Chapter 59

Before anyone noticed, autumn had arrived. As the weather turned cooler, His Majesty the sovereign finally took his wife and child — that is, the Chancellor and the little prince — back to the capital.

In front of the assembled officials, the two of them still maintained that appearance of wise sovereign and loyal minister: attending court when court was to be attended, handling affairs when affairs required handling, and when their views differed, arguing in front of all the officials as they always had.

Except that now, it looked to everyone very much like a couple's spat.

Of course, there were differences from before.

In the past, after court or after official business was done, the Chancellor would return to the estate to rest. But now, the Chancellor could not be found at the estate night after night — a single enquiry would yield the same answer: he was at the palace.

The Chancellor had been back in the capital for over half a month, and not a single person in the Ye estate household had caught so much as a glimpse of their master.

Like water poured out from a cup, once married he belonged somewhere else. The household servants shook their heads and sighed, and gradually made their peace with it.

Several more months passed. The post-war arrangements with Xixia were finally fully resolved — though not without a certain awkward incident along the way.

It went like this. Changlu and Xixia were a great distance apart. Without urgent relay couriers, a normal traveler departing from Changlu's capital would need at least a month and a half to reach the Xixia royal city. Information traveled at roughly this same speed.

So when Xixia's city fell and the Xixia king decided to send hostages to Changlu, the last news to have reached Xixia's side was that the Changlu sovereign could not win the heart of his Chancellor.

A case of emotional emptiness — nothing simpler than that.

The Xixia king had put brush to paper and sent off a pair of his own children — twins who had just come of age — as a gift.

By the time the news of the Changlu Chancellor bearing a prince reached the Xixia royal city, the envoy convoy had already been on the road for more than half a month. Intercepting them was impossible.

The Xixia king went out of his mind. The pair of siblings on the road went out of their minds. And Jin Wang, who received word in advance, also went slightly out of his mind.

"The Xixia king is absolutely trying to sabotage my harmonious and happy household." Jin Wang said with indignation. "They cannot be allowed into the city!"

Gaojin was quiet for a moment, then said: "Your Majesty — the Xixia princess and prince are already encamped outside the city. Giving the order not to admit them now would be a little…"

…Too late?

Jin Wang: "…"

Jin Wang made a decisive call. "A Shu must not know about this."

"Go down the Yangtze for a holiday? Or just me and little Zhao going alone?" Late at night, Ye Shu had just finished settling the baby in his arms. His voice was very quiet. "Why?"

Jin Wang's years as sovereign had cultivated a truly extraordinary psychological resilience. He said calmly: "You're not going alone — you go first. I'll take care of things here and follow shortly."

"But…"

Jin Wang cut him off. "The capital winters are too cold. Zhao is still so young — it's better for him to spend winter in the south."

Ye Shu looked at him somewhat suspiciously.

Jin Wang had a traveling palace in the southern coastal region. When the capital was blanketed in winter snow, it was still blazing with sunshine there, warm as summer.

Emperors certainly knew how to enjoy life.

Ye Shu was somewhat swayed. "You do have a point…"

Jin Wang gave him no chance to change his mind and immediately said: "I've already given the instructions. You leave tomorrow."

"That soon?" Ye Shu frowned. "But I heard the Xixia envoy is almost here. I still need to…"

Jin Wang said: "With me here, you don't need to worry about any of that."

"Then…" Ye Shu pressed his lips together and said quietly: "When will you come find us?"

Jin Wang's heart softened entirely at that expression. He bent down and kissed Ye Shu's forehead. "Once I've cleared up things here I'll come at the fastest possible pace. The weather is still mild enough to travel — take the water route south. You can stop and play along the way."

The mention of playing made Ye Shu's eyes light up. "Alright!"

Taking Ye Shu and the little one south for the winter had never been a hasty decision — Jin Wang had originally envisioned the three of them sailing south together, stopping to enjoy themselves along the way.

But things had turned out like this.

Damned Xixia king.

Ye Shu appeared genuinely pleased. He'd been cooped up in the capital so long that he'd been wanting to go out and explore for a while. He smacked a kiss on Jin Wang's face, then felt something and frowned, shifting back slightly. "Rein in your pheromone."

"Mm?" Jin Wang was momentarily confused, then noticed the faint wine fragrance that had spread through the air at some point.

Ye Shu's ears were a little warm. "The little one is right here — what are you teasing me for?"

The atmosphere was gradually becoming charged. Jin Wang averted his gaze uncomfortably. "I… I'll go and bathe."

He genuinely hadn't done it on purpose.

Qian-sovereigns didn't ordinarily have a seeking cycle — but after marking a kun-sovereign, and out of a basic instinct for continuation, a qian-sovereign would have one or two seeking cycles a year. A qian-sovereign's seeking cycle was not particularly disruptive — it simply meant they were unable to stop themselves from releasing pheromone in the presence of their marked kun-sovereign, in an attempt to draw the other into an arousal cycle.

If intimate relations were frequent, it could be managed — but lately the little one had become increasingly clingy, and every night required Ye Shu to soothe him to sleep.

They had not had the opportunity in quite some time.

Jin Wang splashed water on his face and let out a heavy sigh.

The following morning, Ye Shu departed the capital with the little one. That afternoon, the city gates were thrown wide — to welcome the triumphant army home, and to receive the Xixia envoy into the city.

Supreme Commander Zuo Yan rode at the head, with Xiao Huan at his side.

Several months had passed. The look in Xiao Huan's eyes had matured, and his bearing had settled considerably. He sat his horse — a black-and-white steed — with a brilliant spirit. He looked every bit the young general who had made Xixia tremble with fear.

Jin Wang came forward in person to receive them. But Xiao Huan's gaze swept past Jin Wang, and he asked with displeasure: "Where's Elder Brother Ye Shu?"

"Huan — show His Majesty proper respect." Zuo Yan cut him off sharply.

Xiao Huan opened his mouth, then muttered a quiet "yes" and returned to his position.

Jin Wang looked at Zuo Yan with genuine surprise.

General Zuo was a few years older than Jin Wang and had first set foot on a battlefield at an even younger age than Xiao Huan was now — where he had made his name in one battle. When Jin Wang had sent Xiao Huan to serve as Zuo Yan's deputy, there had indeed been an intent for Zuo Yan to take the young man in hand.

The results had exceeded expectations somewhat.

The Xixia envoy followed close behind the army as they entered the city.

Though Xixia was a defeated nation, Changlu had always placed great importance on ceremony and had not mistreated them along the way. But that didn't mean the two hostages could relax — on the contrary, they were barely short of dying of terror.

Jin Wang's reputation outside Changlu was not great, and in Xixia it was considerably worse.

To the eyes of Xixia's people, this foreign sovereign was nothing short of a monster — stories had circulated about his cruelty, his bloodlust, his love of devouring raw flesh, his face like that of a demon come to life. In short, each rumor was more frightening than the last.

The Xixia princess and prince had heard countless such stories on the road and were so tense by the time they were helped out of their carriage that they nearly fainted.

The siblings didn't dare raise their eyes. They were guided step by step until they caught a glimpse of dark robes in front of them — and went to their knees shaking.

Jin Wang: "…"

Am I really that frightening?

"…You may all rise." Jin Wang's expression was mild, though inwardly he was in considerable haste, wanting nothing more than to send these people on their way so he could go find his Chancellor and son.

The siblings were rather over their heads with nerves and tried to help each other up. As the Xixia princess rose, her legs gave way and she pitched forward.

Jin Wang instinctively reached out to steady her.

"Ahhhhhh——!" The terror reached its peak the moment Jin Wang touched her. The Xixia princess let out a scream and promptly fainted, falling straight into Jin Wang's arms.

The city gate was noisy and chaotic. But Jin Wang's acute senses caught the sound of carriage wheels approaching.

He looked toward the sound. A carriage had pulled up just at the base of the city wall. The curtain was lifted from inside. Ye Shu held the baby in his arms, and two pairs of eyes — strikingly similar — looked at him in silence.

And Jin Wang was still holding the unconscious Xixia princess.

Jin Wang: "…"

I didn't, I wasn't, I did absolutely nothing.

Yangxin Hall.

Ye Shu held the baby in one arm, raised his teacup with the other hand, took a slow sip, and languidly raised an eyebrow.

The sovereign of Changlu, feared across the land as a demon come to life, stood before him with his head lowered guiltily.

"So that's why Your Majesty wanted this subject to take little Zhao south." Ye Shu gave a cold smile. "It turns out you were getting rid of me so you could spend time with the two beauties Xixia sent over."

Jin Wang: "I wasn't, I didn't—"

"Then what was that?"

"I only…" Jin Wang opened his mouth, then couldn't find a good explanation. "I only didn't want you to be upset."

Ye Shu: "I'm upset right now."

Jin Wang stepped forward and crouched down slightly, his voice dropping. "What would it take for you not to be upset?"

Ye Shu was always most helpless when this man spoke in this tone. His expression softened a notch almost immediately. He looked away. "Sweet talking won't work. I'm telling you—"

A strong wave of wine-fragrance spread through the air.

Ye Shu's expression froze. His breathing grew slightly heavier.

"You——" The pheromone was even stronger than before. The red reached Ye Shu's ears in an instant. He said indignantly: "You can't argue your way out of it so you're resorting to seduction?"

"I wasn't, I didn't—"

"Get out!"

"A Shu…"

"Get out!!!"

Bang——

The doors of Yangxin Hall slammed shut. The assembled attendants squeezed together at the far end of the corridor, all of them quailing with their heads bowed, not one daring to look in that direction.

The Chancellor in a temper was just as intimidating as His Majesty.

Everyone hunched their shoulders and silently resolved to be even more careful in serving the Chancellor in the future. There was no room for carelessness.

Jin Wang was feeling rather helpless about the whole situation himself.

For the first time in his life, His Majesty the sovereign had been locked out of his own bedchamber — and felt not the slightest irritation, only a certain regret.

He had been trying to avoid complications, and had ended up stirring up considerably more trouble.

He should never have kept it from Ye Shu in the first place.

He waited at the door for a while. Seeing no movement from inside, he made his way around to the window. "A Shu," he said quietly. "I was wrong."

No response.

After a good long while, Ye Shu's muffled voice finally came from within. "Wrong about what?"

Jin Wang said honestly: "I only learned yesterday that the Xixia king sent those two people here. If I'd known in advance, I would never have allowed it."

Ye Shu: "That's not what I'm angry about."

"Mm?"

"…I'm not angry about that."

Ye Shu's voice came through the window, softened by the barrier — a little low and rough. "I'm angry that you didn't trust me."

"I know what you were worried about. You worried the Xixia king had ulterior motives — that the two he sent were there to drive a wedge between us, and that I would be hurt by it." Ye Shu said. "Do I really need this much protecting?"

"Jin Wang — I like you. So whatever comes our way, I want to face it with you."

"You shouldn't have pushed me away."

Jin Wang was quiet for a long stretch. Then he said softly: "I'm sorry."

"This time I acted on my own without consulting you. That was my mistake." Jin Wang's palm pressed flat against the window. His voice was quiet and genuine. "I apologize to you."

Another short stretch of silence — and then the hall door opened.

Ye Shu came out holding the already-sleeping little Zhao.

He didn't look at Jin Wang at all. He called over the wet nurse to take the baby, and only then turned to look at Jin Wang, who was standing frozen at the threshold.

Ye Shu stepped past him and back into the hall, then stopped just inside the doorway. "Are you coming in or not?"

Jin Wang asked: "You're not angry anymore?"

"I'm angry." Ye Shu said without looking back. "But there won't be a next time."

"There won't be a next time!" Jin Wang took two steps forward and wrapped his arms around Ye Shu from behind, burying his face against his neck. "I promise. There will never be a next time."

Ye Shu's ears burned. Surrounded by the residual pheromone still clinging to Jin Wang, the feeling spread into his limbs.

He leaned back against Jin Wang and said quietly: "I've already sent the little one away."

"The attendants outside have also been dismissed."

"No one will come near here for the rest of the day."

Jin Wang went still for a moment, then looked down at the person in his arms. At some point, the cinnabar mole behind Ye Shu's ear had turned a vivid red.

"You…"

A flush had gradually spread across Ye Shu's face. With an embarrassed, indignant look he said: "Are you going to come inside or not? How much longer do you plan to hold out?"

The moment the words left his mouth, he was swept off his feet.

Jin Wang carried Ye Shu in long strides to the bed, set him down, and pressed over him. "So just now — you not speaking to me, not looking at me — that was because you were settling the little one to sleep?"

Ye Shu pressed his lips together and turned his head without answering.

Jin Wang couldn't help kissing him.

How could this person be so endearing — clearly sulking, and yet still putting the child to sleep first, then coming to take care of Jin Wang's seeking cycle.

"I'm so fond of you." Jin Wang lifted his head and looked at him earnestly. "You have no idea how fond of you I am."

Ye Shu's consciousness was swimming in the deepening pheromone. He made a supreme effort to tilt his head up and press a kiss to Jin Wang's lips, and laughed.

"I know."

"I've known for a very long time."

The next day, Changlu sent the Xixia envoy and hostages back — and in addition to the ceded territories and annual tribute, one new condition was added: Xixia was required to spread the story of the Changlu sovereign and Chancellor's great love throughout the entire nation.

A few days later, the sovereign and Chancellor boarded a boat south with the little prince.

The family of three traveled at their leisure, visiting mountains and waterways along the way, occasionally taking on civilian disguise and exploring places unannounced. Everywhere they went they found clear rivers and calm seas, a bountiful and peaceful world.

The second year of spring, the little one had been growing quickly, and in the blink of an eye he could take a few slow steps with some assistance.

One afternoon, Ye Shu had just finished settling his little one to sleep when a small yellow dog slipped in through the gap in Yangxin Hall's doors.

Ye Shu's expression showed faint surprise. "The task is complete?"

The system wasn't supposed to frequently interfere with the story's events. The last time they had seen each other, they had agreed: unless the task was complete, the little yellow dog would not appear in front of Ye Shu again.

He hadn't expected to meet again this soon.

"That's right — Jin Wang's unification of the realm is only a matter of time. The system shows your task has been completed." The little yellow dog said. "A year ago I told you that when the task was finished, you could choose your own reward. Have you decided?"

"I…" Ye Shu looked back at the little one sleeping peacefully on the bed.

A breeze drifted in through the half-open window. Ye Shu looked out. In the distance, tier upon tier of upturned eaves reflected the sunlight. The vast imperial city was bathed in the afternoon light — rare in its quietude.

"I've decided." Ye Shu said quietly. "I want to stay here."

The little yellow dog wasn't particularly surprised.

It had accompanied Ye Shu the whole way and understood his character and feelings well.

"You can stay," the little yellow dog said. "But if you do, you may never be able to return to the real world."

"I have nothing there. Why go back?" Ye Shu said. "Wealth, power, health — you could give me many things, but none of those are what I want most."

"What I want is a home. And that home is here."

"…Very well." The little yellow dog swished its tail. "I'll pass your wishes on to higher-ups. As for those lost memories of yours — the system has no precedent for this, and I'm not certain I can retrieve them. There might be some other benefits as well — in any case, I'll do my best."

Ye Shu nodded. "Thank you."

A faint, gentle light passed over the little yellow dog. When the glow faded, the dog blinked, its gaze drifting around in confusion before finally landing on Ye Shu.

"Woof woof!" The little yellow dog bounded forward, tail wagging furiously, ready to leap at Ye Shu.

Ye Shu caught it quickly. "You're… Awang?"

Awang: "Woof woof woof——!"

"Shh, alright." Ye Shu rubbed the little head gently. "I know you're happy to be back — but don't wake little Zhao."

"…Woof?"

Little Awang lay in Ye Shu's arms and tilted his head at the small figure sleeping on the bed, apparently confused by when this small new thing had appeared beside his master.

Ye Shu carried Awang out of the bedchamber — and found Jin Wang standing in the courtyard beneath the peach tree, pale-pink petals drifting down around him.

Ye Shu walked up to him. "Why didn't you come inside?"

Jin Wang's expression was a little hesitant. "I…"

"The system has just left. This is Awang." Ye Shu said. "I told it just now — I'm not leaving."

Jin Wang's eyes stirred.

Ye Shu put down the little dog and wrapped both arms around Jin Wang's neck. "Say something — I'm staying here for you."

"I don't know what to say." Jin Wang gave a slightly rueful laugh. "I want to say you don't have to sacrifice yourself for me — but if this is the only way for us to never be separated again, I'm glad you made this choice."

"You always say I'm making sacrifices for you, but that's nothing compared to the sacrifices you've made."

"I wanted to." Ye Shu blinked and cut him off. "As long as it's willing, it isn't a sacrifice. You said that."

Jin Wang smiled. "Mm. I understand."

"Then let's talk about something else." Jin Wang looked at the face so close to his, and asked: "Our son is getting so big now. Isn't it time the Chancellor gave me a formal standing?"

Before, with little Zhao still so young and official affairs so pressing, they had put the wedding on hold.

Now that all things had been settled, the old matter was at last raised again.

The two of them looked at each other through the falling petals. Ye Shu smiled. "Nothing I could want more."

The wedding was set for three months later. The two of them were wed with the ceremony of emperor and empress-consort — the day happened to fall on the little prince's first birthday.

After the wedding, Ye Shu did not enter the rear palace. He retained his position as Chancellor.

From that day on, the two of them governed the realm together and shared in the prosperity of a golden age.

---

Epilogue

Life after the wedding, for Ye Shu, was not much different from before.

After Xixia was subdued, Changlu enjoyed a long period of peace. According to the original novel's plot, Dayan was next after Xixia. Dayan lay in the wealthy southern lands and was considerably stronger than Xixia — it couldn't simply be dispatched with a military campaign.

But now with Yu Yan, Jin Wang had no intention of declaring war.

They would simply let Yu Yan seize power on his own, with Changlu's quiet backing. When the time came, how the two nations would deal with each other — wouldn't that be up to them to discuss?

With all under heaven at peace, Ye Shu and Jin Wang could at last focus wholeheartedly on raising their child.

Past the first birthday, little Zhao's features had blossomed further. His brow and eyes were practically cast from the same mold as Jin Wang's. The only difference was his eyes — slightly upturned at the outer corners, with the natural warm charm of peach-blossom eyes, and when he smiled he was the exact image of Ye Shu.

—One could already see that he would grow into a breathtaking little beauty who would set hearts reeling one day.

Little Zhao was in excellent health, naturally energetic, and considerably more lively than most children his age.

Once he learned to walk, he loved charging around the courtyard in every direction. When he really got going, a whole group of people couldn't catch him. And this little one didn't cry or fuss when he fell — he'd pat off his clothes and go right back to running, as though he had an endless supply of energy.

Every time this happened, Ye Shu would be frightened half to death and order every decorative item that might cause injury to be replaced, before finally relaxing somewhat.

"…Who on earth does he take after?" Ye Shu looked out the window at his son, who was engaged in an elaborate battle of wits with the attendants in the courtyard, and asked with interest.

Jin Wang paused in turning a page of his book, without looking up. "Don't look at me. I was never physically active as a child — even martial arts training was something my mother made me do."

That was true enough.

Jin Wang had been delicate and small as a child, gentle and well-behaved. He absolutely would not have gone charging around everywhere like this.

Ye Shu nodded without thinking, then immediately realized something was off. "Are you saying it's my fault? I wasn't like that as a child either!"

That was because there had been no opportunity.

In those early years, there had been no chance to learn to walk at all.

But still…

Jin Wang glanced over at him, his lips curving faintly. He said mildly: "When I first met you, you were just like little Zhao is now."

Ye Shu: "…"

The Ye Shu of those days had only just recovered the use of his legs, and had always been pulling Jin Wang around the palace to play, bounding up and down and into everything with curiosity. Only after Jin Wang's mother consort had been demoted and the three of them moved into the cold palace did Ye Shu gradually become more composed.

Ye Shu was quiet for a moment, then flatly refused to acknowledge his own past behavior. "You're making things up. I'm going to play with my son. I'm done with you."

"Young prince, watch out!"

Ye Shu had barely stepped through the hall doors when a small figure came running toward him, crashing into his arms. "Papa! Papa!"

Little Zhao was bright and quick — far ahead of other children his age in walking and talking alike. He was two and a half years old now, speaking clearly with a faint sweet baby roundness to his voice, crisp and bright.

Ye Shu crouched down and tweaked the soft little cheek. "What's the rush — what happened?"

The little one grabbed Ye Shu's sleeve. His eyes were sparkling. "Little Zhao wants to go outside the palace."

"Outside the palace?" Ye Shu said. "What made you want to go out?"

"Uncle Gao said there's a new theatre company in the city!"

Ye Shu's eyes lit up a little.

It was true that they hadn't been outside the palace to play in quite some time.

The power struggle in Dayan had been intensifying, and Changlu couldn't avoid getting involved behind the scenes. Since autumn arrived, both Jin Wang and Ye Shu had gradually become busier.

Better not to think about it when it wasn't on his mind — but now that it was, Ye Shu wanted to go out too.

He glanced back into the hall.

Jin Wang was still sitting at the table dealing with official matters. Ye Shu had looked just before coming out — it would likely take another hour or two to finish. Jin Wang had become increasingly diligent after the wedding, and would never agree to going out to play before his work was done.

But if they waited another hour or two, it would be dark out.

Ye Shu pressed his lips together, then looked back — and met little Zhao's bright eyes.

Father and son read in each other's gazes the exact same mixture of longing and hesitation.

Neither dared bring it up.

Too timid.

Ye Shu shook his head helplessly.

His son had a lively, outgoing personality and looked adorable — every attendant and official who saw him said so. But the one exception was when he was in front of his imperial father, when he would deflate into a ball of timid helplessness.

Little Zhao pulled on Ye Shu's sleeve pitifully. "Papa, can you go and ask Imperial Father?"

"…" Nobody could say who this timid streak had come from.

"No — last time it was me who went and asked when we went to the lake outside the city." Ye Shu was perfectly righteous about it. "We agreed to take turns. No cheating."

Little Zhao's small face scrunched up.

Ye Shu said with great earnestness: "Papa has told you — if you want something, you have to speak up for yourself. Your Imperial Father treats you so well. What is there to be afraid of?"

Little Zhao mimicked Ye Shu's solemn tone and said very seriously: "But Imperial Father treats you well too, and you're also afraid."

"…"

Ye Shu opened his mouth. After a long pause he said quietly: "Mine is different…"

Little Zhao tilted his head. "How is it different?"

Ye Shu's expression became difficult to describe.

The last time he dragged Jin Wang to go boating at the lake, he had been having such a good time that he absolutely refused to go home, and Jin Wang ended up with more than thirty memorials piling up. In the end, Ye Shu had been installed on that dragon throne in the Imperial Study, and they had worked through the whole night that way before it was finished.

Ye Shu shuddered at the memory, decided not to elaborate, and said with a straight face: "In any case — one person, one turn, that's what we agreed."

"Alright…" Little Zhao said dutifully. "Then I'll go find Imperial Father."

"…What do you need me for?" Jin Wang's voice suddenly came from behind both of them. The large and small figures in the doorway both jumped, and turned around.

Ye Shu crouching down made him barely taller than his son. Two gazes traveled upward together to look at Jin Wang, both wearing identically guileless expressions.

"What scheme are you two hatching now?" That expression was adorable enough to melt any heart. Jin Wang's eyes softened, but he put on a deliberately stern face.

Ye Shu quietly poked the little one beside him.

Little Zhao looked up at Ye Shu, bolstered by his father's encouraging gaze, screwed up his courage, stepped forward, took Jin Wang's hand, and said in his soft, round baby voice: "Imperial Father — Zhao wants to go out and play."

Jin Wang asked: "Where would you like to go? The Imperial Garden?"

"…Not that."

Jin Wang wasn't actually strict with his son — if anything, because the little one's personality was so similar to Ye Shu's, he tended toward indulgence. It was simply that years of ruling as sovereign had left an air of authority about him that refused to be extinguished, giving the child an instinctive awe.

Little Zhao's bright eyes blinked. Screwing up his courage, he said: "Zhao wants… wants to go outside the palace."

One look at those two expressions and Jin Wang had already had a very good idea of what was going on. He wasn't surprised.

He glanced over at Ye Shu — who was obediently crouching behind his son, trying very hard to reduce his own presence and appear entirely uninvolved — and said idly: "If you want to go outside, just have Papa take you. The Chancellor's estate outside the palace is also home."

After the wedding, Jin Wang had gifted Ye Shu a new Chancellor's estate — closer to the palace, so Ye Shu could return there whenever he wished. Over the past year, however, Ye Shu had been back very rarely.

Little Zhao was struck with sudden realization. "Oh right…"

If he and Papa wanted to go outside the palace to play, they didn't need to ask Imperial Father's permission at all!

But then why…

Little Zhao looked at Ye Shu in puzzlement.

There was no escaping it now. Ye Shu stepped forward, took hold of Jin Wang's other hand, and said quietly: "Because we wanted you to come with us."

Jin Wang looked at the two of them — one large, one small — and finally broke, laughing softly.

He had long since been unable to hold out against Ye Shu alone. Now there was a small one too.

His Majesty the sovereign once again found himself concerned about his standing within his own family.

Jin Wang said: "Go and change. We're going out."

"Yes!" Little Zhao jumped for joy, and was carried off by a court maid to change his clothes.

Jin Wang took Ye Shu's hand and led him inside.

Ye Shu proactively undid the toggles on Jin Wang's court robe, his ears a little warm. "It's little Zhao who wanted you to come. Not me…"

"I know." Jin Wang looked down at him, a quiet smile in his eyes. "You're not clingy."

Ye Shu averted his gaze, ears even redder.

Jin Wang loved that expression beyond words. He stepped forward, helped Ye Shu out of his outer robe, and pressed a kiss to the side of his face. "Little Zhao already knows to speak up bravely for what he wants. Why is the Chancellor hiding behind his son?"

"…"

It was entirely because a certain emperor was always behaving insufferably.

Jin Wang only smiled and said nothing. The two of them quickly changed into civilian clothing, brought little Zhao, and left the palace.

The family of three went to the theatre to hear the new troupe, then went to the finest restaurant in the city for dinner.

The moment they stepped into the restaurant, a figure came forward from inside to meet them. "Master, Your Maj——"

Jin Wang looked up. The person immediately changed the address. "…Sir."

Ye Shu didn't mind at all. The little one in his arms wriggled with excitement. "Uncle Changyuan!"

Changyuan rubbed little Zhao's head. "Good evening, young master."

Changyuan had never been good with commerce — but he was meticulous and earnest, and with Ye Shu's quiet guidance from behind the scenes. In less than three years after taking over the Ye family's business holdings, he had risen to become the largest merchant in the capital.

Jin Wang turned a blind eye and never asked about the flow of money, which went entirely into Ye Shu's personal treasury.

This very restaurant was now also a Ye family property.

Changyuan led the three of them to the best private room. Little Zhao immediately latched onto Changyuan and wouldn't let go. "Want to fly! Want to go on the roof!"

Ye Shu: "…"

Once, little Zhao had been taken by Changyuan on a lightfoot dash across the rooftops. From that day on, whenever he saw Changyuan, he would demand to be held up for a "flight."

Changyuan obtained permission from both fathers, scooped up little Zhao, and leapt out through the window.

Ye Shu trusted Changyuan's martial skills completely. He watched the retreating figure vault up over the rooftops and looked away — only to notice that Jin Wang's expression wasn't entirely pleasant.

Ye Shu said teasingly: "Jealous? You could take your son flying too — His Majesty just can't bring himself to let go of his dignity."

He cleared his throat and mimicked Jin Wang's tone. "Running across rooftops — what manners is this!"

Jin Wang looked at him sideways.

Ye Shu promptly closed his mouth.

Jin Wang lifted his teacup and took a measured sip. He said mildly: "I'm simply worried that Zhao might develop a real passion for this and devote himself entirely to martial arts."

Jin Wang's eldest brother in his youth had been exactly this way — enamored of martial training from childhood, indifferent to his studies, and when he grew up, entirely disinterested in inheriting the throne, leaving for his fief to live at his own leisure.

Because of that, however, this eldest prince had escaped all the difficulties and was, in a way, the one living relative Jin Wang had in this world.

Ye Shu didn't share the concern. "Nothing wrong with it, if he really loves martial arts — he could even have Xiao Huan train him. Xiao Huan likes him anyway, and every letter he writes has a whole pile of treats enclosed for little Zhao——"

Ye Shu stopped mid-sentence and closed his mouth.

Jin Wang's eyes narrowed slightly. "Xiao Huan… still writes to you?"

Ye Shu wilted under that gaze. "What's the matter with that — he's been away from the capital so long. If you have time to be jealous about nothing, you'd be better off encouraging your trusted General Zuo to get the job done already!"

Jin Wang was at a loss for words.

Those two had grown quite close from constant proximity. Anyone with eyes could see it. But the problem was — one of them had grown up in military camps and was a pure through-and-through block of wood who only knew fighting. And the other one still had a head full of nothing but Ye Shu, writing petitions to Jin Wang every year requesting reforms that would permit two kun-sovereigns to wed.

Jin Wang: "…"

What chance did they have.

Jin Wang had no desire to continue discussing this topic. He asked: "If you're happy to let Zhao pursue martial arts — what about the throne? You don't want him as Crown Prince anymore?"

Ye Shu fell quiet.

"True enough…" Ye Shu said with a long-suffering face. "If he doesn't become Crown Prince, he can't inherit the throne, and you can't abdicate early so we can go play together. Ah, he really does need to be properly cultivated — for the sake of his two fathers' happiness, we should get him to ascend the throne as soon as possible."

Jin Wang: "…"

A throne that everyone else in the world longed to possess — and this person spoke of it as though it were something thoroughly unwanted.

Jin Wang had long since grown accustomed to his Chancellor's unconventional way of thinking. He gave a quiet laugh. "There's actually another option."

Ye Shu: "What is it?"

Jin Wang leaned in closer and said softly by Ye Shu's ear: "If he doesn't want the throne — we could just have another one."

The red in Ye Shu's ears rose swiftly.

If Ye Shu had had any reluctance about pregnancy and childbirth before the birth, he didn't anymore now. The little one was such a delight to have around — one more wouldn't be a problem. They had always taken things as they came in this regard — not deliberately preventing pregnancy, not forcing things either.

This was the first time Jin Wang had proactively raised it.

"How do you know another one would want your throne? What if they don't want it either?"

Jin Wang let out a contemplative sigh. "In that case, the only option would be to adopt from the extended family. I wonder if my brother has any children yet…"

Hearing those words, Ye Shu stopped short. "You…"

Jin Wang: "What?"

"If the children don't want the throne — you truly don't mind?" Ye Shu asked.

"Why would I mind?" Jin Wang said. "You've always said — children have their own lives. What they choose to do shouldn't be constrained by us."

Ye Shu's expression softened.

For his sake, Jin Wang had truly changed a great deal.

Changyuan soon returned with little Zhao.

The food had been brought to the table. Ye Shu was in the middle of feeding little Zhao his egg custard when something occurred to him.

"Jin Wang." Ye Shu set down the spoon. Little Zhao opened his mouth and waited, puzzled, when the spoon didn't come.

Jin Wang: "What?"

Ye Shu said, completely expressionless: "So the only reason you wouldn't take little Zhao flying across the rooftops is because you can't bear to let go of your dignity, isn't it???"

Jin Wang: "…"

It was deep into the night by the time they returned to the palace.

Ye Shu set the already-sleeping little Zhao down on the bed, and had barely straightened up when two arms came from behind. "Shall we bathe?"

This dog emperor never missed any opportunity for closeness. Little Zhao at this age was extremely clingy and insisted on sleeping with both his fathers every night — which made the bathing room the last remaining sanctuary where the two adults could be alone.

Ye Shu gave an almost imperceptible nod. Jin Wang kissed the side of his face and led him outside.

A small yellow dog slipped in through the gap in the hall doors.

Little Awang had been left at Yangxin Hall since parting ways with the system, and at this hour was usually asleep. The two of them exchanged a glance, and sure enough found the little yellow dog wagging its tail — and speaking in a human voice. "Long time no see."

Ye Shu asked: "What do you want, Big Yellow?"

The little yellow dog's fur stood up on end. "Say that again and see what happens. I have a name, and even if I'm in a dog's body right now, I am not actually a dog!"

Jin Wang: "…"

Ye Shu: "Pfft."

Ye Shu bent down and smoothed the little dog's fur. "Not teasing anymore. What are you here for?"

The little yellow dog looked thoroughly put-upon, but didn't move away — in fact it instinctively rubbed against his palm. "Nothing much. Just something I promised you before."

Ye Shu's hand stilled. "You mean… my memories?"

"Yes." The little yellow dog said. "The part of your memories that was erased has been recovered. When you wake up tomorrow, they'll be restored to you."

Ye Shu's eyes shifted. He looked over at Jin Wang.

Jin Wang gave him a quiet smile.

Ye Shu said: "Thank you."

Ye Shu hadn't been particularly fixated on whether his memories could be recovered. He was happy now, and it would be the same without those memories. But those times had been his and Jin Wang's — every little moment of them. If they could be found again… that was the very best outcome.

"There's one more thing." The little yellow dog said. "I put in a request to the system to give you both access to the real world. When you enter the real world, time here will pause — but how long you want to stay over there needs to be applied for in advance. The method and rules for applying will be left in a document for you."

It looked over at Jin Wang. "This world was reset many times — that was my violation. Things have worked out in the end, so this is my thanks to both of you."

Jin Wang understood and nodded. "Thank you."

The little yellow dog turned to leave, then remembered something and said to Ye Shu: "Right — you can't go to the real world just yet. You'll need to wait a while longer."

Ye Shu: "Why?"

The little yellow dog explained: "The system only granted access to the two of you. The child you made together doesn't have it."

This was already a special exception the system had made for them. Ye Shu wasn't about to push his luck and ask for the child to be included as well.

Ye Shu said: "I understand — we just won't take little Zhao with us."

The little yellow dog looked between them with a hesitant expression.

Jin Wang: "…"

Ye Shu: "?"

Jin Wang drew a slow breath. "I understand. Thank you for the heads-up."

The little yellow dog gave a nod and turned to leave.

Jin Wang sat Ye Shu down. Ye Shu looked at him in bewilderment. "What… what is it?"

"Nothing — don't worry." Jin Wang said reassuringly, then called toward the door: "Summon the physician!"

Ye Shu: "???"

And with that, the story of "After Transmigrating into a Book, I Was Marked by the Tyrant" comes to a close.

Clear rivers and calm seas, a bountiful and peaceful world — for all the days to come.