CHAPTER 203 — HIS HIGHNESS' JEALOUSY
Ye Lanjue didn't linger.
"We're leaving."
His voice was low, clipped, and final. They had seen everything they needed to see — and staying any longer risked exposing Tang Kexin's identity. But beneath that cold efficiency simmered something else entirely.
Possessiveness.
He wanted her to know exactly whose woman she was.
Just moments ago, she had stared at another man — his brother — with open fascination. Wide‑eyed. Soft‑gazed. As if bewitched.
He had never seen her look at him like that.
The thought made his jaw tighten.
As they turned to leave, the Emperor's voice cut through the air.
"Do not come here again."
Tang Kexin froze. For a heartbeat, she thought he meant her — but the Emperor's gaze was fixed on the Second Prince.
"Yes, Father. I understand."
Ye Lanshi's smile was gentle, but the bitterness beneath it was unmistakable.
Tang Kexin's chest tightened.
The distance between father and son was painfully clear — a chasm carved by years of coldness.
She said nothing. She couldn't. Not here.
But as she followed Ye Lanjue out, she glanced back at Ye Lanshi one last time.
An angelic face.
Warm amber eyes.
A quiet loneliness that clung to him like a shadow.
Why couldn't someone like him earn the Emperor's affection?
Why was kindness so often overlooked?
Her brows drew together. Today's events were riddled with contradictions — and she couldn't shake the feeling that she was missing something crucial.
---
"Tang Kexin."
Ye Lanjue's voice snapped her from her thoughts. He didn't look at her, but his tone was sharp.
"Is he that attractive to you?"
She blinked.
Ah.
So that was it.
Jealousy.
Thick, unmistakable jealousy.
Even someone as inexperienced as she was in romance could hear it.
"It's not that," she muttered, though she couldn't deny Ye Lanshi's gentle aura was striking. "I just… wondered why he was there."
Ye Lanjue exhaled slowly, forcing down the irritation clawing at his chest.
"That courtyard belonged to his mother," he said quietly. "She died in the fire. Since then, he visits that place more than his own palace. Father dislikes it. He doesn't want others to know."
Tang Kexin's heart softened.
She remembered the day she visited the Empress Dowager — the way Ye Lanjue had spoken of losing his mother. The quiet ache in his voice.
Invisible wounds never truly healed.
She wanted to comfort him — the impulse was sudden, unfamiliar, and unsettling.
"Let's return to the Prince's Mansion," he said, regaining his composure. "You should keep your distance from him."
His tone was casual, but the meaning was not.
She glared at him.
He really was shameless.
---
The carriage moved slower this time, allowing her to keep up. Qing Feng walked beside her, silent but watchful. He knew exactly who she was — and even without orders, he would protect her.
Because his prince cared.
Too much.
When they reached the mansion, Ye Lanjue didn't wait.
He swept her into his arms and strode straight toward the inner chambers.
Tang Kexin nearly yelped.
"Your Highness— we need to talk!"
Her voice was steady, but her heart wasn't. After all the pretending, all the disguises, all the running… was he finally going to settle accounts?
"You don't want to pretend anymore?"
Ye Lanjue's lips curved into a wicked smile.
She wanted to smack him.
"Shouldn't you change how you address me?" he added, eyes gleaming with mischief.
Tang Kexin's temper flared.
This man was impossible.
"What do you want me to call you?" she snapped.
He raised a brow.
She hesitated — then muttered:
"…Husband?"
Ye Lanjue froze.
Then, with absolutely no hesitation, he kissed her.
"Madam is adorable."
Tang Kexin stared at him, stunned.
She was still dressed as a man — an ugly man — and he kissed her anyway.
Was there something wrong with his orientation?
"Go change," he said, setting her down gently.
She looked around — and realised where they were.
The wedding chamber.
He really didn't waste time.
"This is our room," he said softly. "This King doesn't want to be separated from his wife."
Wife.
Not princess consort.
Not wangfei.
Wife.
Her heart skipped.
"Wen Yu, come serve the wangfei."
A graceful woman entered — elegant, poised, clearly trained in martial arts.
Tang Kexin liked her instantly.
"This servant will help the Princess Consort change," Wen Yu said with a respectful bow.
"Have you always served His Highness?" Tang Kexin asked.
Wen Yu blinked, startled. "Princess misunderstands. Women are forbidden from entering the Prince's chambers. I was only transferred here recently — for the sake of the Princess."
She brought out the clothes Ye Lanjue had prepared.
For her.
Tang Kexin's hands stilled.
Wen Yu continued softly, "His Highness has never been gentle to any woman… except you."
Tang Kexin rolled her eyes internally.
He must have bribed her.
But Wen Yu wasn't finished.
"We were orphans. His Highness saved us. Gave us a home. A purpose."
Tang Kexin's breath caught.
She, too, had been an orphan.
She, too, had been saved.
Her chest tightened.
When she emerged in her new clothes, Wen Yu gasped.
"So beautiful!"
Tang Kexin wore a pink‑white gown embroidered with plum blossoms. Her sleeves flowed like mist, her figure elegant and ethereal.
Ye Lanjue entered — and stopped dead.
His eyes darkened, softened, warmed.
Wen Yu quietly slipped out and closed the door.
Ye Lanjue pulled Tang Kexin onto his lap. She didn't resist.
He frowned slightly.
She wasn't pushing him away.
Something had changed.
"Your Highness," she said sweetly, "since we're husband and wife… shouldn't you compensate me for lying to me?"
His brows lifted.
Compensate?
"Three conditions," she said, blinking innocently.
He tensed. "Which three?"
"One — you're not allowed to lie to me again. Not even with good intentions."
"Agreed."
"Two — you're not allowed to force me into anything. We agreed before marriage that we'd be a fake couple. You can't force me."
His jaw tightened.
He hated that condition.
But he wanted her willingly — not through force.
"…Fine."
"And three—"
"I'll tell you when I decide."
He exhaled slowly.
She was going to be the death of him.
"Wen Yu will follow you from now on," he said. "You don't know martial arts. You need protection."
"Alright."
She didn't argue.
That alone told him she trusted him more than she realised.
---
Meanwhile, in the palace, the Empress sat in stunned silence.
Noble Lady Ling was dead.
Humiliated.
Used as a pawn.
Was someone sending her a warning?
Was Tang Kexin's identity no longer safe?
Would Prince Rui protect her?
Her thoughts spiralled — until a hand rested gently on her shoulder.
She froze.
She didn't dare move.
Someone was behind her.
Someone she hadn't sensed approaching.
And her heart began to pound
————————————————
CHAPTER 204 — HIS HIGHNESS' CONFESSION WAS REALLY TOUCHING
"Qing'er, what's wrong?"
The Emperor's voice was soft — softer than anyone in the palace ever heard it. He spoke as though afraid a louder tone might shatter her.
The Empress stiffened at the unexpected touch on her shoulder, but when she recognised his voice, she exhaled slowly and forced her expression back into calm.
"I'm fine."
The Emperor's face darkened.
Fine?
She had clearly been frightened moments ago.
Yet she wouldn't tell him why.
Wouldn't lean on him.
Wouldn't trust him.
Did she trust someone else more?
The thought lodged in his chest like a thorn. He wanted to ask her — desperately — but he feared the answer. If she said she wished to leave him… he wasn't sure he had the courage to let her go.
Nineteen years.
For nineteen years he had tried to reach her heart.
For nineteen years she had remained distant, untouchable.
He had failed.
"Qing'er," he said quietly, "let's leave the palace for a few days. You've barely gone out in all these years."
It was the worst possible time for a trip — two concubines dead, the palace in chaos, assassins lurking in the shadows. Imperial Concubine Ning and Noble Lady Ling had both been humiliated before death. It was an insult to the Emperor himself.
He had ordered countless investigations, but no clues had surfaced. And now, more than ever, he feared the Empress might be next.
He wanted to protect her.
To be with her.
To try — just once — to live like a normal husband and wife.
The Empress opened her mouth to refuse. It was instinct. Habit. But when she saw the quiet hope in his eyes, she swallowed the words.
"…Very well."
The Emperor's shoulders eased. "I'll move here tomorrow."
The Empress's breath caught.
He had said it before — but she hadn't expected him to bring it up again. Not so soon. Not with such determination.
He was the Emperor.
She was the Empress.
And yet, in this moment, he sounded like a man confessing his heart.
Tang Kexin, watching from afar, felt a strange flutter in her chest.
The Emperor's sincerity… was unexpectedly moving.
Her own heartbeat quickened, as if responding to the raw emotion in his voice.
The Empress's pupils tightened. She wanted to refuse — to keep her distance — but no words came out.
---
Meanwhile, in the Northern King's courtyard, Lei Ying appeared before his master, face grim.
"Didn't I tell you to protect her?"
The Northern King's tone was as calm as ever, but Lei Ying knew that he was already slightly displeased. However, this matter could not be decided by him, nor could it be delayed.
"This matter couldn't be delayed," Lei Ying said quickly. "The princess has come out of seclusion."
His expression made it clear he didn't like this princess.
"Yao'er?"
A flicker of surprise crossed the Northern King's face, but he quickly masked it. "Let her handle political matters for now. Don't let her come here. And tell her Yuan'er will return soon."
The princess's first instinct would be to run to her brother — and that was the last thing he wanted.
"But the princess—" Lei Ying hesitated. She was not someone who listened to ordinary orders.
"I don't want anything disturbing us," the Northern King said quietly. "Not now."
"Yes." Lei Ying bowed and left immediately.
---
Night settled over Prince Rui's mansion, unusually quiet.
Tang Kexin had eaten well — perhaps too well — and returned to her room feeling pleasantly full. She pushed open the door…
And froze.
Ye Lanjue was already inside.
"Why are you here?" she blurted, startled.
Hadn't he promised not to force her?
Hadn't they agreed to be an "unreal couple"?
Ye Lanjue's expression darkened. "We're married. Isn't it normal to sleep in the same room?"
"But you clearly promised—"
"I promised not to force you into a relationship," he cut in smoothly. "I never said I couldn't sleep beside you."
Tang Kexin stared at him.
This man…
This shameless, slippery, impossible man…
"Don't worry," he added, lips curving. "This King will only hold you."
She almost laughed.
A man's promises were worth nothing.
But she couldn't avoid him forever.
And if she was honest with herself… she didn't want to.
She took a breath, steadied her emotions, and walked straight to the bed. She removed her outer robe, lay down on one side, and pulled the blanket over herself.
Ye Lanjue froze.
This woman… was too direct.
He climbed in beside her, pulled her gently into his arms, and wrapped an arm around her waist. He held her carefully, as though afraid she might break.
Tang Kexin stiffened — then forced herself to relax. She shifted slightly, finding a comfortable position against him.
"What does Xin like best?" he murmured, voice low.
"Nothing," she replied lightly. "I don't have a favourite."
"Is that so?" His tone softened. "This King does."
Tang Kexin blinked.
He inhaled slowly, then spoke — voice steady, but threaded with emotion.
"That night… I was angry. I wanted to kill that woman. But the moment I saw you, everything changed. The closer I got to you, the more interesting you became. You're different from other women. You don't pretend. You don't flatter. You don't hide behind masks."
Tang Kexin's breath hitched.
"You're real," he continued. "Every side of you is real. And I can't help wanting to get closer. To understand you."
She didn't speak.
Her eyes flickered, her heart thudding.
"And your eyes…" he whispered. "They're clean. But lonely. You're too strong. It makes This King's heart ache. I want to protect you."
Tang Kexin's chest tightened painfully.
She had never expected such words from him — not from the cold, ruthless Third Prince.
But he wasn't cold now.
He wasn't ruthless.
He was vulnerable.
Honest.
And heartbreakingly sincere.
Her fingers curled slightly against his chest.
She didn't know what she felt yet.
But she knew one thing:
His confession…
was dangerously touching.