CHAPTER 147: A THREAT WHISPERED IN KUNNING PALACE
The Empress halted mid‑step. She had been about to enter her chambers, but the sight before her froze her blood. Her foot withdrew instinctively, and she opened her mouth to call for her attendants.
A strange man—unfamiliar, masked, dressed entirely in black—sat calmly within her private quarters.
Her heart lurched.
In such circumstances, she could not simply walk in. The only sensible course was to summon help.
But before she could utter a sound, the man spoke.
"Your Majesty," he said softly, his voice low and rasping, "if you wish the entire palace to learn your secret, then by all means—call for help."
The Empress's breath caught. The words died on her tongue. Her body stiffened, and she stared at the masked intruder in shock.
"You… who are you? Why are you in my chambers?"
Her voice trembled despite her efforts to remain composed. No one should have been able to enter the Kunning Palace unnoticed. And what did he mean by her secret?
What secret did he claim to know?
"Who I am is irrelevant," the man replied, turning slightly. His black mask concealed his face, but his eyes gleamed with unsettling clarity. "What matters is that I know certain things about Your Majesty. Things the Emperor would be most interested to hear."
The Empress forced her expression into calm neutrality.
"I do not understand what you are implying. And you should be well aware of the consequences of trespassing here."
"Oh, I am," he said lightly. "But I wonder… does the Empress know the consequences of having an illegitimate daughter?"
The Empress's world tilted.
Her knees weakened. Her fingers dug into the doorframe to keep herself upright. Her eyes widened in horror.
He knew.
He knew the one secret she had buried deeper than any other—one known only to herself and her siblings. A secret she had guarded for eighteen years.
How could this man possibly know?
Her voice shook. "Who are you?"
For a fleeting moment, a name—his name—flashed through her mind. But she dismissed it instantly. If it were him, he would not hide behind a mask. And he would never threaten her.
"Who I am does not matter," the man said. "What matters is the identity of the Empress's illegitimate daughter."
His hoarse voice slithered through the room like smoke, suffocating and cold.
"I do not understand what you are talking about," she insisted, though her voice had lost its steadiness.
The man chuckled softly.
"I think the Empress does not wish her daughter to be in danger."
Her heart stopped.
Her daughter.
The masked man leaned back, utterly at ease.
"The palace is heavily guarded, yet I come and go as I please. Imagine, then, how easily I could enter the Prime Minister's estate."
He did not finish the sentence. He didn't need to.
The Empress's last thread of composure snapped. Her legs trembled violently. He knew everything—her past, her child, her greatest vulnerability.
The man's eyes glinted with cruel amusement.
"What do I want?" he echoed when she finally managed to speak. "I have not yet decided. When I do, I shall inform Your Majesty. Until then… wait patiently."
He rose in a blur of movement. The Empress barely saw him stand before he vanished entirely, leaving only the faintest whisper of displaced air.
She collapsed to the floor, her strength gone. Her body shook uncontrollably.
He was right. His martial skill was terrifying. If he could slip into the imperial palace unnoticed, then the Prime Minister's estate would be nothing to him.
She had spent eighteen years building her strength, her influence, her position—all to protect Xin'er.
Yet now she realised how fragile her power truly was.
Only one man in this world could protect her daughter from such a threat.
Only he possessed the strength to stand against someone like that masked intruder.
Perhaps… she must tell him the truth of that year.
Even if it meant he would take Xin'er away from her.
Even if it meant losing the child she had protected with her life.
She had no choice. She had never had a choice. Heaven had never granted her one.
The Empress remained on the floor for a long time, unable to rise.
---
Outside the Palace
Tang Kexin and Ye Lanchen had just reached their carriage when a figure stepped into their path.
The Northern Imperial Guard.
"Miss Tang," he said, bowing with unexpected respect.
Tang Kexin blinked.
This was the same man who had killed Feng Qingyan without hesitation—cold, ruthless, utterly unflinching.
Yet now he addressed her with deference.
Ye Lanchen stiffened, stepping protectively in front of her.
"What do you want?" he demanded.
The guard did not even glance at him. His gaze remained fixed on Tang Kexin.
"Lie Ying requests Miss Tang's presence at the mansion," he said. "Would Miss Tang be willing to come?"
Tang Kexin stared.
He had given his name. Men like him did not offer such things lightly.
"What are you planning?" Ye Lanchen snapped. "Why should she go with you? Do you think the Northern Kingdom is so impressive? Who would accept such an invitation?"
The guard ignored him entirely.
Tang Kexin studied the man. Despite his earlier brutality, she sensed no malice directed toward her. In fact… she felt oddly safe.
And the Northern Prince—cold as he was—had given her the same inexplicable sense of security.
She smiled faintly.
"Since the invitation is sincere, it would be rude to refuse. Besides, I am curious to see how the Northern Kingdom lives."
The guard's eyes brightened with unmistakable satisfaction.
Most girls would have fled in terror after witnessing him kill someone. Yet she agreed without hesitation.
He was now almost certain.
She was the Young Master.
He would bring her back for confirmation.
Ye Lanchen gaped at her.
"Xin Xin, are you mad? You don't know what he wants! He killed someone without blinking—aren't you afraid?"
Tang Kexin shook her head.
"He won't kill me."
She was certain of it.
And whatever truth lay behind this invitation… she intended to uncover it.
CHAPTER 148: THE PATH THAT LED HER TO THE TRUTH
"But Xin, are you truly going?"
Ye Lanchen stared at her, stunned. His worry for Tang Kexin was written plainly across his face.
"Yes," she replied without the slightest hesitation.
He exhaled sharply, as though bracing himself.
"Very well. Then I shall go with you."
If she insisted on stepping into danger, he would not allow her to go alone. He would follow her, even if it meant defying the Northern Kingdom itself.
But the Northern Imperial Guard stepped forward, bowing with impeccable courtesy.
"Fourth Prince, rest assured—we will not harm Miss Tang. However, we cannot permit Your Highness to accompany her."
The guard's tone remained respectful, but his refusal was absolute.
Ye Lanchen's temper flared at once.
"What do you mean you 'cannot permit' it? Do you think this king is unworthy? This is the Great Yuan Empire, not your Northern Kingdom!"
The guard did not so much as glance at him.
"I cannot decide this matter. I ask Your Highness's forgiveness."
Tang Kexin noticed the subtle shift in his speech.
When addressing Ye Lanchen, he used I—the humble form.
But when speaking to her, he used his name, Lie Ying, as though presenting himself formally.
It was a distinction only those raised in court etiquette would recognise.
Why would a Northern bodyguard show her such deference?
She was merely the Prime Minister's daughter. Even as the Empress's niece, she held no rank that would command such respect from a foreign elite guard.
Unless…
Unless he believed she was someone else entirely.
Her curiosity sharpened.
Ye Lanchen, meanwhile, was still fuming.
"So it isn't your decision? Then whose is it? Your prince's? Why does he want her? What is he planning?"
Tang Kexin touched his arm lightly.
"Fourth Prince, go back. I'll go alone. I'll be fine."
Ye Lanchen stared at her, aghast.
"You're going alone? With him?"
"Don't worry," she said gently. "Nothing will happen."
He opened his mouth to protest, but he knew her too well. Once Tang Kexin made a decision, nothing could sway her.
He sighed inwardly.
Why does she not like Third Brother? He is exceptional—countless women adore him. Yet she feels nothing?
While he puzzled over this, Tang Kexin had already stepped into the Northern carriage.
Ye Lanchen could only watch helplessly as it rolled away. He knew the guard would not harm her—if he had wished to, he would not have needed such elaborate courtesy.
Still, Ye Lanchen did not leave.
He would wait for the Third Prince.
He needed to tell him immediately.
The Northern Prince's guard had taken Tang Kexin.
And Ye Lanchen would not allow anyone—especially a foreign prince—to dig at his Third Brother's corner.
---
The Northern Carriage
Tang Kexin sat quietly as the carriage moved. She asked no questions, showed no fear, and displayed no curiosity.
Lie Ying observed her from the corner of his eye.
Her composure impressed him deeply.
Most young women would tremble, cry, or demand answers. But she sat as though she were returning to her own residence.
Such calmness was not ordinary.
Such bearing was inherited.
He grew increasingly certain.
She was the Young Master.
After some time, the carriage halted. Lie Ying stepped forward and lifted the curtain with even greater respect than before.
"Miss Tang, please."
Tang Kexin descended gracefully and followed him into a secluded courtyard. The residence was simple yet refined, fully furnished—not a temporary lodging, but a place someone lived in regularly.
Yet she had not seen the Northern Prince.
So he does not live here. Then who does?
Her unease deepened.
A woman approached, her steps quick and her eyes sharp.
"Lie Ying, why have you brought an outsider here? Who is she?"
Tang Kexin glanced around. The courtyard was self‑contained, private, and meticulously arranged. Whoever lived here was no ordinary figure.
Lie Ying ignored the woman entirely.
"Where is Master?"
Tang Kexin's heart gave a small jolt.
Master? Not the Northern Prince? Then… the Northern Emperor?
The woman's eyes widened.
"You didn't bring her to see Master, did you?"
Lie Ying shot her a warning look. She fell silent at once.
"Master has not yet arrived," she said stiffly.
Tang Kexin's suspicions solidified.
Lie Ying was not merely a guard—he was the personal shadow of the Northern Emperor.
And he had brought her here to meet him.
Her pulse quickened.
The Northern Emperor was a legendary figure—cold, brilliant, ruthless. Why would he want to see her?
Lie Ying turned to her again, bowing deeply.
"Miss Tang, Master will return shortly. May I ask you to wait?"
The woman stared at him, stunned.
Lie Ying had never shown such respect to anyone except his Emperor.
"Who… who is she?" she whispered, unable to contain her shock.
"Ling Yan," Lie Ying said coldly, "you speak too much."
Ling Yan paled and bowed her head.
Then, forcing a smile, she turned to Tang Kexin.
"Miss Tang, may I prepare tea for you? What would you like?"
"Anything is fine," Tang Kexin replied calmly.
Ling Yan nodded and turned to leave.
"Actually," Tang Kexin added, "could I have something to eat as well? I'm hungry."
Ling Yan froze—then laughed softly.
She liked this girl.
Most would be trembling in fear.
Tang Kexin was asking for snacks.
Such composure was not ignorance—it was strength.
"Of course. What would Miss Tang like? I will prepare it at once."
Lie Ying's lips curved faintly.
Her temperament was unmistakable.
He hoped—truly hoped—that she was the Young Master.
Master would be here soon.
And then the truth would be known.