Futile Devices Scans

“I saw Sun Ye, really!” Mu Xueshi struggled against the Third Prince’s restraint, trying to stick his head outside.

The Third Prince frowned. Naturally, he had also seen Sun Ye earlier, but he simply could not be bothered to pursue the matter. Traveling in such a grand formation already irritated him enough. Yet Mu Xueshi refused to behave himself. During the entire morning’s journey, he chattered endlessly inside the carriage, and several times, when the Third Prince was not paying attention, he stretched his head outside the window, utterly oblivious to the danger that could arrive at any moment.

Taking advantage of the moment the Third Prince seemed angry, Mu Xueshi secretly lifted the curtain open by a tiny slit. His bright, lively eyes peered sneakily through it, trying to confirm whether it really was Sun Ye so he could argue with the Third Prince afterward.

“Why did he disappear?” Mu Xueshi muttered unwillingly. He pulled the entire curtain open and craned his neck left and right searching for his target.

Suddenly, a gust of wind swept in, causing Mu Xueshi to sneeze.

The Third Prince’s patience finally snapped. Mu Xueshi had only just recovered from his fever a couple days earlier, and now he was leaning by the window blowing in the cold wind again. If he fell sick once more, the Third Prince would end up worrying himself half to death for another day or two.

Mu Xueshi suddenly felt himself yanked back forcefully. The small window before him was sealed shut completely, leaving not even a crack for air to enter. He shot the Third Prince a dissatisfied glance, lips pouted high, completely unaware of the dangerous aura around him.

“I really did see Sun Ye just now. Then suddenly he disappeared. Have the carriage stop for a moment so I can go look, alright? I still have things I want to say to him…”

“No,” the Third Prince replied darkly.

Seeing the expression on the Third Prince’s face, Mu Xueshi immediately felt a chill run through him. It was so frighteningly gloomy that it seemed the Third Prince might swallow him whole the next second. At last, Mu Xueshi behaved himself a little more, sitting obediently beside him without saying another word.

The moment the Third Prince turned his head away, Mu Xueshi’s slightly relaxed body immediately stiffened again. He sat ramrod straight with wide eyes, staring fixedly ahead.

The Third Prince found the sight rather amusing, and much of the anger he had been suppressing quietly dissipated.

Seeing the Third Prince’s expression ease slightly, Mu Xueshi also breathed a sigh of relief. He leaned his head against the Third Prince’s shoulder and absentmindedly played with the fine silk fabric of his robes. After growing bored of that, he began fiddling with the jade pendant at his waist. Once the pendant no longer interested him, he started playing with the Third Prince’s hand instead.

He placed the large, well-defined hand over his own and compared them carefully, pinching each fingernail one by one. After every pinch, he would raise his head to check the Third Prince’s reaction.

Before long, the Third Prince felt the head resting against his chest grow heavier and heavier. Gradually it slid downward to his abdomen, then onto his legs. Mu Xueshi’s warm breath spilled across the Third Prince’s thigh, causing his nerves to tighten instinctively.

The Third Prince lifted most of Mu Xueshi’s body onto his lap and quietly watched him sleep.

Only when asleep did Mu Xueshi ever become truly quiet. The Third Prince gazed at his face while recalling his usual words and antics, and the more he looked, the more affection he felt. Before he realized it, he leaned down and pressed a kiss against that delicate, flawless cheek.

When he lifted his head again, even he found himself somewhat incredulous. Since when had a prince of a nation ever secretly stolen kisses from someone?

While the Third Prince was still lost in thought, Mu Xueshi’s sparkling eyes suddenly flew open, his face full of smug delight.

“Well? I caught you, didn’t I?”

The Third Prince froze momentarily, instantly feeling as though he had lost face. Just as he was about to respond, Mu Xueshi had already fallen asleep again. His long, thick lashes rested quietly over his eyelids, looking so peaceful and undisturbed that it hardly seemed those eyes had ever opened at all. The Third Prince could not tell whether that moment earlier had been Mu Xueshi sleep-talking or merely his own illusion.

The harmonious atmosphere did not last long. Mu Xueshi soon woke from the jolting movement of the carriage. Upon waking, he stretched lazily, declared himself hungry, and immediately devoured food ravenously. Once full and satisfied, his energy was completely restored, and he promptly forgot the Third Prince’s earlier warning and resumed causing trouble.

At last, the people outside the carriage heard repeated smacking sounds from within, followed closely by Mu Xueshi’s exaggerated screams.

After more than two days of travel, the Third Prince and Mu Xueshi finally arrived at the foot of a mountain on the afternoon of the third day.

Deputy General Mo had long since heard that the Third Prince would be arriving in the border region and had prepared everything in advance. The moment the Third Prince arrived, he invited him to an official residence nearby. The buildings were exquisitely constructed, arranged neatly, and grand in scale—completely different from what Mu Xueshi had imagined.

“Why does it look like this?” Mu Xueshi asked disappointedly.

The Third Prince frowned at him. “Did you expect to stay somewhere like the imperial palace? This is the border region—sparsely populated and harsh in environment. Even if such luxurious residences were built, no one would live in them.”

Mu Xueshi hurriedly shook his head and muttered softly, “I wanted to stay in a tent…”

The Third Prince’s expression darkened. “Camping outdoors is too dangerous. Give up on that thought.”

“Actually, even staying in a little farmhouse would be nice. Small bridges, flowing streams, curling chimney smoke… wouldn’t that be much more interesting than a place like this?” Mu Xueshi’s voice gradually lost confidence the more he spoke.

Seeing the Third Prince’s darkening face, Deputy General Mo quickly stepped in with a smile. “Your Highness, Young Master Xue merely has a childlike temperament and yearns for nature. It was this subordinate’s oversight for failing to prepare properly. If Your Highness does not mind, you may take Young Master Xue to the small house near the mountain foot for tea and rest. It was specially built by my men. Outside lies the riverbank, where you may enjoy the scenery or fish. However, once night falls, I humbly request that Your Highness return here to spend the night.”

Mu Xueshi looked in the direction Deputy General Mo indicated, and his eyes instantly lit up. He immediately clamored to stay there.

Unable to withstand Mu Xueshi’s relentless pestering, the Third Prince finally agreed to take him around the area the following day.

Deputy General Mo had long heard rumors that Mu Xueshi was deeply favored by the Third Prince, but today he truly witnessed it firsthand. Although the Third Prince was not blindly indulgent, he carefully oversaw every aspect of Mu Xueshi’s food, clothing, and daily needs. Moreover, this was the Third Prince—a man who would not lower his head even before the Emperor himself—yet he personally picked food into Mu Xueshi’s bowl before outsiders. That alone revealed how important Mu Xueshi was in his heart.

Thus Deputy General Mo secretly assigned even more guards around Mu Xueshi, terrified that anything might happen to him. Even when speaking to Mu Xueshi, he remained exceedingly cautious and respectful.

After dinner, the Third Prince needed to discuss matters with Deputy General Mo. Seeing Mu Xueshi already half asleep, he personally led him back to the room to rest first. Although Mu Xueshi had slept quite a bit during the journey, the long travel still exhausted him considerably.

Once the Third Prince emerged from the room, Deputy General Mo immediately stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

“There is no need for such formality. Sit as well,” the Third Prince said calmly.

Deputy General Mo obeyed and sat carefully nearby.

“You are aware of the Lubei soldiers secretly infiltrating the border region, correct?”

The moment he heard those words, Deputy General Mo hurriedly rose again and dropped to his knees before the Third Prince, face filled with shame.

“Your Highness, this subordinate only learned of the matter recently. It was entirely due to my negligence that such disaster occurred. I beg Your Highness to punish me.”

“Do not speak of that for now.” The Third Prince’s gaze darkened.

Deputy General Mo wiped at the tears near his eyes, regaining composure as he quietly awaited the Third Prince’s next words.

“You have been stationed in the border region for seven or eight years. You should be very familiar with the surrounding environment, correct?”

Deputy General Mo nodded. “As for the terrain here, this subordinate dares say I know it rather well. I know how many great rivers there are, how many smaller rivers, how many mountains, even how many farmhouses sit upon those mountains.”

“Good. When Xueshi wakes later, you will tell him every detail you know without omission. If he is pleased by what he hears, your crimes will naturally be forgiven.”

“So simple?” Deputy General Mo looked up at the Third Prince in disbelief.

The Third Prince continued, “As for Father Emperor’s side, I will handle it personally.”

Deputy General Mo was instantly overwhelmed with joy. He had originally assumed that once the unrest ended, he would be stripped of rank, perhaps even executed. Yet now, by completing something so simple, not only could he escape punishment, but continue serving the nation. To him, it was a blessing fallen from the heavens.

“However…” The Third Prince abruptly shifted tone, his gaze turning sharper.

Deputy General Mo’s nerves instantly tightened.

“The primary responsibility lies with you. But those inspectors naturally cannot escape blame either. During this period, not only must you complete the task I assigned earlier, you must also thoroughly investigate every inspector responsible for guard duty those days. Use whatever methods necessary to force them to reveal where that batch of grain transport soldiers was allowed to go.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Deputy General Mo finally breathed a long sigh of relief, determination filling his eyes. Since the Third Prince entrusted the matter to him, it meant he still trusted him. This time, he absolutely could not continue shielding his subordinates out of misplaced sentiment.

…

“Your Majesty, there is news from Emperor Hao Lin.”

The Emperor sat upright upon the dragon throne. Hearing the envoy’s words, his heart tightened slightly, and traces of anxiety surfaced in his eyes.

“What did Emperor Hao Lin say?”

The envoy kneeling below wore an expression of barely restrained excitement, so thrilled that even his speech trembled.

“Emperor Hao Lin said that since Your Majesty has proposed such a flawless strategy, if it can truly be carried out, he would naturally be willing to turn conflict into friendship and establish peaceful relations with Yunxi.”

The Emperor was overjoyed as well. He had never expected matters to miraculously begin progressing in such a favorable direction. Yet worry inevitably lingered in his heart. Would Emperor Hao Lin truly retreat so easily? Would he genuinely believe Yunxi capable of redirecting water to Lubei based solely on a verbal promise?

The envoy seemed to perceive the Emperor’s concerns and continued.

“Emperor Hao Lin also said that he cannot yet determine whether this plan is truly feasible. Only if Young Master Xue—the one who proposed the strategy—personally explains it to him and fully convinces him will Lubei withdraw its troops from Yunxi.”

The Emperor’s expression immediately turned grave.

Emperor Hao Lin clearly harbored ulterior motives. If he truly doubted the plan, he could simply wait until the project was completed before withdrawing. This was obviously merely an excuse. Yet since he had expressed willingness to retreat, it meant he was at least somewhat tempted. If Mu Xueshi agreed to go, perhaps Emperor Hao Lin might truly relent even without extensive persuasion.

But the problem was—would Mu Xueshi actually agree to go? And even if he did, would the Third Prince allow it?

The Emperor immediately felt troubled once more.

“Your Majesty…”

The envoy’s voice pulled the Emperor from his thoughts.

The Emperor shifted his gaze back toward him.

“Emperor Hao Lin also said that if he determines the strategy truly feasible, Lubei will not only withdraw its troops but will also contribute both money and labor. Once the project is completed, Lubei is willing to sign a treaty with Yunxi promising five years of non-aggression. Furthermore, Lubei will annually present silver and cloth to Yunxi in gratitude for the gift of water. Lastly, Emperor Hao Lin specifically instructed me to relay one more matter—he is willing to help Your Majesty eliminate the great hidden threat weighing upon your heart.”

Hearing the earlier promises had not moved the Emperor greatly; in his eyes, those were simply what Lubei ought to provide. But this final matter truly shook him.

If the hidden traitor could be captured through Emperor Hao Lin’s assistance, suppressing them would become far easier. Truthfully, even now, the Emperor still harbored deep fear toward the rebel forces hidden in the shadows.

The Emperor’s expression became complicated. He dismissed the envoy first, then slowly sat back upon the dragon throne and fell into deep contemplation.

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