Suddenly, another figure appeared within the Third Prince’s line of sight. The man had clearly noticed his presence—but showed no reaction whatsoever. Instead, he walked calmly toward Mu Xueshi and bent down to help him up.
Mu Xueshi grabbed Su Ruhan’s arm like a drowning man seizing a lifeline. Yet the first thing he asked was not to leave this dreadful place. Instead, he asked anxiously about the Third Prince.
Su Ruhan offered no reply. After helping Mu Xueshi to his feet, he simply turned and began leading him away with an expressionless face. Unwilling to give up, Mu Xueshi continued pleading. “Please take me to see the Third Prince… How is he now…?”
Hearing this, the Third Prince—standing hidden nearby—felt his heart stir slightly. But the feeling faded quickly. Was Mu Xueshi feeling guilty for what he had done? Or was he simply eager to see him humiliated? A mocking smile flickered across the Third Prince’s lips. The brief moment of uncertainty vanished like smoke.
In the next instant, Mu Xueshi suddenly dropped to his knees. He wrapped his arms around Su Ruhan’s leg and refused to let go, clinging to him as if his life depended on it. When the Third Prince saw Mu Xueshi pressing his face against Su Ruhan’s leg, an inexplicable surge of anger rose within him.
Su Ruhan suddenly chuckled softly. Almost deliberately, he said, “The Third Prince fell victim to your scheme. To save your life, he transferred the poison from your body into his own. Though he narrowly escaped death, he has yet to recover.” “And now he hates you to the bone.” “If you truly care for him, then do not disturb his rest. Remain here quietly and await your punishment.”
The Third Prince was clearly displeased at hearing himself described so pitifully. But every word Su Ruhan spoke was true. If he revealed himself now to punish such talk, he would not only expose his presence to Mu Xueshi but also appear petty and lacking in composure.
He merely snorted coldly. As expected of someone who had served him for over a decade—only Su Ruhan dared to speak to him like this.
Su Ruhan then strode away. Mu Xueshi followed behind him like a wandering ghost. In his mind, he could only see the Third Prince’s face filled with hatred and disgust. He wanted to cry—but felt it would be unmanly. Still, his nose stung painfully. Pretending to rub it, Mu Xueshi secretly wiped away the tears gathering at the corners of his eyes.
The Third Prince followed behind them. Originally he had only intended to watch Mu Xueshi make a fool of himself. Yet for some reason, his feet continued to move after them. His expression remained cold and distant. But when he saw Mu Xueshi secretly wiping away his tears, the icy hostility in his gaze softened slightly. For a fleeting moment, an almost imperceptible trace of tenderness appeared.
When they reached the end of the path, Mu Xueshi began to recognize the surroundings. The room where he had awakened earlier stood just ahead. Realizing Su Ruhan might soon leave again, Mu Xueshi suddenly grabbed his sleeve and asked breathlessly, “Could you… pass along a message for me?”
Su Ruhan said nothing—but he did not refuse.
Seeing this, Mu Xueshi spoke in a voice tinged with desperation. “Please tell the Third Prince… I never conspired with the Second Prince to harm him.” “Because I only have one friend.” “And that friend… is the Third Prince.” His voice faltered. Even Mu Xueshi felt the words sounded embarrassingly sentimental. He waved his hand awkwardly and forced a bitter smile. “That’s all. Tell him to focus on recovering from his injuries.” “I’ll just wait here for whatever punishment he decides.”
Although Su Ruhan’s expression remained unchanged, his thoughts stilled for a long moment. As an outsider, he knew very well that Mu Xueshi had no reason to harm the Third Prince. But the sincere affection Mu Xueshi felt toward him reminded Su Ruhan of the boy who had once relied on him since childhood.