing Mu Xueshi’s true appearance, treated him like a deity. If anyone said even a slightly unpleasant word, they would attack that person as if he were their mortal enemy.

Mu Xueshi regretted pretending his stomach hurt. With so many people crowding around him, there was no way he could slip out anymore. They pushed and fussed over him, escorting him back into his room and forcing him onto the bed. Meanwhile, his basket was taken away by Sun Ye.

“The way Young Master Xue looks when he sleeps is so adorable…” Qingya whispered to Qingzhu.

Qingzhu giggled and nodded, then said loudly into Qingya’s ear, “Let’s not disturb him. Let’s go out.”

Qingya rubbed her ears angrily. She had told her countless times not to speak like thunder, yet although Qingzhu had improved in not saying the wrong things, her voice could still deafen people.

Finally gone… Mu Xueshi lay on the bed, pondering how to sneak out without Sun Ye noticing. Ever since he was injured, he hadn’t left Chun Nuan Pavilion. Partly, he felt stifled; partly, he wanted to pay respects to Mu Xueshi’s soul—and also kowtow to the Third Prince’s mother.

Qingzhu was sitting by the window, absentmindedly embroidering a handkerchief. Suddenly, she lifted her head, her entire face lighting up with excitement.

“Qingya! Qingya!”

Qingya had been dozing off. When Qingzhu suddenly called out, she jolted awake, her heart pounding wildly for a long while before it finally settled.

“What are you doing?!” Qingya nearly lost her temper with Qingzhu.

“Quick, look who’s here!”

Qingya’s expression had been unpleasant, but the moment she saw the person at the door, she immediately brightened. Watching Qingzhu run downstairs, Qingya followed closely behind, rushing out with excitement.

“Qingyun, why did you come?”

“You’ve gotten thinner—why is your face injured?”

“Qingyun, I heard you’re serving that princess, right? You must be quite favored now?”

“……”

The young women bombarded her with questions the moment they met. Qingyun wore a troubled expression the entire time. Seeing Qingya and Qingzhu’s enthusiasm only made her feel worse.

“Let’s stop talking for now, you’re confusing her. Come inside and sit first.” With that, Qingya and Qingzhu pulled Qingyun inside with cheerful smiles.

But Qingyun stubbornly refused to go in, pulling her arms free from their grip.

“What’s wrong?” Qingya looked at her with concern.

Qingzhu added, “You don’t look well. Are you feeling sick?”

As she spoke, Qingzhu reached out to touch Qingyun’s forehead.

Qingyun awkwardly dodged. The more Qingya and Qingzhu showed concern, the worse she felt. Knowing she couldn’t stay long, she bit her lip and said, “I’m not here to see you. I… I came to deliver a message for my mistress…”

“Forget the message for now—come, I’ll take you to see Young Master Xue. I guarantee once you see him, any illness will be cured!” Qingzhu said with a silly grin, tugging at Qingyun’s hand.

Qingyun began to resist fiercely. “No, Qingzhu, don’t…”

Qingya sensed something was wrong and quickly stopped Qingzhu, then asked Qingyun, “Qingyun, what message does your mistress—the princess—want you to deliver?”

Lowering her head, Qingyun said hoarsely, “She wants me to tell Young Master Xue that His Highness and the princess will be married on the third day of the month… and that Young Master Xue should… come and join the celebration.”

As soon as Qingyun said this, both Qingya and Qingzhu fell silent. Qingzhu quietly counted on her fingers—only four days remained until the third day. In four days, His Highness would marry the princess… then what about Young Master Xue?

“…I’m leaving.”

Qingyun glanced once more at Qingya and Qingzhu. Before they could react, she hurriedly ran off.

Qingya raised her head, watching Qingyun’s departing figure, and noticed that her gait was strange—she was limping.

“Is His Highness really going to marry that princess?” Qingya murmured to herself, still standing there.

Qingzhu’s expression dimmed as well, sighing softly. Logically, their master’s upcoming wedding should be a joyous occasion. Throughout history, what emperor or prince didn’t have multiple consorts? Yet her heart ached faintly. Somehow, the relationship between the Third Prince and Young Master Xue felt different from what they had always seen.

Suddenly, a noisy commotion came from afar. Qingya and Qingzhu craned their necks to look. Dozens of people were walking in formation—some carrying flags, some sedan chairs, some holding signboards. Neither Qingya nor Qingzhu could read the characters, so they called a guard over to help.

“The first two signs say ‘A harmonious union for a hundred years,’ and the ones behind say ‘A joyful marriage.’ Don’t you see the red silk tied to them? These ceremonial processions have been passing through here often these days—I’m already used to it.”

Qingya and Qingzhu immediately understood what was going on. No wonder the courtyard had been so lively lately—everyone was preparing for the Third Prince’s wedding. Thinking of this, they exchanged a glance, both filled with melancholy.

“We shouldn’t let Young Master Xue find out,” Qingya said as they walked back.

Qingzhu nodded. “Right. And don’t let him go out either. If he sees all this, he’ll definitely feel upset.”

“Yes, let’s keep him entertained so he doesn’t feel bored. Then he won’t want to go out.”

“……”

After agreeing, the two went upstairs. Mu Xueshi had been peeking out the window the whole time, secretly watching what Qingya and Qingzhu were doing. As soon as they entered, he quickly pulled his head back and tiptoed to the bed.

He lay there with his eyes closed, pretending to sleep for a while. Hearing their quiet whispers, he got up barefoot and walked out. At the door, he saw Qingya and Qingzhu huddled together talking about something. He stepped forward and suddenly shouted, “Ah!” scaring them so badly their faces turned pale.

“Haha… what secret are you two hiding?” Mu Xueshi pointed at them with a slender finger, his face full of mock interrogation.

Qingya quickly shook her head, still shaken. “Nothing, nothing. Young Master Xue, are you hungry?”

“A little.” Mu Xueshi patted his stomach.

Qingzhu immediately headed toward the kitchen. “Then I’ll go cook something.”

“No need.” A glint flashed in Mu Xueshi’s bright eyes as he patted his chest confidently. “I’ll cook today. Ever since I got sick, you haven’t had my cooking, right?”

The two maids clapped happily, insisting on helping him. The three of them, smiling, headed toward the kitchen together.

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