Mu Xueshi assumed Eunuch Tai’an was afraid, so he leaned closer with a grin. “It’s fine. I won’t tell the Third Prince. Just tell me: did he lock Qing Yun up? I haven’t seen her for two days. Did she get punished because of me?”
Eunuch Tai’an had never seen a master show such concern for a servant, and he could not help feeling moved. Qing Yun had indeed been punished because of Mu Xueshi, but she had also kept her life because of him. Thinking about it that way, Mu Xueshi’s presence had quietly changed the fates of many people in this residence. Perhaps they ought to be grateful.
With that thought, Eunuch Tai’an suddenly knelt. “Please be at ease, Young Master Xue. Miss Qing Yun has been unwell recently. His Highness transferred her to the embroidery room to do lighter work while she recuperates.”
“So that’s it! Hehe…” Mu Xueshi laughed, and the tension in his heart finally loosened. He glanced at the all-natural bracelet in his hand and grinned at Eunuch Tai’an. “You’ve done me such a huge favor. How could I repay you with something this shabby? I’ll keep this one myself. Later I’ll sneak into the Third Prince’s little treasury and steal something better for you.”
Before Eunuch Tai’an could refuse, Mu Xueshi had already vanished. Watching the uneven trail of footprints he left behind, Eunuch Tai’an’s expression softened into a faint smile.
On the ride to the Grand Tutor’s manor, Mu Xueshi and the Third Prince sat in their usual position, facing each other. Mu Xueshi realized he had already grown used to it. Not long after mounting, he buried himself in the Third Prince’s chest and fell asleep.
He was genuinely exhausted. Curled in the prince’s arms, he slept deeply, his fair face peaceful and content while both hands clung tightly to the prince’s waist. Whenever the Third Prince shifted an arm, Mu Xueshi instinctively tightened his grip for fear of falling. Even knowing the reason, the prince’s eyes still softened.
The road was usually quiet, but today a carriage suddenly passed them. It was crowded with burly men whose loud voices filled the air as they went by the Third Prince’s horse.
In the very next moment, every voice vanished and the world returned to silence, as though the commotion had never existed. Mu Xueshi’s slightly furrowed brows relaxed in his sleep. He smacked his lips, rubbed his forehead against the Third Prince’s chest, then turned his head and continued sleeping.
Behind them, the men had all collapsed to the ground, their tongues cut through and blood running from the corners of their mouths.
Two masked figures in black dropped from the trees, checked the men on the ground, exchanged a confirming glance, then leapt away and disappeared into the forest.
When the Third Prince arrived at the Grand Tutor’s manor, there was one more person there than before. The man had arrived the previous night and had remained kneeling at the gate ever since, waiting for the prince.
His name was Yuwen Tao, the late Grand Tutor Mu’s closest friend. After learning that the Third Prince intended to reinvestigate the case, he had hurried there to beg that the true killer be found.
“How do you know Mu Xueshi is not the real murderer?” the Third Prince asked coldly.
Still kneeling, Yuwen Tao answered with grief on his face. “I do not know. But if Your Highness has personally come to investigate, then Your Highness must have a reason. Whoever the murderer is, I only hope the final answer will convince everyone. If I can help Brother Mu find the person who killed him, I would willingly give up this old life of mine…”
With tears in his eyes, Yuwen Tao knocked his forehead hard against the ground until blood appeared. His agitation was unmistakable.
Watching from behind, Mu Xueshi felt deeply moved. If he were ever killed and the Third Prince could grieve for him to this extent, he almost felt he would be willing to meet with disaster right now.
After that moment of emotion, Mu Xueshi suddenly found that he did not want to remain in the same room as Yuwen Tao. The grief surrounding the man felt too heavy. To Mu Xueshi, looking at Yuwen Tao was almost like looking at his own future, and he did not want to bear that despair before he had to.
Mu Xueshi went alone to the main hall to search for clues, only to run into Steward Wang. The steward was holding a narrow-necked bottle and sprinkling something across the floor.
Curious, Mu Xueshi walked over. “What are you doing?”
Steward Wang hurried to bow when he saw Mu Xueshi, but Mu Xueshi stopped him. The steward’s opinion of the young master had changed, and even his tone had become much gentler.
“This is fragrant dew. Its scent is used to help settle pregnancy and strengthen the body. Sprinkling it around a room can also repel insects and clear unpleasant odors.”
“So that’s what it is…” Mu Xueshi’s curiosity rose again. Rubbing his hands together, he asked, “Can I smell it?”
Steward Wang nodded with a smile and handed him the bottle.
Mu Xueshi held it beneath his nose and inhaled. With a blissful expression, he murmured, “It smells so good…”
As he admired the fragrance, a strange familiarity suddenly struck him. He handed the bottle back to Steward Wang and immediately dropped to the floor. Before the steward could stop him, Mu Xueshi was already sprawled out like an octopus, pressing his nose near the scorched patch in the center and sniffing carefully.
“I knew it. The ground smelled sweet that day too. So this is what I was smelling…”