The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Shen Tinghe bit her lower lip, as if she was going to take the plunge.

She first bit Xie Yanzhao's earlobe, feeling his body stiffen slightly, and then did the same thing again.

Her soft lips pressed against the pulse on the side of his neck, sucking and kissing, leaving wet marks and red stains.

Xie Yanzhao's Adam's apple bobbed, and he pressed his hand on the back of her head with slightly more force, his voice becoming even deeper.

"Besides playing with swords, what else did you do today?"

Shen Tinghe mumbled against his neck, "I was originally reading storybooks inside the house and even played chess with Ayun for a while. But I got bored, so I wanted to go to the yard to play shuttlecock for a bit."

"Oh,"

Xie Yanzhao let out a low, emotionless laugh.

"Well done, playing shuttlecock."

Shen Tinghe hugged him and explained, "In the end, we didn't kick because Qinglan said we shouldn't jump around too much. Then Ayun said that we should practice some basic movements to strengthen our bodies and improve our health."

Her voice trailed off as she spoke, until it was almost a murmur, "I was wrong, brother..."

Xie Yanzhao lifted her face: "Yuanyuan, you're pregnant now, you have to be extra careful every day... What would I do if something happened to you?"

Shen Tinghe saw the vulnerability in his eyes, and the rebellious thoughts that had been stirred up by his serious tone just now instantly softened into gentle spring water.

She covered his hand, which was pressed against her cheek, and gently stroked it.

"I know, I promise I'll listen to you from now on, okay? Don't be angry... You clearly don't want to be mean to me, but you always act like this."

Xie Yanzhao was exposed by her words. He shook his head, a hint of indulgence rippling in his eyes.

He'll probably never be able to do anything about her in his entire life.

"Yuan Yuan has me cornered."

Xie Yanzhao sighed as he spoke, his forehead touching hers, their breaths almost touching, his tone tinged with a dangerous tenderness.

"Once this little guy is born, I'll definitely find a chance to 'teach' you a lesson. I'll make sure Yuan Yuan learns her lesson."

Shen Tinghe wasn't afraid at all. Instead, she took advantage of his close proximity and quickly kissed his chin.

"I'm not afraid at all."

As night fell, Shen Tinghe was already fast asleep.

Curled up in Xie Yanzhao's arms, one hand unconsciously clutching the hem of his nightgown.

Xie Yanzhao lay on his side, gazing at her sleeping face for a long time.

A smile unconsciously played on his face, a smile that spread from his eyes, gentle and serene.

A soft knock came from the door, followed by Jing Cang's extremely low voice: "Your Highness."

The smile on Xie Yanzhao's lips slowly faded, and the tenderness in his eyes receded, turning into a calm, deep sea.

He slowly withdrew his arm from hers, tucked the blanket around her, and then quietly got up, put on his outer robe, and walked out.

Outside the doorway, under the eaves, Jing Cang stood with his hands at his sides. In the depths of the shadows, another person stood, his figure almost blending into the night.

Upon seeing Xie Yanzhao emerge, the man stepped forward and presented a plain ebony box with both hands: "Your Highness."

Xie Yanzhao took it, opened the wooden box, and inside lay a roll of bright yellow brocade.

The imperial edict was written in strong characters and roughly stated that no matter what serious crime the Prince of Qi committed, he would be spared the death penalty and retain his title of prince and corresponding honors.

Xie Yanzhao sneered, his laughter devoid of any warmth, filled only with chilling sarcasm and icy coldness.

This blank imperial edict was a protective charm that Empress Yizhen begged Emperor Chengyuan for when she was critically ill, on behalf of Prince Qi.

The words on this page were clearly chosen and filled in by the King of Qi himself.

Compared to his 10,000 private soldiers, this imperial edict, bearing the Imperial Seal of the State and the personal seals of Emperor Chengyuan and Empress Yizhen, was his true trump card, allowing him to act with impunity and stir up trouble in the shadows.

If Emperor Chengyuan had not issued a separate decree when he abdicated the throne to His Majesty, and had not left a clear oral edict before his death in front of the regents and relatives stating that "my grandson Yanzhao shall inherit the throne," Xie Yanzhao would have been firmly placed in the line of succession.

Even if the King of Qi were to explicitly state his usurpation in the imperial edict, the legacy of the late emperor alone would be enough to unleash an uncontrollable and tumultuous upheaval.

Xie Yanzhao put away the imperial edict and turned his gaze back to the woman in front of him.

The moonlight, like water, fell precisely on her upturned face.

Princess Consort of Qi, Mingyan.

"Well done."

Xie Yanzhao's voice was devoid of emotion, calm and unwavering.

"I will keep my promise. Your father and brother's grievances have been redressed, and the posthumous honors and compensation will be issued soon. Your mother has also been properly settled in the suburbs of Beijing and will live out her remaining years without worry."

A complex mix of emotions flashed in Mingyan's eyes: relief, gratitude, and a deep, unquenchable burning passion.

She bowed deeply again: "Your Highness has shown my family a debt of gratitude heavier than Mount Tai. I wish to stay by Your Highness's side for the rest of my life, to be your servant, to go through fire and water for you!"

Upon hearing this, Xie Yanzhao merely raised his eyelids slightly and glanced at her.

He didn't say anything, and turned to walk towards the bedroom.

"Your Highness..." Mingyan subconsciously took a step forward.

Jing Cang's tall figure immediately blocked her way, like a silent wall.

He held a small white jade bottle in his hand: "Miss Ming, the Eastern Palace has no shortage of people willing to go through fire and water for His Highness. This is the antidote; after taking it, the remaining poison in your body will be cleared. Tomorrow, someone will escort you away from Xingzhou to reunite with your mother."

Mingyan took the cold jade bottle in a daze, watching Xie Yanzhao's tall figure gradually disappear into the distance. A huge sense of loneliness and understanding swept over her.

She should have realized this sooner... How could someone with such an awkward status, a pawn only used because of her looks, possibly stay by the side of the great Zhao crown prince, who is as bright as the moon in the sky?

But the unwarranted fantasies that arose in her heart after being saved ultimately led her to try it this one time, unwilling to give up.

If it weren't for this face that resembled the one in King Qi's heart... she would forever remain that orphaned girl whose family was destroyed and who had nowhere else to turn, never having any connection with him, who was high above the clouds.

She also remembers that her father was framed by corrupt officials and died tragically in prison, her brother was falsely accused of being an accomplice and imprisoned on death row, her mother fell ill and never recovered, and the family property was seized.

That winter, she knelt in the snow, pleading for help to no avail, and truly tasted the bitterness of despair.

Then, someone broke into her dying life.

He gave her a choice, and he gave her the only way out.

Thus, she became "Mingyan," and with her carefully trained demeanor and a perfectly timed "chance encounter," she was sent before the King of Qi, and naturally entered the King's mansion, becoming one of the most deeply hidden pawns.

After five years in the Qi Prince's mansion, she finally found what he was looking for.

Xie Yanzhao returned to the outer corridor of the bedroom but did not go in immediately.

He handed the rolled-up bright yellow brocade to Yuan Chi.

"Burn it."

"Yes." Yuan Chi accepted it.

"Also, tell Ye Duhuai not to let anyone break into this street."

"Understood, Your Highness." Yuan Chixin understood and knew he absolutely could not disturb the Crown Princess's sleep.

After dealing with all this, Xie Yanzhao pushed the door open again, shutting out the chill and commotion outside.

The room was warm and fragrant, and his Yuan Yuan was still sleeping soundly.