"Before, I kept running to the palace without worrying about catching the illness."

Xuanming sat at the table, picked up his chopsticks, and suddenly uttered these words.

Upon hearing this, Shadow was suddenly jolted.

You know, His Highness is usually very reserved and never shows his emotions. It's truly unprecedented for him to openly express his feelings like this today!

Not only that, but from those words, Shadow could even detect a hint of... grievance?

Wronged?

Your Highness will feel wronged?

Could it be that His Highness is truly experiencing a final burst of lucidity before death?

Or have you really fallen for her?

Thinking of this, Shadow couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, are you feeling unwell? Perhaps I should fetch a royal physician to examine you?"

Xuanming glanced at him indifferently, his eyes seeming to say, "What do you think?"

Shadow immediately shut his mouth, inwardly cursing himself for being so talkative.

Xuanming only ate a few bites before putting down his chopsticks.

Seeing this, Shadow wanted to say a few more words to persuade him to eat more.

But knowing he was unhappy, and not wanting to bother him, she swallowed back the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

However, at this moment, Xuanming spoke up: "Since you are sick, go to the storeroom and get some tonics to send over. Remember, choose the best ginseng."

After saying that, he stood up and walked straight into the inner room.

The shadow quickly agreed.

Then they hurriedly went to the warehouse to prepare the gifts.

Xuanming glanced at the bed, but felt no sleepiness whatsoever.

So I leaned against the soft couch by the window and picked up a book to read.

However, no matter how hard I tried to concentrate, the words in front of me seemed to become blurry and difficult to see.

Left with no other choice, Xuanming had to give up reading.

At that moment, he noticed the book that Mo Beichen had given him.

Perhaps because of this special gift, Xuanming picked it up and looked through it again.

The more I looked, the more alarmed I became.

Some of the mindsets described here are exactly the same as his state of mind these past two days.

Xuanming couldn't help but concentrate on reading it.

When I come across certain words, something seems to flash through my mind, a sudden inspiration, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

To show his respect, Shadow personally brought tonics to visit the Grand Tutor's residence.

Upon arriving at the Grand Tutor's residence, a person appeared at the entrance to greet them; it was the Grand Tutor himself.

Unfortunately, Ms. Mu did not show up.

Shadow couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, as she had originally hoped to see Miss Mu in person.

I wanted to observe her condition so I could report back to His Highness in detail, but I haven't seen a soul in sight. This trip seems to have been in vain.

Just after the shadow left, Mu Zhi happened to walk in from the backyard.

After bowing to her father, she asked in confusion, "Father, what brings him here?"

The Grand Tutor replied, "Having heard that your condition has worsened, His Highness specially sent him to deliver some tonics as a sign of his concern."

Upon hearing this, Mu Zhi's expression darkened slightly, revealing a hint of displeasure.

She complained, "We have countless items like this in our household, why bother him to play the good guy?"

Clearly, Mu Zhi did not appreciate this gesture and was even somewhat indignant.

The Grand Tutor's lips twitched slightly, revealing an awkward smile, and he asked softly, "Did you perhaps have an argument with His Highness a few days ago?"

In fact, the Grand Tutor originally intended to persuade his daughter to let go of her obsession, but when he thought of her stubborn personality, he knew that it would be of no use to say anything more.

After all, he had watched Mu Zhi grow up, so the Grand Tutor knew her very well.

If she didn't still care about that person, given her personality, would she easily say even half a word for him?

Upon closer listening, Mu Zhi's words seemed to contain a hint of resentment.

Mu Zhi did not hide the truth from her father and answered truthfully: "Your Highness brought up the matter of breaking off the engagement again the other day. I was so angry that I just came back. I pretended to be sick and did not enter the palace for the past two days."

After saying that, he continued with a hint of sadness, "Perhaps all the companionship and support we've shared these past days has really just been wishful thinking on my part, Father."

After Mu Zhi finished recounting what happened that day, she lowered her head when she spoke again.

He appeared listless, and his voice revealed deep disappointment.

The Grand Tutor couldn't bear to see his precious daughter suffer any injustice.

But matters of the heart are often beyond our control and difficult to manage.

“Silly girl, if you are unwilling, then let it go; if you are still willing, you might as well try to take a few more steps and see what happens. In any case, go ahead and do what you really want to do, and your father will always stand behind you and support you.”

The Grand Tutor patted his daughter's shoulder gently and comforted her in a tender voice.

Upon hearing this, Mu Zhi felt an unbearable pain in her heart, as if it were being stabbed. Endless sorrow and bitterness surged into her heart like a tide, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

Her eyes widened, and tears streamed down her face like beads from a broken string.

Finally, she could no longer bear the intense emotional impact, and her body involuntarily leaned forward, throwing herself into her father's warm and broad embrace.

She hugged her father tightly, as if she had found the last straw, and poured all her pain, grievances and resentment into her heart-wrenching cries.

It turns out that the road to getting closer to the person you admire is so difficult and full of thorns.

Especially when faced with repeated and ruthless rejections, her heart felt as if it had fallen into an ice cellar, shattered into pieces.

She wasn't always able to quickly regain her confidence and forge ahead after every setback.

She is also a human being with flesh and blood, and she can feel heartache and sadness.

At that very moment, the figure on the rooftop, who had never left, heard the entire conversation between the father and daughter.

Shadow felt a mix of emotions at that moment.

He never expected that this unassuming Miss Mu would have such deep feelings for his prince.

I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing.

The crying stopped.

The shadow glanced down, somewhat surprised.

Did she faint?

Immediately afterwards, his expression turned extremely serious. He quietly took a few steps back and used his lightness skill to leave.