The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

midnight

In the back garden of the Prince's mansion, Shen Tinghe, who should have been sleeping peacefully in her boudoir, was now moving furtively, the tassels of her hair ornaments swaying with her movements.

A low stool, brought by Qingyu, was placed at the base of the wall.

Shen Tinghe stood on the stool, gripped the cracks in the blue bricks of the wall with both hands, and pushed off the wall with her toes to climb up.

Despite being a pampered young lady raised in a secluded chamber, her movements while climbing the wall exuded a nimble and agile air.

Having studied dance and basic martial arts under renowned teachers since childhood, this level of skill shouldn't have been difficult for her.

Qingyu and Qingxu supported her anxiously from behind, their faces tense.

Qingyu: "Miss, why don't you go back? If His Highness the Crown Prince finds out, he'll definitely punish you..."

Shen Tinghe finally managed to climb onto the wall and had just sat down when she heard this and turned around to glare at her: "Pah, pah, pah, don't you dare jinx it!"

She raised her hand and wiped the tip of her nose, a sly glint in her eyes: "This was a spur-of-the-moment decision. Even if Xie Yanzhao were a god, he couldn't catch me."

"But Miss..." Qingxu wanted to persuade her further, but Shen Tinghe took the package from her hands.

"Alright, you guys should go back now."

Shen Tinghe waved her hand, turned around with the package in her arms, and lightly jumped off the wall.

She landed lightly on her toes, her body steady and graceful, a triumphant smile on her face.

Just as I was about to turn and run towards the alley entrance, I saw a dark shadow.

Under the shade of a tree not far away, a tall and upright figure stood quietly; it was Jing Cang, Xie Yanzhao's personal bodyguard.

He bowed respectfully to Shen Tinghe with a blank expression, his voice low and calm: "Miss, His Highness is waiting for you in the carriage."

He raised his hand to signal, and only then did Shen Tinghe realize that a carriage was hidden in the darkness.

The carriage was plain and unadorned, even its paint was somewhat dark, yet under the moonlight, it exuded an unassailable majesty.

Shen Tinghe's heart skipped a beat, and she unconsciously swallowed.

She chuckled dryly and took half a step back: "I just ate too much for dinner and came out for a walk. It's so late, I won't bother you any longer, Crown Prince..."

As she spoke, she turned to run back, but after taking only two steps, a tall figure blocked her way.

Yuan Chi stood with his arms crossed, clearly having been ordered to guard this place long ago.

The coachman lifted the carriage curtain, and warm yellow candlelight spilled out, illuminating the man sitting inside.

Xie Yanzhao slightly raised his eyes, his gaze falling on her, his voice deep and magnetic: "Yuan Yuan, come here."

Shen Tinghe frowned in annoyance and resignedly boarded the carriage.

This car looks unassuming, but the interior is a completely different world.

A thick carpet was laid out, and brocade embroidered with cloud patterns hung on the four walls. In the corner, a sandalwood lamp burned, its smoke curling upwards, releasing a clear and refreshing fragrance.

On the small table were exquisite teacups and fresh fruit, and even a hand warmer, exuding luxury in every detail.

The man sitting in the center of the carriage was even more eye-catching than the carriage itself.

Xie Yanzhao wore a dark brocade robe embroidered with dark gold dragon patterns, which shimmered in the candlelight, making his figure appear even taller and more imposing.

His face was like jade, but not in a warm, gentle way; rather, it possessed a cool, refined handsomeness. His phoenix eyes were deep and unfathomable, like a cold pool, with slightly upturned corners, giving him an air of inherent nobility.

The candlelight outlined his distinct profile, his brows and eyes exuding an air of grandeur, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips.

But the smile didn't reach his eyes; instead, it inspired awe.

Shen Tinghe sat in the place furthest away from him

Xie Yanzhao looked at her self-deceiving appearance, a faint smile flashing in his eyes, but he did not point it out.

He simply extended his hand towards her, raised an eyebrow, and the meaning couldn't be clearer.

From childhood to adulthood, there have been few people who could control Shen Tinghe, Xie Yanzhao being one of them.

Now that she's caught red-handed, there's no escaping it. She can only resign herself to her fate and reach out her small hand, placing it on his large, warm palm.

Xie Yanzhao used a little force to pull her over and firmly press her onto his lap.

Shen Tinghe didn't struggle; instead, she found a comfortable position to lean against him.

After all, when she was learning to write and read scriptures as a child, she was mostly taught by him while being held in his arms, and she was already used to the refreshing scent of ambergris on him.

Xie Yanzhao gently placed his palm on her flat stomach: "Did you overeat again?"

Shen Tinghe buried her head in the crook of his neck, her voice muffled, still stubbornly insisting, "Yeah, I just ate too much, so I came out for a walk."

"Oh?" Xie Yanzhao chuckled lightly, his voice tinged with a hint of mockery.

"You used the same excuse when you tried to sneak off to Jiuhua Mountain last time."

Shen Tinghe was slightly taken aback, then raised her head, her large, almond-shaped eyes wide with composure.

"Really? My grandmother asked me to stay with her for a few days."

"I've already used it," Xie Yanzhao said slowly.

Undeterred, Shen Tinghe changed her excuse again: "Then let's go play with Axi. She said the other day that she got some interesting new gadgets..."

Xie Yanzhao's voice remained calm: "It's been used too."

Shen Tinghe completely wilted, her little face drooping as she leaned back on his shoulder, and stopped talking.

"Not making this up anymore?" Xie Yanzhao looked down at her, his smile deepening.

"Hmph!" Shen Tinghe was both amused and annoyed by his teasing, and she opened her mouth and bit the soft skin on his neck.

A hint of a smile flashed in Xie Yanzhao's deep eyes. In the whole world, only this one in his arms dared to bite and act so playfully towards him.

He raised his hand and gently patted her head: "You think you're right to run away?"

Shen Tinghe released her mouth, looking at the faint teeth marks left on the side of his neck, and felt a little guilty.

Her soft lips covered his and she kissed him carefully twice, as if trying to please him.

Feeling the warm touch on her neck, Xie Yanzhao's body stiffened slightly. He then raised his hand and tightened his embrace around her waist, his voice low and gentle.

Tell me, why did you run away?

These words seemed to strike a nerve with Shen Tinghe; her slightly spoiled face instantly fell, and her eyes reddened slightly.

She hugged Xie Yanzhao's strong waist and buried her face in the crook of his neck: "Crown Prince, I'm scared..."

Xie Yanzhao knew exactly what she was afraid of, so he lifted her shoulders, looked into her eyes, and solemnly said...

"You are my one and only precious treasure, you were, you are, and you will always be. There will only ever be one you by my side."

"Yuan Yuan, don't be afraid."

It would be a lie for Shen Tinghe to say she wasn't moved.

From the time she could remember, she was the person Xie Yanzhao cherished.

She was mischievous and got into trouble, and he always covered for her.

She was sick and scared, and he stayed by her side the whole time.

He would always bring her novel and precious items as soon as possible.

Shen Tinghe enjoyed this favoritism for twenty years, without ever being tainted by any falsehood.

How could she not know he loved her? That love was intense and open.

Xie Yanzhao, however, was the crown prince, the heir apparent chosen by the late emperor before his death, and the future emperor destined to rule over a vast empire.

How long can an emperor's love last? Having three palaces, six courtyards, and three thousand beauties was the norm in imperial households.

Today he promises to love only her. In the future, when he holds a high position and faces a dazzling array of temptations, will he still remember his vow?