Futile Devices Scans

“This looks way too ugly.” Mu Xueshi lifted the veil hanging from the hat and looked at the Third Prince with a miserable expression.

The Third Prince lowered the veil Mu Xueshi had clenched in his hand and said calmly, “That face of yours is certain to invite trouble. It is better to wear it.”

“That isn’t trouble. That’s admiration. It’s a way for others to express their affection.” Mu Xueshi looked utterly pleased with himself.

After hearing this, not only was the Third Prince unmoved, he even ordered in a low voice, “Cover it.”

“Fine, I’ll cover it. Why are you being so fierce? It’s as if someone owes you two hundred bucks…” Mu Xueshi’s eyes darted around, all his dissatisfaction pouring out through them.

“What are you muttering about over there?” the Third Prince asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Uh…” Mu Xueshi jolted and hurriedly explained, “I said I’ll cover it. It’s a good thing I have you watching over me. Otherwise, I’d be in danger the moment I stepped outside.”

Seeing that the Third Prince did not pursue the matter, Mu Xueshi secretly stuck out his tongue and pouted dramatically.

The Third Prince was amused by Mu Xueshi’s appearance—clearly lacking the courage to openly defy him, yet still insisting on secretly venting his anger—and watched his every move with great interest.

Although Mu Xueshi had lowered the veil, he disliked how dark and plain it looked, so he tied knots at all four corners. In the end, that only made it look even stranger. Left with no choice, Mu Xueshi untied the four knots again. After fussing with it for ages, the veil became wrinkled, and Mu Xueshi finally gave up.

Though Mu Xueshi’s face could not be seen clearly, the Third Prince could tell from the little mouth visible beneath the veil just how aggrieved he looked.

Before leaving, Mu Xueshi tiptoed over to the bed to look at Su Ying. Su Ying was sleeping soundly with his little mouth pursed, and there was a large red mark on his face, though no one knew whose great achievement from last night it was. Mu Xueshi secretly smiled, then tiptoed step by step toward the door.

…

The early morning breeze was very cool and felt extremely comfortable against the body. Mu Xueshi could already ride a horse on his own, and he rode quite well. Watching that lively, agile figure darting ahead, the Third Prince’s mood brightened unconsciously.

“Hey, come chase me! Chase me if you’ve got the ability!” Mu Xueshi flicked his riding crop, and the horse quickly galloped forward.

The Third Prince also urged his horse faster and soon caught up with Mu Xueshi, riding side by side with him.

“In the past, I never imagined I’d have a day like this in my whole life. I thought I’d live uselessly forever.” Mu Xueshi’s bright eyes shone through the veil and reflected in the Third Prince’s gaze.

“Did you live very poorly before?” the Third Prince asked calmly.

Mu Xueshi tilted his head back and thought for a moment. “Not very poorly. There were people who loved me too. It’s just that most people treated me like an enemy, because…”

“Because you were very ugly, right?”

Mu Xueshi looked at the Third Prince in astonishment. “How did you know?”

“Because you have already said it many times. Even in your sleep, those are the words you repeat.” The Third Prince smiled somewhat helplessly, his strikingly handsome face showing a pampering expression.

Mu Xueshi scratched his head in embarrassment. “So that’s how…”

The sun slowly began to rise over the horizon, and several strands of bright sunlight illuminated the entire forest. Their figures were cast upon the ground, leaving behind two incomparably beautiful shadows…

When Mu Xueshi and the Third Prince reached the street, they saw rows of soldiers standing on both sides, their expressions extremely solemn. After the two of them passed through the ranks of elite guards, the entire group followed grandly behind the Third Prince and Mu Xueshi.

“W-What are all these people doing?” Mu Xueshi blinked, his head busily turning this way and that.

The Third Prince casually flicked a small bead at Mu Xueshi’s head and reprimanded him, “Don’t move around. Keep your veil properly lowered.”

After being struck on the forehead by the small bead, Mu Xueshi turned toward the Third Prince in dissatisfaction and glared at him with all his might. In any case, the veil was covering him, so the Third Prince couldn’t see it…

The Third Prince slowed his horse slightly and called ahead in a low voice, “Lord Liu.”

Lord Liu immediately urged his horse forward to a position slightly behind the Third Prince’s side and bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Your Highness. Greetings, Judicial Affairs Minister.”

“No need for such ceremony.”

On the other side, Mu Xueshi was still lost in his own thoughts and had not reacted at all to the fact that “Judicial Affairs Minister” referred to him.

“Why have you mobilized so many soldiers?”

Seeing the cold light in the Third Prince’s deep, intelligent eyes, Lord Liu grew somewhat flustered and hurriedly explained, “Your Highness, these soldiers were sent by this humble one to protect the Judicial Affairs Minister while he investigates the case.”

Mu Xueshi immediately snapped back to himself and muttered quietly from the side, “Now everyone knows about it. If I fail to solve the case, won’t I lose all face?”

“Many investigative processes are carried out in secret. By making such a public display, if you alert the enemy, can you bear the consequences?” the Third Prince said coldly.

“This humble one is guilty. This humble one deserves death.” Lord Liu quickly lowered his head and admitted fault, then turned to roar at the soldiers behind him, “Stop following! All of you return to the county yamen and wait there. Without my orders, no one is to come out on their own.”

The group behind them immediately turned around and headed toward the county yamen. After the Third Prince and Mu Xueshi shook off that crowd of followers, they instantly felt much lighter.

“You really do have authority. They disappeared so quickly.” Mu Xueshi turned his head and looked behind him.

The Third Prince glanced at Mu Xueshi and said stiffly, “They may have disappeared, but the commoners gathered along the street are still here.”

Hearing this, Mu Xueshi quickly swept his gaze around from the corner of his eye, and sweat immediately broke out across his forehead. It would not be an exaggeration to describe the scene as drums and gongs shaking the heavens, firecrackers bursting, red flags waving, and a sea of people crowding the streets. Just now, he had been focused only on the soldiers and had not noticed that the commoners on the street were not shopping at the market at all. Instead, they were gathered in clusters here and there, discussing him and the Third Prince.

“Look quickly. The one covering his face with a hat is the eldest young master of the Grant Tutor Manor. He’s an official now.”

“So what if he’s an official? He’s still ugly enough to die, even covering his face with a veil.”

“Heavens, how long has it been since you last left your house? Haven’t you heard? The Mu family’s eldest young master, who was said to be ugly enough to die, actually isn’t ugly at all. He was painted ugly because he was too beautiful. His father only revealed the truth when he was about to die.”

“Really? Look at that prince beside him. He’s simply too handsome and otherworldly!”

“…”

Mu Xueshi gritted his teeth and cursed inwardly: If you don’t understand the situation, then don’t spout nonsense. Can’t you at least use a different description? Ugly enough to die, ugly enough to die—every time I hear those words, I remember that unbearable past…

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