CHAPTER 159: THE THIRD PRINCE'S GATHERING STORM
It was not difficult to guess that the Third Prince had overheard at least part of what she had said inside the Empress's chambers. How much he had heard, she could not tell—but his expression made it clear that it had been enough.
"Greetings to Your Highness," the Prime Minister's wife said quickly, startled to find him standing outside. She bowed at once, her voice betraying her surprise.
The Third Prince did not acknowledge her.
His gaze was fixed entirely on Tang Kexin—cold, sharp, unreadable.
"This humble girl pays her respects to Your Highness," Tang Kexin said softly, lowering herself into a respectful bow.
She knew perfectly well why he looked like that.
He had heard her refusal.
He had heard her say she did not wish to marry him.
"A humble girl?" he repeated, his voice low, dangerous. "This king believes you should reconsider how you address yourself in the future."
Tang Kexin understood the meaning beneath his words at once.
He was telling her she would soon be his consort.
That she should stop calling herself a commoner.
She lifted her eyes slightly, studying him. She had expected him to oppose the marriage. She had expected him to be furious with the Emperor's decree.
Instead… he seemed to accept it.
The Prime Minister's wife was even more stunned.
In all these years, the Third Prince had never allowed a woman near him. Even Feng Qingyan, who had pursued him relentlessly, had never earned so much as a glance.
She had assumed he would reject the marriage outright.
She had even hoped he would.
But his tone left no room for doubt—he had agreed.
"Come here," the Third Prince said suddenly, his voice cutting through the air. "This king has something to say to you."
He had seen the astonishment in her eyes.
Did she truly think he had come to break the engagement?
He needed to make things clear.
The Emperor's decree had been sudden, yes—but it had struck directly at his heart. Now that she wished to annul the engagement, he would not allow it. Not even a little.
In fact, he felt an urgent need to settle the marriage date as soon as possible. He would marry her first—and deal with everything else afterwards.
"Your Highness," the Prime Minister's wife interjected quickly, "Xin'er is unwell. This humble woman wishes to take her home to rest."
She stepped protectively in front of Tang Kexin.
She could not allow the Third Prince to speak with her alone.
Not now.
Not before the truth was known.
If Xin'er spent too much time with him—if she grew attached—then learning the truth later would destroy her.
"Unwell?"
The Third Prince's brows drew together as he looked at Tang Kexin.
She did not look unwell.
In the Empress's chamber, she had been spirited enough to declare she did not like him.
"Yes," the Prime Minister's wife said firmly. "She nearly fainted just now."
Even though his gaze was not on her, she felt a chill run down her spine. Still, she forced herself to speak.
The Third Prince did not respond to her explanation.
His eyes remained fixed on Tang Kexin, waiting for her to speak.
"Xin'er, let us go," the Prime Minister's wife said, gripping her hand and pulling her away.
She knew the Third Prince's power.
She knew his temper.
But she had no choice.
She could not allow them to speak alone.
Not yet.
Tang Kexin pressed her lips together.
She wanted to explain things to him—she truly did—but the Prime Minister's wife's determination left her no room to object. And inside the palace, she could not speak freely.
Once they returned home, she would find him and explain everything.
The Third Prince watched her retreating figure, his eyes narrowing, a dangerous glint flickering in their depths.
So many people opposed this marriage.
Even the Prime Minister's wife.
When, he wondered darkly, had he become a beast to be feared?
---
Back at the Prime Minister's Estate
Upon returning, the Prime Minister's wife sent Tang Kexin back to her courtyard, then hurried to the front hall.
"Miss, you're back!" Dong'er rushed out to greet her, eyes shining. "I heard the Emperor has granted you a marriage with His Highness!"
"Yes," Tang Kexin said with a sigh. "I've just returned from the palace."
The news had struck her like a blow.
Everything had happened too quickly.
"Then… is Miss truly going to marry the Third Prince?" Dong'er asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She looked almost eager.
Tang Kexin gave her a long, pointed look.
"Why do I feel as though you're enjoying this far too much?"
Dong'er blinked, startled.
"Ah? Of course not! I'm happy for Miss!"
But her expression betrayed her.
She clearly thought the match was wonderful.
Tang Kexin ignored her and entered her room. She retrieved a small travel bag—heavy with silver notes—and walked out again.
"Miss—where are you going?" Dong'er gasped.
She recognised that bag.
It contained fifty thousand taels—money Tang Kexin had painstakingly gathered for her sect.
Was she… running away?
"Miss, you mustn't!" Dong'er cried, stepping in front of her. "If you flee the marriage, the Third Prince will never let you go! And the Emperor—he'll accuse you of defying an imperial decree! The consequences—"
Tang Kexin rolled her eyes.
This girl's imagination was far too dramatic.
"I'm not running away," she said patiently. "I'm going to the Third Prince's residence to speak with him."
Dong'er stared at the bag.
"Then why bring so much silver?"
Tang Kexin exhaled slowly.
"If you don't believe me, come with me."
Dong'er brightened immediately.
"Alright!"
Tang Kexin shook her head. She had no energy left to explain.
Mu Shaoyi had told her that the Suo Yan Sect had found the jade pendant and sent someone to deliver it. The Third Prince had connections—he might be able to locate the man. She needed to give him the silver so he would not delay.
---
At the Third Prince's Residence
When Tang Kexin arrived, the Third Prince had just returned.
The moment the steward saw her, he bowed respectfully.
Tang Kexin nearly choked when the steward stepped forward and announced:
"Cough…! Your Highness, Princess Consort has arrived."
Princess Consort.
Already?
Dong'er's lips twitched with amusement.
"Is the Princess Consort here to see His Highness?" the steward asked warmly. "Please, come in. His Highness should be back by now."
Tang Kexin had no words.
But she did have business with Ye Lanjue.
So she followed the steward inside.
She would speak with him.
She would explain everything.
And she prayed he would listen.
CHAPTER 160: BEHIND THE CLOSED DOOR
"Has His Highness returned?"
The steward asked the gate guard as they approached the entrance of the Third Prince's residence.
"He has, sir—returned a short while ago."
The guard straightened at the sight of the steward, showing him due respect. His gaze then shifted to Tang Kexin, whom he did not recognise. A flicker of curiosity crossed his face.
"And this young lady is…?"
"Our Princess Consort," the steward replied without hesitation, as though it were the most natural truth in the world—an inevitability rather than a possibility.
Even without the Emperor's decree, the Third Prince's attitude made it clear that Miss Tang would eventually become his consort. Now that the Emperor had bestowed the marriage, the matter was all but sealed.
Tang Kexin's lips twitched.
She had not expected the steward to speak so boldly.
But this was the Third Prince's residence—anything she said would only make matters more awkward.
"Princess Consort?"
The guards exchanged glances, then bowed deeply.
"We pay our respects to the Princess Consort."
Dong'er stood frozen, eyes wide.
Her mistress was not even married yet—how had things escalated so quickly?
"Steward…" Tang Kexin murmured, her tone carrying a quiet warning.
"That's enough, that's enough—no more bowing," the steward said, waving the guards upright. "Forgive them, Princess Consort."
The last sentence nearly made Tang Kexin choke.
She was beginning to realise something:
A master's temperament was often reflected in his subordinates.
And this steward was every bit as audacious as his prince.
If she protested further, she would only make the situation worse.
So she held her tongue.
The steward led her toward the study. At this hour, the Third Prince was usually there.
But when they arrived, the room was empty.
"Where is His Highness?" the steward muttered, frowning. "The guard at the gate clearly said he had returned."
"His Highness did not come to the study," the guard outside the door replied, equally puzzled.
The steward's frown deepened.
If not the study, then where?
Just then, a young maid passed by. She paused, glancing curiously at Tang Kexin.
"I saw His Highness enter his room earlier," she said.
Her eyes lingered on Tang Kexin, assessing her.
The Third Prince never allowed unfamiliar women into his residence.
So who was this one?
Her gaze sharpened with interest.
"His room?" the steward repeated, surprised. "At this hour?"
The maid opened her mouth as if to say more, then thought better of it and shook her head.
"In that case," the steward said, "I shall take Princess Consort to the main courtyard."
If the prince was in his private quarters, then that was where they would go. After all, Miss Tang would soon be their princess consort. And it was daytime—there was nothing improper about escorting her there.
The maid's eyes widened.
Princess Consort?
She stiffened, stunned.
Tang Kexin, unaware of the maid's reaction, followed the steward toward the main courtyard.
But when they arrived, the courtyard was silent.
The door to the prince's chamber was closed.
Not a single servant was in sight.
The steward frowned.
"Did you not say His Highness came here?"
He stepped forward and pushed open the outer door.
The hall was empty.
Only the inner chamber door remained shut.
Perhaps the prince had returned from the palace exhausted and gone to rest.
"Your Highness?" the steward called. "Your Highness?"
No answer.
Tang Kexin's eyes narrowed.
She felt it—someone was inside.
More than one person.
The steward hesitated.
If the prince was resting, barging in would be inappropriate.
But he could not leave Miss Tang waiting outside either.
Before he could decide, a sudden thud sounded from within.
Not loud—but in the silence of the hall, it was unmistakable.
Then—
A dart shot out from the inner room.
"Miss, be careful!"
Dong'er reacted instantly, sweeping Tang Kexin into her arms and leaping aside. The dart embedded itself in the wooden pillar behind them.
Tang Kexin's breath caught.
A dart?
From Ye Lanjue's room?
Had he nearly struck her?
The steward's expression darkened.
He moved in a blur, appearing before the inner door. With a sharp kick, he forced it open.
Regardless of whether the prince was inside, a dart had been fired. He had to investigate.
The door swung wide.
The steward froze.
His eyes widened.
His breath caught.
He stood rooted to the spot, utterly stunned.
Tang Kexin, standing just behind him, instinctively looked past his shoulder.
Through the gap created by the steward's rigid stance, she saw clearly—
The scene on the bed.
And her entire body went cold.