CHAPTER FORTY‑SEVEN — EARLY COMPLACENCY
The man standing before her was truly frightening. No—terrifying. A cold, suffocating aura clung to him, and Tang Ke Xin felt a ripple of unease crawl down her spine.
"What exactly are you trying to test?"
Ye Lan Jue's gaze locked onto her, sharp as a blade. His eyes narrowed, and his voice dropped into a low, dangerous register that seemed to drain the air from the room.
"You suspect the Emperor."
Her heart stopped.
For a moment, she felt as though she had been plunged into icy water. Her limbs stiffened, her breath caught, and a chill spread through her bones.
She had not expected him to see through her so swiftly—so effortlessly.
His tone was not questioning.
It was a statement.
A verdict.
She had been careful—painfully careful.
Ye Lan Chen had not understood her intentions.
The Empress had not sensed anything amiss.
Yet this man… this terrifying prince… had pierced through her thoughts with a single glance.
How formidable was he?
He was the Emperor's son—born into power, raised in its shadow.
And she… she was contemplating the unthinkable.
She knew well how absolute imperial authority was.
There were matters no one could touch—not even with a whisper.
To suspect the Emperor was to court annihilation.
The consequences would be far worse than the danger she had faced that night in the temple.
Tang Ke Xin's fingers tightened around her teacup. She lifted it to her lips, hoping to steady herself, but the tea only made her mouth drier. Her lips stung. Without thinking, she ran her tongue lightly across them—a small, nervous gesture.
Ye Lan Jue's eyes darkened.
Something flickered there—something she could not name.
Her unintentional movement seemed to stir a memory in him… a memory of the previous night.
He cleared his throat abruptly.
"Why are you suspicious of Guard Zhan?"
Tang Ke Xin blinked.
She had expected him to press the matter of the Emperor. Instead, he had changed the subject entirely.
This question, at least, she could answer.
"Because he carries the same scent as Xiao Cui," she said quietly. "It is a very unusual fragrance. I have never encountered it before, yet it appeared on both of them."
She spoke honestly.
There was no point lying to this man.
He saw through everything.
Ye Lan Jue's brows lifted slightly.
He had not expected such a reason.
Even he had not noticed the scent.
Her senses were far sharper than he had imagined.
His lips curved faintly.
"Your nose is remarkably keen. Sharper than a hound's."
Tang Ke Xin's mouth twitched.
Is he insulting me?
Hmph. You're the dog. Your whole family is dogs.
"Yes," she replied sweetly. "Sharper than the Third Prince's nose."
She nodded solemnly, as though stating an undeniable truth.
The implication was clear.
He frightened her, he scolded her, he toyed with her—
but she would not be bullied without fighting back.
Ye Lan Jue stared at her, momentarily stunned.
He had not expected her to retort so boldly.
"Tang Ke Xin," he said slowly, "your fox tail is practically sticking into the heavens. Do you believe I will not cut it off?"
His voice was soft, but every word struck like a hammer.
Tang Ke Xin snorted inwardly.
Fox? You are the fox. The darkest, most cunning fox alive.
But she held her tongue.
"Truly," he murmured, lips curling, "with your courage, you need not curse this king in your heart. You may do it openly."
Tang Ke Xin blinked.
Was he… encouraging her?
But then he added, in a tone cool enough to freeze the air—
"Try it."
Ah.
There it was.
The threat beneath the silk.
"Your sister," she muttered before she could stop herself.
The words slipped out—modern slang he could not possibly understand.
Ye Lan Jue frowned, puzzled.
He clearly had no idea what she had said.
Tang Ke Xin exhaled in relief.
Thank heavens he didn't understand.
But then—
His lips curved.
A slow, dangerous smile spread across his face, brightening his features like the first warmth of spring.
He understood her expression, if not her words.
He leaned in suddenly.
Before she could react, his mouth brushed the tender skin just below her neck—on the inside of her shoulder.
A sharp, startling bite.
Only a few centimetres from where the mysterious man had bitten her that night.
"Woman," he murmured against her ear, his voice low and threaded with something dark, "it is far too early for you to be proud."
Tang Ke Xin froze.
Her smile vanished.
Her breath halted.
Her entire body turned to stone.
He bit her.
Again.
In almost the same place.
What did he mean?
Was he implying…?
Her thoughts scattered.
And then—
his lips brushed her cheek, drifting dangerously close to her mouth.
A wave of cold dread swept through her, prickling every inch of her skin.
Tang Ke Xin's heart pounded violently.
Could he be…?
The man from that night?
The thought struck her like lightning.
And in that instant, she could not move.
Could not breathe.
Could not think.
The world fell silent around them.
Only the Third Prince remained—
dangerous, unreadable, and far too close.