CHAPTER 191 — HIS HIGHNESS' PUNISHMENT
Ye Lanjue didn't spare her a single glance.
He simply turned, cloak sweeping behind him, and walked away with that cold, effortless grace of his — the kind that made people instinctively step aside. His posture said everything: you are beneath my notice.
Tang Kexin's mouth twitched.
If only that were true.
She followed several paces behind, her heart thudding painfully against her ribs. Every step felt like she was walking deeper into a trap she couldn't see. She knew perfectly well that escape was impossible now — not with him here, not with his guards watching her every breath.
Still, she couldn't stop the tiny, desperate hope that maybe… just maybe… he really hadn't recognised her.
But the moment they left the training grounds, Ye Lanjue climbed into his carriage without a word. No command. No interrogation. No icy reprimand. He didn't even look back to check whether she was following.
He simply disappeared behind the curtain.
Tang Kexin froze.
What?
She had braced herself for a storm — for fury, for punishment, for that terrifying cold voice demanding answers. Instead, she was met with… nothing. Silence. Calm. Indifference.
It was far more frightening.
"Return to the estate," Ye Lanjue said from inside the carriage, voice low and steady.
The driver bowed and flicked the reins.
Tang Kexin stared at the carriage, her mind racing.
Is he ignoring me? Truly?
Should I… run?
The thought flickered for half a heartbeat — then she crushed it. She knew better. Even if he was sitting inside a carriage, she wouldn't get three steps before he caught her. And if he hadn't recognised her before, running now would expose everything.
She swallowed hard.
"Brother, are you not leaving?" one of the guards asked, puzzled. "His Highness has already departed."
Tang Kexin lowered her head, letting her voice tremble. "This humble one… is unworthy. I fear I may disappoint His Highness."
She needed to test the waters — to see what Ye Lanjue intended.
Inside the carriage, Ye Lanjue shifted slightly. Through the narrow gap in the curtain, he could see her — head bowed, shoulders hunched, every line of her body radiating fear.
The corner of his mouth curved.
He said nothing.
The guard chuckled softly. "Brother, you're quite amusing."
He had clearly understood his master's intentions. Ye Lanjue never brought someone out of the military camp without reason. If he had chosen this man, then this man would be going back with him — whether he liked it or not.
"Since His Highness has taken a liking to you," the guard continued, "you must have some talent. No need to be so modest."
Tang Kexin nearly choked.
Smiling tiger.
His tone was gentle, but every word sealed off another escape route.
She would have preferred dealing with Ming Xun or the other guards — at least they were straightforward. This one was polite, warm even, but utterly unyielding.
Inside the carriage, Ye Lanjue leaned back, watching her through the curtain. His eyes were half‑lidded, unreadable, but the faint lift of his brow betrayed his amusement.
Of course he recognised her.
He had recognised her the moment he stepped into the arena. Her disguise was clever — brilliant, even — but her eyes… those eyes were carved into his memory. She could shrink them, shadow them, dull their brightness, but she couldn't change the way they watched the world.
He had known instantly.
And he had chosen not to expose her.
Not yet.
"Brother," the guard urged again, "it's getting late. You should follow His Highness."
Tang Kexin's mouth twitched violently.
Getting late? It's barely midday!
But the message was clear:
Move. Now.
She sighed inwardly. There was no escape. Not with a guard beside her, not with Ye Lanjue watching from the carriage, not with her heart pounding loud enough to drown out reason.
She forced herself to walk forward.
But as she approached the carriage, a cold shiver ran down her spine.
Why hasn't he punished me yet?
Why hasn't he said a word?
Is he waiting until we're alone?
A horrifying thought struck her.
Is he afraid of the Empress finding out? Is he planning to take me back quietly… and deal with me in private?
Her steps faltered.
Her mind conjured images she didn't want — being skinned alive, bones broken, tendons pulled, ground into ashes. Ye Lanjue was capable of anything when angered. She had seen the look in his eyes that night — the fury, the coldness, the promise of retribution.
She lifted her head slightly.
Even through the curtain, she could feel his gaze on her — sharp, cold, unblinking.
Her throat tightened.
This man… this terrifying man…
If she followed him back now, would she survive the night?
She wasn't sure.
Not at all.
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CHAPTER 192 — HIS HIGHNESS' PUNISHMENT (2)
Tang Kexin could only mourn for herself in silence.
Is this really how I die? After everything I've survived?
But no matter how her mind raced, no matter how fiercely she clung to her stubborn refusal to give up, she knew the truth: she had no chance of escaping. Not today. Not with Ye Lanjue here. Not with his guards flanking her like silent shadows.
Still… she had to try something. Anything. She couldn't simply walk into his manor like a lamb to slaughter.
She slowed her steps, letting the distance between her and the carriage widen. If she could fall far enough behind, perhaps she could—
"Old Zhong, slow the carriage. The brother behind can't keep up."
The guard's voice drifted back like a warm spring breeze — gentle, polite, utterly murderous.
Tang Kexin nearly tripped.
You smiling demon. You absolute menace.
He hadn't even turned around. How did he know she'd slowed down?
Inside the carriage, Ye Lanjue's lips curved faintly.
Wind‑Listening Skill. Of course. No one in the capital could match Qing Feng's hearing — not even Ye Lanjue himself. Every tiny shift in Tang Kexin's footsteps, every breath she took, every attempt to lag behind… Qing Feng heard it all.
And Qing Feng, perceptive as ever, understood his master's intentions without a single word being spoken.
"Brother, are you tired?" Qing Feng asked, turning with a look of sincere concern. "If you're exhausted, we can stop and rest."
Tang Kexin stared at him.
A moment ago, he'd claimed it was "getting late". Now he was offering her a rest break?
What game was he playing?
More importantly — why was he making decisions without Ye Lanjue's permission?
Unless… this was Ye Lanjue's permission.
Her stomach sank.
Her plan had failed before it even began.
She trudged on, slower than before, because why not? He'd said she could rest. She might as well take advantage of the only mercy she'd get today.
But no matter how slowly she walked, the prince's mansion loomed closer and closer. The journey wasn't short, yet it felt like she was being dragged towards it by invisible chains.
Every step tightened the knot in her chest.
She didn't want to go in.
She really didn't want to go in.
The carriage stopped at the gates. Ye Lanjue stepped down, still refusing to look at her, as if she were nothing more than a stray leaf caught in his wake.
Tang Kexin glared at his back.
Pretend all you like. We're at your doorstep now. What's the point?
"Your Highness, you've returned," Ming Xun said, hurrying out to greet him.
Ye Lanjue gave a curt nod. Cold, distant — but not nearly as terrifying as he had been days ago.
Ming Xun blinked. His master… seemed almost calm. Even in a good mood.
Good mood?
When the princess consort was still missing?
"Your Highness, there is still no trace of the princess consort," Ming Xun reported cautiously.
Tang Kexin nearly snorted.
No trace? I'm right here, you fool.
Of course, Ming Xun didn't recognise her. Her disguise was too thorough — even she barely recognised herself in the mirror. But Ye Lanjue… he had seen through her instantly.
She still didn't know how.
"Continue searching," Ye Lanjue said. "Inform the imperial guards the capital remains sealed. No one leaves. Keep searching."
Tang Kexin's head snapped up.
What?
Why was he still searching?
Why seal the city?
Why mobilise the imperial guards?
Did he not recognise me?
But then why choose her? Why bring her back? Why point at her so precisely?
Nothing made sense.
Ming Xun bowed. "Yes, Your Highness."
He hesitated, then glanced at Tang Kexin. "And… who is this?"
"The one His Highness selected from General Gu's camp," Qing Feng replied smoothly. "He must be hiding his strength."
Hiding his strength?
Tang Kexin nearly choked.
Your mouth is poisonous. Absolutely poisonous.
Ming Xun gave her a brief, uninterested look. "I see."
He didn't care. The princess consort was the priority. Everything else was secondary.
Ye Lanjue didn't speak. Didn't look at her. Didn't acknowledge her existence.
He simply walked into the manor.
Tang Kexin watched his back, her mind spinning.
If he truly hadn't recognised her, then she was safe — for now.
But if he had recognised her, and was pretending not to…
If he was ordering the search to continue just to mislead others…
If he planned to punish her in secret…
Her heart clenched painfully.
Is he going to drag me inside and deal with me where no one can see?
Her imagination spiralled — skinning, bones breaking, tendons snapping. Ye Lanjue was capable of anything when angered. She had seen the look in his eyes that night — the cold, lethal fury.
He walked ahead.
Behind her, Qing Feng stood silently, waiting.
She was trapped between the two of them — the predator in front, the shadow behind.
Even if she wanted to run, she wouldn't make it two steps.
Tang Kexin swallowed hard.
She had no choice but to follow him inside.
And pray she survived whatever came next.