Passing through the garden path, Mu Xueshi could not help glancing toward the grass once again.
The Yinglan flower still showed no sign of appearing.
He let out a heavy sigh.
With the Third Prince’s abilities, if he agreed to search, that lost silver coin would surely be found sooner or later. But if the Yinglan flower failed to bloom this month, they would have to wait until the next.
And if the case of the Grand Tutor were solved before then, Mu Xueshi would have no reason to remain here any longer.
At that time, even if he felt reluctant, he would have to tell the Third Prince the truth and ask him to help him return home.
After brooding for a while, Mu Xueshi quickly shook off his gloomy thoughts and straightened his resolve.
No matter how guilty he felt toward the Third Prince, revenge still had to be taken. The two matters were entirely separate and must be counted separately.
Moving too quickly, Mu Xueshi suddenly crashed straight into someone’s chest.
Looking up, he saw the sharply chiseled face of Su Ruhan.
Mu Xueshi immediately straightened himself and gave a respectful bow.
“Greetings, Master! Your disciple pays his respects!”
Su Ruhan’s sword-like brows drew together as a complicated expression crossed his face.
To Mu Xueshi, Su Ruhan always gave the impression of someone young yet prematurely weathered. Though he appeared barely over twenty, there was a sense of middle-aged weariness about him.
“A few days ago in Linhan Palace, thank you for taking care of me,” Mu Xueshi said politely, bowing once more. He waited nervously for a reply.
But by the time his back had begun to ache from bending—
Su Ruhan had already disappeared.
Once again Mu Xueshi had been completely ignored.
His mood sank even lower.
Half of the resentment he felt toward the Third Prince now shifted onto Su Ruhan as well. With nowhere to vent his frustration, Mu Xueshi stomped angrily toward the sleeping palace.
Now he intended not only to take revenge on the Third Prince—
but to use him as a convenient outlet for all his pent-up grievances.
Yet halfway there, Mu Xueshi suddenly noticed something strange.
The courtyard had always been guarded by attendants and soldiers. Occasionally maids would pass through the corridors carrying pastries, clothing, and various items.
But tonight—
the entire place was eerily silent.
Aside from Su Ruhan’s brief appearance earlier, not a single soul could be seen.
Pushing open the door, Mu Xueshi saw the Third Prince sitting upright beside a table.
A set of clothing lay on the table.
A pair of shoes rested beneath it.
Mu Xueshi had originally intended to burst in and unleash a storm of curses. But when he saw the deep furrow between the prince’s brows, the words stuck in his throat and slipped quietly back down.
All the harsh lines he had prepared along the way vanished in an instant.
Standing awkwardly by the door, he cleared his throat and finally asked only a harmless question.
“Where are all the servants outside?”
The Third Prince did not answer.
He had dismissed them earlier because he did not want anyone else to see Mu Xueshi’s true face. But that reason could hardly be spoken aloud.
Thus he remained silent.
Mu Xueshi suddenly kicked a nearby stool and shouted in frustration,
“Why does no one ever want to talk to me? It was like this before, and it’s still the same now! Am I really that annoying?”
As soon as he finished speaking, he bit his lip tightly.
He quickly grabbed a stool and sat down, lifting his pale foot into his arms. A pained expression appeared on his exquisite face.
The Third Prince noticed the change in his expression, and his heart tightened unexpectedly. His gaze moved involuntarily toward Mu Xueshi’s foot.
The moment Mu Xueshi noticed the prince looking, he immediately pretended nothing was wrong. After a few disdainful snorts, he turned away and sat with his back to the prince.
He had made up his mind.
Since the Third Prince refused to speak with him—
he would never initiate conversation again either.
Futile Devices Scans 
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