Chapter 22

Ye Shu tugged at the gold chain on his ankle and confirmed that the other end was completely locked in place.

"…"

Jin Wang's method of preventing him from escaping was… truly simple and brutal.

Dog — still you, Jin Wang.

This was Ye Shu's first encounter with this kind of situation. He sat on the bed in a state somewhere between wanting to laugh and wanting to cry.

The gold chain lay scattered across the plain white silk bedding, its end fastened to Ye Shu's ankle — making that ankle look even paler and more slender in contrast, and lending the whole scene an inexpressible… suggestive air.

…With things arranged like this, it seemed especially easy for something unfortunate to happen.

Thinking back to what had happened earlier, Ye Shu gave a full-body shudder.

Suddenly, a warm body pressed up against his back. "Awake?"

The voice was thick with huskiness, its resonance numbing to the ears.

"Do you like the gift We gave you?" Jin Wang rested his chin on Ye Shu's shoulder and tilted his head to look at him, amusement in his eyes. "Custom-made especially for you."

From the moment Ye Shu had run away, he had begun commissioning the piece. Seven days — just the right amount of time for this gold chain to be finished.

"…" Ye Shu let out a dry laugh. "Your Majesty, I won't run again."

Jin Wang smiled. "We don't believe you."

Ye Shu made a pitiful face. "Your Majesty…"

Jin Wang asked with concern: "Are you hungry? We'll have Gaojin send for a meal."

"Jin Lingyuan!"

"We are here."

Ye Shu let out a sigh and resigned himself. "How long are you going to keep me chained up?"

"Until you stop thinking about leaving all the time." Jin Wang helped Ye Shu to his feet, his voice gentle to the utmost. "The chain is long enough for you to move about within the bedchamber. Mind you don't trip when walking."

Jin Wang helped Ye Shu put on his shoes, then draped a robe over his shoulders. "Eat first."

Jin Wang went out to instruct the attendants to bring a meal.

Ye Shu was so hungry his stomach was stuck to his spine. He had no energy to quarrel with Jin Wang and sat down to concentrate on filling himself up.

Ye Shu ate with great enthusiasm. Jin Wang glanced over at him from time to time, and finally spoke up when Ye Shu had consumed six pieces of pastry, two bowls of soup, three bowls of rice — and was still reaching for more.

"Did Duan Chengzhi not feed you these past few days?"

Jin Wang's tone wasn't particularly pleasant as he asked. He was thinking that if Ye Shu said yes, he would have those hundred strokes delivered to the man surnamed Duan without delay.

Ye Shu's cheeks were stuffed like a chipmunk's. He blinked with an air of innocence, then shook his head.

Jin Wang frowned. "He truly mistreated you?"

"No no, not at all…" Ye Shu quickly grabbed his arm. "He treated me quite well, honestly."

These past few days Ye Shu had been in a haze, only eating in the brief gaps between long stretches of sleep. But the man had not stinted on food or drink, taking proper care of him — he had even put on a bit of weight.

It was just that today, in preparation for entering the palace, Ye Shu hadn't had the chance to eat since the afternoon.

Jin Wang was only half-convinced. As he pondered this, Ye Shu swiftly grabbed another sweet cake and devoured it.

…The seventh piece.

Jin Wang gave a small cough and hinted tactfully: "A Shu, it isn't advisable to eat too much at one time."

"…" Ye Shu looked at the dishes in front of him, then looked at Jin Wang, and felt somewhat aggrieved. He could accept being locked up and not allowed to go out — but now he wasn't allowed to eat properly either?

Even Duan Chengzhi hadn't been this controlling.

The more Ye Shu thought about it, the more aggravated he became. He set down his chopsticks. "…Hmph."

Jin Wang: "…"

Jin Wang pressed a hand to his forehead. "Eat, eat — go ahead and eat."

Full and satisfied, Ye Shu lay on the couch and contentedly rubbed his stomach.

Jin Wang was absorbed in reviewing memorials under the lamp.

…How terribly dull.

He wanted to make trouble.

Ye Shu said: "Jin Wang."

Jin Wang didn't look up. "What is it?"

"I want to admire the moon."

Jin Wang stood up and pushed the window open for Ye Shu. Cool moonlight poured in.

Ye Shu said: "Admiring the moon from inside a room has no atmosphere. I want to take a stroll in the Imperial Garden."

"…" Jin Wang held his patience. "It's already hai hour."

"So what?" Ye Shu sat up. "If not at night, when else does one admire the moon?"

Jin Wang said nothing.

Ye Shu stood up, not bothering with shoes, and took a few steps toward Jin Wang.

He still wasn't used to the chain on his foot, and had barely reached the table before he almost tripped. Jin Wang quickly caught him.

"You——" Jin Wang's heart had leapt into his throat. He said irritably: "Didn't I tell you to be careful? What if you fall?"

"Who told you to put this thing on me — I'm not used to it."

Ye Shu paused, then said with perfect unconcern: "Besides, if I fall I fall — this place has thick carpets all over the floor. You could drop a porcelain doll in here and it wouldn't break. You think I can be damaged that easily?"

"…"

Jin Wang was furious enough to want to hit him.

But he couldn't.

This person currently must not be jolted or bumped into, and he didn't even know it himself.

Which doubled the frustration.

Jin Wang drew a slow breath, curved his mouth into a smile, and said: "But We worry about you falling. In order to spare Us worry, perhaps We should shorten the chain and have you stay in bed all day — what do you think?"

Ye Shu's expression froze. He shook his head rapidly. "No, no, no…"

Jin Wang said, sounding very considerate: "Didn't you say it was uncomfortable wearing it?"

"Comfortable — perfectly comfortable." Ye Shu became meek immediately. "No need to shorten it."

Jin Wang smiled with satisfaction, pulled Ye Shu into his arms, and sat down at the table. "If you're not tired, keep Us company while We look over memorials."

"I don't want to. I want to admire the moon."

"Then go to sleep."

"I don't want to sleep either." Ye Shu looped his arms around Jin Wang's neck, his voice going soft. "I just want to go for a little walk outside. Please let me go, Brother Jin Wang."

The hand holding the memorial trembled.

Ye Shu noticed his reaction and smiled inwardly. His voice grew even more honeyed. "Brother Jin Wang — really can't I go?"

The tips of Jin Wang's ears turned pink. He shifted uncomfortably. "You… don't call me that."

"Then what should I call you?" Ye Shu leaned close to his ear and said quietly: "Whatever you want to hear — I'll give you."

Jin Wang's ears went even redder.

And yet Ye Shu refused to let up, one "Brother Jin Wang" after another, each one softer than the last.

Jin Wang's endurance finally gave out. He tossed him back onto the bed and kissed him firmly.

A moment later, Jin Wang let go.

Ye Shu was breathing unevenly and didn't dare cause any more trouble.

Jin Wang looked up at him, a faint heat stirring in his eyes. "A Shu — stop pushing me."

Ye Shu couldn't perceive his own pheromone, but Jin Wang could smell it clearly.

That green plum fragrance had never fully subsided, teasing and enticing at every moment, making it impossible to keep a calm head.

If it weren't for the child in his belly…

Jin Wang's eyes darkened slightly. He felt a stifled pressure in his chest. He straightened up and turned his head away. "It's too late tonight — rest first. I'll take you to admire the moon first thing tomorrow morning."

With that he walked toward the door. Ye Shu asked: "Where are you going?"

"To bathe."

"…"

The following day was a rest day. After the midday meal, Jin Wang summoned the imperial physician to examine Ye Shu.

Ye Shu sat on the couch and let the physician take his pulse.

After a moment, Imperial Physician Feng said: "Young Master's pulse is steady. As for his body and… ahem — in any case, Young Master is in good health. Your Majesty may be at ease."

Ye Shu: "?"

That pause in the middle was far too suspicious.

Imperial Physician Feng also asked: "Has Young Master been experiencing any physical discomfort lately?"

Ye Shu thought for a moment and said: "Yes."

He wasn't sure whether it was from eating too much lately, but he had been feeling a persistent heaviness in his abdomen — like something was weighing it down.

Ye Shu described these symptoms to the physician. The physician responded: "This is a normal occurrence. This subject will prescribe Young Master a few medicinal courses. Taking them will provide relief."

Ye Shu asked: "Is it related to the stomach ailment?"

"…" Imperial Physician Feng said: "Yes."

…Why was there another such long pause?

Ye Shu looked at him with suspicion.

Imperial Physician Feng ignored that look entirely and said with a perfectly composed expression: "Young Master should not sit or lie down for extended periods at present. You should walk gently for at least one hour a day, and get plenty of sunlight."

Jin Wang nodded. "Good — We will remember that."

Ye Shu found it increasingly strange. "I just have a bit of bloating. What has that got to do with getting sunlight?"

Jin Wang cut him off: "Listen to the physician."

Ye Shu: "…Hmph."

Imperial Physician Feng then looked at the gold chain fastened to Ye Shu's ankle, and his face took on the expression of someone wanting very much to say something but thinking better of it — the expression of a man who did not understand the tastes of young people today.

The chain ran from the bedhead to the outer couch and was impossible to hide. Ye Shu made no attempt to hide it either.

The leg with the chain dangled over the edge of the couch, swinging back and forth, making the chain clink softly with each movement.

Jin Wang, who still had some sense of dignity, turned away uncomfortably. "Does the physician have more to say?"

"This…"

News of Ye Shu's escape hadn't gotten out, so Imperial Physician Feng naturally knew nothing about it. He simply took this as one of His Majesty's particular preferences.

But doing this to a pregnant person was quite inappropriate.

Imperial Physician Feng chose his words carefully and said in a roundabout way: "Young Master's constitution at present is… not suited for physical intimacy. Could Your Majesty… perhaps exercise a little more restraint?"

"…" Jin Wang nearly choked on his tea, and tried to explain. "Actually, We…"

Imperial Physician Feng cast a peculiar glance around the hall. The more he thought about it, the more sorry he felt for Ye Shu, and he said quietly: "This subject speaks boldly, but Young Master's greatest need right now is to maintain a peaceful and pleasant state of mind. This subject implores Your Majesty to show consideration."

Even Jin Wang was confused this time. "How have We not shown consideration?"

"…" Imperial Physician Feng said: "This servant heard that Your Majesty yesterday received the beauty presented by the Grand Master of Ceremonies and brought them to Yangxin Hall. Your Majesty enjoying both at once — this servant would not presume to advise against it — but Your Majesty ought to show some regard for Young Master's feelings. At the very least…"

Imperial Physician Feng's elderly face reddened. He said quietly: "At the very least, don't have both beauties share the bed at once. That would be most… improper."

"Cough cough cough…"

Ye Shu had just been lying on the couch drinking water, and very nearly choked.

Both beauties sharing the bed???

Is that how last night got reported?

He looked at Jin Wang in astonishment. The latter's expression was equally blank.

Not that one could blame Imperial Physician Feng.

Yesterday Jin Wang had brought the "presented beauty" directly to Yangxin Hall and not sent them away all night. Anyone would assume that the beauty had been favored by His Majesty. And on top of that, Jin Wang had all along been claiming the consort was still residing in Yangxin Hall.

Put the two together — wasn't that exactly one night with two people?

Having worked out the chain of events, Jin Wang was wordlessly silent for a moment.

Enjoying both at once — when in fact he hadn't touched either of them.

Jin Wang had no way to explain, so he could only agree pleasantly and have someone see Imperial Physician Feng out.

Ye Shu finally couldn't hold it in any longer and laughed until he was rolling around on the couch. "His Majesty with one on each arm, enjoying all the pleasures of life — how enviable, ha ha ha…"

"Ye Qi'an." Jin Wang grabbed the gold chain on his ankle and gave it a threatening rattle.

Ye Shu promptly stopped laughing.

Jin Wang asked: "Do you want to go to the Imperial Garden?"

Ye Shu rolled to the other side of the couch, face turned away. "No."

He hadn't been allowed to go yesterday. Now that the offer was on the table, he didn't feel like it anymore.

"…" Jin Wang's expression went stiff for a moment. He bent down and undid the chain from Ye Shu's ankle, then asked patiently: "Then where would you like to go? We'll go wherever you want."

Ye Shu's eyes lit up, but he still didn't look back. "Anywhere?"

"Anywhere."

Ye Shu: "I want to leave the palace."

Jin Wang went quiet.

Ye Shu held his gaze for a moment, then looked away with a dejected expression. "I knew it — no good. Let's forget it then. You can keep me chained up. I'm not going anywhere."

He pulled his legs up and curled himself into a ball on the couch, looking thoroughly aggrieved.

And Imperial Physician Feng had just said to keep him in a pleasant state of mind.

Jin Wang let out a sigh and relented. "Fine. We'll take you out of the palace."

Ye Shu's expression changed in one second flat.

He stood up from the couch and walked briskly into the inner chamber to change.

…He hadn't even bothered to keep up the act.

Jin Wang felt thoroughly outmaneuvered.

His original plan had been to confine this person to Yangxin Hall under house arrest, not allowing him out at all — to teach him a proper lesson. How had a few exchanges of words led to him agreeing to take him out of the palace?

Jin Wang stared speechlessly at the inner chamber, reflecting on exactly when he had begun indulging this person to such an unreasonable degree.

This couldn't go on. At this rate the man would be riding roughshod over him before long.

He shouldn't have agreed to take him out of the palace. He hadn't calmed down yet.

With that thought, Jin Wang stood and walked toward the inner chamber.

He was going to tell Ye Shu they weren't going out after all — no amount of crying or begging would change it.

Before he had even made it into the inner chamber, Ye Shu came striding out, and the two of them almost collided.

Jin Wang instinctively caught him, and asked: "What's the matter?"

Ye Shu wriggled free from his arms. Grinning, he raised both hands.

In his left hand was the prosthetic face mask. In his right hand, the white veil used to cover his face. He tipped his head back, beaming up at Jin Wang. "Does Your Majesty want the consort or the new beauty for company today?"

Jin Wang was momentarily dazzled by that smile, and in an instant forgot what he had been about to say. He replied without thinking: "Either… either is fine."