The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Only the three of them remained inside the hall.

Xie Yanzhao's arm was still wrapped around Shen Tinghe's waist, his chin resting lightly on her shoulder, but his gaze was drawn to the little dumpling in her arms that had captured most of her attention, his tone filled with undisguised complaint.

"Why keep him here? Yuan Yuan, look at me more."

Like a child who couldn't get candy, he tried to win back her attention with affectionate rubbing.

Perhaps it was the emperor's overly intimate presence and declaration of "exclusivity" that bothered him, or perhaps he simply wanted to attract attention.

Xie Jingxu squirmed restlessly in Shen Tinghe's arms, waving his little fists and babbling "ee-ya-ya" in Xie Yanzhao's direction, his clear baby talk seemingly carrying a small protest.

Xie Yanzhao frowned, and a hint of disdain for his son's "lack of tact" suddenly appeared in his eyes.

You brat.

Shen Tinghe: "What's wrong? Don't you like Father Emperor being so close to us? Then let's stay away from him."

Holding the child, she actually stood up, took a few steps towards the other side of the heated tatami mat, and distanced herself from Xie Yanzhao.

Xie Yanzhao sat alone on the edge of the bed, his face visibly darkening and his eyes filled with gloom.

Xie Jingxu, who had successfully "occupied" his mother's entire embrace, seemed to sense his father's suffocation and actually grinned with his toothless little mouth.

She flashed a toothless smile in Xie Yanzhao's direction, innocent yet "annoying."

Xie Yanzhao stopped using roundabout language and directly adopted his usual assertive style.

He strode up behind Shen Tinghe, one hand still lightly resting on her waist, while the other hand forcefully yet gently turned her chin, lowering his head to precisely capture her lips.

His kisses were always like this: initially possessive, prying open her teeth, delving deep, sweeping away all her breath and thoughts, so hot it made her dizzy.

Caught off guard, Shen Tinghe let out a sob and quickly went limp under his skillful onslaught.

My arms were trembling as I held the child, and I could only passively endure this sudden burst of passion.

Xie Yanzhao suddenly raised his half-closed eyes, his gaze passing over Shen Tinghe's flushed and hazy profile, and accurately landing on the tiny figure who was unconsciously hugged and sandwiched between the two of them.

Xie Jingxu seemed startled by this sudden intimacy, his beautiful eyes, which resembled his mother's, widening as he stared blankly at his father, who was so close to him.

A faint, almost childish, smug look flashed across Xie Yanzhao's eyes.

He raised an eyebrow slightly, his thin lips still lingering on his wife's sweet scent, but his eyes seemed to be making a silent declaration.

Kid, listen carefully, I'll always be your dad.

The kiss was deep and long, until Shen Tinghe's breathing became completely disordered, her eyelashes were wet, and her whole body felt weak and powerless, as if all her bones had been removed, and she could hardly stand up.

Xie Jingxu, nestled in his mother's arms, whimpered in dissatisfaction due to the tight embrace and the slight trembling of his mother's body.

Xie Yanzhao then stepped back slightly, still not quite satisfied, but did not let go.

He took his son from Shen Tinghe's already weak arms with remarkable ease, steadily supporting the tiny bundle in one hand.

His other arm tightly embraced Shen Tinghe's waist, pulling her back into his arms in a half-hug, half-support manner.

He was simultaneously with the two most important people in his life.

Looking down at his wife's flushed, intoxicated cheeks and misty, watery eyes in his arms, Xie Yanzhao let out a low, pleasant laugh.

The laughter was full of satisfaction and undisguised smugness: "How come Yuan Yuan is so soft?"

Shen Tinghe's ears burned at his appearance. She gave him a coquettish glare, but her eyes held no anger; instead, they added to her allure.

She raised her hand and gently stroked her son's soft face in her arms, complaining, "Isn't Father very mean?"

Little Xie Jingxu seemed to really understand, clenching his chubby little fists and making a few loud "ya ya ya" sounds.

It was as if he was trying his best to agree with his mother, expressing his purest dissatisfaction with his father's behavior of "possessing" his mother.

Looking at his son's childish yet earnest "accusation," Xie Yanzhao chuckled and scolded, "You brat."

Shen Tinghe suddenly raised her eyes, the corners of her eyes slightly upturned, yet concealing a hidden hook: "Where's the chain you used to lock me up?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Yanzhao's eyes darkened suddenly, and his voice became somewhat hoarse.

"It's hidden in a secret compartment, Yuan Yuan, do you intend to...?"

Shen Tinghe deliberately leaned forward, extended her slender fingers, and drew circles on Xie Yanzhao's chest through the delicate fabric.

She tilted her head back, her eyes alluring: "Brother, how about we try something different tonight?"

A moment later, on the dragon bed.

Xie Yanzhao lay on his back, the hem of his dark nightgown torn open, revealing his well-defined chest.

One of his wrists was loosely fastened by that familiar, exquisite gold chain that had once locked Shen Tinghe's ankle, while the other end was wrapped around the carved bedpost.

It is not entirely impossible to break free, but it is a distinct yet ambiguous symbol of bondage.

His face showed little anger, but rather was filled with helplessness and an overwhelming sense of sorrow as he stared intently at his beloved who was straddling his waist.

"Yuan Yuan," he drawled, his tone filled with obvious grievance and dissatisfaction.

"What are we doing leaving him here?"

Shen Tinghe was sitting comfortably. Upon hearing this, she simply smiled and did not reply.

In front of her, little Xie Jingxu, whom she carefully supported, sat curiously on his father's chest.

The little dumpling seemed to find it very novel, and happily babbled to itself.

He put his chubby fingers into his mouth and sucked on them with relish.

Shen Tinghe caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of her eye, and gently coaxed him, taking his little hand out of his mouth.

"Xu'er, be good, you can't suck your thumb."

With her little hand pulled away, Xie Jingxu grumbled in dissatisfaction, unconsciously waving her wet little palm, which landed squarely on Xie Yanzhao's exposed skin.

The traces of milk and saliva were so clearly left on the emperor's noble chest.

Xie Yanzhao frowned deeply and almost instinctively reached out his unrestrained hand to grab his son's two unruly arms, stopping him from continuing his "murder".

He opened his mouth, feeling the dampness on his chest, and for the first time in his life, he felt an indescribable sense of suffocation and frustration.

"you……"

This feels awful.

I only want everything about Yuan Yuan.

Her breath, her warmth, even the sweat or tears she shed when she was in love falling on him—these were the greatest rewards.

But other people, even his own son, made him uncomfortable.

Why isn't it Yuan Yuan who's left marks on him right now?

Shen Tinghe's upturned corners carried a cunning and knowing smile, as if he had already seen through what was on his mind.

"This is the proper punishment for you. If it were me..." then it would be your reward, wouldn't it?"

After being married for so long and spending every day and night with Xie Yanzhao, Shen Tinghe had long since figured out Xie Yanzhao's unconventional logic.

Biting him, hitting him, or leaving marks on him are not humiliations to him, but rather "rewards" that he craves, making him excited and trembling.