CHAPTER 71 — A PROMISE SPOKEN IN THE DARK
His words echoed in her mind like a whispered curse.
Deal with her tonight.
Why did it sound so strange?
So ominous?
So… dangerous?
Tang Ke Xin dared not ask—not here, not now. And she had no chance to, for Ye Lan Jue did not pause even for a heartbeat. He had spoken those chilling words as he swept past her, his steps never faltering.
Before she could gather her thoughts, another concubine's voice rose anxiously.
"If His Highness is correct, then Wan Yi has been dead for four hours. But Chun'er said the Empress visited her at noon—barely two hours ago. She even spoke with her. How can that be?"
A murmur rippled through the gathered crowd.
"That's right. If she died long ago, then who did the Empress see? Are we dealing with a ghost?"
"What in heaven's name is happening?"
Fear spread like wildfire.
"Could this palace maid be lying to frame the Empress?" another concubine demanded, turning sharply toward Chun'er.
"No! No, this servant is not lying!" Chun'er cried, trembling violently. "Everything this servant said is true. I saw it with my own eyes. If I have spoken even a single false word, may thunder strike me down!"
Tang Ke Xin watched her quietly. Chun'er was telling the truth—every word of it. Someone had deliberately allowed her to witness the scene.
"I did visit Wan Yi at noon," the Empress said softly. "And I did see her. I spoke with her."
Her voice was steady, but her eyes betrayed unease.
"Then this is truly strange," someone whispered. "Did we really encounter a ghost?"
Imperial Concubine Ming seized the moment.
"Since the Fourth Prince is suddenly so capable," she said with a cold smile, "perhaps His Highness can explain what is going on?"
Ye Lan Chen stiffened. He had not expected to be questioned again so soon. But he recovered quickly—and turned, without shame, to look directly at Tang Ke Xin.
"This king is not particularly skilled," he said smoothly, "but matters of detail are better explained by Xin'er."
Tang Ke Xin's mouth twitched.
He really knew how to push her forward whenever it suited him.
Ye Lan Jue's gaze slid toward her, a faint, knowing smile tugging at the corner of his lips. If she had not whispered all that to Ye Lan Chen, he would never have dared to push her out.
"The Fourth Prince is correct," the Crown Prince said suddenly, stepping in. "Xin'er's perception is exceptional. She may be able to shed light on this."
Ye Lan Jue's eyes darkened.
The Emperor nodded. "Since both princes have spoken, Xin'er, step forward."
There was no refusing now.
Tang Ke Xin inhaled slowly and walked to the front.
"Earlier," she began, turning to Chun'er, "you said the vase shattered, and Wan Yi's leg was injured by the shards. Is that correct?"
Chun'er nodded vigorously. "Yes, this servant heard the sound of breaking porcelain and rushed in. The vase was shattered on the floor, and Wan Yi's knee was bleeding. This servant saw it clearly."
"What Chun'er said is true," the Empress added gently. "But the vase was knocked over by Wan Yi herself. She fell upon the shards."
Tang Ke Xin nodded. "Imperial Physician Liu, please examine the knee."
He obeyed at once.
Moments later, he rose. "Reporting to Your Majesty—there is no wound on the knee."
A gasp swept through the hall.
"So the Empress did not see the real Wan Yi," Tang Ke Xin said calmly. "Wan Yi was already dead. The person the Empress met was an impostor."
The hall erupted.
"Chun'er," Tang Ke Xin continued, "how long had Wan Yi been 'asleep' before the Empress arrived?"
"When this servant returned with the items, Wan Yi said she was tired and wished to sleep. She told this servant not to disturb her. She slept for nearly two hours before the Empress arrived."
Tang Ke Xin nodded.
"That aligns perfectly with the time of death. The impostor did not want Chun'er to enter because she would have discovered the truth."
"But why remain after killing her?" someone cried. "Why not flee?"
"Because she was waiting," Tang Ke Xin said softly. "Waiting for the Empress. She intended to frame her."
Ye Lan Chen's eyes widened. "So the murderer knew the Empress would come?"
"How could that be?" another concubine protested. "The Empress came on a whim!"
"I did come on a whim," the Empress said quickly. "I sat in the Buddhist Hall for some time, then walked toward Wan He Garden. No one knew beforehand."
Tang Ke Xin watched her closely.
The Empress was lying.
She had come with a purpose.
But that was her secret to keep.
"Xin'er," Ye Lan Chen said eagerly, "what do you think happened?"
Tang Ke Xin sighed. "I can only analyse what is before me. I do not know everything."
Imperial Concubine Ming stepped forward. "Then who is the murderer? Did you not observe anything?"
Tang Ke Xin paused, letting the tension build.
Everyone leaned forward.
Ye Lan Chen looked at her with open expectation.
The Crown Prince's gaze sharpened.
Ye Lan Jue's lips curved faintly—he already knew she would not answer as they hoped.
"I do not know," Tang Ke Xin said simply, spreading her hands.
A collective groan filled the hall.
But her diversion worked.
Attention shifted away from her.
Quietly, she slipped the Empress's Golden Phoenix Dagger into her sleeve.
Ye Lan Jue's eyes glinted with amusement. Exactly as expected.
The Emperor raised a hand.
"This matter is too complex. Even the Ministry of Justice may not uncover the truth. But the Empress's innocence has been proven. I shall investigate privately. Today's matter ends here."
The crowd dispersed.
---
Outside Wan He Garden, the Emperor and Empress walked ahead, followed by the Crown Prince and Fourth Prince. The concubines trailed behind.
Tang Ke Xin walked alone at the rear.
A shadow slipped beside her.
"What are you planning now?"
Ye Lan Jue's voice was low, quiet, and far too close.
Everyone else believed the matter settled.
But he knew her.
He knew she would not let it go.
She had other plans.
Tang Ke Xin's breath caught. What?
How did he always manage to see straight through her? It was as though every thought she tried to hide was laid bare before him.
But she refused to admit anything. She lifted her chin and feigned innocence, her expression perfectly composed.
"Is that so?" Ye Lan Jue murmured.
The corner of his mouth curved—not into a smile, but into something far more dangerous. A sliver of charm, a touch of wickedness, and beneath it all, a promise she did not dare interpret.
She denied it, but he had no intention of letting her slip away.
If she would not answer willingly, then she could hardly blame him for the methods he chose.
He had plenty of ways to deal with her.
Seeing that expression—half‑smile, half‑threat—Tang Ke Xin felt a chill run down her spine. He looked terrifying in that moment. Not cold, not aloof, not even dangerously elegant as he usually did.
This was something else entirely.
A quiet, controlled menace.
A predator's patience.
A man who had already decided what he intended to do with her.
What does he want?
What is he planning?
And—most terrifying of all—
What exactly does he mean by "dealing with her later"?