CHAPTER 90 — THE MOMENT HIS FURY FOUND HER
"I wasn't given a reason, but it must be something urgent that the Crown Prince has to see the Grand Master," he murmured, grateful that the Emperor did not press the matter further. With that, the morning court dispersed.
The Third Prince left the hall with a face like a gathering storm. He did not even return to his own palace; he simply strode toward the gates as though the air itself offended him.
"Third Imperial Brother!"
The Little Princess came scampering over, her expression full of indignation. "Big Sister Tang left the city! I went to the Prime Minister's Estate this morning to find her, and they said she left yesterday. Did she go back on her word? Is she refusing to teach me mind‑reading? Is Big Sister Tang not coming back?"
"Not coming back?"
Ye Lan Jue's voice dropped to a glacial murmur. "Hmph. Is that for her to decide?"
The temperature around him seemed to plummet.
The Little Princess froze mid‑step, her breath catching.
Her Third Imperial Brother was always cold, but today… today he was terrifying.
A cold so sharp it felt as though it could freeze the marrow in one's bones.
What had happened?
And why did it feel as though it had something to do with Sister Tang?
Before she could gather her thoughts, Ye Lan Jue had already vanished.
---
At the carriage, his voice was like steel dipped in ice.
"The Crown Prince has left the city?"
"Yes, Your Highness," the guard replied quickly. "He left last night. He brought no visible guards, though there must be hidden ones. He deliberately avoided all eyes. Even those assigned to watch him failed to notice. We only received the news this morning."
"With her?"
The Third Prince's eyes narrowed to slits, a dangerous light flickering within.
He did not need to specify who she was.
The guards understood immediately.
"This cannot be confirmed," the guard continued nervously. "No one was assigned to follow Miss Tang. We do not know the exact time she left the city, but we can investigate—"
He did not finish.
Ye Lan Jue was already gone.
The guards exchanged glances.
"His Highness is leaving the city," one whispered.
They had served him for years.
They knew that look.
They knew that silence.
"Your Highness," one guard ventured, "the Crown Prince's departure is clearly related to Miss Tang. If you leave the city now, you will not return by tomorrow's court. It may cause… discussion."
Ye Lan Jue turned his head slightly.
"Ming Xun," he said softly, "how long have you served this king?"
The guard fell silent at once.
He understood.
Miss Tang was not merely a passing interest.
She mattered.
Without another word, Ye Lan Jue mounted his horse and left the city at a speed that made the wind itself struggle to keep pace.
---
The next morning, neither the Crown Prince nor the Third Prince appeared at court.
Whispers rippled through the hall like wind through reeds.
Two princes, both absent, both having left the city in haste?
But the Emperor said nothing.
And so no one dared to speak.
Two days later, the Crown Prince returned—his face thunderous.
Three days later, the Third Prince returned—his expression as cold as ever.
No one found it unusual; he had always been like winter incarnate.
But Tang Ke Xin did not return.
---
On the fourth day, Ye Lan Chen could bear it no longer.
He rushed to the Prime Minister's Estate, only to learn that Tang Ke Xin was still missing.
He immediately prepared to leave the city—
only to be stopped by the Third Prince.
"Third Imperial Brother, why hasn't Sister Tang returned? Didn't you go to the temple as well? Why didn't you bring her back?"
Though Ye Lan Chen was naïve, he was not a fool.
He knew the Crown Prince and the Third Prince had both gone to the temple.
He knew they had returned.
But Tang Ke Xin had not.
"Ming Xun," Ye Lan Jue said coldly, "escort the Fourth Prince back."
Ye Lan Chen stiffened.
"Third Imperial Brother… something has happened to her, hasn't it?"
Ming Qin stepped forward, voice low.
"Fourth Prince, you should return. If you wish for Miss Tang to remain safe, it is best you do nothing."
Ye Lan Chen clenched his fists, then nodded sharply.
"Fine. I will return. But Third Imperial Brother—you must bring her back safely."
Ming Xun sighed inwardly.
His master wanted nothing more.
But five days had passed.
Then six.
Then seven.
No news.
None at all.
It was as though Tang Ke Xin had vanished from the world.
The matter had to be kept quiet.
If word spread, her reputation would be ruined.
Fortunately, the Phoenix City's Mayor had left days earlier.
Otherwise, the entire capital would have been in uproar.
---
Ten days passed.
"Any news?"
Ye Lan Jue's voice was as cold as ever, but hoarser—strained.
"No, Your Highness," Ming Qin answered reluctantly. "We have searched everywhere. There is still no trace of Miss Tang."
A faint crease appeared between Ye Lan Jue's brows.
Worry flickered in his eyes—barely visible, but there.
Ming Xun hesitated.
"Your Highness… today is the annual Lake Swimming Festival. We have searched inside and outside the city with no results. Perhaps Miss Tang is hiding herself. She enjoys lively events. She may appear at the festival—"
He did not finish.
A gust of wind swept past him.
His master was gone.
---
At that very moment, Tang Ke Xin and Dong'er stepped through the city gates.
"Miss, we're finally back!"
Dong'er nearly wept with relief.
Ten days and nights in a cave.
No people.
No sunlight.
Only her mistress and the echo of dripping water.
She still did not understand why Miss Tang had chosen such a place to hide.
Tang Ke Xin stretched lightly.
"The city seems lively today."
"Oh! Today is the Lake Swimming Festival!" Dong'er exclaimed. "There will be performances on the water. Miss, we must pass Tai Lake on the way home. Why don't we stop and watch? I feel like I've grown mould in that cave!"
Tang Ke Xin laughed softly.
"Is that so? Very well. We shall take a look."
Most of their money had been spent on medicinal ingredients.
They had barely enough left to hire a simple cart back into the city.
"Miss, we should change our clothes first," Dong'er said eagerly. "We can't go to the festival dressed like this."
So they stopped at a tailor's shop, changed into fresh garments, and then strolled toward Tai Lake.
Ancient festivals lacked the extravagance of modern spectacles, yet they possessed a charm of their own—simple, sincere, and wonderfully alive.
Tang Ke Xin and Dong'er strolled leisurely along the banks of the Great Lake, blending into the lively crowds gathered for the festival. Lanterns swayed in the breeze, their reflections trembling upon the water like scattered stars.
"Miss, look—look at that cruise boat!"
Dong'er tugged at her sleeve, pointing excitedly toward a grand vessel gliding across the lake. "It's so beautiful, so elegant!"
"It is rather lovely," Tang Ke Xin admitted, her lips curving with genuine appreciation.
"Miss, shall we go aboard as well?" Dong'er asked hopefully, eyes shining.
Tang Ke Xin gave her a long, pointed look.
"A dhow cruise? With what money, exactly?"
They had barely scraped together enough coins to hire a cart back into the city. This girl still dared to dream of luxury barges.
Dong'er shrank a little, but her eyes remained wistful.
---
Not far away, a man walking at the head of a small entourage suddenly halted mid‑step.
Ye Lan Jue's gaze snapped toward the lakeside.
He stopped.
And with him, every guard behind him froze as well.
"Greetings to Your Highness," came a soft, graceful voice.
Feng Qingyan—whether by coincidence or deliberate design—approached to offer her respects. Several noble ladies followed suit.
But Ye Lan Jue did not so much as glance at them.
His eyes were fixed on a point in the distance, narrowing with a cold, dangerous intensity that made the air itself seem to tighten.
Feng Qingyan, puzzled, followed his gaze.
And there—standing by the lake, laughing lightly with her maid—was Tang Ke Xin.
Dong'er was practically bouncing with excitement.
Tang Ke Xin's face was bright with amusement, her smile warm and unguarded, her eyes reflecting the shimmering lake.
A picture of carefree happiness.
But in Ye Lan Jue's eyes, that smile was blinding.
He had searched for her for ten days.
Ten days of silence.
Ten days of fear, fury, and sleepless nights.
And she—this infuriating woman—was perfectly well, perfectly safe, and enjoying a festival as though she had not vanished from the world.
It was almost laughable.
Ming Qin, standing behind him, swallowed hard.
He had only suggested the festival as a possibility—he had not expected His Highness to actually find her here.
---
"Ah—"
Ye Lan Chen, who had accompanied them, also spotted Tang Ke Xin. His face lit up instantly, and he took a step forward, eager to run to her.
But Ming Xun swiftly caught his sleeve, pulling him back.
Judging from the Third Prince's expression, this was not the moment for the Fourth Prince to intervene.
Not unless he wished to be frozen solid on the spot.
---
By the lake, Tang Ke Xin suddenly felt a prickling sensation along her spine.
As though someone were staring at her.
She turned instinctively.
And her gaze collided with Ye Lan Jue's.
In that instant, her entire body went rigid.
His eyes—cold, sharp, and utterly unreadable—pierced through her like an arrow.
There was no warmth in them.
No amusement.
Only a terrifying, icy stillness, like the edge of a blade poised to strike.
What on earth is wrong with you, Third Prince?
Why was he looking at her as though she had committed a crime punishable by death?
Why did it feel as though the lake itself had frozen over?
And why—why did her heart suddenly leap into her throat?