Mu Xueshi followed the Third Prince safely all the way back to the imperial palace.
The towers at the palace gates had all been renovated, appearing even grander and brighter than before. Upon hearing that the Third Prince was returning, the imperial guards at the entrance had stood there from morning until noon, not daring to move in the slightest. As soon as the Third Prince’s horse approached the palace gates, the gates slowly opened. Rows upon rows of neatly standing imperial guards and elite soldiers bowed respectfully toward the Third Prince. The spectacle was even more imposing than during the Third Prince’s wedding.
The Third Prince maintained a calm expression throughout, but Mu Xueshi looked even more excited than he did. Sitting atop the tall horse, he appeared several degrees more majestic himself. And now that he was basking in the Third Prince’s glory and receiving the admiration of so many people, Mu Xueshi could not help but begin dreaming of standing above tens of thousands someday.
If one day he too could ride beside the Third Prince on horseback, advancing proudly shoulder to shoulder with him, what a wonderful thing that would be.
“I want to go see Qingya and the others. I haven’t seen them in so long,” Mu Xueshi said excitedly to the Third Prince.
The Third Prince replied sternly, “We’ll first go see Father Emperor. Once everything is dealt with, we’ll return to the small courtyard.”
“Alright.” Mu Xueshi nodded.
But secretly, the Third Prince was worried. Mu Xueshi still did not know that Princess Wenyang had ordered Qingyun’s execution. If he entered the small courtyard and discovered Qingyun missing, how were they supposed to hide the truth once he started looking for her?
Mu Xueshi suddenly remembered something and turned to ask the Third Prince, “Why haven’t I seen Sun Ye this whole time? Wasn’t he always following you around?”
At the mention of Sun Ye, the Third Prince’s expression became slightly grave. But seeing the questioning look in Mu Xueshi’s eyes, he could not avoid answering, so he said casually, “Recently, I assigned Sun Ye to investigate some matters for me. It’ll probably take quite a while.”
Mu Xueshi nodded as though understanding. Things really were complicated. There were problems and matters everywhere, though he had no idea what everyone was busy with. Thinking about it made him want to yawn. Although he was curious, since the Third Prince refused to explain things to him, he no longer insisted on digging for answers. As long as everyone ended up safe and sound, that was enough.
By the time the Third Prince arrived at the imperial palace, it was nearly lunchtime, so he headed directly to Yangxin Hall. The Emperor had already finished his meal and was reclining by the window with his eyes closed in rest. Hearing the eunuch outside announce their arrival, he slowly opened his eyes.
“Permit them to enter.”
Once permission was granted, the Third Prince pulled Mu Xueshi along with him inside. Mu Xueshi had been fine initially, but the moment they reached the doorway, he suddenly lost his courage and began tugging backward on the Third Prince’s hand.
“What is it?” the Third Prince asked.
Mu Xueshi leaned close to the Third Prince’s ear and whispered, “The Emperor only summoned you inside. If I go in too, won’t I get beheaded?”
“Who would dare execute you?” the Third Prince asked coldly.
Mu Xueshi lowered his head and said nothing.
The Third Prince could feel sweat in Mu Xueshi’s palms. Clearly, he really was nervous. So he comforted him softly, “There’s no need to be afraid. Didn’t you want to know what we usually discuss? This is the perfect chance to find out.”
Actually, I don’t want to know anymore… Mu Xueshi muttered inwardly. But when he looked up and saw the confidence on the Third Prince’s face, he gathered some courage himself. It was only meeting the Emperor, after all. It wasn’t even his first time. What was there to be nervous about?
Before Mu Xueshi could think any further, his feet had already unconsciously followed the Third Prince inside.
The Emperor’s gaze first brightened, obviously upon seeing the Third Prince. Then it darkened again, because he noticed the person standing behind him.
The Emperor had never expected the Third Prince to bring Mu Xueshi along. Regardless of what Mu Xueshi meant to the Third Prince, his status was still nothing more than that of a commoner. Even if he truly had won the Third Prince’s affection, he was still merely a male favorite. Since when could a male favorite enter the main hall?
The Third Prince noticed the displeasure in the Emperor’s eyes, yet offered no explanation. He respectfully bowed to the Emperor. Mu Xueshi copied the Third Prince’s actions and bowed as well, then obediently stood beside him.
“Father Emperor, I have already had the situation along the border investigated thoroughly,” the Third Prince began directly.
The Emperor waved toward the attendants beside him and said in a deep voice, “All of you, withdraw.”
Once only the three of them remained in the hall, the Emperor’s gaze settled squarely upon Mu Xueshi. The meaning hidden within that look could not have been more obvious.
Yet Mu Xueshi seemed completely unable to grasp the Emperor’s thoughts. He remained standing beside the Third Prince without moving, his large round eyes darting around the room, sweeping curiously over all the strange decorations and objects.
“You and I are about to discuss matters of national importance. No matter what, an outsider should not remain here listening at our side. I will assume this was merely an impulsive act on your part. As long as this Young Master Xue waits patiently outside, I shall not pursue the matter further.”
The Emperor’s words were already exceedingly polite.
Mu Xueshi’s face flushed with embarrassment. He tried to pull his hand free from the Third Prince’s grasp, but failed.
“Father Emperor, if you insist on making Mu Xueshi leave, then your son will not remain here alone either.” The Third Prince’s expression was icy cold.
The Emperor’s face darkened as well. “Must you force your father into a difficult position?”
“I have never intended to trouble Father Emperor. I know Mu Xueshi’s character better than anyone. I will stake my life on it that Mu Xueshi would never reveal the contents of today’s conversation to another person.”
Hearing the Third Prince’s words, Mu Xueshi’s heart stirred with emotion. He tugged lightly at the Third Prince’s sleeve and whispered softly, “It’s alright. I can wait outside…”
“No!” the Third Prince rejected him sharply.
Mu Xueshi jumped in fright at the sudden change in the Third Prince’s expression. He hurriedly lowered his head and said nothing more. His emotions were complicated, but what he felt most was guilt. If the Third Prince fell out with the Emperor because of him, how could the Third Prince’s days in the palace possibly remain peaceful?
Seeing Mu Xueshi whispering with the Third Prince right in front of him made the Emperor even more displeased. Last time, the Third Prince had openly defied him in court because of this person, and the Emperor had already silently marked Mu Xueshi down for it. He never expected Mu Xueshi to dare appear before him again, much less behave so boldly.
“Jue, Young Master Xue can be escorted to a side hall. I will have people guard him properly and guarantee his safety.”
The Third Prince showed no intention of compromising, even though the Emperor’s words already carried the last trace of his patience.
“A mere male favorite, nothing more than an object for physical pleasure. Even if he listened here, what could he possibly understand?”
Even Mu Xueshi understood that sentence. At last, he realized the true meaning of “male favorite.” It turned out to be even lower in status than a concubine—merely a tool for satisfying desire.
“Father Emperor, Mu Xueshi’s place in my heart is not something even Your Majesty, exalted above all under Heaven, could understand.”
The Emperor’s expression instantly became extremely ugly.
The Third Prince continued without restraint, “If Father Emperor truly understood, you would not have sent so many pursuers to capture Mu Xueshi.”
Hearing those words, panic flickered faintly in the Emperor’s heart, though he concealed his guilt flawlessly on his face.
“You have no concrete evidence, yet you dare casually slander your own father? A person as ruled by emotion as you—how could I ever feel at ease passing the throne to you in the future?”
“Father Emperor, do you truly want me to produce evidence?”
In an instant, their eyes met. It was like clashing blades and flashing swords—neither willing to retreat even half a step.
After a long silence, the Third Prince suddenly said calmly, “Father Emperor, as for who will inherit the throne… whether it can even still be passed on has already become uncertain, has it not?”
The Emperor’s heart sank. Though he desperately wanted to punish the Third Prince, he ultimately could not bring himself to do it. Compared to the flattery of the princes and officials around him, the Third Prince merely preferred speaking the truth. Since he had come here today, he must have prepared himself thoroughly beforehand. Perhaps those earlier words were not spoken entirely in anger either.
In the end, the Emperor merely sighed and waved his hand.
“Enough. It is only a minor matter of etiquette. Why drag it so far that it harms the bond between father and son? That would hardly be worthwhile. Besides, you came to discuss important matters, so let us focus on those first. As for everything else, we shall set it aside for now.”
The Third Prince had no interest in arguing over right and wrong with the Emperor. He merely intended to report everything he had discovered. Since the Emperor had already taken a step back, he naturally would not continue pressing the matter now.
Only then did he notice that the hand he was holding felt cold. The Third Prince realized Mu Xueshi had been silent for a very long time, with almost no reaction at all. Ever since hearing a certain sentence from the Emperor, Mu Xueshi seemed as though all the spirit had been drained out of him.
“What’s wrong?” the Third Prince asked with concern, completely ignoring the Emperor’s expression that clearly showed he wished to discuss state affairs.
Mu Xueshi glanced once at the Emperor without looking at the Third Prince. In a small voice he said, “You should discuss the important matters first. After you’re done, we still have to go to the little courtyard.”
Seeing nothing too abnormal beyond Mu Xueshi’s low spirits, the Third Prince did not press further. Mu Xueshi was right—better to finish saying everything first. The Third Prince also did not wish to remain here another moment longer.
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