The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

"It's neither bitter nor tasty!"

Shen Tinghe looked up and glared at him, her eyes glistening with tears, full of coquettishness.

"I just don't want to drink it; my mouth tastes weird all day."

Xie Yanzhao gazed at her, his eyes filled with helplessness and doting affection.

After a moment of silence, he surrendered: "Fine, if Yuan Yuan doesn't want to drink, then we won't drink today."

He turned to the maid who was still carrying the tray: "Take it away."

He then instructed Qinglan, "Go ask the doctor if there are any other gentle tonics that don't require ingestion."

Qinglan: "Yes."

Shen Tinghe was not pleased by his concession.

During the time he was detained in the mansion, Shen Tinghe harbored more than just this resentment towards him.

She forcefully shook off Xie Yanzhao's hand and turned to walk into the house.

Xie Yanzhao wasn't about to let her get away so easily. He took a long stride and caught up with her. He stretched out his arm, put his arm around her slender waist, and gently but firmly brought her back to his side.

He lowered his head, his thin lips almost touching her earlobe, his voice extremely low, a whispered coaxing that only the two of them could hear.

That gesture was full of tenderness and pleading.

Mingyan stood there, stunned, still holding the wooden kite in her hand.

She had never seen Xie Yanzhao like this before.

In her memory, or in the descriptions of others, His Highness the Crown Prince was unfathomable, decisive, and even his smile carried distance and authority.

I have never seen him like this before.

The undisguised focus and tenderness in his eyes, the helplessness of his easy compromise, the almost humble coaxing...

All principles seemed to become negotiable and could be abandoned in front of that lady.

So this is what it means for him to love someone.

The last faint ripple in my heart, one that I myself didn't want to delve into, was completely soothed by the scene before me at this moment.

It wasn't jealousy, but a sudden sense of relief.

Before seeing it, there might be some vague imagination or obsession based on the past.

Now that I have seen it with my own eyes, I know what the gentleness above the clouds looks like, and I truly understand that there is an insurmountable chasm between us.

"Is it fixed?"

Yuan Chi's voice rang out from beside her, reminding her that it was time to leave.

Mingyan regained her composure, composed herself, and gently pushed the wooden kite's wings one last time. With a soft "click," the mechanism reset.

She handed the repaired wooden kite to the maid beside her: "It's fixed, please give it to Madam."

As soon as Shen Tinghe stepped into the bedroom, a warm and solid touch came from behind her.

Xie Yanzhao's arm wrapped around her from behind, pulling her into his embrace. One hand was already on her lower abdomen, his palm warm to the touch.

"Are you feeling unwell today?"

Shen Tinghe turned around in his arms, grabbed the fabric of his shirt, looked up, her eyes filled with the grievance and accusation of being imprisoned.

"When are you going to finish? I want to go out... I've been cooped up in this yard for two days, I'm so bored. I hate my brother."

The last sentence was spoken so softly and gently that it didn't sound like genuine anger, but rather like a coquettish plea.

Xie Yanzhao chuckled softly, carried Shen Tinghe a few steps to the chaise lounge by the window and sat down, letting Shen Tinghe sit steadily on his lap.

He still had one hand protecting her waist, and the other hand gently smoothed her slightly disheveled long hair.

"I'm done with work. How about I take Yuan Yuan out for a walk tonight?"

"real?"

Shen Tinghe's eyes suddenly lit up, like stars that had been lit up in an instant, and the resentment she had just felt vanished.

Xie Yanzhao looked into her bright, rabbit-like eyes and couldn't help but lower his head and kiss her eyelids.

"When have I ever lied to you?" His voice was a little hoarse.

His Yuan Yuan always managed to stir all his emotions so easily, making his heart flutter.

Xie Yanzhao buried his face in the crook of her neck, almost greedily inhaling her unique sweet and warm fragrance, leaving a slightly damp mark on her delicate skin with the tip of his teeth.

"But... before we go out, Yuan Yuan needs to spend some time with me first."

Shen Tinghe felt a little ticklish from his rubbing, so she raised her hand and patted the back of his head: "Why should I keep you company?"

Xie Yanzhao raised his head, his eyes surging with an undisguised desire.

He lifted her hips, pulling her closer to him, his voice deep and cloying: "Now, accompany your husband to take a bath. You've been busy all morning, and you're covered in sweat."

Shen Tinghe wrinkled her nose and poked his chest with her fingertip: "You're sweating, yet you're still holding me so tightly."

"so,"

Xie Yanzhao seized the opportunity to grab her mischievous fingers, kissed them, and his eyes were deep and captivating.

"Yuan Yuan must come with me... to get clean."

……

After an unknown amount of time, the misty vapor gradually dissipated.

Shen Tinghe was carried out of the slightly cool water.

Her whole body was flushed with an alluring pink, her eyelashes were wet and stuck together, her eyes were unfocused and hazy, and she was so soft as to be boneless. She could only helplessly nestle in Xie Yanzhao's arms and let him do as he pleased.

He even patiently helped her put on her clothes, piece by piece.

Soft silk undergarments, warm padded jackets, and elaborate skirts.

Xie Yanzhao let her lean against his chest, his arm encircling her slender waist, his fingertips deftly tying the silk ribbon behind her back.

His hand lingered on her waist from time to time, feeling the delicate touch of her skin, as smooth as the finest warm jade.

"How come Yuan Yuan's skin is so tender?"

He sighed softly, his breath brushing against her sensitive shoulders and neck.

"It's white with a hint of pink, like freshly peeled lychee flesh, so beautiful."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but plant a few light kisses on her round, pink shoulders.

Shen Tinghe felt itchy and trembling from his touch. Her remaining senses slowly returned, bringing with them a deep weariness and a touch of languid coquettishness after being pampered.

Her voice was hoarse, still trembling with sobs: "Brother...why do you have so many tricks up your sleeve?"

In Xie Yanzhao's hands, she always had no choice but to surrender and be at his mercy.

Upon hearing this, Xie Yanzhao let out a low, pleasant laugh. He pulled the last layer of his outer garment over her shoulders, wrapping her up tightly.

"My darling is so innocent, your husband should learn more from her, otherwise how can you make Yuan Yuan happy, hmm?"

The last syllable disappeared between the overlapping lips and teeth, gentle and tender, announcing that after a brief rest, there might be endless lingering affection.

As night fell, Xingzhou City, like a pearl being slowly polished, became increasingly dazzling and bustling.

The smoky aroma from the woks of the eateries, the music from the restaurants, and the cheers from the acrobatic performances all intertwine to create a vibrant scene of everyday life.

The bloodshed and swordplay of last night seemed to have been completely swallowed up by this tumultuous wave, leaving no trace.

Shen Tinghe was like a fledgling bird leaving the nest for the first time, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

During her time in Xingzhou, she had been kept in Xie Yanzhao's mansion like a "golden house," and everything she saw now seemed new and exciting.

Xie Yanzhao stayed half a step away from her the whole time, protecting her silently.

A crowd had gathered at a street corner ahead, and gasps of amazement could be heard.

Shen Tinghe was naturally drawn to the scene and tugged at Xie Yanzhao's sleeve, leaning forward: "Brother, it's so lively over there, let's go take a look!"