Marked by the Tyrant After Transmigrating into a Book - Chapter 13

Ye Shu didn’t answer, but Chang Yuan was the first to react: “No! I have no connection to the Young Master! Everything I did today was of my own volition; it has nothing to do with him!”

Hearing this, Jin Wang patted Ye Shu’s side. “He says it has nothing to do with you. Is that so?”

Ye Shu lowered his eyes.

“Very well…” Jin Wang said tonelessly. “Assassinating the Sovereign warrants the ultimate penalty. Drag him away and execute him by a thousand cuts.”

Ye Shu blurted out, “No!”

This young guard had appeared in the original book. He was indeed the original owner’s confidant and was fiercely loyal. When the original Ye Shu had been captured, Chang Yuan had narrowly escaped. After witnessing his master’s gruesome execution, he had gone into hiding, waiting for a chance to assassinate Jin Wang. Ultimately, his attempt failed, and he died by the same execution method as his master.

Even if he was just a character in a book, Ye Shu couldn’t bear to watch him die before his eyes—especially not for his sake.

Jin Wang asked, “Is my dear official… pleading for this rebel?” His voice was low and heavy with obvious displeasure.

Ye Shu bit his lip. He was about to speak when a muffled groan escaped him instead: “Mmph—!”

Jin Wang’s hand had finally slipped beneath the hem of his robes.

Ye Shu reflexively grabbed Jin Wang’s wrist. There were so many people here. Is this dog emperor insane?

Ye Shu gritted his teeth, whispering a thin plea: “…Don’t.”

But Jin Wang only gave a low hum and easily broke free of Ye Shu’s grip. The arousal from earlier hadn’t faded, and now, under the expert prodding of those hands, it was easily rekindled. Ye Shu felt so sensitive he could hardly bear to be touched; every contact sent a light shiver through him.

However, the cloak hid everything. Only the corners of Ye Shu’s eyes, which were gradually flushing red from the bullying, hinted at what was happening. He felt the patch of skin behind his ear beginning to burn again.

Jin Wang whispered into his ear, “Speak up. Weren’t you going to plead for him?”

Ye Shu couldn’t form words. His subordinate was kneeling right in front of him, and a dozen elite Imperial Guards stood nearby. The tension and shame made him even more vulnerable to this treatment than usual. The other man used only one hand to stir his mind into a hazy fog, yet he deliberately teased him, refusing to give him any release.

Suspended in that agonizing middle ground, Ye Shu reached his limit. He lowered his voice in a soft plea: “Your Majesty… I beg you.”

That “beg” was for the guard, but even more so for himself.

Jin Wang naturally understood the double meaning, but he didn’t let go. Instead, he subtly increased the pressure. “Not enough. You must show me your sincerity, my dear official.”

The Imperial Guards had lowered their heads long before Jin Wang spoke, and the assassin’s head was pressed firmly to the ground. No one could see their movements on the horse.

With a crimson flush at the corners of his eyes, Ye Shu turned his head and pressed a quick kiss to the corner of Jin Wang’s lips. “Is this… enough?”

Jin Wang watched him, whispering, “Still not enough.”

You! Dog! Emperor!

Ye Shu struggled to maintain his sanity, hissing through gritted teeth, “What does Your Majesty want me to do?”

Jin Wang asked, “By that, do you mean I may do whatever I wish?”

In truth, as the Sovereign, Jin Wang could have whatever he wanted; Ye Shu had no right to resist. Yet he insisted on making a show of asking. It was purely intentional!

Ye Shu met his gaze for a moment and squeezed out from between his teeth: “Yes…”

Jin Wang finally let out a soft laugh and commanded, “Everyone, withdraw.”

This was the first assassin to attempt the Sovereign’s life and keep his head. The Imperial Guards escorted the prisoner out of the woods, moving even further away than before.

Jin Wang loosened the cloak wrapped around Ye Shu, and the rich, sweet scent of green plums flooded the forest air. The pheromone scent of the fruit had been pushed to full ripeness, wrapping hungrily around Jin Wang, desperate for comfort.

Jin Wang stopped teasing him. He leaned down to lightly bite and lick the mole behind Ye Shu’s ear, his hand movements quickening. As the Sovereign’s scent was infused into him, Ye Shu’s body tensed sharply before gradually relaxing.

As his mind cleared from the haze, Ye Shu blinked. “…Your Majesty?”

“Feel better?”

Ye Shu wasn’t fully awake yet. He asked dazed, “Why am I…” Why does it feel a bit cold down there?

Before he could finish, Jin Wang’s next move nearly startled him off the horse. “You, you, you… what are you doing?!”

Jin Wang replied, “I just helped you. Shouldn’t you help me in return? Be good. Press your legs together.”

The hunting grounds weren’t far from the traveling palace. Two hours later, Jin Wang rode directly back with Ye Shu in his arms. The latter was exhausted, leaning against Jin Wang’s chest in a half-sleep.

Jin Wang carried him back to the bed in the sleeping quarters and gave his cheek a disdainful pinch. “You’ve grown more and more sluggish these past few days. All you do is sleep. No wonder your constitution is so poor.”

Ye Shu was so tired his eyelids were fighting to stay open. He said weakly, “Yes… Your Majesty is exceptionally vigorous, with the spirit of a dragon and tiger. I naturally cannot compare… I can’t compete at all.”

“…” Jin Wang was amused by his sarcasm. “Just go to sleep.”

Ye Shu wanted nothing more. He rolled to the inner side of the bed and soon stopped moving. Jin Wang carefully tucked him in, then stood and walked outside, where an attendant immediately greeted him.

Jin Wang ordered, “Bring the assassin we captured to see me.”

The attendant bowed. “Yes.”

Inside the Imperial Study, warm incense burned. Jin Wang took a sip of tea and called out tonelessly, “Chang Yuan.”

The man kneeling before the hall was bound in shackles. “…Yes.”

“Minister Ye pleaded with me to spare your life,” Jin Wang said coldly. “Your crime is unforgivable, but in light of your sincere loyalty to him, I will give you a chance.”

He raised his hand, and an attendant presented a pill to Chang Yuan. “This is a potent poison for which there is no cure. Only by taking the secret medicine in my possession can the effects be delayed for one month at a time. Take it, and I will allow you to remain by Minister Ye’s side as a guard.”

A flash of surprise crossed Chang Yuan’s eyes. He hadn’t expected Jin Wang to give him such a choice. Without hesitation, he took the pill and swallowed it.

Jin Wang said, “Unbind him.”

The attendant stepped forward to remove the shackles from Chang Yuan’s hands and feet. Chang Yuan prostrated himself. “Thank… Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Jin Wang said, “All of you, out.”

The attendants withdrew and closed the doors. Only Jin Wang and Chang Yuan remained in the study.

Jin Wang toyed with his teacup and asked, “I remember you were taken in by Shu seven years ago, correct?”

“Yes.”

The ages of Ye Shu, Jin Wang, and Chang Yuan were actually quite close. Chang Yuan was the eldest, while Jin Wang was actually the youngest of the three.

Jin Wang continued, “Back then, I was still a prince. During the struggle for the throne, you actually helped me quite a bit.”

“…I wouldn’t dare. I was merely following the Young Master’s orders.”

“Following the Young Master’s orders…” Jin Wang’s eyes narrowed slightly. “So, if he wanted to kill me, you would help him fulfill that wish?”

Chang Yuan froze and said urgently, “Your Majesty, the Young Master has no treasonous intent! There must be a misunderstanding!”

“Your Master himself confessed to the crime of treason. Why bother covering for him?” Jin Wang snorted coldly. “I will let that matter rest for now; you need not worry. I kept you here to ask something else. You must answer truthfully.”

“Yes.”

Jin Wang didn’t speak immediately. A long silence filled the room. After a long while, Jin Wang asked slowly, “You have been by Shu’s side all these years. Have you felt… that he has changed a great deal recently?”

Chang Yuan was taken aback. “What does Your Majesty mean?”

Jin Wang replied, “Just say yes or no.”

“…Yes,” Chang Yuan hesitated for a moment, then whispered, “The Young Master’s temperament is very different from before. His methods were more ruthless. It’s as if…”

Chang Yuan didn’t dare continue, but the young Emperor sitting on the dragon throne spoke up, finishing his sentence.

“It’s as if, he became a completely different person.”

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