The Emperor waited a long time without receiving any response from Mu Xueshi and finally asked,
“Xueshi, are you unwilling? Rest assured, I will not force you. If you do not wish to accept this token of my appreciation, then I can only withdraw it. As for investigating the case, you may still proceed. With my verbal decree, you may investigate as you see fit.”
“No, no…”
The moment Mu Xueshi heard the Emperor mention withdrawing the decree, he immediately became anxious and dropped to his knees.
“This commoner would be honored beyond measure! Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace! Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace!”
The Third Prince immediately pulled Mu Xueshi to his feet and shielded him at his side.
“Imperial Father, Xueshi cannot accept an official position. As for the investigation, I believe it would be best not to publicize it. If the culprit is hiding among the officials, would this not alert the enemy? Therefore, I suggest that Xueshi return to the investigation as an ordinary citizen to avoid unnecessary complications.”
The moment Mu Xueshi heard those words, resentment welled up inside him.
Why did the Third Prince have to oppose everything he wanted to do? Had he completely lost the right to make decisions for himself? If he spent his entire life living in someone else’s protection, relying on someone else to guide his every step, what meaning would there be in living?
“I’ve already agreed to His Majesty. I don’t want to go back on my word,” Mu Xueshi said, forcing himself to remain calm.
The Third Prince lowered his gaze to Mu Xueshi.
A powerful pressure radiated from his eyes, as if he intended to capture and swallow every rebellious thought Mu Xueshi possessed.
Mu Xueshi turned toward the Emperor instead, his eyes filled with pleading.
He hoped the Emperor would persuade the Third Prince and allow him the chance to accomplish something on his own—to prove that he was not merely a burden.
“Lü Jue,” the Emperor said, “what ambitious man does not wish to realize his aspirations? This is a rare opportunity for Xueshi. Why insist on binding him down? Since he was able to devise the plan of tunneling through mountains to divert water, it proves he possesses real talent. If his outstanding qualities are hidden away simply because you fear for his safety, would that not be a waste?”
The phrase “outstanding qualities” clearly carried two meanings.
The Third Prince snorted inwardly.
No one was going to set their sights on Mu Xueshi’s face unless they were tired of living.
Mu Xueshi wholeheartedly agreed with the Emperor and looked hopefully at the Third Prince, wishing he would reconsider.
A moment later, the Third Prince said expressionlessly,
“Imperial Father, the matter is settled. Xueshi cannot become an official. I ask that Imperial Father forgive this son.”
Before he had even finished speaking, the person in front of him had vanished.
Instinctively, the Third Prince called out, “Xueshi.”
Only then did he realize that Mu Xueshi had rushed into the inner chamber by himself.
Because the Emperor was still present, the Third Prince did not immediately follow. Instead, he remained seated, expressionless.
Seeing that only he and the Third Prince remained, the Emperor knew it was time for him to leave. He called for a eunuch and ordered a sedan chair prepared for his return to Yangxin Hall.
The Third Prince accompanied the Emperor to the doorway before finally speaking.
“Imperial Father’s kindness is deeply appreciated on Xueshi’s behalf. Regarding what happened before, this son was indeed at fault. Thank you, Imperial Father, for no longer pursuing the matter. As for Xueshi, I ask that Imperial Father withdraw the appointment. He truly is not suited for officialdom.”
After saying this, the Third Prince turned and headed toward the inner chamber.
Watching his retreating figure, the Emperor sighed inwardly.
The conflict between them had been resolved, yet unpleasantness still lingered.
Considering how much thought and effort the Third Prince now devoted to Mu Xueshi, the Emperor could not help worrying that things might someday spiral beyond control.
…
“Young Master Xue, what are you doing? If you act like this, His Highness will be furious.”
“Qingzhu, don’t keep talking about dying. Be careful His Highness hears you and takes your life.”
“If he’s angry, that’s his problem! Must I live like a slave, letting him control me however he pleases just so he won’t be upset?”
“But everything can be discussed…”
The moment the Third Prince entered the main hall, he saw Mu Xueshi standing there with a bundle in hand while Qingya and Qingzhu desperately tried to persuade him.
“What’s going on?”
The Third Prince’s deep voice rang through the room.
Qingya and Qingzhu immediately stiffened. With nervous expressions, they retreated behind Mu Xueshi and looked anxiously at the Third Prince.
When no one answered, the Third Prince walked toward Mu Xueshi.
The moment he spotted the bundle in Mu Xueshi’s hands, his heart lurched painfully, as if he had accidentally swallowed a stone.
“What are you doing?”
His eyes signaled everyone else to leave.
Without looking at him, Mu Xueshi replied stiffly,
“I’m going to find Auntie. If she’ll take me in, I’ll stay there and learn martial arts.”
“So even if you can never enter this door again, you won’t regret it?”
The Third Prince’s face remained cold.
Mu Xueshi looked at him.
Seeing that the Third Prince was completely serious, the sorrow in his heart deepened.
Finally, gritting his teeth and gathering his courage, he declared,
“Yes. I won’t beg you to let me back in again.”
Seeing the stubborn determination on Mu Xueshi’s face, the Third Prince felt his tension ease somewhat.
Mu Xueshi looked exactly like a child throwing a tantrum.
The thought amused him.
When Mu Xueshi saw that the Third Prince had no reaction at all, he forced himself to look at him again.
That single glance ignited his anger.
Not only was the Third Prince not angry, he appeared even calmer and more composed than before.
So he’d been hoping I would leave all along?!
“Goodbye!”
Mu Xueshi practically shouted the word.
Then, wearing an expression of tragic determination, he strode toward the door.
The Third Prince assumed Mu Xueshi would stop before reaching it.
Instead, Mu Xueshi never even turned around and walked straight out.
Only then did the Third Prince truly become anxious.
He hurried outside and saw that Mu Xueshi had already gone quite far.
The hastily assembled bundle had come undone, leaving a trail of clothes scattered behind him.
Mu Xueshi was completely unaware.
Servants throughout the courtyard were watching.
If the Third Prince chased after him now, another rumor involving Mu Xueshi would surely spread through the palace.
The Third Prince had no interest in such concerns.
Within moments, he stood directly in front of Mu Xueshi.
Mu Xueshi had been walking with his head lowered.
When he sensed someone suddenly appear before him and looked up, he found the Third Prince standing there.
Remembering that he had cried all the way here, he instantly regretted not wiping away his tears first.
Now the Third Prince had seen them.
He must be secretly laughing at him.
When the Third Prince saw Mu Xueshi’s swollen, reddened eyes, all the steel in his heart softened instantly.
Mu Xueshi rarely cried because of arguments between them.
Usually, tears only appeared when lives were at stake.
And when he cried, he normally wailed loudly.
He almost never cried this quietly.
That only made the Third Prince’s heart ache more.
He gently wiped Mu Xueshi’s face and asked softly,
“Why are you leaving? Is it really because I wouldn’t allow you to become an official?”
Mu Xueshi shook his head.
“I don’t crave power and status that much.”
“Then what is it?”
“I don’t want to say.”
The Third Prince chuckled softly.
“If you won’t tell me, then I’ll pretend none of this ever happened.”
With that, he grabbed Mu Xueshi’s hand and began leading him back.
“I’m not going back! Stop pulling me! Just because you’re stronger than me? Just because I can’t beat you? I don’t want to keep living with someone this unreasonable! You only know how to control me. You never care what I think. Even His Majesty knows I should have a chance to temper myself…”
The Third Prince suddenly stopped walking.
Mu Xueshi immediately fell silent.
He was angry, but also afraid, worried that he had finally said something unforgivable.
“Is the way I’ve treated you truly that unbearable?” the Third Prince asked.
Looking into the Third Prince’s eyes, the tiny bit of courage Mu Xueshi had managed to gather shrank away again.
After calming himself, he said slowly,
“It’s not that serious. Sometimes I just feel pressured. I can listen to you, but you should at least discuss things with me and let me choose what I want to do. Right now, I feel like a servant under your control. I don’t have any freedom at all…”
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