Very quickly, Emperor Hao Lin concealed the displeasure in his heart. While gently patting Mu Xueshi’s trembling back, he said softly, “I remember that a long time ago, you once told me that you had finally found relief. I asked you why you felt relieved. Do you remember how you answered me?”
Mu Xueshi shook his head, his expression clearly saying don’t bother me. “Forgot already.”
Emperor Hao Lin did not get angry. Instead, he continued patiently beside him, “You said you hated no one and loved no one. Whether the Third Prince married or not, you didn’t care.”
“Did I really say that?” Mu Xueshi stopped crying, disbelief written all over his face.
“Of course you did.” Emperor Hao Lin pulled Mu Xueshi back to his side and continued, “You also said that as long as you could eat your fill every day, have someone beside you to chat with, and occasionally stroll through the marketplace, you would already feel satisfied.”
“That does sound like something I’d say. But that first sentence was way too profound. Doesn’t really sound like my style.” Mu Xueshi put on a fake modest act.
Emperor Hao Lin used his hand to wipe away the tear stains on Mu Xueshi’s face. Mu Xueshi’s mind was elsewhere, so naturally he paid no attention to such details. Emperor Hao Lin then called outside the carriage, “Bring a warm towel.”
“Yes.”
Emperor Hao Lin turned his gaze back to Mu Xueshi, feeling as though he could never look at him enough. Even with his eyes swollen red from crying, he was still breathtakingly beautiful.
“What you described just now—I can give you all of it as well. Eating well goes without saying. I’m willing to take you across the world to taste every delicacy. As for companionship, I’m a talkative person myself. I won’t spend all day buried in court affairs, so chatting with you would be no trouble at all. And regarding strolling through marketplaces—if Xueshi likes it, I’d willingly build an entire street market inside the imperial palace just for you. Whenever you’re free, you can wander through it as you please. Everything there would belong to you.”
“Why are you treating me so well?” Mu Xueshi sniffled. His reddened nose looked like a little cherry.
Emperor Hao Lin accepted the towel from the maidservant and said without turning his head, “I’ll do it myself.”
The maidservant stared blankly at Mu Xueshi for a moment before finally realizing what Emperor Hao Lin had said. Flustered, she hurriedly lifted the curtain and stumbled out of the carriage, nearly falling in the process.
“Because I like you.”
At first, Mu Xueshi nodded absentmindedly. Then suddenly he jerked his head up, his eyes widening into perfect circles.
“What?” Emperor Hao Lin asked with a faint smile.
The shock slowly faded from Mu Xueshi’s face and transformed into helplessness.
“Too bad I don’t like you.”
Emperor Hao Lin slowly stroked Mu Xueshi’s hair, showing no sign of anger whatsoever.
“I know you don’t like me. But that’s only temporary. Before you knew my true identity, didn’t we get along quite happily?”
Mu Xueshi recalled the time when Emperor Hao Lin had claimed to be merely a prince—a prince supposedly hurt by Princess Wenyang—and had used that lie to deceive his feelings. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Raising his head, he glared fiercely at Emperor Hao Lin.
“That was because I hadn’t seen your true colors yet! Who knew you’d turn out to be such a scheming person?”
That glare made Emperor Hao Lin’s heart pound wildly. He nearly pushed Mu Xueshi down onto the carriage seat right then and there. But seeing that Mu Xueshi was clearly in no mood for such things, Emperor Hao Lin restrained himself from provoking him too early. Once they returned to Lubei, there would be more than enough time to slowly wear him down.
“Don’t even think about touching me!” Mu Xueshi seemed to read Emperor Hao Lin’s thoughts. He pointed a finger directly at Emperor Hao Lin’s eyes, full of wariness. “Whether your feelings are genuine or not, my heart only belongs to the Third Prince. So sorry—feelings can’t be forced.”
After saying those words, even Mu Xueshi himself was stunned. He had never imagined there would come a day when he would reject someone—and not just anyone, but an emperor. If his old classmates heard this, they’d probably think he had gone insane. Even his younger self, who loved indulging in fantasies, would never have imagined something this absurd.
Seeing Mu Xueshi’s solemn expression, Emperor Hao Lin found himself caught between laughter and helplessness. Narrowing his eyes, he asked, “Why? What’s so good about the Third Prince?”
“Everything.”
For the moment, Mu Xueshi completely forgot his earlier heartbreak. The moment he began speaking about the Third Prince, pride filled his face once more.
Emperor Hao Lin appeared genuinely interested. “Tell me. I’d also like to know exactly where I fall short.”
“You’re too calculating. I don’t like people with too many schemes.” Mu Xueshi answered.
One of Emperor Hao Lin’s brows rose. “And the Third Prince isn’t calculating?”
Mu Xueshi shook his head. “He never schemes against me. What he does to other people is none of my business.”
Hearing that, Emperor Hao Lin could not help but feel surprised. Mu Xueshi did not seem to be boasting deliberately. Yet asking him to believe the Third Prince had never schemed against Mu Xueshi was difficult indeed. Judging from how wholeheartedly devoted Mu Xueshi was now, it was obvious how much effort the Third Prince had invested in him.
Seeing the doubt in Emperor Hao Lin’s eyes, Mu Xueshi felt displeased. Clearing his throat, he said, “Once, I secretly stole the jade pendant hanging from the Third Prince’s waist and replaced it with a fake I bought from a street stall for a few copper coins. The Third Prince never even noticed. He’s still wearing it now.”
Emperor Hao Lin did not know whether to laugh or cry. Looking at the clear innocence in Mu Xueshi’s eyes and the stubborn expression on his face, Emperor Hao Lin finally understood why Mu Xueshi insisted the Third Prince had no schemes. It was because the speaker himself was so lacking in guile that he harbored no suspicion toward anyone.
Even after being kidnapped here by force, apart from crying earlier, Mu Xueshi was already acting as though nothing had happened. And regarding the time Emperor Hao Lin had secretly infiltrated the Ice-Fire Cave, Mu Xueshi had not mentioned it once this time around. He had already completely forgotten about it.
At last, Emperor Hao Lin understood why the Third Prince treasured Mu Xueshi so deeply. Not only did he possess a beauty capable of toppling kingdoms, he also had the innocence and carefree spirit that the Third Prince himself lacked. Each quality alone was already precious beyond measure. Combined in one person, they became even rarer.
How could anyone not fall in love with someone like this?
Feeling the pressure around his body tighten, Mu Xueshi glanced downward and realized Emperor Hao Lin’s arms had tightened around him. Only then did he become aware that throughout their entire conversation, Emperor Hao Lin had been holding him in his embrace—and he himself had failed to notice, allowing it to continue for so long.
Mu Xueshi immediately shoved Emperor Hao Lin hard and growled, “Let go of me.”
Emperor Hao Lin showed no intention of loosening his grip. “Just now, you were the one who threw yourself into my arms seeking comfort. How has it suddenly become my fault?”
Mu Xueshi’s handsome face reddened instantly, his confidence weakening.
“I lost control of my emotions just now. I’m fine now, so hurry and let go.”
“And what if I refuse?” Emperor Hao Lin asked.
Mu Xueshi’s chest rose and fell rapidly, irritation written all over his face. “Then don’t let go. Exhaust yourself to death.” As he spoke, Mu Xueshi deliberately relaxed his body, throwing all his weight onto Emperor Hao Lin’s arms.
Looking at Mu Xueshi’s shameless expression, Emperor Hao Lin felt a longing unlike anything before. He desperately wanted to lock this person inside his bedchamber and lavish affection on him for days and nights until Mu Xueshi cried and begged for mercy. It had been a very long time since Emperor Hao Lin had felt such passion. He even considered skipping court for several days, refusing to see anyone, and simply remaining secluded in his chambers indulging himself with this person.
Emperor Hao Lin recalled something Shangchuan Hong once said: conquering an empire required decades of foundation, yet destroying one required only a single beauty.
When dinner was finally brought in, Mu Xueshi had absolutely no appetite. Seeing that he refused to eat, Emperor Hao Lin immediately ordered the chefs executed. The moment Mu Xueshi heard this, he hurriedly grabbed the chopsticks and wolfed the food down. After finishing, he shoved the empty bowl toward Emperor Hao Lin to show that he had eaten everything.
Tender affection lingered in Emperor Hao Lin’s eyes as he gently stroked Mu Xueshi’s cheek and asked softly, “Would you like some pastries as well? I remember you enjoy them very much.”
Mu Xueshi shook his head and stared blankly out the window.
Just a few days ago, he had been sitting in another carriage being scolded nonstop, yet his heart had still felt happy. Now he was sitting in another carriage again, surrounded by gentle words instead, yet endless bitterness filled his chest.
Was the Third Prince really not coming for him anymore?
Mu Xueshi stared at the pitch-black night sky outside, feeling as though a huge piece of his heart had been ripped away. His ears remained alert every second, listening for the slightest disturbance. Even the smallest commotion would have comforted him. Yet from beginning to end, there was only silence. Not even a single discordant gust of wind had broken through.
With every meter the carriage traveled forward, Mu Xueshi’s hope diminished further. He could practically picture the expression the Third Prince must have worn upon discovering that he had disappeared again: anger, hatred, disappointment, finality… No matter how he imagined it, he felt completely doomed this time. One careless mistake had ruined everything. The moment he closed and opened his eyes again, he would already be in a strange foreign country.
After traveling for several days, the carriage finally entered Lubei territory. Mu Xueshi’s spirit deteriorated more and more with each passing day. Whether from exhaustion or genuine despair, no one could tell. No matter how Emperor Hao Lin tried to amuse him, Mu Xueshi remained listless and dispirited, refusing to respond. He merely stared blankly outside for hours at a time, as though his soul had been lost.
Still, this benefited Emperor Hao Lin somewhat. Whenever Mu Xueshi’s mood worsened, he stopped caring about anything else, allowing Emperor Hao Lin to take advantage of him more than a few times. Mu Xueshi was too drained even to scold him. Deep down, he was even faintly grateful for the harassment, since it distracted him from some of his misery.
Futile Devices Scans 
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