Forcibly Snatched by the Tyrant After Transmigrating into a Book 8

Chapter 8: A Fleeting Kiss

“A-Heng, you were so scary just now. Be gentler next time, okay?”

Sheng Qianheng, knowing he was in the wrong, opened his mouth several times but said nothing.

Their gazes met and broke away several times. The pad of Sheng Qianheng’s thumb gently caressed Chu Yi’s cheek.

Chu Yi’s cheeks were flushed an unusual lotus-pink, and his lower lip was slightly swollen, as if inviting someone to pluck it. Sheng Qianheng’s gaze lingered on his lips, unwilling to move away…

Chu Yi felt his heart rate remain stubbornly high. He placed a hand over his chest, trying to calm himself, but to no avail.

This was also Sheng Qianheng’s first time performing a temporary marking. Although he had already shared a deeper level of intimacy with Chu Yi, it was only in the moment the temporary mark was made that he truly felt, deep down, that Chu Yi was his.

Right now, Chu Yi was covered in his xìnxiāng. He could hardly control his emotions.

Seeing the corners of Sheng Qianheng’s lips curve upward, Chu Yi guessed that the tyrant had temporarily forgotten about his escape attempt. He let his already loose collar droop a little lower and said, “A-Heng, do you still want to try on the wedding robe?”

Sheng Qianheng stepped forward and straightened Chu Yi’s collar. He estimated that someone was probably waiting outside the hall by now. “We’ll try it on later.”

He took Chu Yi’s hand and led him back to the desk.

When the head eunuch entered, Chu Yi subconsciously pulled his hand back and gave Sheng Qianheng a faint smile.

The head eunuch: “Your Majesty, Vice Minister of Rites, Jiang Xinrui, requests an audience.”

Sheng Qianheng watched Chu Yi’s expression out of the corner of his eye. “Let him in.”

Chu Yi moved his neck slightly. Sheng Qianheng must have bitten him quite deeply; it throbbed with a dull pain when his clothes brushed against it.

The Vice Minister of Rites, Jiang Xinrui, walked into the hall with his head bowed. Only after paying his respects did he look up, preparing to speak, but he was unexpectedly taken aback by the sight of Chu Yi standing beside Sheng Qianheng…

How is this possible? Chu Yi was clearly executed.

In a matter of seconds, Jiang Xinrui’s eyes grew sore and watery, on the verge of tears.

Sheng Qianheng let out a fake cough.

Seeing the situation, Chu Yi immediately picked up the teacup on the table and handed it to Sheng Qianheng. “Your Majesty, have some water.”

Sheng Qianheng took a small sip, feeling displeased as he looked at Jiang Xinrui’s expression. “Why is Vice Minister Jiang not speaking?”

Only then did Jiang Xinrui snap back to reality. “Your Majesty, most of the preparations for the wedding ceremony are complete. However, Your Majesty has not yet informed us which lady will be entering the palace as a consort, so that we may proceed with the nàzhēng.”

Chu Yi was initially thinking that they were discussing his wedding, but what was nàzhēng?

Sheng Qianheng deliberately pinched Chu Yi’s hand in front of Jiang Xinrui. Seeing that Chu Yi seemed to be lost in thought, he pulled him over and had him sit in his lap.

He lifted Chu Yi’s chin. “Beloved Consort, I’m asking you a question.”

Chu Yi was still pondering when Sheng Qianheng’s maneuver landed him on his lap. His head spun for a moment. “Asking me what?”

He saw Sheng Qianheng staring at him suspiciously. Did I say something wrong again?

He looked into Sheng Qianheng’s eyes with confusion, then glanced at the Vice Minister of Rites. Unable to figure anything out, he could only lean close to Sheng Qianheng’s ear and whisper, “What is nàzhēng?”

The moment Sheng Qianheng saw Jiang Xinrui and Chu Yi’s eyes meet, he wished he could prove on the spot that Chu Yi was his. After hearing Chu Yi’s question, he said coldly, “We have to present the betrothal gifts to your family. Vice Minister Jiang is asking where your home is and if your parents are present.”

Only then did Chu Yi understand. Then why say nàzhēng*? Couldn’t he just say ‘presenting betrothal gifts’… I really don’t understand.*

According to the book’s plot, it was only mentioned that Chu Yi had always lived in the palace. He only got the Prince Regent’s residence after Sheng Qianheng ascended the throne. Besides the maids and servants, there was also an old woman who lived in seclusion. Was that his mother?

Fearing he would misspeak, Chu Yi could only be vague. “I do have a residence in the capital.”

Seeing this, Jiang Xinrui immediately pressed, “Could you be more specific? East or south of the city? Which street?”

Chu Yi unconsciously looked back at Jiang Xinrui. He could faintly hear that the man’s voice seemed to be trembling slightly, and his eyes appeared to be rimmed with tears.

His gaze lingered on Jiang Xinrui’s face for a long time. Sheng Qianheng, unable to stand it, deliberately pinched Chu Yi’s waist.

Only then did Chu Yi retract his gaze. Thinking that there was an outsider present, he had to play his role as a consort well. He could only pout and mumble, “Your Majesty, why did you pinch me? Wasn’t our earlier playfulness enough?”

Jiang Xinrui’s gaze never left Chu Yi, as if trying to see right through him.

Sheng Qianheng naturally knew what Jiang Xinrui was thinking. “Why is Vice Minister Jiang staring so intently at Zhen’s beloved consort?”

Only then did Jiang Xinrui come to his senses. He lowered his head and replied, “This subject saw that the Young Master resembles an old acquaintance of mine, so I looked a few more times. May I ask how to address this Young Master?”

It finally dawned on Chu Yi. This Vice Minister Jiang knew him, and it seemed their relationship was not shallow. This tyrant must have gotten jealous and deliberately made him sit on his lap to show that he belonged to him.

Thus, Chu Yi stared only at Sheng Qianheng, thinking of and looking at nothing else.

This, however, made Sheng Qianheng a little uncomfortable. He patted Chu Yi’s waist. “Vice Minister Jiang is asking you a question.”

Chu Yi wrapped his arms around Sheng Qianheng’s neck and tilted his head slightly. “Why doesn’t Your Majesty introduce this… concubine… to Vice Minister Jiang?”

Seeing Chu Yi take the initiative to throw himself into his arms—after their unpleasant parting that day, Chu Yi had been extremely cold to him—Sheng Qianheng was much more satisfied. “This is Zhen’s beloved consort, Chu Yi.”

Jiang Xinrui pressed, “Your Majesty, may this humble subject ask, which ‘Chu’ and which ‘Yi’?”

Sheng Qianheng: “The ‘Chu’ from chǔyī, and the ‘Yi’ from yìqù…”

Jiang Xinrui gave a faint smile. “It is exactly the same as the former Prince Regent’s name…”

For some reason, Chu Yi felt that the atmosphere was not quite right. Was this tyrant testing him to see if he had a lover?

“Vice Minister Jiang must have mistaken me for someone else. There are many people in the world with the same name, and even more who look alike. Don’t you agree, Your Majesty?”

Sheng Qianheng saw that Chu Yi was quite adept at reading the situation and was being very obedient today. “What my beloved consort says is absolutely right.”

Chu Yi ignored the Vice Minister of Rites, Jiang Xinrui, deeply afraid of displeasing the tyrant. It wouldn’t do if he got angry and wanted to behead him again. He saw that Sheng Qianheng’s eyes were filled with killing intent as he looked at Jiang Xinrui… Jiang Xinrui’s life was probably not long for this world.

Jiang Xinrui was certain that the person before him was Chu Yi. Sheng Qianheng must have found a substitute to die in his place. “May I ask the Young Master’s designation?”

Chu Yi was confused. Was it so hard to see that he was a proper man? He wasn’t wearing women’s clothes, was he? Or had the maids dressed him in women’s clothes?

Seeing that Sheng Qianheng was paying him no attention, he tugged slightly at the lapel of the tyrant’s robe. “Your Majesty, is it so hard to tell that this… concubine… is a man?”

Sheng Qianheng was quite pleased with Chu Yi’s small gesture to get his attention and tried hard to suppress the upward curve of his lips. “It seems Vice Minister Jiang is quite surprised that Zhen is taking a male consort. It is understandable. Moreover, my beloved consort has the beauty of a celestial being. It is only natural to make a mistake.”

Chu Yi couldn’t help but twitch his lips. This tyrant’s praise was far too exaggerated. He considered himself merely handsome; he wouldn’t dare to claim the beauty of a celestial being.

Jiang Xinrui still wouldn’t give up. “This subject was asking if the Young Master’s designation is Zhong…”

Sheng Qianheng immediately cut him off. The fact that Chu Yi was a Kunze could not be exposed yet.

“Is Vice Minister Jiang determined to get to the bottom of this? The world knows that the former Prince Regent, Chu Yi, was a Zhongyong. A Zhongyong cannot retain xìnxiāng… What is Vice Minister Jiang’s opinion?”

Jiang Xinrui could naturally tell that Chu Yi was completely drenched in Sheng Qianheng’s Zhuǎnrìlián xìnxiāng. But if a Zhongyong used their underdeveloped reproductive cavity to force a mark, they could indeed retain a temporary scent… it was just extremely painful for the Zhongyong.

He didn’t want to admit that Chu Yi had already been claimed by Sheng Qianheng, but he had to face the facts.

Chu Yi, on the other hand, was thinking about the nàzhēng. Based on the historical dramas he had seen, presenting betrothal gifts had to be done at the residence. Didn’t that mean he could go back to the Prince Regent’s residence? How had he not thought of this way to leave the palace!! Wonderful!

Sitting in Sheng Qianheng’s lap for a long time was getting uncomfortable. He shifted slightly, but Sheng Qianheng’s hand pressed down on his lower back, reminding him in a volume only the two of them could hear, “Beloved Consort, don’t move around. Zhen’s willpower is not as strong as you think.”

Chu Yi felt the voice by his ear grow a few shades hoarser. He could only sit rigidly still. He had to admit, Sheng Qianheng had great potential to be a fatuous ruler!

Sheng Qianheng deliberately toyed with Chu Yi’s hand in front of Jiang Xinrui and then said, “Has Vice Minister Jiang taken a liking to Zhen’s beloved consort?”

Although Jiang Xinrui was unwilling to admit the truth, he still wished to hear Chu Yi admit it himself. “That is not this subject’s intention. It is just that the Young Master bears a striking resemblance to an old acquaintance, and I did not wish to miss the opportunity to recognize him.”

Chu Yi’s head was bowed, his attention captured by Sheng Qianheng’s long fingers. They were slender and jade-like, with well-proportioned knuckles, like finely carved white jade.

Hearing Jiang Xinrui’s words, he replied casually, “Vice Minister Jiang, the deceased has passed. Please accept my condolences. If you fall ill from pining for the deceased and damage your health, how will you be able to serve His Majesty? Vice Minister Jiang should also look forward…”

Sheng Qianheng saw that there was no ripple of emotion on Chu Yi’s face, as if he and Jiang Xinrui had never interacted before. He hoped he was just overthinking it…

“In seven days, Vice Minister Jiang will prepare the items needed for the nàzhēng and accompany Zhen to my beloved consort’s residence.”

Chu Yi silently suppressed his glee. I really can leave the palace!

Jiang Xinrui: “This subject obeys the decree.”

Sheng Qianheng: “You may withdraw.”

Only then did Jiang Xinrui stand up, his gaze reluctantly tearing away from Chu Yi…

It wasn’t until Jiang Xinrui had left Yangxin Hall that Chu Yi felt more at ease. Being stared at constantly was uncomfortable.

He looked up into Sheng Qianheng’s eyes. Seeing his furrowed brow, he reached up to gently massage it. “Your Majesty, this subject has a question.”

Sheng Qianheng: “Ask.”

Chu Yi carefully considered his words, making sure they wouldn’t anger the tyrant before speaking. “That Vice Minister Jiang seems to have feelings for the former Prince Regent… What are Your Majesty’s thoughts?”

“A few days ago, all the ministers submitted memorials demanding your execution. Only this Vice Minister of Rites, Jiang Xinrui, pleaded for you.” Sheng Qianheng raised a hand to caress Chu Yi’s neck. “Do you think he is in love with you?”

Chu Yi swallowed, deeply afraid of being choked again. He leaned down and placed a fleeting, dragonfly-like kiss on Sheng Qianheng’s lips, then reached up to take the tyrant’s hand down. “The Prince Regent is already dead. I am now just Your Majesty’s beloved consort. Is Your Majesty suspecting this subject of being unfaithful?”

Sheng Qianheng savored the light kiss, then stood up, carrying Chu Yi, and walked toward the rear hall of Yangxin Hall…

Translator’s Notes

1. Nàzhēng : Also known as nàbì , this is one of the “Three Letters and Six Rites” of a traditional Chinese wedding. It is the formal presentation of betrothal gifts from the groom’s family to the bride’s family, signifying the finalization of the engagement.

2. chǔyī  and yìqù : These are phrases used to clarify the characters in Chu Yi’s name. Chǔyī means “reddish-brown clothes,” and yìqù means “leisurely and interesting.” This is a common way to specify characters in Chinese when speaking.