CHAPTER 215 — DO YOU DARE TO ACCEPT SOMEONE LIKE ME
The Crown Prince lifted his teacup with a languid grace, as though nothing in the world could unsettle him. His fingers were pale, elegant, almost fragile against the porcelain.
"Sit," he said lightly. "Have some tea."
Tang Kexin and Ye Lanjue exchanged a glance before taking their seats. Neither reached for their cups.
The Crown Prince let out a soft, mocking laugh. "I'm not foolish enough to poison you."
Tang Kexin took a cautious sip. Ye Lanjue merely tapped the rim of his cup with a fingertip, eyes never leaving the Crown Prince.
"Your Highness must have much to say," Tang Kexin said, her tone deceptively mild.
"What do you want to know?" he replied, equally direct. "Since you're here, we may as well speak plainly."
Tang Kexin leaned forward. "When did the man in black first approach you?"
"Earlier than you thought," the Crown Prince said, swirling his tea. "But only recently did he become… persistent."
Tang Kexin's heart tightened. "After Master Hui Yuan's lecture?"
A faint smile tugged at the Crown Prince's lips. "You're sharp."
Tang Kexin's pulse quickened. So it had begun then.
"You're the Crown Prince," she said. "Why trust an outsider?"
"Because he offered something useful," he replied simply. "I don't waste time on things that don't benefit me."
"How did he find you?"
"He came to me," the Crown Prince said, shrugging. "I didn't seek him out."
"How did he know about that night?" Tang Kexin pressed.
"I don't know."
His answers were clean, unhesitating — and frustratingly empty.
Tang Kexin's disappointment settled like a stone in her stomach. She had suspected the Crown Prince for so long. He was the only one with the freedom to move through the palace unnoticed, the only one who could manipulate events so precisely.
But now… It wasn't him.
Then who?
She opened her mouth to ask another question — and froze.
"Your Highness… your face—"
The Crown Prince's lips had turned a frightening shade of purple.
Tang Kexin rushed forward, grabbing his wrist to check his pulse.
Ye Lanjue's expression darkened instantly.
"I—" the Crown Prince gasped, clutching his chest. "What's… happening?"
He collapsed to his knees, fingers digging into his robes as he struggled for breath. His body convulsed violently.
"Summon the imperial physician!" Ye Lanjue barked.
But it was too late.
Within moments, the Crown Prince lay still.
Dead.
Tang Kexin stared at him, shock numbing her limbs. She forced herself to examine the teacup.
Her stomach dropped.
"There was poison in his cup," she said quietly. "Our tea is identical to his — but only his cup was coated."
Ye Lanjue nodded grimly. "The Crown Prince's teacups are exclusive. No one else uses them."
Tang Kexin's mind raced.
The poison had been waiting for him. Not delivered today. Not slipped in by a servant.
It had been placed long ago — waiting for the moment he drank from it.
Someone had planned his death meticulously.
Someone who wanted the Crown Prince gone.
Someone who wanted the throne.
Tang Kexin looked at Ye Lanjue.
He was the most likely successor now.
But she knew him. He would never harm the Empress. He would never orchestrate something so convoluted. He had been targeted too.
Then… The Second Prince?
No. His legs made movement difficult. He lacked the freedom to orchestrate such a scheme.
So who?
"Let's leave," Ye Lanjue said quietly. "The imperial physician will handle the body."
Tang Kexin nodded. "We should find out who managed this palace. There must be a clue."
"No need," Ye Lanjue said. "He did it deliberately."
Tang Kexin looked at him sharply.
"He wanted the Crown Prince to die in front of us," Ye Lanjue continued. "He's sending a message."
A chill ran down Tang Kexin's spine.
A message?
That he could kill anyone he wished? That he could decide the next Emperor? That he was watching them?
They left the palace in silence.
In the carriage, Tang Kexin finally spoke.
"Do you blame yourself for Imperial Concubine Rong's death?"
"No," Ye Lanjue said simply.
He didn't lie. He didn't soften the truth.
Tang Kexin blinked.
He continued, voice low. "If she hadn't acted, I wouldn't have moved against her. But once she made her choice… her fate was sealed."
He paused.
"I didn't expect her to kill herself though."
Tang Kexin looked down at her hands. She wasn't a gentle person either. If someone harmed her, she would never forgive them.
"Ye Lanjue…" she murmured.
He tensed. "Xin, if you can't accept—"
"No," she interrupted softly. "I just… don't know how to respond."
Then she smiled — small, wry, honest.
Ye Lanjue exhaled, relief flooding his features. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.
He didn't need her approval. He needed her acceptance.
And she had given it.
"Your Highness! Princess Consort!"
A servant rushed toward them as they stepped out of the carriage, panic etched across his face.
Ye Lanjue's expression sharpened.
"What happened?"
The servant swallowed hard.
"Something… something has happened at the manor."
------------------------------------
CHAPTER 216 — SHE WAS REUNITED WITH HER OWN FATHER
"The Northern King's guard — Lei Ying — is waiting for the Princess Consort inside."
Qing Feng's voice was tight, his expression strained. "He's been waiting nearly four hours. I told him the Princess Consort wasn't here, but he refused to leave."
Tang Kexin blinked. Four hours? Lei Ying was no ordinary guard. In the Northern Kingdom, even princes could not command him. His presence here — waiting for her — was no trivial matter.
"Why is he here?" Ye Lanjue's brows drew together, though his face remained composed. Without another word, he strode inside.
Tang Kexin followed, unsettled. She remembered the Northern King's earlier summons. Perhaps he wanted to see her again. Perhaps he had something to say.
Perhaps… something she wasn't ready to hear.
Lei Ying sat rigidly in a chair, Ming Xun standing beside him. The moment Tang Kexin entered, Lei Ying rose to his feet. His posture was respectful — too respectful.
There were others present, so he only gave her a small nod. But even that nod carried weight.
"My master wishes to see Miss Tang," Lei Ying said, directing his words to Ye Lanjue. "If His Highness permits."
This was Prince Rui's Mansion. Even Lei Ying, with all his status, had to show respect. And Ye Lanjue was, after all, the husband of the Northern King's… daughter.
Though Lei Ying still refused to call her Princess Consort. He had not yet accepted Ye Lanjue.
"Didn't the Prince of the Northern Kingdom already leave?" Ye Lanjue asked coolly. "Which master seeks my consort?"
Lei Ying didn't hesitate. "The Northern King."
Ye Lanjue's eyes flickered — the only sign of shock. The Northern King was a man of immense power. For him to personally come to Dayuan… and now request a private meeting…
Something significant was unfolding.
"Has the Northern King come as well?" Ye Lanjue asked, voice steady.
"Yes."
Lei Ying relaxed slightly. If the Northern King summoned someone, refusal was nearly impossible.
Ye Lanjue opened his mouth to respond — but Tang Kexin spoke first.
"I'll go."
"But Xin—" Ye Lanjue's voice sharpened with worry.
"It's fine," she said softly. "I've been there before."
Ye Lanjue's jaw tightened. "This King will accompany you."
Lei Ying stepped forward. "My master only invited Miss Tang."
The rejection was clear.
Ye Lanjue's eyes darkened dangerously. Lei Ying met the glare without flinching.
Tang Kexin inhaled deeply. If she didn't calm Ye Lanjue now, he would never let her go.
"I'll be back soon," she said gently. "Truly."
Ye Lanjue narrowed his eyes. "Are you speaking to This King?"
Tang Kexin nearly groaned. This man… This impossible, dramatic man…
He was pouting. Actually pouting.
She wanted to strangle him and kiss him at the same time.
"Jue," she said softly, "I'll be back soon. I promise."
His expression melted instantly. A slow, satisfied smile curved his lips. If they weren't in public, he would have kissed her senseless.
"Mm. Alright. I'll wait for you."
He brushed a hand through her hair, utterly unbothered by Lei Ying's presence.
Tang Kexin flushed and pushed his hand away. He was doing this on purpose. Absolutely on purpose.
Lei Ying stared, stunned. Had the Young Mistress just called him "Jue"? And Ye Lanjue had accepted it?
He felt his brain short‑circuit.
Perhaps he really did need to find a woman. His thoughts were becoming unhinged.
Tang Kexin followed Lei Ying through the quiet paths of the estate. Her irritation simmered.
Ye Lanjue had definitely chosen that moment to act clingy. He was shameless. Utterly shameless.
And yet… Her heart was still warm.
They reached the secluded courtyard.
This time, someone stood waiting.
A man in a pristine white robe, untouched by dust. His posture was straight, his presence calm — but there was a loneliness about him, a quiet ache that clung to the air around him.
He turned slowly.
Lei Ying bowed deeply. "Master."
"Mm. Leave us," Bei Qingtian said, voice steady but strained.
Lei Ying withdrew.
Bei Qingtian exhaled, trying to steady himself. He had known the truth for days — that this girl was his daughter. He had prepared himself, convinced he would be calm.
But now, seeing her in person…
He felt fear.
Fear that she would ask why he had abandoned her mother. Fear that she would reject him. Fear that she would hate him.
"Northern King," Tang Kexin said, her voice clear and steady.
Bei Qingtian turned fully — and froze.
Her eyes.
Her eyes were his.
Tang Kexin's breath caught. Her heart stuttered.
This man… This man was her father.
Everything clicked into place.
No wonder the Northern Prince had stared at her. No wonder Lei Ying treated her with reverence. No wonder Ling Yan had been shocked
It was absurd. It was dramatic. It was… dog‑blood.
Her first thought was literally: Dog blood. This is so dog blood.
Then came the second thought:
Who was her mother?
Bei Qingtian swallowed. "I know you are surprised. But it is the truth."
Tang Kexin's expression hardened.
"I wonder why the Northern King seeks me," she said coldly. "Tang Kexin, daughter of the Prime Minister."
Her tone was polite — but distant. She was drawing a line.
She had a father. A mother. A family who loved her. A husband she was learning to accept.
She didn't need a stranger — even one who shared her blood.
If he had known for years… Why now? Why appear only when she was grown?
Bei Qingtian felt the coldness in her voice like a blade.
He had expected anger. He had expected tears. He had expected questions.
But this calm rejection… This quiet refusal to acknowledge him…
It hurt more than he had imagined.
And he realised — painfully — that winning her acceptance would not be easy.
Not easy at all.