CHAPTER 199 — SHOCKING THE WHOLE AUDIENCE
Tang Kexin let out a cold laugh in her heart.
Of course she understood Imperial Concubine Ming's intentions. The woman wasn't even trying to hide it. She suspected Tang Kexin's identity — suspected that this "male doctor" was actually the runaway princess consort — and now she wanted to expose her.
After all, no one in the palace knew Tang Kexin had medical training. Testing her skills was the perfect trap.
"How do you propose to test him?" another concubine muttered. "There's no one ill."
The art of healing wasn't something one could demonstrate on command.
But fate — or someone's scheming hand — intervened.
"Not good! Someone fell into the water! Someone fell into the water!"
A palace maid's panicked cry echoed from the direction of the lotus pond.
"Noble Lady Ling has fallen in!"
The Empress's expression tightened.
Imperial Concubine Ming's lips curved into a triumphant smile.
Perfect.
If it had been an ordinary maid, the matter would have been brushed aside. But Noble Lady Ling? The Empress would have to intervene.
"Let's go," the Empress said, already striding toward the pond.
"Don't rush off just yet," Imperial Concubine Ming said sweetly. "We have a doctor here. He should come along. If something happens, he can help."
Her gaze slid deliberately to Tang Kexin.
The Empress shot her a cold look. "Do you think an outsider can treat a woman of the harem?"
"It's an emergency," Imperial Concubine Ming countered smoothly. "There's no time to fetch an imperial physician. And since this doctor was recommended by General Gu and brought personally by His Highness, he must be capable."
Her tone had changed entirely — from suspicion to sudden confidence — all because she wanted Tang Kexin to act.
Tang Kexin understood perfectly.
This wasn't coincidence.
This was a test.
Someone had arranged this.
But she also knew something else: if she performed well, no one would doubt her identity again.
She bowed her head. "Saving lives is a doctor's duty. If I can help, I will."
Ye Lanjue's eyes flicked toward her, a strange glint passing through them.
What are you planning, little fox?
The Empress said nothing more and hurried toward the pond.
When they arrived, Noble Lady Ling had already been dragged from the water. Her body lay limp on the ground, her face ghost‑white, lips tinged blue.
"Aiya—she's already…"
The young maid who had pulled her out collapsed in terror, unable to finish her sentence.
An older maid knelt beside the body, checked for breath, then paled.
"There's no air… no heartbeat. Noble Lady Ling is gone."
Tang Kexin's eyes narrowed.
No. She hasn't just fallen in. She's been underwater far too long.
Imperial Concubine Ming seized the moment. "Isn't there a doctor? Quickly, let him examine her!"
The Empress frowned. "She's already dead. Even the best doctor cannot bring someone back from death."
Tang Kexin didn't wait for permission.
She strode forward, knelt beside Noble Lady Ling, and began assessing her condition with swift, practised movements.
Ye Lanjue watched her, eyes darkening.
He knew she would never act unless she was confident.
Tang Kexin tilted Noble Lady Ling's head back and felt along her throat.
Something was lodged inside.
She immediately rolled the woman onto her stomach, supporting her chest as she delivered sharp, controlled blows to her back, trying to dislodge the obstruction.
But Noble Lady Ling's jaw was clenched tight.
Tang Kexin pressed her thumbs against the hinge of the jaw, forcing it open with her index and middle fingers. She grabbed a small wooden stick from a nearby tray and wedged it between the teeth to keep the mouth open.
Then she knelt, one knee braced against the ground, and used her body weight to compress the woman's abdomen, forcing water from her lungs and stomach.
Water gushed out.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
After a minute of steady compressions, Tang Kexin laid Noble Lady Ling flat again.
Now came the most crucial step.
Artificial respiration.
But she couldn't do it herself — not while disguised as a man, and certainly not to a woman of the Emperor's harem.
She turned sharply to a palace maid. "You — come here. Do exactly as I say."
The maid stared blankly, frozen with fear.
"What are you waiting for?" Tang Kexin snapped, voice deepened by her disguise. "Move! Every second counts!"
Her urgency jolted the maid into action. She knelt beside Noble Lady Ling, trembling, and followed Tang Kexin's instructions.
Tang Kexin coordinated the compressions, guiding the rhythm, adjusting the angle, ensuring the airway stayed open.
The crowd watched in stunned silence.
No one had ever seen such methods.
Such precision.
Such confidence.
Even Ye Lanjue — who had seen her brilliance before — felt a flicker of awe.
Tang Kexin worked with calm intensity, her movements fluid and sure.
The Empress stared, wide‑eyed.
Imperial Concubine Ming's face drained of colour.
The palace attendants looked as if they'd witnessed sorcery.
And Ye Lanjue…
His gaze never left her.
She had shocked the entire audience.
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CHAPTER 200 — ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION
For a heartbeat, the entire courtyard froze.
Artificial respiration — mouth‑to‑mouth — between two women?
Even in a world of palace intrigue and hidden scandals, this was enough to make jaws drop. A few attendants even covered their mouths in shock. If it had been two men, the palace would have erupted. But two women? A noble consort and a "male doctor"?
Unthinkable.
But Ye Lanjue quickly realised it wasn't what it looked like.
The palace maid wasn't kissing Noble Lady Ling — she was blowing air into her lungs at precise intervals. Tang Kexin pinched the woman's nostrils shut with one hand, supported her neck with the other, and listened carefully after each breath, checking for signs of life.
Ye Lanjue's mouth twitched.
How does she even come up with these methods?
Every movement was strange, unfamiliar, almost absurd — yet undeniably effective.
Because Noble Lady Ling… was breathing.
Barely. Weakly. But breathing.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"She's alive…"
"He brought her back…"
"What kind of doctor is this?"
Even the Empress, usually composed, looked momentarily stunned.
Imperial Concubine Ming's eyes narrowed sharply. She stared at Tang Kexin as if trying to peel away her disguise with sheer suspicion.
Could he really just be a doctor?
Was the information wrong?
No. She dismissed the thought immediately.
This situation had been arranged.
Someone had orchestrated it.
Someone who wanted to test this "doctor".
And the Third Prince's behaviour… was off.
"With such medical skill," the Empress said, regaining her composure, "you may indeed remain by the Third Prince's side."
Her tone was calm, but her eyes flickered with something else — relief, perhaps. Or worry. Or both.
Imperial Concubine Ming forced a smile. "This doctor is truly remarkable. To bring someone back from the dead… astonishing."
Her voice carried admiration and mockery in equal measure.
The murmurs around them grew louder.
Resurrection?
Miracle?
Impossible?
The Empress cut through the noise with a sharp gesture. "Enough. There is always a reason behind every phenomenon. Doctor, explain yourself."
Tang Kexin stepped forward, bowing slightly. Her voice remained low and hoarse — the disguise still holding.
"Very simple, Your Majesty," she said calmly. "Noble Lady Ling's complexion was pale, but her body was not yet cold. A drowned person who has been underwater too long will show red or purple patches. She had none. Therefore, this commoner concluded she could still be saved."
She gestured toward the revived woman.
"First, I expelled the water from her lungs and stomach. Then I instructed the maid to perform artificial respiration to stimulate her breathing and circulation. With timely intervention, she regained breath."
Her explanation was clear, logical, and delivered with quiet confidence.
The Empress blinked, impressed despite herself.
Imperial Concubine Ming's expression tightened.
The attendants looked as though they'd witnessed sorcery.
Ye Lanjue's lips curved faintly.
A commoner, is she?
She was far too relaxed in front of the Empress.
The Empress studied Tang Kexin again, something unreadable flickering in her gaze. She turned to Ye Lanjue, and for a moment, pride softened her features.
Perhaps Xin'er had insisted on bringing this doctor. Perhaps she wanted someone trustworthy by Ye Lanjue's side. The thought eased the Empress's heart.
But her relief was short‑lived.
"Then… Noble Lady Ling—"
"Your Majesty!"
Noble Lady Ling suddenly lunged forward, grabbing the Empress's skirt with trembling hands. Her hair dripped water, her clothes clung to her skin, and her face was streaked with tears.
"Your Majesty, please seek justice for me!"
The Empress frowned. "Speak clearly."
Noble Lady Ling sobbed harder. "This concubine was walking by the lake when someone pushed me in! I nearly died! Please avenge me!"
Her voice shook with genuine terror. She wasn't lying — she was too frightened to fabricate such a story.
Tang Kexin's mind raced.
Someone had pushed her.
Someone who knew Ye Lanjue had brought Tang Kexin into the palace.
Someone who knew they would pass this way.
Someone who timed the drowning perfectly — long enough to appear dead, but not long enough to truly die.
This wasn't coincidence.
This was a message.
A warning.
A test.
Tang Kexin felt a chill crawl up her spine.
Someone powerful was watching her.
Someone who knew her every move.
"The Empress must save me!" Noble Lady Ling cried, clinging desperately.
"Save?" Tang Kexin murmured under her breath.
This wasn't saving.
This was manipulation.
Imperial Concubine Ming's eyes gleamed. She had noticed it too — someone else was pulling strings.
The Empress's voice hardened. "Why were you here? Why not in your palace?"
"I— I—" Noble Lady Ling stammered, then spotted a patch of yellow chrysanthemums nearby. "The flowers… I came to admire the flowers!"
Tang Kexin nearly snorted.
What a terrible lie.
She clearly knew nothing. She had been lured here, pushed in, and left as bait.
But before she could think further—
"You're bold," a cold voice cut through the air. "To lie so brazenly."
Everyone froze.
The Third Prince had spoken.
Tang Kexin stiffened.
Her head snapped toward him.
What is he doing?
Ye Lanjue realised instantly that he'd spoken too quickly — too sharply. He had only wanted Tang Kexin's attention, but the words had come out harsher than intended.
He felt a rare moment of awkwardness.
Tang Kexin stared at him, stunned.
Is this man… actually being childish?
Imperial Concubine Ming narrowed her eyes. "Oh? His Highness claims she is lying. What evidence does he have?"
Ye Lanjue's cold snort echoed across the courtyard.
He opened his mouth to speak—
And what he said next made Tang Kexin's heart jolt violently.