CHAPTER 65 — THE JEALOUSY SHE NEVER SAW COMING
"Your Highness suddenly speaks in such a manner—how could this humble girl possibly know what Your Highness is referring to?"
Tang Ke Xin lifted her eyes, blinking with a perfectly natural bewilderment. "If Your Highness wishes for an explanation, perhaps a hint would be kind."
If he truly meant that night in the temple, then she could only feign ignorance. She would never admit it. Not even if she were dragged to the execution block.
His expression might not look frightening now, but she knew his nature—dark, cold, and merciless. If she admitted anything prematurely, he would devour her whole. She had no doubt of that. He was every bit as dangerous as she remembered.
Thus, she would not be foolish enough to fall into his trap.
And if he was not referring to the temple… then she genuinely had no idea what he wanted.
A reminder would be quite helpful.
The Third Prince's eyes narrowed dangerously, a glint of suppressed fury flickering within them. She could almost hear the grinding of his teeth.
Yet, slowly—too slowly—his lips curved into a smile. A cold, perilous smile.
Very well.
This woman truly would not shed a tear until she saw the coffin.
He would like to see how long she could hide from him. He would corner her until she had nowhere left to run.
"What happened with Nangong Yi?"
Tang Ke Xin exhaled in relief before she could stop herself.
So he was asking about that.
But why?
Why did he suddenly care about Nangong Yi?
Did he expect her to explain her relationship with Nangong Yi to him?
"Did you tell Nangong Yi that you would cancel your engagement to Mu Shaoyi and wait for him to marry you?"
His voice was deceptively calm, but his eyes were sharp as blades.
Tang Ke Xin froze.
She had indeed said those words.
At the time, she had been desperate to rid herself of Nangong Yi. If she had known that man would cling to her words like a lifeline, she would have chosen a different tactic.
But the Third Prince's expression—dark, unreadable—made her uneasy.
"Ah?" she blurted, startled.
Then, recovering slightly, she added a second, softer, "Ah…"
The first was shock.
The second was admission.
She had said it.
The Third Prince's eyes narrowed further, but he pressed on.
"What do you mean by that? Explain it to this king."
Tang Ke Xin swallowed.
"Back then, when I returned from the temple, I was in a carriage with Mayor Nang—"
"Why were you in his carriage?"
His voice cut through hers like a blade.
His face darkened, the air around him chilling instantly.
"It wasn't that I was in his carriage," she corrected quickly. "He forced himself into mine."
She would never willingly ride with Nangong Yi. He had practically glued himself to her carriage that day.
"Nangong Yi… rode in your carriage?"
The Third Prince's brows drew together in disbelief.
Nangong Yi, who avoided women as though they carried plague?
Nangong Yi, who fled from infatuated girls like a startled deer?
Why would he voluntarily enter Tang Ke Xin's carriage?
The thought made the Third Prince's expression grow even darker.
"Yes," she continued honestly. "He insisted on descending the mountain in my carriage. And after we reached the foot of the mountain, he refused to get off. He dragged me all the way to Phoenix City. So I—"
"So you truly said you would break your engagement and wait for him to marry you?"
His voice was ice.
"I… I did," she admitted, swallowing hard.
But she could not understand why he cared.
What did this matter have to do with him?
The Third Prince—usually calm, composed, and unreadable—felt something explode in his chest.
She had said such words to Nangong Yi.
She had promised to wait for him.
And then—
Nangong Yi had claimed she kissed him.
If that was true…
"You kissed him?"
His voice dropped, deep and oppressive, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light.
Tang Ke Xin's mind blanked.
"I—I—I…"
She had indeed kissed Nangong Yi.
Well—barely.
A quick brush of her lips against his cheek, purely to frighten him away.
But the Third Prince did not hear the explanation.
"Tang Ke Xin," he said, his voice low and lethal, "do you believe this king will not strangle you where you stand?"
His face had turned frighteningly dark.
She had kissed Nangong Yi.
She had truly dared.
This damned woman.
First she provoked him.
Then she provoked Nangong Yi.
Tang Ke Xin trembled—not only from fear, but from confusion.
What did he mean?
Rumours said the Third Prince had never kept women in his residence. Not even a single bed‑warmer. Some even whispered he preferred men.
And Nangong Yi was beautiful enough to rival any woman.
Could it be…
Was the Third Prince jealous because of Nangong Yi?
Her mind spun.
At the teahouse, Nangong Yi had spoken loudly, almost theatrically, as though performing for the Third Prince's ears.
Could it be…
The Third Prince and Nangong Yi…?
Tang Ke Xin swallowed hard.
Of course, she never once considered that the Third Prince might be jealous because of her.
That possibility did not even exist in her mind.
She was brilliant in medicine and psychology—but in matters of the heart, she was utterly hopeless. She had grown up surrounded by men in the army, all of whom she treated as brothers. Even at nearly thirty in her previous life, she had never dated.
She could read fear, lies, anxiety—but love?
She was blind.
"Tang Ke Xin," the Third Prince growled, "stay away from Nangong Yi. Otherwise…"
The threat in his voice made her hair stand on end.
Her earlier suspicions solidified instantly.
He was jealous.
He must be jealous because of Nangong Yi.
If that was the case, she must not interfere in their relationship. She would stay far, far away from Nangong Yi.
Which suited her perfectly.
"Alright, I understand. I understand."
Tang Ke Xin nodded rapidly, her expression solemn, almost oath‑like.
The Third Prince blinked.
She agreed… too quickly.
This should have pleased him, yet something felt strangely wrong.
"Your Highness, rest assured," she added earnestly. "I promise I will stay far away from Mayor Nangong."
The Third Prince stared at her.
Something was definitely off.
"Tang Ke Xin," he said slowly, "what exactly are you thinking?"
"No—nothing. Nothing at all."
She shook her head vigorously.
He narrowed his eyes.
"Tang. Ke. Xin."
His voice was low, threatening, each word a warning.
"Your Highness, I will absolutely do as I say. Don't trouble yourself. Be at ease…"
She nodded again and again, desperate to reassure him.
The Third Prince stared at her, utterly unconvinced.