Marked by the Tyrant After Transmigrating into a Book - Chapter 11

Jin Wang carried Ye Shu back to the sleeping quarters.

Ye Shu had cried so hard earlier that he still hadn’t fully recovered, letting out soft, rhythmic gasps for air. Jin Wang placed him on the bed and was about to straighten up when a pair of hands tugged at his sleeve.

The youth’s eyes were rimmed with red, his wet lashes still heavy with droplets. His dark eyes were clear and bright, filled with a mixture of unease and fear as he stared up at him like a small rabbit, saying nothing.

No man could withstand such a look.

Jin Wang sighed, leaning down to embrace him once more. “I am not leaving.” He then turned and ordered, “Prepare some hot water.”

The attendants moved to obey. Leaning his head against Jin Wang’s chest, Ye Shu let out a silent sigh of relief.

He had gambled correctly. From the moment Jin Wang pulled out that pill, Ye Shu guessed it wasn’t poison. Jin Wang was the ruler of a nation; if he truly wanted to execute someone, he needed no reason and would brook no defense. The fact that he demanded an explanation meant he didn’t actually want Ye Shu to die.

But even if Jin Wang didn’t want to kill him, the fact that the original owner had plotted treason was undeniable. There was no hiding it, so it was better to admit it frankly. He just hadn’t expected the “dog Emperor” to actually fall for this act.

Does he spend his free time reading romance novels? Ye Shu wondered.

The attendants soon brought the hot water. Jin Wang dismissed them, personally wringing out a silk cloth to wipe Ye Shu’s face.

“A-Yuan…” Ye Shu gripped Jin Wang’s sleeve, his voice thin and trembling. “Am I already dead?”

Jin Wang’s movements paused. “What nonsense are you saying?”

“But I…”

“I told you, that wasn’t poison.” Jin Wang felt a pang of discomfort. “That was the tonic you took before. Can you not taste it?”

It was, in fact, the Breath-Suppressing Pill. Jin Wang had ordered the physician to make extra to keep on hand just in case. He hadn’t expected to use it like this. Having known Ye Shu for over ten years, this was the first time he had seen the man cry so uncontrollably. How much grievance must he have bottled up to be this heartbroken?

As Jin Wang recalled the events of the past few days, he realized everything had taken on a different flavor. He didn’t dare think too deeply—if the youth truly harbored such feelings for him, how would he view the night they spent together, or the frivolous way Jin Wang had treated him since?

Jin Wang took a deep breath, feeling a faint ache in his chest. For the first time, the King felt a trace of regret. He shouldn’t have bullied him so much.

…Wait.

He was the one trying to kill me. Why am I the one feeling guilty? He had almost been led astray by the youth’s logic. Vile Ye Shu.

The cloth grew cold. Jin Wang tossed it back into the basin, his voice suddenly turning cool. “Are you awake now?”

“…” This man’s face changes faster than the weather, Ye Shu thought.

Ye Shu stared at Jin Wang for a moment, then silently crawled out of his embrace, got off the bed, and knelt straight-backed before him.

Jin Wang snapped irritably, “What are you doing now?”

Ye Shu said aggrievedly, “Your servant knows he has committed a grave crime. I ask Your Majesty for punishment.”

The youth had cried until even the tip of his nose was pink. His eyes were misty, and his expression was fragile and pained—a look that made one want to bully him even more.

Jin Wang felt a sudden dryness in his throat and looked away. “You are indeed beyond forgiveness.”

Ye Shu’s eyes dimmed.

“…But I am not one to disregard old ties,” Jin Wang continued. “In consideration of your… honesty today, I can deal with you leniently. Go and receive eighty strokes of the staff, and we shall consider this matter settled.”

Eighty strokes?! Ye Shu thought. That would kill me!

Ye Shu didn’t answer. His eyes quietly turned red again, brimming with visible grievance. Jin Wang seemed to realize the sentence was too heavy for the frail youth. He cleared his throat. “…Fifty, then.”

“…”

Jin Wang looked at the youth’s slender frame again. “Thirty.”

“…”

Jin Wang grew annoyed. “Twenty! No more bargaining! If you can’t take it, I’ll have the Palace Discipline Office administer them in installments!”

Ye Shu, who hadn’t said a single word the entire time: “…”

Ye Shu wasn’t quite sure, so he tentatively asked, “What does it mean to receive them in installments? Does it mean… one stroke a month?”

Jin Wang barked, “Ye Qi’an!”

Ye Shu quickly kowtowed. “Your servant obeys the decree.”

“…”

Jin Wang was nearly incensed enough to die, yet he found himself unable to argue back. Those red eyes were like a needle hitting his weakness, pinning him down completely. He then reconsidered—this person was silver-tongued and an expert at deception. Perhaps that entire confession earlier was a lie.

I nearly fell for it.

Jin Wang’s eyes narrowed, a flash of danger appearing in them. A chill ran down Ye Shu’s spine. He knew the confession on the carriage wasn’t enough to fully fool the Emperor. Jin Wang might have believed him in the heat of the moment, but as he calmed down, his suspicion would only grow.

What should he do?

As they stood in a stalemate—one standing, one kneeling—a eunuch arrived to report, “Your Majesty, the bath is ready.”

The tension vanished instantly. Jin Wang gave Ye Shu a light smile. Ye Shu felt an instinctive sense of doom.

Sure enough, Jin Wang said, “We’ve spent the whole day running about. Shu, come and bathe with me.”

The bathhouse was thick with steam. Ye Shu stood by the white jade pool, his ears flushed from the heat.

“Shu, why haven’t you entered the water yet?” Jin Wang was mostly submerged, his lean, toned chest visible. “Are you unwilling to bathe with me?”

Who would be willing to bathe with you! Is this dog Emperor a pervert?

But since it had been put that way, Ye Shu didn’t dare refuse. He reluctantly took off his outer robe and placed it aside. As he unfastened his inner robe and walked toward the pool, the water suddenly splashed. A hand reached out and yanked Ye Shu into the water.

Dizzy from the sudden movement, Ye Shu found himself pinned firmly against the wall of the pool. He hadn’t even managed to take off his last layer of clothing; now soaked, it clung to his body, leaving him drenched.

Jin Wang lifted Ye Shu’s chin and stared into his eyes, asking deeply, “You say you love me?”

Ye Shu: “…Yes.”

“Then prove it to me.”

Another test. Dog Emperor.

Ye Shu deliberately turned his head away, avoiding Jin Wang’s gaze. After a long silence, he whispered, “I… I don’t know how to prove it.”

“It’s no matter. I will teach you,” Jin Wang said, brushing the droplets from Ye Shu’s lashes and whispering into his ear. “Seduce me once, of your own accord, and I will believe you.”

Ye Shu froze, his cheeks instantly turning a deep scarlet. Jin Wang didn’t miss a single reaction, his tone remaining flat. “If you are unwilling to do even this, how can you say you love me?”

Jin Wang turned as if to leave, but Ye Shu caught him. The youth’s lips trembled as he whispered, “I… I am willing.”

Jin Wang stayed still. Ye Shu closed his eyes and slowly pressed his lips against Jin Wang’s. “I love you… it’s true. Please believe me.”

The youth’s technique was clumsy. His trembling lips pressed against Jin Wang’s, but he soon didn’t know how to continue. Jin Wang sneered inwardly, caught the youth’s wrists, and pinned him back against the jade wall, taking control of the kiss.

Both of their breaths became ragged. Suddenly, Ye Shu’s body stiffened, and he began to struggle desperately.

Jin Wang pulled back slightly, letting out a mocking laugh. “Can’t keep up the act? I knew you—”

Jin Wang’s voice cut off abruptly. They were so close that even the slightest change was obvious. Jin Wang looked at Ye Shu in disbelief. Under such humiliating circumstances, he could actually…

Ye Shu was no less shocked than Jin Wang. His acting wasn’t that good—that reaction definitely wasn’t faked. It was just a kiss; is there something wrong with that part of my body?

I should just chop it off!

Ye Shu’s ears were completely red. He could no longer act, so he simply turned his head away, wishing he could dig a hole and bury himself. But to Jin Wang, this expression looked like the agony of someone unable to bear the humiliation of their own physical response.

Suddenly, everything became clear to him. “Ah, Shu…”

After a long while, Jin Wang let out a soft sigh and pulled the youth’s tense body back into his embrace. Ye Shu’s jaw trembled, and he gripped Jin Wang’s wrist with force. “Don’t. Touch. Me.”

“Why be shy? I believe you now, is that not enough?” Jin Wang pushed his hand aside and whispered into his ear. “Don’t move. I won’t bully you this time… I’ll help you.”

Ye Shu’s resistance was practically non-existent in front of Jin Wang. And soon, he didn’t even have that little bit of resistance left.

…

The sound of splashing water continued for a long time. Ye Shu had spent the night crying and shouting, and after being “bullied” by Jin Wang in the bath, he eventually collapsed into a deep sleep and was carried back to the bedchamber.

The moment he hit the bed, Ye Shu rolled to the inner side, leaving only his thin, slender back facing Jin Wang. Jin Wang lay down as well.

He believed Ye Shu’s words from today, yet he still felt a trace of doubt. Even if this person loved him, it didn’t erase the crime of attempted regicide. To Jin Wang, he was always a risk.

Yes, a risk. Therefore, I must never…

The person beside him suddenly shifted, turning over and burrowing into Jin Wang’s embrace. Like a small animal, he nuzzled against Jin Wang until he found a comfortable position and went still. Jin Wang held the youth’s soft, warm body. After a moment, his consciousness drifted.

…What was I thinking about just now?

Right. He abandoned the assassination today because he loves me. But what if one day that love fades? Emotions in this world never last. I should still…

“Jin Wang…” the sleeping youth suddenly murmured in his dream. “Why do you never believe me…”

Jin Wang’s heart skipped a beat. The youth huddled in his arms, his voice raspy as he accused, “You never believe me…”

…Fine.

Jin Wang closed his eyes, letting out a sigh of surrender. “I will believe you one more time. The very last time.”

“If you dare to lie to me again, I will certainly kill you.”

“A King’s word is final.”

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