Marked by the Tyrant After Transmigrating into a Book - Chapter 6

The announcement of a King taking a consort is only the first step. The procedures for a royal wedding are notoriously tedious and complex; at the fastest, they require over a month of preparation.

It is not difficult to simplify the process. The late Emperor was known for his boundless debauchery; whenever he took a fancy to a young man or woman, he simply ordered them to be carried directly into his bedchamber. After a single night of favor, he would casually bestow a rank upon them and consider the matter finished. For such concubines, whether they would ever see the Emperor again was an unknown.

But Jin Wang refused to do so. He commanded the Ministry of Rites to select an auspicious day and proclaimed to the world that the wedding would be conducted with the full rites of an Empress. He seemed determined to let everyone know he was getting married.

As for the identity of his bride, no one knew. Jin Wang’s edict for taking a consort had not been made public. In truth, the absurd matter of Prime Minister Ye faking his death to enter the harem was known to no one except the King’s most trusted inner eunuchs, and none of them dared to breathe a word. The King of Changlu’s actions were always unpredictable; after multiple failed attempts to investigate, the court officials could only drop the matter for the time being to avoid offending him.

Three days later, the “rebellious” Left Prime Minister, Ye Shu, was executed by a thousand cuts outside the city gates. Tens of thousands of commoners and officials were forced to witness the punishment. Meanwhile, it was said that the King of Changlu had not yet recovered from the assassination attempt and was resting at the summer palace. He did not even go to see the Prime Minister one last time.

Everyone in Changlu knew that Ye Shu and the King had grown up together like brothers. No one could have imagined that a man who once enjoyed such immense favor would end up in such a state. While people felt pity, they grew even more terrified of the King’s ruthless methods.

When the secret agents reported these public sentiments, His Majesty the King was currently holding his “unmarried” little imperial consort while eating fruit.

Jin Wang raised an eyebrow with a half-smile. “Even for a traitorous rebel, there are still those who feel pity. Lord Ye, what do you think I should do?”

The “traitorous rebel” in question was currently peeling a lychee for Jin Wang. Upon hearing this, his hand shook, and he nearly dropped the fruit.

“Those who commit… treason should indeed be punished with the utmost severity. Your Majesty… Your Majesty did the right thing,” Ye Shu stammered. Seeing that Jin Wang was merely watching him calmly, he steeled his heart and continued, “The practice of forming factions for selfish interests in court is common; it must not be tolerated.”

“Very well.” Jin Wang leaned forward and took the lychee from Ye Shu’s fingertips with his teeth. He then looked at the secret agent kneeling in the hall. “You know what to do?”

“Yes,” the agent replied before taking his leave.

Ye Shu lowered his head, lost in thought. Jin Wang was even more terrifying than he had imagined. Just from a public execution, the private words of every official were within this man’s grasp. There was likely nothing in the capital that he did not know. With those three hundred agents, escaping from his hands would be nearly impossible. He had to think of another way.

“What are you thinking about?” Jin Wang asked, noticing his long silence.

“Nothing.” Ye Shu pulled his thoughts back and picked up another fruit to peel. As his pale fingers worked against the bright red skin, stained with a bit of glistening juice, Jin Wang watched him, and a sudden dryness hit the back of his throat.

He cleared his throat and looked away. “Stop peeling.”

“Huh?”

“I said stop peeling,” Jin Wang commanded with a tilt of his chin. “Go and grind the ink.”

Ye Shu thought, Weren’t you the one who wanted to eat just now? Dog Emperor. He only knows how to order me around.

Jin Wang was faking illness at the summer palace, but he did not neglect government affairs. Ye Shu got a headache just looking at so many words, but Jin Wang was patient, reading through each memorial carefully. This lasted for nearly two hours.

As night fell, Ye Shu leaned boredly against the table. His stomach let out an involuntary growl. Jin Wang paused his reading and closed the memorial. “Let us eat first.”

As the dishes were laid out, Ye Shu’s eyes widened. Just as he was about to pick up his chopsticks, Jin Wang stopped him. A eunuch presented a brocade box containing a small, exquisite pill.

Ye Shu frowned. “What is this?”

Jin Wang did not explain, saying only, “Take it. It is beneficial for your health.”

Ye Shu did not believe a single word. What new trick had this dog Emperor come up with to mess with him?

In truth, Jin Wang had no ill intentions this time. Since the day Ye Shu’s scent spiraled out of control, Jin Wang had asked the physician to examine him. Ye Shu’s constitution was unique; even after being marked, his scent was easily influenced by external factors or changes in his body. This was a newly developed Breath-Suppressing Pill to help stabilize a Kunjun’s scent.

Unfortunately, the tyrant had too much of a dark history, and his credibility in Ye Shu’s heart was zero. In an instant, countless political intrigue scenarios flashed through Ye Shu’s mind.

Ye Shu slammed his chopsticks down and said aggrievedly, “Are you trying to poison me again?”

Jin Wang: “…”

“I already agreed to stay by your side; why do you still not trust me?” Ye Shu said crossly. “I won’t eat it.”

Jin Wang rubbed his brow. “This is not poison.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Jin Wang also grew annoyed. “If you do not eat it, you are not permitted to eat dinner.”

“Then I won’t eat!”

The eunuchs serving the meal were terrified, kneeling in a row like frightened quails, fearing they would be caught in the King’s wrath. Jin Wang dismissed them, and they fled in relief. Only Jin Wang and Ye Shu remained.

Ye Shu watched Jin Wang with a wary expression. Jin Wang felt helpless. Most people in this world were “Betas,” so it wasn’t strange that Ye Shu hadn’t realized he had differentiated into a Kunjun. Furthermore, Jin Wang didn’t want to tell him the truth just yet.

Elder Feng was right; Jin Wang should not have marked a Kunjun so easily. It was a complication for both of them. Taking this pill regularly would not only stabilize Ye Shu’s scent but also make him appear no different from an ordinary person. It would save a lot of trouble. He had to take the medicine, whether he wanted to or not.

Jin Wang narrowed his eyes. “Are you truly not going to eat it?”

Ye Shu was most afraid of this look, and his bravado vanished. “No… I won’t.”

He certainly couldn’t take it. He had read the book and knew Jin Wang’s methods. The reason those three hundred agents were so loyal was because they had been fed a special poison by Jin Wang. Since ancient times, that was how one controlled shadow guards. If he really took the medicine, he would never be able to escape.

“Ye Shu, have I been too kind to you these past few days?” Jin Wang picked up the pill, toying with it between his fingers. “Did I not tell you that I can take back your life at any time? Even if this were poison, what right do you have to refuse?”

Ye Shu’s legs felt weak. He didn’t mind arguing with Jin Wang, but he was terrified when the man spoke in that tone—the tone of someone about to kill. Ye Shu took a silent breath, pinched himself hard under the table, and looked up with red-rimmed eyes. “…Can I really not avoid it?”

Jin Wang was startled. The youth had misty eyes, looking terrified and incredibly fragile. “I already agreed to be with you. Won’t you please believe me? I will definitely listen to you and be good to you like I was before. Please don’t make me take this. Jin Wang… don’t force me anymore.”

Jin Wang’s expression faltered. He could never handle it when Ye Shu mentioned the past. This tactic never failed. Ye Shu lowered his head, waiting for Jin Wang to soften. His life was already in Jin Wang’s hands; poisoning him was redundant. If this was just a test, it should end here.

Just as Ye Shu was thinking this, his chin was suddenly lifted with force.

“Mmm!” His lips suddenly met the other’s soft, cool lips. Ye Shu’s eyes widened in shock. Then, a pill was passed into his mouth. Jin Wang gripped his jaw firmly and pushed the pill down Ye Shu’s throat with a deft flick of his tongue.

But Jin Wang still did not let him go. His hand moved to support the back of Ye Shu’s neck, his fingers stroking the area behind the ear with gentle, rhythmic movements, like a tender comfort. The pill was not bitter; instead, it carried a hint of sweetness. That flavor lingered between their lips and tongues, causing their breaths to grow heavy.

After a moment, Jin Wang released him. “It really isn’t poison. If I lied to you, I’m a dog.” Jin Wang’s finger traced Ye Shu’s flushed cheek. “Now, eat.”

“Ah-Wang” was a yellow dog the original Ye Shu had rescued as a child; it had long since passed away from old age. Ye Shu watched Jin Wang’s composed manner, his neck turning red with anger. To call you a dog is an insult to dogs. You are worse than a dog. Idiot Jin Wang.

After dinner, Jin Wang continued with his remaining work. Ye Shu waited by his side, serving tea, grinding ink, and tending to the lamps. It wasn’t until the third time he nearly fell asleep that Jin Wang finally closed the memorials.

Jin Wang was in a rare good mood. “The past two days, whenever you accompanied me, you fell asleep almost immediately. Why are you so well-behaved today?”

Ye Shu acted submissive and obedient. “It is only right.”

“Do you have a request?” Jin Wang saw through him immediately. “Speak. As long as it is not excessive, I will grant it.”

Ye Shu hesitated for a moment and whispered, “I… I want to go home and see.”

Jin Wang paused. He was naturally referring to the Ye estate. Since the Prime Minister had been “executed,” the house had been raided and was now empty.

Ye Shu added, “There is a litter of stray cats living outside the back gate of my house. They usually go to the estate for food. Winter is coming; if they aren’t cared for, I’m afraid they won’t survive.”

This was not a lie. Ye Shu’s memories of the original owner were vague, and he wouldn’t have remembered this if Jin Wang hadn’t mentioned Ah-Wang earlier.

Jin Wang said, “I will simply send someone to fetch the cats. It is not convenient for you to show your face; why go yourself?”

“No,” Ye Shu shook his head. “They are shy. If you send someone else, they definitely won’t come out.”

Jin Wang pulled Ye Shu down to sit on the bed, his tone very gentle. “Is it truly just for the cats?”

“…Of course.” No.

If Ye Shu had considered staying with the tyrant for a few more days before, he had completely abandoned that idea now. This man’s temperament was too unpredictable; the longer he stayed, the more dangerous it became. There was still over a month before the wedding; he had to find a way to escape as soon as possible. Once he entered the palace, there would be no more chances.

To escape from this tyrant, he couldn’t do it alone. He had to find a way to contact the outside world. Ye Shu’s fingers trembled with nerves; he hid them in his sleeves and forced himself to meet Jin Wang’s scrutinizing gaze.

After a moment, Jin Wang said softly, “It is not impossible.”

“Majesty…”

“But it depends on your performance.” Jin Wang raised his hand and brushed his thumb lightly against Ye Shu’s lips with a suggestive hint. “I told you; as long as you make me happy, I will grant your every request.”

A chill ran down Ye Shu’s spine, and his ears instantly burned. He realized…

Jin Wang met his gaze and smiled gently. “Go bathe. I will wait for you.”

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