Why is the Dog Emperor Like That? - Chapter 16

Yin Xiao smelled of alcohol, but he was not drunk. Some people become paralyzed and helpless after drinking, unable to do anything; others use intoxication as an excuse to throw tantrums and cause trouble everywhere. Yin Xiao was neither. He had always been calmer than anyone else. Even when he had been drinking, he remained clear-headed and self-disciplined, perhaps even more so than usual. He questioned me about why I still met with Yin Shu, his voice carrying a coldness that was almost cruel.

Feeling wronged, I told him, “Your Highness, we were only discussing official business.” However, the drunken Yin Xiao had an exceptionally clear line of reasoning. He asked, “This is official business between my Imperial Brother and me. Why must he tell me through you?” I was left speechless.

Looking at Yin Xiao in front of me, my heart felt heavy, though I was not surprised. I had known this day would come. After the Li Shi incident, I had managed to escape unscathed, which was contrary to everyone’s expectations.

No matter how ruthless Yin Xiao’s methods were, he had not laid a hand on me, his teacher. My situation had become safer; despite the cruelty of the factional struggle, no one dared to touch me anymore. Yet, Yin Xiao’s paranoia grew increasingly severe. I watched as person after person was purged by him, wave after wave of political opposition crushed. I was his teacher, yet I could not dissuade him.

When Yin Xiao decided on something, let alone me, even his Imperial Father’s words might not hold sway. Watching this master of mine, who was young yet as fierce as a jackal, a faint sense of despair rose within me. Listening to the faint sounds of wind and rain in the distance, I lowered my eyes and waited for the blade hanging over my neck to fall.

Thunder rumbled outside the window. Suddenly, before I could react, the world spun, my vision shifted upward, and I saw the ceiling. Not only was I not beaten, but I was swept up in his arms. I was left wondering what was happening.

I struggled for a moment, but the attempt failed. I was immediately thrown onto the bed. It did not hurt, but I felt dizzy for a few seconds. I looked up through a haze to see a youth with a physique far superior to my own pressing down on me, and I felt as though the world had gone dark. My bed was already cramped; Yin Xiao propped himself up over my head, and our limbs were forced to press and collide together, which gave me quite a fright. “Get off!” I pushed him. At that moment, I was immensely confused.

Did the Imperial Kitchen start adding protein powder to his meals? How was this kid as solid as if he spent every day in the gym? Then, looking at my own delicate and soft physique, I lost the energy to even be angry. After struggling under his restraint for a long time, I was exhausted and panting. A cold laugh came from above: “Teacher still has plenty of energy.”

“Nonsense. I am still young; how could I not?” I was still annoyed by the physical difference between us, and being provoked by him triggered my age-related anxiety. I lay disheveled beneath him, giving up the struggle, but a strange feeling rose in my heart. I could not tell if it was fear or something else.

Yin Xiao pressed down on me, one hand bracing against the bed rail, while his other limbs pinned my entire body to keep me from moving. I had become a mitten crab tightly bound by rope; besides opening my mouth to blow bubbles, I could do nothing. I told Yin Xiao to get off, but he ignored me. I felt wronged and asked why he would not move. Yin Xiao remained silent for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed. He told me in an exceptionally bright tone, “It is thundering outside, and I am afraid.”

I exposed him without hesitation, “I do not recall that. Is today the first day His Highness has been afraid of thunder?” I admit I have a low tolerance for romance. After another few seconds of silence, I tilted my head and waited.

Finally, I could not help but look at his expression. We locked eyes for a second. The lightning outside the window struck, illuminating the youth’s cold, stern, and vicious, perhaps even slightly terrifying, face with striking clarity. I swallowed a mouthful of saliva and said, “I remember, I remember! His Highness is afraid of thunder; it seems that is indeed the case.”

Yin Xiao chuckled and laid down beside me, openly and honestly. I had no choice but to make room for him. We both knew the fear of thunder was just an absurd lie, yet we were forced to continue it. I did not dare to think about why Yin Xiao insisted on sleeping beside me that night, nor why he left several bloody marks on the back of my neck. Never mind, at least I am still alive. I am actually quite optimistic.

After that night, Yin Xiao would crawl into my bed from time to time. Using the term “crawling into bed” is not very elegant, but given that his actions were even less so, the term is generous to him. My neck and hands were often covered in bite marks, forcing me to wrap them in cloth the next day just to see people.

I privately sought out the imperial physicians who often treated Yin Xiao, asking if he might have contracted rabies or some similar disease. The result was equally unsatisfactory; unfortunately, he was perfectly healthy.

After much thought, I simply could not take it anymore. That night, before Yin Xiao could sink his teeth into me, I hurriedly pulled out a small cloth ball to gag him.

I spoke to him with reason and emotion, earnestly telling him, “Your Highness, gnawing on your teacher every day is truly besides, I have to see people every day. You always leave marks in obvious places, making it hard for me to hide them.”

Yin Xiao felt that what I said made a lot of sense. Minutes later, just as I was about to scream, he covered my mouth and left a bite mark on my waist instead. Looking at that bright red circle, Yin Xiao pressed against my waist and let out a satisfied sigh.

I muttered under my breath. He could not hear clearly, so he leaned closer to my mouth, only to hear me resentfully muttering, “Your Highness, you most likely have rabies, epilepsy, or mad cow disease. Truly, this humble official does not lie to you…” I heard Yin Xiao’s low, pleasant laughter.

As time went on, I discovered that Yin Xiao did not gnaw on me every single day. Yet, to this day, I have been unable to grasp the pattern of his cravings. Sometimes, when he was in a good mood, I would guess he might come over, and he did.

However, we also had our moments of conflict. Sometimes, when we argued endlessly over court matters or certain people and parted on bad terms, I thought for sure he would not come, only to be woken up in the middle of the night by being gnawed on. I often could not tell if I had taken on a master or raised a dog.

The following year, on the third day of the Lunar New Year, spring had arrived early. The peach blossoms in the Imperial Garden were in full bloom, and the flowers and trees in every palace were competing in beauty. Yin Shu wrote a letter inviting me to the Xuri Palace to appreciate the flowers. This time, I had learned my lesson and immediately sought out Yin Xiao. I told him every detail about the invitation to view the flowers and respectfully asked for his permission. To my surprise, Yin Xiao did not stop me at all. It was smoother than I could have imagined. Did Yin Xiao trust me that much now? I was puzzled but happy as I turned to leave.

“Wait a moment,” Yin Xiao suddenly called out. He glanced at me quickly, revealing an inscrutable smile. He said, “This outfit is too heavy. Teacher, you should change into something lighter before you go.”