Marked by the Tyrant After Transmigrating into a Book - Chapter 22

Ye Shu reached out and tugged at the gold chain around his ankle, confirming that the other end was thoroughly locked.

“…”

 

Jin Wang’s method of preventing him from escaping was truly simple and crude.

 

You’re still the same old dog, Jin Wang.

 

It was Ye Shu’s first time encountering such a predicament. He sat on the bed in a daze, caught between laughter and tears. The gold chain lay scattered across the plain white silk quilt, its end fastened to his ankle. It made his skin look even fairer and more delicate, adding an indescribable sense of ambiguity to the scene. It seemed as though this setup made it particularly easy for certain unsavory things to happen.

 

Thinking back to what had happened earlier, Ye Shu shuddered.

 

Suddenly, a warm body pressed against him from behind. “You’re awake?”

 

The voice was thick with hoarseness, making Ye Shu’s ears tingle.

 

“Do you like the gift I gave you?” Jin Wang rested his head on Ye Shu’s shoulder and turned to look at him with a smile in his eyes. “I had it custom-made specifically for you.”

 

Ever since Ye Shu’s escape, Jin Wang had commissioned the item. Seven days was just enough time for the gold chain to be forged.

 

“…” Ye Shu gave a dry laugh. “Your Majesty, I won’t run away again.”

 

Jin Wang smiled. “I don’t believe you.”

 

Ye Shu looked piteous. “Your Majesty!”

 

Jin Wang asked with feigned concern, “Are you hungry? I’ll have Gao Jin bring in the meal.”

 

“Jin Lingyuan!”

 

“I’m here.”

 

Ye Shu sighed, feeling helpless. “How long are you going to keep me locked up?”

 

“Until you no longer think about leaving,” Jin Wang said as he led Ye Shu to his feet, his voice extremely gentle. “The chain is long enough for you to move around the bedchamber. Just be careful not to trip when you walk.”

 

Jin Wang helped Ye Shu put on his shoes and draped a cloak over him. “Let’s eat first.”

 

Jin Wang went out to order the attendants to serve the meal. Ye Shu was already so hungry his stomach was sticking to his back. He didn’t have the energy to stay angry at Jin Wang and focused entirely on filling his belly.

 

Ye Shu ate happily while Jin Wang watched him from time to time. Finally, after Ye Shu had finished six pastries, two bowls of soup, and three bowls of rice—and looked like he wanted a fourth—Jin Wang couldn’t help but speak up.

 

“Did Duan Chengzhi not feed you these past few days?”

 

Jin Wang’s tone was unpleasant. He was thinking that if Ye Shu said yes, he would immediately add those hundred strikes to the man’s punishment. Ye Shu’s cheeks were puffed out like a squirrel’s. He blinked innocently and shook his head.

 

Jin Wang frowned. “Did he really mistreat you?”

 

“No, no,” Ye Shu quickly stopped him. “He treated me quite well, really.”

 

During the past few days, Ye Shu had been in a daze, eating only during brief intervals of wakefulness. However, that man hadn’t mistreated him; he had provided good food and drink, even helping Ye Shu gain a little weight. It was only today, because of the move to the palace, that Ye Shu hadn’t had a chance to eat since the afternoon.

 

Jin Wang remained skeptical. While he was thinking, Ye Shu quickly grabbed another sweet pastry and devoured it like a whirlwind.

 

That was the seventh one.

 

Jin Wang coughed lightly and advised subtly, “Ashu, it’s not good to overeat.”

 

“…” Ye Shu looked at the dishes in front of him, then at Jin Wang, feeling a bit displeased. Locking him up was one thing, but now he wasn’t allowed to eat his fill? Even Duan Chengzhi wasn’t like this. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. He put down his chopsticks with a huff.

 

Jin Wang sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Eat, go ahead and eat.”

 

Satisfied and full, Ye Shu lay on the small couch, rubbing his stomach contentedly. Jin Wang was focused on reviewing memorials under the lamp.

 

How boring. I want to cause trouble.

 

Ye Shu said, “Jin Wang.”

 

Jin Wang didn’t look up. “What is it?”

 

“I want to admire the moon.”

 

Jin Wang stood up and opened the window for him, letting the cool moonlight spill in.

 

Ye Shu said, “There’s no atmosphere admiring the moon from inside. I want to go for a stroll in the Imperial Garden.”

 

“It’s already the hour of the Pig,” Jin Wang said patiently.

 

“So what?” Ye Shu sat up. “When else are you supposed to admire the moon if not at night?”

 

Jin Wang didn’t answer. Ye Shu stood up and, without putting on shoes, took a few steps toward Jin Wang. He wasn’t used to the chain on his leg yet. As he reached the table, he nearly tripped, but Jin Wang caught him in time.

 

“You!” Jin Wang was shaken. “Didn’t I tell you to be careful? What if you fall?”

 

“It’s your fault for making me wear this. I’m not used to it.” Ye Shu paused, then said nonchalantly, “And so what if I fall? The floors in the Hall of Mental Cultivation are covered in plush carpets. Even if you dropped a porcelain doll, it wouldn’t break. Am I that fragile?”

 

“…”

 

Jin Wang was so angry he wanted to hit someone. But he couldn’t. This person couldn’t be bumped or bruised right now, yet he remained blissfully unaware of his condition. It made the irritation twice as effective.

 

Jin Wang took a deep breath and forced a smile. “But I’m worried you’ll hurt yourself. To ease my mind, why don’t we shorten the chain so you only stay on the bed every day? What do you think?”

 

Ye Shu’s expression froze, and he shook his head repeatedly. “No, no, no!”

 

Jin Wang’s tone was very considerate. “Didn’t you say you weren’t used to wearing it?”

 

“I’ll get used to it! I’ll be used to it in no time!” Ye Shu said sheepishly. “No need to shorten it.”

 

Jin Wang smiled with satisfaction. He pulled Ye Shu into his arms and sat down at the table. “If you’re not sleepy, stay with me and look at these memorials.”

 

“I don’t want to. I want to see the moon.”

 

“Then go to sleep.”

 

“I won’t.” Ye Shu hooked his arms around Jin Wang’s neck, his voice soft and sweet. “I just want to go for a casual walk. Let me go, Brother Jin Wang.”

 

The hand Jin Wang was using to hold the memorial trembled. Ye Shu noticed the reaction and laughed inwardly. His voice became even more sugary. “Brother Jin Wang, is it really not allowed?”

 

The tips of Jin Wang’s ears turned red. He said awkwardly, “Don’t, don’t call me that.”

 

“Then what should I call you?” Ye Shu leaned close to his ear and whispered, “Whatever you want to hear, I’ll satisfy you.”

 

Jin Wang’s ears turned even redder. But Ye Shu refused to let him off, calling him “Brother Jin Wang” over and over, each time softer than the last.

 

Unable to take it anymore, Jin Wang tossed him back onto the bed and kissed him fiercely. A moment later, Jin Wang let go. Ye Shu was out of breath and didn’t dare to play around anymore.

 

Jin Wang looked up at him, his eyes filled with desire. “Ashu, don’t push me.”

 

Ye Shu couldn’t detect his own scent, but Jin Wang could. That scent of green plums had never fully dissipated; it teased him constantly, making it hard to stay calm. If it weren’t for the child in Ye Shu’s belly…

 

Jin Wang’s eyes darkened. He felt a tightness in his chest. He stood up and looked away. “It’s too late tonight. Rest first. I’ll take you to see the moon earlier tomorrow.”

 

He started to walk out. Ye Shu asked, “Where are you going?”

 

“To take a bath.”

 

“…”

 

The next day was a day off. After lunch, Jin Wang summoned the imperial physician to examine Ye Shu. Ye Shu sat on the couch and let the physician take his pulse.

 

After a moment, Imperial Physician Feng said, “The young master’s pulse is stable. His body and, cough, anyway, he is in good health. Your Majesty can rest assured.”

 

Ye Shu thought, That pause was way too suspicious.

 

Physician Feng asked, “Have you had any discomfort lately?”

 

Ye Shu thought about it. “Yes.” He didn’t know if it was because he’d been eating too much, but his abdomen often felt bloated lately, like something was weighing it down.

 

When Ye Shu told him the symptom, the physician replied, “This is a normal phenomenon. I will prescribe some medicine to alleviate it.”

 

Ye Shu asked, “Is it related to a stomach ailment?”

 

“Yes,” Physician Feng said after another long pause.

 

Ye Shu looked at him suspiciously. Why the hesitation?

 

Ignoring his gaze, Physician Feng said solemnly, “You should not sit or lie down for too long. You should walk slowly for at least an hour every day and get plenty of sunlight.”

 

Jin Wang nodded. “Good, I’ve noted it.”

 

Ye Shu found it weirder the more he heard. “I just have some gas. What does that have to do with the sun?”

 

Jin Wang interrupted, “Listen to the doctor.”

 

Ye Shu huffed.

 

Physician Feng then looked at the gold chain tied to Ye Shu’s leg, his face showing a look of “I don’t understand you young people’s kinks” but keeping quiet. The chain stretched from the head of the bed to the couch and couldn’t be hidden. Ye Shu didn’t intend to hide it either. His leg dangled off the edge of the couch, making the chain clink.

 

Jin Wang, still having some sense of shame, turned his head away. “Does the physician have anything else to say?”

 

“Well…”

 

The news of Ye Shu’s escape hadn’t spread, so Physician Feng naturally didn’t know the truth. He simply took this as the Emperor’s “special hobby.” However, treating a pregnant man this way was truly inappropriate.

 

Physician Feng weighed his words and said delicately, “The young master’s body is currently not suitable for sexual activity. Could Your Majesty perhaps exercise some restraint?”

 

Jin Wang nearly choked on his tea. “Actually, I…”

 

Physician Feng glanced strangely into the hall. The more he thought about it, the more he pitied Ye Shu. He whispered, “I am being bold, but the young master needs to keep a calm and happy mood right now. I hope Your Majesty understands.”

 

This time, even Jin Wang was confused. “How am I not understanding him?”

 

“I heard that yesterday Your Majesty brought back the beauty offered by the Minister of the Tai Chang Temple,” Physician Feng said, his face turning red. “I do not dare to advise against Your Majesty enjoying the company of multiple people, but Your Majesty should consider the young master’s feelings. At least don’t let both beauties serve you at the same time. That would be, bad.”

 

“Cough, cough, cough!”

 

Ye Shu, who was drinking water, nearly choked to death. Two beauties serving at once? The rumors had already reached this level? He looked at Jin Wang in shock, who also looked blank.

 

You couldn’t blame Physician Feng. Yesterday, Jin Wang had brought the “new beauty” into the Hall of Mental Cultivation and kept him there all night. Anyone would assume he had been “favored.” Combined with Jin Wang’s previous lie that his Imperial Consort was still living there, it sounded like he’d had a wild night with two people.

 

Realizing the logic, Jin Wang remained silent for a while. Enjoying multiple beauties? I haven’t even touched one properly.

 

He couldn’t explain it, so he simply agreed and sent the physician away.

 

Ye Shu couldn’t hold it back anymore and rolled around on the couch laughing. “Your Majesty has one on each side, enjoying everyone’s envy! Hahaha!”

 

“Ye Qi’an,” Jin Wang grabbed the gold chain on his foot and gave it a threatening shake.

 

Ye Shu stopped laughing immediately.

 

Jin Wang asked, “Do you want to go to the Imperial Garden?”

 

Ye Shu rolled to the other side of the couch and looked away. “No.” He wasn’t allowed yesterday, so he wasn’t going today.

 

Jin Wang’s expression stiffened for a moment. He leaned over, unlocked the gold chain, and asked patiently, “Then where do you want to go? I’ll go with you.”

 

Ye Shu’s eyes lit up, but he didn’t turn back. “Anywhere?”

 

“Yes, anywhere.”

 

Ye Shu said, “I want to go out of the palace.”

 

Jin Wang fell silent. Ye Shu looked at him for a moment, then withdrew his gaze dejectedly. “As expected, I can’t. Forget it then. I won’t go anywhere. Just keep me locked up.”

 

He curled his legs up into a ball, looking very aggrieved. Thinking of the physician’s advice about keeping him happy, Jin Wang sighed and compromised. “Fine, I’ll take you out of the palace.”

 

Ye Shu’s face changed in a second. He stood up from the couch and sprinted into the inner room to change his clothes. He didn’t even bother to keep up the act.

 

Jin Wang felt very frustrated. He had intended to keep this person under house arrest to teach him a lesson. How had he been talked into taking him out after just a few words? He looked toward the inner room, reflecting on when he had spoiled this person to the point of being so demanding.

 

This won’t do. At this rate, he’ll be walking all over me. I shouldn’t have agreed; I’m still angry.

 

Thinking this, Jin Wang walked toward the inner room. He was going to tell Ye Shu they weren’t going, and no amount of crying would help. But before he could enter, Ye Shu came striding out, and they nearly collided.

 

Jin Wang instinctively caught him. “What now?”

 

Ye Shu broke free from his embrace and held up his hands with a grin. In his left hand was the human-skin mask, and in his right was the white veil. He looked up at Jin Wang and laughed. “When Your Majesty goes out today, do you want your Imperial Consort to accompany you, or your new beauty?”

 

Jin Wang was dazzled by the smile. He forgot what he was going to say and muttered blankly, “Either, either is fine.”