“Your Highness, His Majesty has been repeatedly asking about Young Master Xue’s progress on the case. It has been nearly a week already. By rights, Young Master Xue should have gone to pay his respects to His Majesty the day after receiving his official appointment, and afterward he should have attended court every day. But ever since Young Master Xue left the banquet, he has not appeared before anyone again. His Majesty even questioned this servant personally, asking whether Young Master Xue was bedridden with a serious illness…”
The two people speaking beneath the shade of a tree were Eunuch Shangde, who had recently been assigned to Mu Xueshi’s side, and Su Ruhan.
“Hasn’t an explanation already been given to His Majesty regarding why Xueshi has not attended court? He’s only a third-rank official. Is it really necessary for His Majesty to personally interrogate servants about him?”
Seeing the grave expression on Su Ruhan’s face, Eunuch Shangde hurriedly shut his mouth and said nothing more.
After a moment of silence, Su Ruhan said to Eunuch Shangde, “If His Majesty asks again, repeat exactly what I previously instructed you to say. Lord Judicial Affairs Minister and Third Prince are staying outside the palace temporarily. Lord Judicial Affairs Minister is in poor health and unsuitable for recuperating within the palace, so he has moved outside the palace.”
Eunuch Shangde nodded, then cautiously asked, “Guard Su, is Lord Judicial Affairs Minister truly…?”
“That is not something you should concern yourself with.”
Su Ruhan shifted his foot slightly, startling Eunuch Shangde so badly that he nearly stumbled and fell.
“Although you are his attendant eunuch, as long as Xueshi has Third Prince by his side, you need not worry about his whereabouts. Just keep those servants’ mouths under control, especially the assorted busybodies in the palace. Anyone who enjoys spreading rumors about this matter—write down their names and report them to me later.”
Eunuch Shangde pulled a long face and carefully answered, “Yes,” before retreating in small, cautious steps.
The revelation of Mu Xueshi’s true appearance at the banquet had thrown the palace into an uproar. Some claimed that Third Prince had secretly imprisoned Mu Xueshi and was keeping him hidden away. Others said Mu Xueshi had been abducted and that Third Prince was searching for him everywhere.
However, no one had noticed any signs from Third Prince’s words or behavior suggesting that Mu Xueshi had been kidnapped, so no one foolishly attempted to search for him. The real difficulty came from His Majesty, who kept bringing him up from time to time, making life difficult for the servants attending Mu Xueshi.
Su Ruhan mounted his horse and rode toward the palace gates. On the way through the inner palace grounds, he happened to encounter Yu’er.
Yu’er had already been elevated to Noble Consort Yu. He frequently accompanied the Emperor in Taihe Hall, playing chess and singing for him, and had become deeply favored. If not for the kind words he had spoken on Third Prince’s behalf, the Emperor might still be dwelling on Third Prince’s past transgressions. During the days when Mu Xueshi had remained out of sight, it was also thanks to Yu’er’s constant company that the Emperor’s attention had been diverted elsewhere.
Upon seeing Su Ruhan, Yu’er stepped directly out of his sedan chair. When he saw Su Ruhan bowing to him, he hurried forward to stop him.
“Guard Su, there is no need for such formality. A few days ago, I was framed by people from the Empress’s side. If not for your timely rescue, I might not have escaped disaster.”
Today, Yu’er wore light makeup. When he smiled, he appeared as flawless as carved jade, giving off a gentle and approachable air.
“I merely happened to pass by and witness it. Noble Consort Yu need not take it to heart.”
Yu’er naturally understood why Su Ruhan had stopped, so after glancing at the servants around him, he led Su Ruhan aside and lowered his voice.
“His Majesty asked about Young Master Xue again today. Fortunately, I managed to ply him with several cups of wine until he became completely drunk and insensible. That was the only reason I found an opportunity to come out for some fresh air. If you happen to see Young Master Xue, please convey my regards to him.”
Su Ruhan smiled faintly. “Then I must trouble Noble Consort Yu to continue keeping an eye on His Majesty. When I see Third Prince, I will certainly pass along your goodwill.”
“No need.”
Seeing that Su Ruhan had already mounted his horse, Yu’er quickly tilted his head up and called after him.
“It would be best if you did not mention this matter to His Highness. If His Majesty learns of it later, I fear it may displease him.”
Su Ruhan nodded and rode away expressionlessly.
…
“How is it?”
Su Ruhan questioned a guard dressed in commoners’ clothing at the inn entrance.
The guard shook his head. His expression was grim, and bloodstains marked the area beneath his neck, evidence that he had been injured. As Su Ruhan entered the inconspicuous inn, he saw wounded men everywhere. Some bore cuts, others knife wounds, but all looked thoroughly battered.
Third Prince sat inside the room, his expression as rigid as stone. He had been like this for days. Even his closest confidants could sense the danger radiating from him. Aside from answering his direct questions, everyone instinctively kept their distance.
Su Ruhan pushed the door open and walked directly to Third Prince’s side, stopping there and silently observing him.
“Has His Majesty asked about it?” Third Prince suddenly asked.
“No. The palace has only recently settled down, and His Majesty has many matters demanding his attention. For the moment, he has not focused on this issue,” Su Ruhan replied.
Third Prince nodded. His eyes remained fixed on the view outside the window, exhaustion evident in his gaze.
“Perhaps you should rest for a while. Continuing this search endlessly is not a solution,” Su Ruhan advised kindly.
The teacup in Third Prince’s hand suddenly shattered piece by piece, the fragments clattering onto the table with a harsh screech.
“Is Xueshi’s matter something he has the right to inquire about? When Xueshi was taken to Lubei Kingdom, where was all this concern then?”
The moment Third Prince finished speaking, every teacup and wine pot on the table exploded across the floor. He clenched several shards in his hand as though intending to crush them into powder.
Su Ruhan hurried forward to stop him from injuring himself further, only to find Third Prince’s sword pointed at him from two zhang away. Understanding the turmoil in Third Prince’s heart, Su Ruhan refrained from approaching again and instead stood quietly to the side, considering possible solutions.
After a long while, Third Prince finally exhaled slowly and released the shards. His palm was covered in countless bloody cuts.
It mirrored the state of his heart.
Day after day. Night after night.
With every passing moment, another wound seemed to appear.
What if Xueshi had truly encountered danger?
What if misfortune had already…
Third Prince dared not continue that line of thought. He had always faced the world with absolute certainty, and even now he believed a turning point would come.
The question was how long he would have to wait.
Even one second longer felt unbearable.
“Your Highness, we have searched everywhere except Miwu Mountain. If Xueshi is still nearby, then that is the only place left. Every road leading out of the city is being watched by our people, and no suspicious individuals have been spotted. Therefore…”
Third Prince cast Su Ruhan a chilling look and said quietly, “I have already sent men there to investigate. Those bandits are cunning. The moment they see an outsider, they immediately move to kill. The mountains are blanketed in fog, making it difficult for my men to find their way. Reaching the summit is nearly impossible. Unless I mobilize elite troops to assist, sending only one or two people will simply result in them falling into an ambush.”
Remembering the wounded men he had just seen at the entrance, Su Ruhan immediately understood how those injuries had been sustained.
“The bandits in those mountains truly are formidable. Every one of them knows the terrain intimately. Though they seldom leave during the day, they often sneak out under cover of darkness to commit crimes. Most of the people living near Miwu Mountain have already moved away. The court once considered eliminating the bandits but eventually abandoned the idea because it would have been too troublesome. If Your Highness truly wishes to investigate, I can send trusted men to infiltrate the area. Some of them have been inside before.”
“There is no need.”
Third Prince lifted his head and said coldly, “I would feel more at ease going there myself.”
Hearing this, Su Ruhan said, “If Your Highness is concerned, allow me to go instead. A handful of bandits should not be difficult to handle. If Xueshi is truly there, I will find a way to bring him back.”
Third Prince rose to his feet with sword in hand and replied, “If Xueshi is truly there, then all the more reason for me to bring him back personally.”
Su Ruhan instantly understood his meaning and quietly followed him out of the inn.
Futile Devices Scans 
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