CHAPTER 96 — WHEN THE LITTLE RABBIT TOOK THE FOX'S BAIT
The Third Prince spoke slowly—deliberately—his gaze fixed upon Tang Ke Xin as though he were reading every flicker of her expression. Each word was measured, each pause intentional, as he studied her with the precision of a hunter observing the slightest twitch of a wary creature.
But the moment his meaning began to take shape, Tang Ke Xin's eyes flashed sharply. Her body stiffened, her shoulders tightening in instinctive defence.
She was clever.
Too clever.
Even before he finished speaking, she had already guessed the direction of his words.
Was he about to suggest marriage?
It would indeed be the most direct method.
If she married him, the Crown Prince would have no grounds to pursue her. No room to argue. No hope of claiming her.
But Tang Ke Xin recoiled inwardly.
She did not want the Crown Prince.
But she would not marry Ye Lan Jue either.
One was a wolf's den.
The other, a tiger's lair.
She had no intention of escaping one only to leap into the jaws of the other.
Ye Lan Jue saw her reaction and sighed inwardly.
He was too perceptive not to understand.
She had not been tempted by the Crown Prince's status.
And now, she was not tempted by him either.
Was his charm truly so ineffective?
He was a prince—handsome, powerful, admired. Women fought for a single glance from him.
Yet this woman…
This woman was unmoved.
Still, he understood one thing clearly:
If he mentioned marriage now, she would bolt.
She would run as though fleeing a plague.
And he would not allow her to run into another man's arms again—not after what he had seen in the carriage.
So he changed tactics.
"You do not wish to marry the Crown Prince," he said calmly, "and as it happens, this king has troubles of his own. We can help one another."
He cast the bait gently.
Tang Ke Xin narrowed her eyes.
"What troubles does Your Highness have?"
She knew him too well.
He was cunning—dangerously so.
Whatever he was planning, it would not be simple.
"The same as yours," he replied, sighing inwardly once more.
If someone had told him that pursuing a wife would be this difficult, he would never have believed it.
He could not rush her.
If he pushed too hard, she would flee.
Tang Ke Xin considered his words.
"Is it because of Miss Feng?"
She had seen Feng Qingyan's devotion on the cruise ship.
And she had seen Ye Lan Jue's cold indifference in return.
Feng Qingyan had refused the Crown Prince and sworn she would marry Ye Lan Jue.
That alone could cause complications.
Ye Lan Jue blinked, then nodded.
"Yes."
It was a convenient excuse—and a useful one.
Tang Ke Xin frowned.
"Why do I feel there is more to this? Does Your Highness have another motive?"
He smiled faintly.
Her vigilance was impressive.
Must she guard herself so fiercely?
Had she not already slept with him?
Even if the mark had vanished from her shoulder, he knew—he knew—that she was the woman from that night.
"Do you think this king wishes to marry you?" he asked lightly.
Of course, that was exactly what he wanted.
But his expression remained perfectly composed, not a hint of embarrassment or hesitation.
Tang Ke Xin's tense shoulders relaxed at once.
Of course he wouldn't want to marry her.
She had been overthinking.
Even if the heavens rained gold, she would never believe the Third Prince would choose her as his wife.
He clearly did not want Feng Qingyan either.
Perhaps… perhaps he liked Nangong Yi?
If so, then using her as a shield made perfect sense.
And if he truly liked Nangong Yi, then Tang Ke Xin would be perfectly safe.
Ye Lan Jue watched her fall into deep thought, misinterpreting her silence entirely.
He assumed she was still hesitating.
So he pressed on.
"No matter what this king's reasons are," he said smoothly, "you can only rely on this king to resolve this matter. Even if the Crown Prince petitions the Emperor and Empress to grant a marriage, this king can block it for you."
Tang Ke Xin's eyes brightened.
"What does Your Highness intend to do?"
Now that she believed he had no romantic interest in her, she felt far more at ease.
This arrangement would benefit her greatly.
"You and this king can pretend…"
He paused, searching for the right word.
"Pretend to be lovers?" she supplied.
In modern terms, it was the simplest explanation.
Ye Lan Jue froze—then his lips curved into a slow, wicked smile.
Lovers.
He liked that word.
"Very well," he said softly. "Lovers."
Tang Ke Xin stared at him.
"Your Highness… are you alright?"
Why was he smiling like that?
"Is there a need to be so pleased?" she muttered under her breath.
"It is necessary," he replied simply.
Then, with a mysterious air, he added, "One day, you will understand."
Tang Ke Xin misunderstood completely.
Ah… he must be struggling with his feelings for Nangong Yi.
No wonder he is being so cryptic.
She nodded sympathetically.
"Yes, I understand."
Ye Lan Jue blinked.
She understood?
Already?
Well… even if she didn't, he would make her understand eventually.
He would sweep away every obstacle until she saw only him.
But for now, the fish had taken the bait.
Outside, the Crown Prince's voice rang out coldly.
"What is it? Is the Third Prince afraid to face me?"
Ye Lan Jue's smile sharpened.
"Let us go," he murmured, slipping an arm around Tang Ke Xin's waist. "This king grants you the right to use him. Use it well."
He stepped out of the carriage with her in his arms.
The first step had succeeded.
The show was about to begin.
Tang Ke Xin smiled faintly.
They had agreed to help one another—
yet somehow, he seemed far more enthusiastic than she was.