Marked by the Tyrant After Transmigrating into a Book - Chapter 7

Ye Shu now ate and lived with Jin Wang, so naturally, he used the King’s private bath.

The white jade tub was as large as half a room, filled with hot spring water channeled from the mountains. The room was thick with swirling steam. As Ye Shu stepped into the warmth, the eunuch who had escorted him showed no signs of leaving.

“What is it?” Ye Shu asked.

The eunuch produced a tray from somewhere, holding a half-open jar of creamy white ointment that emitted a faint scent of roses. “This servant is here to assist with your bath.”

Ye Shu glanced at the ointment and felt his vision go dark. “No. Get out!”

“But His Majesty commanded…”

Ye Shu sneered. “Try touching me and see what happens.”

The eunuch paused. Working for the King, he was an expert at reading expressions and assessing the situation. The youth before him might have lost his power, but he was once the Prime Minister who held the reins of the country; his methods were not to be underestimated. Furthermore, despite committing a capital crime, the King had faked his death to save him—a clear testament to his status in the King’s heart.

This was not someone to provoke. Having weighed the pros and cons, the eunuch set down the tray, bowed, and withdrew.

Once the doors closed, Ye Shu was alone.

Dog! Em! Peror!

Ye Shu was both furious and annoyed, loathing the fact that he was currently under someone else’s control with nowhere to run. Had he known this would happen back in the woods, he would have preferred to be tortured to death by the heat of his cycle rather than seek help! How could he just throw himself at the first person he saw? He had no self-control!

Cursing both Jin Wang and himself, Ye Shu finished his bath in a huff. The jar of ointment sat by the tub.

To use it, or not to use it?

Ye Shu couldn’t decide. A King’s word was final; since the dog Emperor said he wanted him to attend the bed tonight, he wouldn’t just be talking. If Ye Shu didn’t use it, he would be the one suffering. But if he did… how on earth did one use this thing?!

The steam had flushed Ye Shu’s face a deep red. Gritting his teeth, he scooped a bit of the cream with his fingertip and reached behind himself. He had never had such an experience in his life. The rose fragrance melted against his skin as he fumbled about. Not only did he fail to figure it out, but he managed to make himself entirely uncomfortable. After a moment, he quickly rinsed his hands and put the jar back.

It was nearly an hour later when Ye Shu returned to the bedchamber. The moment he stepped into the inner room, a tall figure embraced him from behind.

Jin Wang buried his head in the side of Ye Shu’s neck and took a soft sniff. “Did you prepare yourself?”

Because the youth had taken the Breath-Suppressing Pill, there was no trace of his Information Scent. Instead, there was only the faint, sweet aroma of roses. It was cloying and enticing.

Ye Shu’s ears turned red, and he uncomfortably tilted his head away.

“Actually, I could have helped you, but this is fine as well…” Jin Wang led Ye Shu to the edge of the bed. He tilted his chin up, meeting Ye Shu’s gaze. “Begin.”

Begin… what?

Seeing Ye Shu’s bewildered look, Jin Wang gave a low laugh. “You have a request for me; naturally, you must show me your sincerity.”

“I…” Ye Shu bit his lip, his eyes growing slightly red. “I don’t know how.”

A beauty fresh from the bath was always a sight to behold, especially when the youth possessed an ethereal temperament that far surpassed common beauties. His damp hair was scattered behind him, and the flush from the steam ran from his cheeks to his neck. A winding trail of water slid down his throat and disappeared into his collar, sparking the imagination.

It was no wonder people said Prime Minister Ye was the most beautiful man in Changlu. The rumors were true.

Jin Wang’s heart softened significantly. He stopped making things difficult and patted the bed beside him. “Come up. I will teach you.”

Dog. Em. Peror!

Ye Shu watched Jin Wang in silence, thinking that the man was indeed lusting after his body; even acting weak hadn’t worked. He likely wouldn’t escape it tonight. Fine. He would just consider it acting a part. He would treat it as being bitten by a dog.

Jin Wang had no idea he was being cursed in the youth’s mind. He pulled Ye Shu onto the bed, and the youth leaned into his embrace, his ink-black hair spreading across the sheets. The youth’s eyes were like stars, looking at Jin Wang with a clear, clean gaze that betrayed his hidden panic and nerves.

Jin Wang’s breathing grew heavy. Ye Shu frowned slightly. “Have you been drinking?”

A scent of wine had begun to drift within the gauze curtains. Jin Wang blinked, startled, and then nodded. “Mhm. I had a few cups while waiting for you.”

“What kind of wine is it? It smells so good…”

Ye Shu was momentarily dazed by the aroma. He couldn’t help but tilt his head back, leaning close to the area on Jin Wang’s neck where the scent was strongest, taking a deep breath.

Jin Wang’s gaze darkened. He had differentiated into an Alpha two years before Ye Shu and was born into the imperial family; he had long ago learned to control his Information Scent. But in front of his own Omega, it wasn’t necessary. And on the bed, it was even less so.

A potent scent of strong liquor exploded within the bed curtains.

“Ngh…” Ye Shu’s eyes trembled, and an involuntary low moan escaped him.

He had taken the Breath-Suppressing Pill, so technically, no matter how strong Jin Wang’s scent was, he shouldn’t have been affected. There was only one explanation for this reaction: their compatibility was exceptionally high, and his physical instincts were breaking through the medicinal barrier.

However, the effect was limited to this. Despite the reaction, he would not be fully enticed into heat, nor would he release his own scent.

Jin Wang looked down at the person in his arms and suddenly felt a trace of regret. He shouldn’t have been so quick to give him the medicine. He had seen the youth when induced by his scent—that appearance was a hundred times more beautiful than this.

The sound of rustling clothes echoed in the curtains as Jin Wang peeled away Ye Shu’s outer garment. The traces from the previous time still remained on the youth’s skin. Jin Wang traced them slowly, drawing an uneasy shudder from the man in his arms. Ye Shu’s skin was pale and thin; a light pinch would leave a red mark.

After taking his liberties for a while, Jin Wang saw the deep flush on the youth’s ears and patted his shoulder lightly. “Are you waiting for me to serve you? Learn for yourself.”

The youth was already dazed from the high concentration of the scent. He looked at Jin Wang with confusion, his hand moving down under the other’s guidance.

“Here,” Jin Wang’s voice was raspy. “Be good, Shu. Reach out.”

Ye Shu knelt on the bed and blinked.

“No.” Ye Shu’s rebellious streak flared up. He lunged back into Jin Wang’s arms, sniffing him like a puppy. “The smell on you is so good. Let me smell it more.”

Jin Wang coaxed him, “Behave. I will give it to you now.”

“You said so. You can’t lie to me…” Ye Shu finally placed his hand where it was directed and whispered, “You always lie to me…”

Jin Wang’s breath hitched. “When have I ever lied to you?”

“You just did. Not only did you lie, you scared me, you bullied me… Jin Wang, you bastard, no one is more of a dog than you.”

Jin Wang: “…”

Since his coronation, Jin Wang had never been insulted like this. In the few days spent with this youth, he had been cursed enough to last a lifetime. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to be angry. He could never truly be cruel to this person.

“Clearly, you are the one who lied to me,” Jin Wang said softly after a long silence. “Do you remember what you said three years ago? You said that in the future, I would unify the world and become the supreme ruler. You said all land under heaven belongs to the King, and all people on that land are the King’s subjects.”

“Except for you.”

“You said you would never be my subject. You were my friend, my confidant, my brother.”

Ye Shu remained silent. He lowered his head and leaned slowly into Jin Wang’s chest. Jin Wang stroked his hair and said softly, “It has been three years. I have wanted to ask you this for so long, but I never had the chance.”

“…What do you want to ask?” Ye Shu’s voice came, as light as a sleep-talker’s.

Jin Wang: “…”

Jin Wang looked down. The youth, pillowed on his shoulder, had already closed his eyes.

“Ye Shu?”

“Ye Qi’an, are you pretending again?”

Ye Shu did not respond. The corners of his eyes and his cheeks were flushed. He curled his entire body into Jin Wang’s embrace, his mouth still muttering something small. One of his hands was even still holding…

As Jin Wang moved, Ye Shu instinctively tightened his grip.

Jin Wang inhaled sharply and snapped, “Ye Qi’an, what are you doing!”

Ye Shu still didn’t answer. The two remained in a stalemate for a moment until Ye Shu’s breathing became steady and smooth, and he even began to let out tiny snores.

Looking at him, he seemed for all the world to be, drunk.

Drunk?!

Support Marked by the Tyrant After Transmigrating into a Book