CHAPTER 129 — THE PRINCE WHO CORNERED HER AT EVERY TURN
"Xinxin, the Third Prince is here. Tell me—who is this sinister, despicable fellow you've offended? Let Third Brother deal with him for you."
Ye Lanchen turned eagerly, delighted to see his imperial brother approaching.
Tang Kexin's mouth twitched.
Ask the Third Prince for help?
Could she?
Should she?
Absolutely not.
"I won't trouble Your Highness," she said at once, her tone cool and clipped.
As she spoke, her eyes flickered—sharp, calculating, and faintly resentful.
Ye Lanjue's expression darkened instantly.
This woman had come to seek Ye Lanchen's help, yet she refused his?
"There must be something important for His Highness to discuss with you," Tang Kexin said, stepping back. "I shall return another time."
She did not know why the Third Prince had appeared so suddenly, but she had no intention of lingering. If he had come for official matters, she would only be in the way. As for borrowing money from Ye Lanchen, she would find another opportunity.
"But Xin, don't leave so quickly. Third Brother isn't in a hurry. Didn't you say you needed money?" Ye Lanchen called after her, anxious. He had not yet helped her at all.
Before Tang Kexin could reply, Ye Lanjue's cold voice cut in.
"And do you have the money to lend her?"
His gaze swept toward Ye Lanchen—sharp, icy, and unmistakably dangerous.
Ye Lanchen stiffened. His eyes widened, and he swallowed hard.
"I… I have…" he began weakly.
Ye Lanjue's eyes narrowed, the threat in them unmistakable.
Ye Lanchen's courage evaporated.
"…not that much," he finished meekly.
Tang Kexin's eyes narrowed. She understood immediately.
Whether Ye Lanchen had the silver or not, he would not dare lend it to her—not under the Third Prince's gaze.
"But Xin," Ye Lanchen said apologetically, "why not borrow from Third Brother? He definitely has enough."
Tang Kexin's expression chilled.
"I cannot afford to borrow His Highness's money."
Her voice was cold, her meaning unmistakable.
She finally understood why the Third Prince had appeared.
He had come to stop Ye Lanchen from helping her.
He had introduced her to the Sect Leader of the Suo Yan Sect.
Only he knew the true relationship between them.
Whatever his motives were, she was furious—so furious that even the Third Prince's status could not restrain her tongue.
Ye Lanjue's face darkened further.
Why did this woman insist on keeping him at arm's length?
Tang Kexin turned to leave.
"Xinxin, don't go!" Ye Lanchen rushed after her. "I really can't take out that much silver at once, but Third Brother can. Not just fifty thousand—he could take out five hundred thousand!"
"It's different," Tang Kexin snapped.
Her words were directed at Ye Lanchen, but her eyes were fixed on Ye Lanjue.
Ye Lanjue's lips curved faintly.
"If you walk away now," he said softly, "you won't be able to raise a single coin."
"That has nothing to do with Your Highness," Tang Kexin shot back, glaring at him with such intensity that if looks could kill, he would have been reduced to ashes.
Ye Lanjue laughed.
"You're so angry. Is it truly worth such fury?"
He had seen her calm in danger, composed in chaos, unshaken by threats. She rarely lost her temper. Yet now—now she was incandescent with rage.
It was the first time he had seen her like this.
"Who's angry?" Tang Kexin retorted, though her voice trembled slightly. She inhaled deeply, trying to suppress the storm inside her. But the sight of his infuriatingly amused expression only made her angrier.
"This king finds your anger rather adorable," Ye Lanjue murmured, stepping closer, lowering his voice.
Tang Kexin inhaled sharply.
This man was insane.
She refused to engage with lunatics.
Ye Lanjue turned and walked toward the manor, clearly intending to enter.
"But Xin, come in with us," Ye Lanchen urged.
"With this king here," Ye Lanjue said lazily, "she wouldn't dare."
Tang Kexin's eyes narrowed.
Who said she wouldn't dare?
Without hesitation, she strode toward the prince's mansion.
Ye Lanjue did not turn, but the faint upward curve of his lips betrayed his satisfaction. She had taken the bait.
Ye Lanchen blinked and hurried after her.
The moment Tang Kexin stepped inside, she realised—too late—that Ye Lanjue had goaded her deliberately.
How had she fallen for it?
But now that she was inside, retreating would be even more humiliating. She could only continue forward, her gaze fixed on Ye Lanjue's back, her anger simmering dangerously.
This man was too despicable.
Too cunning.
Too shameless.
"But Xin, who exactly did you offend?" Ye Lanchen asked, bewildered. "Why do you need so much silver?"
Tang Kexin had not intended to tell him. Ye Lanchen was too impulsive, too easily manipulated. But as she stared at Ye Lanjue's back, her eyes narrowed.
"It was the Sect Leader of the Suo Yan Sect."
Ye Lanchen nearly tripped.
"W-what? The Sect Leader? You offended the Sect Leader of the Suo Yan Sect? How—how could you even meet him? Most people never see him in their lifetime!"
Tang Kexin exhaled heavily.
"I don't know how I was so unlucky. I met him easily, made a deal with him, and now the entire Suo Yan Sect seems determined to stop me from raising the money. I don't know what he's after."
Her voice was low, frustrated, and bitter.
What could she do against a man who played by no rules?
A man who was too rich to reason with?
A man who threw silver around like pebbles?
"But Xin, you really met him?" Ye Lanchen asked, eyes shining with excitement. "The real Sect Leader?"
"He wore a mask," Tang Kexin said pointedly. "He didn't dare show his true face."
Ye Lanjue's steps faltered—just slightly.
"A silver mask?" Ye Lanchen gasped. "Isn't that incredibly cool?"
Tang Kexin's mouth twitched.
Cool?
It was terrifying.
"Xin, you're so lucky," Ye Lanchen said earnestly. "No one has ever seen the Sect Leader's true face."
Lucky?
Tang Kexin nearly laughed.
If this was luck, she would rather be cursed.
"If you see him again," Ye Lanchen added eagerly, "can you bring me along?"
"There will not be a next time," Tang Kexin said flatly.
Ye Lanchen's face fell.
But Ye Lanjue, walking ahead, suddenly stopped.