Mu Xueshi felt someone pry open his teeth, and a bitter, warm liquid poured into his mouth, sliding straight down his throat. He barely managed to swallow it when another mouthful followed. His throat felt blocked, his body weak and powerless—whether he swallowed or not was no longer under his control.
I don’t want to drink this… Mu Xueshi shouted in his mind, yet he had no strength to resist. His arms wouldn’t lift, his neck couldn’t turn. His whole body was numb—only his tongue still had sensation, forced to taste that unbearable bitterness.
By the fifth mouthful, Mu Xueshi couldn’t take it anymore. He curled his tongue and spat the medicine out forcefully, making muffled “ptui, ptui” sounds.
He faintly heard someone speaking beside his ear, something about “Emperor Hao Lin,” spoken in the tone of a maid. Then no more strange liquid entered his mouth. Instead, a scented handkerchief gently wiped the corners of his lips.
Mu Xueshi felt warm breath drawing closer to his face, making his skin itch. He suddenly realized someone was leaning over him. The sense of pressure grew heavier, and his heart began to race uncontrollably.
Wake up, wake up, wake up… his heart twisted tightly, as if pulling at his very nerves.
One, two, three…
At last, he opened his eyes.
Ignoring the person above him, Mu Xueshi abruptly sat up, threw off the blanket, tugged at his trousers, and looked between his legs.
Still there…
He clearly remembered that before he fainted, Princess Wenyang had seemed intent on crippling him. At that time, he had been completely exhausted, unable to move at all, and had truly believed he was about to be turned into a eunuch.
Letting out a long breath of relief, Mu Xueshi patted his chest in lingering fear. Only then did he remember that someone was sitting beside his bed.
From beginning to end, Emperor Hao Lin had been watching Mu Xueshi with great interest. While Mu Xueshi had been unconscious, Hao Lin had sat there for over an hour, admiring that astonishingly beautiful face—and the body, covered in wounds yet still breathtaking.
The moment he had held Mu Xueshi, Hao Lin finally understood why Shang Chuanhong had disobeyed him. And now that Mu Xueshi had opened his eyes, Hao Lin could also understand the Third Prince’s entanglement with love.
“Who are you?” Mu Xueshi asked warily, his bright eyes darting around.
Hao Lin withdrew his focused gaze and smiled gently. “I am a prince here—the emperor’s younger brother.”
Looking around at the room’s furnishings, which seemed even more luxurious than the Third Prince’s chambers, Mu Xueshi immediately believed that this man held great power. Taking another look at Hao Lin, he found yet another rare beauty—tall, noble, with a commanding presence. Especially those long phoenix eyes, which added a touch of seductive charm to his heroic demeanor.
“You look much younger and more handsome than the emperor,” Mu Xueshi couldn’t help but praise.
Hao Lin hadn’t expected Mu Xueshi not only to believe him but also to compliment him so directly. A surge of pleasure rose in his chest, and his tone softened further.
“Are your injuries any better?”
Mu Xueshi stared at Hao Lin’s concerned expression, repeatedly asking himself, Are we that close?
“I’m… okay, I guess. Um… how did I end up here?”
Hao Lin smiled faintly. “I happened to pass by Wenyang Palace and saw the gates tightly shut. The atmosphere inside felt strange. I sent one of my guards to investigate and heard that the princess was enraged and intended to kill everyone in the courtyard. I thought, how improper—how could there be bloodshed before a wedding? So I forced my way in and found you lying unconscious. I couldn’t bear to leave you there, so I brought you out.”
Mu Xueshi bit his lower lip lightly, his expression full of suspicion.
“If Princess Wenyang caused bloodshed, why would you, a prince, care enough to barge in? You’re too much of a saint.”
“A saint?” Hao Lin didn’t fully understand the term, but he grasped that Mu Xueshi was questioning his motives.
He sighed and stood up, a trace of helplessness appearing on his otherwise spirited face. “Perhaps you don’t know—I’ve met that princess before. Three years ago, when I visited Lubei, she was only fifteen. I drank too much one night and said a few inappropriate things to her. She secretly had me captured and whipped for three days, nearly breaking my arms. The scar is still there.”
As he spoke, Hao Lin rolled up his sleeve. On his strong left arm was indeed a long, gruesome scar, clearly from a severe injury.
“Afterward, I had no way to explain myself. I could only claim I had gotten lost in the mountains and been bitten by wild dogs, and the matter was settled. I’ve avoided her ever since—but I can’t bear to see her harm innocent people again. To be honest, today I didn’t ‘barge in’ at all. I changed into black clothes and sneaked in to take you away.”
Mu Xueshi noticed the black outfit and thought to himself that this prince seemed honest enough—he had first claimed to barge in, then admitted it was just a convenient excuse. Looking at Hao Lin’s expression, he couldn’t sense any deceit. After all, he was just a commoner—what would be the point of lying to him?
Thinking this, Mu Xueshi couldn’t help but feel a bit of sympathy for him. It turned out that not only he and Qingyun, but even a prince had suffered humiliation at Princess Wenyang’s hands. Realizing he had found someone who shared his misfortune, Mu Xueshi even felt a sting in his nose.
Seeing Mu Xueshi’s face so clearly betray his thoughts, Hao Lin inwardly laughed. If not for the sake of prolonging the amusement, he would have already stripped him bare to see the look of regret on his face once the truth came out.
That would be very interesting…
“You shouldn’t dwell on the past,” Mu Xueshi said. “Don’t torture yourself with it.”
Hao Lin narrowed his eyes slightly and asked deliberately, “You’re covered in wounds yourself, yet you’re comforting me?”
“Mutual comfort. From now on, we’re friends.”
Mu Xueshi tried to laugh heartily to appear bold, but the movement tugged at his injuries. He barely managed a grin before wincing, covering his mouth and burying his face in the blanket as he groaned in pain.
Watching Mu Xueshi’s clumsy, almost childlike behavior, Hao Lin found it surprising. He had expected the Third Prince’s beloved to be quiet and refined, but ever since Mu Xueshi woke up, he had done nothing but groan and fuss.
I really want to devour you whole, Hao Lin thought, his emotions surging. Yet outwardly, he maintained a gentle and composed demeanor.
“Bring some light food, and some pastries—make sure they’re soft,” Hao Lin ordered the servants at the door.
At the mention of food, Mu Xueshi’s appetite immediately flared. Ever since returning here, he hadn’t had any proper pastries. Now, not only had this prince saved him, he was also treating him so well. Mu Xueshi’s impression of Hao Lin improved even more.
As soon as the aroma drifted in, Mu Xueshi’s gaze followed the food eagerly. But once everything was placed on the table, Hao Lin sat down with his back to Mu Xueshi and began eating—without the slightest intention of sharing.
“You’re really not being fair! Even if you didn’t plan to let me eat, you didn’t have to bring it in just to let me look at it.” Thinking this, Mu Xueshi flopped back onto the bed with a loud thud, pulled the blanket over himself, and hid his breathing.
Even without turning around, Hao Lin could imagine Mu Xueshi’s dissatisfied expression. The corners of his lips curled into a proud smile as he turned and walked toward the bedside.
“Come, have something to eat before you go back to sleep.” Hao Lin pretended not to notice Mu Xueshi’s sulking, his tone still gentle and calm.
Unable to resist the temptation of food, Mu Xueshi sniffed and turned his head, staring eagerly at the dishes. “Why are you letting me eat now?”
The moment he said it, Mu Xueshi regretted it. Didn’t that just reveal all his earlier dissatisfaction? If the prince hadn’t intended to give him any, wouldn’t this make him upset enough to throw the food away?
Hao Lin found it both amusing and exasperating, though his expression softened with a hint of pleasure. “I was just testing the temperature. If it’s too hot, your lips are injured—you could easily get burned.”
Looking at the bowl of plain porridge in Hao Lin’s hands, Mu Xueshi felt deeply moved. Growing up, no one had ever treated him like this. The Third Prince had, but that was when Mu Xueshi’s soul had followed him—it wasn’t directed at him. As for the servants around him, because of the Third Prince’s orders, they never dared to get too close. Now, encountering someone this gentle and considerate, Mu Xueshi felt almost overwhelmed with happiness.
Though it was plain porridge, it contained many rare ingredients, making it fragrant, nourishing, and delicious.
Hao Lin had initially intended to feed him with a spoon, but worried it might seem improper, so he carefully placed the bowl into Mu Xueshi’s hands instead. He even spread a piece of white silk over the blanket. After Mu Xueshi finished the porridge, Hao Lin handed him delicate pastries.
The pastries melted in Mu Xueshi’s mouth. Crumbs gathered around his rosy lips, yet he remained completely unaware.
Watching from the side, Hao Lin felt slightly puzzled. The Third Prince treated this person like a treasure—yet from the way he ate, it was as if he hadn’t had a proper meal in days.
A thought crossed his mind, and he asked, “May I know your name, young master?”
Mu Xueshi answered readily, “I’m not some young master. My name is Mu Xueshi.”
Hao Lin feigned sudden realization. “So you are Young Master Xue—no wonder you looked familiar.”
“Familiar?” Mu Xueshi wiped his mouth vigorously with his hand.
Hao Lin quickly handed him a silk handkerchief, which made Mu Xueshi even more touched. This prince was not only kind, but also completely without airs.
“Oh, I once met your father—we had some acquaintance. Besides, in this palace, who doesn’t know you, Young Master Xue?”
Hearing that Hao Lin knew his father, Mu Xueshi relaxed further. But then he paused at the latter half of the sentence. “Why does everyone in the palace know me?”
“The Third Prince openly defied the emperor in court because of you. The news has already spread throughout the palace. Someone so important to him—who wouldn’t want to see you?”
After saying this, Hao Lin deliberately watched Mu Xueshi’s reaction with a faint, knowing smile.
“Oh…” Mu Xueshi’s expression shifted slightly. He said to Hao Lin, “I’m full now. Thank you for saving me and treating me so well. I’ll take my leave—I’ll repay your kindness another day. Sorry for the trouble.”
With that, Mu Xueshi started to get out of bed.
A sharp glint flashed in Hao Lin’s eyes. Leaving so soon? He was underestimating him.
“No need to hurry, Young Master Xue. Princess Wenyang’s people are currently searching for you outside. If you go out now, you’ll be caught within moments. Stay here at my residence for half a day to avoid the danger. Once things settle, you can decide what to do.”
Mu Xueshi lowered his head, looking at the brocade blanket. After thinking for a moment, he felt this arrangement wasn’t bad.
“I’d just be imposing too much.”
Hao Lin smiled lightly, his words like a gentle breeze. “Not at all. But there is something I don’t quite understand—may I ask?”
“Of course you can. You don’t need to be so cautious when talking to me.” Mu Xueshi looked at him warmly, trying to ease any hesitation.
Hao Lin had the sudden urge to reach out and touch him, to explore him freely—but he restrained himself, maintaining a composed expression.
“When I rescued you, you were being abused by Princess Wenyang, your body covered in wounds. But now that you’ve woken up, it’s as if nothing happened. Don’t you feel wronged? Don’t you feel even a trace of hatred toward her?”
The smile on Mu Xueshi’s face slowly faded. He spoke softly, “I don’t hate anyone.”
Hao Lin’s heart tightened. He looked at Mu Xueshi meaningfully. “No one in this world feels no hatred—unless they love no one. Where there is love, there is hatred.”
The carefree innocence Mu Xueshi had shown earlier disappeared, replaced with a serious and stubborn expression.
“I really don’t love anyone.”
Even Hao Lin was startled by this. Someone who could remain unmoved by the Third Prince’s feelings—perhaps he was the only one. Yet looking into Mu Xueshi’s eyes, they were filled with pure kindness and an untouched innocence.
“If the person you loved told you dozens of times that they didn’t love you… maybe you’d finally be free.”
In my world, no one has the right to say they don’t love me… Hao Lin sneered inwardly as he looked at Mu Xueshi.
“Are you truly free? Or just pretending to be strong?”
“Truly free!” Mu Xueshi smiled easily. “I think this is great. I’ve let everything go—whether someone gets married or not, what does that have to do with me? As long as I can eat well every day, have someone to chat with, and occasionally stroll through the streets, isn’t that a wonderful life?”
Hao Lin almost burst out laughing. These words really ought to be heard by the Third Prince. After everything he had done to keep this person by his side, Mu Xueshi had already grown completely disheartened toward him.
Futile Devices Scans 
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