Chapter 1: Transmigration and the Heat Period

Chapter 1: Transmigrated into a Book and Entering His Heat

At noon, the scorching sun hung high in the sky.

At the open altar in the southern suburbs of the Damo capital, ritual officials in lavish robes knelt trembling, not daring to lift their heads.

What should have been the emperor’s celebratory ceremony for conquering Western Xia was abruptly halted by a sudden assassination attempt.

Chu Yi, the chief planner of the ceremony, knelt before the emperor. He had intended to take advantage of the chaos to pack his belongings and flee.

But just as he had run less than two *li* (about 1 km), imperial guards intercepted him and dragged him back before the emperor in disgrace.

About the time it takes an incense stick to burn earlier, Chu Yi had transmigrated into this world.

It was a court intrigue novel.

In the book, the empires of Damo, Qianlin, and Western Xia were locked in a three-way stalemate, and the male lead was the emperor of Damo.

Though the male lead was the eldest son after the previous emperor’s ascension, he was born to a palace maid and received no imperial favor from childhood, subjected to the empress's constant mistreatment. Perhaps because the previous emperor had ascended the throne with the support of the empress’s maternal clan, he deliberately turned a blind eye to the empress’s abuse.

Thus, the male lead was confined to the cold palace from a young age, where even the slaves showed no respect for his royal status. Over time, he developed a ruthless and cold-blooded personality, eventually embarking on a path to kill his father and seize power.

After ascending the throne, the male lead eradicated all corrupt officials from the previous reign and executed all dissenting factions. To consolidate his power, he led the campaign himself and conquered the rebellious Western Xia in just one year.

Chu Yi had transmigrated into the emperor’s strategist, who shared the same name. After the emperor’s ascension, he was appointed regent, wielding considerable influence over state affairs. However, as time passed, the two grew distant. Ultimately, due to the emperor’s suspicion and paranoia, Chu Yi was falsely accused by treacherous officials, executed by lingchi (death by a thousand cuts), and his body was hung on the city walls…

Chu Yi had no intention of being the scapegoat. He quickly scanned the room, and feeling unusually thirsty—perhaps due to the tense situation—he picked up a cup of brewed tea on the table and took a sip.

He detected a slight bitterness but dismissed it as the poor water quality in ancient times. Chu Yi gathered all the money in the room and hastily packed. In his panic, the commotion outside caught his attention. Seeing everyone fleeing in disorder, he grabbed his bundled belongings and slipped away along a side path without looking back.

On his escape, he felt himself sweating profusely but never expected to be caught.

Now, kneeling before the male lead, his sweat seemed to pour out even more uncontrollably…

Sheng Qianheng stared at Chu Yi’s flushed, pink-tinged neck, his hand lifting slightly as if to reach out. But remembering the rift that had grown between them since his ascension, he merely gripped Chu Yi’s shoulder and asked, “Chu Yi, the imperial guards say they caught the assassin? Then why is it you who’s been brought before me?”

Whether from nervousness or something else, Chu Yi felt dizzy and barely managed to reply, “Your Majesty… it’s reasonable the guards didn’t recognize me. I was inspecting the perimeter on Your Majesty’s behalf, hoping to find the assassin.”

Sheng Qianheng had a eunuch relay a message, then took Chu Yi and the guard who caught him into a nearby room.

Ignoring Chu Yi’s earlier explanation, Sheng Qianheng, upon entering the room, seemed to catch the scent of an Omega in the air. He stood up and asked the guard, “Are you a Beta?”

The guard: “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Sheng Qianheng spoke coldly, though his Alpha pheromones were already overwhelming: “You reek of Omega. Have you been fraternizing with Omegas? Is this how you serve me? Get out!”

Chu Yi followed Sheng Qianheng into the room but within moments felt his legs weaken, forcing him back to his knees.

Struggling to steady his breathing, he wondered—had that tea been drugged? Why was he growing weaker?

Chu Yi caught a faint scent drifting past his nose, but it was unclear. He shook his head, trying to clear his mind to deal with the male lead before making another escape.

The guard had already respectfully withdrawn, leaving only Chu Yi and Sheng Qianheng in the room.

Yet Sheng Qianheng could still smell the Omega’s scent. He looked down at Chu Yi incredulously, crouched, tugged at his collar, and sniffed deliberately, confirming the source. “Chu Yi, aren’t you a Beta? Why do you carry an Omega’s scent? Didn’t you swear to me that if I didn’t take concubines, you wouldn’t marry? Have you broken your vow to seek pleasure elsewhere?”

Chu Yi’s mind grew increasingly hazy. Pulled closer by Sheng Qianheng, he felt even dizzy, barely comprehending the string of questions. He lifted his tear-dampened eyes and murmured, “Hot… help me…”

Sheng Qianheng rarely saw Chu Yi like this—usually he was composed and detached, only showing emotion during discussions of state affairs.

Sheng Qianheng released Chu Yi’s collar in disbelief, carefully sniffing the pheromones in the room. They seemed to emanate from behind Chu Yi’s neck. As he moved to brush aside Chu Yi’s dark hair to check, Chu Yi, gazing at Sheng Qianheng’s approaching face and smelling his scent, found it soothing. His body moved on its own, and he collapsed into Sheng Qianheng’s arms. Chu Yi only knew the person before him could ease his heat, and he frantically tugged at Sheng Qianheng’s collar.

Sheng Qianheng, brought down to the ground, still carefully held Chu Yi. Raising an eyebrow, he gripped Chu Yi’s chin and asked, “Chu Yi, do you know what you’re doing?”

Chu Yi nodded blankly.

“I asked why you were fleeing with bundled belongings?” Sheng Qianheng tested, studying Chu Yi’s unfocused eyes. “Did you send the assassin?”

Fragments of the novel’s plot flashed through Chu Yi’s mind—the assassin wasn’t his doing; he was merely the scapegoat for the rebellion. Bracing his hands on Sheng Qianheng’s chest, he struggled to form a coherent sentence: “It wasn’t me… you have to believe me…”

As he spoke, a tear dripped from the corner of his eye onto Sheng Qianheng’s cheek.

Sheng Qianheng helped Chu Yi sit up, reaching to wipe away his tears. Chu Yi gently nuzzled against his palm. “Believe me, please…”

All his doubts vanished from Sheng Qianheng’s mind. Though he didn’t understand why Chu Yi, a Beta, emitted an Omega’s scent, he couldn’t risk the pheromones spreading further.

He quickly lifted Chu Yi into his arms. The moment Chu Yi leaned against his shoulder, the Omega’s scent filled his nostrils, clouding his reason.

Sheng Qianheng glanced around, grabbed a cloak from the room, and covered Chu Yi’s face as much as possible, intent on concealing his identity and scent…

Once sure Chu Yi’s face was fully hidden, Sheng Qianheng carried him toward his private quarters. Before entering, he ordered, “No one is allowed in without summons. Have the imperial physician wait in the side hall.”

Chu Yi’s vision darkened, and as the world spun, he felt himself laid down on a bed.

Overwhelmed by unbearable heat, everything seemed blurry. Chu Yi slowly sat up, gripping the edge of the bed, and stared at his clothes. His only relief seemed to be tearing them off.

Through his hazy vision, he barely made out a figure standing before him. “Help me… so hot…”

Sheng Qianheng, disturbed by the Omega’s pheromones filling the room, turned away and closed his eyes, trying to resist the scent. When he faced Chu Yi again, an arousing sight met his eyes.

Chu Yi’s clothes hung loosely on his arms, his chest nearly fully exposed, his skin flushed a delicate pink. His mind was muddled, hardly aware of his actions as he slowly reached out to touch the figure before him. “Hot… won’t you help me?”

Sheng Qianheng instinctively reached for Chu Yi’s hand but quickly snatched it back. Now he was certain—Chu Yi was presenting as an Omega and entering his first heat.

An Omega’s heat was entirely driven by pheromones, and any Alpha could help alleviate the heat fever. But he didn’t want any ambiguity between them, nor did he want Chu Yi with any other Alpha. He asked again, “Chu Yi, do you know who I am?”

Chu Yi shook his head slightly, trying to kneel but stumbling forward instead. The touch of Sheng Qianheng’s silk robe cooled his skin, and leaning against Sheng Qianheng’s chest, he mustered his remaining coherence. “I heard them call you Your Majesty, so you’re my Your Majesty~”

Sheng Qianheng’s Adam’s apple bobbed. The enticing scent of an Omega in heat wafted from Chu Yi’s neck, an unmistakable allure he couldn’t ignore. As a prime Alpha, he was struggling to suppress his baser instincts.

Since his ascension, he and Chu Yi had grown apart—not what he wanted…

“Chu Yi, do you know what you’re doing?”

Chu Yi continued clawing at Sheng Qianheng’s loosened robes, but his hands were seized. He tilted his head, vision blurry, and replied, “I’m so hot, Your Majesty. Can you help me?”

Sheng Qianheng pinched Chu Yi’s chin, applying slight pressure to bring him to his senses. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing? You won’t regret it?”

Chu Yi only knew that Sheng Qianheng’s scent was comforting, and his own discomfort was unbearable. Sheng Qianheng could help him. “I’m unwell… help me… please…”

With his last shred of rationality, Sheng Qianheng asked once more, “No regrets?”

Chu Yi didn’t understand—why would he regret finding relief? He couldn’t undo his clothes, unsure what he was wearing, layer upon layer, too complicated to remove.

“No regrets, why would I? If you won’t help me, I’ll find someone else…”

Before Chu Yi could finish, Sheng Qianheng cut him off with a kiss. As their lips met, Chu Yi clutched at his robes, not stopping until his skin pressed fully against Sheng Qianheng’s.

Sheng Qianheng lightly bit the corner of Chu Yi’s mouth, only letting go when he heard the other let out a soft whimper. "Chu Yi, who am I?"

Chu Yi breathed shallowly, his eyes dazed. He could recognize the man before him as the male lead from the novel and replied, "You are Sheng Qianheng..."

Only then did Sheng Qianheng give in to Chu Yi, letting him do as he pleased. Chu Yi took the opportunity to straddle him, his hands clumsily tugging at the other's collar, though his strength was weak and feeble.

As he moved, the hairpin in his hair was about to fall. Worried it might injure him, Sheng Qianheng gently removed it. Instantly, Chu Yi's black hair spilled down, brushing past Sheng Qianheng's nose and leaving behind a faint, lingering fragrance...

The already loosened collar of Chu Yi's robe had slipped even further, revealing more skin than it hid and inviting wild thoughts.

Chu Yi took Sheng Qianheng's hand and guided it to his own waist, his eyes already clouded with tears. "It's hot... why won't you help me?"

A smile tugged at Sheng Qianheng's lips, and he couldn't help but chuckle. The Chu Yi before him seemed to have returned to the way he was years ago. "Will you really not feel embarrassed when you sober up and remember this?"

"What?" Chu Yi tilted his head, staring blankly at Sheng Qianheng.

The room was already filled with the intoxicating pheromones of Chu Yi's arousal. No matter how strong Sheng Qianheng's willpower was, he was powerless against it. His chest heaved as he grasped Chu Yi's trembling arms, and with a swift motion, their positions reversed.

Sheng Qianheng cushioned Chu Yi's head with one hand and, mustering the last of his restraint, gazed at the person beneath him, his voice hoarse. "Let me help you through your Heat, alright?"

Chu Yi didn't understand what a Heat Period was, but even the slightest closeness to Sheng Qianheng eased his discomfort. Without hesitation, he nodded.

————

The midday sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting a soft glow in the room. Soft, uneven breathing could be heard from the bed.

The sunlight slowly crept across the face of the beautiful man lying on the bed. Chu Yi's brows were tightly furrowed, and tears fell freely down his cheeks.

No matter how Sheng Qianheng tried to soothe the person beneath him, nothing helped. He rubbed his thumb over the small mole behind Chu Yi's ear and kissed his earlobe. "Chu Yi..."

Chu Yi weakly shook his head...

Chu Yi pressed his hands against Sheng Qianheng's chest, but his arms were too weak to push the other away. In desperation, he bit down on Sheng Qianheng's shoulder.

Sheng Qianheng gently stroked the back of Chu Yi's head, slowly releasing his pheromones. It was only when Chu Yi gradually relaxed under the calming scent that he finally let out a sigh of relief.

Caught off guard by the sudden intensity, Chu Yi's vision blurred. He bit down hard on Sheng Qianheng's shoulder until he drew blood, only releasing his grip when he tasted the metallic tang. His tear-filled eyes stared blankly at the sweat dripping from Sheng Qianheng's temple as he stammered, "I don't feel good..."

Sheng Qianheng cupped Chu Yi's face with both hands, kissing his lips and coaxing him gently, "It'll feel better soon, be good."

Chu Yi didn't understand why Sheng Qianheng was so fixated on licking the back of his neck, but he found the act comforting and pleasant.

A moment later, sharp teeth pierced in, and a surge of intense pheromones was injected, slowly soothing the frantic cravings of the Omega in Heat.

"Chu Yi, Chu Qingci, you better not run away again when you wake up..."