CHAPTER 163: THREATS BY THE HIGHNESS
Ye Lanjue knew precisely what mattered most to this woman.
And, ironically, it was the very thing that mattered most to him as well—though for entirely opposite reasons.
Tang Kexin watched him steadily, waiting for his response.
Nangong Yi's lips curved in a faint, knowing smile. Ye Lanjue was studying the agreement with a seriousness that suggested he truly intended to abide by it.
But Nangong Yi knew better.
Even if Ye Lanjue signed the contract, he would do exactly as he pleased when the time came.
There was no universe in which Ye Lanjue would marry Tang Kexin and then simply… watch her from afar.
That was not his nature.
He had never spared a glance for other women, never entertained the slightest interest. But the possessive hunger he held for Tang Kexin was unmistakable.
Poor girl.
She had wandered straight into a wolf's den.
"Xin Xin," Nangong Yi said lightly, "if you truly wish to help us, you could marry me instead. The result would be the same."
His tone was casual, but his intention was anything but.
He wanted chaos.
He wanted to disrupt Ye Lanjue's plans.
He wanted to see the Third Prince suffer.
Tang Kexin blinked at him, momentarily puzzled.
Ye Lanjue's eyes narrowed, a cold warning flashing through them.
But Nangong Yi ignored him entirely.
"Don't worry," he continued smoothly, "I can handle the Emperor. There will be no trouble on that side."
Tang Kexin looked at him calmly.
"If the result is the same," she said softly, "why would I choose you?"
Her tone was polite, but the rejection was unmistakable.
Nangong Yi's smile faltered.
"Xin Xin," he said, leaning forward slightly, "if you choose me, you can leave the capital."
Ye Lanjue's expression darkened to a dangerous shade, but he said nothing. He simply watched her, waiting—perhaps even bracing—for her answer.
If leaving the capital was what she wanted most, would she choose Nangong Yi?
Tang Kexin bowed her head slightly.
"I thank Lord Nangong for his kind intentions," she said. "But matters should be handled in order. I am discussing this with His Highness. I have no intention of choosing anyone else."
Ye Lanjue's eyes gleamed.
For the first time, he wondered if her choice had not been solely born of misunderstanding.
Perhaps, in her heart, he was different from the others.
A faint smile touched the depths of his gaze.
Before Nangong Yi could speak again, Ye Lanjue picked up the brush and signed his name with swift, decisive strokes.
Nangong Yi stared at him, stunned.
He had not expected Tang Kexin to be so unmoved by his offer.
What on earth was she thinking?
Tang Kexin took the agreement and signed her own name beneath his.
"Xin Xin," Nangong Yi said suddenly, "what was your original reason for coming to the Prince's Mansion today? Surely you didn't come here just to propose?"
Tang Kexin's expression remained serene.
"Now that I have reached an agreement with His Highness," she replied, "the previous matter no longer seems important."
Nangong Yi blinked.
Why did he suddenly feel that this woman was far more difficult to sway than he had imagined?
Ye Lanjue, however, looked quietly pleased.
"Oh, right," Tang Kexin added, "I have another matter to trouble Your Highness with."
She reached into her sleeve and withdrew the fifty thousand taels of silver notes, offering them to Ye Lanjue.
"Your Highness is acquainted with the Sect Leader of the Suo Yan Sect. Could you pass these to him for me?"
Ye Lanjue's expression changed instantly.
"Where did you get so much silver?"
He had been deliberately blocking every avenue through which she might obtain money. He had been certain he had cut off all her channels.
So how had she acquired such a sum?
Tang Kexin sighed.
"Your Highness need not concern yourself."
Ye Lanjue's eyes narrowed. After a moment, he reached out and accepted the notes. Since she had agreed to marry him, the matter of the silver was no longer urgent.
But if she ever discovered that he was the Sect Leader of the Suo Yan Sect…
He could not predict her reaction.
Better to keep that secret—for now.
"Sect Leader of the Suo Yan Sect?" Nangong Yi repeated, startled. "When did you meet him?"
The Sect Leader was a mysterious figure. Nangong Yi had never seen him, nor did he know his identity.
And he certainly had not known that the Third Prince was acquainted with him.
"Must I report my affairs to you?" Ye Lanjue replied coldly, his gaze sharp enough to cut.
Nangong Yi only smiled.
"I'm merely curious. Introduce him to me someday. With our relationship, you wouldn't refuse such a small request, would you?"
He stepped closer, his tone deliberately ambiguous.
Dong'er, who had only just recovered from the earlier shock, froze again.
Mayor Nangong was not even pretending to hide it now.
Tang Kexin's lips twitched.
Compared to what she had seen earlier, this was nothing.
Ye Lanjue's expression darkened further, the killing intent in his eyes unmistakable.
"You should remember why she agreed to marry you," Nangong Yi murmured, lowering his voice so only Ye Lanjue could hear. "Aren't you afraid I'll tell her the truth?"
The threat was blatant.
Ye Lanjue's lips curved in a cold, dangerous smile.
"As you wish. Try."
He was not afraid.
After Tang Kexin's decisive rejection of Nangong Yi, he doubted she would believe him anyway.
And Nangong Yi, for all his mischief, would not dare push too far.
Nangong Yi's expression tightened.
He had hoped to strike a blow—but Ye Lanjue remained unshaken.
Nangong Yi turned to Tang Kexin.
"Heart," he said, "I have something to tell you."
And the air shifted once more.
The next move, it seemed, was his.
————————————————————
CHAPTER 164: HER MARRIAGE, HER MOTHER'S TERROR
"Eh?"
Tang Kexin turned sharply, her brows knitting in faint confusion. Nangong Yi's sudden declaration had clearly startled her. What exactly did he intend to say?
"Xin Xin, in truth, between the Third Highness and me…"
Nangong Yi cast Ye Lanjue a meaningful glance before turning back to her, his tone slow and deliberate.
But before he could finish—
"Steward," Ye Lanjue said calmly, "has General Wu returned?"
The steward blinked, caught off guard by the abrupt question.
"General Wu will arrive in the capital tomorrow, Your Highness."
"Good. When he returns, send him to me immediately. There is a matter I must attend to."
His voice was soft, but the weight behind it was enough to chill the blood.
Nangong Yi's unfinished sentence died in his throat.
He exhaled sharply, understanding the message perfectly.
It was a threat—unvarnished, unmistakable.
He had always assumed Ye Lanjue would not truly act against him. He had even believed the Third Prince's earlier threats were merely bluster.
But now…
Now he realised something unsettling.
Tang Kexin mattered to Ye Lanjue.
And for her sake, Ye Lanjue would do anything.
"Lord Nangong," Tang Kexin asked, puzzled, "what were you going to say?"
"It's nothing. Nothing at all."
Nangong Yi forced a smile, swallowing the words he had been about to speak. He suddenly understood that anyone who tried to challenge Ye Lanjue would lose—utterly and without question.
But between Tang Kexin and the Third Prince…
Who would win?
And who would be devoured?
"Since our agreement is settled," Ye Lanjue said smoothly, "it seems best to marry sooner rather than later. We shall wed in three days."
Tang Kexin stared at him, stunned.
"So soon?"
She had been the one to propose the arrangement, and she had prepared herself mentally—but three days?
Nangong Yi snorted softly.
Ye Lanjue was truly shameless.
He was clearly trying to trap the girl before she could change her mind.
"Miss Tang," Ye Lanjue said, his expression cool and businesslike, "is there any difference between early and late?"
He kept his tone perfectly neutral.
He knew her too well—knew she was observant, perceptive.
If he showed even a hint of eagerness, she would grow suspicious.
"It makes no difference," Tang Kexin admitted after a moment's thought.
"Good. Then it is settled. Three days."
His voice did not waver.
His expression did not change.
No one could have guessed how fiercely his heart was pounding.
Nangong Yi's lips twitched.
Tang Kexin was clever, but Ye Lanjue was a fox of the highest order.
She never stood a chance.
"Three days…" Dong'er whispered, horrified. "Miss, are you truly going to marry the Third Prince? In three days?"
"It is a false marriage," Tang Kexin said gently. She paused, then added, "I should explain that to you properly."
Ye Lanjue's brows lifted ever so slightly.
A strange glint flickered in his eyes.
Nangong Yi nearly laughed aloud.
Tang Kexin believed the marriage was false.
Ye Lanjue, however, had no such intention.
"Miss," Dong'er said anxiously, "a false marriage is even worse! If His Highness divorces you later, how will you marry again?"
Ye Lanjue's eyes narrowed dangerously.
His woman?
Marry another man?
Absolutely not.
Tang Kexin smiled faintly.
"If I cannot marry, then I will not."
Ye Lanjue's expression twitched.
What kind of woman said such things so casually?
"Miss, you—you cannot think like that! Dong'er won't allow it!"
Dong'er was nearly in tears.
Tang Kexin sighed.
"Dong'er, the Emperor has already decreed the marriage. Do you want me to refuse the decree? Or flee the marriage? Or find someone else to take my place? Why don't you marry into the Prince's Mansion instead?"
Dong'er froze, speechless.
"Enough," Tang Kexin said gently. "It's settled. Let's return to the Prime Minister's Estate and prepare."
Ye Lanjue watched her quietly.
She spoke of marriage as though discussing the weather.
He did not know whether to laugh or sigh.
But he knew one thing—
Once she entered his household, she would never leave.
---
A Bomb in the Prime Minister's Estate
"Xin'er… what did you say?"
The Prime Minister's wife trembled violently, her voice shaking. "Say it again."
Tang Kexin repeated it calmly.
"We will marry in three days."
The Prime Minister's wife's face drained of colour.
"No. You cannot. The two of you absolutely cannot marry."
Her panic was raw, unrestrained.
"Why not?" Tang Kexin asked softly.
This was not the reaction of a woman worried about her daughter marrying into the imperial family.
This was fear—deep, visceral fear.
"There must be a reason," Tang Kexin continued. "From your reaction, anyone would think His Highness and I were siblings."
The Prime Minister's wife froze.
Her eyes widened.
Her breath caught.
Tang Kexin watched her closely.
Her heart tightened.
So she had been right.
She might truly be the Empress's daughter.
And Ye Lanjue…
Ye Lanjue might be her blood‑related brother.
The truth hovered between them—
unspoken, but dangerously close.