The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

He rode a magnificent horse, followed by a guard of three hundred imperial guards in splendid armor, their steps perfectly synchronized.

The wedding procession was grand and magnificent, with the sounds of sheng, xiao, drums, and music filling the air. It attracted crowds of onlookers along the way, whose cheers and shouts almost drowned out the music.

Incense tables were set up in front of every household to show respect and blessings to the imperial family.

When the Crown Prince's entourage arrived at the Prince's residence, the mansion was already decorated with lanterns and streamers, and filled with a joyous atmosphere.

In the Jiangxi Courtyard, Shen Tinghe wore an elaborate and gorgeous pheasant robe, embroidered with pairs of phoenixes in gold thread. The hem of her skirt trailed on the ground, making her resemble a blooming peony.

Her brother, Shen Chengbo, also made a special trip back to attend his sister's wedding banquet.

Fifteen-year-old Shen Chengzhou was already almost as tall as his older brother.

Upon seeing Shen Chengbo, his eyes darted around, and he quickly blocked the doorway, saying, "Brother, you've had a long and tiring journey back. Let me carry my sister to the sedan chair today."

Upon hearing this, Shen Chengbo's smile remained unchanged. He simply stepped forward, gently took Shen Chengzhou's hand, and seemingly casually pulled him aside, thus separating them slightly.

"No need, my older brother is taller and more stable than you. I'll carry Yuan Yuan on my back."

Shen Chengzhou was pulled aside, and he pouted somewhat resentfully.

Just you wait, bro, I'll definitely grow taller than you someday.

Ning Mu walked over. He was the eldest son of Shen Tinghe's uncle, and today he was also dressed in a festive red brocade robe.

He patted Shen Chengzhou on the shoulder, then smiled at Shen Chengbai and said, "Alright, alright, you two brothers go argue over there. When Ayuan comes out, I, as the older cousin, will carry him on my back."

Amidst the laughter and chatter, the auspicious time arrived.

As the announcement of "Please invite the bride" came from outside, Shen Chengbo finally carried his sister to the bridal sedan chair.

He walked very slowly from his boudoir to the bridal sedan chair.

When he reached the bridal sedan chair, he stopped, turned his head, and spoke to her, word by word, in a voice only the two of them could hear.

"Ah Yuan, remember, your brother will always be here. Don't be afraid of anything in the palace from now on. All you need to do is enjoy your life peacefully."

Shen Tinghe nodded vigorously, her voice choked with emotion, yet unusually firm: "Yes!"

She didn't cry. Today was her joyous day, a brand new beginning in her life. She told herself that the road ahead would be just as happy and smooth as this moment.

Amidst the crackling of firecrackers and the deafening sound of drums and music, the bridal sedan chair, surrounded by a crowd, slowly rose and headed towards the palace.

This bridal sedan chair, crafted from the finest sandalwood and inlaid with gold and jade, is adorned with exquisite gold bells hanging from its four corners. The chair is decorated with a painting of a hundred sons and a thousand grandsons, symbolizing the flourishing of the royal family and the continuation of its lineage.

The wedding procession's return journey was an unprecedented spectacle.

Court musicians led the way, playing the elegant melody of "The Phoenix Seeks Its Mate".

In the middle were the guards protecting the sedan chair and the procession carrying the dowry, which numbered a full 180 chests.

From fine silks and satins to rare treasures and gold and silver utensils, every item showcased the wealth of the royal family and the importance they placed on their daughter's wedding.

Back at the palace, the grand wedding ceremony was held in the magnificent Taiji Hall. Inside, civil and military officials, dressed in court robes, lined both sides.

The emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, receiving the kneeling obeisance of the crown prince and crown princess.

"First bow to Heaven and Earth, second bow to the parents, husband and wife bow to each other..." The master of ceremonies' voice was loud and solemn, each step meticulously executed, following ancestral traditions.

Thus, their names were linked together and recorded in history books.

Life after life

After the ceremony, a grand wedding banquet will be held.

The imperial kitchen had already prepared a Manchu-Han Imperial Feast, a dazzling array of delicacies from land and sea.

As night deepened, a bright, full moon hung high in the sky.

Xie Yanzhao took Shen Tinghe's hand and stepped into their new house.

The dragon and phoenix wedding candles burned quietly, their flickering flames illuminating the room in a warm and hazy glow.

As soon as the door closed, Xie Yanzhao could no longer control himself.

He lifted the veil embroidered with golden phoenixes, lowered his head and kissed her lips, eager yet tender, like a parched person receiving sweet rain.

"Yuan Yuan, Jiao Jiao, you're finally mine."

Shen Tinghe nestled into his broad embrace, awkwardly responding while standing on tiptoe.

As their lips met, she felt dizzy, as if he had stolen her breath, and could only let out fragmented sobs: "Brother... Crown Prince... be gentle..."

Xie Yanzhao stepped back slightly, his eyes swirling with turbulent emotions. His hand reached for her waist, untying the intricate and ornate wedding dress.

"Jiaojiao," he said in a low, husky voice, with a hint of coaxing, "it's time to change how you address me."

As her clothes loosened, Shen Tinghe suddenly remembered something and gently pressed her hand against his chest: "Wait... we haven't drunk the nuptial wine yet..."

Xie Yanzhao paused, cherishing this wedding and unwilling to omit any rituals.

So he picked her up and carried her to a round table covered with red satin, but instead of putting her down, he sat on the stool and let her rest on his lap.

Arms intertwined, the liquor flowed down their throats, spicy with a hint of sweetness.

Before the wine glass was even set down, his kiss landed on her again, the aroma of wine seeping into her mouth, more lingering and possessive than before.

.........

Inside the red gauze curtain, candle wax piled up.

Shen Tinghe, wrapped in a brocade quilt, huddled in the corner of the bed. Her bare shoulders and neck were covered with deep and shallow bruises. Tears welled in her eyes, and her voice was pitifully hoarse.

"Brother...please spare me...I really can't take it anymore..."

She had already called for water twice; her whole body ached and she couldn't even lift her fingertips, as if she had been disassembled and then reassembled.

The man before her still had a burning gaze, his sweaty chest heaving in the candlelight, revealing a satiated yet still aggressive nature.

He reached out, grasped her slender ankle, and with a slight pull, dragged her back.

"Jiaojiao doesn't like it? Her husband is so devoted..."

The words disappeared in the kiss that followed.

Shen Tinghe wanted to cry but had no tears.

Initially, she liked him; after all, Xie Yanzhao's looks and physique were undeniable, and they certainly propelled her to a trembling, blissful state.

But she's already at her limit.

Support in a practical sense...

……

Shen Tinghe was pinned to the table, his back pressed against the burning chest of the man.

"My husband... my husband... please."

Xie Yanzhao kissed the back of her neck and murmured, his voice obsessive and deep: "Jiaojiao, you are mine. Forever."

……

In the large bathtub, Shen Tinghe was held in his arms.

Xie Yanzhao let out a pleasant sigh, tightened his arms around her waist, and chuckled softly in her ear.

"Jiaojiao, wouldn't this count as attacking the Crown Prince?"

Shen Tinghe didn't want to listen to him at all; she was currently in a state of confusion and couldn't understand what he was saying.

She bit down hard on the soft flesh of Xie Yanzhao's neck, as if to return all the feelings he had given her.

Xie Yanzhao tilted his head back, his Adam's apple bobbing, his beautiful eyes churning with a frenzied lust, the corners of his eyes turning crimson.

So cool

Back in bed, the noise continued.

Qingxu waited outside the door, and Qingyu couldn't help but worry.

Qingyu: "Why isn't it over yet, Miss... can you take it?"

Qinglan: "It's alright, His Highness will definitely know what he's doing."

Qinglan herself felt guilty after hearing this.

The commotion inside the room continued all night; water was called six times, and Xie Yanzhao only stopped when dawn was breaking.

Shen Tinghe curled up in the brocade quilt, her black hair spreading across the pillow.

Xie Yanzhao moved closer from behind, pulling her into his arms. Listening to her even, deep breaths, his heart was filled with an unprecedented sense of fulfillment.

Outside the hall, Qingxu and Qingyu exchanged a glance and finally breathed a sigh of relief.