Forcibly Snatched by the Tyrant After Transmigrating into a Book 42

Chapter 42

Could it be that he had fallen in love with Sheng Qianheng…

Chu Yi put down his chopsticks and, after a long hesitation, finally spoke, “Has Sheng Qianheng eaten?”

Sheng Qianheng shook his head.

Chu Yi had always disliked facing these things that made him hesitate and even disturbed his originally good mood.

He could only pretend that nothing had happened and interact with Sheng Qianheng as usual. He picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks and held it to Sheng Qianheng’s mouth, signaling him to open it.

Sheng Qianheng looked at Chu Yi being so considerate of him and didn’t dare to bring up the matter of the marriage alliance…

He opened his mouth and ate the food Chu Yi had picked for him, chewing absent-mindedly.

Chu Yi noticed that Sheng Qianheng was thinking about something else while holding him and deliberately sighed heavily. “Ai, someone is sitting in my Yanxi Palace, but I don’t know who is on their mind~”

Sheng Qianheng raised a hand to cover his lips and coughed, as if feeling guilty for having his deepest thoughts spied upon.

He stopped rubbing Chu Yi’s waist, pinched his waist with both hands, and lifted him up, then had him spread his legs to face him.

His Adam’s apple bobbed unconsciously. “A-Yi, I have a dilemma today…”

With nothing to support his lower back, Chu Yi took Sheng Qianheng’s hand and placed it there, signaling him to continue, then asked, “What is it? Perhaps I can give you some advice?”

Sheng Qianheng licked his lips slightly and, after opening his mouth several times, finally managed to utter a few words, “Qianlin seems to be planning to attack my Da Mo’s border… It seems there will be a fierce battle. For now, there is only one way to avoid it…”

Chu Yi recalled that he seemed to have heard about this matter the day he entered Yangxin Hall through the secret passage…

“Is it a… marriage alliance?”

Sheng Qianheng swallowed, looking at Chu Yi’s already flattened lips, and felt unconsciously nervous. He was afraid that Chu Yi would object, but he was also afraid that Chu Yi would readily accept…

He slowly released his xìnxiāng to soothe Chu Yi’s emotions.

Chu Yi tilted his head slightly, waiting for Sheng Qianheng’s answer, completely unaware that his own face had already changed… He looked at the surprise in Sheng Qianheng’s eyes and was already certain of the answer.

He lowered his head, not wanting to look into Sheng Qianheng’s eyes, and said as softly as he could, “If we can avoid a war, a marriage alliance is naturally the best…”

Sheng Qianheng’s fingers slipped into Chu Yi’s, rubbing his palm. “A-Yi, you don’t have to compromise for me… If you’re not willing, I won’t agree either. But if a battle with Qianlin is inevitable, you will be in a difficult position between the two countries.”

Chu Yi didn’t understand. Apart from not wanting Sheng Qianheng to marry someone else, what was there to be in a difficult position about? He was just Da Mo’s Consort Hui. What did it have to do with Qianlin?

He pouted and whispered, “If I’m not happy about you marrying someone else, can you really not marry them? Even if you can refuse this time, what about in the future?”

Sheng Qianheng didn’t know how to answer for a moment. He had once sworn to Chu Yi that he would only marry him, but in just a short time, he was being forced to marry a woman presented by Qianlin…

“I… brother, I’m sorry… But you have to believe me. If I have to take someone else in the future, even if they enter this harem, I won’t touch a single finger of theirs.”

Chu Yi nodded slightly, trying his best to act as if he didn’t care.

Hadn’t he, from the moment he was forced to enter the palace as a consort, not cared about whether he was favored or whether there were other consorts?

What was wrong with him now?

“Sheng Qianheng, you don’t have to promise me these things.”

Seeing Chu Yi’s dejected look, Sheng Qianheng raised a hand to rub the back of his neck. He was about to kiss his lips but was dodged by Chu Yi.

Seeing Sheng Qianheng gradually approach, Chu Yi unconsciously tilted his neck back to avoid his intimate gesture. He knew in his heart that it was not appropriate to be so intimate with Sheng Qianheng at this moment, otherwise he might lose his composure and sense of propriety.

He was just an outsider who had transmigrated into a book, replacing the original “Chu Yi.” He shouldn’t hope for anything more. He rested his head on Sheng Qianheng’s neck and whispered, “A-Heng, my back hurts. Rub it for me~”

Chu Yi raised a hand to rub his also aching lower abdomen, only hoping that nothing else that shouldn’t happen would happen at this critical moment…

In the end, Sheng Qianheng could not agree to the marriage alliance. Firstly, he was unwilling. Secondly, he did not want to create a rift with Chu Yi…

He immediately ordered General Wang to lead troops to the border to guard and prepare for Qianlin’s attack.

After resting for a few days, in order not to let his mind wander about him and Sheng Qianheng, Chu Yi had no choice but to investigate the matter of the teahouse again.

He flipped through the laws of Da Mo and learned that diǎnqī was illegal. Since it was written into law, how could someone dare to do such a thing under the emperor’s nose…

After the experience of almost being violated last time, Chu Yi was naturally unwilling to put himself in danger again. He sent Suifeng to disguise himself as a rich man, infiltrate the fourth floor of the teahouse, and investigate the high-ranking officials and nobles who frequented the Jishi Teahouse one by one.

After five days of investigation, Chu Yi compiled a list. It turned out that half of the ministers were involved… and some were just famous wealthy families in the capital.

Chu Yi couldn’t make up his mind on how to handle this matter for a moment. After much thought, he had no choice but to discuss it with Sheng Qianheng.

He sat in Yanxi Palace, closing his eyes, unwilling to face Sheng Qianheng.

He hadn’t had time to sort out the relationship between the two of them…

Chu Yi asked Lianfang beside him, “Has there been any news of a woman entering the palace these past few days?”

Lianfang was dazed for a moment before replying, “Your Ladyship, no one else has entered the palace. There is only you and Lady Lu in the palace.”

Only then did Chu Yi breathe a sigh of relief. He hadn’t known he cared so much.

Seeing her master’s concerned look, Lianfang could only try to comfort him in a low voice, “Your Ladyship, even if His Majesty loves you again, he is still the emperor of Da Mo. Even if he is also unwilling to marry someone else, for the sake of the country, he has to accept the goodwill of other countries. Your Ladyship, you have been in this harem for more than three months. You should understand…”

Chu Yi feigned a relaxed expression. “Lianfang, you may withdraw… I want to be alone for a while…”

After Lianfang withdrew from the bedchamber and closed the door, she stood guard outside properly.

Moshu, who had been standing outside the door, frowned unconsciously…

Chu Yi had shut himself in the bedchamber for two days. Apart from the little eunuch who came to deliver meals every day, he saw almost no one.

He pondered many things alone in the room.

The one Sheng Qianheng loved should be the “Chu Yi” from the book. The favor he had received was also from the original “Chu Yi.”

But in the time he had been here, Sheng Qianheng had never noticed the difference between the two of them…?

Furthermore, he could not accept that the person he loved had a place for someone else in their heart. He could not accept the ancient concept of three wives and four concubines. He could not compromise…

If Sheng Qianheng really did have three palaces and six courtyards and took countless consorts, then he would find a chance to leave sooner or later.

If Sheng Qianheng could really not marry anyone else, perhaps with his current feelings for Sheng Qianheng, it was possible for him to stay by his side forever.

After he had thought it through, he washed up and changed, intending to go to Yangxin Hall.

He never thought that the moment he stood outside Yangxin Hall, he would be refused entry.

Head Eunuch Liu greeted him with a smile. “Your Ladyship, please don’t make things difficult for this servant… His Majesty has personally ordered not to see anyone. This servant has no choice.”

Chu Yi was puzzled. Sheng Qianheng wasn’t seeing anyone? Why? What was wrong?

He had no choice but to turn and go back to Yanxi Palace.

But for several days in a row, Chu Yi was refused entry!

He really couldn’t hold it in anymore and had no choice but to use the secret passage again.

When he sneaked into Yangxin Hall, he seemed to smell a faint fruity scent, not like the incense Sheng Qianheng usually used…

Chu Yi temporarily put aside his doubts and walked toward the front hall.

He saw that Sheng Qianheng’s eyes were dark, and he was staring blankly at the map on the desk.

Fearing he would startle Sheng Qianheng, Chu Yi made a slight noise before walking to his side and asking, “A-Heng?”

Sheng Qianheng was a little dazed. When he looked up and saw Chu Yi, he thought he was dreaming. He quickly stood up, placed his hands on Chu Yi’s shoulders, and pulled him into his embrace.

Chu Yi felt Sheng Qianheng’s arms around him trembling slightly. He could only raise a hand to pat his back and ask softly, “What’s wrong?”

Sheng Qianheng thought he was still in a dream. He raised a hand to cup the back of Chu Yi’s neck, leaned down, and kissed his lips.

Their lips and teeth mingled, their tongues met, and every inch of his saliva was plundered.

Chu Yi felt his body pressed extremely close to Sheng Qianheng’s, as if he could feel the heat passing from him.

He was controlled by Sheng Qianheng, and he couldn’t even swallow. The oxygen was quickly swept away.

He could only raise a hand to beat Sheng Qianheng’s chest in protest.

It wasn’t until Sheng Qianheng felt the pain that he distinguished between dream and reality. He slowly pulled back, pressing his forehead against Chu Yi’s.

He caressed Chu Yi’s cheek, panting slightly. “How did you get in? Didn’t I order Liu Deshan not to let anyone in?”

Chu Yi gasped for air. After a moment, he replied, “The secret passage! What’s wrong with you these past few days? Why haven’t you been seeing anyone? Not even me…”

Sheng Qianheng unconsciously pressed his lips together and could only change the subject. “Qianlin has already conquered one of my Da Mo’s cities…”

“Ah? So suddenly…” Chu Yi had thought that Sheng Qianheng had already accepted the marriage alliance. Could it be that he hadn’t?

“Isn’t it only been about ten days? Why…?”

Sheng Qianheng helped Chu Yi sit down, pointed to the map on the table, and continued, “Qianlin launched a surprise attack on my southwest border and conquered a city in seven days. General Wang was also seriously injured…”

Chu Yi looked sideways at Sheng Qianheng’s unrested appearance and couldn’t help but feel a pang in his heart. “What are your plans next?”

Sheng Qianheng looked at Chu Yi’s face and didn’t speak for a long time.

Chu Yi took Sheng Qianheng’s hand and asked slowly, “Have there been heavy casualties on the front line?”

Sheng Qianheng nodded.

Chu Yi couldn’t imagine the scene of corpses strewn across the fields and rivers of blood that he had read about in the book.

He pondered for a moment and continued to ask, “Does my Da Mo have any other available generals?”

Sheng Qianheng held Chu Yi’s hand tightly. “Of course there are, but they are guarding the north. It will take some time to get to the southwest now.”

Chu Yi bit his lip slightly. He didn’t know much about military strategy. He really couldn’t make a plan in this political intrigue novel, but the current situation was very favorable for Qianlin.

Sheng Qianheng cupped Chu Yi’s face with both hands, his eyes stinging, unable to accept the current situation.

“A-Yi, if you want to leave… I…”

Chu Yi paid no attention to Sheng Qianheng’s words and only analyzed the situation. “Sheng Qianheng, is there any room for maneuver now? Is Qianlin’s military strength far superior to my Da Mo’s?”

Sheng Qianheng rubbed his brow. “Qianlin has been recruiting troops and secretly hoarding military strength these years. It is currently far beyond my imagination…”

After much thought, Chu Yi uttered a few words, “Let’s have a marriage alliance…”

Translator’s Notes

1. Diǎnqī : This refers to the practice of “pawning” or “leasing” a wife, where a husband would temporarily give his wife to another man in exchange for money. It was a practice that existed in certain periods of Chinese history, often due to poverty, and was generally considered illegal and immoral.