CHAPTER 185 — HE IS NOT HUMAN
Hidden in the darkness, Yie Ling's fists clenched so tightly his knuckles cracked. His lips pressed into a hard line, and his eyes widened in alarm.
Princess…
His master had warned him never to reveal himself unless absolutely necessary. But now?
Ye Lanjue had already discovered Tang Kexin's trail. If Yie Ling didn't intervene, the Third Princess would find her within moments. He could not—would not—allow the Princess to fall into danger.
He gathered his qi, preparing to use his lightness skill to whisk her away—
And then froze.
What he saw made his mind go blank.
Tang Kexin stood in front of the unconscious imperial guards, hands on her hips, whistling cheerfully. She clapped once, satisfied, her eyes sparkling with triumph. The guards lay sprawled on the ground, breathing evenly, as if they had simply drifted into a peaceful sleep.
Yie Ling nearly swallowed his own tongue.
What… what had just happened?
The moment Ye Lanjue's order to search the manor echoed through the night, the guards escorting the disgraced servant had snapped to attention. Their senses sharpened, their vigilance rising. And that was when they noticed Tang Kexin trailing behind them.
Before they could react, she stepped forward, patted one of them on the shoulder, and said softly—
"Sleep."
The guard's eyes glazed over instantly.
They were already in a heightened, suggestible state from the shock of seeing her. It was the perfect moment for Tang Kexin to use her instantaneous hypnosis.
"Close your eyes and sleep," she murmured again, her voice low and commanding.
She didn't need long. Ten seconds was the standard for instantaneous hypnosis. Tang Kexin only needed five.
"Ten… nine… eight… seven… six…"
She didn't even reach five.
The guards collapsed like puppets with their strings cut.
Yie Ling stared, utterly dumbstruck.
The Young Lord had no martial arts.
She had used no internal energy.
No hidden weapons.
No knockout powder.
So how—
How in the world had she done that?
He forced himself to breathe.
Master was right. Even without meeting her, he had understood her abilities. The inherited bloodline was terrifying.
Yie Ling nodded to himself, accepting this explanation because the alternative—that she was simply this dangerous—was too much to process. His admiration for Tang Kexin deepened.
As the sound of guards searching the manor grew closer, Tang Kexin glanced at the unconscious men, then slipped away into the shadows. Yie Ling watched her go, a strange smile tugging at his lips. This was becoming… interesting.
A whisper drifted from behind him. "Master? Shall we chase her?"
Another shadowed man stepped forward, fists clenched, eyes burning with frustration. "Are we just letting her escape?"
"Not yet," the Yie Ling replied calmly. "If we act now, we'll provoke Ye Lanjue. And that would be… unwise."
He paused. "The Crown Prince should be awake by now."
The subordinate bowed. "Understood."
---
Across the city, the Crown Prince lay awake in his bed, face twisted with rage, body trembling with weakness. His servants hovered in the outer room, terrified to approach.
"Someone… come," he rasped, his voice low and cold, like something dragged from the depths of hell.
A servant rushed in. "Crown Prince!"
"Where is that bitch Tang Kexin?" he snarled.
He tried to clench his fists, but his hands spasmed uncontrollably. That woman had dared to hit him. Drug him. Humiliate him. And Ye Lanjue—Ye Lanjue had known exactly who he was. He had done it deliberately.
The Crown Prince's hatred burned like acid.
"Reporting to the Crown Prince," the servant said nervously, "Tang Kexin is still in the city. His Highness has not found her yet."
The Crown Prince's eyes darkened to something monstrous.
"Kill her," he hissed. "Kill Tang Kexin at all costs."
He couldn't touch Ye Lanjue—not yet. But Tang Kexin? She was within reach.
Tang Kexin, this is all your fault. If I don't avenge this, I am not human.
Ye Lanjue wanted to find her?
The Crown Prince smiled coldly.
I'll leave him a corpse.
---
Meanwhile, Tang Kexin sprinted through the night, lungs burning, legs aching. She had to reach the princess's mansion before Ye Lanjue realised she'd slipped past him again. The streets were quiet. The patrolling guards were exhausted. It was the perfect moment to disappear.
After nearly an hour of running, she reached Princess Xi's mansion. She crouched low, scanning the area. No guards. No search parties. Good.
She scaled the wall and slipped inside.
The little Princess should be asleep by now. Tang Kexin didn't want to frighten her, so she crept to the window, eased it open, and slipped inside.
A small figure shot upright like a startled carp.
Princess Xi blinked at her—then broke into a radiant smile. "Elder sister! You're finally here! I was terrified that day!"
Tang Kexin froze for a moment, then laughed softly. "Didn't I tell you? I'd be fine."
The little Princess scrambled off the bed, still shaken but visibly relieved. "I've never seen Third Brother so angry. Elder sister… he mobilised the imperial guards to search the entire city. Maybe… maybe you should stop running."
Her voice trembled. She didn't know what had happened between Tang Kexin and Ye Lanjue, but she knew one thing: if Tang Kexin was caught, the consequences would be terrifying.
Tang Kexin's expression hardened. "Little Ying'er, what I hate most is deceit."
People might think she was foolish to run. The Emperor had bestowed the marriage. Ye Lanjue treated her differently. Everything looked perfect. But his deception was a thorn lodged deep in her heart.
"If there's no love, you can't force it," she said quietly.
The little Princess lowered her head. She understood that pain better than anyone. She had grown up surrounded by false smiles and empty respect. She knew what it meant to be deceived.
"Elder sister… take me with you," she whispered. "I want to leave too."
Tang Kexin's heart softened. But she couldn't even guarantee her own safety—how could she take the princess with her?
"Little Ying'er," she said gently, "big sister is hungry."
The girl immediately panicked. "You must have suffered so much! I'll get snacks—quickly! But you can't eat too much. This place might not be safe."
Tang Kexin smiled. Ying'er was still so young, yet she had already seen too much of the world's cruelty.
"Sister," Ying'er asked softly, "what will you do now?"
"Leave the city," Tang Kexin said between bites. She was starving.
"Leave the city?" Ying'er gasped. "Third Brother had Ming Xun set up a checkpoint at the north gate. Anyone leaving must pass inspection and get a token. And he ordered that anyone who shelters strangers will be severely punished."
Tang Kexin froze mid‑bite.
"Ye Lanjue… is he even human?"
Was running away from marriage such a crime? Did he really need to turn the entire capital upside down?
Ying'er puffed up indignantly. "He's still my royal brother. Don't call him inhuman!"
Tang Kexin sighed. "I meant he's too clever, too powerful, too… terrifying. It wasn't an insult."
"That's why leaving the city is impossible," Ying'er said firmly. "He won't let you go."
Tang Kexin snorted. "He has his plans. I have mine. I'll climb the wall."
She refused to believe she couldn't escape Ye Lanjue's entrapment. She was from the modern world. She had survived worse. She would not lose to an ancient man.
Not even one as frightening as him.
————————————————
CHAPTER 186 — SHE'S REALLY GONE MAD
The little Princess's eyes lit up instantly. "Really? Elder sister, what can you do?"
Her excitement was almost childlike, bright and unrestrained. The moment she sensed Tang Kexin had a plan—an actual way out—her entire face came alive.
Tang Kexin stared at her, a bad feeling creeping up her spine. "Why are you so excited?"
The princess grinned. "Because life is too boring!"
Tang Kexin sighed. This girl is going to be the death of me.
"In that case," she said, lifting the princess's chin playfully, "prepare a few things for me. Watching a show requires investment, doesn't it?"
"No problem! Leave it to me!"
---
The next morning, a man in his forties wandered through the bustling marketplace. His linen robe was plain, his hair tied in a simple knot, his skin darkened by the sun. He blended into the crowd so perfectly that no one spared him a second glance.
Tang Kexin—disguised beyond recognition—moved with the flow of people. Patrol guards passed by occasionally, but she was so utterly ordinary that their eyes slid over her without pause.
She spotted a tea stall and slipped into a quiet corner.
"Boss, tea," she said, lowering her voice.
"Coming!" The stall owner wiped his hands on a towel and brought her a steaming bowl.
Tang Kexin lifted it slowly, watching the street from the corner of her eye.
Two men nearby were deep in conversation.
"Did you hear? General Gu's camp is recruiting military doctors!"
"Really? Does that mean General Gu is returning to the front?"
"Of course! With General Gu guarding Qingcheng, the Nan Yue Kingdom wouldn't dare take a single step forward."
The pride in the man's voice was unmistakable.
"Let's go have a look! Even if we can't get selected, seeing the victorious general would be worth it!"
They tossed down a few coins and hurried off.
Tang Kexin's heart stirred.
A military doctor…
If she left the city with the army, they wouldn't inspect every single person. It was the perfect opportunity.
Heaven really wasn't blocking her path.
She placed her coins on the table and followed the two men.
---
The barracks loomed ahead—vast, disciplined, alive with the sound of training. The sight made Tang Kexin's throat tighten unexpectedly. She had grown up in military camps. The smell of dust, sweat, and steel felt like home.
No wonder Gu Xiuran's army was unmatched. Even in peacetime, the soldiers trained with unwavering focus.
On a raised platform stood Gu Xiuran himself—tall, straight-backed, radiating authority. He looked every inch the general she remembered.
---
Back at Prince Rui's (the Third Prince's ceremonial name) Mansion, Ye Lanjue sat in icy silence as a guard reported, "Your Highness, we've searched every inch of the capital—every noble house, every minister's estate, even the palace. We also searched the Crown Prince's residence. There is still no sign of the Princess Consort."
Even the guard couldn't help but admire her. To evade Ye Lanjue's full-force search for three days… she was extraordinary.
Ye Lanjue's hand paused mid‑air, the teacup trembling slightly. Three days. Three days without a single trace. Anxiety gnawed at him—not that he would ever admit it.
He remembered what was accounted to him last night…
By the time he arrived, Tang Kexin had vanished. The guards were unconscious, sprawled on the floor. She had rendered them insensible. No knockout powder. No internal injuries. No signs of force.
Just a few words from her—and they had fallen asleep.
His elite guards. Men trained to resist torture, poison, and mental manipulation.
She had defeated them in seconds.
If they hadn't all given the same account, he would never have believed it.
The fox's tail was showing more and more.
A dangerous smile tugged at his lips—cold, furious, and yet… indulgent.
Tang Kexin… let me see just how high your fox tail can rise.
He was angry, yes. But he was also exhilarated. He had never met an opponent like her. The chase itself had become intoxicating.
Ming Xun, standing nearby, nearly dropped his scroll. His master was… smiling?
He had been furious moments ago. Now he looked almost amused.
Was he smiling out of anger? Madness? Had the search driven him insane?
Ever since the Princess Consort appeared, His Highness's behaviour had become impossible to predict.
"Your Highness," Ming Yun said cautiously, "the Crown Prince is awake."
Ye Lanjue's smile deepened. He remembered the way Tang Kexin had beaten the Crown Prince senseless. That was exactly the kind of woman he should have.
So what if he was the Crown Prince? If he dared to touch what he shouldn't, he deserved the consequences.
If Tang Kexin hadn't already beaten him half to death, Ye Lanjue would have done worse.
Ming Yun stared, baffled. Why was His Highness smiling at this news? Shouldn't they be preparing for retaliation?
But Ye Lanjue didn't care about the Crown Prince.
Not unless he became a threat to Tang Kexin.
As if reading his thoughts, Ming Xun added, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince's side seems… unusual. He appears to be searching for someone as well. He even summoned people from outside the city."
Ye Lanjue's smile vanished instantly.
"Investigate," he said coldly.
Searching for someone? Who?
Could it be…
Her?
The thought hit him like ice water.
His voice dropped to a lethal whisper. "Send Mingxi and Tinglei. Stop the Crown Prince. Quietly."
If the Crown Prince was after Tang Kexin, this was no longer a game. Ye Lanjue could search for her however he pleased—but if the Crown Prince interfered, he would show no mercy.
Tang Kexin had beaten him. Humiliated him. The Crown Prince would never let that go.
Ye Lanjue had to find her first.
Only then could he protect her.
Ming Xun bowed sharply and rushed out.
This—this was the master he recognised. Cold, decisive, terrifying.
---
Back at the barracks, Tang Kexin approached the registration table.
"Name?" the soldier asked.
"Tang San," she replied without thinking.
The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted it.
Tang San? Really?
She had randomly chosen a name and somehow ended up with one that sounded like a third‑rate side character.
But it was too late to change it.
"Have you ever been a doctor?" the soldier continued.
"Yes," she said confidently.
If anyone here was suited to be a military doctor, it was her.
"Good. Wait over there. You'll be called for the selection."
A selection?
Gu Xiuran's standards were high.
Tang Kexin's respect for him grew.
A true general valued his soldiers' lives.
She found a seat and waited, her heartbeat steady. Here, surrounded by disciplined soldiers, she felt safer than she had in days.
Ye Lanjue would never think to look for her here.
She shivered slightly at the memory of his furious eyes.
Is he still that angry?
She shook her head violently.
Tang Kexin, stop thinking about that demon.
She focused on the competition ahead.
Soon, the soldiers announced the start of the trials.
Tang Kexin straightened her back.
She was a modern doctor—skilled in both Chinese and Western medicine. Competing in an ancient military selection would be child's play.
If she passed, she could hide in the barracks.
If she hid in the barracks, she could leave the city with the army.
If she left the city…
She could finally escape Ye Lanjue's masterful entrapment.
And this time, she would not look back.