CHAPTER TWENTY‑EIGHT — OVERFLOWING PASSION
Tang Ke Xin, who had been standing with her head demurely lowered, lifted her gaze ever so slightly and cast a single glance at Ye Lan Chen.
That one look was enough.
Ye Lan Chen—who had been on the verge of announcing her supposed romantic preference to the entire imperial court—fell silent at once. The effect was instantaneous and absolute, as though someone had severed the power to a noisy speaker.
The Crown Prince, seated above them, raised his head in mild astonishment. A flicker of surprise passed through his deep, composed eyes. Ye Lan Chen was notorious for speaking faster than he thought; it was likely the first time in his life he had stopped mid‑sentence.
Even Ye Lan Jue, who understood the Fourth Prince's temperament better than anyone, seemed faintly taken aback by the abrupt silence.
The Empress, who had been waiting eagerly for an answer, blinked in confusion. When she saw Ye Lan Chen's darkened expression, she wisely refrained from pressing him. Her gaze drifted instead to Tang Ke Xin, who stood quietly at her side, head bowed, posture gentle and unassuming.
A glimmer of insight lit the Empress's eyes.
Chen'er and Xin'er…?
There was something between them—she was certain of it. If Xin'er had not once insisted so stubbornly on marrying Mu Shaoyi, the Empress would have been delighted to see her paired with Chen'er. But such matters could not be rushed. Xin'er still had an imperial engagement, and though her foolishness had been cured, she had grown up ignorant of all scholarly matters.
She needed education before anything else.
"Xin'er," the Empress said warmly, "now that you have recovered, you must begin learning properly."
She paused, then made her decision.
"Imperial Tutor Li is a man of great learning. You shall study under him here in the palace."
Her tone was gentle, but the decree was absolute.
Tang Ke Xin froze.
Study? In the palace? With the Imperial Tutor?
She would rather be executed on the spot.
But she knew the Empress well enough to understand that once Her Majesty decided something, there was no turning back. Refusal would only make matters worse.
Still… she could redirect the situation.
"Father has been teaching me to write my name," Tang Ke Xin said earnestly, lifting her head. "But I fear he is not very skilled at teaching. He has tried for several days, yet I still cannot write it. If Imperial Tutor Li teaches me, I believe I shall learn it within a few days."
The Empress's expression stiffened.
Tang Ke Xin continued, her tone full of innocent sincerity.
"Father also said I must learn to count. One, two, three, five—something like that. If Tutor Li teaches me well, I am certain I can learn it within ten or fifteen days."
Her face shone with the eager enthusiasm of a child determined to impress.
The Empress's smile faltered.
Tang Ke Xin pressed on, her voice full of earnest devotion.
"Your Majesty need not worry. I shall work very hard."
The Empress had originally intended for Xin'er to study so she could present herself well before others. But if Xin'er truly learned nothing—if she could not even count properly—then the Empress would be the one embarrassed.
"Ahem… Xin'er," the Empress interrupted hastily, "there is no need to rush. Let me consider the matter."
"Ah?" Tang Ke Xin blinked, her voice tinged with disappointment. "You still need to think about it? But I have already resolved to work very hard."
The corners of Ye Lan Jue's lips twitched—an exceedingly rare reaction.
Ye Lan Chen, however, glared at her. After the threat she had whispered earlier, he did not believe a single word of her innocent act.
"Yes, yes," the Empress said quickly, dabbing at her brow. "Your heart is admirable. I shall arrange something suitable for you later."
She paused, then added, "I suddenly remembered—Tutor Li is very strict. You are a young girl; I fear you may not be able to endure his methods."
The Crown Prince lifted his gaze, his lips curving into a faint, teasing smile—one that held no warmth, yet carried a quiet amusement.
Tang Ke Xin felt a chill run down her spine.
Something in that smile told her that the Crown Prince had seen through far more than she wished him to.