Yuwen Tao was nearly forty years old.
He had thick brows, bright eyes, and an imposing presence. When he spoke, his voice was direct and booming.
The Third Prince could not help wondering how the elegant and scholarly Grand Tutor Mu had become close friends with someone who looked more like a martial warrior.
Yet observing Yuwen Tao’s straightforward manner reminded him faintly of Mu Xueshi.
Mu Xueshi also rushed headlong into everything without hiding his emotions.
Noticing the faint smile at the prince’s brow, Yuwen Tao quickly asked,
“Your Highness, have you discovered some clue? From what I know, Young Master Xue is not a cruel person. Though he has always been quiet and solitary, he has never broken rules or caused trouble.”
The Third Prince remained expressionless.
Yuwen Tao continued speaking passionately, but aside from the brief moment when Mu Xueshi crossed his mind and softened his gaze, the prince’s expression stayed cold.
Eventually Yuwen Tao grew increasingly agitated.
“Using Mu Xueshi’s temperament alone to clear his name seems rather forced, does it not?” the Third Prince said deliberately.
Yuwen Tao sighed heavily, his fists clenched so tightly they creaked.
“In my opinion, it must have been Wu Cai! That man has a strange temper and constantly bullies innocent servants. Everyone in the manor hates him.”
“Only Brother Mu tolerated him,” Yuwen Tao continued angrily. “And now, before Brother Mu’s body has even grown cold, he runs around indulging in pleasures. A man like that deserves to be cut into a thousand pieces!”
He slammed his fist onto the table with a loud bang.
The Third Prince merely glanced at him.
“Yet everyone in the manor knows that before the Grand Tutor’s death, Mu Xueshi argued with him. And when the incident occurred, someone saw Mu Xueshi in the Grand Tutor’s room.”
His tone was indifferent.
“Even if he did not commit the murder himself, failing to save him is still a crime.”
Yuwen Tao’s face flushed red.
“But the only witness was Wu Cai! We cannot rely solely on his testimony!”
Just as he spoke, a servant rushed in to report:
“Something has happened to Young Master Xue!”
For once, the Third Prince’s legendary composure vanished.
He shot to his feet.
By the time Yuwen Tao turned toward the doorway, the prince had already disappeared.
When the Third Prince arrived at the study, he immediately relaxed slightly.
He made no move to intervene.
At that moment, Mu Xueshi was riding heroically atop Wu Cai, pounding his fists fiercely into the man’s chest.
His eyes burned with fury.
His lips were tightly pressed together, teeth clenched as if he held a deep grudge.
Wu Cai was not merely a pretty face.
Though slender in appearance, he moved quickly. Mu Xueshi’s body was weak to begin with, and before long Wu Cai flipped their positions.
Now Wu Cai sat on top of Mu Xueshi and delivered a punch to his face.
Mu Xueshi let out a miserable cry.
In the end, Wu Cai was the one who stopped first.
Seeing him pause, Mu Xueshi assumed he had become frightened and immediately swung his fists wildly again.
But soon he noticed something strange.
Turning his head—
He saw the Third Prince standing there with a dark expression.
Mu Xueshi froze.
After thinking quickly, he forced a pitiful expression onto his face and limped toward the prince.
Grabbing his arm, he complained loudly:
“You should have someone teach him a lesson! Use that same board you used to beat me last time! He dared to hit your person!”
The moment those words left his mouth—
A heavy smack landed squarely on Mu Xueshi’s backside.
The force of the Third Prince’s palm was no gentler than the wooden board.
Mu Xueshi nearly jumped from the ground.
“Why are you hitting me?” he protested angrily.
“He’s an outsider! I’m your person! Why are you siding with him?!”
Mu Xueshi puffed angrily, breathing heavily.
When the Third Prince gave no reaction, Mu Xueshi gritted his teeth.
“I see through you now! So this is how you treat me!”
“Humph! Hmph!”
A cold glint flashed in the Third Prince’s eyes.
Seeing that look, Mu Xueshi immediately changed his tone.
“Hehe… actually it’s nothing. I was just joking. I knew you’d never ignore me.”
Then he pointed stubbornly at Wu Cai again.
“He was the one who started trouble with me!”
Wu Cai answered calmly without fear.
“I did not deliberately provoke the young master. But today he arrived and broke a glass lantern and two jade hanging vases in the main hall—both items the late master cherished.”
He continued steadily.
“He tasted every dish prepared for the master’s memorial in the kitchen. He also threw the long-handled golden wine ladle into the grass, breaking it in two.”
“The snow-array maze map the master treasured in the rear chamber has been completely disturbed. The formation is ruined and difficult to restore.”
Wu Cai paused.
“And just now, in the study, I caught the young master secretly hiding a book inside his sleeve to take out of the manor.”
He looked directly at Mu Xueshi.
“May I ask, Young Master… what exactly are your intentions?”
Futile Devices Scans 
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