Chapter 31

After seeing the physician out, Jin Wang returned to the bedchamber alone.

Ye Shu was propped on the small couch reading.

At the sound of footsteps, Ye Shu glanced up, and then coldly returned his gaze to his book.

Still not over it.

Jin Wang, who genuinely had no idea what he had done wrong: "…"

A kun-sovereign's emotions during pregnancy are volatile. He must not be angered. He must be soothed.

Jin Wang recited this to himself for what felt like the hundredth time, and sat down beside Ye Shu. "A Shu, you've had a long day. Go bathe, and then rest early."

"I don't want to."

Ye Shu rolled over to face away and even pulled the blanket around himself, curling himself into a small white bundle.

Jin Wang continued to hold his patience. "You caught a chill today. You need to bathe to drive out the cold, or you'll be sick tomorrow."

Ye Shu was silent for a moment.

He dropped his book onto the couch, spread both arms, and said: "Then carry me."

Jin Wang: "…" When did this person become so comfortable ordering Us around?

The audacity.

Jin Wang had already been feeling somewhat suffocated from his time with the physician. At this moment a flash of irritation rose in him. "Walk there yourself."

Ye Shu was decisive: "Then I'm not going."

One sitting, one standing, they looked at each other.

Jin Wang: "…I'll carry you."

…He is Our kun-sovereign. He is carrying Our child. We must soothe him.

Jin Wang carried him to the side chamber.

At Jin Wang's instructions beforehand, warming medicinal herbs had been added to the bath. The water temperature was a touch higher than usual, and steam rose thickly through the room.

The attendants saw that His Majesty had personally carried the senior consort in, and showed no surprise whatsoever, simply kneeling in greeting.

— Even the servants had grown used to this.

Jin Wang dismissed them all and set Ye Shu at the edge of the pool. He was just about to leave when he abruptly stopped.

Ye Shu looked at him in puzzlement. "Why hasn't Your Majesty left?"

Jin Wang cleared his throat and said mildly: "We are joining you this evening."

Ye Shu: "…"

Jin Wang had been reflecting on his own conduct over these past days and had finally concluded that things had gotten rather out of hand.

He had indulged this person far too much.

The person was not merely about to ride roughshod over him — he had already been capering freely on top of him for some time.

This would not do.

His Majesty the sovereign had decided to reassert some authority.

Jin Wang said: "You will attend Us in the bath today."

Ye Shu narrowed his eyes.

Jin Wang met his gaze and quietly added: "…Our hand injury is inconvenient."

Ye Shu: "…Oh."

That excuse was impossible to argue with.

Sharing a bath with Jin Wang was nothing new at this point, and nothing to be embarrassed about. Ye Shu stopped protesting, stripped off his outer robe, and got in.

A moment later the water rippled and Jin Wang settled beside him.

The white jade bath was large enough to hold several more people. The two sat side by side against one wall, the steam making their features look somewhat soft and indistinct.

Jin Wang's injured hand rested on the edge of the pool. Ye Shu scooped water and helped rinse his hair.

For a time the only sound in the pool was the gentle lapping of water.

But gradually — it was Jin Wang who ran out of composure first.

He grabbed Ye Shu's hand. The tips of his ears went imperceptibly red. "Stop leaning over!"

Ye Shu made an innocent face. "Wasn't it Your Majesty who wanted this subject to attend?"

"…" We didn't ask you to release this much pheromone.

Jin Wang felt the air in the pool growing thinner by the moment. Even breathing had become somewhat difficult.

If this went on something was going to go wrong.

Jin Wang stood to leave — and was caught by Ye Shu. "Where is Your Majesty going?"

"We're going to…" The other's palm had been soaking in the warm water and was hot to the touch. Wherever skin met skin burned as though it might catch fire. Jin Wang's ears went completely red. "Get some air!"

Jin Wang dropped those words and made a hasty exit, hastily dried off, and fled.

Ye Shu burst out laughing.

A complete fool, just as he thought.

Ye Shu drew a deep breath and sensed the green plum pheromone drifting through the air.

He had been practicing these past few days on how to control the pheromone, and hadn't mastered it yet — but releasing a small amount to tease this man wasn't difficult at all.

Releasing was always easier than controlling.

This dog emperor had been deceiving him all this time — it served him right.

Ye Shu stretched out in the water and quickly began to drowse.

Jin Wang stood outside letting the cold air cool his head for a full cup of tea's worth of time before finally managing to settle himself down. When he returned to the side chamber refreshed, Ye Shu had fallen asleep in the water.

The young man was draped over the edge of the pool, his hair cascading loose, his face pillowed on his bare forearms, fast asleep.

Something in Jin Wang's heart turned immediately soft.

…What was he being upset with him for?

He was the one who had wronged this person first.

He walked to the poolside and gently touched Ye Shu's hair. "A Shu — come to bed."

Ye Shu, drowsy and half-asleep, resisted by burying his face further into his arms. His voice came out soft and irresistibly inviting. "…Don't disturb me."

Jin Wang: "…"

This person was doing it on purpose.

Jin Wang lifted him out of the water.

Asleep, Ye Shu was infinitely cooperative, allowing Jin Wang to do whatever he needed.

Jin Wang spent what felt like enormous reserves of self-discipline to get him dressed, his hair dried, and carry him back to the bedchamber.

He lay down with Ye Shu, tucked the blanket around him, and held him close.

Ye Shu, disturbed out of his deep sleep into a half-conscious state, squirmed restlessly in his arms.

"Ye Shu!" Jin Wang was driven near the edge by the friction and pinned all four of his limbs. "Stop moving."

"…Miserable bastard Jin Wang." Ye Shu was thoroughly restrained and couldn't move. He kept his eyes closed and cursed. "You're so annoying."

Jin Wang had long since grown accustomed to this person's sleep-babbling. He actually laughed. "We treat you so well and you still say We're annoying — have you any sense of reason?"

Ye Shu, without any: "You're just annoying."

Jin Wang asked: "In what way are We annoying?"

Ye Shu was quiet for a long moment, then said quietly: "…Not telling you. Figure it out yourself."

"But We can't figure it out." Jin Wang leaned a little closer, his voice dropping. "A Shu — what have We done to upset you this time?"

"You upset me in every way." Ye Shu nuzzled his head against Jin Wang's chest and murmured indistinctly: "…You always lie to me. You treat me terribly."

"…Miserable dog emperor."

The smile faded from Jin Wang's face. "When have We lied to you?"

"…Why should I tell you." Ye Shu's voice grew fainter and fainter. "I just won't tell you."

Ye Shu's breathing gradually steadied. He was soon fast asleep.

Jin Wang held him and his brow furrowed slightly.

Could it be… that he had guessed?

Over the next several days, Ye Shu obediently rested in the bedchamber. He was, for once, unusually settled. And Jin Wang didn't bring up anything from that evening either.

One morning, Ye Shu woke to find Jin Wang had already left for court.

He finished breakfast at his own pace. Shortly after, an attendant announced that Imperial Physician Feng had arrived.

After what had happened that night, Imperial Physician Feng had felt deeply the hardship of survival in the rear palace. He had returned to the Imperial Medical Bureau and gone without sleep for several days running, preparing the medicine day and night. Today it was finally ready.

He could not wait a moment longer and had come to Yangxin Hall immediately under the pretense of the senior consort's routine examination.

Ye Shu tipped a single pellet out of the jade vial and held it between his fingers, examining it. "This is the abortifacient?"

"It is." Imperial Physician Feng leaned closer and lowered his voice. "This medicine dissolves colorlessly and odorlessly in water, and can also be mixed into food. I guarantee it will not be detected by anyone."

Ye Shu placed the pellet back in the vial and said earnestly: "Thank you for your trouble, physician."

"Think nothing of it — I am glad to be of help to Young Master."

Imperial Physician Feng thought for a moment, then added with a grave air: "Oh yes — this substance is extremely damaging to the body in ordinary people. It must not be taken by anyone without medical need. Young Master must take care not to accidentally consume it."

"…"

Of course the physician had to warn him against accidental consumption — in the physician's eyes, he was the one with a pregnancy to protect.

Ye Shu turned the jade vial over in his hands. His other hand drifted unconsciously to his lower abdomen. He seemed to be thinking about something.

A moment later, Ye Shu smiled. "Very well — I'll remember."

He put the medicine away carefully and said: "I must ask the physician to keep today's matter confidential for now. Above all, it must not reach His Majesty's ears."

"This servant understands." Imperial Physician Feng nodded, then seeing Ye Shu move to stand and see him out, quickly said: "Young Master should rest in bed — I can see myself out."

Ye Shu was about to nod when he suddenly heard a voice from beyond the door.

A figure dressed in black and gold court robes walked in with attendants behind him, a dangerous smile in his eyes. "What is it that can't be told to Us?"