CHAPTER 94 — THE MARK THAT UNRAVELLED HIS RESTRAINT
Tang Ke Xin held the Third Prince's robe between three reluctant fingers, as though it were a venomous creature, and made her way toward the lake. She crouched by the water's edge and briskly swished the garment through the surface several times.
Fortunately, most of what she had vomited earlier had been tea. After a few vigorous rinses, the robe was—at least to the eye—clean.
Ming Xun inhaled sharply.
Ah, he thought, Miss Tang must be rinsing off the worst of it before taking the robe home for a proper wash. Yes… that must be it.
But before he could fully reassure himself, Tang Ke Xin turned and walked straight back toward them—robe dripping heavily in her hands.
Not pinched delicately between her fingers this time, but held in both hands, water streaming freely from the sodden fabric.
She had not wrung it.
She had not folded it.
She had not even attempted to dry it.
She simply held it out toward Ye Lan Jue.
The meaning was unmistakable.
Ming Xun nearly bit through his tongue.
Heavens above—she's giving it back like this? This… this counts as washing?!
Ye Lan Jue's expression darkened to a storm.
"So," he said, voice low and cold, "you intend to return it to this king in such a state?"
His tone was like winter wind cutting across frozen plains.
This woman—
She had taken his robe, swished it in the lake like a rag, and now dared to hand it back dripping wet?
Tang Ke Xin swallowed hard.
Best not to provoke him further.
She had assumed that once she rinsed off the worst of the mess, he would take the robe back to be properly laundered. After all, it was his robe. She could hardly take it home with her.
But clearly, the Third Prince did not share her logic.
"Of course not," she said quickly, blinking up at him. "I meant to take it back and wash it properly before returning it to Your Highness."
She said it lightly, testing the waters—because that had not been her intention at all.
Ye Lan Jue snorted softly.
He saw through her instantly.
He always did.
---
By now, the cruise ship had reached the shore.
The nobles disembarked one by one.
Feng Qingyan hurried toward Ye Lan Jue. When she saw he wore only his thin undergarment, her cheeks flushed and she lowered her gaze demurely.
But as she lowered her head, her eyes fell upon the robe in Tang Ke Xin's hands.
She had not heard their conversation on the boat, but she had seen everything.
The Third Prince—who allowed no one to touch his belongings—had removed his robe and given it to Tang Ke Xin.
And she had washed it.
Feng Qingyan's heart tightened.
Her hands curled beneath her sleeves.
Tang Ke Xin watched her from the corner of her eye.
If she wants to stare, let her stare, she thought. If she likes beauty, she needn't pretend to be shy.
Then another thought struck her.
Perhaps I should let Miss Feng wash these clothes instead. She would be delighted.
She had barely lifted her hand to offer the robe when—
"Tang Ke Xin," Ye Lan Jue said, voice like ice cracking, "do you believe I will throw you into the lake to wash it?"
Tang Ke Xin froze.
She lifted her gaze slowly, eyes widening.
Could he read minds?
She had not spoken a word—yet he had caught her thought as though she had shouted it aloud.
He was more frightening than she was.
She withdrew her hand at once, clutching the robe obediently.
"Follow me," he said.
This time, she did not hesitate.
"Oh," she replied softly, and followed.
Ye Lan Jue's lips curved—just slightly.
Ming Xun exhaled in relief.
Before Miss Tang, the Third Prince had seemed untouchable, a god among men.
Now… he seemed almost human.
If His Highness likes her, Ming Xun thought, he should simply say so. Or propose. Anything would be easier than this.
But he kept such thoughts strictly to himself.
---
After a short walk, Ye Lan Jue stopped before a grand carriage—the unmistakable carriage of a royalty.
"This humble girl will take her leave—" Tang Ke Xin began.
"Get in," he said, cutting her off.
Before she could protest, he swept her up and placed her inside.
Tang Ke Xin stared at him, stunned.
Bandit, she thought faintly. He's behaving like a bandit.
Ming Xun's mouth twitched.
This, he thought, is exactly His Highness's style.
Inside the carriage, Ye Lan Jue did not release her waist immediately.
Tang Ke Xin wriggled free and moved to the opposite side, putting distance between them.
"Where have you been these days?" he asked suddenly.
Tang Ke Xin blinked.
"What?"
The question was unexpected.
She had told the Prime Minister she was going to the temple.
The Crown Prince might have suspected otherwise, but he would not have said anything openly.
So why was the Third Prince asking?
"This king asked," Ye Lan Jue repeated, voice calm but firm, "where did you go?"
"Temple…?" she answered weakly, her tone uncertain.
His eyes narrowed.
In the next instant, he seized her and pulled her into his arms.
Before she could gasp, his mouth descended upon hers.
"Mm—!"
The kiss was fierce, unyielding, claiming.
He did not allow refusal.
He did not allow escape.
Every time he touched her, he lost control.
Every time he saw her, he wanted to hold her, kiss her, consume her.
Earlier on the boat, seeing her in Ye Lan Chen's arms—
He had nearly strangled her.
Now, the memory alone ignited his fury anew.
His hand slid beneath her clothing, fingers tracing fire across her skin.
"Your Highness—" Tang Ke Xin trembled, instinctively trying to push him away.
He pressed her back against his embrace, refusing to let her move.
He could not take her here—not in a carriage, not like this.
But there was one thing he could do.
One thing he should have done long ago.
He reached for her shoulder.
Her clothing slipped aside.
And his gaze fell upon the mark.