After I Faked My Death, the Dog Emperor Completely Lost His Mind - Chapter 29

Xiao Jin’s words caused the tips of Shen Yuheng’s fingers to go instantly cold. Seeing Shen Yuheng’s expression of disbelief, a shallow, wicked smile curled on Xiao Jin’s lips.

“…I didn’t just see it,” he said, winding a stray lock of hair near Shen Yuheng’s trembling cheek around his finger. “I followed Imperial Father to the bedchamber and heard strange noises. I walked over and saw…”

Shen Yuheng, weak and sore from the fever, suddenly used all his strength to grab Xiao Jin’s arm, stopping him from saying another word. He had no idea what the Emperor had actually done to him, and he didn’t dare think about it the sensations of tearing and pain were already too vivid to leave room for imagination.

“Don’t…” His face was flushed, and his voice was almost pleading as he held on tight. “Don’t say it…”

The delirium of the fever was completely replaced by a sharp sense of shame. His eyes trembled, and tears of fear and humiliation pooled in his eyes, unable to fall or be pulled back. This sight deeply pleased Xiao Jin; a surge of intense pleasure flooded his brain, making even his scalp tingle. He suppressed the twitch of his lips, squeezed out a look he thought was comforting, and held Shen Yuheng’s hand.

“Mother Consort, are you afraid?”

Shen Yuheng didn’t answer, but his physical reaction said everything. Images of Consort Yi’s glazed eyes and Xiao Huai’s indifferent face as he wiped blood from his sword flashed before him. The Emperor’s volatility occasional warmth and mercy mixed with bone-chilling cold-bloodedness felt like it was tearing a person in half.

“Imperial Father only likes you too much,” Xiao Jin said, his eyes narrowed as he coaxed him. “If he can’t keep something he desires, he will hold it tight even in death. Mother Consort… if he asks you to be buried with him, would you still be willing?”

Shen Yuheng shook his head violently. The reaction caused his fever to flare again, sending a dizzying heat through him. Xiao Jin pressed him back down, his fingers tightening as they touched Shen Yuheng’s sweat-drenched shoulder. How could he leave? How could he even think of leaving?

Through a daze, Shen Yuheng opened his eyes a sliver. “The… lock?” he croaked. “The… Long Life Lock I gave you… did you get it?”

Xiao Jin’s eyes froze for a moment. He thought of the broken silver lock he had smashed into two pieces. “…Yes,” he lied.

“That’s good,” Shen Yuheng murmured before drifting back into a deep, long coma, leaving the youth standing alone in the shadows by the bed. Xiao Jin stared at Shen Yuheng’s face, wanting to punish himself, yet the man’s image only became more indelible in his heart. He clenched his fists until his nails dug into his palms. As long as he stays… once Xiao Huai is dead, how I humiliate him will be my freedom.

By the following evening, Shen Yuheng’s fever finally broke. He was so exhausted he couldn’t even lift a finger. Fortunately, his skin felt dry; it seemed someone had changed his clothes, sparing him the sticky feeling of sweat. However, he had grown much thinner from his brush with death.

Zhou Yuan, the first to find him awake, called Imperial Physician Xu. After confirming the fever hadn’t caused lasting damage, the physician prescribed some formulas and told him: “The Consort must rest and avoid any more shocks.”

As if I have a choice, Shen Yuheng thought bitterly.

“Master,” Zhou Yuan whispered, “should I let the Ninth Prince come in? He’s been at your side caring for you since you were brought back yesterday he even changed your inner robes himself.”

Shen Yuheng was stunned. A person who had always been cold and biting had suddenly grown a conscience. The System was excited: [Xiao Jin knows how to care for people now! This is a sign of redemption!]

Shen Yuheng blinked slowly as memories of the previous day returned. Even though no new horror had occurred, a chill climbed his body. He asked Zhou Yuan: “What about Consort Yi?”

“…Consort Yi is dead. His Majesty had her body buried under a peach tree outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.”

When Shen Yuheng asked if other fallen consorts were buried there, Zhou Yuan knelt and begged for forgiveness for “polluting the Master’s ears” with such talk, but the answer was yes.

Shen Yuheng shivered, recalling Xiao Jin’s warning that Xiao Huai would hold onto his desires even in death. The consorts under the peach tree stay with him through the seasons… but what if there are no more seasons for him? The only remaining option was funeral sacrifice.

“There is one more thing,” Zhou Yuan said, his smile fading. “General Shen was injured yesterday while rushing back to the front lines. The Emperor has now ordered General Shen Chong to lead the search for Xiao Qi in the mountains.”

Shen Yuheng’s fingertips went white. The System panicked: [Host, what do we do? Should you ask Xiao Huai to let the Great General return?]

“He planned this,” Shen Yuheng realized. One didn’t need a legend like Shen Chong to catch a common criminal; this was a move to threaten Shen Yuheng with the safety of his family. “I could beg him, but what about next time? How does this end?”

He had to find a permanent solution. He told Zhou Yuan: “…Let Xiao Jin in. I have words for him.”

A moment later, the youth in the black fox-fur cloak entered. Since his birthday, Xiao Jin had grown much taller; ignoring the gloom in his brow, he was an exceptionally handsome young man. His dark eyes were vibrant with a cold, terrifying smile.

“Mother Consort,” he said easily, using the term that used to cause him so much pain.

Shen Yuheng didn’t look away. “Is what you told me yesterday true?”

“To what does Mother Consort refer?”

“You said you saw someone in my room at night. Was it the Emperor?”

Xiao Jin’s answer was brief: “Yes.”

Shen Yuheng closed his eyes in despair. “If the Shen family supports your ascension, can you protect their safety?”

Xiao Jin studied him, disappointed that the man who had begged him not to leave yesterday was now only speaking of politics. He sneered: “If I take the throne, you will be the Empress Dowager. Who would dare touch your family then?”

Shen Yuheng was stunned; a male consort becoming Empress Dowager was unheard of. But Xiao Jin rarely lied about such things. If he were Empress Dowager, he wouldn’t have to be a funeral sacrifice. “From now on, the Shen family stands with you.”

He knew Xiao Jin would likely win regardless; he was simply using his knowledge of the future to secure a brighter path for his family. After Xiao Jin left, he sat in silence.

The System comforted him: [Host, this was the only way. Xiao Huai isn’t grateful to your family; he’s using them. You had to choose this.]

“Master,” Zhou Yuan said, returning to the room with a look of hesitation. “His Majesty has selected a new group of concubines. He asks that you go and help him choose.”