I asked you to go down the mountain and get married, not to shock the world!

The study fell silent.

The third prince sat behind his desk, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, making a rhythmic tapping sound.

The candle flame flickered slightly, casting a dim and intermittent shadow on the wall.

He recalled the expression on Yue Wuhen's face when she left.

The man appeared respectful on the surface, but the Third Prince clearly saw the fleeting gloom in the depths of his eyes.

When Yue Wuhen left, she clearly became suspicious of him.

"Interesting. Even Yueyao's dog has its own thoughts."

He stood up and walked to the window.

The night outside the window was deep, and most of the lights in Tianque City had been extinguished, with only a few lonely lights still shining from the distant imperial palace.

My elder brother is probably still handling government affairs at this time.

Where's my second brother? He's probably in the military camp, drinking and bragging with those rough soldiers.

And he, sitting in this empty mansion, faced a young man he had only known for less than a day, had staked everything on him.

The Third Prince chuckled self-deprecatingly and shook his head: "They've gone mad, they've all gone mad."

A soft knock came from outside the door.

"Come in."

An elderly man dressed in blue pushed open the door and bowed slightly: "Your Highness, news has come back from the Heavenly Prison."

"explain."

After Yue Wuhen left, Mingchuan remained inside, resting with his eyes closed against the stone bed. The two guards, following His Highness's instructions, did not approach, but kept watch from a distance.

The Third Prince nodded: "That's all?"

"There's more," the old man lowered his voice, "The sentries discovered that after Yue Wuhen left the prison, he didn't leave the city directly, but went to a house in the east of the city. On the surface, that house is an ordinary shop, but in reality, it's a stronghold set up by the Dragon Roar Sect in the city."

As the old man spoke, a hint of malice crept into his voice.

The Third Prince raised an eyebrow slightly.

Yue Wuhen did not leave immediately; he even set up a base here...

This is interesting.

"Send someone to keep an eye on that house. Don't alert them, but find out how many people are inside and what they're doing."

"Yes."

The old man accepted the order and left.

The Third Prince walked back to the window, gazing towards the east of the city, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Why is Yue Wuhen staying in the city? Is he waiting for something? Or is he trying to confirm something?

In any case, Mingchuan is right. As long as Yueyao takes the bait, the line can continue to be used for fishing.

Now, it's up to who can't hold back first.

……

In the backyard of that inconspicuous shop in the east of the city.

Yue Wuhen sat in the dimly lit room, a secret letter he had just received laid out in front of him.

The letter was written by Yueyao herself, with neat handwriting, but the content was as cold as ice.

"Mingchuan's arrest must be suspicious. You stay in Tianque City and keep a close eye on the Third Prince and the Heavenly Prison. Record anyone who enters or leaves the Heavenly Prison. I will come here in person within three days."

Yue Wuhen held the secret letter close to the candle and watched it burn to ashes little by little.

Yue Wuhen stood up, his brows furrowed, and paced back and forth in the small room.

He always felt that Yueyao was paying more and more attention to Mingchuan... Was it just hatred, or something else?

Almost all of Yueyao's actions now revolve around Mingchuan.

He had followed Yueyao for many years and witnessed her make countless moves and strategies, but he had never seen her care so much for anyone.

Yue Wuhen stopped in his tracks, his eyes shifting between light and shadow.

If the fairy really focuses too much attention on Mingchuan, then her plan will be exposed.

At that point, she will only be led by the nose by Mingchuan, and she may not even know what she wants to do.

He, Yue Wuhen, did not want to become a casualty of that flaw.

"Someone come here."

A dark figure immediately darted in through the door.

"Go and find out who the Third Prince has been seeing lately, especially those who came from his residence. Remember, do it quietly, don't alert anyone."

"Yes."

The dark figure disappeared into the night.

Yue Wuhen sat down again, gazing at the deep darkness outside the window, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Mingchuan, what exactly are you planning?

I'll keep an eye on it.

……

The next day, dawn broke exceptionally slowly in Tianque City.

A thin mist enveloped the entire city, casting a hazy gray-white hue over the towering pavilions and palaces.

Early risers had already set up their stalls, selling spirit fruits, talismans, and magical artifacts, each occupying a prime spot on the street corner, their shouts rising and falling.

The gates of the Third Prince's residence opened precisely at Chen Shi (7-9 AM).

A group of guards dressed in black suits filed out, led by a middle-aged man with a cold face and a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivation.

They walked through several streets and arrived at the city gate, where they met the procession that was slowly approaching from outside the city.

At the very front of the procession was an old monk riding a white deer.

The old monk had white hair and beard, a kind face, and wore a dark red kasaya.

The robe was embroidered with dense scriptures, which shimmered with a faint golden light in the morning glow.

The white deer he rode was pure white, without a single stray hair, and its eyes were as clear as a child's.

He was Master Huineng of Dafan Temple.

"Master, you have come from afar. I am sorry for not greeting you properly." The middle-aged guard stepped forward and bowed.

Huineng smiled slightly, dismounted from the white deer, and put his hands together in prayer: "You are too kind, benefactor. This humble monk received an invitation from His Highness the Third Prince and came here of his own accord."

"His Highness has prepared tea and refreshments at the residence. Please follow me, Master."

The group passed through the city gate and walked along the street toward the Third Prince's residence.

People along the way quickly made way for them, whispering amongst themselves.

"Who is that? He doesn't look like an ordinary person."

"You don't know Master Huineng of Dafan Temple? He is a famous and highly accomplished monk in the Holy Land."

"Why did the Third Prince invite him here?"

"Who knows? I've been really busy lately."

Huineng listened to these discussions, maintaining a faint smile on his face as he walked at a leisurely pace.

Soon, they arrived at the Third Prince's residence.

The Third Prince personally stood at the gate of the mansion to greet Huineng. Upon seeing Huineng arrive, he cupped his hands and said:

"Master, you have come from afar. I am sorry that I have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me."

Huineng smiled and waved his hand: "Your Highness is too kind. This humble monk is a layman and does not deserve such a great courtesy from Your Highness."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the Third Prince invited Huineng into his residence.

After passing through several courtyards, we arrived at a quiet meditation room.

Tea and snacks were already laid out in the room, and a faint sandalwood fragrance filled the air, bringing a sense of tranquility.

"Please sit down, Master." The Third Prince personally poured tea for Huineng.

Huineng took the teacup, took a sip, and praised, "Excellent tea. Your Highness is very kind."

The third prince smiled but said nothing.

Huineng put down his teacup, looked at the Third Prince, his gaze calm yet profound: "Your Highness invited this humble monk here not just for tea, was it?"

The Third Prince remained silent for a moment, then slowly spoke:

"To be honest, the reason I invited you here, Master, is to ask you some questions."

"What's the problem?"

"Regarding Guixu."

A strange light flashed in Huineng's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

He picked up his teacup, took another sip, and then slowly said:

"I know little about the matter of the Ruins of Return. Why does Your Highness suddenly ask about this?"

The Third Prince looked at him and spoke slowly and deliberately:

"Because someone told me that Guixu is about to wake up."