CHAPTER 72 — CAUGHT IN THE MOONLIT TRAP
"You—what are you doing?"
Tang Ke Xin's voice wavered despite her best efforts. She was still shaken. After all, this was the same man who had dared to seize her in a public room. What wouldn't he dare to do?
"What do you think?"
Ye Lan Jue did not answer her directly. His voice was low, threaded with a faint, dangerous amusement. The charm in his tone only made the menace beneath it more pronounced.
He knew she was afraid.
And he relished it.
She, who feared neither heaven nor earth.
She, who always acted alone, hiding everything from him.
She, who avoided him at every turn.
It infuriated him.
Could she not tell him?
Could she not trust him?
Did she truly believe he was so unworthy of her confidence?
Tang Ke Xin opened her mouth—clearly intending to call out, to draw attention, to escape him by sheer force of public scrutiny.
But before she could utter a sound, his breath brushed her ear.
"If you dare to shout," he murmured, "this king will dare to kiss you. Right here."
Tang Ke Xin froze.
He—
He actually said that?
Was this truly the legendary Third Prince?
The cold, calculating, untouchable Ye Lan Jue?
Not only was he dark and treacherous—
he was a scoundrel.
A complete scoundrel.
Whoever spread tales of his noble restraint—step forward and be beaten.
"Tell me," he said softly, "what do you intend to do next?"
Ah.
There it was.
His true purpose.
He wanted to know her plan.
Tang Ke Xin's lips curved faintly.
She had no intention of telling him.
Why should she?
Her next move required absolute secrecy. She would not tell Ye Lan Chen, nor the Empress, and certainly not this dangerously perceptive man.
"Xin'er—where is Xin'er?"
Ye Lan Chen's voice suddenly rang out from ahead.
Tang Ke Xin nearly sagged with relief.
Perfect timing.
"I'm here," she called quickly, slipping away before Ye Lan Jue could react.
Ye Lan Jue watched her retreating figure, his eyes narrowing with a mixture of irritation and dark amusement.
Very well.
Run, little fox.
He would see how long she could hide.
---
She had already sent the medicinal ingredients back to the Prime Minister's estate. Dong'er knew the recipes well enough; there was no need for Tang Ke Xin to return immediately.
"Xin'er, Chen'er—I told you both to go back earlier," the Empress said with a weary sigh. "I do not want you involved in this."
This matter was clearly aimed at her.
It was premeditated.
The mastermind was no ordinary person.
She feared for them.
"Imperial Mother, if we had left earlier, how would we have helped clear your name?" Ye Lan Chen said proudly, still basking in the glow of his earlier performance.
"Mother fears this is not so simple," the Empress murmured, pressing a hand to her brow. "I fear you may be in danger."
Tang Ke Xin watched her quietly.
The Empress was hiding something.
She had not gone to Wan He Garden on a whim.
But that was her burden to bear.
"Xin'er, go back first," the Empress said again, her tone firm.
This time, Tang Ke Xin nodded obediently. "Very well."
"Chen'er, escort her."
As they left Kunning Palace, they encountered Aunt Xi. Tang Ke Xin leaned close to Ye Lan Chen and whispered a few hurried words.
Ye Lan Chen's eyes widened. "What? Why?"
"Don't ask," she said sharply. "Just do it."
He blinked, then nodded. "Alright."
---
Late that night, just as the palace gates were about to close, Ye Lan Chen returned. His expression was solemn as he entered the Empress's chambers.
"What is it?" the Empress asked, startled. "Why have you come at this hour? Has something happened?"
"Father summoned me," Ye Lan Chen said. "He has found a new clue."
The Empress stiffened. "A new clue? Has the murderer been caught?"
Her voice trembled slightly.
She was afraid—afraid the murderer might reveal what she had asked Wan Yi.
"No, the murderer has not been caught yet," Ye Lan Chen replied. "But it may not be long. Father secretly brought Sir Qin into the palace. Sir Qin found a bloody fingerprint on the dagger. He says every person's fingerprint is unique."
The Empress exhaled shakily.
"Slow down," she said. "You're speaking too fast."
"Aunt Xi, pour him tea."
Aunt Xi moved to obey, but Ye Lan Chen waved her off. "No need. I'll drink the tea already on the table."
The Empress nodded.
Aunt Xi poured the tea and set it before him. "The Fourth Prince's eloquence has improved greatly," she said with a smile.
"I only hope he grows safely and happily," the Empress murmured.
Ye Lan Chen continued, "Father said that starting tomorrow, everyone in the palace—male or female—must press their fingerprints. They will be compared to the one on the dagger."
"So the Emperor took the dagger," the Empress whispered. "No wonder Aunt Xi could not find it."
She hesitated. "Will this method truly work?"
"Sir Qin says it will," Ye Lan Chen replied. "Fingerprints never match. The murderer will be found."
The Empress nodded slowly. "If so… that is for the best."
"Father has already given me the dagger," Ye Lan Chen said, pulling out a black‑wrapped bundle. "I am to place it in the storeroom."
"Very well."
He turned to leave, then paused. "Imperial Mother—do not speak of this. The murderer must not be alerted."
"I understand."
Ye Lan Chen left and headed straight for the storeroom.
---
"I wonder what Xin'er intends," he muttered as he entered. "Why did she make me lie so elaborately before placing the dagger here?"
He set the dagger on the table and left.
Silence settled.
Then—
A figure rose from the shadows.
Tang Ke Xin straightened, a slow smile curving her lips.
"Good," she whispered. "Everything is in place."
Now all that remained—
was to wait for the fish to bite.
Tang Ke Xin had not left the palace at all.
She had merely invented an excuse to send Ye Lan Chen away, then slipped back through the shadows like a whisper of wind. From there, she had hidden herself in the storeroom, risking her life for the sake of uncovering the true culprit.
The night deepened. Silence settled over the palace like a heavy cloak. Behind a large cabinet, Tang Ke Xin crouched motionless, scarcely daring to breathe. She waited, patient and alert, her senses sharpened by tension.
Near midnight, the door creaked open.
A figure stepped inside.
Moonlight spilled through the doorway, pale and cold, illuminating the intruder's silhouette. Tang Ke Xin's eyes widened as recognition struck her like a blow.
Ye Lan Jue.
Her heart lurched violently.
Him? Why him?
How could he possibly know?
Only a handful of people were aware of this plan—how had he found his way here?
Tang Ke Xin held her breath, shrinking further into the shadows. She could not afford to be discovered. She needed to see what he intended to do.
Ye Lan Jue stepped deeper into the room, his movements unhurried, deliberate. He paused, surveying the space with a calm that chilled her blood.
Then he walked straight toward the cabinet where she hid.
He stopped directly before it.
"Still not coming out?"
His voice was cold—quiet, but edged with a lethal sharpness. Beneath that icy tone lay a danger that could strike without warning.
From the way he spoke, it was clear:
He had not come by accident.
He had not come out of curiosity.
He had come with intent.
And whatever that intent was—
it was not gentle.