CHAPTER 70 — A WHISPER TOO CLOSE
"Very well, very well—I shall examine her again."
Imperial Physician Liu bent over the body once more, parting the hair at the back of Wan Yi's head with meticulous care.
After a moment, he straightened, his expression grave.
"Reporting to Your Majesty: there is indeed a wound at the back of the head. It is exceedingly small—likely made by a silver needle. Were it not for the faint trace of dried blood hidden beneath the hair, this humble subject would never have noticed it. His Highness's deduction is entirely correct. This subject is full of admiration."
A stunned silence followed.
"Is that so?" the Emperor murmured, astonishment colouring his voice. "To notice the chest wound was one thing—perhaps coincidence. But to know immediately that the true cause of death lay at the back of the head…?"
He stared at Ye Lan Chen as though seeing him for the first time.
When did this child become so capable?
Imperial Physician Liu bowed again. "If not for the Fourth Prince's clear guidance, this humble subject would never have discovered it."
Ye Lan Chen's jaw tightened. His voice, when he spoke, carried a cold edge.
"If Imperial Mother had wished to kill her, why would she stab her in the chest after the fatal blow had already been delivered? Everyone knows the Golden Phoenix Dagger belongs solely to the Empress. This is clearly a deliberate attempt to frame her."
His anger simmered beneath the surface—controlled, but unmistakable.
Had Tang Ke Xin not intervened, this would have remained a palace matter. Wan Yi's death would have been quietly buried for the sake of imperial dignity. The Empress's reputation would have been tarnished forever, even if she escaped punishment.
But now—now the truth had a chance to surface.
"And furthermore," Ye Lan Chen continued, "Wan Yi has been dead for at least four hours."
Imperial Physician Liu's head snapped up. "How can you tell?"
"After death, the body stiffens in stages," Ye Lan Chen explained, repeating Tang Ke Xin's words with remarkable accuracy. "Within two hours, only the face and eyes stiffen. After four hours, the limbs begin to harden. When Imperial Physician Liu examined her earlier, I checked as well—her limbs are already stiff. Therefore, she has been dead for four hours."
His tone was calm, authoritative—almost scholarly.
Tang Ke Xin's lips curved faintly.
He had remembered every word she whispered.
And he had performed the act flawlessly.
By now, the Empress's innocence was undeniable.
---
"What are you smiling at?"
The low, velvety voice brushed against her ear.
Tang Ke Xin jolted. The voice was so close—far too close—that her heart lurched in shock. She instinctively stepped aside and collided with something firm and warm.
A chest.
She had fallen straight into someone's arms.
Only then did she realise Ye Lan Jue had moved to her side without her noticing. He stood directly behind her, close enough that she could feel the faint warmth of his breath against her cheek.
Her heart skipped violently.
How long had he been standing there?
How had she not sensed him at all?
Even without sound, a person carried an aura—yet she had felt nothing.
Is he even human?
"So eager to throw yourself into my arms?" he murmured, amusement curling through his voice.
Throw herself?
She nearly choked.
He had crept up behind her like a ghost—of course she had jumped. And of course she had fallen into him. He had done it deliberately.
A thief crying thief.
Everyone's attention was fixed on Ye Lan Chen; no one noticed the Third Prince's quiet approach. He had calculated it perfectly.
But why?
What did he want?
Tang Ke Xin regained her senses and immediately tried to pull away.
But his arm slid around her waist—firm, unyielding—holding her in place.
Her breath caught.
He dared?
Here?
Now?
His grip tightened, subtle but unmistakably possessive.
This woman hid everything from him.
She avoided him.
She trusted Ye Lan Chen, but not him.
He found that intolerable.
So yes—he had done it on purpose.
Tang Ke Xin's mind spun. His hand was hidden beneath the folds of her clothing; no one could see a thing. But she could feel every inch of his hold—warm, strong, and entirely inappropriate.
"Your Highness," she hissed under her breath, "ought you not avoid suspicion?"
His fingers tightened, a warning.
His lips brushed her ear, his voice a low threat.
"Do you think you and I need to avoid suspicion?"
Tang Ke Xin's heart lurched.
Of course they did.
They had no relationship whatsoever.
She opened her mouth to protest—but before she could speak, he pulled her sharply against him. Her back pressed flush to his chest, his arm locking her in place.
She froze.
He is mad.
Utterly mad.
"You told Ye Lan Chen everything," he murmured, voice dark and certain.
Her body stiffened.
He had seen her whispering behind Ye Lan Chen earlier.
"This humble girl does not—"
"Don't," he cut in softly, dangerously. "Lie."
His breath ghosted against her skin. His aura wrapped around her like a net.
She swallowed.
---
In the centre of the hall, Imperial Concubine Ming's voice rose again.
"How is the Fourth Prince suddenly so knowledgeable? This is not normal!"
"What is it?" Ye Lan Chen shot back coldly. "Do you think this king is incapable of learning?"
Tang Ke Xin seized the moment.
"The Fourth Prince has always been intelligent," she said lightly. "He simply behaved too frivolously in the past."
Her voice carried clearly through the hall.
She had spoken deliberately—to draw attention.
And it worked.
Heads turned toward her.
Ye Lan Jue released her instantly, stepping back just enough to appear proper.
But his eyes—those dark, dangerous eyes—narrowed at her, a silent warning glinting within them.
Tang Ke Xin met his gaze and smiled sweetly.
"What does Your Highness think?" she asked, feigning innocence.
"Very intelligent," he replied without hesitation.
His tone was smooth.
His eyes were not.
Tang Ke Xin could almost hear the sound of teeth grinding—an invisible, simmering irritation radiating from the Third Prince. The corners of her lips lifted, her smile blooming with quiet mischief.
Ye Lan Jue shot her a long, despairing look, as though she were a troublesome creature he could neither tame nor ignore. Then he stepped forward. As he passed her, he leaned in ever so slightly, his voice a low whisper meant for her alone.
"I shall deal with you later tonight."
Tang Ke Xin froze.
"Huh?"
The smile vanished from her face as though wiped clean. Her mind blanked for a heartbeat.
Deal with her? Later?
Tonight?
Why did his words sound so ominous?
Why did they sound like a threat wrapped in silk?
And what, precisely, did he intend to "deal with" at night?
A chill crept down her spine.
This man…
This man was far too dangerous.