The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Xie Yanzhao opened his eyes, and there was a faint fragrance beside him, belonging to Shen Tinghe.

He turned his head and, sure enough, saw that Shen Tinghe was still fast asleep.

She curled up beside him like a docile cat, her long, black hair scattered on the pillow, and Xie Yanzhao's heart softened instantly.

He sat up, his nightgown wide open, revealing his collarbone and well-defined chest, which still bore several ambiguous red marks.

He lifted the bed curtains, his gaze falling on the edge of the bed.

The phoenix candle on the right had long since burned out, while the dragon candle on the left still stubbornly flickered with a faint flame.

Xie Yanzhao waved his hand, and the last glimmer of light from the dragon candle went out.

His gaze fell on Shen Tinghe's sleeping face, softening with tenderness and affection.

That's fine. Jiaojiao can go first; otherwise, he wouldn't feel comfortable leaving her with anyone else.

When Shen Tinghe woke up, it was already 14:00 PM, and she felt sore all over.

Her waist and hips were especially sore and weak, causing her to let out a soft hiss.

The soft sound immediately startled the people waiting outside the door.

With a creak, the door was gently pushed open, and four of her personal maids, including Qingyu and Qingxu, filed in.

Following closely behind were young palace maids carrying copper basins, towels, soap, and other toiletries, as well as those carrying clean clothes and jewelry boxes.

Qingyu tiptoed to the bedside and lifted the hanging curtains.

"The Crown Princess has woken up?" Qingyu's voice was extremely low.

"Would you like to wash up now?"

Shen Tinghe didn't speak, but blinked wearily, her gaze sweeping over her nightgown.

Xie Yanzhao, that beast... thankfully, at least he remembered to dress her.

She was half-helped to sit up by the palace maids, leaning against the stacked soft pillows at the head of the bed, feeling utterly weak.

Qingxu brought warm water and helped her wash up, while Qingyu combed her slightly messy long hair.

After washing up, Shen Tinghe dismissed everyone else, leaving only Qingyu and Qingxu.

Shen Tinghe picked up the cup of warm water that Qingyu handed her, took a sip, and then asked in a hoarse voice, "Where is His Highness?"

"His Highness has been staying here ever since you fell asleep, never leaving your side," Qingyu replied.

"It wasn't until a quarter of an hour ago that His Highness went to the study because Lord Lin had important business to discuss with him."

"Study..." Shen Tinghe murmured, repeating the phrase, then her mind went blank as she suddenly remembered something.

"Oh no! What time is it now? I'm supposed to pay my respects to Father today."

Qingxu quickly replied, "His Highness has already sent someone to report back. His Highness said that the Crown Princess should rest assured and not worry."

Shen Tinghe leaned against the headboard, growing angrier the more she thought about it. She grabbed Xie Yanzhao's pillow and threw it away.

"Hmph!" She turned her face away. "When he comes back, don't let him in!"

Beast! Hungry wolf!

No sooner had he finished speaking than a series of steady footsteps came from outside the door. The door was pushed open, and a tall, upright figure walked in.

Xie Yanzhao was dressed in a dark blue casual robe today, his black hair tied up, his handsome face still as striking as ever, though his expression seemed a little softer than usual.

He immediately noticed the pillow on the floor, then glanced at his sulking wife on the bed, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

He approached slowly, his voice deep and pleasant, tinged with a hint of mockery, "Who is my darling sulking with? Who is she refusing to let in?"

Shen Tinghe ignored him

Xie Yanzhao was not annoyed. He walked straight to the bedside, took the bowl from Qingyu's hand, and instructed them, "You may leave now."

"Yes, Your Highness." Qingyu and Qingxu exchanged a glance, bowed, and left, gently closing the door behind them.

Only the two of them remained inside.

Xie Yanzhao pulled Shen Tinghe, blanket and all, into his arms, letting her lean comfortably against his chest.

He picked up the bowl, scooped up a spoonful of warm porridge, and brought it to her lips.

"Sweetie, have some porridge to fill your stomach first."

Shen Tinghe squirmed restlessly: "I don't want you to hug me."

"Be good, after you finish eating, you still need to apply medicine to Jiaojiao."

Shen Tinghe was already weak, and now that he was holding her tightly, she could only obediently listen and open her mouth to eat the porridge.

"You're a bad person," she mumbled between small bites of food, her voice indistinct.

"Yes, I'm a bad person." Xie Yanzhao replied good-naturedly, and fed her another bite, "Here, have another bite."

"All you ever do is bully me," Shen Tinghe continued her accusation, her eyes slightly reddening.

Xie Yanzhao denied it this time: "I clearly love you. All these years... I've given it all to Jiaojiao, and you still want to be blamed. Didn't your husband serve you well last night?"

Shen Tinghe glared at him, both embarrassed and annoyed: "It wasn't comfortable afterwards! I told you to stop, but you wouldn't listen, you just... just..."

Seeing her adorable appearance, Xie Yanzhao's heart softened. He put down the bowl, cupped her face, and gently kissed her lips.

He whispered reassuringly, "I promise I'll be gentle tonight, okay?"

"No more tonight!" Shen Tinghe retorted immediately, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

After saying that, he pulled the blanket up and buried himself in it, as if there were some ferocious beast outside.

Xie Yanzhao took off his outer garment, climbed onto the bed, and reached out to lower the bed curtains.

Hearing him get into bed, Shen Tinghe couldn't help but shrink back.

"It's...it's still...daytime..."

Xie Yanzhao tenderly touched her face: "I won't touch you. Come here, let your husband apply the medicine for you."

Last night was the first time in twenty-four years that he married the woman he loved, and he really couldn't resist.

He went too far and scared his darling.

Shen Tinghe turned her head away awkwardly, which could be considered tacit consent.

Xie Yanzhao knelt beside her and slowly untied the belt around her waist.

Shen Tinghe subconsciously reached out and pressed down: "Is...is it like this? Does it have to be applied like this?"

Xie Yanzhao's eyes were as deep as the night. He took her slightly cool hand in his and gently kissed it.

"Here's the thing, Jiaojiao, the place that hurts the most is where you should apply the medicine. Be good, I'll be gentle."

Looking into his earnest eyes, Shen Tinghe hesitated for a moment, then finally let go and buried her face in the pillow.

Xie Yanzhao felt a tightness in his throat as he looked at her submissive appearance.

He lifted her slender, fair legs and placed them on his waist. The delicate, smooth touch made him reluctant to let go, and he couldn't help but caress them for a moment before picking up the medicine box beside him.

He put two fingers together, scooped up a piece of glistening ointment, and then slowly inserted it inside.

"Mmm..." Shen Tinghe's body arched, and she let out a soft moan, "Brother..."

Xie Yanzhao swallowed hard as he looked at the scene before him, his eyes filled with deep hatred and a hint of dark red.

"Brother's here... Be good, Yuan Yuan."

His two fingers moved forward with difficulty, trying to apply the medicine to every spot.

Throughout the entire process, Shen Tinghe's body remained tense, occasionally letting out a suppressed groan or two, her tears soaking her pillow.

After finally finishing applying the medicine, Xie Yanzhao tidied her clothes.

Seeing her red eyes and tears welling up in her eyes, he felt a pang of heartache and bent down to hug her.

Shen Tinghe stretched out her arms and wrapped them around his neck, burying her face in the crook of his neck, and said in a soft, coquettish voice, "Hug me~".

Xie Yanzhao chuckled softly, sighed contentedly, patted her back, and whispered soothingly, "Are you feeling any better now?"

Shen Tinghe: "Hmm..."

It felt cool and refreshing, and it did soothe me quite a bit.

She clutched his lapel and asked, "Are we really not going to pay our respects to Father today?"

Xie Yanzhao: "No need. My father rarely goes out and doesn't care about these things."

Since the late Empress's death, Xie Yanzhao's relationship with His Majesty has become increasingly distant and cold.

Moreover, the one who currently holds the Phoenix Seal is Consort Ming. In Xie Yanzhao's view, those people are not worthy of his beloved daughter's respect.

Hearing him say that, Shen Tinghe stopped asking questions.

From childhood, relying on Xie Yanzhao had become a habit for her. If he said it was nothing, then it must be nothing.

At this moment, physical exhaustion and mental relaxation intertwined, and a heavy drowsiness washed over me again.

She yawned slightly, found the most comfortable position in his arms, and her eyelids grew heavier and heavier.

"Tired?" Xie Yanzhao lowered his head and kissed the top of her head.

"Hmm..." Shen Tinghe responded vaguely, her consciousness gradually fading.

Xie Yanzhao held the soft body in his arms, a satisfied and gentle smile on his lips. He closed his eyes, enjoying this rare tranquility and tenderness.