The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Xie Yanzhao rested his forehead on her shoulder, burying his face deep in her fragrant neck, and said in a muffled voice:

"Then Yuan Yuan, please coax me a little more."

Shen Tinghe wrapped her arms around his neck and spoke clearly and solemnly, each word falling into his ear.

"If liking someone means feeling attracted, longing, and wanting to spend your life with them, then I don't like him."

She stepped back slightly, looked into the depths of his bright eyes, and smiled.

"Xie Yanzhao, I've lived two lives, and in total, I've lived for over forty years. But this feeling has only ever been given to you."

Before he could finish speaking, he stole all the breaths from the person who had spoken.

This kiss was unlike any of the previous comforting or affectionate moments; it was filled with a conquering, possessive force, burning hot and deep.

Shen Tinghe trembled slightly at his outburst of intense emotions, then closed her eyes and obediently tilted her head back.

He let himself be immersed in this surging, burning tide of passion named Xie Yanzhao.

She didn't know how much time had passed, until her tongue was numb and her lungs were almost empty, before Xie Yanzhao pulled away slightly, but still lingered, lightly pecking at her swollen lips.

Shen Tinghe leaned weakly on his shoulder, breathing heavily, her eyes wet and unfocused.

Xie Yanzhao gently stroked her back to soothe her.

However, in those deep phoenix eyes, there was no trace of the grievance and unease from before.

Instead, it surged with an almost manic joy and a dark, obsessive gleam that she did not see.

Yuan Yuan said she only likes him.

That one sentence alone was enough to make his blood boil.

Even if he can't erase that past, so what?

Her present and future, her body and soul, belong entirely to Xie Yanzhao alone.

He kissed the flushed, soft cheeks of the person in his arms tenderly, a fleeting glint of light in his eyes.

His beloved daughter didn't need to know about the remaining, unnecessary cleanup matters.

That man named Song Huailing, that face that holds unique memories for Yuan Yuan…

How could he possibly allow it to exist?

A hint of sinister coldness flashed across his still tender eyes, only to be quickly replaced by even deeper doting affection.

Yesterday's tender intimacy, coupled with this morning's intimate whispers, resulted in Shen Tinghe feeling extremely weak and sore all over.

She slept soundly in Xie Yanzhao's arms all day, not even waking up at lunchtime.

It wasn't until late afternoon, when the sunlight filtering through the window took on a soft golden-orange hue, that she slowly woke up.

After washing up and changing, Shen Tinghe was still lazy and unwilling to exert herself.

Xie Yanzhao wrapped her in a thick blanket, held her on his lap, and fed her spoonful by spoonful of light and nourishing porridge, just like he would a baby.

Shen Tinghe squinted and obediently opened her mouth, but paused slightly when the next spoonful was brought to her lips.

She stared intently at it; the spoon's body was warm and translucent, with a subtle luster flowing through it, and it was indeed made of jade.

"The road is open?" she asked in confusion.

"no."

Xie Yanzhao then moved the spoon forward a little, gesturing for her to open her mouth.

"But my husband will always find a way to have someone bring in a jade spoon."

Xie Yanzhao looked at her wide-open eyes in surprise, a hint of indulgent smugness flashing in his eyes.

"Didn't you grumble about needing a jade spoon to eat properly this morning? Now you have it."

Shen Tinghe was stunned; she had only said it casually that morning.

Unexpectedly, trapped in this remote temple, far from any village or shop, he was still able to turn her unreasonable demands into reality.

Xie Yanzhao has always been unreasonable and reckless in spoiling her.

Shen Tinghe opened her mouth and took a spoonful of the warm, fresh soup into her mouth, squinting her eyes in satisfaction.

"Mmm, it's delicious."

After the warm porridge entered her stomach, she felt a little better, and then she suddenly remembered something.

"By the way, didn't I hear there was a sword-testing competition at the temple? When does it start? I've never seen martial arts practitioners compete before, I'd like to go and see what's going on."

Xie Yanzhao's eyes flickered slightly, but his hands didn't stop moving as he scooped up another spoonful: "It's over."

"It's over?" Shen Tinghe asked in surprise.

"How come I didn't hear a thing?"

Xie Yanzhao fed her with a spoon, his expression unchanged.

"Yuan Yuan has been resting in her room for the past two days, so naturally she is unaware of what is happening outside."

Shen Tinghe was stunned at first, then realized what was happening, her cheeks flushed red instantly, followed by embarrassment and anger.

She pushed away his hand holding the spoon and struggled to get out of his arms.

"Brother, stop lying! The little master who guided us that day clearly said that the sword trial would last for three days. Even if the first two days are over, there is still one last day tomorrow. I must go out and see."

Xie Yanzhao looked at her sullen profile, the softness in the depths of his eyes fading slightly, replaced by a barely perceptible shadow of darkness.

He had intended to keep her partially confined here, waiting for the mountain path to open so he could immediately take her away; how could he allow her to leave?

But if he were to forbid it outright, this spoiled brat would probably really throw a tantrum.

He had to find a way to make her "willingly" give up the idea.

The next day, before dawn, Shen Tinghe woke up in a stifling heat, her breath scorching hot.

She dazedly reached out to her side, her fingertips touching a temperature that was unusual.

She regained consciousness, hurriedly propped herself up, and looked at the person beside her.

Xie Yanzhao kept his eyes tightly closed, his cheeks flushed, and his breathing was heavier than usual.

"Brother? You have a fever?"

A brief but rapid flurry of activity ensued. Hot water, handkerchiefs, and fever-reducing medicine were quickly brought in.

Shen Tinghe sat by the bed and patiently fed him spoonful by spoonful.

Xie Yanzhao leaned against the pillows, the effects of the medicine seemed to bring him a little drowsy. He half-closed his eyes, his expression showing a "weakness" that was rarely seen on ordinary days.

After a while, he seemed to suddenly remember something and looked up at Shen Tinghe, who was wiping his fingers.

"Isn't Yuan Yuan going to watch the sword-testing competition? If we don't go now, we might be too late."

Shen Tinghe was intently wiping his hands with a warm cloth.

"Why are you still watching the sword-testing competition? You're so sick, how can I leave without worry?"

A triumphant smile flashed across Xie Yanzhao's eyes.

He leaned his somewhat heavy head on her shoulder, his warm breath brushing against the skin of her neck, making her seem truly weak.

"I'm fine, I just need to rest for a while. Yuan Yuan, you don't need to make yourself suffer for my sake."

However, as he spoke, the arm around her waist remained firmly in place, showing no sign of loosening its grip.

Shen Tinghe felt the weight on his shoulders and the considerable force in his waist, and she immediately understood his intentions.

She felt a mix of amusement, tenderness, and a strange sense of satisfaction at being relied upon by him.

She turned her head and planted several kisses on his burning cheek.

"Saying one thing and meaning another."

She muttered a soft scolding, then continued to carefully wipe his neck, which was covered in a fine layer of sweat, with the handkerchief, trying to help him cool down.

"But how could someone suddenly develop a fever when all the doors and windows were tightly closed..."

As she wiped herself, she muttered to herself, still somewhat puzzled.

Upon hearing this, Xie Yanzhao, who was leaning on her shoulder, darkened his eyes.

This perfectly timed "cold" didn't come easily; he had to time it perfectly last night and douse himself with several buckets of well water before he finally felt a little better.