“No, I’m fine. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.” Mu Xueshi forced out a smile.
The Emperor did not continue standing beside Mu Xueshi. Instead, he slowly paced around the room, his steps steady and his manner calm and composed. He seemed to be in an excellent mood.
Seeing the Emperor move away from him, Mu Xueshi immediately breathed a sigh of relief. He unconsciously touched his forehead and discovered that a layer of sweat had already formed there.
“Do you know why I was looking for you?” the Emperor suddenly asked.
Mu Xueshi was startled and turned toward the Emperor. Meeting those deep eyes, he felt as though he had already been seen through in advance.
“I don’t know,” Mu Xueshi said quietly.
Even if he knew, Mu Xueshi could not say it. What if the Emperor was not referring to that matter? Wouldn’t he be exposing himself first? If the Emperor asked, he would answer honestly. If the Emperor did not ask, he would pretend not to know.
The Emperor smiled faintly, his emotions unreadable.
“Something happened today that pleased me greatly. I wonder whether Xueshi is interested in hearing about it?”
“Of course!” Mu Xueshi quickly replied. “Xueshi would very much like to hear.”
The Emperor laughed heartily before saying, “Emperor Hao Lin has already agreed to peace talks. Moreover, within the next couple of days, he may discuss assisting Yunxi in eliminating our internal threat.”
Hearing this news, Mu Xueshi could not help feeling happy as well. Once these matters were handled properly, things on the Third Prince’s side would become much easier too.
“That truly is good news. Congratulations, Your Majesty.” Mu Xueshi smiled brightly and bowed to the Emperor.
“That is thanks to your contribution.” The Emperor’s gaze toward Mu Xueshi gained a touch of appreciation.
Mu Xueshi quickly organized his thoughts. After thinking for a while, he finally said, “Your Majesty praises me too much. This time, it was only luck. Xueshi didn’t know whether that method would be useful either. At the time, I only mentioned it casually. Without Your Majesty’s approval, Xueshi would have treated it as nothing more than a joke.”
“Why be so modest, Xueshi? Back then, it was indeed my mistake. The imperial court is meant to be a place where many voices offer counsel. I should not have been biased against you. Surely you do not hold a grudge against me?”
Mu Xueshi quickly shook his head. “No. Your Majesty speaks too seriously. I… I never took it to heart.” As soon as he finished speaking, cold sweat broke out across his body. What exactly had gotten into the Emperor today?
By now, the Emperor had already stopped in front of Mu Xueshi. He studied him steadily for a while before speaking.
“Then if I ask another favor of you, would you be willing to share my burden?”
Mu Xueshi almost replied, “Of course,” but suddenly remembered what the Third Prince had instructed before leaving. So he kept some caution in mind. If the Emperor wanted him to leave, he absolutely could not obey.
Thinking this, Mu Xueshi respectfully replied, “Your Majesty, please speak. If Xueshi is capable of doing it, I will certainly not refuse.”
“This matter is something you can definitely accomplish. And if you agree, I will certainly reward you generously.” The Emperor’s tone grew heavier.
Whether or not there’s a reward doesn’t matter. I don’t lack anything. The Third Prince will give me everything…
Just don’t punish me if I fail, because there’s a much higher chance I’ll fail.
The Emperor seemed to see Mu Xueshi’s concern and added, “Xueshi, there is no need to worry. As long as you do your best, I will certainly not force anything.”
Hearing this, Mu Xueshi felt slightly more secure. There was even a little excitement in his heart. If he really succeeded at this task, would it surprise the Third Prince? He had never expected there would come a day when the Emperor himself would assign him a mission. It felt like a dream.
“Please instruct me clearly, Your Majesty,” Mu Xueshi said properly.
The Emperor remained silent for a while before saying, “Although Emperor Hao Lin has agreed to peace talks, he still does not feel assured whether the mountain excavation and water diversion plan you proposed is truly feasible. Only if Emperor Hao Lin is convinced will he be willing to withdraw his troops.”
After saying this, the Emperor sighed heavily.
Mu Xueshi’s heart tightened. Carefully, he asked, “Your Majesty means that Xueshi should quickly propose a construction plan?”
The Emperor waved his hand. “That is not urgent. At present, Emperor Hao Lin only requests that someone from Yunxi personally explain it to him. As long as he believes the plan is feasible, the problem will be solved. Moreover, Emperor Hao Lin also mentioned that once he believes this strategy can work, Lubei will provide most of the money and manpower needed to build the project.”
“That sounds great!” Mu Xueshi could not help praising. Then, after thinking carefully about the Emperor’s words, he asked, “Does Your Majesty want Xueshi to explain this idea in detail to an envoy, who will then pass it on to Emperor Hao Lin?”
The Emperor’s expression became grave. “I believe it would be best if Xueshi went personally.”
Mu Xueshi froze instantly. Personally? Just thinking of that face made his teeth itch with hatred.
“Well… Your Majesty, must I personally go?” Mu Xueshi was clearly unwilling.
The Emperor also sighed. “I do not think it is necessary either, but Emperor Hao Lin wishes to meet the person who proposed the idea. Only if you go can Yunxi’s sincerity be shown, and naturally, Emperor Hao Lin will be more easily convinced by your words. However, if Xueshi is unwilling, I cannot force you. If Emperor Hao Lin blames us, I will think of another way to handle it.”
Hearing the Emperor’s words, Mu Xueshi felt terribly guilty and replied, “It’s not that I’m unwilling. It’s just that Xueshi would like to wait until the Third Prince returns and discuss it with him before making a decision. If Xueshi must go, then it must be with the Third Prince accompanying me.”
“This matter absolutely cannot be allowed to reach the Third Prince’s ears.” The Emperor’s eyes darkened.
Mu Xueshi was startled by the Emperor’s suddenly serious expression, and his recently calmed heart immediately rose again. His eyes involuntarily drifted toward the door, hoping the Third Prince would return soon. Otherwise, he might not be able to withstand this.
Seeing Mu Xueshi grow uneasy again, the Emperor quickly soothed him. “Xueshi, there is no need to panic. I have no other meaning. I am only thinking on behalf of Lü Jue. If you tell Lü Jue about this, he will certainly become furious. Think about it. He is already deeply wary of Emperor Hao Lin. How could he possibly allow Hao Lin to set his sights on you again? Even if Emperor Hao Lin has no such intention, Lü Jue would surely misunderstand. His anger would be a small matter, but if he acts impulsively and once again comes into conflict with Emperor Hao Lin, wouldn’t everything we have planned be wasted?”
Mu Xueshi calmed down and thought about it. It was indeed true. But if he secretly did something behind the Third Prince’s back again, once the Third Prince found out, he would probably peel off a layer of his skin. A few days ago, when the Third Prince learned he had snuck out, his face had already turned dark. This was an even bigger matter. Just thinking of the consequences made Mu Xueshi feel completely unable to accept it.
“Your Majesty, please forgive Xueshi’s inability. Xueshi does not wish to do anything behind His Highness’s back. But Your Majesty, please rest assured, Xueshi will not tell His Highness about this either. Let us simply pretend Xueshi never heard it.” Mu Xueshi spoke with guilt on his face.
The Emperor showed no anger at all and instead asked, “If you did something bad behind the Third Prince’s back, he would blame you. But if you did something that benefited him, would he truly blame you afterward?”
Mu Xueshi choked and found himself unable to answer.
“Think about it. The Third Prince has done many things behind your back as well, but most of them were for your sake. Afterward, when you thought of those things, although you were angry, did you truly resent him?”
Mu Xueshi shook his head. Not only did he not resent him, he had been deeply moved. He was only frightened afterward, always worrying that the Third Prince would secretly go do something dangerous. That feeling could only be understood by someone who had experienced it firsthand.
“But going behind his back to meet Emperor Hao Lin isn’t exactly a good thing, is it? Once he finds out, he’ll definitely be angry. Even if the matter succeeds, he probably won’t be willing to speak to me for a long time,” Mu Xueshi could not help muttering.
The Third Prince had only shown Mu Xueshi a few days of warmth, and Mu Xueshi was already reluctant to lose it. If the Third Prince returned to scolding him every three days and hitting him every five days like before, just thinking about it made Mu Xueshi miserable. Only he himself knew how hard-won the Third Prince’s current gentleness was.
“You are wrong to think that way,” the Emperor said earnestly. “You only regard the Third Prince as the one you love, but you have never considered his true identity. You cannot consider only his feelings. You must also consider his circumstances. Think about it. If the two nations go to war and conflict breaks out again, as a prince of Yunxi, would the Third Prince sit by and do nothing? Once he goes to the battlefield and leads troops into war, how many chances will you two still have to meet? At that point, his mind will be filled with affairs of state. Would he still place personal grievances in his heart?”
Mu Xueshi’s heart trembled. Whether the Third Prince would keep personal grievances in his heart did not matter much to him. But the moment he heard that the Third Prince might personally lead soldiers into battle, his vision seemed to fill with blood, and his breathing grew heavier.
“A man’s ambitions should lie beyond himself. If he always disregards the nation’s circumstances for personal feelings, how can he shoulder great responsibility in the future? As the person by the Third Prince’s pillow, if you clearly know he is about to make a mistake, how can you indulge that mistake? If this is something that could be resolved with only a few simple words from you, yet you insist on letting tens of thousands of soldiers lose their lives instead, how could your conscience bear it?”
The Emperor’s words had already convinced Mu Xueshi eighty to ninety percent. Yet the Third Prince’s instruction before leaving still remained in his mind. What should he do? Should he consider the Emperor’s words, or continue keeping his promise to the Third Prince? Mu Xueshi grew more and more confused.
“If you truly care about him, you should share his burdens and ease his worries. Even if he learns everything afterward, at most he will complain at you a few times. In his heart, he will still be grateful to you. You are a man. Can you not withstand a few complaints from him? If you had to choose between a few complaints and gambling with his life, which would you choose?”
Mu Xueshi did not speak, but the answer in his heart was already clear.
“I will say no more. Think carefully for yourself. I imagine Lü Jue will return before too long.” The Emperor’s tone carried a trace of helplessness.
After thinking for a while, Mu Xueshi still said to the Emperor with guilt, “Your Majesty, I still want to wait until His Highness returns and explain it to him clearly. I think I will do my best to persuade His Highness. His Highness is not someone who ignores the larger situation, so…”
“Persuasion takes time. But Emperor Hao Lin can no longer wait.”
“Does Your Majesty mean Xueshi must go now…? But I haven’t prepared anything. Besides, I promised His Highness just now that I absolutely would not leave the Taihe Hall even half a step.” Mu Xueshi’s tone grew anxious.
“Do not worry,” the Emperor said with a smile. “Emperor Hao Lin is currently inside the palace. If Xueshi has made your decision, I will personally invite Emperor Hao Lin to the Taihe Hall. This way, you will not have broken faith with His Highness. And it can save as much time as possible, allowing the matter to be handled before His Highness returns.”
Mu Xueshi’s entire body jolted, and he nearly failed to remain standing. How could this be happening so quickly?
“If Xueshi still has concerns, then I will guarantee this as Emperor: afterward, I absolutely will not tell Third Son about this matter. As for everyone inside and outside the Taihe Hall, I will naturally ensure they keep their mouths sealed. Xueshi, what do you think?”
Do I still get to think? Mu Xueshi sighed inwardly. The person had already been invited all the way here. What room did he have left to refuse? And the person before him was the Emperor. Since he had already spoken to this extent, how could Mu Xueshi bear to say no?
After silently praying in his heart, Mu Xueshi nodded to the Emperor.
Futile Devices Scans 
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