Marked by the Tyrant After Transmigrating into a Book - Chapter 5

Perhaps it was because he had received too many shocks throughout the day, or perhaps he was simply not yet fully awake, but Ye Shu’s mind went blank. It took a long moment before he let out a dry laugh and squeezed out a single sentence: “Your… Your Majesty counts quite accurately.”

Jin Wang: “…”

Ye Shu: “…”

What on earth am I saying!

Jin Wang’s pettiness was not a new development. When he first ascended the throne and the political situation was unstable, a court official had whispered behind his back that the King was a poor judge of character; Jin Wang had that man’s tongue cut out in public to feed the dogs.

And Ye Shu had insulted him so many times…

Ye Shu felt his tongue go numb, as if he were about to cry. “…I am sorry.”

Jin Wang, however, began to laugh.

He let his fingertip slide gently across Ye Shu’s cheek, pinching it as if playing with a toy. “Indeed, you deserve punishment.”

“What should I punish you with?” He straightened up and said leisurely, “As it happens, while I was handling government affairs just now, there were a few points where I was undecided. Why doesn’t Lord Ye offer me some advice?”

Ye Shu did not know what new trick he was playing and answered hesitantly, “Your servant… does not dare.”

“What is there to dare?” Jin Wang raised an eyebrow. “After I took the throne, did I not discuss every administrative problem with Lord Ye? When things were busy, even the memorials were reviewed by Lord Ye on my behalf. Why do you not dare now?”

Ye Shu froze.

The original character’s role in the book was not extensive; aside from being executed at the beginning, most of his presence was in memories of leaning on each other for survival with Jin Wang. He had never known that Jin Wang trusted the original owner to such an extent.

No wonder Jin Wang had been so furious upon learning of the betrayal.

Ye Shu gazed at Jin Wang’s profile, and a faint, different emotion stirred in his heart. Rather than anger, it was perhaps sadness.

In reality… he must be truly heartbroken.

Unaware of Ye Shu’s thoughts, Jin Wang stood up and walked to the desk, beckoning to him. “Come here.”

Ye Shu walked over. There was only one chair at the desk in the bedchamber. Jin Wang sat in it, and Ye Shu naturally stood beside him.

“How can you see from standing there?” Jin Wang leaned back comfortably and gestured with his chin. “Come, sit.”

Ye Shu: “…”

Sit where? On his lap?

Ye Shu gritted his teeth. “It is no matter. I am fine standing.”

Jin Wang remained composed. “Does Lord Ye wish to defy an imperial decree?”

“…”

To think he had actually felt a moment of sympathy for him just now—this man was truly sick!

Ye Shu’s ears turned red with anger, yet he did not dare disobey. He sat down on Jin Wang’s lap, his entire body stiff.

Jin Wang circled his arms around him, pulling him close. Ye Shu’s body grew even stiffer. Jin Wang gave a low laugh. “You clung to me so tightly last night, yet today you are unwilling. Lord Ye’s temperament… is truly difficult for me to fathom.”

Who exactly is the one that’s difficult to fathom?!

In this extremely close position, Ye Shu’s back pressed against the other’s chest. He could feel Jin Wang’s breath fanning against the back of his neck, scorching the skin until it turned burning hot.

But… it was not uncomfortable. On the contrary, his body seemed to love this sensation, wanting to press even closer, to be held even tighter.

Uneasy with this feeling, Ye Shu’s jaw trembled, nearly causing him to bite his tongue. “Does Your Majesty not wish to discuss government affairs?”

“Correct.” Jin Wang held him tightly with one hand while the other picked up two documents from the table. “I have just drafted two imperial edicts. Lord Ye, help me see if there is anything improper.”

Ye Shu wanted nothing more than to finish this business as quickly as possible and hurriedly took them to read. The script in this world resembled seal script, but Ye Shu had no difficulty reading it.

He quickly finished the first edict and was quite surprised. “Your Majesty wants to… take a consort?”

Jin Wang nodded. “Yes.”

Ancient people married early; for someone Jin Wang’s age, an ordinary man would likely already have children. Furthermore, Jin Wang was born into the royal family; even if he didn’t have three thousand beauties in his harem, he should at least have several wives and concubines. But since Jin Wang took the throne, there had not been a single consort in the rear palace.

Moreover, it was said that Jin Wang detested anyone mentioning the subject. Since his coronation, no official who dared to advise him to take a consort had met a good end. Why was he suddenly doing it now? And… what was there to discuss with him?

Ye Shu could not guess Jin Wang’s thoughts and did not dare to speak up easily.

Jin Wang did not press him either, his palm slowly stroking Ye Shu’s waist. Ye Shu was wearing only a thin inner robe; the waist beneath it was firm and smooth, feeling excellent to the touch. The body in his arms was tense with nerves, jumping at every touch. Jin Wang was having a wonderful time.

Ye Shu could not stand it and forced himself to speak. “Ma… Majesty, this action is for the sake of the royal bloodline and to ensure a successor for the kingdom. Your servant… has nothing to say.”

“Incorrect.” Jin Wang leaned close to his ear, his voice smiling. “It is not for the bloodline, nor for the kingdom.”

Then he must have someone in his heart. An inexplicable trace of displeasure flashed through Ye Shu’s mind. Before he could ask, Jin Wang pointed to the other edict on the table. “Look at this one.”

Ye Shu opened the edict. It was… an execution order.

Left Prime Minister Ye Shu, for regicide and treason, with conclusive evidence, is sentenced to death by a thousand cuts according to the law, to be executed this day.

Ye Shu’s hand shook, and the edict clattered onto the table. Jin Wang covered Ye Shu’s cold fingers. “What is it?”

Ye Shu’s fingertips curled. He asked in a low voice, “Does Your Majesty wish to kill me?”

“What do you think?”

“I think…” Ye Shu’s lashes trembled. “Your Majesty does not wish to kill me.”

Jin Wang remained noncommittal. Ye Shu bit his lip and continued, “Your Majesty is the ruler of a nation; life and death are decided by your whim. If Your Majesty truly wanted to do something, you would not go in so many circles.”

If he truly wanted to kill him, Jin Wang had had countless opportunities today. Placing this execution order in front of him was clearly an invitation to negotiate.

Ye Shu lowered his eyes, trying to appear natural. “What must I do for Your Majesty to spare my life?”

In the book, the original owner was simply ordered to be executed; none of this had happened. Though he didn’t know why the plot had diverged, the fact that Jin Wang was willing to keep him meant he likely still had utility.

In an instant, Ye Shu had compiled a list of all the officials and factions with rebellious intentions. If that wasn’t enough, he could even reveal the military status and battle strategies of Great Yan and Western Xia. Using top-secret information to save one’s life—that was how all political intrigue novels were written.

But Jin Wang merely said leisurely, “I have already told you the condition.”

Ye Shu was baffled. “…Huh?”

Jin Wang explained, “I was assassinated during the autumn hunt; this matter must have a conclusion. The Left Prime Minister is a major suspect and must be punished severely. The Prime Minister cannot remain, but you… I am willing to give you a way to live.”

“But if you want to live, you can no longer be the Left Prime Minister, nor can you appear before the world as Ye Shu.”

“If you are willing to change your identity…” Jin Wang drew out his words and tapped the edict for taking a consort.

Ye Shu’s gaze followed Jin Wang’s finger, and he instantly understood the intent. “You want to take me as a consort?!”

Jin Wang smiled. “Exactly.”

Ye Shu: “…”

This man must have taken the wrong medicine.

Jin Wang asked, “Is my dear official unwilling?”

“It’s not a matter of willingness…” Ye Shu was in disbelief, his expression somewhat dazed. “…Just why?”

Jin Wang replied calmly, “My rear palace is empty; this is not a solution in the long run. I need someone to fill the harem and silence the world’s gossip.”

Ye Shu gave him a look that said, “Keep making things up.”

“Of course, there is another explanation.” Jin Wang laughed, his palm cruelly stroking Ye Shu’s waist. “Perhaps it is because… Lord Ye’s body has given me such a taste of sweetness that I am loath to kill you.”

Ye Shu broke out in goosebumps. This, this, this—the dog Emperor has taken a fancy to me?

“Ma… Majesty…”

Jin Wang lowered his eyes and said flatly, “The Imperial Guards are waiting just outside the palace gates. Should I have them take this edict and fetch someone from death row to die in your place, or have them take you to prison as well? Lord Ye, why don’t you offer me some advice?”

Ye Shu answered decisively, “I choose the former!”

Jin Wang smiled with satisfaction. “Very well.”

He immediately summoned a eunuch. Once the eunuch arrived, Jin Wang gave his instructions one by one. Throughout the entire process, Jin Wang held Ye Shu tightly, never letting go for a single moment.

Struggling was futile and Ye Shu was too embarrassed to face anyone, so he could only bury his head in Jin Wang’s chest. Sensing the eunuch’s occasional startled glances, his ears turned bright red.

Once the instructions were finished, the eunuch took the edict and left the bedchamber.

“Alright, everyone is gone.” Jin Wang patted Ye Shu’s arm.

Ye Shu immediately sat up straight and struggled. “You… let me go.”

“No.” Jin Wang stroked his back unhurriedly, his voice gentle yet dangerous. “I must remind you; sparing you today does not mean I won’t change my mind later.”

“Therefore, you must behave well in the future. Otherwise, I can take back your life at any time.”

Ye Shu sneered inwardly. He knew this dog Emperor wouldn’t soften his heart so easily. Translated, didn’t this just mean he liked Ye Shu’s body and wouldn’t kill him until he grew tired of it?

Jin Wang is a total bastard.

A tyrant indeed.

Ye Shu gritted his teeth and forced a smile. “Yes, your servant understands.”

Jin Wang said, “In that case, sign this edict.”

Earlier, the eunuch had only taken the execution order; the edict for the consort was still spread out on the table. There was still a blank space left in the edict for the name of the new consort.

Outside the window, the sky grew dark. The candlelight flickered against the white silk, where the ink characters were written with bold, elegant strokes. Jin Wang switched to a vermilion brush, dipped it in ink, and pressed it into Ye Shu’s hand.

Then, he gripped Ye Shu’s hand and leaned forward. Stroke by stroke, guided by Jin Wang, Ye Shu wrote the name that had accompanied him for years.

Ye. Shu.

A strange feeling suddenly flashed through Ye Shu’s heart. Jin Wang was so close that Ye Shu only had to lift his eyes to see him. The glimmer of the lamplight was reflected in the Emperor’s eyes, and his profile was so exquisitely handsome that no flaw could be found.

Ye Shu’s heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly looked away.

Once the name was written, the edict was complete. Ye Shu watched as Jin Wang put it away, his heart feeling complicated. He didn’t care much about being a consort; as long as he could keep his life for now, there would always be a chance to escape later.

The complexity of his feelings came from the fact that he had prepared a whole basket of top-secret information that could unify the world, but Jin Wang just wanted someone to warm his bed?

This generation’s tyrant really had no professional ambition.

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