Chapter 44

"Common... It's the middle of the night, and a couple taking advantage of it to reunite... No one could find fault about it..." Ye Lanjue lightly and very softly spouted every single words like it was nothing but natural to say so.

"…" For a moment, Tang Kexin suddenly felt like she had lost her ability to speak nor rationalise. Was... was this really the third prince?

What he meant was, if someone by accident had found out his presence inside the Palace, he would simply say that he was here for a private meeting with her? Wasn't he a bit too presumptuous?

At this moment, the image of the third prince in her mind had been completely overturned. People talking about him being cold and indifferent, being righteous, being heroic and prodigious were all but lies!

Because he was nothing but a dark, sinister fox! So sinister that he was absolutely unparalleled under the heavens.

In the next moment, his body furtherly pressed down on her. His originally unhurried aura instantly froze, causing Tang Kexin's heart to freeze along with it for a moment. Ye Lanjue immediately discovered that Imperial Guard Zhan was walking towards them, clearly intending to return to Kuan'An Palace.

Tang Kexin's body did not move one bit nor made a sound. She even subconsciously held her breath.

Ye Lanjue was so close to her that he was practically sticking close to her. Naturally, he could clearly feel all of her reactions, including her heartbeat and her aura. He looked at her with a flash of inquisitiveness. Her vigilance was really high, and her reaction was definitely fast.

How could a fool who had just recovered from eighteen years of foolishness would suddenly have such abilities?

"He came back so soon?" When Imperial Guard Zhan was already far away from the rock mountain, Tang Kexin slightly frowned. This speed was way too fast even for a military personnel who had to consider every minute when doing personal activities. So what did he do?

"Was it? It's a pity to hear you use that tone." The corner of Ye Lanjue's mouth slightly pulled, his words contained a bit of ridicule, but his voice seemed to have turned colder.

As he spoke, he suddenly wrapped his arm around her waist and tightened his grip.

"Your Highness!" Tang Kexin was shocked at his actions. What was he planning to do?

"Do you think you can make it back to the Kuan'An Palace before the Imperial Guards make it to their posts?" Ye Lanjue indifferently swept a glance at her, his voice also very indifferent. Only, that cold gaze hidden in the darkness seemed to take on a more serious air.

Tang Kexin instantly understood what he meant. With her speed, she definitely wouldn't be able to make it back inside Kuan'an Palace before the guard formation. If she couldn't make it back before the guard could be in their rightful station, it would be extremely difficult for her to sneak back in, and the consequences would be unthinkable if she tried.

In addition, things like the so-called difference between a man and a woman should be avoided too. However, she was just hugged by him, repressed by him, and even kissed by him (or her kissing him? Whatever!). If she were to avoid suspicion and a commotion now, she had to accept his help, or would beg him to help her if he would not be willing. Because if this kind of situation would be gone out of hand, like it might be misunderstood as them having some private romantic rendezvous, it would surely attract the gossipmongers, and she would be ruined...

However, would he simply help her like this? After the numerous instances that had happened between them, the third prince's petty grudges had already settled in Tang Kexin's heart. Thus, whatever he was trying to imply right now cast a shadow over her heart.

Yet, before Tang Kexin even had to say anything, Ye Lanjue without a word simply picked her up and left the rock mountain with his superb qinggong.

His speed was so fast that it made Tang Kexin speechless. Now she finally understood why every time he appeared, he was like a ghost that couldn't be noticed.

By the time Tang Kexin came back to her senses, Ye Lanjue had already walking her towards her room. Obviously, Guard Zhan hadn't returned yet.

Tang Kexin's eyes flashed. Eh? How did he know where her room was?

But she didn't have the time to ponder over this question. Because soon after they entered, gasps and moans from the room next door had frozen her.

Wasn't this emperor too overbearing? She had gone for a considerable time, and yet until now...?

However, the emperor and the empress were a real husband and wife. And in ancient times, people marry at a young age. So, basically both were still young—the empress was only in her mid-thirties, whilst the emperor wasn't even forty. Thus, this was but normal.

Also, this was enough to show that the emperor was extremely infatuated with the empress, which was a good thing for her.

However, this situation was so awkward…

Earlier, she didn't mind this at all, but now, it's different! Right now, she was with a man, and to listen something like this with him alone in a room was quite uncomfortable! How could she not be? Moreover, Ye Lanjue was still holding her tightly in his arms and seemed to not have any plan of releasing her.

She could hear those sounds so clearly, what was more with Ye Lanjue. Then for a split-second, Tang Kexin felt the Third Prince's body stiffen, then tense.

Tang Kexin secretly breathed out as she tried her best to calm herself down. However, the 'situation' from the next room was getting more and more intense. At this moment, in the darkness, only she and Ye Lanjue were together. And in this kind of ambiance, for a man and a woman, it couldn't be helped but both be on fire!

'Pui, pui, pui! Tang Kexin, you, what are you thinking about? What the hell!'

"Thank you, Your Highness, for sending me back." Tang Kexin could only try her best to keep her voice low and slightly exerted her strength in an attempt to break free of his embrace.

Tonight, it was indeed thanks to him for sending her back inside the palace right in time. Although his sudden appearance had stopped her from following Guard Zhan, but the truth couldn't be ignored that if not for him, she might be in a dangerous position.

So whatever animosity she had with him had temporarily vanished. But how could she properly thank him in this kind of situation? And looking at the Third Prince's playful expression, it would surely be a long night to keep him at bay!

Feeling the woman in his embrace to be struggling to break free from him, Ye Lanjue lightly smiled flirtatiously, "What...? Are you afraid?" His eyes sparkled while teasing Tang Kexin, his hand still wrapped around her waist. "This Prince thinks that you're too daring…" In the darkness, his eyes seemed to have a strange tint as he stared straight at her face, as if he wanted to see through her.

There seemed to be a few traces of probing in those eyes, but there was also a certain darkness.

Tang Kexin's heart skipped a beat and she subconsciously swallowed her saliva. "Your Highness, this is really inappropriate! If someone sees or even heard of your presence in my room, then my reputation will be damaged—"

"Hmph, your reputation? Now you remembered your reputation..." He humphed slightly, interrupting her words coldly. Not only did he not let go of her waist, he even tightened his grip.

"Are you discussing your reputation with this Prince now? Isn't it too late for that?" His voice suddenly became heavy, and seemed to have some other emotion. As he spoke, his other hand suddenly lifted upwards.

Looking at the movement of his hand Tang Kexin's heart suddenly stopped. 'What... what is this man trying to do now? And what did he mean by saying that discussing about her reputation was too late? Ugh! Could he talk simply!'