The moment Mu Xueshi left, the Third Prince felt somewhat relieved. He was already considering sending someone to escort Mu Xueshi back. His gaze remained fixed in the direction Mu Xueshi had departed. But then, to his surprise, Mu Xueshi—who had already disappeared from sight—returned.
And he returned with his true face completely revealed…
As soon as Mu Xueshi left, dozens of officials deliberately began discussing the matter in loud voices, eventually drawing the Emperor’s attention. They had long been resentful that the Emperor had bestowed such extraordinary favor upon Mu Xueshi. If they had not originally heard rumors that Mu Xueshi possessed astonishing beauty, they would never have shifted their attention away. They certainly would not have fought to catch a glimpse of such an ordinary-looking face.
Along the way back, Mu Xueshi continued startling passersby. Because he was walking quickly and concentrating on his thoughts, he paid little attention to their reactions. Usually, by the time he had already gone more than ten meters, the people behind him still had not recovered their senses.
Some people also noticed that Mu Xueshi had returned. However, because of the distance, they could not clearly see his face and could only identify him by his clothing. Those who noticed simply pretended not to and turned back to continue chatting with the people beside them.
Perhaps because he was walking too quickly, Mu Xueshi stepped on a small stone while rounding a flowerbed and nearly stumbled. His mood worsened immediately. If those people saw that, they would probably laugh at him again. Right now, all Mu Xueshi wanted was to finish what he needed to do, leave the palace, and go find his master. He did not want to stay in the imperial palace, nor did he want to see a certain someone acting intimately with somebody else.
He had claimed that he did not judge people by their appearance—what a lie. The moment he saw that so-called Qilin beauty, he had been completely captivated.
The more Mu Xueshi thought about it, the angrier he became. As he walked, he ground his teeth and muttered curses under his breath, his entire face scrunched up like a little steamed bun.
Even so, when he reached the vicinity of the banquet, the first few people who saw him froze on the spot.
Then, with every step Mu Xueshi took forward, another area fell silent. By the time he reached the front of the banquet, the entire place had gone quiet. The lively banquet that had been filled with laughter and conversation moments earlier had sunk into a deathly silence.
The instant they saw Mu Xueshi, everyone thought they had become so drunk that they had entered a dream.
Perhaps even in dreams, one could never encounter such a person. His appearance surpassed the most perfect face anyone could imagine. Only after seeing him with their own eyes would they dare believe that such a person truly existed in this world.
Sensing the sudden silence around him, Mu Xueshi’s heart began pounding.
What’s going on? Could it be that after I left, the Emperor issued some harsh order? Did he declare that if Mu Xueshi dared return, he would be chopped into pieces before everyone? Is that why they’re all staring at me in shock? They didn’t expect me to come back?
Even if that were true, he could no longer turn around and flee.
He quickly bowed, his face full of unease, and addressed the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, Xueshi… no… this official deserves death. Earlier, I suddenly felt unwell and went to the servants to obtain some medicine. I left in a hurry and saw that Your Majesty was enjoying conversation with the others, so I did not dare disturb you.”
After speaking, he heard no response.
Mu Xueshi took a deep breath and gathered the courage to raise his head, only to find that the Emperor and all the officials were wearing the same expression.
That shouldn’t be right… Could there be something frightening on me?
Mu Xueshi secretly looked himself over and found nothing different from before he had left. He had only gotten the front of his robe wet while washing his face, and some of his hair had become damp. But most of it had already dried on the way back. Surely nobody would be paying such close attention…
“Xueshi?” the Emperor asked unsteadily.
Mu Xueshi hurriedly replied, “This official is here.”
After that, the Emperor said nothing more. He had only wanted to confirm whether the person standing before him was truly Mu Xueshi.
In truth, there was no need to ask.
That face carried far too many traces of Grand Tutor Mu in his youth. In fact, he might even have surpassed the once world-enchanting Grand Tutor Mu in beauty.
Grand Tutor Mu’s beauty was unforgettable. One glance was enough to remain engraved in memory for a lifetime.
Mu Xueshi’s beauty, however, was impossible to remember. The moment one closed their eyes, they could no longer imagine that face.
Everyone at the banquet except the Third Prince had been unable to look away since catching sight of Mu Xueshi.
That included the dozens of handsome men and beautiful women seated among the officials.
It included the three Qilin beauties seated beside the Emperor.
It included Yu’er, who had instantly been forgotten by everyone.
It even included those officials who had seen Mu Xueshi approaching earlier but had pretended not to notice and continued joking with others. They now regretted it bitterly. At this point, all they could see was Mu Xueshi’s back. Earlier, they should not have blinked even once.
“Your Majesty, may this official request permission to return and rest? This official is not feeling very well…”
Mu Xueshi had not actually been suffering from any physical problem, but after being stared at by all those people, he began to feel as if something really were wrong. The air around him felt stifling for no reason. He felt dizzy and even started breaking out in a cold sweat.
The Emperor steadied himself and asked, “Xueshi, your condition is not serious, is it?”
Mu Xueshi was startled. He forced himself to meet the Emperor’s gaze for a few moments and found it unusually gentle. It was as if he had suddenly been drugged with some kind of love potion. Even his eyes seemed different.
“No… not really…”
At that moment, the Third Prince suddenly spoke to the Emperor.
“Father Emperor, Xueshi is feeling unwell. Let him return.”
Those words caused a shock to run through the hearts of everyone present. It was as if Mu Xueshi’s name had once again been branded into their minds, reminding them that this person was Mu Xueshi, that he had belonged to the Third Prince long ago, and that even getting a glimpse of him was difficult for others.
Mu Xueshi also felt a pain in his chest, though his understanding was completely different from everyone else’s. He felt that the Third Prince was driving him away. Judging from his tone and expression, he clearly did not welcome Mu Xueshi’s presence here.
“His Highness the Third Prince is right. I ask that Your Majesty grant my request,” Mu Xueshi said firmly, putting particular emphasis on the words “Third Prince.”
A rare look of hesitation appeared on the Emperor’s face. Deep down, he did not wish to let Mu Xueshi leave so easily, because he knew that once Mu Xueshi left, his third son would carefully protect him. If that happened, the face he was seeing now would become nothing more than a fleeting glimpse.
Every official present felt the same way. All of them feared that Mu Xueshi would leave the next moment.
When Mu Xueshi saw that the Emperor was not agreeing, he became anxious and immediately knelt before the Emperor’s banquet table, kowtowing as he pleaded, “Your Majesty, this official truly feels unwell. If I remain any longer, I fear I will not be able to endure it.”
When the Emperor saw Mu Xueshi kneeling on the ground, a feeling of tenderness suddenly rose within him. He stood up and personally walked over to help Mu Xueshi to his feet.
Mu Xueshi was even more overwhelmed by the favor. His bright, sparkling eyes looked at the Emperor, and he could do nothing but repeatedly express his thanks.
The Emperor gazed at Mu Xueshi for a long time, yet still could not calm his emotions. Every movement, every smile, every frown of Mu Xueshi’s felt like a spring breeze. Most of all, those clear, water-like eyes filled with shifting brilliance—even immortals would likely be moved by them, much less ordinary mortals.
“Ah. If you’re feeling unwell, then go back and rest properly,” the Emperor finally said with a sigh. Though reluctant, he found himself unable to say anything to oppose that face.
At last, Mu Xueshi breathed a sigh of relief.
The moment he turned around, another wave of astonished exclamations rose up.
Mu Xueshi could not understand what they meant and did not care to think about what they were making a fuss over. However, when he reached the area where the Third Prince and the Qilin beauty were seated, he still could not help slowing his pace.
That so-called Yu’er was still seated beside the Third Prince, though his complexion looked somewhat poor. When Mu Xueshi passed closest to him, the comparison was once again apparent, just as it had been before, only now the positions had been reversed.
Both were extraordinary blossoms, but one bloomed upon the earth while the other bloomed in the heavenly palace. If the earthly blossom could be said to outshine all other flowers, then the heavenly blossom could only be described as utterly unmatched.
It was like comparing an immortal to a mortal. No matter how beautiful a mortal became, they could never possess even a fraction of an immortal’s divine grace.
And wherever Mu Xueshi passed, who could still notice the Qilin beauty?
…
Only after Mu Xueshi’s figure disappeared from sight like a wisp of mist did the people finally withdraw their gazes, though their thoughts still lingered on what they had just witnessed.
“Everyone, continue eating, drinking, and enjoying the performances as before…”
The Emperor’s command jolted everyone back to their senses as though awakening from a dream. They hurriedly obeyed and resumed eating, drinking, and entertaining themselves, but the atmosphere was completely different from before. Topics that had been discussed moments earlier were no longer mentioned. No one continued trying to curry favor with the Qilin beauties. Even the desire that had been stirred up earlier seemed to have vanished together with Mu Xueshi’s departing figure.
Everyone was busy regretting their actions, regretting that they had not left themselves any room for retreat and had spoken so many harsh words in front of Mu Xueshi. If Mu Xueshi remembered those words, they might never even get the chance to speak to him again.
Outwardly, the Emperor showed little change, but his emotions were the most complicated of all.
A few hours ago, because he believed Mu Xueshi’s appearance was lacking, he had rushed through the appointment ceremony.
A few days ago, he had felt that Mu Xueshi was unworthy of the Third Prince and had tried every possible way to push him toward Emperor Hao Lin.
A few months ago, he had believed that Mu Xueshi had killed Grand Tutor Mu and had secretly sent people to eliminate him.
A few years ago, he had felt that Mu Xueshi disgraced Grand Tutor Mu’s reputation, and among all the rewards bestowed upon the Grand Tutor’s Manor, Mu Xueshi alone had received nothing.
If the Third Prince had not rescued Mu Xueshi some time ago, how much would he regret those decisions now that he knew the truth?
The Emperor sighed and drained the wine from his golden goblet in one swallow.
“Chancellor, do you think His Highness will accept your gift?”
The Chancellor had only just regained his composure. Hearing the question from the person beside him, his expression immediately became somewhat awkward. Nevertheless, he maintained his dignified demeanor and replied, “Why wouldn’t he? There are beauties everywhere under heaven, and each has a different appearance. How do you know what sort of beauty the Third Prince prefers?”
The person beside him nodded hypocritically in agreement, while inwardly asking himself again and again: after seeing a face like that, could anyone truly remain unmoved?
…
“Didn’t the officials ask Yu’er to perform a dance just now? Why hasn’t he gotten up yet? Could it be that Yu’er is feeling shy?” the Chancellor said with a cheerful smile.
After the Chancellor’s reminder, the officials finally remembered. Although they were no longer in the mood, they did not want to spoil the Chancellor’s enjoyment, so they reluctantly forced themselves to cheer up and urged the Qilin beauty to dance and liven up the banquet.
Although the Qilin beauty had been unsettled after being compared to Mu Xueshi, he was not someone who admitted defeat easily. Especially when he saw that people were still paying attention to him and that the Third Prince’s attitude had not changed, the brightness immediately returned to his face.
Smiling like a blossoming flower, the Qilin beauty stepped onto the crystal floor in the center of the banquet. He used every skill at his disposal, moving with enchanting grace and seduction. Combined with the partially concealed, partially revealed body unique to his kind, he became all the more desirable.
Unfortunately, as he danced, he discovered that the smiles on the faces of the officials who had previously applauded and praised him had become stiff. Some had even obviously lost focus.
What discouraged him most was that after only a few glances, the Third Prince rose from his seat and left the banquet altogether…
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