CHAPTER 120 — THE PRINCE WHO SAW TOO MUCH
Ye Lan Jue's question hung in the air like a blade.
"Tang Ke Xin… just who are you?"
His voice was low, steady, but beneath that calm surface lay a storm — suspicion, curiosity, and something far more dangerous. His gaze bore into her with such intensity that she felt as though he were peeling back her skin, layer by layer, searching for the truth beneath.
Tang Ke Xin's heart lurched.
She had spoken too freely.
Too naturally.
Too much like the woman she used to be — the woman she could never reveal in this world.
She had forgotten, for a moment, that she was no longer in a modern military camp but in an ancient carriage with a prince whose mind was sharper than any blade.
His face was close — far too close — his breath brushing her cheek, warm and unsettling. She tried to lean back, but the carriage wall pressed against her spine. There was nowhere to go. She could only sit there, stiff and trapped, as his presence enveloped her.
"Your Highness's question is contradictory," she said lightly, forcing her voice to remain steady. "You clearly know I am Tang Ke Xin, yet you ask who I am?"
She prayed her tone sounded casual.
She prayed he would not hear the tremor beneath it.
Ye Lan Jue's eyes narrowed. "Are you truly Tang Ke Xin?"
His suspicion was not new — she had sensed it before — but never had he voiced it so plainly. Never had he looked at her with such piercing scrutiny.
He continued, "The Tang Ke Xin of the past was a fool. Everyone knew it. She could not read, could not write, could not even speak coherently. And now…"
His gaze swept over her slowly, deliberately.
"…you analyse military strategy better than most generals."
Tang Ke Xin's pulse quickened.
"If not," he said softly, "then who are you?"
She blinked innocently. "If not Tang Ke Xin, then who does Your Highness think I am?"
Ye Lan Jue's jaw tightened. "This prince believes you are not the real Tang Ke Xin."
His voice was calm, but the tension beneath it was unmistakable.
Tang Ke Xin forced herself to meet his gaze. "Your Highness suspects me, but you have no proof. This body is Tang Ke Xin's. Even if I changed, I am still her."
Ye Lan Jue stared at her, searching for cracks in her composure.
She gave him none.
But his suspicion only deepened.
"Actually," she said suddenly, her expression turning solemn, "I really am not."
Ye Lan Jue's breath stilled.
His eyes sharpened, waiting.
Tang Ke Xin leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice as though sharing a grave secret.
"Actually… this humble girl is not human."
Ye Lan Jue blinked.
Tang Ke Xin continued with a perfectly straight face, "I am a ghost. A female ghost. The kind that sneaks into men's rooms at night to absorb their yang energy."
Silence.
Then—
"Yes, you did."
Ye Lan Jue's lips curved into a slow, meaningful smile.
Tang Ke Xin froze.
Her mind blanked.
Her heart stopped.
He… accepted that?
What did he mean, you did?
Her breath caught.
Was he referring to—
The temple?
Her eyes widened.
Could it be…
Was the man from that night…
Him?
But the Crown Prince had said—
No.
No, this was impossible.
The Crown Prince had known about the jade pendant. He had known about the marks on her shoulder. He had—
Her thoughts tangled into knots.
Before she could unravel them, the carriage jolted to a stop.
"Your Highness, we have arrived at the Prime Minister's Estate," the driver called respectfully.
Ye Lan Jue's expression darkened instantly.
Of all the times to stop…
Now?
Tang Ke Xin did not wait for him to speak. She bolted upright, scrambled past him, and practically leapt out of the carriage.
Once her feet touched the ground, she steadied herself and turned back.
"Many thanks to Your Highness for sending me back."
Ye Lan Jue stared at her.
His expression was unreadable — a mixture of irritation, frustration, and something dangerously close to longing.
Thank you?
That was all she had to say?
He exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening.
"Ming Xun," he said coldly, "return to the manor."
The carriage curtain dropped.
The horses moved.
And Ye Lan Jue left without another word.
Tang Ke Xin watched the carriage disappear into the night, then turned toward the Prime Minister's Estate.
She had barely taken two steps when a figure emerged from the shadows.
Mu Shaoyi.
Tang Ke Xin stopped, startled. "Why are you here?"
Mu Shaoyi hesitated, his expression conflicted. "Xin Xin… was it His Highness who sent you back?"
"Yes," she said simply.
He had clearly seen the carriage. There was no point in hiding it.
Mu Shaoyi's eyes dimmed. "Xin Xin… have you fallen for His Highness?"
Tang Ke Xin blinked.
Her?
Fall for Ye Lan Jue?
Impossible.
She shook her head. "What are you trying to say?"
Mu Shaoyi swallowed hard. "If you like His Highness… I advise you to give up early. Actually, His Highness… he…"
He trailed off, struggling.
Tang Ke Xin frowned. "Speak plainly."
Mu Shaoyi clenched his fists. "This concerns the Third Prince's privacy. I should not say it. But I do not want to see you hurt."
Tang Ke Xin's eyes narrowed.
He continued, voice low and hesitant, "His Highness… has certain habits. Habits that are… not good for women. You should stay away from him."
Tang Ke Xin stared at him.
Then she sighed inwardly.
He had misunderstood that night.
Of course he had.
Ye Lan Jue had done it deliberately — to mislead him, to mislead everyone.
And Mu Shaoyi, to his credit, had not spread rumours. He had kept the matter quiet.
But he was still wrong.
"Oh," she said lightly. "I see."
Mu Shaoyi looked pained. "Xin Xin, I am not lying. I am not trying to frighten you. I am truly worried."
"I know," she said softly. "Is there anything else?"
Mu Shaoyi hesitated again. "Yes. I came for another reason."
Tang Ke Xin raised a brow. "What is it?"
"My jade pendant is missing."
Tang Ke Xin's heart skipped a beat.
Of course it was.
She had taken it.
She had planned to return it the next day — until the Crown Prince had confronted her with the other jade pendant.
Now both pendants were in her possession.
Mu Shaoyi continued, "Xin Xin… could you lend me your jade pendant? If my father learns I lost mine, he will not forgive me."
Tang Ke Xin's breath caught.
She understood his request.
But she could not give him her pendant.
If she did, she would have no excuse to return the other one.
And she did not want to keep the Mu family's heirloom.
Nor did she want Mu Shaoyi to use the pendant to force the engagement later.
And there was still the matter of the mysterious person who had returned the second pendant that night.
She had no idea who it was.
Or why.
She had enough trouble already.
She could not afford more.
Tang Ke Xin inhaled slowly.
Her mind raced.
And she realised—
This conversation was about to become far more complicated than she had expected.