The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

The more she gave, the deeper and more unfathomable the abyss of his demands became.

Xie Yanzhao kissed Shen Tinghe deeply, prying open her teeth, conquering and plundering her, swallowing all her breath and soft moans.

Even amidst such intense intimacy, he kept his eyes open, staring at her with an almost cruel intensity.

Watching Shen Tinghe's eyelashes tremble and close as she could no longer bear the intense kiss, and seeing the blush gradually spreading across her fair cheeks—the mark he had left on her—he knew he was the one who had left his mark.

His eyes were obsessive and dark, with a fervor surging within them that was both destructive and reborn.

Yuan Yuan, that's enough.

That's how I softened my heart, that's how I comforted people.

And so you try to tame this insatiable beast with your boundless tenderness.

Every bit you give me will only make me cling to you more tightly and sink deeper into this eternal torment called "Shen Tinghe".

You think you're filling a void, but you don't realize you're building an even stronger cage for us.

His kisses gradually moved, landing on her eyelids and her ears, leaving warm, wet traces and low, husky pronouncements, blending into their intertwined breaths.

And so, let us be entangled for life.

They shared the same bed in life, the same grave in death, their souls and dreams intertwined, their bones and blood fused together.

You can never, ever escape my side.

The floor of the palace was covered with a thick velvet carpet.

Shen Tinghe sat on the carpet with her son Xie Jingxu, with several brightly colored soft cloth dolls scattered around them.

The five-month-old baby, dressed in a light yellow shirt, was already able to sit steadily with the help of adults, his chubby little back bulging.

His big, dark eyes darted around curiously, looking at his smiling mother and then at Qingxu and Qingyu standing beside her.

Qingxu held a rattle drum in her hand, turning it gently. Qingyu held a cloth tiger made of brocade, looking adorable.

Both of them looked at their little master, who looked like a pink dumpling, with undisguised affection on their faces.

Xie Jingxu was born exceptionally beautiful, with snow-white skin and exquisite features. At a young age, he had inherited all the best features of his parents, making him so delicate that he seemed otherworldly. Anyone who saw him would feel soft-hearted.

He seemed to sense that he was surrounded by love, and he grinned, revealing his pink gums.

Qingxu couldn't help but laugh, "With our little prince being so handsome, I wonder how many young ladies he will capture the hearts of in the future."

Shen Tinghe's heart softened completely. She reached out and carefully hugged her son, kissing his milky face again and again.

Xie Jingxu especially loved the warm and fragrant scent emanating from his mother. He stretched out his two small, lotus-root-like arms to reach her neck, and softly nestled on her shoulder, nuzzling her affectionately.

The mother and son were having a great time, and the atmosphere inside the hall was warm and harmonious.

Qingyu, however, seemed somewhat absent-minded, her gaze repeatedly drifting towards the tightly closed palace doors, her face showing hesitation as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.

She hesitated for a long time before finally taking advantage of a moment when Shen Tinghe was playing with the child to whisper a reminder.

"Your Majesty, Qinglan and Qingdai have been kneeling in the corridor outside the palace for almost a day."

Upon hearing this, Qingxu nudged Qingyu with her elbow, her brows furrowing slightly, her eyes showing disapproval, as if she were annoyed that Qingyu had spoken out of turn and spoiled the Empress's mood.

Shen Tinghe paused slightly as she teased her son, a hint of surprise flashing across her face.

She hadn't stepped out of the palace gates for the past few days, and no one dared to mention the matter in front of her, so they were unaware that the two men had been kneeling outside the palace begging for forgiveness.

Qingyu was indeed conflicted.

She was furious when she first learned of the matter.

But seeing them kneeling from dawn till dusk, the bond of years of shared service ultimately prevailed.

Shen Tinghe remained silent for a moment, then handed her son, who was playing with her clothes, to the wet nurse beside her. She straightened her sleeves and spoke calmly.

"Let them in."

The root of this matter does not lie in the blue railing and the blue ink.

As subordinates, how could they disobey the emperor's orders?

In this deep palace, and indeed throughout the entire world, besides Shen Tinghe, who else truly possesses the confidence to say no and the privilege of exemption in front of that person?

Qinglan and Qingdai entered with their heads down and unsteady steps.

The two walked up to Shen Tinghe and knelt down heavily, their foreheads pressed against the soft carpet.

Qinglan: "Your Majesty, Qinglan knows she was wrong. Please, don't send us away."

Qingdai followed closely behind: "We servants are willing to accept any punishment, we only beg Your Majesty to have mercy and let us stay by your side to serve you."

Just then, familiar, unhurried footsteps came from outside the hall, the beaded curtain rustled, and Xie Yanzhao stepped in.

Shen Tinghe looked up at him, her delicate eyebrows slightly raised, her tone as natural as if she were calling out to an ordinary family member.

"Perfect timing, come here."

The servants standing in the hall, including Qingxu, Qingyu, and even the wet nurse holding the crown prince, all kept their eyes down and looked respectful.

No one showed the slightest surprise at the Empress's casual, even commanding tone, as if it were already commonplace.

Xie Yanzhao walked over to her and sat down next to her.

With that imperial majesty gone, he was like a large beast finally returning to its nest, reaching out to pull the person into his arms.

His chin instinctively rubbed against her shoulder and neck, his posture intimate and dependent to the point of being almost clingy.

Shen Tinghe extended her index finger, pressed it against his approaching head, and pushed him away slightly without any mercy: "Sit properly."

Xie Yanzhao paused, looked up at her, seemingly aggrieved, yet not daring to disobey.

Shen Tinghe stopped looking at him and turned her gaze back to the two people still kneeling on the ground: "I will only ask you once, from now on, will you listen to me or His Majesty?"

Qinglan and Qingdai were startled, but without the slightest hesitation, they spoke almost simultaneously, their voices resolute: "We will obey Your Majesty! We will obey Your Majesty in everything!"

This answer concerns a complete transfer of loyalty, and they understand the weight of it, yet they have no other choice and are willing to accept it.

Having gotten the answer she wanted, Shen Tinghe slightly turned her head, her eyes sparkling, and glanced at the man beside her with a strong presence, her tone light and airy.

"And you?"

Xie Yanzhao stretched out his long arm and pulled the person into his arms again, disregarding everything else.

He buried his face in the crook of her fragrant neck and nuzzled her gently: "I'll listen to Yuan Yuan too."

All those standing in the hall bowed their heads deeply, as if they were part of the background of a mural.

Only the bewildered little prince in his wet nurse's arms stared at his father and mother with his big, dark eyes.

Shen Tinghe was held tightly by him, and whispered in his ear, "There are people watching, what kind of behavior is this?"

Even so, the curve of her lips deepened, clearly pleasing him to his undisguised dependence and expression of affection.

"Okay," she said.

She gently patted Xie Yanzhao's arm around her waist and said to the others, "Bring the child over here. You can all leave now. There's no need to serve us here."

The wet nurse handed Xie Jingxu to Shen Tinghe.

The little prince was in his mother's arms. He reached out his little hand and grabbed a strand of her hair that was hanging down, and settled down.