“Do you want to see him?” Hao Lin revealed his usual considerate smile.
Mu Xueshi shook his head. “I don’t know either. Go take a look. I’ll wait for you inside.”
After saying that, under Hao Lin’s gaze, Mu Xueshi climbed onto the couch, stretched out all four limbs, and squinted his eyes, enjoying this rare moment of rest.
“Finally, I can rest for a bit,” Mu Xueshi added comfortably.
Hao Lin didn’t know whether to laugh or be annoyed. This little rascal was actually putting on an act right under his nose.
The moment Hao Lin stepped out, Mu Xueshi immediately withdrew his relaxed expression, pricking up his ears to listen to the movement outside.
“The Third Prince is truly a rare guest. It’s usually difficult to see you even once—why have you come to my place on your own today?” Hao Lin ignored the Third Prince’s gloomy expression, speaking calmly and unhurriedly.
“I’m looking for a mischievous child who wandered off from my courtyard.”
“A mischievous child? Haha…” Hao Lin couldn’t help but feel pleased with that description. Mu Xueshi really was like a mischievous child—one that many people worried about deeply.
“There’s no such child here. Your Highness must be joking. Even the youngest guard here is probably over fifteen.”
The Third Prince’s expression grew increasingly grim. He had already determined that Mu Xueshi was here. If he continued to waste time with Hao Lin, he might still not see him in the end. Thinking that Mu Xueshi might be suffering or being coerced somewhere, the Third Prince felt as if all the blood in his body were flowing backward.
Ignoring Hao Lin’s deliberately provoking gaze, the Third Prince walked straight toward Hao Lin’s room. A cold glint flashed in Hao Lin’s eyes—no one had ever dared to offend him like this.
With a swift movement, the Third Prince landed right at the doorway, standing less than five centimeters from Hao Lin’s face.
“Third Prince, although this is Yunxi’s palace, I am still a guest. Treating a guest like this seems improper, doesn’t it?”
“Whether it’s proper or not—I decide.”
The Third Prince’s emotionless reply made even the surrounding guards change their expressions. This was bad—if they really started fighting, everyone here might lose their lives.
Hao Lin’s expression finally changed. Meeting the Third Prince’s icy gaze—one cold, one hot—like fire and ice colliding, one would be destroyed or the other would vanish.
The windows and doors seemed to tremble. All the servants looked tense, not daring to breathe. Just as everyone’s nerves stretched to their limit, a door creaked open, breaking the suffocating silence.
“I’m here.”
Mu Xueshi stood at the doorway, looking at the Third Prince, whom he hadn’t seen for many days.
The Third Prince looked back at him. His gaze was calm as water, Mu Xueshi’s face completely uncovered—though marked with fresh injuries, it still shone brilliantly. But the Third Prince had no mind to care about that. He brushed past Hao Lin and strode straight inside. Mu Xueshi stepped back, and with a loud bang, the Third Prince shut the door behind him.
Birds perched on the eaves scattered in panic. The dignified Emperor of Lubei was left standing outside the door just like that. Hao Lin didn’t force his way in—he had clearly seen the crack in the door. With just a touch, it would collapse. If he startled the two inside, how would he enjoy the show?
At first, the Third Prince said nothing. As he stared at Mu Xueshi, he tried to suppress his anger. He didn’t want to open with reproach—Mu Xueshi was still injured, and those injuries were likely borne because of him.
“Does it hurt?” The Third Prince gently touched Mu Xueshi’s cheek.
Mu Xueshi quickly dodged aside and said bluntly, “I don’t feel much. I’m used to it.”
That single evasive motion stirred waves in the Third Prince’s heart. Bitterness surged, nearly drowning him. Since when had Mu Xueshi begun guarding himself against him like this?
The Third Prince steadied himself and asked calmly, “Why did you run out?”
Mu Xueshi showed not the slightest guilt. With his hands behind his back, he strolled around the room, looking carefree.
“What do you mean ‘run’? I just came out to play. That place was too boring—I was suffocating.”
“Boring? And this place is interesting?” The Third Prince’s expression shifted slightly.
Mu Xueshi nodded. “Yeah. I plan to stay here and play for a few days, so you should leave. If you delay your wedding, I can’t take responsibility for that.”
The Third Prince suddenly grabbed Mu Xueshi and pulled him close, locking him tightly in his arms. Staring fiercely at him, he said, “Look at me—and say again what you just said about me leaving.”
Mu Xueshi turned his head away, refusing to comply. Enraged, the Third Prince forcibly turned his face back, making him look straight at him.
“Say what?” Mu Xueshi’s clear eyes now carried a trace of anger.
“Say that you want me to leave.” The Third Prince stared at him.
“Why should I say whatever you tell me to? My mouth is on my face—I can say whatever I want. It has nothing to do with you.”
Mu Xueshi practically shouted those words.
The Third Prince’s hands trembled slightly. The person he had thought about day and night stood before him, speaking such indifferent words. It hurt even more than when Mu Xueshi had changed before—because this was still the same person he loved, unchanged in every way… except toward him.
“Then I beg you to say it. As long as you say those words, I’ll leave immediately. From now on, I won’t force you to do anything ever again.”
What a perfect opportunity—if he just said it, everything would be resolved… Mu Xueshi told himself rationally. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t repeat the words the Third Prince wanted. “Leave” became like a forbidden phrase—he opened his mouth again and again, yet couldn’t say it.
Seeing Mu Xueshi hesitate, the Third Prince suddenly found a glimmer of hope. He pulled Mu Xueshi into his arms, his voice tinged with regret.
“Xueshi… can I look at your wounds?”
Mu Xueshi felt the Third Prince’s hand move to his abdomen, gently tracing near the wound. The pain from before surged back, and those dozens of “I don’t love you” echoed like a curse in his mind.
Suddenly, Mu Xueshi grabbed the Third Prince’s hand tightly, trying to pull it away, his body struggling to break free from the embrace.
“Are you angry with me?” The Third Prince held onto the last thread of calm.
Mu Xueshi shook his head.
“Then let me see how your injuries have healed.”
Mu Xueshi stepped back, glaring stubbornly at the Third Prince. “Don’t say ‘you.’ Say Mu Xueshi.”
The Third Prince’s heart suddenly tightened. In that instant, he understood what Mu Xueshi cared about. Indeed, from beginning to end, it had all been his fault. He had been too stubborn—just to punish Mu Xueshi, he had said such heartless words. Even now, Mu Xueshi still believed that what he cherished was merely that body… a shell that didn’t even belong to him.
“It is you…”
“I’m not going back with you.” Mu Xueshi suddenly cut off his explanation. “If you value this body of mine, then return the silver coin to me, and I’ll disappear immediately. Take it if you want, look at the wounds if you want—I won’t object at all.”
The last thread of the Third Prince’s patience snapped. He grabbed Mu Xueshi by the collar and demanded loudly, “If you won’t go, what are you staying here for?”
“I get along well with that prince. He and I are the same kind of people—we have things in common…”
“Prince…” The Third Prince clenched his teeth and pointed outside. “He’s no mere prince—he is the ruler of Lubei, Wenyang Princess’s own brother. How could he possibly treat you sincerely!”
Mu Xueshi’s heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t expected that he had been fooled yet again.
“So what if he’s the ruler of Lubei? Friendship has no borders.” Mu Xueshi still stubbornly retorted.
The Third Prince’s expression had turned extremely ugly. At this moment, if there were anyone else nearby, he would have strangled them in Mu Xueshi’s place.
“Besides, being a ruler is great—better than a prince, right? If I rely on him, I can enjoy a lifetime of wealth and glory.” Mu Xueshi mimicked the tone of those gold-diggers from TV, deliberately putting on a dreamy expression.
The Third Prince could never have imagined such words coming from Mu Xueshi’s mouth. It had always been his own words that crushed others’ hearts—yet now, someone else’s words made him feel a bone-deep chill from head to toe.
Suddenly, a loud crash came from the doorway. Just as Hao Lin had expected, with a light push, the door collapsed instantly.
Hao Lin had heard the entire conversation between Mu Xueshi and the Third Prince. Now, suddenly interested, he stepped in to join the scene.
In Mu Xueshi’s eyes, Hao Lin now seemed like a completely different person. He still wore a smile, but beneath it was an undeniable arrogance, an unmistakable imperial aura. No wonder, when Mu Xueshi had first been unconscious here, he had felt such an overwhelming pressure above him.
“The Third Prince is right—I am the ruler of Lubei. I didn’t explain at first because I was afraid you’d be frightened.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine…” Mu Xueshi instantly changed his expression when facing Hao Lin. “It’s my honor.”
After saying that, Mu Xueshi even stepped forward to shake his hand. But before he could, his hand was suddenly seized tightly. The familiar warmth told him—it was the Third Prince.
“You don’t need to call me ‘Prince’ anymore. They all call me Emperor Hao Lin. You can do the same. If you’re willing, you may even call me Hao Lin—only my queen has ever called me that.”
As Hao Lin spoke, he glanced teasingly at the Third Prince.
The Third Prince ignored Hao Lin’s deliberate provocation and turned his gaze to Mu Xueshi. “Will you come back with me? You don’t have to stay in the courtyard. I’ll have Su Ruhan accompany you—you can go wherever you want. I’ll give you your freedom. But you absolutely cannot stay here.”
……
Mu Xueshi knew this was his last chance. But he didn’t want others to keep making choices for him forever.
“The portrait Emperor Hao Lin is painting of me… isn’t finished yet.” Mu Xueshi said this toward the blank wall—unclear whether it was meant for Hao Lin or the Third Prince.
The Third Prince’s gaze flickered. He saw the paper laid out nearby—a lively, mischievous face drawn upon it…
Suddenly, he felt his hand tighten, then loosen. Mu Xueshi saw the Third Prince’s figure disappear quickly through the doorway. He felt something wet flowing across his palm. Raising his hand, he saw it stained bright red.
There was no pain in his own hand—Mu Xueshi knew clearly, this was the Third Prince’s blood.
Hao Lin suddenly walked over, grabbed Mu Xueshi’s hand, and asked with a smile, “What? Does your heart ache?”
Mu Xueshi snorted, showing his disdain.
“But I see a certain mischievous child’s eyes are red.”
Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Mu Xueshi instantly lifted his head and met Hao Lin’s gaze. The friendliness from before was gone.
“You big liar! You even lied about being hurt by Wenyang Princess and suffering in silence. Hmph… let go of me, I’m going out—I’m going to find my master.”
“Hahaha…” Hao Lin laughed brightly. “Little thing, the Third Prince just left and you’ve already changed your face. How could I let you go? I haven’t even let you enjoy a lifetime of wealth yet.”
“Let go of me! I’m not someone who covets wealth!” Mu Xueshi shouted.
“But I covet beauty.” Hao Lin whispered beside Mu Xueshi’s ear.
Mu Xueshi’s expression changed. His eyes darted around until they landed on a vase not far away. He thought to himself—no matter how powerful Hao Lin was, he couldn’t be unafraid of being smashed.
Turning sharply, he struck swiftly. Hao Lin indeed paused for a moment. Seizing the chance, Mu Xueshi rushed to grab the vase. But when he turned back, Hao Lin had already vanished. Just as he stared in shock, he suddenly felt himself lifted off the ground. The vase crashed to the floor with a loud bang, shattering into pieces, and Mu Xueshi cried out.
Hao Lin looked down at the struggling Mu Xueshi in his arms, amusement glinting in his eyes.
“If you shout once, I’ll have someone cut the Third Prince once.”
Mu Xueshi immediately shut his mouth, not daring to even breathe loudly.
“What a devoted and pitiful little thing…”
Goosebumps covered Mu Xueshi’s entire body, and cold sweat formed on his forehead.
Hao Lin placed the obedient Mu Xueshi onto the bed, tapped twice on his chest, then covered him with a blanket. His expression softened again, just like when Mu Xueshi had first seen him.
“Don’t worry, I won’t touch you for now. I’ve just received word—the Emperor has summoned me. You can use this time to think carefully about how to curry favor with me, the ruler of a nation. Or, if you prefer, you may imagine how to escape this room.”
With that, Hao Lin patted Mu Xueshi’s cheek indulgently and turned, striding toward the door.
Futile Devices Scans 
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