Futile Devices Scans

Mu Xueshi’s accidental reveal of his true appearance in the Lubei Imperial Palace caused an enormous uproar.

Only half a shichen after Mu Xueshi and the Third Prince left, the entire imperial palace was already discussing the matter. In less than a day, the news spread from the palace nobility to the common people in the streets. A few days later, it had spread throughout every nation, including the Yunxi Imperial Palace.

As for descriptions of Mu Xueshi’s appearance, countless different versions began circulating. Some people claimed Mu Xueshi had originally been born ugly, but his appearance underwent forty-nine transformations over time before finally becoming the peerless beauty he was today. Others claimed he had actually been born with a heavenly face, but jealous women in his household had deliberately disfigured him while he was still an infant, causing his true appearance to remain hidden for over a decade. There were even more bizarre rumors saying Mu Xueshi belonged to some extraordinary race whose true appearance could only be revealed through intimacy with another person…

After two days of travel, the Third Prince’s and Mu Xueshi’s carriage finally arrived at the border of Yunxi Kingdom. Because the Third Prince had left in such a hurry, the carriage had not been stocked with many supplies, so Mu Xueshi had barely eaten anything during the journey. The moment they arrived at Deputy General Mo’s estate, the very first thing Mu Xueshi did was prepare for a huge meal.

“I want Kung Pao wild rabbit, flower mushroom duck feet, hanging-oven mountain chicken… and jade bean cakes, spicy cashews, golden-thread shaomai…” Mu Xueshi rattled off dish names like a cross-talk performer while Deputy General Mo nodded repeatedly beside him.

“Rest assured, Young Master Xue. This subordinate will immediately order the servants to prepare everything. Young Master Xue and Third Prince may rest for now. The rooms have already been prepared, and hot bathwater has been drawn as well. Your Highness may first bring Young Master Xue to bathe and wash away the dust of the journey.”

“Mhm, mhm. Then let’s hurry and bathe. I’m filthy.”

As he spoke, Mu Xueshi pulled the Third Prince directly into the bathing room. In the center sat an enormous wooden tub with steam curling upward from the hot water, filling the room with pleasant warmth.

Mu Xueshi stripped out of his clothes in no time at all. But after finishing, he realized he could not climb into the tub by himself. Standing there completely naked, he looked unbearably awkward.

The Third Prince watched Mu Xueshi scratch his head anxiously with great amusement. Only after Mu Xueshi came over and poked him did the Third Prince finally stop enjoying the show and lift the embarrassed Mu Xueshi into the tub.

The Third Prince removed his own clothes as well before stepping into the tub after him.

Like a lazy cat, Mu Xueshi leaned comfortably against the side of the tub, narrowing his eyes while humming softly. Before long, the hot water had steamed his face and upper body pink, especially his cheeks, which looked delicate and tender like finely carved jade.

The Third Prince could not resist reaching out to touch him. From his cheeks to his collarbone, then to his chest, waist, and smooth legs… the silk-like softness of his skin made the Third Prince reluctant to remove his hand.

“Scrub my back too…” Mu Xueshi ordered without the slightest politeness, directly commanding the dignified Third Prince to serve him.

The Third Prince attentively began scrubbing Mu Xueshi’s back with his hands. By the time he had washed Mu Xueshi from head to toe, even his own breathing had grown heavier.

The Third Prince recalled how he had thoroughly ravished Mu Xueshi that very morning. If he tormented him again now, would Mu Xueshi be able to endure it? Seeing Mu Xueshi’s drowsy appearance, the Third Prince forcibly suppressed his desire and hurried to finish washing him.

When Mu Xueshi noticed the Third Prince stop moving, he forced himself awake a little and said,

“I’ll scrub you too.”

The Third Prince answered calmly,

“No need. I can do it myself.”

Mu Xueshi narrowed his eyes dangerously.

“You think I’m bad at it, don’t you?”

“No…” the Third Prince replied while wiping away the fine beads of sweat from Mu Xueshi’s forehead.

Mu Xueshi chuckled twice, instantly becoming more energetic.

“Then come here!”

As he spoke, Mu Xueshi truly began scrubbing the Third Prince’s back in a surprisingly skillful manner. The combination of softness and strength in his hands suited the Third Prince perfectly. While scrubbing, Mu Xueshi repeatedly asked how it felt. Only after being asked over ten times did the Third Prince finally squeeze out a response from his throat.

As he continued scrubbing, Mu Xueshi gradually lost focus. His hands began wandering all over the Third Prince’s body before finally settling on the insides of his thighs, rubbing slowly with an absent-minded expression.

“Ah!” Mu Xueshi suddenly cried out miserably and hurriedly grabbed at the Third Prince’s large hand.

The Third Prince calmly removed his hand from Mu Xueshi’s face. After only a light pinch, a large red mark had already appeared there.

“Why’d you pinch me?” Mu Xueshi shrank his neck while secretly peeking at the Third Prince.

“It was merely a reminder not to play with fire and burn yourself.” The Third Prince braced both arms against the edge of the tub, trapping Mu Xueshi between them.

Mu Xueshi swallowed nervously. Deliberately rubbing his stomach, he widened his eyes and loudly declared,

“I’m starving flat. Time to eat.”

As he spoke, Mu Xueshi held his breath and dove underwater, slipping beneath the Third Prince’s arm before popping back up elsewhere, grinning proudly at him.

Just as the Third Prince was about to pull Mu Xueshi back over, he suddenly sensed unusual movement by the window. He whipped his head around sharply and heard a violent commotion outside before everything abruptly went silent again.

Mu Xueshi noticed nothing at all. Still clutching the edge of the tub, he struggled desperately, his face red with effort, trying to escape while the Third Prince was distracted. Just as he thought he was about to succeed, the meddlesome Third Prince simply picked him up again.

“I can get out by myself. Don’t help me unnecessarily in the future,” Mu Xueshi reminded him seriously.

The Third Prince did not crush Mu Xueshi’s self-esteem. He merely listened silently while continuing to ponder what had just happened.

Who exactly would dare do something like that?

After dressing, the Third Prince brought Mu Xueshi to the outer hall to eat. Seeing Deputy General Mo there, Mu Xueshi did not dare immediately grab the pastries with his hands. Instead, he stood politely beside the Third Prince, waiting for Deputy General Mo to finish his formalities.

“Your Highness, please calm your anger. This subordinate deserves death. One of the soldiers under my command secretly peeked through the window while Young Master Xue was bathing. He has already been executed severely by this subordinate. This was all due to my failure in discipline and my negligence just now. Please punish me, Your Highness.”

The Third Prince’s icy eyes darkened as he quietly asked,

“Why did he come to spy?”

According to Deputy General Mo, the soldier had specifically come because of Mu Xueshi. Yet there had been two people inside the room, and Mu Xueshi’s true appearance was still concealed. Why would the soldier suddenly become so curious that he would risk death to spy through the window?

“Because…” Deputy General Mo hesitated briefly before truthfully answering, “because rumors have recently spread that Young Master Xue possesses a world-shaking beauty. I imagine the soldier simply could not suppress his curiosity.”

The Third Prince had been traveling this entire time and knew nothing about the matter. Hearing Deputy General Mo’s explanation, his expression immediately changed, and he subconsciously glanced toward Mu Xueshi.

Mu Xueshi quickly withdrew his hand from the pastry plate and secretly brushed crumbs off behind his back. Though his mouth was still, pastry crumbs covered the corners of his lips, and his cheeks bulged noticeably, clearly stuffed full of food he had not swallowed yet.

The Third Prince shifted his gaze away from Mu Xueshi. Only then did Mu Xueshi secretly sigh in relief and turn around to hastily chew and swallow the food in his mouth.

“Where did these rumors originate?” the Third Prince asked.

“The matter has spread wildly throughout both Lubei and Yunxi. From officials to commoners, everyone is discussing it. As for where the rumors first started… this subordinate truly does not know…”

After speaking, Deputy General Mo nervously watched the Third Prince. He himself had already known about the matter and had even attempted to suppress the discussions, fearing the Third Prince’s anger. Who could have expected such an incident to occur midway? It was no different from disturbing the King of Hell atop his throne.

The Third Prince’s mood was also greatly affected. Yet compared to before, he had already become much more accepting of it. Mu Xueshi’s appearance could never remain hidden for his eyes alone forever. Once one person discovered it, there would inevitably be a second, then a third, until eventually everyone would know.

Back then, the Third Prince concealed Mu Xueshi’s appearance because he wanted to monopolize it himself. Now, he continued hiding it because he feared that face would bring Mu Xueshi endless trouble and disaster. He only hoped Mu Xueshi could forever remain beneath his protection and live a simple, peaceful life.

Perhaps this was simply fate. The Third Prince was not truly troubled by it, only somewhat helpless. Most likely, from this day onward, his heart would remain constantly on edge. The slightest negligence could bring catastrophe.

“The food’s getting cold,” Mu Xueshi reminded anxiously as he walked over beside the Third Prince.

“We’ll eat immediately.” The Third Prince changed his expression and followed Mu Xueshi toward the table full of dishes.

Deputy General Mo quickly stepped forward and suggested,

“Your Highness, perhaps the servants should prepare a fresh table, or at least reheat these dishes?”

“No need, no need!” Mu Xueshi waved his hands repeatedly. “That’d be too troublesome.”

The dishes were still steaming. Mu Xueshi was terrified the delicious food already within reach would be carried away again, forcing him to wait even longer before eating.

The Third Prince calmly glanced at Deputy General Mo and said,

“That won’t be necessary. You may withdraw.”

Deputy General Mo looked startled at first, but quickly recovered and hurriedly bowed before retreating. As he left, he secretly rejoiced inwardly. Mu Xueshi truly was his lucky star—always saving him at critical moments.

Without saying a word, Mu Xueshi lowered his head and focused entirely on eating. He truly looked half-starved.

The Third Prince noticed something strange about the whole roasted mountain chicken on the platter. He nudged it with his chopsticks and flipped it over, only to discover a huge chunk missing from the chicken breast. Glancing over the other dishes, he realized several platters had also clearly been tampered with, someone even rearranging the gaps afterward in a poor attempt to hide it.

“Wow, this chicken actually grew without a chest!” Mu Xueshi exclaimed with a perfectly straight face.

The Third Prince smiled faintly. Unlike usual, he did not scold Mu Xueshi at all and instead placed even more food into his bowl.

Mu Xueshi suddenly paused with his chopsticks midair. Staring at the Third Prince for a while, he asked,

“Are you unhappy?”

The Third Prince looked slightly surprised.

“You can tell what mood I’m in?”

“I can feel it.” After realizing he had guessed correctly, the dishes in Mu Xueshi’s mouth suddenly no longer tasted nearly as delicious as before.

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