After I Faked My Death, the Dog Emperor Completely Lost His Mind - Chapter 21

As the gaze of those nearby began to focus on him, Shen Yuheng instinctively clutched his shawl, his lips trembling.

Xiao Jin watched this scene with almost palpable enjoyment. His pupils reflected the flash of terror and unease in Shen Yuheng’s eyes it was as if a person usually perched high above had suddenly plummeted into an abyss, isolated and helpless. The restless, chaotic darkness in Xiao Jin’s heart finally found a momentary peace.

“Consort Shen, let your servant lead you away.”

Shen Yuheng was hauled up by the maid who had spilled the wine. Her slender fingers clamped onto his arm with such force that he nearly cried out in pain. This grip… isn’t it a bit too much for a maid?!

[Host! Her eyes look strange!]

Alerted by the System, Shen Yuheng realized the maid’s eyes were bloodshot and hadn’t blinked once. This is… Two words surfaced in his mind: Gu insects.

In the late-game plot of the original book, a courtier secretly introduced Xiao Jin to an elder from the Miao region who specialized in sorcery and Gu. Xiao Jin used these insects to silence the last of the opposition in court. However, that was supposed to be a much later plot point. According to the timeline, that elder shouldn’t have arrived in the capital yet. How could a Gu insect be appearing now?

Before he could think, he was led to a side hall. Seeing the interior was pitch black, Shen Yuheng’s sense of dread intensified. He stopped at the threshold, refusing to go further.

“Um, miss, you can head back first. I really don’t need “

The maid interrupted coldly, her bloodshot eyes staring unblinkingly at him. “Consort Shen, please enter the hall so I may assist you with your change of clothes.” Her fingers remained embedded in his skin like iron rods.

Shen Yuheng dropped the act. He lunged for a nearby pillar and hugged it for dear life, refusing to let go.

Xiao Jin followed the noise and stood silently in the shadows not far behind. He watched as a drenched Shen Yuheng his hair smelling of spilled wine clung desperately to a pillar to avoid being dragged away by the maid. The youth watched the pathetic display and let out a wicked smile.

Shen Yuheng was using every ounce of his strength, his arms already marked with five deep red finger-prints. His eyes were red, but he stubbornly refused to go inside. Tears traced a path down his cheeks as his sleeve was torn in the struggle.

Xiao Jin’s gaze cooled. Is a person as arrogant as Shen Yuheng really willing to look this wretched in front of a servant just to hide that mark? Is he that afraid of losing Imperial Father’s favor, or does he simply loathe the ugly, lingering bite mark I left on him?

Xiao Jin let out a dry laugh. Since he hates it so much, I don’t mind leaving a few more. I can brand his clean skin with all sorts of ugly marks bites, burns, scratches… anything, as long as his precious body is left in tatters. He wanted Shen Yuheng to have nothing; naturally, he didn’t deserve an unblemished body either. The mere thought made Xiao Jin’s breath hitch.

The sounds of laughter from the banquet drowned out Shen Yuheng’s struggle. Just as he was about to resort to kicking the maid and fleeing, a light, masculine voice rang out from behind him.

“Is that you, Yuheng?”

Shen Yuheng snapped his eyes open. At the end of the corridor stood a refined, smiling man who looked vaguely familiar. Who is this?

Xiao Jin, who was about to step out of the shadows, frowned. He retreated further into the darkness, blending into the night.

The newcomer looked a few years older than Shen Yuheng, perhaps twenty-two or twenty-three. He had a lazy, arrogant air, wearing a thick purple sable fur cloak and a jade belt with gold tassels. He looked like the quintessential wealthy scion.

The man walked up to Shen Yuheng, sized him up, and barked at the maid, “How do you do your job? How did the Consort end up like this?”

“Your servant was merely helping him change “

“No need. I’ll help him,” the man waved her off. “Scram. Go receive your punishment.”

The maid’s eyes remained dull as she withdrew her hand. As she left, she muttered under her breath, “This servant deserves to die, this servant deserves to die…”

Watching the maid leave, Shen Tinglan narrowed his eyes. Something was definitely wrong. He had noticed her acting strangely at the banquet her movements were too reckless for a palace maid.

He turned a mocking gaze toward Shen Yuheng. Thanks to that strange maid, he had witnessed quite the scene. Right now, Shen Yuheng looked like a “proper lady” from a scandalous novel who had been thoroughly mistreated. He was soaked in wine, his right sleeve was torn to shreds, and five vivid red finger-prints marked his fair arm. More importantly, he had been bullied into tears.

Seeing the tear-streaked face, Shen Tinglan’s smile deepened. He couldn’t wait to see his younger brother throw a tantrum. He asked with feigned concern, “Yu, is it really worth crying over? Such a proud child, bullied by a servant?”

Shen Yuheng looked up blankly. He wasn’t actually crying anymore; the tears had been a physical reaction to the pain. He wiped his face and asked cautiously, “Um… who are you?”

Shen Tinglan froze. After a moment of silence, he stepped forward, gritting his teeth. “You brat, you dare pretend not to know me? Open your eyes and look!”

Shen Yuheng whispered to the System: [Who is this?! Check now!!]

[Host that’s Shen Tinglan! The original owner’s second brother!]

Second Brother? Shen Yuheng realized he had the memory, but the original owner and Tinglan were rarely home and barely spoke; they were practically strangers.

Like Shen Yuheng, the second brother hadn’t followed the military path. Instead, he had become a wine-loving socialite. But his temper was just as sharp as the eldest brother’s, with an added streak of predatory malice.

“I… I remember. Second Brother,” Shen Yuheng said quickly, trying to soothe him. “I bumped my head a while ago and don’t remember things clearly. Don’t be angry.”

“Hah!” Tinglan sneered, his mask of refinement vanishing. “You remember Yun璟 but not me? You ungrateful little wolf!”

Before Shen Yuheng could explain, he was dragged into the side hall. The room was empty save for a resting bed and a screen. Tinglan threw him inside, his mouth twitching with the urge to laugh. He had wanted to beat Shen Yuheng for years, but at home, their father and eldest brother always protected the youngest. If he touched a hair on Yuheng’s head, he’d be unable to walk for three days.

“Second Brother… what are you doing?” Shen Yuheng asked, feeling apprehensive as Tinglan approached with a grin.

“I want to hit you,” Tinglan said simply.

Shen Yuheng: “…” Well, that’s blunt.

A great man knows when to yield, Shen Yuheng thought. “Brother, I was wrong in the past,” he apologized at light speed. “I’m only nineteen; I made many mistakes when I was younger. Please, don’t let your anger hurt your health.”

Tinglan was stunned. He knew Yuheng was likely just yielding to the situation, but… he’s actually apologizing? He stood there for ten seconds before letting out a frustrated laugh. “Are you… having a hard time in the palace? Who bullied you? That Ninth Prince?”

“It’s fine,” Shen Yuheng said tonelessly. “The Ninth Prince is… okay.”

Seeing his hesitation, Tinglan became even more certain: his brother had been bullied into behaving. He licked his lips with a satisfied smile. He had wanted to see his brother humbled, but now that he saw it, he felt a strange twinge of pity.

He didn’t hit him. Instead, he went out and brought back a set of clean clothes. Shen Yuheng immediately bolted behind the screen to change. When he noticed Tinglan watching, he hid further.

“We’re both men, why the sudden modesty?” Tinglan teased. From behind the screen came the sound of a dropped belt.

Shen Yuheng scrambled to pick it up, relieved when Tinglan muttered, “With shoulders that white, no wonder he likes men.” At least he hadn’t seen the bite mark.

[Don’t worry, Host,] the System whispered. [Tinglan has no idea. Even if he saw it, he’d never suspect Xiao Jin.]

Before leaving, Tinglan told him, “The people Big Brother arranged for you—I’ve brought them. I’ll have them set up the room in a bit. You can meet your guests here.”

Shen Yuheng’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, Second Brother!”

Tinglan immediately flicked his forehead. “Don’t get mushy with me!”

After Tinglan left, servants arrived to light the candles and arrange the room. Now, all that was left was for the officials and Xiao Jin to arrive.

Thinking of Xiao Jin, the bruises on his arm throbbed. Was that maid really controlled by him? If so… why is a late-game ability appearing now?

“Do you think Xiao Jin is a transmigrator too? Or maybe a regressor?” he asked the System.

[Well… that has happened in other Bureau sectors, but I’ve been doing a great job!] the System stammered. [So… probably not?]

“Fine. I’ll take your word for it.”

As Shen Yuheng prepared to look for Xiao Jin, a strange noise came from outside. It sounded like hushed laughter and murmurs the kind of intimate, gasping sounds that made the quiet night air feel suffocating.

He realized instantly what was happening. During banquets, side halls were often used for secret trysts. But he had told Zhou Yuan to keep people away!

“Yaoniang…”

“Your Highness, you mustn’t…”

Highness? Is this ‘lewd rogue’ a prince? Shen Yuheng didn’t want to walk in on anyone’s business. As the sounds drew closer, he looked toward the window to escape, but the door was already being pushed open.

Crap.

In his moment of hesitation, a large, calloused hand covered his face. His gasps were swallowed by the icy palm. Before he could react, he was hauled into a narrow space.

A wardrobe?

He was pinned against the person’s chest. Just as he tried to pull away, a hand clamped firmly over his mouth. He couldn’t make a sound; he could only smell the aggressive scent of frost and snow on the person’s shoulder.

The proximity was suffocating. He tried to retreat, but the space was too tight. In the grip of the hand, he whispered a muffled, frantic “Who?”

In the chaos, the hand moved to his waist, squeezing with such force it felt like his bones might snap. The person heard his gasp of pain and let out a satisfied, heavy breath.

This is a total psycho!!

He prepared to struggle with all his might when hot breath fanned across his ear. The person pressed against his cheek, their voice trembling with a thread of deep-seated hatred as they whispered:

“Mother Consort…”

Shen Yuheng’s pupils contracted.

“It’s me.”

Xiao Jin’s hand slid from his mouth down to his neck, touching the frantic thrumming of his pulse. At the same time, the couple outside pushed into the room, collapsing onto the bed.