CHAPTER 59 — THE BEAUTY WHO NEVER HAD A CHANCE
"Yes," the little princess huffed, cheeks puffed in indignation. "I only wanted Big Sister Tang to teach me Mind Reading. When she refused, I thought I might frighten her a little—but instead, Big Sister Tang scolded me and walked away! And Third Imperial Brother didn't even defend me. He helped her instead!"
Her lips pursed in a perfect pout, but her voice—when she spoke of Tang Ke Xin—held unmistakable admiration.
After all, Tang Ke Xin's performance in the great hall had astonished her. Rather than angering her, Tang Ke Xin's boldness had only deepened the princess's respect.
Ye Lan Chen's mouth twitched faintly, as though he were speaking to himself rather than to her.
"Can Third Brother truly be of help?"
Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he turned sharply toward Ye Lan Jue.
"Third Imperial Brother, do you know who Xin likes now?"
The princess's eyes lit up instantly.
"Elder Sister Tang likes someone? Who does she likes now? Tell me!"
Ye Lan Jue's gaze flickered—sharp, alert, unmistakably curious.
But before Ye Lan Chen could press further, a clear, melodious voice drifted across the garden.
"This humble girl greets Your Highness."
A pause, then again—soft, sweet, and impossibly graceful:
"Greetings to Your Highness."
The voice was like a skylark singing after rain—light, pure, and captivating. Everyone turned instinctively toward the sound.
A young woman stood beneath the pavilion, tall and poised. Her skin was smooth as porcelain, her brows delicately arched, her smile gentle yet dazzling. She moved with a natural elegance, as though the breeze itself parted for her.
She was breathtaking.
She was Feng Qingyan—the capital's famed beauty, the most talented young lady of her generation, daughter of the Marquis who had served the Emperor faithfully for years.
Her reputation was known throughout the capital.
Just as Tang Ke Xin's had once been.
But the two women had always been as different as cloud and earth.
Years ago, the Crown Prince had wished to marry Feng Qingyan as his Crown Princess. She had refused—publicly, boldly—declaring that the only man she would ever marry was the Third Prince, Ye Lan Jue.
Yet the Third Prince had never responded. He had never accepted her, never rejected her. He simply remained silent.
Still, he had never taken any woman into his household. Many believed he harboured feelings for Feng Qingyan but was constrained by the Crown Prince's interest. Others whispered that he was waiting—waiting for the Crown Prince to choose another consort so he might finally claim Feng Qingyan.
But the Crown Prince had never chosen.
And Feng Qingyan had never changed her heart.
Now she approached with a smile that bloomed like a hundred flowers opening at dawn.
Ye Lan Chen's eyes glimmered with amusement as he glanced at Ye Lan Jue.
"Miss Feng has come to see Third Imperial Brother."
His tone was light, but his expression—unusually—held a hint of seriousness.
Ye Lan Jue's pupils contracted slightly. He did not respond. He did not even look at her.
"Yes," Feng Qingyan said warmly, "Qingyan has come to seek His Highness."
Her voice was bright and melodious, her manner open and confident. Unlike the other noble ladies, she was forthright—almost bold. She liked what she liked, and she never hid it.
But the Third Prince did not lift his eyes.
Not once.
Feng Qingyan's smile did not falter. She was used to his indifference.
"Very well, let us go," Ye Lan Chen said lightly, stepping back. "It would be rude to intrude."
"Are we simply to leave just like that?" the princess whispered, blinking in confusion.
Ye Lan Chen chuckled. "Do you think this pavilion too small to hold so many people?"
"No," she replied earnestly, "it's quite spacious."
He sighed inwardly.
This child understood nothing.
"Come, let us not disturb them."
He guided her away.
But the princess suddenly frowned.
"Then… when Big Sister Tang was playing chess with Third Brother earlier, did I disturb them when I came?"
Ye Lan Chen froze mid‑step.
"You said… Ke Xin was here playing chess with Third Imperial Brother?"
The Third Prince?
Playing chess?
With someone?
Impossible.
His gaze darted to the stone table. The board was a mess—nothing like the Third Prince's usual precision.
But the princess nodded firmly.
"Yes, they were playing when I arrived."
Feng Qingyan's smile faltered. Her eyes widened, disbelief flooding her expression.
The Third Prince—playing chess with Tang Ke Xin?
Impossible.
He never played with anyone. Not even when the Emperor requested it. The only person he had ever played with was Master Zhuo, four years ago.
She had studied chess for years, hoping for a single match with him.
Yet he had played with Tang Ke Xin?
And the game was… atrocious.
Her heart tightened painfully.
She did not understand.
She truly did not understand.
"No wonder Big Sister Tang was angry with me," the princess murmured. "I must have disturbed them."
Ye Lan Chen sighed. "She would not be angry with you."
But even he felt unsettled.
Something was happening.
Something he could not yet grasp.
"Fourth Imperial Brother," the princess asked suddenly, "are you close with Sister Tang?"
"Close?" Ye Lan Chen repeated, his voice rising deliberately. "Very close."
He glanced at Ye Lan Jue, waiting for a reaction.
There was none.
The Third Prince remained still as stone.
The princess brightened. "Wonderful! Then you can tell Big Sister Tang to teach me Mind Reading!"
But before Ye Lan Chen could answer, the Third Prince spoke.
"If you wish to learn Mind Reading," he said calmly, "this king will teach you a method."
The princess gasped. "Truly? Third Imperial Brother has a way?"
She hurried toward him eagerly.
"What method is that?"
Ye Lan Chen stared at his brother, stunned.
Since when had the Third Prince ever involved himself in the princess's trivial whims?
Feng Qingyan's expression darkened. Her smile vanished entirely. Her hands, hidden in her sleeves, clenched tightly.
Something was wrong.
Terribly wrong.
Ye Lan Jue had always been a man of ice—aloof, restrained, and utterly indifferent to the trivialities of court life. Even the princess's whims rarely stirred more than a faint flicker of acknowledgement from him. In all the years Feng Qingyan had known him, he had never shown enthusiasm for anything, let alone something as frivolous as a child's curiosity.
Which was why the sight before her now struck like a blow.
"Very well," he said, his voice low and unhurried. "Come here. This king will tell you."
The princess, oblivious to the shift in atmosphere, scampered forward eagerly and leaned close, placing her small ear beside his.
And Ye Lan Jue—His Highness the Third Prince, the man who never bent for anyone—actually lowered his head and whispered into her ear.
Feng Qingyan's breath caught.
"Truly? Is that possible? Can I really do that?"
The princess's voice trembled with excitement, her eyes shining with anticipation.
Ye Lan Chen stared, utterly stupefied.
The Third Prince… whispering advice?
To a child?
About Mind Reading?
This was not the brother he knew.
Feng Qingyan's body stiffened. A tremor ran through her, and she took two involuntary steps back. Her face had lost all colour, and her composure—so carefully cultivated—wavered visibly.
Something was wrong.
Terribly wrong.
"This humble girl's father awaits her," she said abruptly, forcing a smile that did not reach her eyes. "This humble girl shall take her leave."
Ordinarily, she would have seized any opportunity to remain near the Third Prince. But now she wanted nothing more than to flee.
She was frightened—genuinely frightened.
"Mn."
Ye Lan Jue's reply was a single, indifferent sound. No warmth. No interest. No acknowledgement of her distress.
Ye Lan Chen let out a soft, incredulous laugh.
The Third Prince was merciless toward beauties—almost cruelly so.
But that was none of his concern.
---
Prime Minister's Estate
"Miss! Are you unharmed? Dong'er heard everything and nearly died of fright!"
The moment Tang Ke Xin stepped through the gates, Dong'er rushed forward, grabbing her arms and inspecting her from head to toe as though expecting missing limbs.
"I'm perfectly fine," Tang Ke Xin said with a helpless smile. The girl's dramatics were almost endearing.
"Miss is fine… that's good… truly good…" Dong'er exhaled in relief, then muttered darkly, "It's Miss who ruined their scheme. I wonder which vile person is plotting against you…"
She stopped abruptly, realising she had said too much.
"It's good that Miss returned safely," she corrected quickly.
Tang Ke Xin let the matter drop.
This was not something to discuss openly—not even within the estate.
"How is Mother's illness?" she asked instead, her voice softening.
Dong'er straightened at once. "Much better, Miss. The physician said she only needs rest."
Tang Ke Xin nodded, her expression easing.
But deep within her heart, she knew the storm outside was only beginning.