CHAPTER 91 — THE MOMENT JEALOUSY TOOK HOLD
The moment Tang Ke Xin met the Third Prince's gaze, her entire body turned rigid.
His eyes—cold, sharp, and utterly unreadable—were like spears of ice.
A single glance felt as though it could shatter her into a thousand pieces.
What on earth is wrong with you, Third Prince?
"Miss… it's the Third Prince," Dong'er whispered, trembling as she too turned to look. "He… he doesn't seem to be in a good mood."
That was an understatement.
Ye Lan Jue was always cold, but today there was something far more dangerous simmering beneath the surface—an icy fury that made the air itself feel brittle.
Tang Ke Xin exhaled slowly.
She had only just returned to the capital. She had not offended him.
Surely this had nothing to do with her.
But propriety demanded she greet him.
Especially when he was staring at her so intently—and half the lakeside had turned to watch.
She steadied herself and walked toward him.
Ye Lan Jue's eyes darkened as she approached, though his lips curved into something that resembled a smile—sharp, dangerous, and entirely devoid of warmth.
Where had this woman been for ten days?
He had searched the city, the outskirts, the forests, the temple—everywhere.
And she had been… what?
Living comfortably?
Smiling by the lake?
Damnable woman.
Ye Lan Chen, standing beside him, could barely contain his relief.
His eyes shone with joy—finally, she was safe.
Tang Ke Xin bowed.
"This humble girl greets the Third and Fourth Princes."
The Third Prince's gaze stabbed into her like a blade.
She felt it physically—sharp, cold, unrelenting.
She had no idea she had been missing.
No idea he had searched for her.
No idea the Crown Prince had searched as well.
She believed she had simply followed her plan: leave the city, hide in a faraway cave, return quietly.
She had never imagined Ye Lan Jue would go after her.
He continued to stare at her, unmoving, unspeaking.
He did not move because he feared that if he did, he might seize her by the wrist and shake her senseless.
He did not speak because he wanted her to speak first.
She had vanished for ten days.
Now she stood before him, smiling by a lake as though nothing had happened.
He wanted to hear what excuse she would offer.
Behind him, the guards held their breath.
Ye Lan Chen tried to step forward, but Ming Xun gripped his sleeve tightly, silently begging him not to interfere.
Tang Ke Xin waited for a response.
None came.
The silence was suffocating.
What is going on?
She glanced sideways—and her eyes landed on a stunning young woman standing near the Third Prince.
A thought flickered.
Ah… perhaps my sudden appearance disturbed them?
She bowed again.
"This humble girl will take her leave."
Dong'er nearly sagged with relief.
If they stayed any longer, she feared the Third Prince might freeze them both solid.
But Ye Lan Jue's eyes narrowed dangerously.
His hand, hidden beneath his sleeve, clenched.
She was simply going to leave?
Without a word of explanation?
Very well.
He would like to see her try.
"Miss Tang."
A soft voice called out.
Feng Qingyan stepped forward, her eyes bright with understanding.
She had sensed the Third Prince's mood—and sensed the danger.
If Tang Ke Xin walked away now, Ye Lan Jue might very well do something shocking in public.
Tang Ke Xin turned, puzzled.
The woman before her was breathtaking—elegant, refined, dressed with exquisite taste.
"You are…?" Tang Ke Xin asked politely.
"Miss Tang, do you not remember me?" Feng Qingyan smiled gently. "We have met before. I am Feng Qingyan."
Her smile was radiant—so radiant that several men nearby stared openly, entranced.
Tang Ke Xin blinked.
Feng Qingyan.
The woman the Crown Prince had once chosen as his consort—
the woman who had refused him outright.
And now she was standing beside Ye Lan Jue?
Was the Third Prince planning to marry her?
Tang Ke Xin's mind flicked briefly to Nangong Yi.
If Ye Lan Jue married Feng Qingyan… what would become of Nangong Yi?
She coughed lightly.
None of this concerns me.
"I shall not disturb Miss Feng and the Third Prince," she said politely.
But her words made Ye Lan Jue's expression turn glacial.
His body shifted, as though he might move toward her.
Feng Qingyan quickly intervened.
"We were just about to board the cruise boat. Why not join us, Miss Tang?"
Her tone was gentle, but her phrasing—we—was deliberate.
A subtle claim, placing herself beside the Third Prince.
Invitations followed from others.
"Miss Tang, come along."
"Miss Tang, join us."
"Your Highness, after you," the attendants murmured, waiting for Ye Lan Jue to move first.
Ye Lan Chen stepped forward anxiously.
"Third Imperial Brother, let's board the boat. Didn't you say earlier you wanted to go? You just didn't bring money, right?"
Ye Lan Jue's eyes flickered.
He turned and began walking toward the boat.
Ye Lan Chen hurried to Tang Ke Xin.
"Come with us."
"I'm not going," she said firmly.
She stared at the boat and felt her stomach twist.
In her previous life, she fainted on boats—every single time.
It was always a disaster.
She had never boarded one in this world, but her body remembered the dread.
"But—" Ye Lan Chen began.
"Follow me."
The Third Prince's voice cut through the air.
He did not specify to whom he spoke.
But everyone knew.
Tang Ke Xin stiffened.
"Fourth Prince, go on ahead," she said quickly. "I am returning to the manor."
"Hear, let's enjoy the festival first," Ye Lan Chen pleaded. "Third Brother is only going because of you. If you don't go—"
"I'm not going."
She would rather face a tiger than a boat.
Ye Lan Jue stopped.
Turned.
Looked at her.
"Since fate has brought us here," he said softly, "should you not go?"
His tone was mild.
His meaning was not.
He was threatening her.
Threatening her with that night outside the Mu estate.
Tang Ke Xin's heart sank.
So many days had passed, and he still dared to use that against her?
He was truly ruthless.
But she knew his temperament.
If provoked, he would act—recklessly, dangerously.
She could not risk it.
Not with the Crown Prince involved.
Not with the jade pendant still unresolved.
She sighed inwardly.
She had no choice.
She stepped forward.
Her legs felt stiff.
Her palms were cold.
Her stomach churned.
Dong'er followed anxiously, though she was not permitted aboard.
Tang Ke Xin reached the lakeside.
The boat rocked gently beneath her feet.
Her mouth went dry.
She felt faint already.
Tang Ke Xin clenched her teeth, forcing herself to move.
Ye Lan Jue was already standing in the centre of the barge, tall and composed, as though the rocking beneath his feet did not exist. His presence alone seemed to command the entire vessel.
She took a step forward.
But the moment her foot touched the plank, the boat swayed—only slightly, yet enough to send a jolt of terror through her.
Her face drained of colour.
Before she could stop herself, she spun around and seized the nearest solid thing—
which happened to be Ye Lan Chen's hand.
The Fourth Prince, startled, nearly stumbled backward as she clung to him with both hands, fingers digging into his sleeves as though he were the only stable point in a world suddenly tilting beneath her.
The boat rocked again.
Tang Ke Xin's heart leapt into her throat.
Her breath caught.
Her knees weakened.
Without thinking, she leaned into Ye Lan Chen, gripping him as though her life depended on it.
---
In the centre of the barge, Ye Lan Jue's expression darkened instantly.
A shadow fell across his features—cold, sharp, and unmistakably dangerous.
Feng Qingyan, seated gracefully beside him, observed the scene with a serene smile. Her voice drifted out, light as silk and twice as cutting.
"I never imagined the Fourth Prince—renowned for his carefree ways—would be so attentive. One can see how deeply he cares for Miss Tang. And Miss Tang, in turn, seems to trust and rely on him greatly. Truly, they make a rather harmonious pair."
Her tone was casual.
Her words were anything but.
They landed like a spark on dry tinder.
Ye Lan Jue's jaw tightened.
The air around him seemed to drop several degrees.
His gaze—already cold—turned glacial.
Tang Ke Xin, still clinging to Ye Lan Chen, had no idea that she had just stepped squarely onto the tail of a sleeping dragon.