Futile Devices Scans

Ever since Mu Xueshi was injured, the Mountain King had summoned famous physicians from every direction and used the finest medicinal herbs on him. The wounds on Mu Xueshi’s body healed quickly, but the problem with his throat showed no signs of improving.

To keep Mu Xueshi from becoming depressed, the Mountain King took him out to have fun whenever he had free time. Though there were only so many things in the mountains, they felt far freer and more novel to Mu Xueshi. He often found himself wanting to climb trees and steal bird eggs, but the Mountain King would never allow him to do something so dangerous. As a result, Mu Xueshi could only ride horses and practice archery, though his skills improved a little more with each passing day.

After being drugged by Mu Xueshi, the Mountain King never once mentioned the incident again and continued trusting him just as before. Mu Xueshi likewise stopped attempting anything similar and gradually became accustomed to life here. He no longer felt the same urgency to return to the palace as he had during the first few days.

As long as the Mountain King did not force him to marry, Mu Xueshi actually enjoyed spending time with him. He admired the Mountain King’s commanding presence and courage. He liked how patiently the Mountain King taught him new skills and always acknowledged his accomplishments. Most importantly, being with the Mountain King made him feel free and unrestrained. Unlike when he was with Third Prince, he never felt that constant tension hovering over him, worrying that he might do something wrong and anger him.

After spending an exhilarating afternoon outdoors, Mu Xueshi returned to the stronghold drenched in sweat. Following a bath, he felt as though every ounce of strength had been drained from his body. Since his injuries had not yet fully healed, the soreness and fatigue only felt worse. While the Mountain King was changing the medicine on his wounds, Mu Xueshi ended up falling asleep with his head resting on the Mountain King’s lap.

Looking at Mu Xueshi’s peaceful sleeping face, the Mountain King could not bear to wake him. He simply draped a thin blanket over him and allowed him to sleep on his lap through the entire night.

Early the next morning, Mu Xueshi awoke to find the sun already up. His head was still resting on the Mountain King’s lap, while the Mountain King remained sitting in exactly the same position as before, without moving an inch.

Mu Xueshi immediately sat upright. Only then did the Mountain King move his legs. The moment his feet touched the ground, he nearly lost his balance. After being pinned down for so long, both legs had gone numb.

Seeing Mu Xueshi staring at him, the Mountain King smiled and asked, “Did you sleep well?”

Mu Xueshi nodded. He wanted to ask about the Mountain King’s legs, but when he opened his mouth, no sound emerged. Left with no choice, he walked over, pointed at the Mountain King’s legs, and made an inquiring expression.

The Mountain King affectionately rubbed Mu Xueshi’s cheek and said, “Indeed, you slept on my lap all night.”

This sort of completely mismatched conversation had happened countless times over the past few days. Mu Xueshi now deeply understood how miserable it was to lose a bodily function. He had originally planned to explain everything clearly to the Mountain King as soon as he woke up, but now even basic communication was difficult, let alone convincing him to let him leave.

Fortunately, aside from that issue, there was nothing particularly urgent he needed to say. Even if they misunderstood each other, it usually did not matter. Mu Xueshi sighed and prepared to climb back into bed for a little more sleep.

However, the Mountain King suddenly blocked his path and pulled him to his side, a bold smile spreading across his face.

“You can’t go back to sleep today.”

Mu Xueshi looked completely baffled.

Curling his lips upward, the Mountain King pinched Mu Xueshi’s cheek and said, “Have you forgotten? Today is our wedding day.”

Mu Xueshi’s eyes widened instantly, and he froze where he stood.

When had he ever agreed to marry the Mountain King?

And today, of all days?

For once, the Mountain King understood exactly what Mu Xueshi was thinking. He explained, “I already sent out the wedding invitations before you were injured, informing all my sworn brothers that the wedding would take place today. What’s wrong? Didn’t you agree back then?”

Agitated, Mu Xueshi grabbed the Mountain King’s arm and launched into a long string of meaningless sounds, his face flushing bright red with frustration. What he was trying to say was simple enough: he could never marry the Mountain King. He regarded him only as a brother. Once his injuries healed, he would return to the palace, and afterward could only come here occasionally.

Seeing how anxious Mu Xueshi was, the Mountain King bent slightly and said gently, “Don’t worry about your throat. You don’t need to say a single word. Just sit there quietly, and that will be enough. Besides, this time I’ve only invited my own people. There’s no need to be nervous.”

Mu Xueshi shoved the Mountain King away and retreated several steps, gesturing frantically. When the Mountain King showed no sign of understanding, Mu Xueshi became so anxious he pounded his chest and stomped his feet, pacing around the room while desperately trying to think of some way to make the Mountain King understand.

At last, his gaze landed on a stack of red paper and several writing brushes. The red paper had been used earlier to write wedding invitations and had never been put away afterward. Now it could finally serve another purpose.

Overjoyed, Mu Xueshi rushed over and grabbed the paper and a brush. Discovering there was no ink, he panicked and dipped the brush into a bowl of tea, dissolving the dried remnants of ink clinging to the bristles. Then he spread out the red paper and began writing.

Because he was so agitated, his hand shook continuously. After struggling for quite some time, he managed to scrawl only four barely legible characters:

I do not agree.

Afraid the Mountain King would not be able to read them clearly, Mu Xueshi traced over the words again with another brush. Only after he felt they were recognizable did he hurriedly thrust the paper in front of the Mountain King.

Smiling broadly, the Mountain King accepted the red paper. His eyes swept over it once before he asked Mu Xueshi, “Did my wife write words on this?”

Mu Xueshi nodded immediately.

The Mountain King casually tossed the paper onto a nearby table, then pulled Mu Xueshi onto his lap and said leisurely, “I can’t read. Wouldn’t all of my wife’s effort be wasted?”

Mu Xueshi was instantly on the verge of tears. He picked the paper back up and stuffed it into the Mountain King’s hands, then pointed outside, signaling for him to find someone literate to come and read it.

Seeing how anxious Mu Xueshi was, the Mountain King chuckled and instructed the men outside to bring Little Parrot over.

Little Parrot had already been waiting at the foot of the mountain, currently fretting over how he could squeeze his way to the front. The moment he heard the Mountain King calling for him, he immediately came running over in high spirits and entered the Mountain King’s house under the envious gazes of everyone else.

“Help me see what’s written on this.”

Little Parrot quickly accepted the paper and studied the words written on the red sheet. He had attended school for a few years in his youth and was considered the most educated among the bandits. Even the Mountain King’s wedding invitations had been written by him. Every time the Mountain King asked him to read or write something, Little Parrot felt immensely proud.

The problem was…

This time, no matter how he looked at the words, he could not make out what they said.

While Little Parrot continued examining the paper, Mu Xueshi broke free from the Mountain King’s embrace again and ran to the stack of red paper. Pulling out another sheet, he began writing stroke by stroke.

Although you saved me and I owe you a great debt, I cannot marry you. Before I came to this mountain, I already had someone I loved. Once my throat recovers, I must return to find him. But as long as I have time, I will still come visit you. I hope…

Mu Xueshi had already filled several sheets of paper, yet Little Parrot was still standing there frowning in concentration. The page in his hand had been turned in every possible direction. At last, he secretly glanced at the Mountain King a few times and reasoned that even if he guessed wrong, the Mountain King would never know. Looking at the red paper and considering what day it was, he finally blurted out:

“Your Majesty, it says May We Be Joined as One.”

Mu Xueshi had still been writing enthusiastically when he heard those words. The brush immediately slipped from his fingers and fell to the floor.

The Mountain King’s brows already showed signs of delight. He glanced at Little Parrot and said, “Why not explain it further?”

The moment Little Parrot saw that the Mountain King was pleased, his confidence soared. In a loud voice, he explained, “May We Be Joined as One means that Madam is willing to marry Your Majesty and grow old together with you.”

Mu Xueshi whipped his head around and glared furiously at Little Parrot, nearly fainting on the spot, because he had just realized that Little Parrot had been holding the paper upside down.

The Mountain King burst into laughter and said to Little Parrot, “Reward him with one hundred taels of silver. You may go.”

Little Parrot’s face lit up with joy. He kowtowed several times in succession, rattled off a long string of auspicious blessings, and then eagerly hurried out the door.

The moment Little Parrot stepped outside, a commotion immediately erupted.

“Your Majesty, we want wedding money too!”

“Your Majesty, we want to see the bride!”

“Your Majesty, some of the guests have already arrived! Aren’t you going to let them feast their eyes a little?”

“…”

Standing inside the room, the Mountain King looked Mu Xueshi up and down. He thought to himself that even dressed as a woman, Mu Xueshi would probably leave that bunch of ignorant fools completely dumbfounded.

Struggling the entire time, Mu Xueshi was slung over the Mountain King’s shoulder and carried into another room. Several women who had been brought here were waiting inside to prepare the bride’s makeup. The moment the Mountain King set Mu Xueshi down, the women froze in place. In all their lives, they had probably never opened their eyes so wide. What makeup was there even to apply?

“Why are you all still standing there? I’m about to go entertain the guests. When I return, if he still looks like a man, I’ll chop off your hands.”

The moment the women heard this, they immediately swarmed toward Mu Xueshi. Mu Xueshi struggled to get out, only to be pushed right back in by the crowd of women.

The instant the Mountain King saw those older women touching Mu Xueshi, he nearly drew his blade and cut them down. Then he remembered that today was an auspicious day and that bloodshed would be unlucky. So he stepped forward, sealed Mu Xueshi’s acupoints, and propped him sideways against a long bench so the women could do his makeup.

“All of you behave yourselves. Other than his face, you’re not allowed to touch anywhere else. I’ll change his clothes myself. Be careful with your work. If you hurt him, prepare to be served on the table as drinking snacks.”

After saying that, the Mountain King took one more look at Mu Xueshi, then strode out with a radiant expression.

Previous

Main

Next