The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Because of their special status, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess were not required to return to their parents' home three days after their wedding.

But Yanzhao knew that Shen Tinghe must be missing her family, so he summoned Madam Shen to the palace.

After breakfast, Xie Yanzhao went to his study to handle government affairs.

Not long after, Madam Shen was invited into the East Palace.

The mother and daughter held hands affectionately and sat together on a Luohan bed with thick brocade cushions by the window.

"Yuan'er, how have you been these past few days in the palace?"

Madam Shen held her daughter's hand and looked her over carefully. Seeing that her complexion was rosy and her eyes were full of unconcealed smiles, she finally felt relieved.

Shen Tinghe leaned comfortably against the cushions, one hand casually resting on the small table in the middle, her tone languid: "Don't worry, Mother, His Highness is taking good care of me."

Upon hearing this, Madam Shen couldn't help but laugh and tapped her forehead: "Only you dare to say that. You're the one who should be taking care of His Highness the Crown Prince, but it's become that he's taking good care of you."

Shen Tinghe stuck out her tongue, unconcerned.

Madam Shen then asked with concern, "Was your wedding night alright? His Highness... treated you well, didn't he?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Tinghe's cheeks flushed crimson, and she lowered her head somewhat shyly: "Mother, why are you even asking about this?"

"Silly child, why are you so shy in front of your mother?" Madam Shen held her hand, speaking earnestly.

"This concerns the future imperial heir. Yuan'er, only by giving birth to a prince as soon as possible can you truly gain a foothold and silence everyone's gossip."

Shen Tinghe knew her mother meant well, and she stammered, blushing, "It's...it's fine."

"How exactly is it good?" Madam Shen pressed for details.

"How many times did it work?"

Shen Tinghe: "I don't know... anyway."

"What?!" Madam Shen's voice rose several octaves in surprise.

She never expected that the Crown Prince, who usually appeared so gentle and refined, would be so...

It seems my previous worries were unnecessary; instead, I should be concerned about another issue.

Madam Shen's expression turned serious. She leaned closer to her daughter and instructed, "A-Yuan, listen to your mother. Although this is a good thing, you must know when to stop. Don't agree to everything the Crown Prince wants. Your health is your own responsibility, so you must take care of yourself."

Shen Tinghe pouted, feeling wronged, and muttered softly, "He won't listen, what can I do..."

Madam Shen felt both heartache and amusement upon hearing this. She patted her daughter's hand and said, "Alright, alright. It's good for you to conceive a royal heir as soon as possible. Just remember, you must know how to exercise restraint."

The mother and daughter chatted for a long time about everyday things, until it was almost noon, when Mrs. Shen reluctantly got up to leave.

-

The candlelight flickered red, and the brocade curtains hung low.

Xie Yanzhao wanted to bathe with Shen Tinghe, but she stopped him.

When she finished washing up and returned to the bedside, Xie Yanzhao had already let his black hair down and was leaning against the headboard.

Upon seeing her arrive, he reached out and pulled her into his arms.

"Yuan Yuan..." His voice was filled with suppressed emotions.

Shen Tinghe sat up and straddled his waist.

Her long, black hair cascaded down, brushing against his chest: "Mother said this should be stopped in time."

Xie Yanzhao's eyes darkened slightly, concealing the turmoil within them, and he chuckled softly, "But now, it seems more like Yuan Yuan is about to do something to me."

Looking at his handsome face and feeling the firm, warm texture of his skin beneath her fingertips, Shen Tinghe felt a stirring in her heart.

Shen Tinghe leaned down and kissed his lips, mimicking his usual manner, tentatively licking and nibbling.

As his breathing grew heavier, she suddenly stepped back, leaving him with only her back view.

"That's it, time to sleep."

Xie Yanzhao leaned closer from behind: "Knowing when to stop doesn't mean being celibate, Jiaojiao."

……

"Ugh... Liar... Xie Yanzhao, you're a liar." A sob mixed with light panting.

She tried to dodge forward with her hands and feet, but was easily pulled back into his arms.

Feeling his advances, she completely lost her strength and could only weakly cling to his shoulders.

"Calling the Crown Prince by his given name..." His voice was terribly hoarse, "Jiaojiao probably won't be able to sleep tonight."

The sounds, sometimes rapid and sometimes drawn out, leaked through the heavy curtains, and the palace maids on night watch outside the door all lowered their heads and blushed.

With the clouds dispersed and the rain stopped, Shen Tinghe was too lazy to even move her fingertips.

Xie Yanzhao pulled her into his arms and gently stroked her sweaty back.

"Bad guy..." she mumbled indistinctly, her cheek pressed against his heart.

He chuckled softly and placed a kiss on the top of her head: "Will you dare to tease me like this again?"

His response was a steady, long breath.

Shen Tinghe was exhausted and fell asleep.

Xie Yanzhao pulled the brocade quilt over the two of them, his fingertips entwining a strand of her hair.

The moonlight outside the window was bright, casting a gentle glow on the floor through the window screen.

His Majesty's birthday celebration, a grand feast for all ages

Above the golden palace, the lights were as bright as day, and the nine palaces were all enveloped in the magnificent celebration of His Majesty's birthday.

Below the imperial steps, officials, dressed in their finest attire, stood solemnly according to their rank.

As the sounds of string and wind instruments rose, and the chime bells rang out clear and melodious, the music and dance of the Imperial Music Bureau were like celestial beings.

But most people's eyes lingered on the side of the imperial steps.

Crown Prince Xie Yanzhao and Crown Princess Shen Tinghe sat below His Majesty.

Xie Yanzhao was dressed in a black ceremonial robe embroidered with gold dragons, exuding a composed and dignified air.

Shen Tinghe wore a red palace dress with gold phoenixes, her hair was tied up high, and the pearl-embellished phoenix hairpin shimmered with a warm glow under the lamplight.

Some people couldn't help but exclaim that she truly deserved to be called the "Pearl of the Capital," a young lady from the Shen family.

Shen Tinghe's beauty is the kind that can captivate the heart with just one glance, yet makes one afraid to stare at her for too long.

With her radiant complexion and slender frame, her demeanor possessed both the youthful innocence of a young girl and the refined elegance that came with her status, an air of unapproachable nobility.

She lowered her eyes slightly, her posture dignified, but the only intimacy that was unnoticed by others was the hand she quietly clasped with Xie Yanzhao's beneath her wide sleeves.

As the banquet reached its climax, Shen Tinghe had just picked up the jade cup in front of her when her wrist was gently pressed down by a hand with distinct knuckles.

"That's three cups already," Xie Yanzhao said in a low voice, only the two of them could hear him. "If you drink any more, you'll have a headache tomorrow."

Shen Tinghe parted her lips slightly, as if she wanted to argue, but ultimately, considering the occasion, she simply pursed her lips and put the wine glass back on the table.

She then picked up her silver chopsticks and reached for the delicate autumn cake, but was stopped again.

"Yuan Yuan, you shouldn't eat too many sweets at night, or you won't be able to sleep again."

Shen Tinghe's fake smile could barely hold up. Her hand stealthily reached under the table, precisely found Xie Yanzhao's thigh, and pinched it mercilessly.

If you can't drink this or eat that, what's the point of this banquet?

Xie Yanzhao's expression remained unchanged, but a hint of a smile flashed in his eyes. He grabbed the mischievous hand and intertwined their fingers.

"Be good, Jiaojiao." His lips almost touched her earlobe. "You'll feel unwell at night if you eat too much, and you'll bully me again."

Shen Tinghe secretly glared at him. Who bullied him?

Although the two acted discreetly, they were the most eye-catching couple at the banquet.

Many officials witnessed this scene and were secretly surprised.