Mu Xueshi finally let out a sigh of relief. He had thought there would be countless complicated rituals, but unexpectedly, that was all there was to it. Although it was somewhat different from the thrilling scene he had imagined, it was already impressive enough that nothing had gone wrong halfway through. Having escaped disaster, Mu Xueshi became spirited again, as if the person who had been nervous earlier had not been him at all.
The many officials began heading toward the imperial garden, and Mu Xueshi was about to follow when the same young eunuch from before reminded him to wait a little longer. Mu Xueshi turned around and looked at him with some confusion.
“Why should I wait?”
“Replying to my lord, there are many people ahead. This servant fears they may crowd you.”
When Mu Xueshi heard that “my lord,” he took a deep breath and felt even the air had become fresher. That was fast. Just a moment ago, they were still calling me Young Master Xue, and now they’ve already changed how they address me. But it really does sound nice… Mu Xueshi pursed his lips and secretly laughed for a while, like a little thief who had gotten his way.
“Right, thank you for reminding me.” Mu Xueshi patted the eunuch on the shoulder.
The eunuch smiled faintly and said to Mu Xueshi, “This servant truly does not dare accept thanks. Reminding one’s master is a servant’s duty.”
Mu Xueshi widened his eyes and asked the eunuch, “You’re one of my people now?”
The moment the words left his mouth, Mu Xueshi felt they sounded a little strange. Add to that the complicated looks people around him were casting over, and he secretly stuck out his tongue.
“Yes. This servant and all the people behind me were personally assigned by His Majesty to Judicial Affairs Minister Mu. If my lord has any instructions in the future, simply tell us.”
“Oh. How should I address you?” Mu Xueshi asked somewhat awkwardly.
The eunuch actually seemed steadier and more imposing than Mu Xueshi himself. He told Mu Xueshi he could call him Eunuch Shangde, and that he would be responsible for managing Mu Xueshi’s daily food, clothing, lodging, and travel. Afterward, seeing that only a few people remained in Taihe Hall, he led Mu Xueshi toward the imperial garden.
…
“Lord Chancellor, I think this Mu Xueshi is merely ordinary. His body is certainly tempting, but unfortunately, that face is a flaw in an otherwise fine appearance. Judging by that look, he can’t even compare to Young Master Xiaoduan in your residence.”
“Heh… who knows whether those rumors are true or false? In any case, I was friends with Grand Tutor Mu for many years, and I never heard of such a thing.”
“Ai, Grand Tutor Mu was simply the finest of beauties. What a pity he was murdered at such a young age.”
“Let us not bring up old matters, lest they sadden people…”
In another corner, another group was also whispering among themselves.
“What do you think of Mu Xueshi?”
“I think he’s quite good. He can indeed be considered a beauty, especially that body. Just looking at him almost made me lose control down there.”
“How ignorant. I actually think he’s ordinary. Could the rumor have been spread from Lubei? Emperor Hao Lin was fighting with the Third Prince over Mu Xueshi some time ago. Perhaps those who didn’t know the truth made wild guesses and assumed Mu Xueshi must be shockingly beautiful. Otherwise, how could he have stirred even Emperor Hao Lin?”
“Emperor Hao Lin fighting over Mu Xueshi was entirely a momentary whim. In my opinion, perhaps the person he was truly interested in was the Third Prince.”
“That does make some sense.”
…
Along the way, everyone was discussing this matter, and even after taking their seats at the banquet, they still could not calm down. The Emperor knew Mu Xueshi had concealed his appearance, but many ministers had never seen Mu Xueshi before. They had only heard that he was extremely ugly, so after seeing him and finding him decent-looking, they assumed this was his true appearance and all felt somewhat deceived.
Compared to ordinary people like them, Mu Xueshi was indeed much better, but compared to Grand Tutor Mu, or compared to the Third Prince, he fell short by a great margin.
Mu Xueshi heard none of this. He was only focused on the dishes laid out at the banquet. It was even more extravagant than a full Manchu-Han banquet. Looking at the dazzling array of delicacies, Mu Xueshi hurriedly had Eunuch Shangde bring him to his seat.
The Third Prince’s seat was right beside Mu Xueshi’s. Each of them had a banquet table to himself. After Mu Xueshi sat cross-legged, he immediately reached out, ready to begin eating.
“Judicial Affairs Minister, I fear it would be improper to pick up your chopsticks now. The officials have not all arrived yet. Even once everyone has arrived, the ministers may only begin after His Majesty has lifted his chopsticks.”
Mu Xueshi resentfully withdrew his hand. He had not eaten anything from morning until now! To make him stare dryly at the food without letting him eat was practically torture.
“Then how about this? I’ll eat some pastries first to fill my stomach.” Mu Xueshi reached out again.
But Eunuch Shangde spoke again. “My lord, pastries are also counted as part of the meal.”
Mu Xueshi let out a long breath, his eyes dull as he looked around.
Suddenly, a small figure came running toward him again. Before Mu Xueshi could react, someone had tightly hugged his leg.
Su Ying rubbed his little face against Mu Xueshi’s leg and called sweetly, “Uncle Mu, Uncle Mu, Su Ying wants to sit with Uncle Mu.”
Seeing the Second Prince behind Su Ying, Mu Xueshi could only put on an enthusiastic face and say, “All right. Uncle was just thinking of calling Su Ying over too.”
Su Ying was so happy that his little face flushed red. He called “Uncle Mu” dozens of times in a row, making Mu Xueshi dizzy from answering him.
The Second Prince was silently sulking, though he did not show it on his face. He looked at Su Ying a few times and asked slowly, “Su Ying, do you truly not want to return and sit with Father?”
Su Ying clung tightly to Mu Xueshi’s neck and refused to even look at the Second Prince, only shaking his head with all his might.
Seeing Su Ying so afraid of being taken back, the Second Prince was overcome with jealousy and nearly hacked Mu Xueshi to death on the spot. But in order not to lose his composure in front of everyone, he could only grit his teeth and return to his seat.
Su Ying stuck himself to Mu Xueshi’s body, constantly sniffing Mu Xueshi’s scent like a little puppy searching for food. He looked unbearably adorable.
As Mu Xueshi held Su Ying and sat down again, he secretly wondered when he and Su Ying had become this close.
Su Ying was much less restrained than Mu Xueshi. After all, he was a child. Seeing that the fruit looked pretty, he simply picked one up and put it in his mouth. As he ate, he mischievously smiled at Mu Xueshi.
Mu Xueshi wished so much that Su Ying could see through his thoughts at this moment and directly stuff one fruit after another into his mouth. Unfortunately, Su Ying only played with him. Eating was something he did naturally and casually, and he did not pay any attention to Mu Xueshi at all.
Mu Xueshi’s eyes darted around. Almost everyone had arrived, but there always seemed to be a few missing. After waiting for so long without seeing them appear, he could not help cursing inwardly. Don’t they know someone here is starving? What are they dawdling outside for…
Seeing that the Emperor’s seat was also empty, Mu Xueshi finally lost patience and looked at Su Ying. “Su Ying, don’t you think you should feed Uncle something?”
Su Ying was eating candied golden dates. Hearing Mu Xueshi’s words, he looked at the golden date in his hand, but instead of handing it to Mu Xueshi, he threw it back onto the banquet table, scattering things everywhere.
“I just won’t give Uncle any.” Su Ying puffed out his chest and said arrogantly.
Mu Xueshi immediately regretted it. He truly could not speak casually to Su Ying. The child’s temper was far too unpredictable.
Seeing Mu Xueshi darken his face and fall silent, Su Ying leaned his head over until he was almost touching Mu Xueshi’s cheek, then stretched out his little tongue and licked the tip of Mu Xueshi’s nose. Finally, he lifted the butterfly pastry roll in his hand and looked at Mu Xueshi challengingly. His expression clearly said he wanted to watch Mu Xueshi make a fool of himself.
Seeing that he had been toyed with by a little child, Mu Xueshi immediately felt stifled. He narrowed his eyes at Su Ying, then suddenly had an idea and said, “The pastry in your hand must be bitter.”
Su Ying lowered his raised hand and looked worriedly at the pastry roll. He pinched off a piece and tasted it. “It isn’t. Uncle is lying. It’s sweet.”
Mu Xueshi remained completely unmoved and continued looking at Su Ying smugly. “It must be bitter. Su Ying is too silly. You can’t even tell sweet from bitter.”
Su Ying grew anxious. He took another big bite and shouted at Mu Xueshi, “It’s sweet! Uncle is the silly one!”
“It’s bitter!”
“It’s sweet! It’s sweet! If Uncle doesn’t believe it, try it.”
A pleased look appeared on Mu Xueshi’s face.
“It’s still bitter.”
“How could that be? Uncle, try again!”
“Uncle still thinks it tastes a little bitter.”
“It’s sweet! It’s sweet! Uncle, try it again!”
“…”
After letting out a satisfied burp, Mu Xueshi smiled contentedly. Su Ying and the banquet table in front of him were a complete mess, but Mu Xueshi sat there perfectly at ease. After all, he had never touched his chopsticks, so no one could pin the blame on him.
More and more people filled the imperial garden. Aside from the officials and ministers, there were also magnificently dressed consorts and princesses who rarely appeared in public. Mu Xueshi’s large eyes darted from one person to another, sparkling nonstop. Su Ying sat in Mu Xueshi’s arms, staring intently at Mu Xueshi’s eyes without moving. His little mouth was pressed tightly shut, and he looked extremely serious.
By the time the Third Prince arrived, basically everyone was present. The one who came afterward was the Emperor.
Futile Devices Scans 
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