CHAPTER 101 — THE HALL THE FELL SILENT
If Ye Lan Jue were to retract his earlier words now, it would expose him as inconsistent. Yet if he did not retract them, then he would have to win this utterly hopeless game of chess she had sabotaged beyond salvation.
"No problem."
He answered without the slightest change in expression.
Tang Ke Xin stared at him, stunned.
No problem?
She had already destroyed the board with three catastrophic moves. How could he possibly win now? Was he truly planning to bully her simply because she did not understand chess?
"Third Brother, it's better not to continue," Ye Lan Chen said quickly, alarmed. "In this state… even if you win, it will look disgraceful."
He meant it sincerely. He had never intended to defeat his elder brother.
But Ye Lan Jue only smiled faintly.
"She wishes to continue. So we shall continue."
The words were soft, almost tender—yet they struck like a confession.
Because she wanted it, he would do it.
Because she said so, he would indulge her.
Ye Lan Chen's lips parted as though he wished to speak, but after a moment's hesitation, he fell silent.
Feng Qingyan swayed where she stood. Her face had gone pale, her body stiffening as though she might collapse. His indulgence—his warmth—was something she had yearned for all her life, yet he gave it so freely to another.
Tang Ke Xin, hearing his tone, nearly applauded.
His acting skills were extraordinary.
In the modern world, he would have been a superstar.
Ye Lan Jue picked up a chess piece and placed it down with swift precision.
The move was excellent—brilliant, even—but ultimately useless.
She had already ruined the board beyond repair.
Ye Lan Chen picked up his own piece, intending to play casually.
"Take it seriously," Ye Lan Jue said suddenly.
Ye Lan Chen straightened at once and made a proper move.
Ye Lan Jue still held Tang Ke Xin in his arms, making no attempt to release her. But he no longer guided her hand. His expression had turned serious—focused.
Tang Ke Xin watched the board intently.
She was certain the game was dead.
There was no path to victory.
Yet as Ye Lan Jue played, the board began to shift.
A pattern emerged—subtle, elegant, impossible.
The move she had ruined three turns ago…
He had somehow reclaimed it.
She blinked rapidly, certain she had imagined it.
Before she could blink again—
The Third Prince had won.
"Third Brother…"
Ye Lan Chen looked both aggrieved and helpless. "This is too much. If you can win even like this, how am I supposed to play chess in the future?"
Tang Ke Xin stared at the board, speechless.
"What is it?" Ye Lan Jue asked, amusement curling at the corner of his lips. "Surprised?"
"Yes—ah—no!"
She nearly confessed, then panicked and shook her head.
If she admitted she was surprised, it would imply she understood chess—and that she had sabotaged the game on purpose.
Ye Lan Jue said nothing more, but the smile in his eyes deepened.
Tang Ke Xin looked again.
Even having witnessed it, she still could not believe it.
Ye Lan Chen had been serious.
She had been watching the board the entire time.
And yet… Ye Lan Jue had won.
Had he moved pieces while she blinked?
Was he even human?
"Let's go."
Ye Lan Jue's voice broke through her daze. The smile faded from his face as he rose, taking her hand with effortless naturalness.
He led her toward the main hall.
Tang Ke Xin was still too shocked to notice the gesture.
She followed him blankly, her eyes still fixed on the board even as it disappeared behind them.
Only when they were several steps away did she finally come back to herself—and turn to look at him.
At that exact moment, the Emperor and Empress approached from the opposite path.
Their gazes fell upon the sight before them:
Tang Ke Xin, hand clasped tightly in Ye Lan Jue's.
Tang Ke Xin, staring up at him in a daze.
The Empress froze.
Her eyes widened, her expression shifting rapidly.
Xin'er… and His Highness?
When had things progressed to this point?
Xin'er had insisted she did not like the Third Prince.
Yet now…
The Emperor saw the Empress's shock and sighed inwardly.
"Xin'er," the Empress called softly as she approached.
Tang Ke Xin snapped to attention.
She followed the Empress's gaze—down to her own hand, still held firmly by Ye Lan Jue.
She nearly choked.
This man… truly knows how to act.
What would the Empress think now?
She knew the Empress did not want her with Ye Lan Jue.
"Let us go to the main hall first," the Empress said gently, concealing her emotions with effort. This was neither the time nor place for such matters.
"Yes," Tang Ke Xin replied quickly.
Ye Lan Jue released her hand only then.
Tang Ke Xin hurried after the Empress.
Ye Lan Jue watched her retreating figure, the corner of his lips lifting in quiet satisfaction.
He had wanted the Empress to see.
He knew the Empress wished for Tang Ke Xin to marry Ye Lan Chen.
But the fish had already taken the bait.
There was no escape now.
The Crown Prince followed behind, his expression dark as a storm.
Feng Qingyan trailed after Ye Lan Jue, but he did not spare her a single glance.
---
Inside the great hall, the ministers rose and bowed.
"Rise," the Emperor said, clearly in high spirits.
The princes took their seats.
Tang Ke Xin moved to sit as well.
But just as she turned—
A sudden force struck her.
Invisible.
Sharp.
Internal energy.
Her untrained body could not withstand it.
She staggered, her balance collapsing beneath her.
Dong'er lunged forward and caught her.
"Miss! What's wrong?"
Dong'er's voice trembled. She knew martial arts—she recognised the attack instantly.
Gasps rippled through the hall.
All eyes turned toward Tang Ke Xin.
"Xin'er, what happened?"
The Empress's voice was tight with worry.
"It's nothing. I was careless," Tang Ke Xin said quickly.
"Summon the imperial physician," the Crown Prince said at once.
Ye Lan Jue's eyes darkened.
Tang Ke Xin frowned inwardly.
The Crown Prince's reaction was too quick.
Too eager.
Suspicion stirred.
"Let the physician examine you," the Empress urged. "You look pale."
Tang Ke Xin knew her face must indeed be pale—the force had disrupted her qi and blood. She nodded.
Imperial Physician Li stepped forward.
He took her pulse.
His expression changed instantly.
Shock.
Confusion.
Disbelief.
He checked again.
"Doctor Li?" the Empress asked anxiously.
The Prime Minister's face had gone white.
Tang Ke Xin remained silent.
"Your Majesty… Your Highness…"
Imperial Physician Li suddenly knelt, trembling.
"This humble subject… does not know how to say it."
"What is wrong with Xin'er?" the Empress demanded, breath unsteady.
"Speak," the Emperor said sharply. "Do not hesitate."
Imperial Physician Li swallowed hard.
"To report to the Empress… Miss Tang is… pregnant."
His forehead struck the floor.
The entire hall fell silent.