Night fell.
A deep indigo sky held a few scattered stars, while the moon drifted behind thin clouds, making it impossible to tell whether it was waxing or waning.
Mu Xueshi crouched in the exact same spot as the night before, staring fixedly at the ground.
Whenever one posture became too tiring, he simply changed position and continued staring. Occasionally the cry of a night bird echoed through the sky, causing goosebumps to spread across his skin. He would hurriedly plug his ears with his slender fingers to keep himself from being distracted.
His long lashes rested like curved fans upon his eyelids. Beneath the moonlight, his bright eyes shimmered brilliantly, opening and closing with the rhythm of the drifting clouds.
He had already yawned dozens of times.
Yet there was still no sign of the Yinglan flower blooming.
The fifteenth day of the lunar month was fast approaching. If the flower failed to bloom again tonight, the Third Prince’s illness might have to wait another month before it could be treated.
The thought forced Mu Xueshi to snap his eyes open once more.
He glanced around, hoping to find something interesting to keep himself awake. Instead, he discovered that aside from the guards standing rigidly around the courtyard, everything else had fallen completely silent.
Perhaps it would be better to think about the case from earlier.
Why had the Grand Tutor remained completely still while burning?
The Third Prince had already said the man had not died before the fire started.
If he did not struggle, then he must have been unconscious… or drugged.
Yet the Third Prince had also said there were no signs of poisoning, nor any injuries on the body.
Then…
He must have been struck with an acupoint seal!
Yes—that had to be it.
If that were the case, they only needed to find out who had entered the room during that time.
But the servants had said only the original owner of this body had visited the chamber.
And the Third Prince had already declared that he was not the culprit…
The more Mu Xueshi thought, the sleepier he became.
In the end, he collapsed face-first into the grass.
Soon faint snores rose into the night air.
Occasionally blades of grass landed on his face. He would brush them away irritably, curl up, and continue sleeping soundly.
The Third Prince crouched down and carefully lifted Mu Xueshi from the ground.
The moment his hands touched him, a milky-white flower nearby quietly bloomed.
Its petals spread like a tiny parasol, releasing a faint, lingering fragrance that drifted through the grass.
Even the person in the prince’s arms seemed to carry that gentle scent.
For some reason, the Third Prince suddenly wished Mu Xueshi were awake.
Though he had always favored silence and detachment, at this moment he longed to see the bright, carefree smile on Mu Xueshi’s face.
Seeing the dirt and grass clinging to his body, the Third Prince carried him to the bath chamber within his own palace quarters.
The bath floor was paved with imperial-purple crystal, while the pool itself was lined entirely with white jade.
Two beautiful attendants stood nearby holding trays with fragrant oils and fresh clothing.
The Third Prince glanced at them briefly.
They immediately understood and quietly withdrew.
Looking down at the person in his arms—still deeply asleep—the prince’s expression softened in a way it rarely did.
He gently removed Mu Xueshi’s clothing, revealing skin as smooth and pale as fresh snow.
For a long moment he simply stared.
The calm warmth in his eyes slowly deepened into something more restless.
Then he stepped into the water, bringing Mu Xueshi with him.
The moment Mu Xueshi’s body touched the warm water, he stirred awake in a haze.
The thin disguise covering his face had already been removed.
When his peerless features were fully revealed, his crystal-clear eyes slowly opened.
For a moment, the Third Prince felt his mind waver.
In the past he could face this beauty without reaction. But now, in such circumstances, he found it difficult to restrain himself.
Slowly, he leaned forward.
His lips pressed against Mu Xueshi’s.
Mu Xueshi knew exactly who was kissing him.
Yet he felt no disgust.
Unlike the accidental kiss from his former rival—which had haunted him like a nightmare—this one strangely felt… pleasant.
He closed his eyes and pretended not to notice, pretending instead that the Third Prince was some breathtaking beauty.
Only that way could he escape the embarrassment.
But in the end, Mu Xueshi realized something troubling.
The only face filling his mind was that of the Third Prince.
Futile Devices Scans 
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