Mu Xueshi tossed and turned on the bed. He twisted himself into a knot, yet still couldn’t settle down.
Tomorrow was the investiture ceremony…
Under the gaze of thousands, he would walk magnificently down the red carpet, glittering with jewels, then receive the imperial decree from the Emperor’s hands and offer a graceful salute. If he also revealed this face of his—the face that could charm ten thousand people—just how great a sensation would it cause?
There would definitely be countless officials looking at him with envy, the same way he used to look at celebrities. And there would surely be countless men who regarded him as an enemy, wishing they could slash his face apart—just like Princess Wenyang once had…
Thinking of that, Mu Xueshi instinctively touched his face, his heart still lingering with unease.
A noise sounded outside. Mu Xueshi’s heart tightened, and he turned toward the door.
To his surprise, the Third Prince was actually preparing to sleep this early. Watching the maids help him change clothes, Mu Xueshi found it hard to believe.
“Why so early today?” Mu Xueshi sat up. His long hair spilled over the bedside, and his unadorned face was as clear and flawless as translucent jade.
The Third Prince replied lightly, “There’s nothing to do.”
Mu Xueshi muttered, “You actually have times when there’s nothing to do? That’s really strange.”
The Third Prince shot him a questioning look. Mu Xueshi quickly shut his mouth and lay back down.
After the lamps in the room were extinguished, the maids withdrew. Outside, lanterns hung high, leaving the surroundings brightly illuminated. With the slightest turn of his head, Mu Xueshi could see the glow filtering in.
“Will you be there tomorrow…?”
He waited a long time without receiving any response.
Turning over, he found the Third Prince lying on his back, quietly asleep. The light from outside fell across the bridge of his handsome nose. Mu Xueshi traced it a few times with his finger before absentmindedly resting his hand on the Third Prince’s cheek.
You’re falling asleep earlier and earlier…
Mu Xueshi let out a long sigh and buried his face in the crook of the Third Prince’s shoulder, lazily gazing out the window.
Although he had somehow become an official, aside from the initial excitement when he first heard the news, he had mostly been stuck in a strange state of melancholy ever since.
Is this the process ordinary people go through when transforming into experts? Mu Xueshi narcissistically thought.
Before long, he fell fast asleep.
At first, only his head rested on the Third Prince’s shoulder. Later, his entire body draped itself over him like a shameless little cat.
The Third Prince slowly opened his eyes and quietly gazed at the person lying on him.
Within those icy eyes was an indescribable tenderness.
It was the look of someone who had experienced the world gazing upon an innocent, naïve junior—helpless, indulgent, and filled with the desire to keep him forever sheltered within his embrace, safe from every harm…
The next morning, Mu Xueshi was awakened by Qingya and immediately sat upright.
Seeing that the person beside him was already gone, he nervously asked, “What time is it?”
“It’s only the Hour of Mao. Young Master Xue doesn’t need to worry.”
“Oh…”
Mu Xueshi let out a huge sigh of relief.
A moment later, he squinted at Qingya and asked in a dangerous tone, “What did you just call me?”
Qingya covered her mouth with one hand, widened her eyes, and corrected herself, “Judicial Affairs Minister, Judicial Affairs Minister.”
Seeing that Qingya had taken his joke seriously, Mu Xueshi smiled and explained, “There’s no need to be so afraid of me. Even though I’ll officially take office today, if all of you still want to call me Young Master Xue, I won’t force you to change it.”
As he spoke, he wore the expression of a considerate and approachable high-ranking official.
Little did he know that Qingya was already laughing herself silly inside.
No matter how Mu Xueshi changed, he was still Mu Xueshi. Even if he became Chancellor one day, they could never truly fear him.
Fortunately, Mu Xueshi didn’t know what Qingya was really thinking. Otherwise, he would probably have coughed up blood on the spot.
Qingya then brought over the clothes he was supposed to wear.
The outfit had been delivered from Taihe Hall yesterday. It was said that the Emperor had personally ordered the imperial tailors to create an official robe fitted specifically for Mu Xueshi. It came complete with a crown, belt, and numerous accessories. The gemstones embedded in it were of the highest quality, highlighting the wearer’s status and distinction.
Unfortunately, Mu Xueshi thought it was hideous.
“It’s too heavy. Wearing it is exhausting. The clothes weigh a ton too. It looks like I’m attending a funeral…” Mu Xueshi sighed repeatedly as he looked himself over.
“Young Master Xue, please don’t say things like that. If you say such things in front of the Emperor, people could be executed,” Qingzhu warned with a serious expression.
Mu Xueshi remained unconvinced and continued examining himself.
In his eyes, official robes didn’t have to be dazzling, but did they really need to look this solemn? And the thing on his head weighed a ton. It felt like it was dragging his head downward.
To Qingzhu, however, he looked absolutely stunning.
The fitted robe accentuated his tall, elegant figure. Against the dark purple fabric, his skin appeared exceptionally fair and delicate. Combined with his handsome features that retained a distinctly masculine charm…
If only the veil concealing his face were removed, people would probably stare until they forgot themselves.
Standing nearby, Qingzhu’s eyes sparkled.
Just imagining herself following behind Young Master Xue when he went out made her feel immensely proud.
“Am I done yet?” Mu Xueshi asked.
Qingzhu didn’t answer. She was still staring at him in a daze.
Mu Xueshi raised his voice and shouted directly into her ear, “Am I done yet?”
Qingzhu nearly stumbled in fright and hurriedly nodded.
Mu Xueshi was still dissatisfied, but then remembered that today was an investiture ceremony, not a beauty pageant. Looking overly presentable didn’t really matter.
Besides, his self-control wasn’t exactly strong. If he attracted too many admirers, he might end up causing trouble for himself.
“All right, when do we leave?” he asked.
Qingya happened to enter carrying refreshments and answered for Qingzhu.
“There’s still another hour. Young Master Xue doesn’t need to worry. Someone from the Emperor’s side will personally come to escort you. Right now, we still need to apply your makeup.”
“Another hour? That’s so long…”
Mu Xueshi muttered, then suddenly shouted, “What?! I have to wear makeup too?”
“Of course. You’re becoming an official. Naturally, appearances matter.”
A look of horror appeared on Mu Xueshi’s face.
“No need. I think I look perfectly fine like this. Doesn’t the Third Prince attend court without makeup?”
“The Third Prince applies makeup while Young Master Xue is still asleep, so of course you wouldn’t know. Everyone meeting the civil and military officials at court wears makeup. It’s proper etiquette. Didn’t you know?”
Mu Xueshi laughed awkwardly.
He truly hadn’t known the Third Prince wore makeup.
Still, it couldn’t be very heavy, otherwise he would have noticed long ago.
Had he known, he wouldn’t have reacted so dramatically just now. It made him seem terribly ignorant.
It was all Qingya’s fault for making it sound so serious. She had almost convinced him they were going to paint his face like an opera performer.
Obediently, Mu Xueshi sat down and allowed Qingya and Qingzhu to begin.
After quite some time, Qingzhu finally asked hesitantly, “Young Master Xue, aren’t you going to remove the veil covering your face?”
Mu Xueshi froze.
He had completely forgotten about that.
Now that Qingzhu mentioned it, he couldn’t help recalling what he had said to the Third Prince yesterday before he rode away.
At the time, he had really been asking for the Third Prince’s opinion, hoping to see some sort of reaction.
Yet the Third Prince hadn’t seemed to care much at all.
So… should he remove it or not?
Mu Xueshi never imagined that after coming to this world, he would still end up worrying about his face.
After pondering it repeatedly, he finally shook his head.
“No. Just put the makeup on as it is. Everyone’s already used to it anyway.”
“But…”
Qingzhu clearly wasn’t pleased.
She had already bragged to everyone about how extraordinarily beautiful Young Master Xue was. Though he still looked handsome with the veil in place, compared to his true appearance, it wasn’t even close.
“Where’s the Third Prince?” Mu Xueshi asked.
Still looking somewhat sulky, Qingzhu replied, “His Highness was summoned to Taihe Hall early this morning by the Emperor. Before leaving, he specifically instructed us to make sure everything was prepared properly for Young Master Xue.”
The moment Mu Xueshi heard that the Third Prince had left instructions behind, his eyes immediately brightened.
“What else did he say?”
“Nothing,” Qingzhu answered bluntly.
Mu Xueshi’s shoulders immediately drooped again. Half his spirit vanished on the spot.
With a huff, he snatched off the crown and tossed it onto the table.
“I’ll wear it later. It’s too heavy.”
“And are you still not going to remove the veil?” Qingzhu stubbornly pressed on.
Mu Xueshi snorted.
“No need. Just leave it. And don’t spend too much effort on the makeup either. The uglier, the better.”
With that, he grabbed a pastry from the table and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing with exaggerated force as though venting his frustration through food.
Qingya and Qingzhu exchanged helpless glances and sighed.
Futile Devices Scans 
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