Chapter 19

For the remaining days, Ye Shu was kept in the bedchamber by Jin Wang to "recuperate."

…Recuperate his ass.

He had simply been unaccustomed to exercise and stood for a few hours, resulting in some muscle soreness. It would have been fine in a day or two — yet Jin Wang acted as though he had sustained serious injuries, refusing to let him get out of bed for days on end and personally carrying him everywhere he went.

It was so cloying that Ye Shu felt deeply uncomfortable.

"Where are you going again?" Ye Shu's foot had barely touched the floor before Jin Wang immediately looked up from his memorials.

Ye Shu paused, instinctively feeling a little guilty, but quickly recovered. He said with full justification: "I want to sleep — I need to bathe first."

Jin Wang set down his memorial, stood, and walked over to Ye Shu.

Ye Shu braced for the worst. "What are you going to do?"

"Carry you to bathe."

"…" Ye Shu said with irritation: "I've been able to walk perfectly fine for ages!"

Jin Wang ignored him and simply picked him up. Ye Shu struggled with everything he had, and got a gentle pinch to the small of his back for it — a sensation like electricity coursing through him, numbing him all the way down his spine.

His body had been a hundred times more sensitive than usual these past few days, unbearable to touch in any spot. He feared this particular move from Jin Wang the most.

Ye Shu stopped struggling and obediently let Jin Wang carry him to the bath.

Hot spring water poured in through a dragon-head fixture above the pool. Jin Wang set Ye Shu at the poolside and reached over to undo his clothes.

Ye Shu clutched his collar tight. "This at least I can manage myself."

Jin Wang's hands stilled and he stepped half a pace back.

Ye Shu wasn't shy about being seen — he just resented the coddling. As he undid his outer robe, he grumbled quietly: "I'm not so delicate. The way you treat me makes me feel like I still can't walk."

Jin Wang caught the word sharply. He frowned. "'Still'?"

Ye Shu: "…It's nothing."

Jin Wang was about to press further when Ye Shu waved him off. "Go on, get out — I need to bathe."

"Take care, then." Jin Wang said, and turned and left.

The water was just the right temperature. Ye Shu submerged himself and narrowed his eyes in contentment.

His long legs rested against the jade sides of the pool. The tips of his toes lightly stirred the surface, feeling the water flow slowly past.

These legs — there had been a time they had no sensation at all.

Ye Shu had been born with paralyzed legs, and from childhood had lived in an orphanage, depending on others for his daily needs.

That had been the darkest period of his life.

Perhaps those childhood years had been too dark — his memories of that time were not very clear.

He only remembered that one day a few years ago, he woke up and suddenly found that sensation had returned to his legs.

No one could explain why. That experience — which doctors had called a medical miracle — was something Ye Shu had never fully understood, even now.

His stomach ailment had also started around that time.

But then, everything came with a trade-off. Ye Shu didn't dwell on it.

He soaked in the water until he was half-asleep, drifting in a haze for some unknown stretch of time before the sound of water reached him.

Someone lifted him out of the pool.

"Weren't you going to manage by yourself? Falling asleep in the bath again…" Jin Wang let out an irritated hum, wrapped him in his outer robe, and carried him out of the pool.

Ye Shu's arms reached out and hooked around Jin Wang's neck. In his half-sleep, he murmured: "Don't disturb me…"

The moment Jin Wang saw him like this, he knew this person was dreaming again. He carried Ye Shu out, and said with a soft laugh: "What are you muttering about me in your dreams this time? Tell me."

Ye Shu only made a faint sound, and said nothing.

Jin Wang quickly carried him back to the bedchamber and set him on the bed.

Ye Shu had been in the water too long. A faint pink had spread across both cheeks, and his long lashes carried moisture, trembling lightly.

Jin Wang's fingertip traced across those faintly damp lashes, following the curve of the side of his face, coming to rest on those clear, soft lips. The soft lips parted unconsciously in sleep. Jin Wang rubbed them gently with his fingertip — lingering and tender.

His fingertip lightly touched those lips one last time. He was about to stand when he heard a faint, quiet murmur from the other.

"A Yuan…"

Jin Wang went still.

In truth, it had been a long time since Ye Shu had called him that.

Since his ascension to the throne, every time this person saw him they maintained the formal distance of sovereign and subject, and more often than not they parted on bad terms. After the assassination incident, the few times Ye Shu had called him that name it had always been with ulterior purpose, and it had filled him with nothing but cold distaste.

But this time was different.

The young man's voice was soft, like a cat's gentle scratch — tap after tap against the softest part of his heart.

Jin Wang bent down and looked at that sleeping face. "If only you were always this gentle and good as you are today."

Then he lowered his head and pressed a kiss to Ye Shu's forehead.

"Good night, A Shu."

Ten days later, the sovereign of Changlu brought his betrothed consort to the ancestral temple to make offerings to the ancestors.

The carriages and horses in the procession stretched the length of Chang'an Street. Citizens on both sides of the road watched the convoy pass, craning their necks in curiosity.

Everyone wanted to see what the sovereign's consort looked like.

But no one got a glimpse.

The consort rode in the imperial carriage with the sovereign, concealed completely by the curtains — not so much as a hem was visible.

In the afternoon, the procession arrived at the ancestral temple.

The imperial carriage stopped in front of the temple, and the accompanying officials knelt in a bow. Chief Attendant Gaojin lifted the carriage curtain, and the sovereign finally stepped out, hand in hand with the consort.

The legendary consort was draped in snow-white fox fur, with a white veil obscuring most of the face — only a pair of bright, clear eyes were visible.

The sovereign led the consort through the main gate into the ancestral temple. The court officials then entered through the side gates.

The ancestral rites ceremony was complex in its procedures. Even with His Majesty's repeated orders to simplify the process, it would still take three full days.

The main hall of the ancestral temple had long been prepared. Ritual music rang out from the chime bells. On the altar, a meter-tall incense column was lit — and the smell of it sent Ye Shu wave after wave of nausea.

Ye Shu's steps faltered. His stomach heaved.

Jin Wang immediately noticed something was wrong. "Are you unwell?"

"…Feeling sick." Ye Shu's face had gone pale. He rubbed his abdomen. "The carriage must have made me carsick again."

"…"

Jin Wang was quiet for a moment, and glanced at the incense burning on the altar. Understanding settled in his mind.

Only this person could mistake morning sickness for carsickness and talk themselves into it so completely.

Ye Shu couldn't bear the smell of the incense, but he didn't dare actually vomit at the ancestral rites ceremony — he was suffering through it with great difficulty.

Jin Wang saw it all, and turned to Gaojin quietly. "Take Young Master to rest first."

Gaojin was momentarily startled. "But… Your Majesty, according to protocol, Young Master must offer incense together with you for it to count as paying respects to the ancestral spirits…"

Jin Wang shot him a cold look.

Gaojin's words faltered. He bowed in acknowledgment. "…Yes."

Several attendants quickly assisted Ye Shu out. The accompanying officials stood at a distance and hadn't seen what had happened. Now that they watched the consort leave, a commotion broke out among them.

Who had ever left in the middle of an ancestral rites ceremony? Even the late emperor's most favored consorts had never received such accommodation.

This completely defied protocol!

Yet while everyone harbored misgivings inwardly, no one dared voice an objection.

Only the Grand Master of Ceremonies, who had been responsible for organizing this ceremony and was standing closest to the front, had been watching carefully enough to see everything.

He watched the consort's retreating figure and felt momentarily puzzled.

Those features — why did they somehow look familiar?

Ye Shu was escorted to a side hall of the ancestral temple to rest. An attendant removed the incense burner inside and replaced it with a small block of a different kind.

Having left the main hall, Ye Shu felt considerably better and asked: "What is this?"

The attendant replied: "It is an incense blend to relieve Young Master's nausea and dizziness — His Majesty instructed this servant to burn it."

"For carsickness?"

The attendant's expression became peculiar.

This was in fact a fragrance blend prepared by the imperial physicians to ease morning sickness.

With His Majesty's instructions, the attendant did not dare say more and only answered quietly: "…Yes."

Ye Shu didn't question it. "Thoughtful of him. You may go."

The attendant bowed and left. Ye Shu rested in the room for a while, and under the effects of the incense, the relentless nausea gradually subsided.

He lay on the couch lazily for a while. Then someone knocked quietly at the door.

Ye Shu quickly sat up and said: "Come in."

Changyuan pushed the door open and entered.

"How did it go?"

Changyuan produced a rolled piece of cowhide and presented it to Ye Shu. "This subordinate has drawn the route out of the ancestral temple and the positions of weak points in the guard. Please review it, Young Master."

Ye Shu took the map and scanned it quickly. "Good. We act tonight."

Changyuan seemed to hesitate for a moment. Ye Shu noticed and asked: "What do you want to say?"

"This subordinate wanted to say…" Changyuan lowered his gaze and said quietly: "His Majesty's feelings for Young Master are sincere. Does Young Master truly still want to leave?"

"What he has for me is not sincere feelings." Ye Shu tucked the map inside his robe and explained offhandedly. "Jin Wang is the sovereign of a nation — thunder and rain alike are his grace. No matter how well he treats someone, to that person it is simply imperial favor. And since it is favor, it can be withdrawn at any moment, depending on his mood."

…Not to mention he was only receiving it on the basis of the original host's relationship with him.

To put it plainly, even this imperial favor was not meant for him.

Changyuan: "This subordinate doesn't understand…"

"Then don't understand." Changyuan's worldview was different from Ye Shu's — he had never expected the man to understand. Ye Shu asked: "Is tonight's plan ready?"

Changyuan replied: "This subordinate will draw away the hidden sentries in the area tonight and send out a signal with a bamboo whistle. Young Master must make sure to keep His Majesty occupied until then, and take advantage of the moment to leave and meet this subordinate at the foot of the mountain…"

The two of them confirmed the night's plan down to the last detail, then Changyuan left.

It was nearly nightfall before Jin Wang returned to the side hall.

When he arrived, Ye Shu was propped on the couch reading.

The room was warmed by underfloor heating — much warmer than outside. Ye Shu had draped his white fox fur over the small table beside the couch, and wore only a thin plain inner robe, which made him look even slighter and more lean.

He had one leg hanging over the edge of the bed, dangling unconsciously, a bare, white ankle peeking out.

Jin Wang walked over and picked up his foot. Sure enough, it was freezing cold. "How many times have I told you — no wandering around the room barefoot."

Ye Shu quickly tucked his foot under the blanket. "I know, I know."

Jin Wang smiled and was about to move closer when Ye Shu covered his nose and leaned away. "You smell so strongly of incense and candles — go bathe first."

"…"

For the first time in his life His Majesty the sovereign had been found distasteful, and had no choice but to go bathe and change.

After the evening meal, Jin Wang resumed his work on state affairs. Ye Shu poured him a cup of tea.

"Please have your tea, Your Majesty." Ye Shu said quietly.

Jin Wang's eyebrow rose. He tilted his head and looked at him. "Why so well-behaved today?"

Ye Shu asked: "What are you saying — have I not been well-behaved before?"

Jin Wang glanced at him sideways, his expression baldly asking the question: what do you think?

Jin Wang took the teacup and was about to drink when he suddenly paused, lowered his head, and sniffed at it. "You brewed this yourself?"

Ye Shu's fingertips curled. He was oddly tense. "How… how did you know."

"It's been over-steeped." Jin Wang took a sip of the tea and smiled. "In future, leave this sort of thing to the court maids — no need to do everything yourself."

Ye Shu lowered his gaze. "Understood."

His obedient manner greatly pleased Jin Wang. Jin Wang patted the seat beside him, and Ye Shu obediently sat down.

Jin Wang put his arm around Ye Shu and continued with his work.

The two were pressed very close together. The other man's arm rested at Ye Shu's waist, and before long Ye Shu found himself growing uncomfortable.

Perhaps after the argument that day, Jin Wang had found a remnant of conscience. For many days running, he had not touched Ye Shu in the way he used to. The contact between them had been limited to ordinary embraces.

…Which wasn't enough.

Ye Shu inconspicuously shifted and leaned his head against Jin Wang's shoulder. Looking up, he had a clear view of Jin Wang's profile.

Just looking at him like that, Ye Shu felt his body gradually grow warm.

"Slap——" Jin Wang abruptly closed the memorial and pressed his fingers to his brow.

Ye Shu came back to himself and asked quietly: "Are you done reading?"

"How am I supposed to read like this." Ye Shu didn't follow. Jin Wang gave a helpless laugh. "A Shu, stop looking at me like that."

"…" Ye Shu looked away. "Sorry."

Jin Wang let out a sigh, lowered his head and rested his forehead on Ye Shu's shoulder, pulling him tighter. "Are you… feeling a little want of it?"

His voice was barely above a whisper, his breath warm against Ye Shu's ear. Ye Shu's whole side went numb.

Jin Wang understood why Ye Shu was like this.

The imperial physician had said that during pregnancy, a kun-sovereign would become extremely dependent on their qian-sovereign, and would be easily aroused.

But before three months had passed, the embryo was not yet stable — intercourse was not advisable, and pheromone soothing was the only option.

"Mmph——!" Ye Shu's whole body shuddered. Jin Wang had kissed the spot behind his ear.

That kiss was gentle and lingering. Yet Ye Shu trembled uncontrollably all the same, his eyes rapidly misting over. "Don't…"

Jin Wang placed one arm across Ye Shu's shoulders, holding him tight against his chest, and tipped his neck back so he couldn't escape.

A short while later, the qian-sovereign's pheromone was released into him. Ye Shu collapsed against Jin Wang, exhausted.

Jin Wang picked him up and placed him on the bed, his palm lingering tenderly over his hair. "Bear with it a little longer — just two more months."

Ye Shu's drifting gaze slowly focused. He asked quietly: "Why… why two months?"

He sounded a little aggrieved.

A kun-sovereign needed the comfort of their qian-sovereign. Pheromone soothing was simply not the same as actual intimacy, and couldn't fully satisfy him.

Jin Wang hesitated.

Ye Shu had been genuinely well-behaved these past few days.

It really seemed as though, after that argument, he had truly worked things out and was genuinely willing to stay by Jin Wang's side.

The atmosphere in the room was warm and intimate — it felt like exactly the right moment to confess everything. Jin Wang's hand slid down Ye Shu's arm and came to rest on his abdomen.

"We have a secret We have never told you." Jin Wang's voice was gentle.

Ye Shu asked: "What is it?"

Jin Wang tilted his head with a smile, and said softly: "In here, there is…"

His words cut off. A sudden dizziness overtook him without warning.

Jin Wang realized quickly what was happening. His brow tightened sharply. "That cup of tea…"

Before he could finish the sentence, Jin Wang slumped sideways onto the bed. He was unconscious in moments.

Ye Shu: "…"

Ye Shu lay on the bed for a moment to compose himself, then rolled over and arranged Jin Wang properly.

He leaned over Jin Wang, looking at that still-handsome face even in sleep.

He had put something in the tea.

The sleeping drug that Mu Jiuqing had left for him.

To keep Jin Wang from noticing, he had deliberately over-steeped the tea for a long time. And sure enough, Jin Wang had not suspected anything.

Ye Shu took out the prosthetic skin face mask that Changyuan had prepared for the disguise and put it on. He mumbled quietly: "Miserable bastard Jin Wang — now you can't bully me anymore."

"Whatever history or grudges you have with that Ye Shu are nothing to do with me. Why take it out on me."

"But maybe I can find a way to leave here and bring your Ye Shu back to you."

"Even if I don't find one — please, whatever you do, don't come looking for me… I'd rather not see you again."

A bamboo whistle sounded from outside the door. Ye Shu had finished his preparations at precisely that moment.

He walked to the bedside and tucked the blanket around Jin Wang. He stood to leave, then suddenly remembered something.

Come to think of it… what had this man been about to tell him just now?

Ye Shu looked at the sleeping figure, then looked down at his own flat abdomen, and blinked in confusion.

Oh well — run first, think later.

He pulled the door open and left the room.