Marked by the Tyrant After Transmigrating into a Book - Chapter 15

Hearing Jin Wang’s demand, the first thing that flashed through Ye Shu’s mind was his own origin.

If there was a secret he possessed that absolutely no one else knew, it was the fact that he was a transmigrator. But he didn’t dare say it. Not only would it be impossible for Jin Wang to believe him, but more importantly…

Jin Wang’s current treatment of him was rooted in his past history with the original owner. If he found out that Ye Shu was an imposter, would he have any chance of survival?

But what else could he say?

Jin Wang noticed his hesitation and asked, “Is it that you don’t want to tell me?” He didn’t ask if a secret existed; he asked about the willingness to share it. Jin Wang was a keen judge of character; lying to his face was never a wise move.

The carriage swayed gently as it moved. The interior remained silent for a long while.

Ye Shu whispered, “…Can I choose not to say it for now?”

Jin Wang raised an eyebrow. “For now?”

“Yes… I’ll owe it to you.” Ye Shu bit his lip and promised, “One day in the future, I will definitely tell Your Majesty.”

Jin Wang stared intently at Ye Shu. The young man’s eyes were clear and sincere, devoid of any deception. Something soft in Jin Wang’s heart stirred.

Seeing no answer, Ye Shu scooted closer to Jin Wang. He ducked his head, burrowing under the arm Jin Wang was using to hold his tea. “Your Majesty, I don’t want to say it right now. Just let me owe you for a few days.”

In this posture, the distance between them vanished instantly. Jin Wang’s expression shifted. “Get down!”

Ye Shu didn’t budge. After spending the better part of a month together, he had long since figured out Jin Wang’s attitude toward him. This man was “sharp-tongued but soft-hearted.” On the surface, he seemed cold and untouchable, but in reality, he was incredibly susceptible to this kind of behavior; he simply couldn’t handle it when Ye Shu acted spoiled or submissive.

If a man like this existed in real history, he’d probably be a “faint-hearted ruler” led astray by a seductive consort. Fortunately, Ye Shu had no intention of ruining the country—he just wanted to live.

Ye Shu wrapped his arms around Jin Wang’s neck, acting spoiled with practiced ease. “Your Majesty, please just agree.”

How could Jin Wang not see through him? He let out a low laugh, set down his teacup, and pulled the man into his lap. “It’s not impossible for my dear official to owe me. If you let me ‘consort’ with you here in the carriage just once, I’ll agree.”

Ye Shu’s body stiffened. …This dog emperor really knows how to play.

Naturally, no one dared board the Sovereign’s carriage, but it had zero soundproofing. To make matters worse, the curtains on both sides didn’t close tightly, revealing gaps whenever the carriage hit a bump. With so many experts outside, it was almost impossible to remain undetected.

Ye Shu tried to move away inconspicuously, but Jin Wang held him tighter. “What, unwilling?”

“I… my body has been feeling unwell these past few days…”

Jin Wang lowered his eyes, smiling. “Where is it unwell? Shall I check for you?”

“…”

Ye Shu stared at Jin Wang for a moment, then suddenly shoved him away and lunged for the curtain. “Blegh—!”

Jin Wang: “…”

Ye Shu vomited until he was dizzy and seeing stars, yet he didn’t forget to turn back and explain: “Your Majesty, listen to me, I didn’t do it on purp—blegh—”

Jin Wang: “…………”

This wave of nausea had come without warning. Ye Shu felt his stomach churning with acid. He’d had no appetite when he woke up and had only been forced by Jin Wang to swallow a few sips of congee; now, he had emptied it all out.

A moment later, a pair of hands reached over to support his shoulders. A cup of tea was held to his lips.

“Have some water.” Jin Wang rhythmically stroked Ye Shu’s back. After helping him drink, he took out a silk handkerchief to wipe his mouth, saying disdainfully, “Fainting at blood and now motion sickness… what a useless body you have.”

Despite his words, he pulled Ye Shu back into his embrace. Ye Shu slumped against him, too exhausted to argue. He merely looked up with watery, reddened eyes, appearing utterly innocent.

Was this my choice?? Besides, I never used to get motion sickness! …It must be the original owner’s fault.

By the time the carriage entered the Imperial City, the sun was nearing the horizon. The Sovereign’s grand imperial sedan was already prepared, with attendants on both sides bowing low.

The carriage came to a halt, but no one emerged for a long time. Among the crowd, a bold palace maid looked up. Just then, the carriage curtain was pulled aside, and the Sovereign stepped out, carrying a young man in his arms.

The young man appeared thin and frail; his face was hidden, and from the maid’s angle, only half of his handsome, pale profile was visible. He lay quietly in the Emperor’s arms, looking as if… he were asleep?

Jin Wang looked straight ahead, carrying the youth from the carriage directly into the imperial sedan. The gauze curtains of the sedan fell, completely shielding them from view. As the sedan moved away, the attendants began to whisper.

“Is that the consort the Emperor is about to bring into the harem?” “The Emperor carried him personally… I’ve never seen His Majesty show someone such favor.” “I wonder how long it will last. His Majesty used to treat Minister Ye exceptionally well, and look how that ended…”

The sentence trailed off. The attendants looked at each other, not daring to continue. Ever since the Left Minister, Ye Shu, had been “publicly executed,” his name had become a taboo. Anyone discussing the matter either vanished or met with sudden misfortune. Rumors swirled through the palace that Minister Ye’s restless spirit was seeking revenge.

The attendants quickly dispersed. Behind the crowd, only the maid who had looked up earlier remained, staring at the departing sedan with a thoughtful expression.

Inside the imperial sedan, Jin Wang looked down at the pale face in his arms and pulled a blanket around him. Ye Shu’s motion sickness had been severe; he had vomited every half hour. A two-hour journey from the traveling palace had taken twice as long.

The imperial sedan was smaller than the carriage, and holding someone inside wasn’t exactly comfortable. Ye Shu’s brows knit tightly, and he let out a low moan as he woke.

Jin Wang soothed him in a low voice, “We’re almost at the sleeping quarters. Just endure a bit longer.”

“Mm…” Ye Shu pressed his forehead, whispering weakly, “I am never riding in a carriage again.”

Jin Wang scoffed, “It’s all because your constitution is too weak. Have you ever seen anyone else like this?”

Ye Shu was silent for a moment before explaining, “…Your Majesty, motion sickness and fainting at blood are innate. It has nothing to do with physical strength…”

Jin Wang raised an eyebrow.

Ye Shu instantly corrected himself: “…Right. You are absolutely correct.”

They arrived at the sleeping quarters. Jin Wang didn’t let Ye Shu’s feet touch the ground, carrying him all the way to the bed. Having been tormented by the carriage all day, Ye Shu kicked off his shoes and outer robes the moment he hit the mattress, rolled to the inner side, and wrapped himself in the quilt like a cocoon.

Jin Wang removed his own outer robe, turned around, and saw the youth had already “settled” himself quite decisively. He shook his head with a laugh. “I am going to the Imperial Study to meet several ministers. Sleep a while longer. If you’re hungry, have them prepare a meal; don’t wait for me.”

Under the covers, Ye Shu’s head nodded. “Mm-hmm.”

Jin Wang changed into a black-and-gold dragon robe. He walked to the bedside and removed the jade hairpin from Ye Shu’s hair. “You’ve vomited many times today; it likely involves a stomach ailment. Remember to have Physician Feng check on you tomorrow.”

Ye Shu was so sleepy he could barely open his eyes. He mumbled, “I know.”

Jin Wang laughed, placed the jade hairpin on the nightstand, and ordered the windows closed and lamps dimmed before leaving.

When Ye Shu woke again, the sky was pitch black. The palace was silent, save for the cold moonlight spilling through the window. He stared at the gauze canopy above, needing a moment to remember where he was.

A moment later, he sat up and whispered, “Chang Yuan?”

The slightly ajar window flickered, and a figure was suddenly kneeling before him. “Young Master.”

Ye Shu glanced out the window. Chang Yuan understood immediately: “Rest assured, Young Master. The Emperor was worried you’d be disturbed and moved the servants far away. They cannot hear us.”

“Good.” Ye Shu nodded. “I called you because I want to know—what did Jin Wang say to you?”

Chang Yuan was the original owner’s confidant. He knew everything about the treason plot. He recounted the entire conversation from the traveling palace in detail.

Ye Shu grew increasingly alarmed as he listened. When Chang Yuan finished, Ye Shu said slowly, “He… is still suspicious of me.”

Chang Yuan lowered his eyes and didn’t answer. Ye Shu asked, “What about you? Do you suspect me?”

“I have never doubted you,” Chang Yuan replied. “I stay by your side; no matter what you do or decide, I follow orders. What I said to the Emperor earlier was only to gauge his thoughts regarding you.”

Ye Shu nodded. “You did well.”

Chang Yuan asked, “What is your next plan, Young Master?”

Ye Shu hesitated. During his time by Jin Wang’s side, he had spent every day thinking about how to appease the tyrant and stay alive. He had almost forgotten that he originally intended to flee.

“I…” Ye Shu’s voice felt inexplicably dry. “Of course, I must leave this place as soon as possible.”

“I understand,” Chang Yuan said.

Ye Shu added, “But there’s no rush. The Emperor is watching me closely right now. we must plan this carefully.”

“Yes.”

Silence returned to the dark hall. Ye Shu felt a sudden, inexplicable restlessness. He fell back onto the bed, and his hand brushed against the jade hairpin on the pillow.

When he first arrived in this world, Ye Shu didn’t know how to bind his hair and often forgot to remove his ornaments. In the first few days, he had been poked by the pins in his sleep several times. Fearing he would hurt himself, Jin Wang had started removing the pins for him every night. Over time, it had become a habit.

The jade was cool to the touch. Ye Shu’s racing thoughts gradually calmed down. There’s no use overthinking. For now, the priority is to keep the dog emperor happy!

Ye Shu sat up. “Where is the Emperor now?”

“Likely the Imperial Study.”

“Have a meal prepared. I’m going to see him.”

Fifteen minutes later, Ye Shu arrived at the Imperial Study carrying a food basket. The study was brightly lit. Gao Jin, the Head Attendant, was guarding the door. Seeing Ye Shu, he prepared to announce him, but Ye Shu signaled him to remain silent.

Gao Jin understood and stepped aside. Ye Shu pushed the door open.

Inside, Jin Wang didn’t even look up. “Did I not say that no one is to disturb me unless it is urgent?”

The newcomer didn’t speak. Jin Wang looked up and froze.

The young man, dressed in simple robes, stepped into the room with the moonlight behind him. His long hair was loose, glowing faintly under the moon’s rays. As the doors closed behind him, Ye Shu looked into Jin Wang’s eyes and smiled.

“Eating alone is quite boring. I’ve come to join Your Majesty for dinner.”

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