CHAPTER 87 — A PROPOSAL THAT FELT LIKE A THREAT
The Crown Prince's lips curved, his brows lifting ever so slightly. A smile touched his face, but it never reached his eyes.
He wants to marry me? Why?
Tang Ke Xin forced herself to breathe, to think, to remain composed. His sudden declaration only deepened her suspicion.
If he truly were the man from that night, why would he return the jade pendant… and then immediately speak of marriage?
Her question was deliberate—an attempt to observe him, to catch the slightest shift in expression.
But the Crown Prince merely continued to smile.
"But Ke Xin, must you even ask?"
His tone was indulgent, almost coaxing, as though speaking to a child.
"Of course I must."
Tang Ke Xin returned his smile with one of her own—calm, elegant, and utterly unreadable. Her heart was in turmoil, but her face betrayed nothing.
The more ambiguous he became, the more she needed to understand.
"I am a man," the Crown Prince said softly, "and a man must take responsibility."
His gaze locked onto hers. The smile faded, replaced by a solemnity that felt almost intimate. His voice lowered, each word slow and deliberate, as though he were confessing a deep affection.
And then—his hand lifted.
Casually.
Effortlessly.
Resting upon her shoulder.
Upon the very place where teeth had once marked her skin.
Tang Ke Xin's heart jolted.
The gesture looked natural, unthinking—but she knew better.
It was intentional.
Calculated.
If it had been only this gesture, she might have dismissed it.
But combined with his earlier words…
A cold dread crept through her.
Could it be? Could the man from that night truly be him?
Her mind raced back to the temple.
The Crown Prince had ordered the investigation.
He had commanded everyone to be examined.
He had known about the wound on her shoulder.
If he were the man from that night, he would know better than anyone.
And if he were not…
He was clever enough to have discovered it the next day.
His earlier words echoed in her mind, unsettling and impossible to ignore.
Tang Ke Xin felt as though she were standing on thin ice, unable to tell whether it would hold or shatter beneath her.
But outwardly, she remained composed.
Her turmoil lasted only a heartbeat.
"Your Highness, please conduct yourself with propriety."
She stepped back, slipping out from beneath his hand, putting distance between them.
The Crown Prince blinked—surprised.
He had not expected her to recoil.
Not after he had spoken of marriage.
He recovered quickly.
"I shall explain everything to Royal Father," he said with a gentle smile. "You will become this prince's consort."
His tone was warm, promising, almost tender.
Any other woman would have fainted from joy.
To marry the Crown Prince was to stand one step from the throne itself.
But Tang Ke Xin's expression darkened.
"The Crown Prince wishes to make a commoner his consort?"
Her voice was cool, her eyes sharp.
If he had merely spoken of marriage, she might have dismissed it as a test.
But to speak of making her his Crown Princess—and to say he would report it to the Emperor—
This was no jest.
"What is it? Are you displeased?"
His eyes narrowed slightly, though his voice remained gentle.
"Your Highness, this is no trivial matter. I must pay respects to the Empress. I shall take my leave."
She turned to go.
"But Ke Xin, I am not jesting. I am very serious."
He stepped forward, blocking her path.
She instinctively stepped back, avoiding his hand.
A reflex—swift, unmistakable.
She did not want him to touch her.
For a moment, something cold flickered in his eyes.
Then it vanished, replaced by his usual serene smile.
"I shall inform Royal Father at once," he said softly. "We will choose an auspicious date for our marriage."
Tang Ke Xin's heart clenched.
"Your Highness, I already have a marriage contract."
She loathed her engagement to Mu Shaoyi, but at this moment, it was the perfect shield.
As long as she was engaged, the Crown Prince could not marry her.
"But Ke Xin, that is no obstacle."
His smile deepened.
"Did you not retrieve the item? Go and annul the engagement."
His meaning was unmistakable.
He was the one who returned the jade pendant.
Tang Ke Xin's pulse quickened.
Her mind raced.
The Crown Prince's words were far more direct than the Third Prince's teasing insinuations.
She felt none of the flustered embarrassment she had felt with Ye Lan Jue.
Instead, she felt a creeping dread.
If the man from that night truly was the Crown Prince…
She would have to find a way to survive this.
"Your Highness, this humble girl will take her leave."
She refused to answer him.
Any response would be dangerous.
Kunning Palace was only a short distance away.
"But Ke Xin…"
He stepped in front of her again, blocking her path entirely.
"I have already decided. This matter cannot be changed."
Tang Ke Xin's eyes chilled.
Forced marriage?
"And Ke Xin," he continued, frowning slightly, "I wish to marry you because you are suited to be my consort."
"Is that so?"
Her smile turned cold.
"Then may I ask Your Highness—how am I suited?"
He answered without hesitation.
"You are intelligent. Calm in crisis. Meticulous in your thinking. Quick to respond. Tactful."
He smiled again, clearly pleased with his own assessment.
She was perfect, in his eyes.
A woman who could assist him.
A woman who could stand beside him.
But the more he praised her, the colder she felt.
Was he choosing a wife…
or selecting a guard?
"Very well," Tang Ke Xin said at last, nodding slowly. "This humble girl now understands the Crown Prince's criteria for choosing a consort. If Your Highness wishes, I can assist you in finding someone suitable. If there is a lady who meets your standards, I shall—"
Her words were cut off.
The Crown Prince's eyes narrowed sharply.
"Do you truly want me to explain everything?"
His voice dropped, cold and threatening.
"Do you want me to place the evidence before you?"