Futile Devices Scans

Over the next few days, Mu Xueshi remained in a state of half excitement and half disappointment. The excitement came from the fact that he was finally going to become an official. The disappointment came from how few people there were to share the good news with. No matter what he said to the Third Prince, the man always wore the same expression. He neither mocked nor praised him, as if the entire matter had nothing to do with him.

Ever since they returned to the courtyard, it felt as though many people had disappeared, especially Su Ruhuan. Whenever Mu Xueshi chatted with Qingya and Qingzhu, the words “Master” frequently came up, yet he never once caught sight of Su Ruhuan. And as for Sun Ye, ever since their chance encounter on the street, Mu Xueshi had not seen so much as his shadow again.

Where had they all gone?

Mu Xueshi had asked the Third Prince. The Third Prince merely replied that they were carrying out a mission and said nothing further. Whenever Mu Xueshi tried to ask what mission it was, the Third Prince acted as though he had not heard a single word.

Mu Xueshi had considered going out to look for his master himself, but after hesitating several times, he never actually left. None of the servants knew where they had gone. Only the Third Prince knew, and Mu Xueshi did not dare walk straight into another rejection.

He had already run into enough walls these past few days. The whole situation left him deeply troubled.

What exactly was going on? Why did it feel as though the Third Prince had changed?

Mu Xueshi noticed that the Third Prince seemed busier and busier these days. Either he was outside handling matters, or he was in the study reading documents and attending to official affairs. And before leaving, the Third Prince no longer informed him where he was going. All those careful reminders and concerned instructions had vanished as well. Sometimes Mu Xueshi deliberately tried to get closer to him, but the Third Prince only responded with a perfunctory expression.

Fortunately, the Third Prince still allowed him into his bedchamber, and they still slept together at night. However, ever since that incident, the Third Prince had not been intimate with him again. The Third Prince always went to bed very late. Mu Xueshi would stare at the lamplight outside until he could no longer keep his eyes open. By the time he woke in the morning, the spot beside him was already empty. If Mu Xueshi had not accidentally awakened one night and seen the Third Prince beside him, he would have started doubting whether they were even sharing a bed anymore.

Once, Mu Xueshi intentionally stayed awake very late just to wait for him. By the time the Third Prince finished his work, it was already deep into the night. Mu Xueshi had yawned countless times, but finally managed to stay awake until the Third Prince came to bed.

Yet after entering the room, the Third Prince simply extinguished the lamp, lay down, and went straight to sleep. He did not even look at Mu Xueshi. Listening to the steady breathing beside him, Mu Xueshi felt a wave of grievance. In the past, they would whisper together endlessly before sleeping. Now, all the conversations from several days combined were not even as many as they used to share in a single night.

Whenever he thought about it, Mu Xueshi could not help sighing. Still, he had not reached the point of despair. He told himself they were simply adjusting to a new way of getting along. One day they would adapt, and then their relationship would become exactly as he imagined it should be.

Even so, after days of being ignored, Mu Xueshi still secretly hoped the Third Prince would fuss over him the way he used to. Even a simple scolding would make him feel more at ease.

The Third Prince had long since noticed the sneaky figure lingering outside the door. No one else could be so foolish. The shadow was plainly cast on the ground, yet its owner was still hiding beside the door, peeking inside. Besides, no one else’s shadow could possibly look that beautiful.

Qingzhu happened to be passing by carrying a small floral quilt. She saw Mu Xueshi tiptoeing toward the doorway, only to retreat immediately after reaching it, then repeat the exact same action again.

Completely baffled, she walked over.

“Young Master Xue!”

Qingzhu called cheerfully.

Mu Xueshi had intended to signal for her to keep quiet. Unfortunately, Qingzhu’s mouth was faster than his hand, instantly exposing him.

Seeing that he had been discovered, Mu Xueshi hurriedly straightened up and greeted her with an awkward smile.

Qingzhu refused to let him off. “Standing outside His Highness’s bedchamber so sneakily doesn’t seem very fitting for a great official, does it, Young Master Xue?”

Mu Xueshi’s handsome face reddened. Forcing himself to maintain some dignity, he replied, “I was merely passing by and didn’t want to disturb His Highness. Be careful with your reckless words, or I may have you punished!”

Qingzhu immediately adopted a frightened expression and bowed while clutching her floral quilt.

“Please don’t punish me, Judicial Affairs Minister. This lowly servant won’t dare do it again.”

The moment she finished speaking, she laughed and ran away.

Watching her retreating figure, Mu Xueshi sighed.

Why did someone always ruin things at the most crucial moments?

When he turned around, he nearly jumped. The Third Prince was standing less than a foot behind him.

“You… I…”

For a moment, Mu Xueshi could not think of anything to say. He stretched his arms, kicked his legs, and blurted out, “I was just taking a walk and exercising. Sitting all the time isn’t good. You should come out and move around more too…”

The Third Prince nodded and turned toward the stables.

Seeing that he was leaving again, Mu Xueshi panicked.

“That… tomorrow is my investiture ceremony.”

“Congratulations,” the Third Prince replied blandly.

Seeing no reaction from him, Mu Xueshi felt a bit dissatisfied.

“I want to go see my master today and tell him the good news. Would you like to come with me?”

“I have matters to attend to.”

The Third Prince had already led his horse out.

As he mounted up, a strange urgency gripped Mu Xueshi. He wanted to ask where the Third Prince was going. He wanted him to take him along. Or perhaps he simply wanted to stop him from leaving. As for why he wanted to stop him, Mu Xueshi could not quite explain it himself.

“Why are you blocking the road?”

The Third Prince’s expression darkened slightly.

Seeing that look, Mu Xueshi immediately lost his nerve. He stepped aside from directly in front of the horse and stood silently to one side.

Just as the Third Prince raised his riding crop, Mu Xueshi suddenly spoke.

“Tomorrow is my investiture ceremony. I want to remove the face covering. I don’t want people whispering behind my back anymore, and I don’t want to keep living hidden away.”

He did not even know why he said it. Perhaps he wanted to provoke the Third Prince. Perhaps he wanted the man to dismount and argue with him. Or maybe he simply wanted to hear him firmly refuse. Even storming off in anger would have been better than this.

“If you believe it’s appropriate, then do as you see fit. Just be careful.”

The Third Prince cracked the whip sharply. The horse immediately bolted forward, leaving Mu Xueshi standing there alone in a daze.

Why did I say that… I have no resolve at all…

A long time later, Mu Xueshi cursed himself several times. Staring at the hoofprints on the ground, he felt as though his heart had been soaked in vinegar.

Tomorrow is my investiture ceremony. All I wanted was someone to talk to. Someone to help ease the nervousness inside me. Instead, the Third Prince acted as though seeing me was like seeing a plague. As though speaking one extra sentence might infect him.

Kicking a stone across the ground, Mu Xueshi trudged back toward the house in boredom.

…

“I heard something interesting.”

Sun Ye had been lost in thought when someone suddenly interrupted him. Immediately annoyed, he frowned and looked toward the doorway.

The man standing there wore flowing ink-colored robes. His black hair hung loosely over his shoulders. His eyes shimmered like rippling water, and his brows curved like a bright crescent moon. If he remained silent, he resembled an elegant and refined scholar. The moment he opened his mouth, however, Sun Ye saw nothing but a scheming villain willing to use any means necessary.

Sun Ye snorted coldly. “What has you so excited? Did you happen to run into another former lover who’s still hopelessly devoted to you?”

Poison Master Mo Ru flashed a wicked smile and drifted gracefully toward him.

“What’s this?” he asked. “You sound rather resentful.”

Sun Ye swung his palm backward. The strike nearly sent Poison Master Mo Ru flying out the door.

“Just a joke! Just a joke!”

Seeing that Sun Ye was genuinely angry, Poison Master Mo Ru hurriedly laughed and retreated inside. The graceful image he had cultivated vanished completely under that single blow.

“Actually, what I wanted to tell you is even more exciting than meeting an old lover—”

“I have no interest in hearing it.”

Sun Ye grabbed his sword and stood up to leave.

Poison Master Mo Ru let out a long sigh and called after him in an exaggerated tone.

“What a pity. I’ve finally stumbled across something that might actually interest someone, yet he refuses to honor me with his attention.”

Sun Ye stopped walking. A painful heaviness settled in his chest. Judging by Poison Master Mo Ru’s tone, the matter almost certainly concerned someone around the Third Prince. If he listened, it would only make him miserable. If he refused to listen, however, the curiosity would torment him even more.

After weighing the matter for a while, Sun Ye decided to investigate personally.

Since he already knew hearing it would expose emotions he could not conceal, it was better not to hear it from that man’s mouth at all.

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